3 Good Christian Children's Books About Death

There are several appealing children's books on the market either helping parents to explain death to young children, or targeted directly at children for their reading pleasure, which incorporate an explanation of death. But surprisingly few of these are specifically Christian books. However, I am able to recommend three such books which are very engaging.

1) Water Bugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney was published by The Pilgrim Press in 1982. This is a very small, slim book, containing a story which starts below the surface of a quiet pond among a little colony of water bugs. The story finishes with the transformation of a water bug into a dragonfly and illustrates beautifully the fact that the dragonfly cannot return below the surface of the water to tell the water bugs what has happened to it, and what life is like in its new body. A prayer follows, which the child reader may use as a guide when praying for the person whose loss he or she is mourning. The book then gives notes for parents advising them on what they can say to a child about death, and backing this up with quotations from Matthew and Mark showing the way Jesus approached little children. The book ends with a prayer for parents. I think this is an ideal resource for parents who might be unsure and insecure about how to handle the subject.

2) Will I Live Forever? by Carolyn Nystrom illustrated by Jo-Anne Shilliam was published by Lion Hudson in 2006. Told in the first person through the viewpoint of the young child, it directly addresses the reader with a question about sad, scary thoughts, and then relates those questions to the child's world. The story encapsulates the Christian understanding of why we die, starting with the story of the Creation, and of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It goes on to incorporate quotations from the Gospels. It is also very honest and straightforward about the physical processes of death - the corruption of the body, the reason why it must be cremated or buried, etc. It goes on to reflect upon heaven - once again answering the kind of direct, logical questions a young child will demand to be answered. This is an excellent book, one you will wish you'd had access to when you were a young child.

3) Grandma's Party by Meg Harper, illustrated by Paul Nicholls, was brought out by The Bible Reading Fellowship in 2003. This is a delightful book centred around the funeral of a grandmother, and it offers practical ways to help children be part of the grieving process when a loved one dies. It includes a story and also creative craft ideas for how a child may become involved in preparing for a tea following the funeral; recipes; instructions on calligraphy to make place cards; and how to make picture frames, books of memories, and paper water-lilies. The book has a solid Christian base, explaining the resurrection from the dead, and finishing with prayers which may be read by a child at the funeral. This is a lovely, practical book, helping parents to understand how to involve and include children at every stage, so they may live out the truth that death is a part of life, not something alien and taboo and frightening, to be hidden behind a wall of silence and mystifying rituals.

S.C.Skillman is the author of mystery romance novel "Mystical Circles" in which Juliet, concerned that her younger sister has fallen for the charismatic Craig, leader of a dubious New Age spiritual group, sets off for the Cotswolds to see the situation for herself. She arrives at Craig's community hoping to rescue Zoe. But intrigues, liaisons and relationships flare and flourish or fizzle out quickly within this close circle and, despite her reservations, Juliet is drawn into the Wheel of Love... with completely unforeseen consequences.

Are Books Turning Into Movies a Positive or Negative Thing?

A lot of books as movies are being optioned and produced lately. But with the increasing number of movies from books, is the quality lacking? Should we be happy or nervous about seeing books that are movies on the big screen?

Usually it's a case-by-case basis, but for the most part there are a few different things that can make books as movies a good or a bad thing.

The first positive thing is definitely getting to see the story and the world come to life. Especially when you are talking about a book that is magical and has a lot of fantasy elements to it, sometimes seeing that world come to life can be an incredible experience. But such a wonderful concept also comes with big risks. Perhaps the budget left a lot to be desired and so the sets and effects are not all they could be. This can really ruin a story and unfortunately the visuals the movie provides become ingrained when you read the book again.

Another thing that is really exciting about seeing books as movies is getting to see the characters we envisioned while reading come to life before our eyes. It can be really cool to see new and established actors make our favorite characters a reality. But again, if an actor just doesn't fit the role physically and as far as skill level is concerned, then movies from books can be more of a letdown than a positive experience.

The most wonderful thing about books hitting the big screen is that it tends to have this effect on the masses, drawing in people to read books that are movies because they enjoyed the film. A lot of times these people are not normally readers and it's definitely a positive thing any time something gets people reading and exercising their minds. The only negative effect this has overall is that the supply and demand of books must be met. So we tend to see an increase in books that are cranked out too fast and end up being low quality and copycat storylines of other books.

No matter what though, the nice thing about getting to witness books as movies is that it entails more exposure for the book, author, and reading in general. If it's a story we love, then it's nice when a lot of people know about it and you can talk about it with them! But it also can be a little annoying when fans from the movie crossover to being fans of the book and claim to be the biggest fans, when in reality the biggest fans are those who increased the exposure of the book itself to the point of it being optioned as a movie.

Whether you're a fan of books as movies or not is something we all must decide on our own. But either way, the incredible world of movies from books is becoming more popular every day and something that will hopefully only increase in quality to the satisfaction of both book lovers and movie buffs alike.

Are you a fan of movies from books? Then check out the Books as Movies blog for the latest news about new and upcoming movies based on books!

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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/

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/

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.

How Many Good Books Have You Downloaded Today?

Have you downloaded any good books recently? Online digital Audio Books aren't just for particularly long trips any longer. The audio book market has taken off since the eighties right after the publishing industry proceeded to record its best sellers and the sales have slowly but surely multiplied from that time.


Audio books on CD are attracting many more fans because of well known narrators lending their voices to read them and now that one could also effortlessly download them onto computers or different listening devices for future use and pleasure, makes these kind of books an extremely fascinating proposition indeed.

The future looks great for the audio books download niche because of the downloading volumes and opportunities available today and because of the many celebrities and the authors themselves, who take the time to promote a well liked book by being the voices of the characters in the book and by having their names displayed on the covers.

The web and, in particular, websites where one can buy audio downloads anytime of the day or night have also contributed greatly to the climb in sales of such books.

Since their inception, children's audio books have been completely instrumental in teaching children to read. These same children have grown up and are working with audio books in college. It's a way to expand the number of books they read on a topic and likewise speeds up their understanding of the books. It is also speedier to listen to a book than it is to personally sit down and read it, which can be very helpful to academics in particular that are cramming for literature exams.

Audio books have always been indispensable to the blind. Presently, magazine publications are making their monthly offerings available in e- audio book format and the blind can register for it in the same way the written version is conveyed. Some might also benefit from discount magazine subscriptions presented by magazine suppliers as a way to keep your outlay down.

Plainly almost everyone covets their iPod, the little device which enables easy portability of music, software programs and books in audio. These little marvels could possibly be taken on an early morning jog, on trips across the country or a waiting room in a doctor's office. Instead of enjoying only music, you can plug yourself in to learn foreign languages, to listen to magazines or newspapers or just classic fiction books for something to entertain you.

Self-help books are most notably sought after in digital audio book format. It's possible to become inspired or master a different job skill just by reading with ears rather than your eyes.

Stephen King: Books From The Master of Horror and Suspense

Humans do their utmost to avoid being in scary, suspenseful situations, and yet humans built a multimillion publication and entertainment industry based entirely on the scary and the suspenseful. Every year (and this happens not just on Halloween), Hollywood offers us a roster of suspense thrillers, horror mysteries, and other movies in between. Bookstores dedicate whole walls and shelves to the mystical and the spine-tingling.

If you would look closely, you would realize that always present among these shelves is a Stephen King book. Just what is it about horror, suspense, and "the King" have that got people hooked up? Even in video stores, racks reserved for horror movies contain at least one movie adaptation of a Stephen King book. Is it his writing style? His dry humor at times? The witty banters and dialogues? The characters you can easily identify with and relate to, who are ordinary people he placed in extraordinary situations? His frank, straight-to-the-point narrative? Or is it his insane ideas - the way he transforms ordinary things into something macabre and suspicious - that hold readers into his power to entertain, frighten, and terrify?

King's Horror Portfolio

Stephen King's writing career spans forty years, covering numerous works from the first stories he wrote as a teenager growing up in Maine to his work collaborations and recent publications in the second decade of the 2000s.

To date, author Stephen King has penned 70 books, 49 of which are bone-chilling novels; seven are terrifying tales under his pseudonym Richard Bachman; five non-fiction works; and nine collections of scary short stories. His works have been adapted to television, film, and comic books. Even the early movie adaptations of Stephen King books that date back to the '70s and '80s get revived into television shorts or series well into the '90s and the 2000s.

Due to his prolific writing and boundless imagination, King has been given many monikers that range from "Horror King" to "Master of Suspense". He received numerous literary awards for his contribution to literature: O. Henry Awards in 1996, Quill Awards in 2005, National Book Foundation in 2003, a lifetime achievement award from the National Book Awards in 2003; and in the suspense and horror genre in particular: World Horror Convention, World Fantasy Awards, Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards of America, Mystery Writers of America Awards, British Fantasy Society Awards, the Locus Awards, the International Horror Guild Awards, and so many others.

His name continues to make the nomination rosters of award-giving bodies in literature, and Stephen King books are always present in annual bestseller lists. Needless to say, he has established for himself a loyal following among readers who enjoy his sharp prose, witty dialogues, and suspenseful plot and plot twists.

Stephen King's Horror Legacy

Just as movie director Alfred Hitchcock left behind a legacy in making horror and suspense movies, Stephen King has made a huge influence into the writing of novels in the horror and suspense genre. One of the key features he has introduced into popular culture in general is the idea of turning the usual into the unusual, the harmless into something very dangerous. He plays with our expectation of what things and people are based solely on what we perceive of them. For example, in his classic novel Misery, the premise is simple: a horror writer was hurt and trapped in a snowstorm in a small, rural town. A woman helped him and offered her house to him so he could recuperate while waiting for help. The woman, middle-aged and still single, turned out to be a huge fan of his and had professed to be his "number one fan". The story, if you don't know it yet, twists and spirals down into a dark abyss without changing the simple premise of an author stuck in a snowstorm with his number one fan.

Think you can handle a little paranoia? Read Stephen King books now and experience what generations of readers encountered when they first read the Horror King's tales.