Dolly Parton

Rachel Parton George

Heavy Hardcover (2 to 4 lbs)

New York

A Year of Meals - a Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food [a Cookbook]

You’re invited to pull up a chair to a year of meals, friends, and fun with the Partons, as Dolly and her sister (and favorite cook) Rachel share beloved, crowd-pleasing recipes and family stories. “Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?” This is what Dolly Parton sings to her sister Rachel Parton George whenever she walks into her kitchen. It’s what you do when a love for good music and good food runs in the family. In Good Lookin’ Cookin’ Dolly and Rachel share tips for hosting events all year long, including twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. You’ll learn how much butter or whipped cream goes into a “Dolly Dollop,” what condiment is almost always on the table at Parton family meals, and what special dish Rachel makes at Dolly’s request every year for her birthday. Recipes include American classics such as Country Ham and Biscuits, Barbecue Spare Ribs, Family Favorite Meatloaf, Slaw of Many Colors, Watermelon Fruit Salad, Mac and Cheese, and Strawberry Shortcake. Filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is a treasured cookbook that will make you feel like part of the Parton family. With their trademark warmth and sisterly love, Dolly and Rachel remind you that cooking doesn’t need to be serious—it should be fun! And always good lookin’!

Good Lookin' Cookin'

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Cara Natterson

Vanessa Kroll Bennett

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Modern Puberty Explained

This Is So Awkward

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Gilead Sciences

A Story of Magic for Families Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

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Tia Williams

From the New York Times bestselling author of Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is an epic love story one hundred years in the making... Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing. Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn't one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she's the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they're long-stemmed roses, she's a dandelion: an adorable bloom that's actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her. When regal nonagenarian, Ms. Della, invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers. One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way. Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

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Elin Hilderbrand

In the grand finale of "queen of the beach read" Elin Hilderbrand's beloved Nantucket novels, there's a new couple in town... and they instantly shake things up. Amid the extravagant parties on land and sea, there's trouble on the island, forcing Chief of Police Ed Kapanesh to postpone his retirement and changing the fabric of life on the picturesque island forever... After thirty-five years serving as the Chief of Police on the island of Nantucket, Ed Kapenash's heart can no longer take the stress. But his plans to retire are thwarted when, with only three days left to serve, he receives a phone call. A 22-million-dollar summer home, recently purchased by the flashy new couple in town, the Richardsons, has burned to the ground. The Richardsons are far from hurt--in fact, they're out on the water, throwing a lavish party on their yacht--but when news of the fire reaches them, they discover that their personal assistant has vanished. The Chief is well-acquainted with the Richardsons, and his daughter is best friends with the now-missing girl, leaving him no choice but to postpone his retirement and take on the double case. On a small island like Nantucket, the Richardsons shook things up from the second they stepped on to the scene, throwing luxurious parties and doing whatever they could to gain admittance to the coveted lunches at the Field & Oar Club (with increasing desperation). They instantly captured the attention of local real estate agent Fast Eddie, and the town gossip Blond Sharon, both dealing with their own personal dramas. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce, and in order to avoid becoming a cliché, she's enrolled in a creative writing class, putting her natural affinity for scandal towards a more noble purpose. To solve the case of the fire and track down his daughter's best friend, the Chief will have to string together the pieces of the lives of all of these characters and more, rallying his strength for his final act of service to the tight-knit community he knows and loves. The last of Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling Nantucket novels, SWAN SONG is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself.

Swan Song

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Wallo267

Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples spent twenty years in and out of the prison system before restarting his life and catapulting himself to unforeseen levels of social impact, cultural influence, and success. Now he shares his story with the trademark honesty that’s made him an inspiration to those who need it most. Named after his well-respected father who disappeared when he was two, Wallo grew up in North Philadelphia with his mom, brothers, and grandmother, feeling pressure to achieve the success and reputation his father had on the streets. Spending time in and out of juvenile detention centers, school psychologists and counselors labeled him “criminal-minded” and his luck on the streets involving petty crimes would soon run out. After his involvement in an armed robbery, Wallo was arrested and received a prison sentence of nineteen to fifty-two years. Upon serving twenty years of his sentence, Wallo was released and returned home to Philadelphia. This memoir traces the journey from Wallo’s youth and incarceration to his incredible success. In his time spent in prison, Wallo came to understand that he was armed with the wrong intentions despite great potential via a lack of guidance and proper mindset. With this understanding, he reckoned with the choices that put him there, accepted responsibility for his own actions, and vowed to arm himself with only good intentions upon his release. Wallo’s reflection and new-found philosophy—which he now shares with you—informed the new trajectory of his life. On the day of his release, Wallo moved back to Philly and started on a new frontier of entrepreneurialism. Armed with vigor and intention, his viral motivational content gained Wallo over sixty-thousand Instagram followers on his first day of freedom. This would prove to only be the start of his continuously growing career utilizing his social influence as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and cultural changemaker. In Armed with Good Intentions, Wallo shares his hardships and triumphs and personal philosophy with his widest audience yet. Wallo spins his story of despair and tragedy into sage wisdom, inspiring anyone who is looking for the motivation to revise how they see the obstacles in their own lives.

Armed with Good Intentions

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MrBallen

Robert Venditti

The Graphic Stories

A vivid, frighteningly illustrated graphic novel collection of nine strange, dark, and mysterious stories, based on true events, from the mind behind the YouTube channel and hit MrBallen Podcast John Allen, known popularly as “MrBallen,” has been enthralling audiences with his unique brand of storytelling ever since he burst onto the scene, covering strange and mysterious phenomena ranging from the unexplained screaming heard in parts of Nahanni Valley, the Kandahar Giant found in Afghanistan, UFOs appearing at a cattle ranch in Utah, and Allen’s own brush with the paranormal. Deeply researched and seriously compelling, the show rapidly gained a devoted fanbase for the raconteur himself and for the rarely-before-covered unsettling occurrences and true crimes that have taken place throughout the world. In MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious, Allen reveals the creepy underbelly of the human experience, charting bizarre and downright terrifying instances of the paranormal, the horrors of the natural world, and the danger of our own minds. With new, exclusive stories and in collaboration with New York Times bestselling graphic novelist Robert Venditti and acclaimed comic book artist Andrea Mutti, this is a haunting collection filled with twists and surprises that will leave you thoroughly spooked.

MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark and Mysterious

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Kathy Iandoli

A Memoir

The definitive autobiography from Eve, the multiplatinum, Grammy Award(R)-winning, Emmy(R)-nominated rapper, singer-songwriter, actor, mother, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. In 1999, Eve Jihan Cooper made history with her solo debut album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady, reaching number one on the Billboard 200, marking her as the third female rapper to ever obtain that position. She later made history again as the first recipient ever of the Grammy Award(R)for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her platinum single "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani. Following up with three chart-topping albums that made unrivaled waves in the world of hip-hop and music, as well as trailblazing moments in TV/film and fashion, Eve now looks back on her groundbreaking career. West Philadelphia was not for the faint of heart--Eve knows that better than anyone. However, she navigated those Philly streets (and later the rest of the world) seamlessly, though it was not without strength and resilience. She incorporates that unbridled ambition into every bar that she writes and every stage/set that she stands on. With a gritty realness that speaks to her style, she shares her experiences going from the Mill Creek Projects to Hollywood. In this memoir, Eve delves into her entrance as "Eve of Destruction" into a male-dominated hip-hop industry, the deeper story behind Scorpion that was never told until now, and the internal battle with her music, her label, and herself after Lip Lock. This fearless, empowering, and inspirational memoir from hip-hop sensation Eve explores her rise to stardom as a female MC, her lasting legacy on pop culture and music, and her incredible yet enduring struggle balancing her personal life with her professional one.

Who's That Girl?

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Light Hardcover (1 lb or less)

MAKING MEMORIES 

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Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

CHANGED

Kelly Williams Brown

A Mostly Funny Memoir of Mental Illness and Making Things

From the New York Times bestselling author of Adulting comes a story about how to make something when you're capable of nothing.
 

Kelly Williams Brown had 700 Bad Days. Her marriage collapsed, she broke three limbs in separate and unrelated incidents, her father was diagnosed with cancer, and she fell into a deep depression that ended in what could delicately be referred to as a "rest cure" at an inpatient facility. Before that, she had several very good years: she wrote a bestselling book, spoke at NASA, had a beautiful wedding, and inspired hundreds of thousands of readers to live as grown-ups in an often-screwed-up world, though these accomplishments mostly just made her feel fraudulent.
 
One of the few things that kept her moving forward was, improbably, crafting. Not Martha Stewart-perfect crafting, either--what could be called "simple," "accessible" or, perhaps, "rustic" creations were the joy and accomplishments she found in her worst days. To craft is to set things right in the littlest of ways; no matter how disconnected you feel, you can still fold a tiny paper star, and that's not nothing.
 
In Easy Crafts for the Insane, crafting tutorials serve as the backdrop of a life dissolved, then glued back together. Surprising, humane, and utterly unforgettable, this is a poignant and hysterical look at the unexpected, messy coping mechanisms we use to find ourselves again.

Easy Crafts for the Insane

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Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

A Memoir of Courage

“In climbing the Seven Summits, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado did nothing less than take back her own life—one brave step at a time. She will inspire untold numbers of souls with this story, for her victory is a win on behalf of all of us.” —Elizabeth Gilbert When Silvia’s mother called her home to Peru, she knew something finally had to give. A Latinx hero in the elite macho tech world of Silicon Valley, privately, she was hanging by a thread. She was deep in the throes of alcoholism, hiding her sexuality from her family, and repressing the abuse she’d suffered as a child. Her visit to Peru would become a turning point in her life. Silvia started climbing. Something about the brute force required for the ascent—the restricted oxygen at altitude, the vast expanse of emptiness around her, the risk and spirit and sheer size of the mountains, the nearness of death—woke her up. And then, she took her biggest pain to the biggest mountain: Everest. “The Mother of the World,” as it’s known in Nepal, allows few to reach her summit, but Silvia didn’t go alone. She gathered a group of young female survivors and led them to base camp alongside her, their strength and community propelling her forward. In the Shadow of the Mountain is a remarkable story of heroism, one which awakens in all of us a lust for adventure, gratitude for the strong women in our lives, and faith in our own resilience.

In the Shadow of the Mountain

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Sabaa Tahir

Oversized Paperback (4 to 6 lbs)

"Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution"--

An Ember in the Ashes

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Allyson Hernandez

Heavy Paperback (2 to 4 lbs)

A Novel with Music

"It's never too late to make a new dream, It's never too late to reach for the stars. It's never too late when the fear won't subside. It's never too late, to try."



Audrey McKenna is a vibrant grandmother and mother of thirteen. When her granddaughter pursues a career onstage, Audrey is confronted with the unfulfilled dreams of her youth to perform at Carnegie Hall. With the help of her best friend Rose, they journey to the New York Theater scene of their past, exploring choices, sacrifices and experiences that shaped them. While their paths are drastically different, the one constant throughout is their friendship. Through trials and triumphs, love and loss, Rose and Audrey redefine their identities as independent women in a time where society tried to define that for them.



Inspired by a true story, Ballad of Dreams sings of the power of friendship and dances through different eras of society from the 1930s to early 2000s. It combines the richness of storytelling and flare of musical theater by seamlessly weaving musical lyrics with the narrative.



Ballad of Dreams by Allyson Hernandez inspires us to fill our own cups by chasing after our dreams.

Ballad of Dreams

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DJ Envy

Gia Casey

Life Lessons on Joy, Pain, and the Magic That Holds Us Together

Advice on how to have healthy, dynamic relationships from Raashaun (DJ Envy) and Gia Casey, revealing their secrets to navigating marriage, family, and faith Gia and Raashaun Casey met when they were two teenagers attending the same high school in Queens. They have been together for an astounding 27 years and married for 20. They have remained together through Raashaun's growing celebrity, a devastating (and very public) cheating scandal, and the births of six children. Now, more than a quarter of a century into their relationship, they are stronger and more committed to each other than they've ever been, and their fans are clamoring to know how they did it. In Real Life, Real Love, Gia and Raashaun explore the entire chronology of their love story with remarkable vulnerability, searing honesty, and a lot of humor. It's a riveting narrative about how to grow together, an aspirational guidebook for people who seek the same unconditional love in their relationships, and an in-depth look at how to remain equals after being thrust into the public eye.

Real Life, Real Love

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Alan Cumming

Tales from a Fully Packed Life

An intimate look at the making of a man, an actor, an advocate--and most importantly--a happy human being. A wonderful book that is funny, honest, fearless, and generous in its vulnerability. --Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain There is absolutely no logical reason why I am here. The life trajectory my nationality and class and circumstances portended for me was not even remotely close to the one I now navigate. But logic is a science and living is an art. The release I felt in writing my first memoir, Not My Father's Son, was matched only by how my speaking out empowered so many to engage with their own trauma. I was reminded of the power of my words and the absolute duty of authenticity. But... No one ever fully recovers from their past. There is no cure for it. You just learn to manage and prioritize it. I believe the second you feel you have triumphed or overcome something - an abuse, an injury to the body or the mind, an addiction, a character flaw, a habit, a person - you have merely decided to stop being vigilant and embraced denial as your modus operandi. And that is what this book is about, and for: to remind you not to buy in to the Hollywood ending. Ironically maybe, much of Baggage chronicles my life in Hollywood and how, since I recovered from a nervous breakdown at 28, work has repeatedly whisked me away from personal calamities to sets and stages around the world. It is also about marriage(s): starting with the break-up of my first (to a woman) and ending with the ascension to my second (to a man) with many kissed toads in between! But in everything, each failed relationship or encounter with a legend (Liza! X Men! Gore Vidal! Kubrick! Spice Girls!), in every bad decision or moment of sensual joy I have endeavored to show what I have learned and how I've become who I am today: a happy, flawed, vulnerable, fearless middle-aged man, with a lot of baggage.

Baggage

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Joe Trohman

Lead guitarist and cofounder of Fall Out Boy shares personal stories from his youth and his experiences of modern rock and roll stardom in this memoir filled with wit and wisdom. 

 

Trohman cofounded Fall Out Boy with Pete Wentz in the early aughts, and he's been the sticky element of the metaphorical glue-like substance holding the band together ever since, over the course of a couple decades that have included massive success, occasional backlashes, and one infamous four-year hiatus. Trohman was, and remains, the emotive communicator of the group: the one who made sure they practiced, who copied and distributed the flyers, and who took the wheel throughout many of the early tours. As soon as he was old enough to drive, that is--because he was all of 15 years old when they started out. That's part of the story Trohman tells in this memoir, which provides an indispensable inside perspective on the history of Fall Out Boy for their legions of fans. But Trohman has a great deal more to convey, thanks to his storytelling chops, his unmistakable voice, and his unmitigated sense of humor in the face of the tragic and the absurd.

 

None of This Rocks chronicles a turbulent life that has informed Trohman's music and his worldview. His mother suffered from mental illness and multiple brain tumors that eventually killed her. His father struggled with that tragedy, but was ultimately a supportive force in Trohman's life who fostered his thirst for knowledge. Trohman faced antisemitism in small-town Ohio, and he witnessed all levels of misogyny, racism, and violence amid the straight edge hardcore punk scene in Chicago. Then came Fall Out Boy. From the guitarist's very first glimpses of their popular ascension, to working with his heroes like Anthrax's Scott Ian, to writing for television with comedian Brian Posehn, Trohman takes readers backstage, into the studio, and onto his couch. He shares his struggles with depression and substance abuse in a brutally honest and personal tone that readers will appreciate. Not much of this rocks, perhaps, but it all adds up to a fascinating music memoir unlike any you've ever read.

None of This Rocks

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Amy Morin

Own Your Power, Channel Your Confidence, and Find Your Authentic Voice for a Life of Meaning and Joy

In the time of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, international bestselling author and leading global expert on mental strength Amy Morin turns her focus to feminism, explaining what it means--and what it takes--to be a mentally strong woman. The emergence of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have awakened society and encouraged women to find their voice and claim their power. But to do this, women must learn to improve their own mental strength. Contending with a host of difficult issues--from sexual assault on college campuses, to equal pay and pay gaps, to mastering different negotiation styles--demands psychological toughness. In this crucial book, prominent psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker Amy Morin gives women the techniques to build mental muscle--and just as important, she teaches them what not to do. What does it mean to be a mentally strong woman? Delving into critical issues like sexism, social media, social comparison, and social pressure, Amy addresses this question and offers thoughtful, intelligent advice, practical tips, and specific strategies and combines them with personal experiences, stories from former patients, and both well-known and untold examples from women from across industries and pop culture. Throughout, she explores the areas women--and society at large--must focus on to become (and remain) mentally strong. Amy reveals that healthy, mentally tough women don't insist on perfection; they don't compare themselves to other people; they don't see vulnerability as a weakness; they don't let self-doubt stop them from reaching their goals. Wise, grounded, and essential, 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do can help every woman flourish--and ultimately improve our society as well.

13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do

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La Verne Ford Wimberly

Pearls of Wisdom, Wit, Grace, and Style

After posting selfies in her Sunday best for fifty-two consecutive weeks during the pandemic, octogenarian Dr. La Verne Ford Wimberly became a viral sensation during Easter 2021, appearing everywhere from the Washington Post to CNN to Fox News. After posting selfies in her Sunday best for fifty-two consecutive weeks during the pandemic, octogenarian Dr. La Verne Ford Wimberly became a viral sensation during Easter 2021, appearing everywhere from the Washington Post to CNN to Fox News. Summary: People from all over the world have said my Sunday selfies and words of encouragement have blessed and inspired them. Who would have thought photos of an eighty-two-year-old church lady in a hat and Bible verses could do such a thing? On March 29, 2020, when her church switched to online services because of coronavirus, Dr. La Verne Ford Wimberly couldn't imagine watching the service in her robe. So, she did what she's always done; she put on a beautiful outfit, matching hat, and accessories and got ready for church. Dr. Wimberly, a self-declared social media junkie, thought it would be fun to snap a selfie and post it on Facebook with a scripture verse and an inspirational message. I'd let folks know I was ready for worship and encourage them to do the same. This was my way to brighten their spirits--and mine--and stay connected during a time of sudden isolation and despair for many people. Underneath her crown and church finery is a wise, warm, and witty octogenarian who's still committed to the same values she learned in childhood: faith in God and country, devotion to family, keeping a positive attitude, a life of service, thinking before you act, living life to the fullest, and the golden rule. As a career educator who faithfully and lovingly served students, their families, and her community for decades, encouraging and uplifting others is part of Dr. Wimberly's DNA. In My Sunday Best, you'll be cheered by the stories and lessons from a life well-lived and find yourself asking, How can I inspire someone today and encourage myself too?

My Sunday Best

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Miroslav Volf

Matthew Croasmun

Ryan McAnnally-Linz

A Guide to What Matters Most

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Life Worth Living is transcendent. A collection of wisdom punctuated by questions of great consequence, this is the only book you need to find your way from where you are to where you are called to be." --Kelly Corrigan, NYT bestselling author, host of Kelly Corrigan Wonders and PBS’s Tell Me More Based on the Yale class, a guide to defining and then creating a flourishing life, and answering one of life’s most pressing questions: how are we to live? What makes a good life? The question is inherent to the human condition, asked by people across generations, professions, and social classes, and addressed by all schools of philosophy and religions. This search for meaning, as Yale faculty Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz argue, is at the crux of a crisis that is facing Western culture, a crisis that, they propose, can be ameliorated by searching, in one’s own life, for the underlying truth. In A Life Worth Living, named after its authors’ highly sought-after undergraduate course, Volf, Croasmun, and McAnnally-Linz chart out this question, providing readers with jumping-off points, road maps, and habits of reflection for figuring out where their lives hold meaning and where things need to change. Drawing from the major world religions and from impressively truthful and courageous secular figures, A Life Worth Living is a guide to life’s most pressing question, the one asked of all of us: How are we to live?

Life Worth Living

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Jen Hatmaker

Slam-Dunk Recipes for Your Crew





The debut cookbook from inspiring and hilarious New York Times bestselling author and beloved podcaster Jen Hatmaker, jam-packed with easy recipes, big flavors, and Southern wit.



With five children and a close-knit community of family and friends, bestselling author, podcaster, and inspirational speaker Jen Hatmaker has been sharing her love of cooking and food with her fans for years. Now she's compiled all her favorite sure-thing recipes into one personal and highly entertaining cookbook, including chapters like Food for Breakfast (or brunch so you can drink), Food for Your Picky Spouse or Spawn, and Food for When You Have No More Damns to Give. This is real food for real people, with recipes like:

 * Texas Migas
 * Green Chili Taco Cups
 * Risotto with Whatever You Have
 * Friday Night Roast Chicken (on a Thursday)
 * Peach Corn Cakes
 * ...and so much more!

Paired with vibrant photography that's as bold and lively as Jen herself, all recipes are sure to please, written for ordinary home cooks, and infused with personal notes, asides, and stories in her candid and irreverent style.

Feed These People

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Shanita Hubbard

A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women

A feminist manifesto from sociologist and journalist Shanita Hubbard that mixes cultural criticism and pop culture history to dissect how hip hop has sidelined Black women's identity and emotional wellbeing. As a Black feminist who writes extensively about misogynoir and social justice, Shanita Hubbard's relationship with hip-hop has always been complicated. For Hubbard--and many Black people--hip-hop is a beloved genre of music that offers a voice against injustice, a means to elevate cultural consciousness, and, like all music, a reason to dance. But one day, while listening to the song "One Love" Hubbard became increasingly unsettled as one of her favorite rappers told a story about the injustice of mass incarceration of Black men but did not mention the painful truths of the Black women who often must support them and their children through financial and emotional hardship. In fact it, was the opposite, he reduced them to two categories -unsupported lovers or broken-hearted mothers. Hubbard surmised that in her community--and by extension in hip-hop-- there is a hierarchy dictating whose lived experiences takes priority. Ride-Or-Die comes as a fervent disruption to the notion replayed in hip hop that Black women are not worth healthy love and care unless they live up to impossible, male-defined standards of womanhood. In a combination of personal narrative and cultural criticism, Hubbard uses hip-hop as a vehicle to explore social issues that distinctly affect Black women but are consistently left out of dialogues about race, gender, and history in and out of Black communities. She deconstructs the archetypes that have been put upon Black women like the "ride or die chick" who sticks with her man through everything and narrow versions of "Black girl magic" that are laced with respectability politics. Hubbard's sociological analysis reveals how these tropes cause more harm than good, leading to gender-based violence, silent suffering, and even suicidal ideation. No woman is immune to hop-hop's misogynistic messaging, Hubbard asserts, not even sexually liberated mega-rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who was asked for proof when she was shot by her lover Tory Lanez, or pop and R&B titan, Beyonce, who was subjected to public scrutiny and judgment following the infidelity of her husband and iconic rapper Jay-Z. In a hard-hitting and nuanced narrative Ride-Or-Die tackles the expectation that Black women must provide unreciprocated love, loyalty, and protection to everyone around them. Using both old-school and contemporary figures as examples Hubbard dissects how music and pop culture echo that sentiment. She addresses violence masked as bravado, emotional abuse described as love, and unrealistic pressures of body, sensuality, and work ethic that often ask us to forego our intuition, safety and security. She charges Black men and others to hold each other accountable for their contributions to these narratives, taking them to task on long-held behaviors in order to foster communal healing. Ride-Or-Die is more than a book about hip hop. It is a beautifully rendered feminist manifesto on the importance of Black women's emotional lives.

Ride or Die

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Jodi Benson

Carol Traver

Paige O'Hara

What I've Learned from the Little Mermaid about Love, Faith, and Finding My Voice

A treasure trove of colorful characters and unforgettable anecdotes, Part of My World reads like a real-life fairy tale as a girl with a big voice and even bigger dreams sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, Jodi shares lessons she's learned about faith, friendship, love, loss, taking chances, making mistakes, following God's call, and chasing your dreams. In Part of My World you'll come alongside Jodi as she struggles to find her footing in the rehearsal halls of Manhattan, finds (then loses, then marries) her prince charming, makes a splash on Broadway, gives voice to a feisty redheaded mermaid, a blonde bombshell named Barbie, and a Tony-nominated powerhouse named Polly, and searches for her own personal happily ever after. Written with warmth, humor, and disarming vulnerability, Part of My World is a captivating glimpse behind the curtain at the making of one of the most celebrated animated movies of all time, and a must-read for Disney fans of all ages -- Amazon.

Part of My World

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Publications International Ltd. Staff

Weird and Unusual Trivia

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Chandra

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Dolly Parton; Rachel Parton George