Secrets.Everyone has one.Some are bigger than others.And when secrets are revealed,Some will heal you ...And some will end you.Kate Sedgwick's life has been anything but typical. She's endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there's a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She's also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.They both feel it.But they each have a reason to fight it.They each have a secret.And when secrets are revealed,Some will heal you ...And some will end you.

One flicker of hope. That's all it takes to catapult yourself into the life you've always imagined. Join entrepreneur and bestselling author Jess Ekstrom as she shares her journey to creating good in the world while fulfilling her own dreams -- and teaches you how to do the same. Do you have dreams for yourself and the world that are tucked away in your box of somedays? What would happen if today was the day you opened the box? And what if that box was the key to a better tomorrow? In?Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom shares her own inspirational story of how optimism helped her overcome multiple challenges, and the dynamic ways her mindset propelled her as a young entrepreneur, international speaker, and philanthropist.?? Jess teaches us that success is not born out of skill, school, where we're from, who we know, or what we scored on the SAT. None of us were born?ready, but we are born with something more important than skills. We're born with optimism -- the initial seed for success. Optimism fuels the belief that you can be the one to create the good the world needs. But you've got to hone it, practice it, and choose to live?from?it. Chasing the Bright Side will give you the practical tools and encouragement you need to: Embrace the life-changing power of optimism Activate your unique purpose Write your own story Jess's story is sure to inspire you to start Chasing the Bright Side -- right where you are. Praise for Chasing the Bright Side: "Chasing the Bright Side is essential reading for anyone facing a challenge, in work or in life. With emotion, humility, and humor (and some amazing stories), Jess Ekstrom not only demonstrates how anyone with a dream can eventually persevere, but also shows by example how we all can tap into the passion to do so. It's the book I wish I had read before starting my own entrepreneurial journey, but luckily it's not too late for everyone else. It's a page-turner that you won't be able to put down until you've finished but holds lessons that will reveal themselves to you for a lifetime." --Marc Randolph, Netflix cofounder and first CEO

You don't need to reinvent your whole life to be happier-you just need to turn it bright side up! We all have those days when life could use a lift. Enter Bright Side Up, a clever and comforting compendium to help you shift your perspective and appreciate what's right in front of you. With the warmth and wisdom of a dear friend, this deceptively simple guide offers emergency optimism when you need it with fresh tips that can be put to use on the spot, including: Thank the lemons Rally in the rain delay Steer life like a motorcycle Ask your one-hundred-year-old self Plan your party story Dip in whenever you need a boost. Because when you can find the sunshine in your every day, you'll feel brighter, too.

Big Mama blog founder and New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shankle helps us sort through our questions about being true to ourselves in a world gone crazy and what matters the most in the end. These days, so many voices tell us what to do, what to think, and what kind of parent or friend or spouse to be that it's easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. Somewhere in the midst of online arguments and crazy politics and the ups and downs of life, we've lost sight of the gifts that are all around us: kindness, love, mercy, and joy. In On the Bright Side, Melanie Shankle reminds us of the unchanging principles we can count on in a changing world. These are lessons that Melanie has learned along the way about how to find all the joy that life has to offer--and why encouragement is never something to keep to ourselves. Melanie invites us to lead with love in all areas of our lives, exploring topics such as: Finding your people Giving up on comparing and competing Aging (kind of) gracefully Believing in ever after Staying mostly sane while raising kids Thinking before speaking Making decisions And more! This delightful memoir highlights the joys of life told in Melanie's down to earth, relatable, and totally enjoyable style. On the Bright Side is a how-to guide to knowing--and living--what matters most.

Bestselling author Jacky Davis and award-winning illustrator Fiona Woodcock celebrate family, love, and imagination in this vibrant and expressive picture book. Father-daughter time shines in this irresistible story about creativity, solving problems, and looking on the bright side when faced with obstacles. A great read-aloud for rainy days . . . or any day you’re stuck at home! Drip, drip, drop. With breakfast finished, an energetic young girl is ready to play. But it’s raining, and Dad says that she must stay inside. So, she crafts and she builds, she draws and she bakes. What else can she do to find the sunny side of a rainy day? Keep gloominess at bay with Sunny-Side Up, a wonderful choice about resilience and the power of imagination. A perfect book to share at storytime, to celebrate Father's Day, and to encourage kids—and their parents and caregivers—to use creativity to overcome challenges.

2016. The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals is in trouble. Ariel discovers that her mother Mona's animal sanctuary in Western Kansas has not only been the target of anti-Semitic hate crimes, it is also for sale, due to hidden financial ruin. Ariel, living a new life in progressive Lawrence, and estranged from her mother for six years, returns to her childhood home - and finds her first love, a ranch hand named Gideon, still working at the Bright Side. Back in Lawrence, Ariel's fiancé, Dex, sets out to confront Ariel and finds her questioning the meaning of her life in Lawrence--and whether she belongs with Dex or with someone else, somewhere else.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the ingenious comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and creator of Spamalot comes an absurdly funny memoir of unparalleled wit and heartfelt candor—now featuring a new afterword. “A hilarious, charming book by this incredible, i̶n̶s̶u̶f̶f̶e̶r̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ interesting genius.”—Steve Martin We know him best for his unforgettable roles on Monty Python—from the Flying Circus to The Meaning of Life. Now, Eric Idle reflects on the meaning of his own life in this entertaining memoir that takes us on a remarkable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theater, and film. Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the Sixties and Seventies, Eric stumbled into the crossroads of the cultural revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams, all of whom became dear lifelong friends. With anecdotes sprinkled throughout involving other close friends and luminaries such as Mike Nichols, Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Lorne Michaels, and many more, as well as John Cleese and the Pythons themselves, Eric captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal parts hilarity and heart. In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named for the song he wrote for Life of Brian and which has since become the number one song played at funerals in the UK, he shares the highlights of his life and career with the kind of offbeat humor that has delighted audiences for five decades. 2019 marked the fiftieth anniversary of The Pythons, and Eric commemorated the occasion with this hilarious memoir chock full of behind-the-scenes stories from a high-flying life featuring everyone from Princess Leia to Queen Elizabeth.