Best 30-Minute Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Reads
As the pair struggle to find their way back to their lost kingdom, Quentin is forced to rely on Julia’s illicitly learned sorcery as they face a sinister threat in a world very far from the beloved fantasy novels of their youth. Grossman’s writing here is sharp and self-aware, and the characters feel like people you actually know, but cooler: they are delightfully profane and dripping with irony, they are arrogant and shallow, they are finding their way in a magically perfect world that somehow still lets them down, and they are learning to fight for the things they love. -- Juliet Disparte “[A] serious, heartfelt novel [that] turns the machinery of fantasy inside out.” — The New York Times (Editor’s Choice) “A spellbinding stereograph, a literary adventure novel that is also about privilege, power, and the limits of being human. “Grossman has devised an enchanted milieu brimming with possibility, and his sly authorial voice gives it a literary life that positions The Magician King well above the standard fantasy fare.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Grossman is brilliant at creating brainy, distinct, flawed, complex characters, and nearly as good at running them through narrative gauntlets that inventively tweak the stories that generations have grown up on.” — The Portland Oregonian. “Lev Grossman’s The Magician King is a fresh take on the fantasy-quest novel—dark, austere, featuring characters with considerable psychological complexity, a collection of idiosyncratic talking animals (a sloth who knows the path to the underworld, a dragon in the Grand Canal), and splendid set pieces in Venice, Provence, Cornwall, and Brooklyn.” — The Daily Beast.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I guess the resonance is too deep; I identify too deeply with Quentin, defrocked and exiled, with only the revitalized Nowhere for comfort."
"Now two years later, and with faint echoes of CS Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Quentin and Julia set off an adventure that begins as a simple tax collection to a distant island and proceeds to take him and Julia back to Earth where he meets up with old friends who need to help him find a way back to Fillory, to a version of an eternal waiting room, to the Neitherlands where another old friend is met and finally to lands not yet discovered. This is instead more of a bildungsroman, where both Quentin and Julia complete spiritual journeys and we are invited along for the ride."
"I watched the Netflix show after reading the books."
"This series is compelling, entertaining and it makes you care, deeply, about what happens to the characters."
"But definitely still a great read."
"Was EXCITED to read Lev Grossman's trilogy after watching the show "The Magicians"."
"However, being the second book in the series, it clarified some of the weaknesses of the first... Quentin and his friends, although they are gaining perspective as they gain experiences, are a bunch of pointless dilettantes. Despite this weakness, however, the book is well written and impossible to put down."
"In fact, her chapters in this book really didn’t hold my attention. It was interesting the way she came into her powers and she certainly stumbled across some interesting characters. And where she ends up at the end of this book was just fantastic. Speaking of characters, there were some new ones introduced in this book, ones who I definitely fell in love with the same way I fell for all of the characters in the first book."
The story of rookie pilot Lt. Halley's first drop ship command. Marko Kloos was born and raised in Germany, in and around the city of Münster.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This long short story demands one's attention right away, keeps it and ends in a thoroughly satisfying manner, with a bit of fun along the way, at least if one accepts certain basic premises, such as the capabilities of weapons and warplanes, the continuing fact of strife expanding into the solar system, etc., as well as the all but primal urge certain people have to not only fight but FLY."
"Enjoyable glimpse from the perspective of the "Frontlines" primary protagonist's significant other."
"Works well as a vignette giving us a minor glimpse of Halley."
"The new commander likes the way she flies over the newer versions and because of the slight she gets on a major attack formation she and her new crew are spared in a crippling ambush."
"The story is about a pilot who goes beyond her duty to save her crew and the troopers under her protection."
"Good back history to Halley's early experiences in the military."
"The story almost felt like a nod to the "Bolo" series and how the human Bolo Commanders felt about their Companions."
"It says it's a short story, and surprise! (Although if you've read "Terms of Enlistment" you'll already know Halley.)."
For centuries, men and women have manned lighthouses to ensure the safe passage of ships. A network of beacons allows ships to travel across the Milky Way at many times the speed of light.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As this is essentially the first section of a larger work, it's hard to tell the quality of the overall story, but the detail and the character and the setting is intense, well-designed, and definitely a page turner."
"Great start to a novel!"
"It's a story about a war hero who feels isolated from everyone else and becomes the sole inhabitant of a "lighthouse" at the deep edge of space. Howey blends the ups and downs, the hopes and fears seamlessly into a story which asks a simple, yet important question about how how we as individuals and even countries interact with each other."
"Perhaps it isn't fair to compare a writer's newer work with one of their older projects, but I couldn't help myself. Granted, it's hard to write a short story entirely in one character's head with no interaction and limited dialogue."
"Surprisingly the author successfully mixes science fiction, action and wry humor."
"After wading through some behemoths of the Space Opera genre — dragging on for thousands of pages and zillions of lightyears without actually getting anywhere at all, like an overobese Murakami reviewed by a committee of Lost writers — Howey here restores the fine art of storytelling."
"It takes a special person to endure the lonely job of manning a lighthouse. Except this time the lighthouse story takes place in deep space near an asteroid field."
"I spent two dollars today."
Best 30-Minute Science & Math Short Reads
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Reviews
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Best 30-Minute Literature & Fiction Short Reads
From the New York Times -bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow , a “sharply stylish” (Boston Globe) novel of a young woman in post-Depression era New York who suddenly finds herself thrust into high society. Amazon Best Books of the Month, August 2011 Set during the hazy, enchanting, and martini-filled world of New York City circa 1938, Rules of Civility follows three friends--Katey, Eve, and Tinker--from their chance meeting at a jazz club on New Year's Eve through a year of enlightening and occasionally tragic adventures. Set in New York City in 1938, Rules of Civility tells the story of a watershed year in the life of an uncompromising twenty-five-year- old named Katey Kontent. The story opens on New Year's Eve in a Greenwich Village jazz bar, where Katey and her boardinghouse roommate Eve happen to meet Tinker Grey, a handsome banker with royal blue eyes and a ready smile. Amor Towles's Rules of Civility Playlist While jazz is not central to the narrative of Rules of Civility , the music and its various formulations are an important component of the book’s backdrop. On the night of January 16, 1938, Benny Goodman assembled a bi-racial orchestra to play jazz to a sold-out Carnegie Hall--the first jazz performance in the hallowed hall and one which is now famous for bringing jazz (and black performers) to a wider audience. I am not a jazz historian, but for me the concert marks something of a turning point in jazz itself--from the big-band, swing-era sound that dominated the 1930s (and which the orchestra emphasized on stage that night) towards the more introspective, smaller group styles that would soon spawn bebop and its smoky aftereffects (ultimately reaching an apogee with Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue in 1957). Praise for Rules of Civility “An irresistible and astonishingly assured debut about working class-women and world-weary WASPs in 1930s New York…in the crisp, noirish prose of the era, Towles portrays complex relationships in a city that is at once melting pot and elitist enclave – and a thoroughly modern heroine who fearlessly claims her place in it.” — O, the Oprah Magazine. “With this snappy period piece, Towles resurrects the cinematic black-and-white Manhattan of the golden age…[his] characters are youthful Americans in tricky times, trying to create authentic lives.” — The New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is the story of one such young woman who ventured into the haute monde of New York society in the late 30s."
"I read this book after finishing "A Gentleman in Moscow," and wish I'd read them in the opposite directions, as I found the latter to have more direction and even more beautiful prose!"
"Rarely have I enjoyed reading a book as much as “Rules of Civility.” The prose is often so poetic, I found myself reading a finely crafted sentence again and again; delighting in the sheer joy the words evoked."
"Almost as good as author's Gentleman in Moscow in a different milieu."
"RULES OF CIVILITY was very different."
"Easy to read, great story."
"Excellent look at life between the wars in NYC."
"This was a wonderful story filled with imagination, love affairs, interesting characters and very descriptive wording."
Best 30-Minute Education & Reference Short Reads
A New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Winner Jacqueline Woodson, the acclaimed. author. of Another Brooklyn. , tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse. A National Book Award Winner. A Newbery Honor Book. A Coretta Scott King Award Winner Praise for Jacqueline Woodson: Ms. Woodson writes with a sure understanding of the thoughts of young people, offering a poetic, eloquent narrative that is not simply a story . * “The writer’s passion for stories and storytelling permeates the memoir, explicitly addressed in her early attempts to write books and implicitly conveyed through her sharp images and poignant observations seen through the eyes of a child. Woodson’s ability to listen and glean meaning from what she hears lead to an astute understanding of her surroundings, friends, and family.” — Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW * “Mesmerizing journey through [Woodson’s] early years. This should be on every library shelf.” — School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW. For every dreaming girl (and boy) with a pencil in hand (or keyboard) and a story to share.” — Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW. * “[Woodson’s] memoir in verse is a marvel, as it turns deeply felt remembrances of Woodson’s preadolescent life into art. An extraordinary—indeed brilliant—portrait of a writer as a young girl.” — The Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW. It will make young readers consider where their own threads are taking them.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED REVIEW. Jacqueline Woodson (www.jacquelinewoodson.com) is the 2014 National Book Award Winner for her New York Times bestselling memoir Brown Girl Dreaming , which was also a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, a Newbery Honor Award, the NAACP Image Award and the Sibert Honor Award. She is the author of more than two dozen award-winning books for young adults, middle graders and children; among her many accolades, she is a four-time Newbery Honor winner, a three-time National Book Award finalist, and a two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner. Her books include The Other Side , Each Kindness , the Caldecott Honor Book Coming on Home Soon ; the Newbery Honor winners Feathers , Show Way , and After Tupac and D Foster , and Miracle’s Boys which received the LA Times Book Prize and the Coretta Scott King Award and was adapted into a miniseries directed by Spike Lee. Jacqueline is also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement for her contributions to young adult literature, the winner of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, the 2013 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and a 2016 National Book Award finalist for her adult novel Another Brooklyn .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There are the clever poems about her identity and wanting an afro as well as the realization of wanting to be a writer and how some might see that as not wanting enough. There are the poems I can definitely connect with about Faith and God and wanting to please Him---and not wanting to leave others that we love behind."
"As a writer who loooooves to read about other writers' love of books and writing, I was THRILLED that she wanted to be a writer from such an early age."
"My daughter loves this book."
"Including background from the civil rights movement and the great migration, this eloquent picture of Ms. Woodson's move from Ohio to South Carolina and subsequently to New York pulls the reader right along with her."
"I want students and adults to read this and find in it the power of their own stories."
"I loved this book both as a brown girl and as a teacher."
"I loved the cadence of this book."
"My only complaint would be with the title, because I do not sense that the protagonist is dreaming (so forward looking) as much as she is marveling at the taste of what she is experiencing, day by day, in here and now."
Best 30-Minute Politics & Social Sciences Short Reads
(leftists stage muggings; instead of fighting by Marquis of Queensberry rules, conservatives need to accept the strategy Mike Tyson: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”). Immediately frame the debate.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Well written and sharp guide to debate."
"Instead and what you should expect to get is a good outline how to debate the liberals in your life."
"This is a simple read and highly worth it."
"I highly recommend this book to be in everyone's personal Library."
"Thoughtful and to the point. Good read well worth the time."
"But unless we all have the razor sharp mind that Shapiro has, we probably won't be as effective."
Best 30-Minute Religion & Spirituality Short Reads
From the New York Times -bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow , a “sharply stylish” (Boston Globe) novel of a young woman in post-Depression era New York who suddenly finds herself thrust into high society. Amazon Best Books of the Month, August 2011 Set during the hazy, enchanting, and martini-filled world of New York City circa 1938, Rules of Civility follows three friends--Katey, Eve, and Tinker--from their chance meeting at a jazz club on New Year's Eve through a year of enlightening and occasionally tragic adventures. Set in New York City in 1938, Rules of Civility tells the story of a watershed year in the life of an uncompromising twenty-five-year- old named Katey Kontent. The story opens on New Year's Eve in a Greenwich Village jazz bar, where Katey and her boardinghouse roommate Eve happen to meet Tinker Grey, a handsome banker with royal blue eyes and a ready smile. Amor Towles's Rules of Civility Playlist While jazz is not central to the narrative of Rules of Civility , the music and its various formulations are an important component of the book’s backdrop. On the night of January 16, 1938, Benny Goodman assembled a bi-racial orchestra to play jazz to a sold-out Carnegie Hall--the first jazz performance in the hallowed hall and one which is now famous for bringing jazz (and black performers) to a wider audience. I am not a jazz historian, but for me the concert marks something of a turning point in jazz itself--from the big-band, swing-era sound that dominated the 1930s (and which the orchestra emphasized on stage that night) towards the more introspective, smaller group styles that would soon spawn bebop and its smoky aftereffects (ultimately reaching an apogee with Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue in 1957). Praise for Rules of Civility “An irresistible and astonishingly assured debut about working class-women and world-weary WASPs in 1930s New York…in the crisp, noirish prose of the era, Towles portrays complex relationships in a city that is at once melting pot and elitist enclave – and a thoroughly modern heroine who fearlessly claims her place in it.” — O, the Oprah Magazine. “With this snappy period piece, Towles resurrects the cinematic black-and-white Manhattan of the golden age…[his] characters are youthful Americans in tricky times, trying to create authentic lives.” — The New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is the story of one such young woman who ventured into the haute monde of New York society in the late 30s."
"I loved this book because it reminded me so much of other books I've loved : The Great Gatsby, Daisy Miller, any and all of Edith Wharton."
"Both books feature the author's beautiful prose, well-realized characters, and a plot that satisfies."
"Waiting for his next pick of an era and a character with bated breath."
"Not a suspenseful page turner but a very well written glimpse into the depression era life of a New York City woman and her group of friends."
"I loved the character development, the descriptive landscape of New York, and the willingness of the characters to forgive ,accept people unconditionally (although Ivy League is always best),and realistically approach life."
"Wonderful characters that weave you into their lives By the end of the book you have insight into their lives and your own as well."
"Top marks for the intimacy maintained with the narrative character."
Best 30-Minute Romance Short Reads
A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. “With its realistically complicated characters and emotionally complex plot, The Last Letter from Your Lover is hopelessly and hopefully romantic.”. — Chicago Tribune “Crafting a love story that feels not just compelling but true is a very difficult thing indeed—and yet, with The Last Letter from Your Lover , Jojo Moyes has done it twice. Moyes is a tremendously gifted storyteller, and I'm all admiration.”. — Paula McLain , New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife. “A fabulous, emotional, and evocative book—perfect for anyone who loves Mad Men .”. — Sophie Kinsella , bestselling author of Confessions of a Shopaholic. “A prize-winning, cross-generational love story of missed connections and delayed gratification [that] hits a seam of pure romantic gold. Jojo Moyes’s novel gives the satisfaction of a fine wine and meal before the fireplace on a winter’s night.”. — Leila Meacham , New York Times bestselling author of Roses. The Last Letter from Your Lover is itself a love letter to the all-but-disappearing handwritten message.”. — BookPage. Jojo Moyes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of After You, Me Before You, One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Silver Bay, and The Ship of Brides.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have read several of her books and sometimes they start slowly but once into it, they move along. If you are a Moyes fan and want to read this book, that's fine, but don't expect it to be of the same caliber as Me Before You or After You."
"I will be leading the discussion of this book at our book club meeting and I anticipant a lively discussion on views of relationships past and present (1960s to today, book ends in 2003) ."
"Part 1 & 2 was some of the best writing I have read in a long time. The writing style changed dramatically, sentence structure, parts were needlessly repeated. If I hadn't loved the first parts of the book, I would have quit reading it."
"I love the tenderness she uses with her characters and the insights she pours into their love stories crawling through decades of their mores of relationships."
""The Last Letter" is a tale of long lost and forbidden love that poses a number of questions about the price we're willing to pay for love versus walking the honorable path."
"I actually read the last few pages so I knew how the story would end and you'd think that would have been a spoiler but it actually made the book a lot more readable for me. I also read around in the middle of the book so I could understand who was who (reading it page over page was just too confusing in the beginning.)."
"It's a story of love, loss, missed connections, bad timing, heartbreaking letters, and wonderful characters. Moyes is an exceptionally talented writer: superb pacing, great period details, realistic dialogue."
"I kept putting the book down and reading others; not because I wasn't interested or disliked the story line but because I couldn't find the focus and interest in the details."
Best 30-Minute Business & Money Short Reads
Why spend most of your life working for other people, endlessly slaving away and trapped in a dull routine, when you could be using that time to realize your dreams? These businesses operate on an extremely small scale, and are built around using an individual's skills or interests to generate money in a meaningful way. It's for those who want to escape from corporate life, build something of their own to support their families, or just find a way to make more money. As you noted, some people hear the word startup and imagine things like venture capital, funding rounds, and eventually cashing out if possible. The beautiful thing about starting small means that you're not necessarily competing with anyone, and your financial risk is low. CB: The first thing that surprised me was how willing most respondents were to talk about the inner workings of their business, especially the financial details. My hope is that this book will serve as a blueprint for many more success stories, just like the unconventional and unexpected entrepreneurs I talked to from all over the world. " The $100 Startup is a twofer: It's a kick in the pants to get started on your dream and a road map for finding your way once you begin. -- Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind "In this valuable guide Chris Guillebeau shows that transforming an idea into a successful business can be easier than you think…You are in charge of which ideas deserve your time, and this book can help you wake up every morning eager to progress to the next step." -- Tony Hsieh, New York Times bestselling author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.com. -- Chris Brogan, President of Human Business Works and author of Trust Agents. “With traditional career doors slamming shut, it’s easy to panic, but Chris Guillebeau sees opportunities everywhere. Making a career out of your passion sounds like a dream, but in this straight-forward, engaging book he shows you how to get it done, one simple step at a time.” -- Alan Paul, author of Big in China. "Delivers exactly what a new entrepreneur needs: road-tested, effective and exceptionally pragmatic advice for starting a new business on a shoestring.” -- Pamela Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur “Guillebeau has been in the trenches for years, and in The $100 Startup he guides you step-by-step through how he and dozens of others have turned their passions into profits. Thoughtful, funny, and compulsively readable, this guide shows how ordinary people can build solid livings, with independence and purpose, on their own terms.” -- Gretchen Rubin, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Happiness Project.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For those of us that have the tendency to over think."
"Just buy Kindle version for 1 or 2 USD."
"This book will give you many ideas on how you can start a business by simply solving a problem."
"If you want to be even more inspired and more thorough I'd recommand Tim Ferriss' Four Hour Work Week."
"Too many people think it takes money to make money."
"This is a excellent book to read if you are looking for a great and simple idea on how to start a business."
"Useful, straightforward tips on starting a business and maintaining it with a lot of real-life examples / use cases showcased."
"I would highly recommend this book to students of online business building."
Best 30-Minute History Short Reads
Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his life—a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. “Pure delight, a pungent potpourri of places and people interspersed with bittersweet essays on everything from the emotional difficulties of growing old to the reasons why giant sequoias arouse such awe.” The New York Times Book Review “Profound, sympathetic, often angry . Travels with Charley is animated by Steinbeck's attention to the specific details of the natural world and his sense of how the lives of people are intimately connected to the rhythms of nature - to weather, geography, the cycles of the seasons.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What I didn't know about John Steinbeck is that he is always engaging. Certainly he was a charming man."
"This was a great way to read Steinbeck!"
"I'll have to sit down and think hard if we've made honest progress in America since 1960."
"One of those books that lets you turn the world off and just kick back and enjoy the trip!"
"Exactly as advertised."
"One of my favorite reads and includes several memorable quotes about Montana."
"My children were required to read The Grapes of Wrath, so I read parts of it when they did."
"This old favorite was chosen by my book club."
Best 30-Minute Parenting & Relationships Short Reads
Suzy Giordano, affectionately known as "The Baby Coach," shares her highly effective sleep-training method in this step-by-step guide to let both baby and parent enjoy long, peaceful nights. for her ability to teach newborn babies how to achieve that parenting nirvana: sleeping through the night.” — The Washington Post “[Suzy] Giordano is a godsend. Suzy Giordano is a mother of five.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I went to the library and took out at least seven books about how to get my baby to sleep through the night, and this is by far the best book even though it is written by a layperson...if you take it with a grain of salt. I however feed my baby every 2-3 hours during the day, from 7 am to 7 pm only. Why schedule feeding and this book worked for me: My baby was in the 99th percentile for size when he was born and he was so hungry that i was feeding him every hour ( from start to start of the next feeding) ,and each feeding lasted 45 min, meaning that I had 15 minutes off every hour 24 hours a day. This schedule could potentially work, although feeding a baby only every four hours 4 times a day might not be enough for a very hungry baby. But for my friend whose baby puked breast milk up constantly, this schedule actually made the baby stop puking the food up, and gave the baby less gas, cramps, as well as colic. This is why I only gave this book 4 stars - feeding a baby only every four hours will not work for all babies. Your milk will slow down the second you stop waking up at night and stumbling like a zombie to feed the baby. Also, feeding every two hours super charges the breast milk production of moms like me- who are not super lactators. If you feed the baby every four hours and the baby is hungry, your milk production adjusts...but by not as much as she mentions in her book."
"Additionally, it outlines some of the things to expect through the first 12 weeks of a baby's life which is very helpful since it allows you to recognize something happening a wondering what is going on and if there is something wrong."
"Our baby is breastfed primarily and it was so reassuring to not feel that the problem with her lack of sleeping was due to poor milk supply."
"My second son had other plans but eventually did sleep through the night and continues on his schedule."
"This book had made a huge impact on me!"
"Best book ever."
"I really just needed a guideline to go by and know what worked for people."
"This is a must read for parents!"
Best 30-Minute Teen & Young Adult Short Reads
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER. **THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL, NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES** “Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.” — Chicago Tribune “A stealthy hit with staying power. thriller-like pacing.” — The New York Times “ Thirteen Reasons Why will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.” — Amber Gibson, NPR’s “All Things Considered” You can’t stop the future. Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Asher’s novel asks us to look at how petty cruelty can deal crushing blows.” — Miami Herald “Wonderfully realistic in his writing, Asher offers teens and parents alike a great story on an important topic.” — Green Bay Press-Gazette “It is a brilliant debut that will leave readers feeling a sense of remorse for Hannah, guilt for Clay, and hope for the lasting lesson of the story.” — Bookazine “Breakneck pace and dizzying emotion.” — School Library Journal “[Hannah’s] pain is gut-wrenchingly palpable. “Readers won’t be able to pull themselves away.” — Publishers Weekly “Asher's ability to convey the anguish of someone who was left behind is truly remarkable.” — Book Page. WINNER OF Association of Booksellers for Children’s “Best Books” American Library Association’s “Best Books for Young Adults” and “Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers”Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult LiteratureFlorida Teens Read AwardCalifornia Book AwardKentucky Bluegrass AwardBook Sense PickInternational Reading Association’s “Young Adults' Choices” FinalistChicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best Books” Kansas State Reading Circle’s “Recommended Reading List”New York Public Library’s “Book for the Teen Age”16 State Award Master Lists. I know, in years to come, I will often return to this book.” —Sherman Alexie, bestselling author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian “Every once in a while you come across a book that you can’t get out of your mind, one you have to rush back to if you must put it down for some reason. Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why is one of those books, and is at the very top of my personal Must-Read list.” —Ellen Hopkins, bestselling author of Tricks , Identical , Crank , Burned , Impulse , and Glass “A spectacular first novel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For the longest time it was the only representation I had for mental illness, I connected with a dead girl because she had so many emotions I also shared sometimes to my own fright. The ending always shook me because she wasn't coming back, you had such a strong narrator for these tragedies but she wasn't going to get up and say ha! Now as an adult reading it, it's still heartbreaking and terribly tragic and I still connect so strongly to this story. Clay was the perfect perspective to put it in because I can't think good things about any of the other characters, as hard as the tv show wants you too. This book will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'm sure once the shock of the show wears off it will too."
"The story revolves around Clay, who finds a box of cassette tapes waiting on his doorstep one day. As he listens to them, he is drawn into the story of Hannah, his crush that committed suicide just a couple weeks earlier. The tapes share the thirteen reasons why she made the choice that she did, one for each person that contributed to that decision."
""Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel that examines teen angst, bullying, suicide, and relationships, in the context of a story about a conflicted high school girl who chose to end her life, rather than continue confronting classmates whom she perceived to be her tormentors."
""Thirteen Reasons Why" is a novel that examines teen angst, bullying, suicide, and relationships, in the context of a story about a conflicted high school girl who chose to end her life, rather than continue confronting classmates whom she perceived to be her tormentors."
Best 30-Minute Sports & Outdoors Short Reads
Glass' most famous adventure began in 1822, when he responded to an advertisement in the Missouri Gazette and Public Adviser, placed by General William Ashley, which called for a corps of 100 men to "ascend the river Missouri" as part of a fur trading venture. The expedition, led by Andrew Henry, planned to proceed from the Missouri, up the valley of the Grand River in present-day South Dakota, then across to the valley of the Yellowstone. Cavalry."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a great historic resource that gives you an in depth insight into the life of Hugh Glass and his struggles."
"A very interesting book about Mr Glass, who went through a very challenges time."
"This book was more like a chapter."
"A nice quick read loaded with information on mountain men and their rugged lifestyle."
"Saw the movie and had to read this one."
"Good read if you like history."
"This is good recounting of what happened to Glass."
"Good book if you enjoy reading stories from this era."
Best 30-Minute Health, Fitness & Dieting Short Reads
Suzy Giordano, affectionately known as "The Baby Coach," shares her highly effective sleep-training method in this step-by-step guide to let both baby and parent enjoy long, peaceful nights. for her ability to teach newborn babies how to achieve that parenting nirvana: sleeping through the night.” — The Washington Post “[Suzy] Giordano is a godsend. Suzy Giordano is a mother of five.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I went to the library and took out at least seven books about how to get my baby to sleep through the night, and this is by far the best book even though it is written by a layperson...if you take it with a grain of salt. I however feed my baby every 2-3 hours during the day, from 7 am to 7 pm only. Why schedule feeding and this book worked for me: My baby was in the 99th percentile for size when he was born and he was so hungry that i was feeding him every hour ( from start to start of the next feeding) ,and each feeding lasted 45 min, meaning that I had 15 minutes off every hour 24 hours a day. This schedule could potentially work, although feeding a baby only every four hours 4 times a day might not be enough for a very hungry baby. But for my friend whose baby puked breast milk up constantly, this schedule actually made the baby stop puking the food up, and gave the baby less gas, cramps, as well as colic. This is why I only gave this book 4 stars - feeding a baby only every four hours will not work for all babies. Your milk will slow down the second you stop waking up at night and stumbling like a zombie to feed the baby. Also, feeding every two hours super charges the breast milk production of moms like me- who are not super lactators. If you feed the baby every four hours and the baby is hungry, your milk production adjusts...but by not as much as she mentions in her book."
"Additionally, it outlines some of the things to expect through the first 12 weeks of a baby's life which is very helpful since it allows you to recognize something happening a wondering what is going on and if there is something wrong."
"Our baby is breastfed primarily and it was so reassuring to not feel that the problem with her lack of sleeping was due to poor milk supply."
"My second son had other plans but eventually did sleep through the night and continues on his schedule."
"I have read several other books on baby sleep and this book is by far the best."
"This book had made a huge impact on me!"
"Best book ever."
"I really just needed a guideline to go by and know what worked for people."
Best 30-Minute Arts & Photography Short Reads
Act in Doctrine - In Act in Doctrine, Elder David A. Bednar shares key insights to help close the gap between what we know and how we act.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The video links weren't clickable where it listed it in the chapter, but I was very happy that I still was able to watch the videos."
""Increase in Learning" lays the foundation for the need to be active learners so that we become able to act rather than be acted upon, learn with the assistance of the Holy Ghost - the greatest teacher, the pertinent truths of life, thus becoming secure in ourselves. The sequels, "Act in Doctrine" and "The Power to Become" are natural outgrowths of the philosophy of loving learning."
"A great reference library from a very insightful Apostle of Jesus Christ."
"This book is very interactive."
"3 Wonderful books for very reasonable price."
"The books will enlighten you by explaining fundamental truths to help bridge the gap between the actions we take and the way we learn."
"This series of books is inspiring, motivational and instructive."
""At this time, Amazon has opted to not approve the Deseret Bookshelf application for its native devices. The web-reader will allow you to read all your Bookshelf titles from any internet connected device, including your Kindle Fire and HD using the web browser."
Best 30-Minute Self-Help Short Reads
When faced with problems we either view our problems as defeats, in turn, we become overwhelmed with thoughts of everything that could go wrong; or we view our problems for what they really are a part of life when stuff happens. Worrying should be replaced with concern; we should be concern about our problems rather than worry, concern tends to propel us to act or take action. Dale Carnegie, known as 'the arch-priest of the art of making friends', pioneered the development of personal business skills, self-confidence and motivational techniques.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The realization that my marriage was being effected by my nearly empty toolbox of social skills promoted me to take personal responsibility and shoulder the blame myself for once instead of blaming everyone around me for everything. I grew up with a hypercritical Mother so I think I had promised myself that I would never be criticized again, even if that meant writing people off the instant I felt like I had made myself vulnerable enough to be hurt by them. The strategies are applicable to and helpful in all aspects of my life so far, from my marriage to my job, and even to the way I interact with clerks in gas stations."
"I did think several of the principles explained in the book are common sense, but I found that it could be easy for a person to react quickly to conflicts. The first principle emphasizes the importance of avoiding criticism and he describes working with people as: working with people of logic. With this principle, he describes the importance of self-expression and connects it to the importance of thinking in terms of the other person, so that they come up with your ideas on their own, which they will like more. Dale then describes the importance to recall a person's name in the third principle. He further explains this point in principle five: Talk in terms of the other person's interests. Dale describes in the third part of the book the steps to have a person think in terms of your own thoughts. He then explains the importance of agreement and having the person say "yes," at least twice. If all else fails, he explains the importance of competition and how it drives people to feel important and empowered to work efficiently and effectively. He then explains the importance of asking questions that direct the person you’re speaking to, to obtain your idea on their own. He emphasizes the importance of having the person be saved from embarrassment, and then explains the importance of praise again, even if it is small."
"Yes, there is nothing new here but I would say that much like the basket ball star who practices relentlessly the same foul shot over & over again so that when its crunch time, the ball hits the hoop to win the game no matter how much pressure is on."
"I'm happy to have read this--it flows well and many truths to it albeit they're of scientifically argued for."
"Enjoyed the stories."
"This got to be the book that provided me with the most principles on how to win friends and influence people."
Best 30-Minute Cookbook, Food & Wine Short Reads
Apple cider vinegar is an overwhelmingly underestimated product in the markets of health care and weight loss. I put this book together to educate those who are sick of wasting money on expensive, ineffective, and more importantly, unnatural diet plans and workouts.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My Aunt drank apple cider vinegar in water all day because she said it helped her overall health and kept her weight off."
"I HAVE BEEN USING APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR MANY YEARS."
"If you are into doing things the natural way instead of taking all the medications this is a must have book."
"Many can be introduced to new ideas, yet many need to be led."
"I know that ACV is a superior product that can help with many problems, but I didn't know that it can break up mucous and help clean out the lymph system."
"I thought his book would give me ideas on how to use apple cider vinegar but it only covers the benefits which you can find on Google."
"I had hoped when I ordered "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits", it would have included the recipes for the different benefits."
Best 30-Minute Craft, Hobby & Home Short Reads
A short story for dog lovers, this touching memoir of a shelter dog shares his experiences in his own voice, taking readers from his days of abuse, to the shelter, to a home filled with love.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I hope those who read this book realize there is a way they can help these dogs out of the shelter and into a loving home, They are worth saving, They do have " A LIFE WORTH LIVING"."
"They can endure all sorts of neglect and abuse - and still have hearts full of forgiveness, loyalty and love."
"His emotions, fears, happiness, struggles and, finally, his letting go of a wonderful worldly life together."
"If you wish to read another good story told from the dog's perspective try reading The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein."
"Interesting story - how many people wonder what their furry friend is thinking?"
"However, all animals of higher intelligence have certain emotional needs in common and they express themselves much as we do with the exception of speech."
"What was starting out sad had a good turn for Lester."
"My husband have fostered 17 rescue dogs and counting."
Best 30-Minute Travel Short Reads
Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his life—a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. “Pure delight, a pungent potpourri of places and people interspersed with bittersweet essays on everything from the emotional difficulties of growing old to the reasons why giant sequoias arouse such awe.” The New York Times Book Review “Profound, sympathetic, often angry . Travels with Charley is animated by Steinbeck's attention to the specific details of the natural world and his sense of how the lives of people are intimately connected to the rhythms of nature - to weather, geography, the cycles of the seasons.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What I didn't know about John Steinbeck is that he is always engaging. Certainly he was a charming man."
"This was a great way to read Steinbeck!"
"I'll have to sit down and think hard if we've made honest progress in America since 1960."
"One of those books that lets you turn the world off and just kick back and enjoy the trip!"
"Exactly as advertised."
"One of my favorite reads and includes several memorable quotes about Montana."
"My children were required to read The Grapes of Wrath, so I read parts of it when they did."
"This old favorite was chosen by my book club."
Best 30-Minute LGBT Short Reads
Green but for a Season is a Captive Prince short story set during the events of Prince’s Gambit.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'd 5* this but it wasn't long enough."
"An incompletely explored genre finds a deliciously gay home."
"I recommend it to fans of the series like myself but the series can also be enjoyed on it's own without reading this story."
"I had assumed the story would focus on the relationship between Jord & Aimeric."
"This whole series is absolutely wonderful."
"This short story is an excellent look at the formation of the Prince's Guard behind the scenes, and, of course on Jord's budding relationship with Aimeric."
"I liked the insight to Jord and Aimeric, as well as the glimpses of young Laurent in this one."
"It was short and sweet as intended."
Best 30-Minute Computers & Technology Short Reads
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to Cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription by only going through three easy steps in under two minutes. I will present all the information in three easy steps.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Go to content and devices, click top right and go to settings, scroll to manage kindle membership and voila!"
"I probably could have figured the process out by myself, but fell for the 99cent bargain."
"When I get to manage Kindle membership link it's not a viable link."
"So, you have a book in the Kindle book store named "Kindle Unlimited: How to Cancel Your Kindle Unlimited Subscription" and its highlighted as a 'BEST SELLER' on Amazon!!!!!!!!!"
"This guide was based on facts and not feelings - the only way to make an informed decision."
"I like reading on my cloud kindles only!"
"3/4 of this work should be thrown out ... considering the actual instruction to cancel subscription takes less than a page."
"I will never “try” any amazon subscription again."
Best 30-Minute Humor & Entertainment Short Reads
Read by a host of celebrities, from Samuel L. Jackson to Jennifer Garner, this subversively funny bestselling storybook will not actually put your kids to sleep, but it will leave you laughing so hard you won’t care. “If you’ve never heard of [Mansbach’s] books, you must not have an internet connection.” — The ParentNormal “Total genius.” —Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn , father of two. “ Go the Fuck to Sleep is the secret anthem of tired parents everywhere.” —Bliss Broyard, author of One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life , mother of two.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was shocked to find that some reviewers, apparently completely forgot to read the title of the book before purchasing. For those parents who do have a sense of humor and who may not find profanity particularly offensive and who live in the real world. It's real, overworked, frustrated beyond belief, about to loose your mind at 3am, inner parent monologue. Samuel L. Jackson should narrate a book for every single stage of life, from being born to the grave. This book is one that will be shared from one exhausted, fed up, delusional, red eyed, sleep deprived parent to another."
"I purchased this book as a 21st birthday gift for my best friend."
"If you have a child that fights sleep, this book may be for you."
"Then they said their baby wouldn't need it - that they knew how to make babies sleep really well."
"Nor should you purchase this book if you do not have a sense of humor."
"I gave this book to my best friend who is due any day now and she could not stop laughing."
"If you have had children, you have said and or thought what is written in this book."
"It is cleverly written in a tone that only the most desperately tired mom or dad could understand."
Best 30-Minute Biography & Memoir Short Reads
Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his life—a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. “Pure delight, a pungent potpourri of places and people interspersed with bittersweet essays on everything from the emotional difficulties of growing old to the reasons why giant sequoias arouse such awe.” The New York Times Book Review “Profound, sympathetic, often angry . Travels with Charley is animated by Steinbeck's attention to the specific details of the natural world and his sense of how the lives of people are intimately connected to the rhythms of nature - to weather, geography, the cycles of the seasons.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What I didn't know about John Steinbeck is that he is always engaging. Certainly he was a charming man."
"It felt like I was riding along in the cab with Charley!"
"This was a great way to read Steinbeck!"
"One of those books that lets you turn the world off and just kick back and enjoy the trip!"
"Exactly as advertised."
"One of my favorite reads and includes several memorable quotes about Montana."
"My children were required to read The Grapes of Wrath, so I read parts of it when they did."
"I started this while on a journey myself and was not disappointed."
Best 30-Minute Comic & Graphic Novel Short Reads
From Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco and Joe Brusha, the same minds behind Grimm Fairy Tales and Return To Wonderland comes the newest series that Zenescope fans have been waiting for.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I mean, it is pretty much what you would expect from the "nightmare" version of Alice in Wonderland."
"Great looking art work and a very different story line lends this story a great punch and it is tasty."
"Keeps you wondering what's going to happen next every scene."
"The content followed in very abstract style; the story of the original "Alice" The artwork is digitally excellent !"
Best 30-Minute Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Short Reads
Ellison, bestselling author and ITW Award winner, comes the first book in a brilliant new international thriller series featuring a new hero: American-born, UK-raised Nicholas Drummond. Special Agents Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich from Coulter’s bestselling FBI series don’t hesitate to help Drummond find the cunning international thief known as the Fox. In the course of his investigation, Drummond connects in entertaining fashion with Coulter's main series heroes, FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock. Genre fans will find the action nonstop.”. — Kirkus “A thriller that manages to be both intricate and full of jaw-dropping action sequences….Drummond connects in entertaining fashion with Coulter’s main series heroes, FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock….Ingenious disguises, daring bluffs, and hair-breadth escapes add to the fun of the chase.”. — Publishers Weekly.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I find it hard to pick a favorite character in the books."
"I think is one of Catherine Coulter's best books, full of suspense a true to life legend, action galore, betrayal and a little love."
"The end was a surprise with turns and the story finally unraveling."
"Looking forward to reading the other books in this series."
"Good read !"
"Love this new series of Catherine Coulter's."
"It begins well, with the author flying to San Francisco to debate the merits of a name change for the studio. That's a nice beginning because it sets up nice irony--the Trans America executives think the name of the studio is their biggest worry and in two years a director is going to bankrupt that studio."
"I'm a fantasy and sci-fi reader, but this book is more fantasy than some things I've read."