The Acceptance World by Anthony Powell

Gujarati Books Online - An Easy Way to Keep In Touch With Gujarati Culture and Language

Those books that we read in our mother tongue remains as the most cherished memory in our life for ever. Most of us started reading in their mother tongue and people always love to read books in the language which is near to their heart and soul. Gujarati literature is so rich with its deep rooted culture and Gujarati books reflect it so well. Gujarati novels and story books tell the tale of common people and its tradition. Those who are familiar reading Guajarati books would certainly vouch for it. There is a big variety in Gujarati books that encompasses all walks of life!

If you are a regular visitor of municipal libraries you now the kind of Gujarati books available there. There are a number of well known authors who touch the lives of the people with unique stories and narrations which allow a book lover to enrich their knowledge and experience. Gunvant Shah, Kaajal Oza Vaidya, Harkishan Mehta, Dinkar Joshi, Tarak Mehta, Dhumketu, Dr. Jitendra Adhia, Zaverchand Meghani, K.M.Munshi, Gunvant Rai Acharya, Chandra Kant Baxshi, Pannalal Patel, Umashankar Joshi, Ashwini Bhatt, Vaju Kotak, Suresh Dalal, Ankit Trivedi, Jay Vasavda are some of the well known authors whose books have become the best sellers in the region.

Reading books cannot be considered merely just an activity to pass your time. On the other hand, it gives a lot of richer experience to the readers. This is one reason why people from all over the world love to read books especially in their mother tongue. Interestingly, Gujarati books are read by the Gujarati Diaspora that spread globally. They look forward to read books that connect them to their culture and tradition. In fact, these days, the habit is growing manifold due to the easy availability of cheap Gujarati books online. Many readers admit that it is blessing for them as they get discounted books easily delivered to their doorsteps. If you choose to buy Gujarati books online, you have many choices out there. You can certainly find out many good online shops out there. Needless to say, this is one superb way to keep in touch with your culture and language, especially for those who live away from their home. For example, children books help the small kids to understand their root and develop intimacy to their own mother tongue. The books kept in online store consist of books that cater the readers of all ages.

Well, when it comes to book reading, each individual has their own unique tastes. For instance, if you are a health and wellness freak, you would certainly look around to buy some books that deal with such stuff. Likewise, you can get these days Gujarati books in many different categories. No matter you look for to order a drama, comic, children book, cookery books, crime, love stories, whatever it might be, you got everything over there! What you simply need to do is surf through a website that sells Gujarati books and CDs. They have all the categories including best seller books and best selling author.

I recommend Books on Click to buy gujrati books and to find the best gujarati author at discounted prices, they have huge collection of all types of gujarati books.

How to Become a Great Audio Book Reader

Although having a good voice and ability to pronounce words correctly may mark the beginning of a career in audio book reading, a person is required to exhibit many other features so as to make the necessary acoustic impact. Venturing into the sphere of audio book reading takes so much more than just having a good voice. In point of fact, the journey to becoming a good reader begins when the passion in you leads to the fundamental actions of reading out loud to interested parties and learning sound variation techniques. Listed below are a number of steps that a person should go through in the process of being refined into a creditable reader.

Relentless practice
If possible, read out loud to people across different age groups starting with the young to the old. Preferably, find a group of blind people and read to them as well. It's recommended that you tape every session for the sake of identifying strengths and weaknesses which may become evident after listening to the cassettes over and over again. The more people you read to, the more feedback that you will get. You will be criticized and praised in equal measure hence the reason to be prepared for any eventualities. However, you have to learn by heart that embracing criticism in a positive manner is the secret to identifying areas of weakness and the first step towards improving your skills.

Broaden your skills
The art of reading out loud to different groups of people is best managed by individuals who have experience in acting. Different content require different tone variations to sound correct and make the necessary impact. In view of that acknowledgement, a good audio reader is one who is capable of revealing character distinction by way of tonal variations and character development. Performing arts classes are very useful in facilitating character development and improving accents or dialects which the audience can use to tell between different personalities.

Listen to the works of distinguished readers
In order to gauge your standards, you have to listen to audio books that have been done by notable readers. Identify how the reader keeps his audience occupied and how different characters are brought to life. Listen to both fiction and factual audio books and work out the difference between the two varieties. Once you have gathered adequate and useful information, listen to your production and identify sections that require being improved on. Keep on doing this until you are comfortable with the standards that characterize your work.

Start recording
After you have what it takes to produce a great audio book, visiting the studio should be the next stop. Identify a studio with directors who can contribute to your success through offering advice and proper recording services. Sooner or later, you will be able to produce quality audio book recording that people will enjoy to read without getting bored. It's good to always remember that, earning reputation as a distinguishable reader takes time to achieve but once there; there is nothing to hold you back from achieving your goals.

 

The Angry Woman Suite by Lee Fullbright: A Review

What does it say about a book when it continually reminds you of other books or of an author who reminds you of other authors? Let me see if I can clarify this a little. It's not that The Angry Woman Suite is like another book. For example, Lee Fullbright's book reminds me of Charles Dickens. It's not that she writes like him but the complexity of her plots and the multiple narrators remind me of things of his I have read and enjoyed. At other times she reminded me of other books and writers. She even reminded me of a movie: Laura. In the movie the main obsession of the characters is a painting and its subject. This novel broadens that theme to include the artist who did the painting, in this case several paintings: a suite-

-The Angry Woman Suite. I have to say, since this book recalls to my mind other books and things I have enjoyed then it is doing something very few books are able to do.

The author uses three narrators, almost like reading three diaries of similar times. But they aren't exactly recalling the same events from different perspectives but are instead travelling parallel lines that meander enough to touch and flow together from time to time.

Each narrator is responsible for swatches of history. Elyse is the youngest. A child really, at least at first. Her voice is very believable. She thinks and speaks like the child she is, which, in itself, is quite an accomplishment. The men in her life seem to be a burden to her. Even her beloved grandfather, who may be well-meaning but instructs her in the ways of the world in cryptic statements that confuse more than enlighten. I have to remember however that the grandfather's character along with one of the narrators, Aidan, were born in the nineteenth century, when magic and mystery has a greater influence on thinking.

Francis, the third narrator, becomes Elyse's step-father. Have you ever hears the expression, he's his own worst enemy? This is an apt one sentence description of Francis. He is the most compelling character in the book. If I were asked which fictional character I'd least like to be it would be Francis Grayson. He is riddled with self-doubt and driven by compulsions that bring him to shame at nearly every turn. Each time he finds happiness or success he self-destructs. It's not as though he doesn't succeed or find happiness, or, that it lurks outside his grasp. He is enormously talented. He just can't hold onto his hard-won victories. This makes his life more tragic for its twists and turns. His talent, combined with his self-doubt and compulsive actions make his life a living hell.

If you enjoy a good story well told The Angry Woman Suite is a book for you.

Joseph Valentinetti is an author of novels: fiction and fiction based on fact. He writes articles on a variety of subjects, from impressions of travel spots to speculating about the name of the moon, but his focus is on his writing and author interviews. Get better acquainted at. http://www.valentinetti.com/viewre-views/ Join his site, pick up his feed and become part of the dialog. Read A Book.

How Short Stories For Kids Allow You To Bond Effectively With Your Children

Reading to children is a wonderful activity and past time that both parents and teachers enjoy. Seeing their rapt, excited faces when there's a mystery to be solved, a surprise twist, or a happy ending is all the reward one needs. Not only are story books a child's first experience with written words and an introduction to education, but they are also a way to stimulate imagination and dreams. Some of the best short stories for kids are the classics. These stories have been around for generations, and are still best sellers and favorites in many families. These tried and true books will be around as long as parents pass on their love for great stories and enjoyable reading. Many of these classic books have lasted because kids have such a great time reading them. They're fun and exciting, and have beautiful and interesting illustrations.

Many great stories for kids are available today in the bookstores as well as online. Few people today are aware of the fact that books written specifically for children did not exist before the 17th century. Prior to that time period it is was generally accepted that books were written exclusively for adult readers. In addition, printed works were highly expensive and were available primarily to people of means. Only minority of the adult population were literate, and even a smaller percentage of children living at that time were able to read and write. Today, we are blessed with proliferation of children's literature with a great variety of stories for kids geared to different age levels. The importance of reading to children is apparent to every parent. We can start reading stories for kids even to a baby or a toddler. Research shows that the baby in utero can hear her mother's voice and recognize it immediately after birth. Certainly even young babies love to hear the voice of their mother or father. Make sure to make the time you read with your child a pleasant time of bonding and closeness, to create positive associations with this activity in the young child's mind.

Despite that this activity is of paramount importance, never force your child to read or listen to stories. It is much more important that the child enjoys the interaction between the two of you. If he or she is not in the mood to listen to short stories for kids, let him pick a game or different activity to do together. The most important aspect of your interaction should be mutual enjoyment. It is a good idea to encourage older siblings, relatives, and friends to read out loud to the younger children. There are many types of short stories for kids available to all, therefore you must search around according to your child's like and dislikes, or whether you want to nudge them in a certain direction or not. Short stories for kids are a great way to introduce kids to a new area of life or a new situation in a fun, timely manner. You should always make it a fun enjoyable thing to do, it should be about you and your child or children bonding and them learning from it too.

This Short Stories For Kids is about an adorable Maltese called Poochie who came to Singapore when he was only six weeks old. This is a great story for anyone looking for storybooks for children and kids. short stories for kids

How to Find Great Books to Read on Kindle

Approach 1 is to go for tried-and-tested authors: this is great providing they have published Kindle editions, and providing their Kindle editions are any good! Many traditionally published books are scanned in with special reading software and converted into Kindle editions. The problem is - the reading software isn't always that good! In a book I read recently 'Penn Station' had become 'Perm Station' - great for hairdressers but not quite right. The same book was littered with errors, and very irritating to read. The great thing about Kindle, of course, is that you can get a refund for up to seven days after purchase, so this downloaded was quickly returned.

Approach 2 is to try Amazon's recommended titles, or to look at what similar books other readers have downloaded. This can be successful, as Amazon employ a complicated system of looking at your browsing and buying history and matching you p with possible titles. Not that they always get it right, of course, but it's a good way to take the guesswork out of trying something new. Oh, the joy of finding a new author...

Approach 3 is to browse other book websites, such as goodreads.com, and then find the Kindle edition if you can. GoodReads is a fab resource, if a little time-consuming, but worth a look. Many authors (myself included) have Q&As on there, which is a rare chance for fans to connect directly with their favourite authors and ask questions about books they've read. GoodReads also has discussion groups, free giveaways and lots more, so head on over if you need some inspiration.

The one approach that doesn't seem to work so well is to browse Amazon's own listings. The categories are confused and mixed up, and unless you know exactly what you are looking for, it's a pretty soul-destroying task. And their algorithm for sorting books by ranking is incredibly complex, and looks at recency of a book's sales as well as total books sold, so you could easily find a title which has sold very few books but in a short time-period sitting much higher than a book that has sold millions of copies! Still, finding a good book in any setting is difficult - imagine a bookshop with over 3 million books to browse through - so why should Kindle be different? At least a great book is worth the effort.

And don't forget to leave a review for your Kindle title. Authors rely on these to be visible to new readers just like you.

The Best Books to Come Out of the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War like no other captured the popular imagination of people all over the world and there are some tremendously evocative accounts to come out of the conflict. Somehow the Vietnam War has managed to capture the brutality, heroism, pointlessness, dread and excitement of war like no other. This is in part because of the numerous Hollywood movies which have dealt with the subject, particularly from the 1980s when America started to come to terms with its actions and the repercussions on a generation of its people.

But just as much as the movies, the literature to come out of the war serves as testament and reminder to the high adventure and tragedy of those steamy jungle years of confusion, hypocrisy and chaos. Some of the best books from the Vietnam War are those first hand accounts written by people who were there, soldiers who survived the slaughter and were able to put down their experiences on the page. Here are a few of some of the very best books to come out of Vietnam with just a teaser of their content...

Chickenhawk by Robert Mason ranks as one of the finest books to come out of the Vietnam era. Mason was a helicopter pilot, guiding the iconic Huey choppers around the LZs of South Vietnam dropping off scared GIs into combat then picking up the wounded, dead and survivors hours later. His is a remarkable story that has you gripping the armchair with dread and amazement at the courage of these pilots who were protected from incoming rounds only by the plexiglass cockpit bubble and perhaps a flak jacket under the seat.

Another stone cold classic is Michael Herr's Dispatches. This book is really reportage, as Herr was something we would nowadays call an 'embedded' journalist with the troops at some of the key battles of the whole conflict. Herr captures the LSD-crazed anarchy of the whole conflict in the thrilling mini-episodes which make up this book. Each story in Dispatches seems to have become a Vietnam legend, and the work seems so familiar when you read it because Herr himself later worked on some of the scripts for the bigger Hollywood Vietnam films.

The realm of fiction has also dealt with the Vietnam War with thrilling, heart pounding results. One of the best selling books is Matterhorn, Karl Marlantes' fictional account of a Marine battallion stationed in a high mountain fortress, ordered down to the writhing jungles to track down and destroy a mysterious NVA unit. This book has it all, the dread, the interracial conflict, terror of jungle and combat and esprit de corps that kept men alive. Though fiction, Marlantes himself took part in the war so there's plenty of real life experience thrown into this book.

As well as thrilling fiction and first hand accounts there's plenty of fascinating history accounts available on the Vietnam War. These range from broad perspectives of the history including battles and political developments to more specific works which deal with particularly personal aspects of the war. An example of the latter includes the excellent Everything We Had by Al Santoli. The author for this book collected the oral histories of 33 different participants of the war to bring a sweeping and stunning perspective of everything that Vietnam meant to real people who were there and lived through it.

Much more on the Best Vietnam War Books right here.

The Book of Symbols: A Tool to Experiencing Life As Magical

Why are so many people buying this beautiful book and giving it pride of place on their favorite bookshelf?

It's not a rave or a sudden fad, it's older and wilder by far than that; it's about the way that symbols live deep in our psyches, and when we look around and make sense of our world, we "decode" the things we see through symbols and what they mean to us.

Who hasn't heard of Carl Gustaf Jung, that brilliant Swiss psychoanalyst, who explored the meanings of symbols and how they affect us in day-to-day ways, as well as our dreams and subconscious? Back in the 1930s, students and followers of Jung got busy collecting all kinds of symbolic images. They created an organization called The Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism (ARAS) and the collection grew to hold more than 17,000 amazing images and information about them, with time-lines and cross references.

If you were a member of ARAS online, or you could go to one of their institutes, you could hunt down the symbols and images that haunt or thrill you, and find a treasure trove of history and meanings. Great news!! Thanks to Publishing House Taschen, we can now access all these stunning and inspiring symbols and archetypes in our own study or sitting room! The Book of Symbols has 800 pages and not one page too many. It's divided into five categories: Animal World, Creation and Cosmos, Human World, Plant World and Spirit World, and weaves a poetic exploration of each symbol's meaning through history, looking from many angles, such as Art, Literature, Folklore, Religion, and Psychology.

This isn't a specialist's book, it's a wonderfully human book, tapping into a place that unites and excites us all, no matter where or when we came into the world. On a very deep level, we all want to experience life as magical-to see the mystery and wonder in ordinary life. The Book of Symbols is a tool in our hands to help us see that the mystery is not hard to find. It's deep within us and everywhere around us, and always calling to us in beautiful and evocative ways. In the words of Meister Eckhart "When the Soul wants to experience something she throws out an image in front of her and then steps into it." This book is an ally to the Soul in making the journey rich and exciting.

"Waysweaver" sites promote ideas, products and crafts that have their source in ancient traditions, and enhance our experience of wonder and delight in day to day life. http://www.thebookofsymbols.waysweaver.com/

The Children Shall Be Blameless

If individuals have read Jack Savage's previous books, they have come to expect the unexpected. In The Children Shall Be Blameless, readers will not be disappointed since I believe this book has the best storyline thus far in the author's literary efforts. I also sense that there is much of himself entwined in the various and well-depicted characters. Some authors have problems giving their characters unique traits and personalities, but Savage is a master at this which is so crucial to this novel. Readers may not like everyone they meet; however, they will ultimately get an intimate look into their souls and know who they really are.

After his mother's death, and because his father was serving in the Korean war, Richard Smith was told by the Sisters of St. James's Orphanage that he and his two sisters had been left with them to be their caretakers. From the depiction of his character, I instantly liked this spunky and courageous boy who grows up to become exceptionally successful in real estate. But before this happens, he has to survive many difficult times while spending his childhood at the orphanage. He experiences further challenges once he is on his own.

There is the question as to Richard's buried memories in regard to his younger sister who died when an accident occurred early on at the orphanage. His other sister had apparently gone to stay with an uncle. When the war was over, readers will want to know why his father never came to get him. But it was a question that would be answered at a later time. As the story unwinds, we see the traits of his childhood carried into adulthood where he would always help those in trouble; evidence of this was vividly described during his combat in Vietnam. From childhood on, if needed, he would protectively lie to others in order to alleviate problematic situations, and somehow it seemed to me that it was totally acceptable, given the circumstances.

One of the most important people in Richard's life was Father Brown who intervened when the young boy was badly beaten on the school playground. Father Brown is not your usual priest and, indeed, becomes the father that Richard never had. They are as close, and perhaps closer, than any biological father and son, sharing much time together with intriguing conversations. He is the person who understands Richard and knows his extraordinary potential.

Richard Smith wanted what we all want-a family of his own to love. Although there were women who gave him sex and others he became romantically involved with for a time, it appeared as though he would never meet the right woman to marry. Or would he? Ultimately, he does have a family that consists of two adopted boys, a wonderful housekeeper, and Father Brown; there are others who are very important to him-from his past and present.

Because I want readers to purchase this book, I choose not to give away too much of the storyline, but there are many suspenseful and intriguing surprises along the way that will keep readers turning the pages. An accident that kindles Richard's childhood memory leads to some surprise visits and an adventurous journey that answers questions he has in regard to his past. There are truly some exciting and unforgettable moments. After reading the last two pages of The Children Shall Be Blameless, I think it would be impossible for readers not to shed some tears. As I followed his life's story, I felt Richard's hurt, pain, joy and grief.

I loved this book as well as the author's well-defined style of writing. Readers are there beside the protagonist as he lives his life, sharing his hurt, pain, hopes, dreams, tragedies, and grief. It is without hesitation that I highly recommend this book.

Author of seven books, book reviewer, former publisher and radio talk show host.

Information Wants to Flow and Has a Life of Its Own

The information age has significantly changed our world in many ways. Those who control and can harness the power of information have a distinct advantage in many regards. Those who don't especially in business can find themselves in last place. Okay so, how do you deal with these realities in business? Well, I'd like to recommend a very good book to you to help you navigate this serious issue;

"The Social Life of Information," by John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid, HBR - Harvard Business Review, Boston, MA, 2000, 336 pages, 978-08758-4762-7.

This book is great and although their predictions were not totally perfect they were close enough and much better than those of most of the futurists whose works I've followed. The authors predicted the eventual end of newspapers, magazines, and most mass media, as well as the convergence of the Internet and TV. They predicted the paperless revolution, and the change of office work as we know it along with the potential end of the University, at least as it sits now. Finally they had considered the end of bureaucracy due to the future e-Government, or e-Republic.

The authors also discussed complete artificial intelligent information technology and enterprise software revolution of our modern-day corporations. Of course, they also explained the limits to information and the need for a semantic web, something that actually understood what you were asking for, not just feeding willy-nilly information in bulk. Why were these authors so right on? Well, one worked at Xerox Parc in the very beginning of the Internet and information technology era, I imagine that had something to do that.

Still, they explained there were challenges with such things as paperless office, and how it was slow on its uptake. In fact, the authors noted that there were more printed reports, files, and faxes still being copied, so it hasn't really decreased the use of paper. Then, we still have copy machines in offices and HP has made hay combining them into five-in-one printers in their image division. The authors describe how bots can be destructive, start price wars, and it makes me wonder if they also predicted the challenges of the flash crashes in our stock market through algorithmic trading schemes.

Indeed, I can definitely recommend this book to you, it is one that I personally own, and it is a very good book to reflect on where we've been, and where we are potentially going with information technology. In this new era of big data, it's even more important that you understand these things, and the evolution of IT technologies. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

The Dark Traveller Ebook Review

Cindy Wright's The Dark Traveller is a unique compilation that details with precision and accuracy the movement of the Black Death in London and the small area of Eyam in the 1660's. The quantity of facts and figures offered is far more than what one gets reading general European history. For history lovers researching this infamous time, The Dark Traveller is an invaluable resource because it is one of the most in depth references around. Wright eloquently and accurately tells of the chaos without being unnecessarily theatrical. The reader is swept to feel like they are living in London in 1665. Well written and concise, The Dark Traveller references primary resources of the time, giving it an authoritative stand on the subject matter.

For attentive learners interested in digging up medical history, this is an essential read because it focuses on the early efforts to quell the disease. After reading The Dark Traveler, one will appreciate the advents of modern sanitation and more a sophisticated knowledge of human health. All together, it is an intriguing bit of the past that can take anyone back in time to understand. It reads briefly and articulately covering the whys and hows of every major aspect of the tale.

Additionally, within The Dark Traveler are suitable illustrations to enhance the reader's experience. The most remarkable aspect about this informative work is the amount of detail included that is not common knowledge: from names and lives of actual people that passed away, to the story of a town that sacrificed itself to the disease. It is shocking how many pseudo-cures had been created to fight the Bubonic Plague. Some are sure to make one shudder.

As always, Wright is very concise and factual. In the Dark Traveller, the story of the bubonic plague is ushered forth from antiquated times into a tangible reality. With details found from archives, a very full story of demise and death tolls rising is told. Like a ghost walking from person to person unseen, but perceiving the lives of victims, The Dark Traveler has a different overall aura than most historical texts. It has a bit of closeness to each person that lived as if one has the privilege to run into that person hundreds of years ago before moving on to someone else. The Black Death becomes all the more real.

This highly educational experience will greatly enhance understanding and bring one into a higher plane of knowledge. This is the perfect resource for any research paper concerning the Black Death or health in the 15th century due to its respectability, authority, and convenient briefness. One just might think twice too the next time one is bitten by a flea. However, do not be scared of the moribundity, The Dark Traveler is also a story of survivors who didn't succumb to the Black Death's lethal grasp. The Dark Traveler is meant to take the reader back with such an experience that it is even used as travel companion in London to see all the places where every event did truly happen. Sure to haunt and educate, read for the memory of lethal bygone days.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem: How the Ancient City Ignited Our Modern World - Book Review / Summary

In this book James Carroll, an award winning author, columnist and scholar, discusses exhaustively what lies within the two histories of what the three major faiths consider as their holy city, Jerusalem... the ethological history of Jerusalem and the actual history of the physical city. Throughout the book he distinguishes among the three faiths that occupied the holy city throughout its tumultuous past and how each sanctified the City as their own both literally and spiritually. Unlike any other city... only Jerusalem can claim such inspiration.

"Only Jerusalem, not Athens, Rome, or El Dorado, or the New York of immigrants' dreams - only Jerusalem occupies such a transcendent place in the imagination."

Indeed, the city is standing on holy ground... Carroll will take you on a journey from the "rock" that the primitive sacrificed other humans, "the rock" where Abraham was stopped from sacrificing his own son Isaac on Mount Moriah, where King David built his house on Mount Zion, or where Christ was crucified at Golgotha, and the Rock that Islam's Dome of the Rock enshrines.

What makes this read more engaging is that Carroll goes beyond the history of the city and its religions and characterizes how this city has become the symbol for a universal human condition: violence, which he refers to as "Jerusalem fever". And through human machinations and constructs, this primal and universal propensity for violence infects religious groups, political parties, and economic policy for the whole middle east and beyond. Carroll goes on to explains that while it seems intuitive that violence and religion are separate in their nature, the reality is that they are, in fact, inseparable, and shows the direct correlation of violence and the sacred. He goes on to write that this reality is evident in the historical developments of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which we all can agree have their own bloody story.

Carroll also eloquates how this city stands as "the fulfillment of history". Each of the major monotheistic faiths believe that Jerusalem holds the key to their apocalyptic hope where God finally answers his own mysteries. What began, Carroll explains, as a immeasurable and internal revelation evolved into a revelation centered around a space (the actual city of Jerusalem), and finally into a revelation of time - the End Time. Carroll really does make plain how Jerusalem inspires revelation in all dimensions for all people.

"For Jews, Muslims, and Christians, this real estate - "holy land" - is a magnet that draws to itself, and thereby organizes, the shaving of a million impressions of the transcendence".

This book is beautifully and exhaustively written that exposes the good and bad in religion and personal faith (of any religion), and I don't think that I poured over, or pondered over as much as any book as this one. As one who has read hundreds of history books over the years I will have to read this particular book over and over to peal back each layer of information and understanding. Excellent book! I recommend this read to anyone interested in learning more on the city itself, the Middle East conflict, world history, and yes, maybe even learning a little more about yourself!

The Depreciated Legacy of Cervantes

In The Art of the Novel Milan Kundera makes observations that echo Charles Baudelaire's enraged comments concerning the values of literature in nineteenth century Europe. An embittered Baudelaire writes: "France is passing through a period of vulgarity. Paris: A center radiating stupidity in every direction. Despite Moliere and Beranger, no one would ever have supposed that France would take to the road of progress as such a rate. Matters of art: terrae incognitae." According to Kundera the specialization wrought by science has managed to reduce man into a mere automaton; a thoughtless pawn manipulated by the masters of industry who have forgotten the deeper meaning of life.

For the last three hundred years the novel has been the vehicle used to probe humanity's experience in this complex modern world. The novel has filled the role formerly held by religion and classical literature: its aim is to "discover the various dimensions of existence" that are inaccessible to science (or any other literary form). Therefore as science displaced the philosophic and religious systems of the medieval world, and the important investigations of being (the 'dimension of depth') were being threatened by scientific rationalism, the novel emerged to check the abuses of a "one-sided nature of the European sciences."

Kundera considers Cervantes to be the father of the novel. Cervantes' character, Don Quixote, sets out on a knightly adventure in the hopes of delivering the world from evil and winning the love of his beautiful dream lady, Dulcinea. His courtly notions of battle and love, however, prove to be delusions. The reality of the world has changed (or was misrepresented by the writers that inspired Quixotes' quest); subsequently his living experience bears little resemblance to the imaginative experience anticipated after a lifetime of reading medieval tales of romance. But despite Don Quixote's misperceptions of the world and his ridiculous failures, he can also be seen as a hero. Quixote holds on to an imaginative vision of reality that is romantic, exciting, and invigorating even when dry empirical facts seem to refute this vision.

Cervantes does not dogmatically tell the reader whether Don Quixote is an idiot or a hero; he could be both; he could be neither; he could be something altogether different than anyone has assumed. For human beings, and human experiences, defy narrow classifications. The novel, Kundera tells us, allows the reader to consider how ideas conform, or conflict, with experience. But the novel does not judge this experience as science or religion judges - with a single, unflagging, limited interpretation. Instead the novel opens up the world of man and discovers new human truths, situations and possibilities.

Kundera believes that the novel is being rejected by modern culture. Science once again has the power to oust humans out of the "world of life." Kundera laments, "man has now become a mere thing to the forces (of technology, of politics, of history)." Deprived of the desire and the ability to comprehend deep, complex truths of being, humans opt to accept the simple stereotypes perpetuated by the media. Subsequently pop-culture and scientific domination threatens the human realm of being with idiotic (and dogmatic) assessments of the complex human world. Thus the legacy of Cervantes is depreciated and "the world of life" is forgotten.

Legal Thriller Books By John Grisham

"Objection, Your Honor!" has become a resounding cry from televisions and movies around the world. Interestingly, these three words were only heard exclusively inside a courtroom during trials...that is, until a new genre of fiction was born and a new breed of writers emerged to establish one of the most popular types of fiction in books, movies, and television.

Legal Thriller and Courtroom Drama
One of the most recent additions to the genre of mystery novels is the legal thriller. By its name, a legal thriller occurs within the context of the legal system, wherein a lawyer is, most of the time, a protagonist who seeks justice and claims it from the hands of an enemy which may or may not be legal authorities or people who try to exert influence over the law. It is a thriller in the sense that dangers lurk around every page and the protagonists face threats to their profession and, at times, their lives.

The legal thriller formula of literature has been adapted by television. This gave birth to courtroom drama, a more specific form of legal thriller wherein the suspense and the battle between right and wrong occurs within the courtroom; the endless interrogation and confrontation of the two opposing camps of the defendant and the plaintiff is the central action of the stories.

Legal thrillers have grown in popularity in the past few decades, thanks to writers who tirelessly share their expertise in law and skills in writing to produce some of the best heart-stopping novels in modern literature. One of these writers is John Grisham.

Writer in focus: John Grisham
With 27 books (and counting) to his name, author John Grisham earns the distinction of being one of the most prominent legal thriller writers in the US and the world. John Grishams's books never fail to make it to lists of top legal thrillers. He also features into most, if not all, lists of top writers in the said genre.

Of his books, 9 were adapted into movies and 3 into television series, where high-profile Hollywood actors like Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock and others played the various, complex roles that populate his fast-paced stories. Readers all over have commented that his books were better than their movie adaptations. If you're not yet acquainted with John Grisham books works, now is the best time to check out his books, especially the ones with adaptations, before you even attempt to watch the films themselves. This will allow you to appreciate the power of the narrative that the writer wrote and wove.|

John Grisham Books
Most of Grisham's books enter the bestseller lists both locally and internationally. If you have never read his works, now would be the best time to consider looking for John Grisham books. The give you a taste of this author's writing skills, here's a synopsis of his 2010 book, The Confession:

The Confession (2010) is about Travis Boyette, a man who committed a horrible crime and watched quietly as an innocent man was convicted in his place. Now, almost a decade after, Travis was confronted by the past; he believes that a confession can set things right, but time is already running out for him and the innocent man wrongfully sentenced for a murder not of his doing.

If you wish to learn more about the genre of legal thrillers, we recommend you read John Grisham books to appreciate his gripping page-turners.

The Great Value Of Books - Training Your Children To Read

Lord of the Flies - When Good Kids Go Bad

Lord of the Flies tells the story of a plane of boys who flee from Britain while a war is in full swing, and crash land near a deserted island in the Pacific after being shot down. As the story progresses, leadership is developed and certain boys take on roles that prove to be intoxicating to the point that malicious behavior erupts. In situations that seem inherently dangerous, conforming to the mob mentality seems to be human nature.

At first Ralph is elected as the leader. He then appoints Jack - the antagonist - as the leader of a group of boys designated to hunt and provide food for the group. Naturally, the hunters adorn themselves with masks, which seems to lend to their anonymity, making their crazed behavior easier to engage in. While this type of misbehavior is seen frequently in the media, it seems out of place for a children's novel, especially one written nearly a half-century ago.

Lord of the Flies illustrates what can result from a leader on a power trip, but also, what kind of beliefs people will engage in when there is a fear factor involved. The younger boys of the group develop a fear of a monster lurking on the island, after one of the "littluns" disappears. After a thorough search results in nothing, they conclude that the monster lives in the sea and only emerges to commit heinous acts. Never mind the fact that the boy disappeared after a tremendous fire that spread after a signal fire burned out of control. Later, an ejected pilot's parachute that is ensnared in a tree fools a boy who comes across it at night into thinking that he actually saw the monster. One of the boys, Simon, discovers the parachute and rushes back to camp, only to be killed by the other boys who thought he was the monster.

Once Jack and his hunters absconded to a hideout, Ralph and his followers tried to reason with him. Once they met, a battle ensued, and one boy named Roger, rolled a boulder of the cliff, crushing Piggy's - one of Ralph's team members' - head. Ralph managed to dodge all the spears that were flung his way, and ran to the point of exhaustion, but an eventual rescue. Lord of the Flies illustrates how fear and power can coerce people who are of a good nature to do wicked acts.

 

The Love Affair Between Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice

The Importance of Book Reviews

The habit of reading is on the decline. Not many people consider picking up a book the ideal way to spend an empty afternoon.

Yet, there are people who are avid readers. They are on the lookout for quality material to read and constantly check out book reviews online. Regardless of how many people are actually into the habit of reading regularly, the importance of reader feedback cannot be ignored.

They Help Other Readers

The most obvious advantage of book reviews is that they help readers decide whether or not to read a book. Not only this, people also decide whether to buy the book or borrow it from the library depending on the opinions of other readers. By writing your own such opinion, you help readers find quality content.

Boost Readership

By helping readers, you can actually boost the readership for that author. If you write a positive review of any book, more people are likely to read it. Businesses can have their books written up and use them for promotional purposes. By engaging customers through reading, they have a viable marketing platform.

A negative book review can have the same effect, though you wouldn't think so. Many times, when a book is panned by fellow readers, people read it to see what the fuss is all about. However, you should not post a negative review just for the sake of doing so. Rather, try to balance the positive and negative aspects of the book in your opinion.

Analyze the Material

When you read, you don't always grasp all of the information the author is trying to share. Writing a book review helps you to analyze and understand the material better. There may be some points you have overlooked which become clear once you write about what you have read.

So, you are not only helping others but improving your own understanding of the book.

These are the three key points that signify the importance of book reviews. But you should not choose just any book. Find books that are relevant and that people would be willing to read. A good rule of thumb is to select the types of books you like to read.

Here are some topics that are read frequently:
General BusinessPersonal and/or professional developmentMaterial related to a certain fieldHow-to books for improving business acumen

Writing book reviews for books related to any of these topics will help out a lot of people who want to enhance their knowledge.

Books on certain topics attract more readers. Writing book reviews for them enables you to help people select the best books related to those topics.

Mary Klaebel is the owner and primary writer at Pro-Ghostwriter.com. She enjoys reading as much as she enjoys writing and welcomes new book reviews.

Not a Hobby But a Business

My husband simplifies what I do by saying that I rearrange letters. While that is exactly what I do, writing is much more than that. It requires a talent for describing the action in such a way that readers can see in their mind what the author sees when she writes the words.

Writing can deliver a message subliminally. It can help a reader escape life's frustrations even though, as a writer of plausible fiction, I take them into a world with lots of problems and frustrations. Maybe I make their life seem simple after reading about the horrendous things that happen to my characters.

When I write non-fiction, the teacher in me pops out as I strive to help my reader see a change needed and adopt that change into their life. Readers of the devotional series have the opportunity to view a concept, a biblical concept, from a different Point of View. It gives them something to think about, to meditate on.

So while I know that the business aspects are important, sitting in front of my computer with my characters is where I want to be. Keeping track of expenses on a spreadsheet is important. Developing a social media presence is important. Booking events to showcase your work is important. Dangling the carrot before potential readers is important. Getting your name out there is important but all any writer wants to do is write.

We could hire a business manager and if we're E.L James, who just received a $5 million movie contract for her book, we could afford to do so. However, the majority of us are far from selling enough to be able to afford that position. The business aspects have to become a portion of our daily routine, the moments when we come out of our shell and meet people, even if it is over the internet or phone lines. Think of it as joining the world.

For all you readers out there, take a moment to add a review of the books you read to the amazon pages for that book. Or wherever else you made your purchase. You may have purchased the book in a bookstore but they all have websites and will welcome your review. Even if you borrowed the book, post a review. Authors depend on that feedback.

At the end of the day, support your local author. Help them succeed and they will be most appreciative.

Watching the expressions on the faces of her readers is what drives author and speaker, Barbara Ann Derksen to write. Her favorite genre is murder mystery but each book brings forth characters who rely on God as they solve the puzzle in their life.

Pun In Sanskrit Literature - A New Approach

The book under review titled Pun In Sanskrit Literature - A New Approach is a fantastic book.

All Sanskrit lovers and pun lovers should read this book without fail.

The book was first published by Mysore University, India in 1982. The author Gurupad K Hegde is a great scholar and has written this book after intense study of Sanskrit literature for many years.

The book has nine chapters.

The first chapter deals with the pun as alankara in Sanskrit literature.

The origin of pun starts with the first kavya (adi kavya) of the world written by the world's first poet, sage Valmiki.

The origin of Ramayana is from a sloka of pun! The verse starts with 'ma nisada' is a curse on the hunter that he should never attain salvation for he killed the beautiful krauncha bird which was absorbed in love. And wonderfully, the verse also means that the great Lord Vishnu may attain a position for ever as he killed the demon Ravana and Valin.

The author describes in detail the root cause of the concept of fun, the nature of the words in pun and objects of the pun in the second chapter.

The author gives numerous examples to explain the figurative combinations in the great and beautiful language Sanskrit in chapter three.

Chapter four of the book deals with the role of pun in classical Sanskrit literature.The author indicates Shakespeare's lines in Othello (III-2) The word 'lies' in the conversation of Desdemona and Clown is a witty use of pun to mean 'lodging' as well as telling a lie!

The great poets Sri Harsha, Bhavaputi,Asvaghosa,Bharavi,Magha,Dandin have used Slesha or pun in their works.

And it is to be noted that the only language which has kavyas where two or more stories are narrated throughout the full length of a poem is Sanskrit. Thus we have kavyas which describes Ramayana and Mahabharata in the same verse!

Needless to say that the author has dealt the Mahabharata kuta slokas which means the slokas with knots!

While the fifth chapter deals with functional pun and the sixth chapter deals with perceptional pun and the seventh with situational pun! The eighth chapter of the book deals with the impact of pun in iconography.

The author concludes in his concluding chapter that pun is everywhere starting from vedic literature to the modern literature which gives the experiences of day to day business of life.

Over three hundred selected verses are given as examples to understand the pun in Sanskrit literature.

On completing the book we are wonderstruck with the author's deep reading as well as with the vastness of the wonderful t Sanskrit literature!

Index of subject and index of 300 verses will be useful to the readers.

Finally, we may pray that more such books should come to enlighten us!

S. Nagarajan is a vehicle body engineer by profession. He has written more than 2500 articles in 16 magazines and published 27 books. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V. Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. His email address is: snagarajans@gmail.com. His articles on Yoga, laughter, efficacy of mantras and sound, Hypnotism, Tele Kinesis, Power of Prayer, Vastu and Feng Shui, Auto suggestion, Success Formula, Out of Body Experience etc are regularly appearing in EzineArticles.com. So far more than ninety articles have been published in EzineArticles.com.

The True Essence of Audio Books!

Since the emergence of audio books, it could be said that listening pleasure has taken on a more noteworthy meaning. You will never have a dull moment. They are so handy they can be taken and used almost anywhere. They also make shrewd and creative gifts.

If you'd rather give your eyes a rest, then books in audio are just the thing. If book clubs can provide a way to keep friendships alive as well as an opportunity to make new ones then audio books can simply help you to find time to read more. Listening is not a hassle. You can still do it even with friends around. You can carry it with you and it can give you the opportunity to share your books with friends.

Books in audio format no longer have a negative stigma so why not take on this modern approach to storytelling and enjoy even more books. If you don't have a Smartphone or iPod ask your children or grandchildren to download a book and burn it to disk- this way you can listen to your favourite books on a CD player at home.

New devices such as the Kindle Touch boast a 'read to me' feature, which converts an eBook into an audio book. This will be particularly useful for people with visual impairments and lets you "read" while driving, for example.

Some people agree that audio books help children see the humour in writing. This is something children often miss when reading printed books. They are an excellent way to help children develop the reading habit. It has been said that reading aloud to children is beneficial to their success in reading. This can be confirmed by the fact that an enormous number of these kinds of books are used for teaching purposes today.

It has been proven that audio books allow the listener to retain their visualisation and picture-making skills. The listener's enjoyment of audio books doesn't stop with the visualisation - as they listen their understanding is also helped by the tone of voice, the accent and the emphasis and timing given to the text by the professional reader.

To add a special touch, modern audiobooks are narrated by actors or in special cases the books' authors, which is great if you happen to be reading an autobiography or memoirs because the subject could be telling you their story.

Everyone deserves the same access to books and literature regardless of disability, illness or learning difficulty. For many people, the spoken word can provide welcome relief from the pain and loneliness often experienced as a result of having a disability. For younger members with a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, audio books can be equally helpful.

Audio books are a practical and convenient way to fill your time with great literature. The only difference is you're listening rather than reading.

Shop 4 Books is an online shopping portal for everything books and magazine subscriptions. We have a diverse range of categories covering all genres, such as audio books on CD and all major formats. We can also make it easy for you to obtain calendars, diaries, stationery, music CDs and downloads, DVDs and personalised books. We are the best online bookshop so check us out and take advantage of all our frequent special offers.

There Is A Place Called Hell And It Really Exists

The Lake Of Fire:

This book is a frightening account given by a man called Bill Wiese who was plunged into Hell by The Almighty at 3:00 a.m. in the morning and experienced what it is like in this place. It was for 23 minutes only but that was enough time for him to be moved to try and get his message across to as many people as he could to avoid it at all costs. He reveals that Hell is located 3,700 miles within the earth's structure towards the planet's core. It is populated by demonic creatures who want to torment spirits condemned there for the rest of eternity. These demons have a hatred for both God and man alike.

The man emphasises the horribleness of the Lake Of Fire and what goes on there. His personal testimony is of being in a cell getting beaten up by large beasts where God only allowed him to partially feel the physical pain. The next experience he had was literally of the fires of Hell itself where people are burning away in their own individual furnace and prevented from getting out by the demonic beings that want them to continue suffering along with themselves. He describes his feelings of helplessness and also the hopelessness of being lost there forever.

However, during this experience he was taken out and brought into the wonderful presence of Jesus who reminded him of the fact that he had been a Christian therefore he was saved. Christ informed him that it is His wish that nobody be sent to Hell and wept over the spirits dropping through the shaft going into the Lake Of Fire.

It was The Lord's intentions that Bill be sent there so that he could tell as many people as possible about the torment he suffered during this twenty three minute episode. Even some Christians don't believe in Hell but the gentleman cannot assert strongly enough that it is time to be saved from this place immediately as, if you were not and died, it would be too late as you would be sent to an area where the most nagging aspect of being there is the knowledge of the fact that the torment is never going to end. It is for the rest of time and final.

The book answers a lot of questions about who is subject to eternal damnation and what the experience of residing in Hell is like. But this individual also comforts us that The Lord is not a God of condemnation and re-iterates that He wants you to spend the rest of time in the Paradise which is Heaven with Him. It really is so sad as Bill reveals that it is people who basically send themselves there by their unbelief or their reluctance to accept that Jesus Christ paid the price for their sins. It is not so much your sins that get you condemned but the lifetime you have spent rejecting The Lord also.

In addition to this e-book, which can be purchased through ClickBank, is access to over seventy DVD's (available at no extra cost if the book is bought) of testimonies given by people who have had similar experiences of not only Hell but Heaven too. The one thing about all of these stories is that they all depict the Lake Of Fire and Paradise in the same vein which means they are real and not just imagined.

It is time to commit your life to Yeshua now because, if you don't, you will pay the ultimate price and regret it forever.

Cormac G. McDermott has just recently started working from home.

He likes to promote products that he has a keen interest in. He lives his life according to the same healthy principles of the things he enjoys marketing. His passions are faith, spirituality, clean-living and healthy lifestyle, hard work & writing comedy.

He graduated from University College, Dublin in 1995 with a master's degree in economic science.

He writes books of his own uniquely witty humour when inspired and has been diagnosed as being a genius.

The Simple Golf Swing Review

Hey guys, today I'm going to talk a bit about The Simple Golf Swing. First I have to start off by saying that I was very pleasantly surprised by this product, because in the golf industry there are a lot of garbage guides and so called pros giving bad advice. The Simple Golf Swing was a breath of fresh air for me because after unsuccessfully trying a lot of online advice, I was finally able to see some tangible results on the golf course.

The package comes with both an e-book and instructional videos, and both were very well presented and easy to follow. Everything you need for a professional level swing is covered, from grips to ball placement to weight distribution right to the detailed breakdown of the swing itself. As an intermediate golfer my biggest goal was to develop consistency with my swing and this guide was perfect for my needs.

That's another thing Id like to address before I get into my results, that there are no miracles in the golf world. You should definitely get out on the range and drill your new swing and take your time, because as we all know golf doesn't come easy and it does take practice so I don't want anybody thinking that they'll be knocking 10 strokes off their game just by watching the videos and reading the guide. I would say a 5-10 stroke improvement for an intermediate level golfer is very achievable within your first few weeks of implementing the guide however. You just have to put in the effort on the course to physically attempt what David teaches in this course.

With that being said, I noticed an immediate benefit to both my long and short game the very same day I got this product when I got out on the range and started trying out what I'd learned. Because the guide is so easy to follow, I had no problem applying the techniques the very same day in practice. Let me add that I'm no golf prodigy or anything, so if I could pull off the techniques and modify my game so quickly then I think anybody could do the same with a bit of practice. Seeing these quick results was exactly the motivation I needed to push on because as a golfer I need more than just book knowledge, I want to see those actual measurable results on the course.

I felt a lot more relaxed and natural and I noticed my swing was much more consistent than usual, I wasn't hitting slices or hooks like I used to. My shots were going straight down the pipe and my accuracy was the best it's ever been. Within a couple of these experimental sessions on the driving range I was pretty excited to test out how I'd fare in a full game of golf, and let me tell you, I couldn't have been more pleased. I shot the best game of my life, and my individual shots held up in a game situation like I'd hoped. I added about 20 yards to my driver, and averaged 10-15 extra yards to my irons. The best part though was having the confidence that I could repeat that solid swing over and over for the entire 18 holes.

My one issue with the course was the price; it is a bit on the pricey side at $67. For me though it was well worth the cost to improve my game so much, so you just have to look at it as an investment.

To wrap up, I would highly recommend you check out The Simple Golf Swing, in my opinion it's the top golf guide on the net.

Check out the full video review at http://youtu.be/7TUGpldJUS4.

Top 10 Motivational Books That Work

I am a firm believer that readers are leaders, but I am also a true advocate of reading to enrich the quality of your life. Every time I need answers (and I usually want them right away) I turn to my favorite website, Amazon and go on a shopping free. I buy my books in bulk and I do my research. I want to have a library of books that I will turn to time and time again, read over and over again, because I know that who I am today may shift slightly as I grow older. As we grow we are able to see something in the words on a page differently than if we read those same words in our teens, twenties, and so on. So here are my current favorite TOP 10 Motivational Books and some of them might surprise you!

1) Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill wrote this book over a lifetime of studying the ins and outs of Dale Carnegie's (one of the richest men in the world) success back in the early turn of the century. While the copyright for this book is 1960, dont' be fooled into thinking this book might be out of date. Mr. Hill was a true philosopher who studied how true wealth is achieved and boy did he succeed. Some of the principles include: how to make great decisions, have faith, and owning your sixth sense. I must admit one of the most profound lessons for me in this book was to THINK like a rich person. The next time you are making a big decision ask yourself "How would a rich person handle this?"

2) Domino: The Book of Decorating, by Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello, & Dara Caponigro

So how can a book on home decor motivate you? The purpose of motivation is to inspire you to make changes in your life and what better place to start making changes than the comfort of your own home. I am a true advocate of feng shui and surrounding myself with beauty. This book captures beauty on a plane that is jovial, sophisticated, and artful. I never get sick of the eye candy presented in this how-to book; the pages are laid out immaculately and it makes the perfect coffee table book for your guests to enjoy in your fabulous home. You'll love the Mix & Match sections to help bring out the interior designer in you! Your home should represent who you are, invite new chi (energy) into your life, and become a place of socializing and entertaining.

3) The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Learn the real reasons you aren't where you want to be in your life with this eye-opening, easy read on how to take the big leap! When you can see how YOU are getting in your own way, you can finally get out of the way and get going. Gay Hendricks is a brilliant writer conveying ideas like the Zone of Excellence and the Zone of Genius which are great theories in how to invest your time wisely on things that truly matter to you, instead of plugging your ears to hearing only what you want to hear-- let the truth be heard and let it guide you. Limiting beliefs and worry are two ways your life choices stunt the growing processes. To take the Big Leap is to take baby steps, just take a step! Success is sequential; it doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen. Getting started is probably the #1 thing people struggle with and with this book Gay will spit it out clear and concise that the only person holding you back is YOU.

4) The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels

Within the first few chapters, I was hooked on this book. This book gives you amazing tools in how to stay focused by turning your problems into creativity. "Pain is the universe's way of demanding that you continue to learn." That quote blew my mind! The authors of this book discuss one of my favorite concepts "the shadow" and how pertinent it is to be aware that you have one and what information it is trying to convey. If you are looking for real-life tools that you can put into practice to begin transforming your life today, this book belongs in your library. It's must cheaper than conventional cognitive therapy; it's worth the small investment! Who needs a therapist when you can have a book that gives you the real tools to change instead of an expensive ear to listen (and occasionally asks you questions that might spark motivation.)

5) The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, PHD

Similar to Think and Grow Rich, this incredible book puts the magic into everyday living. From learning to really listen instead of being a conversation hog, to getting in the habit of making goals to help you grow, you are sure to come out a leader after reading The Magic of Thinking Big. Forget excuses or worrying about things that are out of your control are excellent words of wisdom by David Schwartz. This is a book I continue to pick up year after year (I've owned the book for 10 years) and you'll always be reminded to think and dream creatively for a bright and successful future. I mean, after all, I don't believe we were brought to this planet to think small... thinking Big is truly an art form.

6) Hue by Kelly Wearstler

Did you know that color has healing properties? Chromotherapy, color therapy, is the study of color and their association with the 7 chakras (according to Ayurvedic Medicine). I don't know if Kelly knows much about this healing modality, but her book Hue pretty much blew my mind. The insightful interview with her published in the beginning of the book shows her knowledge in the power of color and what an amazing artist she truly is. Color affects people, sets the mood, and is the ultimate challenge in creativity. Flipping through this colorful and well-photographed interior design book reminded me how powerful the home can be with the presence of two hues that complement each other or those that contrast. This book will reawaken the artist in you and help you see where your true colors live.

7) How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Being a people person is easier than you think after reading Dale's memoir on how to win friends. It takes you back the basics to what it means to be personable. Things like learning how to be a good listener, how to avoid arguments, how to make a good first impression, and being authentic by talking about your mistakes first are recipes for successful relationships. I don't know if Dale Carnegie was a master in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), but he sure knows how to convince you that being liked is simple with a few easy tools. If you are looking to grow your business, network like a hero, or make better quality friends, this is the perfect read.

8) What's Stopping You by Robert Kelsey

This is probably the #1 book I recommend to my clients in that most of the people I work with are truly gifted people. The only thing standing between you and your dreams is FEAR. I picked up this book at the London airport on the way back from my Italian vacation and I must admit this was the best impulse buy. I was already on a reading frenzy to unlock what was standing in my way, but it wasn't until I read What's Stopping You that I realized I was gifted and that my problem was I was afraid to fail. You see, everyone has gifts, but only some people succeed to take their talents to the next level. Well, according to Robert Kelsey, the gifted ones have one thing in common... high FF (which stands for High Fear of Failure.) He suggests defining goals, but better yet, defining the right goal. Once we understand that depression, anger, or worry are simply fear of failure tactics, we can move on and get on with the show.

9) The Element by Ken Robinson PHD

Whether you want to call it your life purpose, dharma, or finding your passion, The Element is a must read for anyone living on this planet. Chapters about finding your tribe, getting in the Zone, and being yourself are hugely important when pursuing your dreams. I have often found myself in the Zone and it's a place I want to live--it's so magical! Time passes so quickly because you are doing what you love. I have basically based my entire business on the fact that everyone needs a mentor (I have half a dozen mentors myself) because learning from leaders who were once sitting right where you are now and found their way is inspirational and gives hope that you, too, can achieve it. Finding your element will change your life indefinitely. Start with this book.

10) Free Marketing by Jim Cockrum

And after all those terrific books, there is a wonderful book on Free Marketing. Why do I love it? When you have discovered your passion, found your tribe, opened up your space to receive abundance it's time to market the crap out of your talents. What better way to do that than with free marketing? There isn't and that's why you must own this book! Jim Cockrum is an amazing marketer and the thing I love most about his tactics is most of them are online. The ability to reach your audience online is astounding. The internet is growing every day and there are people on the world wide web who are searching for solutions to their problems this very second. Several of them are looking for answers that YOU have. Choosing to ignore social media or not having a website or blog that showcases who you are and what you do is just passe. Growing an online presence is easier than you think and with all these books you've read to get where you are now, it's time to share them with the rest of the world.

Angel Quintana, C.N.C., H.H.P., holistic lifestyle mentor. To learn more about her products/services visit http://www.houseofvitalia.com/ and to join her community to start living a holistic lifestyle and to receive her free CD: The Infinite Possibilities.

Read Holy Quran Online

It is extremely valuable for Muslims, regardless of their sects, to learn and gain an understanding of the Holy Quran. Quran is taught to many of us from the very beginning. Most of us are taught Quran in our childhood. However, there are some people who have not yet studied the Holy Quran. One of the main reasons for this issue is the unavailability of appropriate teachers to tutor such people. Parents face many problems in finding a reputable instructor near the house. This ultimately leads to them giving up searching, and the kid never comes to understand the virtuous knowledge.

There are many people among us who have been unable to read the Quran and want to do so. The development of the internet has made it probable for all such people to read the Holy Book. You can only scan and search the internet for E-Quran. Yes you read it right, E-Quran. It is an online version of the Holy Book. There are many different sites that offer this facility. They also offer qualified teachers who will help you in understanding the Quran. Unlike a school, personal attention is paid on each and every student. This enables you to learn at the pace that is most suited to you. You not only understand the Quran, but make command on it. Within no time you can get this knowledge with the benefit of appropriate guidance.

There are many advantages of learning Quran online, especially for children who should learn it as early as possible. Not only is online coaching more appropriate for parents, but it also gives the child the value of a personal instructor who can assist him in analyzing the verses of Quran. The instructor may also correct him when it comes to errors in pronunciation. Apart from children, online Quran learning is also advantageous for the grownups. With the tough and hectic schedules nowadays, it becomes tremendously difficult to find time to go to Quran learning centers. Also, because of the social restraints, you may not find a enormous number of places to tutor adults exclusively. For these reasons, it is best to study Quran through an online source.

A big advantage of online Quran learning is that apart from studying the Quran itself, you can also study different explanations given by different scholars. This enables to get diverse viewpoints. Also, you are able to get translations in various languages. You may choose the preferred language in order to get a better insight of the Quran.

The importance of Quran cannot be expressed much more than this. The Prophet (S.A.W) said, "The most superior among you (Muslims) is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it" (Sahih Bukhari, Book #61, Hadith #546). It is the Book that not only contains teachings of how to live your lives according to God's Will, but also all information that has ever been discovered by mankind. It also contains information that is yet to be or will never be found by scientific researches. Such is the power of this Holy Book. Once you get a grip on its knowledge, you will be able to change your perspective towards life. You will know that all these worldly things are just temporary. There is a much more peaceful and happier life waiting for you.

Understanding ADHD - Essential Requirement For Parents To Keep Their Child Healthy

Waiting for Godot, or to Know?

Seems like Americans don't have opinions of their own anymore. Before going to a restaurant, movie, or buying a book, we want to know what so and so (the critic) said about it. We don't want to take a chance that our money/time will be wasted on entertainment we won't enjoy.

Have you ever wondered how one gets anointed a critic? What is it about their education or world experience that qualifies them for this influential position? How is it that a person attains the power--with a simple shake of his head--to close a play, bankrupt a restaurant, or cause a book to be relegated to the remainder pile?

I was amused when, after 9-11, a crop of "terrorism experts" popped up on TV talk shows. Give me a break! I thought in order to be a terrorism expert you had to actually perpetrate terrorist acts, or train others to do so.

You may like the ovine system we've developed, except that it's not all on the up and up. It would be foolish to assume that all worthwhile writing will somehow find its way to a reputable publisher. Or that all meaningful movie projects will soon hit the screen. The same is true for music and other art forms. A lot of really good work never sees the light of day. One of the reasons for this is that the chain of command that has been developed for selecting and publicizing works of art is rigged. No system yet devised has not been subjected to charlatans trying to game it their advantage.

Take, as an example, the bestselling, supposedly non-fiction book Three cups of Tea. A non-profit, author-affiliated, charity has been accused of buying copies of the book to the tune of $3 million. Now, that's how to create a bestseller! Any author should be so lucky.

Publishing used to be all about the writing but now it's all about marketability. Publishers are not in the game to produce great literature. There's no profit in that. To them a great book is one that sells a million copies or more. And, the way to do that is to manage the publicity game.

How do you suppose those authors get gigs on all the TV talk shows? If you watch closely, you'll see the same authors making the rounds on Good Morning America, The View, Morning Joe, The Daily Show, etc. It's not because these shows are interested in promoting good reading--of that you can be sure. It's all about economic ties, exchanging favors, and one hand washing the other. Sorry authors, it's not a level playing field.

Publishers and their authors spend a lot of time gaming the system to create the illusion of a bestseller. Why do they do it? Because it works! And you the reader have been duped into thinking if a book is a bestseller, it must be a good read and therefore worth buying. In other words can a million readers be wrong? But, how many bestsellers have you read that you thought stunk? I could name a few.

So, seize the day! Be your own critic. Read some off brand authors and their books. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Raff is an author who took early retirement from a career in the computer industry to pursue a writing career. He has two non-fiction books in print. Information about him and his work may be found at http://www.raffellis.com/

Re-Enter the Wonderful World of Books

Don't you remember the romance spending your time with an interesting book undisturbed in calm surroundings? For many of us, especially those over fifty, who had seen an era before the advent of PCs and TVs, reading books of our liking had been a great pastime. The thrill of holding a new book in your hand, savoring the front page and back page kindling curiosity and anticipation, and then slowly entering the new world ushered by the author, is something beyond description.

The invasion of PCs and TV into our homes has virtually banished books from most of our households. These media flood us with so much information in such a short time that virtually all of it is automatically ignored by our brains. On the other hand, reading books is an entirely different experience. The books can be read at your own pace giving time for your brain to savor and enjoy it.

Reading activates your brain and also increases your vocabulary. While reading books, the words and meanings, which you might have already forgotten, come back to you. This will eventually enhance your verbal and written communication skill. Books can also take you to the world of the writer, who may belong to a very different place, giving you an insight into new culture and people.

Books have the ability to focus your thoughts. An interesting book can keep you occupied on the same topic for a long time, which is not possible with TV or Web pages. Books also give you a better understanding about the topic than web pages or TV shows, which tend to be short and overloaded. TV and Internet can easily get you distracted from your topic by luring you into other irrelevant visuals.

Books help you improve your brain activity by inducing thoughts and exercising your memory. It has been proved that increased brain activity can keep off diseases such as Alzheimer's. Books also can widen your knowledge which will help you to converse intelligently in a gathering. Exposure to new ideas and thoughts through books can also rekindle your creativity.

Re-enter the world of books and enjoy life. It is not difficult to get great books delivered straight to your doorstep. Online bookstores sometimes offer you more discount than your neighborhood book shop. Imagine the thrill opening the package and taking out a fresh new book. Leave the TV and Computers for others, and start savoring it.

Used Book Sales - It's Getting Harder to Find the Newest Books of Your Favorite Novelists

The digital age of eBooks is progressing and evolving quite dramatically. I am not sure if you have been following all this but there have been DOJ cases and monopoly investigations and lawsuits over companies, plus search engines scanning old books. So far, there have been nearly 100 million eBook reader type personal tech devices sold now. Hey, as an author of eBooks, I'm all in, as in; "Bring it On!" I say.

The other day, I had an old friend come by my place, and he said; "wow, you have a lot of books," and then he said "soon this place will look like a museum," because no one is going to have actual books in the future, only eBooks you see.

Indeed, that's funny, but it's also very true isn't it? But guess what, the used bookstores are starting to dwindle, and they don't have as many newer books as they used to, and I have a theory as to why. You see, many novelists, my favorite ones included still come out with several new novels per year, but most of these books are sold electronically, not as hardback or paperback books in the big box bookstores. So, if fewer actual books are sold each consecutive quarter moving forward, there will be fewer used books available, and the gap could be over 50%, as in many cases 50% of these books are now sold directly via the Internet to eBook readers.

Now then, let's say that you have all the books by a certain author. Perhaps you collect romance novels, spy novels, true crime, detective, science fiction, horror, or historical fiction and you have certain authors where you have every single book that they have written. You have them prominently displayed on your library at home. You make sure to buy books that are damaged from the used bookstore, so that they look good on the bookshelf, and it is a sense of pride and a great conversational piece with your friends that come over to your home.

Can you see how this might be much more difficult in the future, and this is something very common amongst well-read fans of the top authors. In the future, this may not be possible unless you are willing to pay full price at the bookstore, but that can run you thousands of dollars a year, considering many of these books from the top novelists are quite expensive if you buy them new in the store.

This will limit the number of books you can read, or feel that you can or should afford. Eventually, you may be forced to get an eBook reader, and get all your books electronically as is the popular trend right now, and I expect that it will continue. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks, complilations of Book Reviews. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

Rehab Girl

It is unusual for me to ponder a storyline once outside the bound pages of a book; however, this is what occurred after I read Rehab Girl by P. M. Grates. Although the female protagonist, Alyssa Daingerfield, is introduced as a thirteen-year-old, readers immediately sense her advanced maturity and intellect that challenges adults as well as her peers. With her subtle beauty, powerful mind, and obvious intelligence, she is unafraid to go after what she wants or impulsively run away from what she doesn't want. One time when she ran away, she was nearly raped by a stranger, but using only her words and perceptive insight, she was able to talk her way out of that dangerous situation.

Alyssa had a happy home life living with her grandparents in Monterey Park, California; she got along with them wonderfully, especially with her Grandpa Jack who seemed to understand her better than anyone else, including her mother Daisy who was young, beautiful and often appeared far less mature than her daughter. Her mother had never been without a man for long, moving Alyssa from home to home but ultimately the two would return to the only stable home Alyssa ever had-that of her grandparents. When Daisy became involved with a new man named Franken whom she planned to marry, she was determined that her daughter would live with them which would require a move to Rosemead, California. This arrangement simply couldn't work since mother and daughter did not want the same things out of life. Besides that, there was the out-of-control drinking by Daisy and Franken that the young girl had to contend with. Alyssa loved Daisy-and later on their relationship would improve-but she wanted the security and love her grandparents gave her. Then there was her friend Dylan, a neighborhood boy, whom she would often visit during the day; the two of them would play board games or watch movies together. Alyssa and Dylan would remain close friends throughout the years. Other times she would be on the street, where she felt a sense of belonging. For some reason Alyssa was drawn to the homeless, using her special energizing abilities to reach out to them. Her inner spirit connected with theirs. Alyssa wanted to help and to heal those in need. Was this to be her vocation-her purpose in life? Was being a rehab girl truly what she wanted?

As the storyline progresses with Alyssa pursuing her education and goals, she has many friends-both male and female-who play important roles in her life. They are from all walks of life. I found these characters to be fascinating because of their unique personalities and the conversations that are exchanged-some of them very philosophical. I often felt as though I, along with Alyssa, had become a participant, listening and learning from the ideas, reasoning, beliefs, and thoughts of those who crossed paths with this perceptive woman. I felt the power of her mind as she achieved monetary and personal success, regardless of the social challenges she had faced along the way. Her friends and family, including her own father whom she finally had a relationship with, all helped her with a business venture that met and probably exceeded expectations. Readers will wonder if she has lost her way as the materialistic and worldly pleasures seem to overpower her spiritual nature and healing abilities. There are men in her life, but none impact her as much as Trevor Granderson. They fall in love, passionately in love, and at first, it seemed they would be together forever; however, it has been said that there is a thin line between love and hate-and soon Trevor seemed to cross over that line, allowing greed, jealously, and selfishness affect their relationship.

Alyssa realizes at one point that she had temporarily forsaken her life's mission, and so does something totally unexpected and unselfish, though some would question the motive, wisdom, and sanity of such behavior. As far as she and Trevor, can their relationship be healed? Could there be another true love in her life? Purchase this book and discover the answers to these questions and be prepared for a mesmerizing reading experience. The book is well-written by an author with exceptional talent for bringing a storyline to life. It is without reservation that Rehab Girl carries my highest recommendation.

 

What a Difference Between Industry Books Written By Academics and Those From Real Experience

Recently, I had read a book on Construction Management written by a PhD professor, and just last night I finished a construction book written by those in the industry who had been in the building and construction trade for 40 plus years. Wow, what a difference indeed. Let me discuss with you some of the differences.

Now then, I am not going to recommend the Construction Management book, which also appears to be used as a textbook, as it was uneventful and not such good advice, fairly shallow information which wouldn't help an actual business person much. The book I'd like to recommend to you is;

"Running a Successful Construction Company," by David Gerstel, a Taunton's "For Pros, By Pros" series book, Taunton Press, Newtown CT, 2002, 265 Pages, ISBN: 1-56158-530-0.

Okay so, am I chastising the PhD publish or perish professor? No, because she too was once out here in the real world prior to going back to teaching, who knows why, maybe she couldn't make it in the real world or maybe she just retired and likes to teach, so she got her PhD and a nice college gig?

It's just that these professors try to pull rank on all of us out here in the real world who have actually done something, it makes me wonder why. You see, I wrote a business plan, mine was 400 pages and although that's not the common format, I did that much research, which is double the normal dissertation, but the content and amount of work involved was similar to the work to put together a thesis or dissertation, I studied the industry, carefully projected what I was going to do, wrote it all down, but then this is where things change - as I actually created the business. So, I ask; where is my PhD? See that point.

Back to these two books. It is amazing how easy it is to see if the author or authors know what they're talking about. There are just little tidbits of information, things which are very important which are explained in greater detail by those who are actually in the field. Merely categorizing facts, figures, and information is one thing, but explaining how all that information and knowledge must be used, with relevant case studies is surely another.

Additionally, it is quite obvious when an author of a business book goes into greater details about all the rules and regulations of the industry, rather than the how-to knowledge it takes to actually do it. There is a big difference between following all the rules, getting all the licenses, and doing an overview of the industry than when you actually get out there and have to do it in the real world.

If you're going to buy business books to help you in your business, find books that were written by entrepreneurs and real business people out in the field. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Business Book Reviews. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

Review of Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One

The (somewhat) controversial novel Fifty Shades of Grey is the first book in a trilogy by EL James. It follows Anna, a naïve college senior and her extremely sexual relationship with young mogul Christian Grey.  Anna has a chance encounter with Christian when she helps her best friend by conducting an interview for the college paper with him at the last minute.  He soon makes her his submissive in an S and M lifestyle that Anna is completely unprepared for. They spend the remainder of the novel navigating this world as Anna examines whether she is really cut out for her new role.

 Fifty Shades of Grey is widely known as Mommy Porn because of the explicit sex scenes, of which there are many.  Hardly a page goes by without Christian and Anna having sex- in the bathroom, in the bedroom, and in The Red Room- a scary room of bondage devices where Christian brings his submissives.  However, the book isn't just about sex.  There is also a genuine love story between a young woman becoming an adult and the man she has deep feelings for.  Christian also finds himself caring for a woman for the first time in his life and it scares him to death. The struggle to decide if they can be a normal couple makes for some entertaining reading.

Many have argued that the James' writing is terrible and difficult to get through.  But this is not supposed to be a great literary work.  It was originally written as a piece of fan fiction based on the Twilight trilogy. It received such a huge following that it led to a publishing contract and a brand new life for James, a housewife from.  The rumor is that James will receive a 20 million dollar check this fall as her portion of the profits. Is Fifty Shades of Grey a classic? No.  But does it provide an escape to a world few know about and many are curious about?  Absolutely!

James is not the first writer to struggle with dialogue.  If there is any question, take a look at some early works by Danielle Steel or even at Luke and Laura's conversations in the 80s.  But where are people getting the idea that James takes her own writing seriously?  She has admitted to being stunned by the success of the trilogy. So why does the public feel the need to attack her on a daily basis?

The cultural dialogue about the book has definitely influenced the book's attraction.  And taken for what it is- a love story with a lot of sex- it is perfect for anyone looking to escape their own lives, for a brief time.

Fifty Shades Fan site dedicated to the Fifty shades of grey trilogy for fans to read the latest news on the movie casting and much more.

Why EBooks? Let Me Tell You Why

With an ever-growing presence and reader base, have you ever thought of publishing your book as an eBook? In addition to a printed version or on its own, eBooks have a much lower production cost, can be distributed worldwide with no shipping costs, no need for inventory and alleviates the question of "how many copies will I need?". These are just some of the benefits to the author/publisher, but let's not forget about the readers! Imagine storing a whole library, that could take a complete room in your house, into one small device that weighs no more than five pounds...and now think of how much that would free you up. Traveling has just become that much easier. You are no longer forced to limit yourself by suitcase space or having to guess which book you will feel more like reading once at your destination...you can bring them all along and read what ever you want whenever you want. Is it any wonder why eBooks are outselling print? These are only a select few benefits that eBooks offer to both authors and readers.

It has been noted that eBook readers tend to read more than those reading print books (25 eBooks to 15 hard copies). The market is even noticing that eBook readers are its power-buyers. That's to say, printed books are sold usually one or two at a time while eBooks sell between three and five per transaction.

So to sum up the major benefits of eBooks over print, for authors/publishers:

- Growing reader base, as print has been on a decline for years, eBooks are steadily increasing.

- Very low production cost. You need only convert your book into an eBook once and it can be sold over and over (and no worries about having to reprint or warehouse over's).

- Worldwide distribution with no shipping costs.

- Higher commissions than with printed copies.

The added benefits of eBooks for readers:

- Massive storage.

- Easy travel making reading a possibility virtually anywhere you are.

- Changing font size to adapt to YOU. Your eReading device is customized to your likings and settings.

- The cost of eBooks are often times much less expensive than printed books. There are also thousands of free eBooks that are available.

These are only a few of the many benefits eBooks offer over printed books, but as you can see, these benefits propose such value. Reading has be given a second breath with eBooks. With more and more books and comics being made into movies, the added ease of watching TV shows (TiVo, Netflix, downloads), video games and all the activity taking place on the Internet - reading has been taking a backseat to so many other interests. eBooks are bringing the love of reading back as it enters the digital world. Convenience, customization, availability, low price...what more can you ask for?

Visit http://epublishin.yolasite.com/ to learn more and to start your conversion into eBook.

Revisiting the Potter-Mania With JK Rowling's Books

After the successful release of the second and final installment of Harry Potter, the worldwide phenomenon has concluded its more-than-a-decade-long rule of both the bestsellers list and the box office. As the Potter-mania reached its natural end, readers may indulge themselves in some sentimental reading reboot of the most loved fantasy fiction character of the decade. For certified fanatics and first-time HP-readers alike, this is the chance to meet and relive the adventures of "the boy who lived"!

Revisiting Hogwarts

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series and its accompanying books, first conceived the story of a magical world situated within modern-day United Kingdom way back 1997. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first in the long series of Hogwarts-centered books about a young wizard named Harry Potter, saw its first publication in 1997. Like the successive books in the series, the Philosopher's Stone opened to critical and commercial success that eventually led to its movie adaptation in 2001. The same actors who played the much-beloved characters in the first book - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and Ralph Fiennes - all reprised their roles throughout the next seven Harry Potter movies (with the exception of Richard Harris, who was replaced by actor Michael Gambon after the former's untimely demise) within the ten years following that first movie.

J.K. Rowling's Books

The following is a list of J.K. Rowling's books with the year of its publication. The other year identified is the year of the worldwide release of that particular book's movie adaptation.
1. the Sorcerer's Stone (1997; 2001)

2. the Chamber of Secrets (1998; 2002)

3. the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999; 2004)

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000; 2005)

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003; 2007)

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005; 2009)

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007; Part 1: 2010, Part 2: 2011)

8. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2011)

9. Quidditch Through the Ages (2001)

10. The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008)

11. Harry Potter Prequel (short story written for charity, 2008)

First edition copies, the ones originally published by Bloomsbury, are considered to be collectors' items. The other books' first edition release are expensive, although you can now find pre-owned copies being sold online.

The Appeal of Potter-mania

If you enjoy reading about fantastical worlds, magic, and adventures that thrill and exhilarate, you will find that J.K. Rowling's books are indisputably well-written, mixing the fantastical with the ordinary while sharing to her readers the common themes of friendship and the power of will in the battle versus good and evil.

J.K. Rowling's books have been categorized under the Fantasy genre, with elements of adventure, mystery, thriller, and romance. Other classifications include Children's Fantasy and Coming-of-Age Story. Her stories are loved by children and adults alike as it resonates with realities that readers can relate with (this, despite the magical trope within the novels).

At present, author J.K. Rowling is busy with her charity works. In June 2011, she announced the launching of a website where she continued to expand on the world she has created through a website dubbed "Pottermore". Pottermore.com is still in its Beta Version but will be available for everyone by October 2011.

Today, her series remain a strong influence in both film and literature. With the success of J.K. Rowling's books, the Fantasy Genre saw an upsurge of popularity and following as evidenced by the number of published volumes and the rise of first-time authors writing fantasy stories with characters as brave and charming as Harry Potter.