"Parker is articulate and provocative, seeing the poetry in the ordinary and the wonderful in the world." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Parker offers some loose advice for living (give money to panhandlers whole-heartedly, because doing so means participating in ‘the same divine economy that big-banged you into being’), but is at his best when poring over life’s strange resonances…pays vivid homage to the beauty of the mundane." —Publishers Weekly (starred review) From the vertiginously talented James Parker, a collection of uproarious odes that show how to find gratitude in unexpected places. Our politics are broken; our world is melting; the next catastrophe looms. Enter James Parker, who for years now has been writing odes of appreciation on subjects from the seemingly minor (“Ode to Naps”) to the unexpected (“Ode to Giving People Money”) to the seemingly minor, unexpected, and hyperspecific (“Ode to Running in Movies”). Finally collecting Parker’s beloved and much-lauded odes in one place, this volume demonstrates the profound power of the form. Each ode is an exercise in gratitude. Each celebrates the permanent susceptibility of everyday humdrum life to dazzling saturations of divine light: the squirrel in the street, the crying baby, the misplaced cup of tea. Parker’s odes are songs of praise, but with a decent amount of complaining in there, too: a human ratio of moans. Varied in length but unified in tone, mostly in prose, sometimes toppling into verse, the odes range across music, movies, literature, psychology, and beyond, all through the lens of Parker’s personal history. Gathered together, they form an accidental how-to guide to honoring your own experience—and to finding your own odes.
“The entire Hale Street series receives my highest praise.”—Reader review Bartender Kennedy’s new boss has her both shaken and stirred. Barmaid Asia strives to keep her past a secret from a sexy but persistent CEO. Entertainment manager Sloan helps a grieving drummer find a second chance…and more. Immerse yourself in Amy Knupp’s first three Hale Street stories instantly! SWEET SPOT: A bartender, a bakery girl, and a past full of mistakes… Former marketing whiz Kennedy Lowell knows bartending isn’t her destiny. After derailing her life to epic proportions, though, she’s content with the easy refuge of pouring drinks and keeping to herself. But the arrival of her sexy new boss has her both shaken and stirred. Add the temptation of a bakery in need of a marketing guru and Kennedy begins to wonder if easy is all it’s cracked up to be. Easy is Hunter Clayborne’s middle name. Uncomplicated is what he expects when he moves back to Nashville to take over the family business. What he finds is the polar opposite of easy—a bar losing money, a family entrenched in its old-fashioned ways, and an irresistible bartender who keeps him at a distance in spite of their sizzling mutual attraction. Hunter tries to prove he’s a good-hearted, trustworthy guy, but what if Kennedy is her own worst enemy? Can he help her see herself through his eyes before it’s too late? SOFT SPOT: It’s all fun and games until the sexy CEO wants to know her secrets… Asia Knowles’ life has been on a downhill slide for as long as she can remember, but with her promotion and her new apartment on charming Hale Street, things are finally starting to look up. When polished and persistent and tough-to-resist Jackson barges into her world, Asia does what she can to keep her less-than-sparkling background to herself. CEO Jackson Lowell has worked hard for everything he has—perhaps a little too single-mindedly. When a friend challenges him to go on a “real” date, not a business function with a blind date, Asia seems like the perfect choice. Everything from her sunshine-bright outfits to her don’t-get-too-close vibe draws him in. Asia finds it hard to ignore Jackson’s charm, but she’s conditioned to keep her secrets close to her chest. The more she shuts him out, the more determined he becomes to get to know her anyway. If she finally lets him in, will he cut his losses or realize the biggest payoff ever? ONE AND ONLY: Second-best will never be good enough. Drummer Micah Sullivan lost his music and his dreams when his wife died unexpectedly. In the aftermath, he quit his band and pushed away family and friends. Three years later, he’s opened a music shop and tells himself he’s content trying to make it a hit. What he failed to consider is that success requires connections—including the very ones he turned his back on. When Sloan McGuire takes a job at a bar as the entertainment manager, she doesn’t expect to run into Micah, whose late wife was her best friend. She can tell he’s still lost in grief, and out of love for her friend, she resolves to help him find peace. What she and Micah find together, though, has the potential to be something more. Sloan fights the attraction, not only because of their history but because she’s always been second fiddle. To Micah, a solo act seems safer than a duet, but with Sloan, he develops a new appreciation for harmony. Music may be his forte, but can he find the words to convince her she’s his one and only? Related books: True North, Book 1 in the Hale Street spin-off series North Brothers, is the story of Sierra Lowell and Cole North. Other Hale Street stories by Amy Knupp include Last First Kiss and Heartstrings. Clayborne’s After Hours is a Hale Street duet set that includes Last First Kiss and Heartstrings.
'A powerful book on how to live boldly and love your fabulous self' Fearne Cotton We are made to think that what makes us human - our flaws, failures, and heartaches - are things to keep hush-hush. Being unapologetically imperfect is seen as something we should be embarrassed by. But what I've learned is that we all experience the same insecurities. We just aren't talking about it. Well, I'm here to break the silence. For starters, I have way too many nipple hairs. I prefer the company of my pets to other people. And repeatedly I question Am I normal? I was born with brittle bone condition and so far, I've broken my bones 200 times. But most of the hurdles I face don't come from my disability, they come from things we all experience. In this book, I will share the lessons I have learned and why you should embrace your uniqueness as what makes you fabulous. We spend a lot of time living by others' expectations and it's only when you stop, that you start saying yes to life. Irrespective of who you are and the obstacles you might face, you can do whatever you want. Be free and unapologetically you.
Kennedy Lowell finally got the guy, got the job, got the life she was afraid to go after…sort of. Turns out the guy is distracted by his career, the job has its bad days, and life, well, it’s still got bumps. The bumps and bad days, she can handle, but is the guy everything she thought he was? Can he figure out his priorities in time to make her dreams come true? Sweet Dreams is a short story sequel to Sweet Spot with a sigh-worthy, heartwarming HEA. Grab your copy now!
Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.
Jim Qwilleran and his cats scramble for clues when peaceful Breakfast Island is turned upside-down by murder in this mystery in the New York Times bestselling Cat Who series. Qwilleran and the cats are visiting an island known by many names. Qwill has always called it Breakfast Island, but to the taciturn natives, it’s Providence Island. To the rich summer resident, it’s Grand Island—and to the developers and tourists who are turning this once-peaceful place into a circus, it’s Pear Island. But when some odd “accidents” occur, including a fatal boat explosion, Qwill suspects sabotage and sets out to investigate—because murder by any other name is just as deadly...
“I highly recommend all the Hale Street books!”—5 star reader review Welcome to Hale Street, where everyday people discover love, friendship, and the power of cupcakes. This set includes all six Hale Street stories by Amy Knupp. SWEET SPOT: After derailing her life epically, Kennedy Lowell takes refuge behind the bar…until her new boss has her both shaken AND stirred. SWEET DREAMS (bonus short story sequel to SWEET SPOT): Kennedy finally got the guy, got the job, got the life she was afraid to go after…or did she? SOFT SPOT: Drawing the attention of CEO Jackson Lowell is exhilarating for bar manager Asia Knowles…but what will happen when he learns her secrets? ONE AND ONLY: After tragedy struck, drummer Micah Sullivan lost his music and his dreams. Sloan McGuire wants to help him rediscover both...but can she ever be anything besides Micah’s second-best? LAST FIRST KISS: Lena Kessler longs for love and babies. Her roommate’s off-limits brother is the last person who could give her what she dreams of…but the only one she wants. HEARTSTRINGS: Singer Tucker Steele’s music career is threatening to derail. Gin Verdinelli is either the biggest inspiration or the biggest distraction…or both. Can he fit both love and music in his life? Hale Street is a swoon-worthy series set in Tennessee with a small-town romance feel. This collection includes a boss-employee romance, rich boy/poor girl, second chance, a hockey player hero, and a country singer. Get to know the neighborhood bar where everyone knows everyone, the eccentric neighbor with an albino ferret, the crotchety diner owner with the best blueberry ice cream this side of the Mississippi, a cast of flawed but lovable characters who are musicians and bakers and CEOs and more who find love where they least expect it. Dive into the Hale Street world today!
Authoritative, easy-to-follow guidance in giving your cat the best possible care Written by the former president of the Academy of Feline Medicine and the proprietor of a feline-only veterinary clinic, Guide to a Healthy Cat is the definitive guide to feline well-being. Dr. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell provides the most up-to-date information about cat health, including vaccine recommendations, new therapeutic diets, and the latest treatments for kidney disease. You'll find everything you need to know about raising a kitten, feeding the finicky feline, grooming for good health, caring for a senior cat, and keeping peace in a multi-cat home. From the scoop on litter boxes to the keys to feline mental health, this user-friendly guide is packed with plain-English explanations and advice to help keep your cat healthy, including: * A thorough discussion of feline disease-how to combat it and manage it * The latest on proper nutrition and the best foods for your cat * Sensible, practical advice on keeping your cat safe from household dangers * Chapters on how to tell if your cat is sick and whether it's an emergency; what the most common veterinary diagnostic tests are and what the results mean; and what items in your medicine cabinet are safe to give to your cat-and which ones are not * Information on what you can catch from your cat and how to control allergies to cats * The latest developments in keeping cats flea-free * A glossary of veterinary and cat terms Guide to a Healthy Cat gives you all the knowledge and tools you need to understand your cat and his or her health needs-and provide the best care.
