Guide

Do you love to read about strong women characters in a novel? Have you tried Jane Austen, or do you prefer someone like Nancy Drew? Well, you have a choice if you enjoy strong female characters, or novel with female characters as their leads. Stephanie Plum is a fictional character by American writer, Janet Evanovich, who has featured the heroine in more than sixteen of her novels and novellas. The latest of the novels to feature Stephanie is Sizzling Sixteen. Stephanie is described by the author as being an average woman, who will take on the challenge when necessary. It can be said that she is not a superhero, but an ordinary person, who has the capability of acting like a superhero.

In Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich, the plot revolves around Stephanie inheriting a bottle from her Uncle. The bottle, however, is not a certain object that can define good luck or bad luck. Due to or not due to the bottle, Stephanie finds herself in a midst of problems, one of which is finding the missing Vinnie, who is her boss, as well as cousin. It is known from previous books that Stephanie is a bounty hunter, who finds fugitives for the sake of money (ransom). Likewise, her supportive friends, Lula and Connie also experienced in bounty hunting. This gives them some initiative to find Vinnie, but the thing is that it is not that easy to safely hide Vinnie. He gives them all kinds of trouble, does all kinds of mischief and indulges in unwanted activities. Stephanie finds herself in a mess, but what happens next is the exciting part of the novel. Similarly, her relationship with her fellow bounty hunter Ranger, and her on-off boyfriend, Morelli are of interest.

Though Janet Evanovich has used Stephanie in her novels for a long time, it gives an impression to the readers that there is a status quo. In fact, Janet herself has related that Stephanie has not changed much throughout her life, and she only takes on challenges when it is called for. Many readers feel that it is time for some change in Stephanie’s life, so that the novels are fun to read. Likewise, though Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum) is the sixteenth novel in the series, there is no indication of growth on the part of the characters. This makes the novel a little sour, and in this book there is not much bounty hunting, either.

However, for someone, who has read Janet before, this book may be an addition to the reading culture. Likewise, anyone, who wants to read Stephanie Plum, but never had a chance to do so, can grab this novel. It may not disappoint you, or you may want to go back to Nancy Drew, instead.

Rick Riordan has recently published The Red Pyramid, which is the first book of The Kane Chronicles. This is a fantasy novel, which can also be termed an adventure fiction that is based on the Egyptian mythology. He has previously written the fictional fantasy/adventure series known as Percy Jackson and the Olympians, of which the first book titled The Lightning Thief, was made into a movie that released in 2010. Rick Riordon has made an attempt at a sequel of the series by the name of The Heroes of Olympus, and the first book was published in October of 2010 titled, The Lost Hero. This novel also features Percy Jackson as one of the leads, who is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the Sea, storms and Earthquakes.

In this novel, Riordon incorporate the Greek and Roman mythology and make the modern world embody their characters. The novel opens with Jason, Leo and Piper, who are teenagers on a bus. The bus is full of delinquents, who are underage, and the adventure of magic and mystery starts right here. Leo happens to be Jason’s best friend, while Piper relates that she is his girlfriend. He finds a magic coin that can turn into a weapon, depending on which side it is turned. The three discover unusual powers, and find out that they are sons and daughter to Greek gods and goddess. Jason finds out that he is the son of Zeus; Leo is the son of Hephaestus and Piper, the daughter of Aphrodite. They also soon find out that Percy Jackson is missing, and they need to save him. Soon, they embark on a journey to help out the wife of Zeus, goddess Hera and also find Percy Jackson on the way.

You need to read the entire book to find out if they succeed in their exciting quest. By the simple plotline, one can tell that the book is interesting and exciting for children to follow. The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is one of those novels that can easily attract children, as they are interested in adventure and fantasy. It may not be highly anticipated as the Harry Potter books, but it is a book that will keep you wanting more. However, it may be a good idea to let your children read few of the other Riordan books, before they are allowed this book.

Firstly, it will help them understand his language, and it will also keep them informed on Greek gods and myths. If you and your children are interested in children novels that are not too violent, and also increase the mythical knowledge of the kids, The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero is the book to get.

It is not very frequent that people connect their body to the brain. It is truer that people think of the body, as a separate entity than the brain. When in fact, the brain is the control unit of the human body, and without its function the body is lifeless or out of control. Much have been said about, how one can lose weight or look good at the physical level, but no one is sure of what is exactly the remedy. Then, Dr. Daniel G. Amen comes along, who proposes that it is the brain that ultimately shapes the body through his groundbreaking book Change your Brain, Change your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted. This book was published in February of 2010.

In this book, Dr. Amen talks about ways, in which the brain affects the body, and keeps it the way it is. He talks about the connection between the thinking process of the brain and the functioning of the body, and how it ultimately translates into the physical attractiveness of the body. The conclusion that the healthy brain is a key to a healthy and energized body is based on several decade long research and medical practice by Dr. Amen. It may not be entirely accurate, but Dr. Amen’s book shows that there is a deeper connection on how stress free and happy the brain is to how happy the body is. In the book, Change your Brain, Change your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted, he offers the readers several tips on how to keep the brain and the body healthy. Some of the tips include nutritious diet, vitamin therapy, mental therapy that results in positive thinking, and supplemental medicines.

Do you want to be healthy and maintain your weight? Are you scared of wrinkles at an early age? Are you stressed that your body is not right? Do you lack the willpower to be active and maintain your diet? Are you experiencing problems in your sexual life? Do you have emotional problems? If the answers to all or a few of these questions are positive, then you should definitely go for Change your Brain, Change your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted. This book will offer you solutions that are easy to follow, and make you aware of the power of the brain.

And anyone, who is interested in knowing about scientific details on how the brain works to maintain a healthy body, this book is a blessing. The book is easy to follow, and you will not regret buying a copy even for further references. Change your Brain, Change your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted should at least be considered when you next visit the book store.

The Overton Window is a suspense thriller written by political news commentator and FOX News channel host, Glenn Beck. Beck hosts several talk programs on FOX News, and also on the radio. Most of his talk programs are focused on issues of America, and how the people need to deal with the problems of being an American. This novel is not far from that line, as it embodies the Overton window concept in political theory. According to this concept, at a given time there is range of policies regarding an issue that are considered acceptable. Likewise, there are other policies that make the politicians seem out of line, or far from mainstream. However, if the time and the place change, so do the policies that are regarded as out of line.

The plot of the novel follows a public relations officer by the name of Noah Gardner. He is not at all interested in politics, or thinks it is not worthy of his interest. However, he meets up with a woman by the name of Molly Ross. She is a political buff, and has ideas about what America is, stands for and should stand for. She tells Noah that America is soon to be different than what they are aware of. At first, he feels that all the talk is just a view of conspiracy theory. However, an unexpected attack on America changes his perception about politics. Everyone is confused, and nobody knows what to do or except. Noah, on the other hand, is all ready to find out about the plan and bring out the conspirators in the open. This, he has to do, to save his basic rights, as well as the woman he is in love with.

This is where you need to read The Overton Window to know, if he succeeds in his plan. This book received mixed reactions as soon as it was published in June, 2010. Many people think that the novel is a good thriller, and also a controversial novel.  Many of the New York Bestsellers authors reviewed the novel, as being one of the best political thrillers of the year. On the other hand, reviewers writing for top magazines and newspapers had advices to give to Beck. Many of them felt that the novel did not add to the value of thriller novels, and it is only a conservative rant of Beck’s.

This novel is a thriller, but it also portrays subjective view of the author on political issues. Therefore, people, who do not buy in Glen Beck’s side of the story in his talk programs, are less likely to be impressed by the novel. However, if you dismiss his political opinions and just want to enjoy the thriller, then this may turn out to be a gripping read.

Sh*t My Dad Says is a memoir book by Justin Halpern, written in cooperation with his writing partner, Patrick Schumacher. Halpern was also a part time comedy writer, but nowadays he is fully concentrated on Sh*t My Dad Says as a co-producer and co-writer of its comedy sitcom on the Television. Halpern did not write the book at the first instinct, in fact, he started tweeting about his dad’s random comments on his twitter page. In the meantime, one of his friends posted the link to his twitter page and his posts about his dad became public news. In no time, his dads’s odd and often profane commentaries about everything from everyday life to politics, and from entertainment to education became famous. This encouraged him to publish a book of the remarkable quotes from his father.     

The book Sh*t My Dad Says was published in May of 2010, and it topped the New York Bestseller’s list in June of 2010. Not only that, it became an international bestseller in an instance. According to Halpern, this would not have been possible if he was not left alone by his long-time girlfriend. Due to the break-up, he had to move back to his parent’s home and there he encountered his, the then seventy three year old father. His father would pass on ridiculous and irrelevant comments all the time, and he relates this was his dad’s habit from early on. He used to record his dad’s comments on journal, but soon he moved it online. Thereby, was born this wonderfully funny, hilarious and outright book. One of the funny quotes from Halpern’s dad is “Pick your furniture like you pick a wife: It should make you feel comfortable and look nice, but not so nice that if someone walks past it they want to steal it.”

Likewise, many of the quotes in the book have profane language, which is why it may not be a good idea to have around children. In fact, you may not want your children to learn the title of the book, Sh*t My Dad Says itself. However, for adults this book is extremely entertaining, and reminds people to laugh out. It is not everyday that people get to laugh out, and this book may be an alternative to some boring stress relief therapy. And, sometimes things that sound or read trivial may strike you as most profound. The book has received good comments from people all over, and they feel that the book is absolutely spellbinding and light. So, if you are need of a laughter therapy then it is recommended that you get this book for yourself. You are for sure not going to be disappointed with the humor.