As he's shown in his previous hugely popular books, Jeffrey Brown has a real gift for finding humor in quirky yet universal truths. Now the bestselling author of Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess brings his witty comic observations to terrestrial parenting in this perceptive book celebrating the more surreal moments of raising a child. In charming colorful panels, Brown wryly illustrates his fiveyear- old son's take on the world around him, from watching TV ("Elton John looks pretty in that shirt") to playing with toys ("This truck can survive on very little water") to odd requests ("Don't feel happy at me"), capturing the sweetly weird times that mothers and fathers everywhere experience with their own curious, pure-minded kids.
This Expanded Edition features even more insights on “Weird Al” Yankovic, including his activities during a tumultuous 2020 and 2021, diving deeper into the world of the iconic man who has made a career out of making us laugh. Funny music is often dismissed as light and irrelevant, but Yankovic’s fourteen successful studio albums prove there is more going on than comedic music's reputation suggests. Lily Hirsch weaves together original interviews with the prince of parody himself, creating a fresh take on comedy and music’s complicated romance. She reveals that Yankovic’s jests have always had a deeper meaning, addressing such topics as bullying, celebrity, and racial and gender stereotypes. The Expanded Edition celebrates Yankovic’s vast influence on musicians, comedians, and performing artists as well as what the man has meant to fans—in a time of uncertainty, Yankovic has served as a much-needed bright spot for many. From his love of accordions and Hawaiian print shirts to his popular puns and trademark dance moves, Weird Al is undeterred by those who say funny music is nothing but a low-brow pastime. And thank goodness. With his good-guy grace still intact, Yankovic remains unapologetically and unmistakably himself. Reveling in the mischief and wisdom of Yankovic’s over forty-year career, this book is an Al-expense-paid tour of a true comedic and musical genius.
Jesus is different. Go and do likewise. Many Christians have become comfortable letting the world mold them instead of being set apart by God. And many churches have traded in their biblical roots for complacent conventionality. But Jesus and the church are anything but conventional. The hallmark of our faith is that it sees the world differently than the world sees itself. We are called to be eccentric—off center, unique, different; not conformed to the patterns of the world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. By the grace of God we are not only dissatisfied by sin but increasingly uncompelled by conventionality. So resist the allure of acceptability. Get back to the unsafe roots of our faith. Be equipped to surprise the world with the Good News it didn’t even know it was waiting for. Challenge the way things are by living a life that has been truly set free by Christ.
The Weirds have always been a little off, but not one of them ever suspected that they'd been cursed by their grandmother. At the moment of the births of her five grandchildren Annie Weird gave each one a special power. Richard, the oldest, always keeps safe; Abba always has hope; Lucy is never lost and Kent can beat anyone in a fight. As for Angie, she always forgives, instantly. But over the years these so-called blessings ended up ruining their lives. Now Annie is dying and she has one last task for Angie: gather her far-flung brothers and sisters and assemble them in her grandmother's hospital room so that at the moment of her death, she can lift these blessings-turned-curses. And Angie has just two weeks to do it. What follows is a quest like no other, tearing up highways and racing through airports, from a sketchy Winnipeg nursing home to the small island kingdom of Upliffta, from the family's crumbling ancestral Toronto mansion to a motel called Love. And there is also the search for the answer to the greatest family mystery of all: what really happened to their father, whose maroon Maserati was fished out of a lake so many years ago?
Red Wassenich's, who coined of the phrase Keep Austin Weird, entertaining text and over 180 color photos show the colorful places, people, and doings in Austin, Texas' capital city. Tour the Cathedral of Junk built with over 700 bicycles. Meet Leslie, the cross-dressing perennial mayoral candidate. Party at the Spamarama, Austin's premier weird cook-off. Keep your eyes peeled for the cruising art cars. For the adventurous, there is no better guide to Austin!
Two perfect strangers in San Francisco. Gracie and Weston have their futures mapped out. Gracie's future is glossy, glam and loved-up. Flawless like her influencer lifestyle. Weston's is all tattoo parlors, hitting the bar on the regular, and earning his police officer's badge. Tough guy, or so he tells himself. What they have in common is heartbreak. In the aftermath of shattered romances, they're reeling. Gracie's been unceremoniously dumped ... by the guy who promised to be her forever. While Weston is realizing he never showed his ex quite how much he loved her. When two sets of friends stage an intervention - no more pity parties - worlds collide in a downtown club. There's spilled drinks, thrown punches and ugly tears in the back of an Uber. Not exactly a cute meet-cute. Their futures uncertain, Gracie and Weston gravitate toward one another. The chemistry between them is undeniable - but they're just friends, right. Right? Cue unexpected - and blush-worthy - lessons in dating etiquette, life skills and forging a connection to make your heart stand still. Somewhere in the Sunset has all the feels. Oh, and the sex is fire.
Rock star drummer Bishop Riley just needs a few months to relax and detox before his band’s next tour. But the last place he expected to do it is in Seldon, Alaska. And the last person he wants to do it with is Penny Jones. Fiery, headstrong Penny has zero in common with the cocky, too-hot-for-his-own-good Bishop, and she’d like to keep it that way. But the more Bishop gets under her skin, the more she wants to let him in. And the more Penny lets him see, the more Bishop wants to know this stubborn girl with the killer body and soulful eyes. The simmering heat between them won’t go away, no matter how hard either of them tries. Their time together in Alaska may be running out—but so is their resolve for not taking a chance on love.
Be thrown into another galaxy with this riveting YA Sci-Fi Trilogy! Includes the complete trilogy: Sanshlian Series Book 1: The Quest Book 2: The Journey Book 3: The Return There is only one way to bring back order to the galaxy, and that is by finding the legendary planet Sanshli. Eleven Years ago, my life was ripped away from me. My father, my brother, my humanity. Everything. I was thrown into the Kamps, created to become a mindless machine. But I fought against it, not letting them take away my memories of the past. And I succeeded. It has been seven years since I was taken out of the Kamps and made into the Emperor's Shadow. Now I only take orders from him, and him alone, without question. That is, until my brother, whom I thought was dead, shows up and kidnaps me in order to help him find some long lost planet that our father used to tell stories about. According to the legend, any who find the planet Sanshli can rewrite the past, and my brother wants to use it to destroy the Empire. My loyalty will always be to the Emperor, but what if this planet is real? And the longer I stay with my brother, the more I begin to find that the Emperor has been keeping secrets from me. But I can't turn my back on him... Or can I? Fans of Star Wars, The Hunger Games, and Ender's Game will love this series! "It starts out like most sci fi books and you think it is going to be another same old, same old and then it twists and turns into something completely different! I found the story world to be very believable and the characters well developed - two criteria that are absolutely essential for me in any book. If you like sci fi and want something a little different, I highly recommend this story!" CarlynneT, Barnes and Noble Reviewer ★★★★★ "Wow, what a complete surprise this book is! I thought it was going to be the same old, same old sci-fi book that everyone writes. NOT SO!! This will take you places you never expected and then some!"Holly, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "Holy Hangover!!! I CANNOT wait for the next book in the series. Wow! This book had me riveted to the pages so much I couldn't even set it down at work (don't tell the boss lol). I loved this book and will read it again just to make sure I didn't miss anything. There were hints along the way for some of the twists and turns but not all of them. Dani has to have a lot of talent to go into this much detail and keep the story flowing along with all the unexpected happenings. I would definitely give this book at least 6 stars if I could." Swtmamarains, Amazon Reviewer "I've always been fond of the "syfy family drama" genre. But this one went beyond that. Does that sound gushy? Well, it's true!! 'The Quest' by Dani Hoots is the story of a girl named Arcadia, who is torn between family and loyalty to the Emperor. It was interesting to see how a innocent but brave girl came to be in a strong position. I was rooting for her from the beginning, especially since everyone wanted rid of her. When her brother shows up they both go in search of a lost planet named "Sanshli". There he hopes to destroy the Pandronan Empire and usher in a new age, but will Arcadia help! This book I'd recommend to readers who enjoy female lead characters as well as YA science fiction" Keith, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
"Though imperiled themselves, the angels are forbidden to intervene. Left to struggle with their own loyalties, they watch Lucifer and his minions work virtually unhindered to turn Joby's heart of gold into ash and stone while God sits by, seemingly unconcerned. And so when he is grown to manhood, Joby's once-luminous love of life seems altogether lost, transformed into anger and outrage.".
