IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award GOLD Winner in Humor Crowded in the Middle of Nowhere: Tales of Humor and Healing from Rural America is a collection of humorous and poignant stories from a veterinarian in a small, dusty farming and ranching community in rural West Texas. Dr. Brock gives you an intimate look into his small-town and big-hearted perspective on life, animals, and their owners. His unique perspective and tales of doctoring beloved pets, cantankerous livestock, and occasionally their owners will make you smile, laugh, cry, and evoke every other emotion under the sun.

Crowded the Crowds By: Helen June White AKA Jasmine Inkwell Crowded the Crowds is a real-life horror story, one that Helen June White AKA Jasmine Inkwell has had to live for the last nine years of her life, as told in the first book, The Crowds, a book of encouragement, one that will inspire you to always reach for the stars, never giving up no matter the opposition, the wall that’s in front of you, and if you find that you’re just too weak from the battle, from crying all night long and you just can’t make it over that brick wall, find a way around it, even if you have to blow it up. Sometimes it’s hard to fight to breathe, but we must never give up. We are all fighting dragons and monsters, but with our faith, our God is bigger than any dragon, any monster, and any Goliath. Just hold and keep the faith.

What do you do when you have a goat in your kitchen in the middle of the night? Why should you never put a pig in your mouth? With humor and heart, seasoned Texas veterinarian Bo Brock answers these questions and many more in his lighthearted collection of autobiographical essays, "crowded in the middle of nowhere." Drawing from decades of work with every imaginable animal, as well as from his time off with his friends and family, Brock admits that this book is void of literary terms such as rising action or plot, but after reading this book, you feel like you know the characters well enough to sit down and have a cup coffee with them. Together, these quick, grin-worthy writings promise a smile a day for months to come. Whether learning to rope a sick calf or learning the ropes at a fancy French restaurant, each essay goes down easy, while also reminding us all how great common life can be. From the wisdom of elders to the mouths of babes, "crowded in the middle of nowhere" shares stolen moments from family and community that are frequently funny and contagiously happy. Anyone looking for plenty of reasons to smile at everyday life will enjoy every moment of this crowd-pleasing, easy-reading collection.

Whether he's escaping the personal vendetta of a bull named Killer (I was a matador without a cape), entangled with a rabid cow, chasing a stallion (well, not quite, anymore...) through downtown Bangor, performing heart surgery in an arena, or having a close encounter?while airborne?with a B-52 bomber, this vet regards it all as part of a (long) working day.

A ten-year-old girl learns the importance of family and community in this tale of love and hope set during the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Armani Curtis can think about only one thing: her tenth birthday. All her friends are coming to her party, her mama is making a big cake, and she has a good feeling about a certain wrapped box. Turning ten is a big deal to Armani. It means she’s older, wiser, more responsible. But when Hurricane Katrina hits the Lower Nines of New Orleans, Armani realizes that being ten means being brave, watching loved ones die, and mustering all her strength to help her family weather the storm. A powerful story of courage and survival, Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere celebrates the miraculous power of hope and love in the face of the unthinkable. Praise for Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere “Lamana goes for and achieves realism here, carefully establishing the characters and setting before describing in brutal detail, beyond what is typical in youth literature, the devastating effects of Katrina—loss of multiple family members, reports of attacks in the Superdome, bodies drifting in the current and less-than-ideal shelter conditions. An honest, bleak account of a national tragedy sure to inspire discussion and research.” —Kirkus Reviews “I recommend the book because I think it does a good job of capturing what life was like in New Orleans both before and after Katrina and because Armani’s journey will give readers a lot to think about and discuss. But parents will want to know that it doesn’t flinch when describing the death and destruction that hit New Orleans during that time and be cautious with younger, sensitive readers.” —Cindy Hudson, author of Book by Book

Using Humor to Maximize Living affirms, sustains, and encourages people in the practice of humor, not only as a personal tool to optimize a healthy life style, but also to maximize the benefits of humor in everyday life. Check out the research that includes a review on the use...

John and Laura Leita delve in to the oddities that make Long Island unique and it may be more odd than you thought possible! Long Island's history is well known, but often overlooked are the island's unique and bizarre stories and treasures--the most interesting locations and darkest legends. From hidden haunts and legends like the Indian Princess of Lake Ronkonkoma to well-known events like the Amityville Horror House murders, this collection chronicles the tales of restless spirits, unrequited loves and otherworldly visits that riddle the island. There is much to be seen along the roadside, too, including the beloved Big Duck, the Riverhead Indian and even the grave site of Nixon's dog, Checkers. Through history, pictures and the personal experiences of a ten-year endeavor, authors John and Laura Leita brings to life Long Island's abandoned structures, including psychiatric hospitals and other ruins waiting to be rediscovered. Join the Leitas as they go in search of the delightfully quirky side of Long Island.