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May 2005

Hi folks!

I hope you are all enjoying fantastic adventures. My wife and I (well, mainly my wife) have been spending many sleepless nights lately with our beautiful new son, Sean Daniel Brassell. He weighed 6 lbs., 1 oz., but he is gaining weight by the minute, as this child can eat. I am so proud of how well his older sister Kate has been adjusting. If you do not have a family of your own, I highly encourage you to do so. Nothing is as rewarding.

Enjoy the books. I admit that I am sort of a freak, as I read at least a book a day (keep in mind that many are scratch-and-sniffs and pop-ups). You’d be amazed how much you can read if you do something as simple as turning off the nightly news, which I consider to be the most depressing and violent show on television.

I’ve been reading a variety of titles. One great new book that I am quoting almost daily is Harvey MacKay’s We Got Fired!…And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Us. MacKay managed to get all sorts of successful people to tell him about their lowest points, and the book proves to be inspirational and instructional in how to overcome adversity and persevere. I once spoke to a group of teachers and told them that I thought résumés should highlight our low points rather than our accomplishments, as I believe that we learn a lot more from our mistakes than successes. That is what MacKay’s book is all about (at over 350 pages, unfortunately, I cannot put it on our “lazy readers” list). If you get a chance, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of this book.

Anyhow, enjoy this month’s book selections below. I hope you are all reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me all about them. If you're an author or a publisher and would like to send me review copies of your book(s), please send them to the address listed for authors and publishers.

I hope you are reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me about them by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Have a wonderful May, and enjoy your books!

Danny ;-)
Creative Visualization

Creative Visualization

By Shakti Gawain 192 pages Adult

Danny Says

As the school year winds down for many, I thought I’d offer this simple yet powerful guide to meditation. This is an easy book to read with a variety of helpful exercises. Don’t take my word for it, though, as it has been a bestseller for over 25 years.
Buy on Amazon
The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership

The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership

By Steven B. Sample 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

So what if I am a disciple of Steven Sample? I’m a proud Trojan, and anyone can learn a thing or two from USC’s President, who has raised over $3 billion in his ten years there. For a book on leadership, this is a practical, easy-to-read book that I kept beside my bed and read a chapter each night before I went to bed. I especially enjoyed his thoughts in Chapter 10. Buy the book to find out what I am talking about.
Buy on Amazon
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

By Anthony Burgess 213 pages Adult

Danny Says

While this is not one of my favorite books, I can appreciate its incredible use of language (Burgess, after all, was a linguist). Most people find the book to be hilarious, but it just disturbed me. Perhaps that is a tribute to its powerful images.
Buy on Amazon
Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden

By Margaret Peterson Haddix 153 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Great for teaching about propaganda and current events, this book chronicles the adventures of Luke, the third child born in a society where families are only permitted to have two children.
Buy on Amazon
Eva

Eva

By Peter Dickinson 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

After a terrible accident, Eva wakes up to find she has been given the body of a chimpanzee. Intrigued yet?
Buy on Amazon
The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,Arthur Conan Doyle 128 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Arguably the best of the Sherlock Holmes stories, there is no denying that this is a classic mystery. When I say “classic” in reference to someone like Doyle, though, it is to acknowledge his genius. This is not one of the dry texts that usually pop up on required reading lists at middle schools. Kids that read Doyle’s books usually wind up becoming avid readers, as opposed to kids that are forced to read other dreary things. Do you think I was scarred by a traumatic reading experience in middle school? You betcha, and I did not regain the fun reading habit until I was a junior in college. 
Buy on Amazon
Commander Toad and the Dis-asteroid

Commander Toad and the Dis-asteroid

By Jane Yolen 64 pages Children

Danny Says

Commander Toad and his spaceship Star Warts answer a mysterious call for help from a flooded asteroid. One of a series of fun picture adventures about the lovable Commander Toad.
Buy on Amazon
Katie's Trunk

Katie's Trunk

By Ann Turner 32 pages Children

Danny Says

This is a very cool book! Set in the Revolutionary War, the story shows the struggles of a family loyal to England. Important for students to see that there are always good and bad people on each side of an issue.
Buy on Amazon
The Story of Babar

The Story of Babar

By Jean De Brunhoff 56 pages Children

Danny Says

Ah – this one is a trip down memory lane, as I loved the friendly elephant Babar as a child. A must read for parents, as the entire series of Babar books deal with pretty deep issues in a very simple, powerful and tasteful way. The next time you decide to gripe about the French, I remind you that they gave us two of our greatest children’s characters, Babar the elephant and a little curious monkey named George, not to mention the best-selling fiction book of the 20th century about a “little prince.”
Buy on Amazon
Insectlopedia

Insectlopedia

By Douglas Florian 48 pages Children

Danny Says

Beautifully illustrated book of poetry that blends humor with science. A good book to read with a child before going out for a nature walk. This is the type of book that should be required in schools, as it is absolutely wonderful. Grab a copy and see what I mean.
Buy on Amazon

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