Wednesday, June 30, 2021

New Adult Graphic Novels and Manga

 

Bestselling, award-winning Jeff Lemire and Phil Hester come together for Family Tree Volume 1--Sapling. When an eight-year-old girl literally begins to transform into a tree, her single Mom, troubled brother and possibly insane Grandfather embark on a bizarre, and heart-wrenching odyssey across the back roads of America desperately searching for a way to cure her horrifying transformation before it's too late. But the further they get from home, and the closer the girl gets to completely losing her humanity, the more external forces threaten to tear the family apart as fanatical cults, mercenaries and tabloid Paparazzi close in. determined to destroy the girl or use her for themselves. A new genre-defying ongoing series Family Tree will combine mystery, action and Cronenbergian body horror into an epic story about the lengths a mother will go to keep her children safe in the face of an increasingly unstable world and unspeakable horrors. Collects issues 1 through 4. (from Amazon.com)

The top manga launch in Japan in the first half of 2018, A Man and His Cat #1 by Umi Sakurai was also voted one of the top ten manga of 2018 by Japanese bookstore employees nationwide. Having won hearts and topped charts in Japan, this hotly anticipated series about an older gentleman and his unique, adorable cat is available in English for the first time! In the pet shop he calls home, a chubby, homely cat whiles away the hours listening to coos of delight from potential pet parents...but he knows it's not him they're fussing over. Even as his price drops with each passing day, no one spares the kitty a glance. Having all but given up on life, the feline dejectedly awaits his first birthday, when he'll officially be past his sell-by date. So when an older gentleman comes into the shop and wants to take him home, the kitten himself is most shocked of all! Will the man and the cat find what they're looking for...in each other?


A Man and His Cat #2
: His days as an unwanted, overlooked piece of merchandise a distant memory, Fukumaru is now well and truly Mr. Kanda's cat. He's gained a lot in the process, not least of which is his very own name! But Fukumaru isn't the only one getting something out of this relationship. First-time pet owner Mr. Kanda is finding his new life with Fukumaru to be full of surprises and delights. And Fukumaru's influence makes time, which had come to a standstill for Mr. Kanda, move again...


A Man and His Cat #3
: Fukumaru's in the hospital and in big trouble! This turn of events leaves Mr. Kanda in big trouble too, emotionally speaking. Both the man and the cat know what it's like to be lonely, and as the days pass in a whirl, the reason Mr. Kanda weeps from time to time gradually becomes clear...

The first-ever graphic novel adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, an American classic, is one of the world’s great anti-war books. An American classic and one of the world’s seminal antiwar books, Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five is faithfully presented in graphic novel form for the first time from Eisner Award-winning writer Ryan North  and Eisner Award-nominated artist Albert Monteys.  

Listen: Billy Pilgrim has...

  • read Kilgore Trout
  • opened a successful optometry business
  • built a loving family
  • witnessed the firebombing of Dresden
  • traveled to the planet Tralfamadore
  • met Kurt Vonnegut
  • come unstuck in time. 

Billy Pilgrim’s journey is at once a farcical look at the horror and tragedy of war where children are placed on the frontlines and die (so it goes), and a moving examination of what it means to be fallibly human. (from Amazon.com)

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

New Suspense and Thrillers

 

Author Dale Brown begins a new series with his book Arctic Storm Rising. "After a CIA covert mission goes badly awry, U.S. Air Force intelligence officer Nicholas Flynn is exiled to guard a remote radar post along Alaska’s Arctic frontier. This dead-end assignment is designed to put his career permanently on ice, but Flynn’s not the type to fade quietly into obscurity. As winter storms pound Alaska and northern Canada, Russian aircraft begin penetrating deep into friendly airspace. Are these rehearsals for a possible first strike, using Russia’s new long-range stealth cruise missiles? Or is some other motive driving the Kremlin to take ever-increasing risks along the hostile Arctic frontier separating two of the world’s great powers? When an American F-22 collides with one of the Russian interlopers, things go south fast—in seconds, missiles are fired. There are no survivors. Despite horrific weather, Flynn and his security team are ordered to parachute into the area in a desperate bid to reach the crash sites ahead of the Russians. It’s now obvious that the Pentagon and CIA are withholding vital information, but Flynn and his men have no choice but to make the dangerous jump. Soon they’re caught in a deadly game of hide-and-seek with Spetsnaz commandos operating covertly on American soil. It seems that the F-22s and their Russian counterparts aren’t the first aircraft to have gone missing in these desolate mountains. The Kremlin is hunting for the first prototype of its new stealth bomber—which vanished on what was supposed to be a test flight…while loaded with nuclear-armed stealth cruise missiles. As Russia and the U.S. square off on the brink of all-out-war, it’s up to Nick to find the missing bomber…and prevent a potential nuclear holocaust." (from Goodreads.com)

The latest Detective Isaac Bell novel from Clive Cussler (and Jack Du Brul) is called The Saboteurs. "Detective Isaac Bell's wife has said that he is always in the wrong place at the right time. This is certainly the case when Bell thwarts the assassination of a U.S. Senator shortly after meeting the man. This heroic rescue is just the start of the mystery for Bell, who suspects that the would-be assassins have a much larger and more dangerous agenda--one involving the nearly-constructed Panama Canal. While the senator supports the building of the canal, there are many, including a local Panamanian insurgency known as the Red Vipers, who never want to see its completion. With millions of dollars and the fates of two nations at stake, Bell heads to Panama to find answers. After a deadly bombing at the canal's construction site, he is determined to stop the insurgents--or whoever is funding them--before they can attack again." (from Amazon.com)

David Poyer has two new books with Deep War: the War with China--the Nuclear Precipice and Overthrow: the War with China and North Korea--Fall of an Empire. In the first book, "the war against China turns dire, as the United States struggles to survive in this gripping thriller featuring Navy commander Dan Lenson. After the United States suffers a devastating nuclear attack, and facing food shortages, power outages, cyber and AI assaults, and a wrecked economy, Admiral Dan Lenson leads an allied force assigned to turn the tide of war in the Pacific, using precisely targeted missiles and high-tech weapons systems. But as the campaign begins, the entire Allied military and defense network is compromised—even controlled—by Jade Emperor, a powerful Chinese artificial intelligence system that seems to anticipate and counter every move. While Dan strives to salvage the battle plan, his wife Blair helps coordinate strategy in Washington, DC, Marine sergeant Hector Ramos fights in an invasion of Taiwan, and Navy SEAL master chief Teddy Oberg begins a desperate journey into central China on a mission that may be the only way to save the United States from destruction and defeat."

In the second book, "the United States and their Allied forces struggle to survive world war with China in this compelling, realistic thriller, the next in the Dan Lenson series. World War III continues in Overthrow, the next novel in the acclaimed series featuring Admiral Dan Lenson as the Allies converge against China, North Korea, and Iran in an explosive series of events. Admiral Lenson leads Operation Rupture, the invasion of South China, in a bid to finally end the war and restore peace. Meanwhile, Captain Cheryl Staurulakis fights to take a radical new “super ship” to sea, though its power and capability may introduce more risk than reward. In Washington, Dan’s wife Blair conducts secret negotiations with a rebellious faction in Beijing, hoping to bring an end to the war, but her plans may be foiled by those who want outright revenge on China, not peace with them. In western China, Teddy Oberg’s guerrilla band grows into a major insurgency, and the former SEAL master chief embraces his new role as an Islamic resistance leader. Sergeant Hector Ramos raises the flag of freedom in Taiwan while fighting his own personal demons, and in Seattle Dan’s daughter, Nan Lenson, fights to save the world from a dangerous new epidemic. But as the Allies plot an endgame to the war, the complicated dance of global warfare, on land and at sea, will finally trigger the nuclear Armageddon the entire world has feared for nearly a century." (from Amazon.com)

Author Morgan Cry begins a new series with Thirty-One Bones. "When Effie Coulston drops dead on the floor of her bar in a small Spanish town mid-business meeting, her daughter Daniella feels it’s her duty to return for the funeral. But Daniella has been estranged from her mother for over twenty years, and Effie’s life in Spain harbours many secrets . Daniella is soon confronted by a hostile group of ex-pat misfits who frequent the bar and who, along with Effie, are involved in a multi-million-pound property scam. But the money has vanished, and the ex-pats are threatening to implicate Daniella to save themselves. Meanwhile, a Spanish detective is investigating Effie’s death. He’s convinced Daniella knows more than she is telling. And now a terrifying enforcer has heard about the missing cash. With no idea where the money is and threats coming from all sides, Daniella is up against a seemingly impossible deadline to find the cash. She’s a stranger in a strange town – and she’s seriously out of her depth." (from Goodreads.com)

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Kids and Camping

 

Cooking in a Can by Katherine L. White is the perfect activity book for kids who love to camp and cook! The newest book in our successful children's activities series introduces dozens of techniques for cooking outside. Author Kate White shows kids the beauty of cooking over a campfire, with dozens of delicious and easy recipes like Hot Rock Chicken and Wilderness Wonder Chocolate Cake. From cooking in a can to cooking in a paper bag to cooking on a rock, this activity book produces scrumptious results that kids of all ages will enjoy. Also included are dozens of related activities to keep kids busy, such as making a family banner to identify your camp, planning menus, and organizing cooking supplies and groceries. There are also tips on natural refrigeration, food storage and camp clean up. Chapters include topics such as:

  • Cooking Over a Campfire
  • The Outdoor Kitchen
  • No Pot Cooking
  • Hot Rock Cooking
  • Pit Cooking
  • Make-Your-Own Oven Cooking
  • Spit Cooking
  • Dutch Oven Cooking

The Girls' Guide to Campfire Activities
 by Elizabeth Encarnacion is an encyclopedic, nostalgic, and with just a tiny shiver of risk, this collection of enjoyable activities gives girls all the information they need to have the perfect campfire experience. They’ll learn the basics of building a fire; the difference between an A-frame and a teepee fire; how to put the flames out properly; a range of safety procedures; and first aid for minor burns. Girls will also find plenty of fun things to do as the embers glow: recipes for tasty treats, instructions on making a comfy campfire seat, camp songs to sing, and ghost stories guaranteed to frighten the pants off everyone. For those who can’t make it to the great outdoors, there are even suggestions for bringing the campfire experience inside, from starting a fire in a fireplace to making fondue-style S’mores. No fireplace? No problem! The kit includes a DVD of a super campfire with a singalong soundtrack and scary music for story hour. (from Amazon.com)



And here are a few more Kid's Camping Titles:





Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Camping and the Great Outdoors

Engage your child in outdoor play, nature outings, and environmental explorations. Chase and be chased in a game of capture the flag. Use the power of the sun to craft your own shadow prints. Explore the stars on a late night walk. Create a field guide to your neighborhood. Through 52 ideas—some classic and some new—Let's Go Outside! by Jennifer Ward offers a range of activities perfect for children ages 8 to 12. Whether you're in the country, the city, or anywhere in between, this book is sure to help you get outside—and run, dance, hike, or camp—with your preteen. Sections of the book include: 

  • Back to Basics: Reconnecting with twists on traditional games and activities such as Capture the Flag
  • Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: Picnics, doing homework outdoors, and socializing opportunities outdoors
  • Outdoor Adventures: Canoeing, biking, and camping
  • Environmental Experiments: Ways to explore how nature works (from Amazon.com)

Plan your family camping adventure with The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids by Helen Olsson! Whether you’re a first-time camper or a veteran backpacker befuddled by the challenges of carting a brood—and all the requisite gear—into the great outdoors, here you’ll find all the tips and tools you need to plan the perfect nature adventure with your family. Humorous and irreverent, yet always authoritative, this guide to camping with kids, from babies through pre-teens, is filled with checklists, smart tips, recipes, games, activities, and art projects.
Helen Olsson, a seasoned camper and mother of three, shares lessons learned over the years of nature outings with her own family. Learn the basics of family camping, from choosing a destination and packing gear to setting up a campsite and keeping little ones safe. Create the perfect camp menu with simple and tasty recipe ideas. Discover foolproof tips and tactics for keeping kids happy and entertained while hiking. Explore nature through clever and creative camp arts and craft projects. This guide is your game plan to unplugging from the digital world and connecting your kids to nature. Whether it’s roasting marshmallows around a crackling campfire or stretching out on a camp mat to gaze at the stars, the memories you’ll be making will last a lifetime. (from Amazon.com)

Want to save cash, your child's imagination and possibly even the planet? Then Born To Be Wild: Hundreds of Free Nature Activities for Families by Hattie Garlick is the book you need.
Packed with great photos of real families in the outdoors, Born to Be Wild contains easy-to-follow instructions for activities that require nothing more sophisticated than a small person's imagination and access to a little outdoor space.
Nature lays on magical materials for free each season, from fallen leaves and twigs, molted feathers, sand and shells, to mud, puddles and rain. Everything else you'll need for these activities is already hiding in your cupboards at home. No expensive art supplies of outward-bound kit required. All you need are the toolkit items at the front of the book - ordinary household essentials like scraps of paper, string, glue, recycled food containers and an empty jar or two.
Along the way Hattie talks to families, organizations and communities who have rebuilt their relationships with nature with extreme or inspiring results, and she introduces scientists, psychologists and other experts who explain why, as modern families, we should revive our waning relationships with nature, whatever age or stage we're at. (from Amazon.com)

If you think camping means big mosquitoes, big headaches, and big effort, this book is for you. Camping Made Easy by Michael Rutter presents a practical, informative approach to carefree camping. After putting to rest the myths concerning the hardships and frustrations of camping, Michael Rutter presents nuts-and-bolts information on every aspect of camping, relating advice garnered from his twenty-plus years of experience. You will learn how to select the right equipment, including tents, stoves, sleeping bags, lanterns, backpacks, and more; plan for a painless camping trip; pack efficiently; select a good campground; set up camp; take fun day hikes and more.
With more than 300 photographs and illustrations to help you get started, you will be setting up camp, stoking the campfire, and relaxing before you know it. Whether you are setting up a tent in a local campground or planning a cross-country camping odyssey, this comprehensive guide will answer all your camping questions. (from Amazon.com)

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

June is...

(From NationalDayCalendar.com)

NATIONAL CAMPING MONTH

National Camping Month in June is an excellent time to pack up your gear and experience nature. Whether you like roughing it or prefer to have a few modern conveniences when heading out to the trail, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

1. Make sure you have plenty of freshwater or a freshwater source.

2. Take a first aid kit and that it is stocked.

3. Pack waterproof matches.

4. Take non-perishable food such as granola bars, jerky, peanut butter, chocolate bars, and dried fruits,         especially if you are not taking a cooler.

5. Pack fruits, vegetables, and meats separately and keep chilled in a cooler.

6. Include sunblock, even for cloudy days.

7. Rain gear, jackets, and blankets are necessary for cooler weather.

Around the country, there are a variety of campsites available. The more modern campsite includes showers and recreational facilities. These often include water hookups and parking pads for RVs and campers and cabins to rent as well as more primitive sites with no electrical hookups designed for tent usage.  Other parks only allow primitive camping and require everything you pack into the park to be packed out. So, seriously consider your needs if you are hiking into the park for your stay. These are not for the glampers.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCampingMonth

Gather family and friends, don’t forget the s’mores supply and go camping! Nature is calling and there are so many ways to enjoy a weekend or even more camping.  Use #NationalCampingMonth to show us how you camp. Educators and families, check out National Day Calendar’s Classroom for lots of fun ideas and projects to help you #CelebrateEveryDay!


(From NationalDayCalendar.com)

NATIONAL GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH

National Great Outdoors Month in June reminds us to explore our nation’s abundant wildlife refuges, parks, and natural beauty. Whether we hike or bike the trails, kayak or canoe the many rivers and canyons or pitch a tent in the forest or on a hillside. No matter our preferred mode of enjoying the great outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking to name a few – nature is calling. Pursue the beauty and majesty of the big skies and open spaces the outdoors offers.

This month also raises awareness of the accessibility of the great outdoors. Depending on where we live, sometimes reaching nature is more difficult. Many cities create relaxing and vibrant green spaces with trails and paths designed for easy access by the community. However, in some inner-city neighborhoods, access to parks or the ability to get outside the city to visit State or National Parks is difficult. National Great Outdoors Month is an excellent time to consider making access possible.

HOW TO OBSERVE:

Visit a State or National Park. Volunteer as a summer camp counselor.  Take an outdoor photography class. Sign up for Northern lights tour. Get blisters where you’ve never had them before.  Go deep sea diving. Learn how to identify birds and go birding. Share your enthusiasm for nature with a group of students and take them on a nature hike.  Become a Big Brother or Big Sister and go on a group nature bike trail. Share your ideas on social media using #GreatOutdoorsMonth.