A darkly funny and messy love story about the struggle to live happily ever after after the after, by the New York Times bestselling author of Good Grief. Elinor Mackey has always done the right thing-college, law school, career, marriage-but now everything's gone wrong. In her late thirties, Elinor has discovered that she can't have children; all the doctors can tell her is that it's because of her age. She withdraws from her podiatrist husband, Ted, into an interior world of heartbreak. Her closest companion? The tree in her backyard. But since everything in her life is going from bad to worse, soon, despite the best efforts of the tree doctor, her tree must be cut down. Ted Mackey has always done the right thing, too. He started going to the gym and lost weight, got on track, got in The Zone. But when he uncharacteristically has an affair with his personal trainer ? who has an odd-ball son who latches on to Ted like a barnacle -- he has to figure out how to make everything right (even if he's not sure what right even means anymore). In a complicated dance of partners, lovers and admirers, Happiness Sold Seperately delightfully shows that sometimes love with the wrong person is sometimes right.

Dream boyfriend not included. When she moved to New York, Ryan Hadley imagined living the big-city-sitcom kind of life with all the trimmings -- great apartment, dream job, and a swept-off-your-feet, how-awesome-is-this-guy love. Of course, her real life is only so-so: not outstanding, nor bad enough to require medication. Ryan spends her days at a dreary data-entry job with wannabe-rocker Will, nights at her favorite dive bar with pals Audrey and Veronica, and her spare time daydreaming about the ideal -- but sadly, fictional -- man: if only Mark Darcy wasn't claimed by Bridget Jones. Some assembly required. But two promotions and a record deal later, Ryan's three closest friends are suddenly moving on up -- while Ryan seems to be treading water. Then Charlie, her college ex and super hottie, appears out of the blue with a success story of his own and more than a little baggage in tow. In a New York minute, Ryan realizes that one doesn't live off a maxed-out credit card and a year's supply of squashed Ho Ho's without learning a few important life lessons. She's ready to squeeze a five-year-plan for success into just a few crazy months. After all, why be a big-city girl if you're not going to dream big -- and reach for the stars?

"A radical approach to children's TV. . . . Seiter argues cogently that watching Saturday cartoons isn't a passive activity but a tool by which even the very young decode and learn about their culture, and develop creative imagination as well. Bolstered by social, political, developmental, and media research, Seiter ties middle-class aversion to children's TV and mass-market toys to an association with the 'uncontrollable consumerism'--and hence supposed moral failure--of working class members, women, and 'increasingly, children.' . . . Positive guidance for parents uncertain of the role of TV and TV toys in their children's lives."--Kirkus Reviews "Sold Separately is about television and toys, and the various roles that they play in the lives of children and parents. In particular, Seiter examines toy advertising, both in print media and on television; TV commercials; toy-based video for girls, with an in-depth look at "My Little Pony"; action TV for boys, using "Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters" as her case study; and the stores where toys are sold, both Toys "R" Us and the more upscale shops . . . contains many provocative observations."--Women's Review of Books "Ellen Seiter has a holiday message for yuppie parents who feel guilty shopping at Toys "R" Us. The mass-produced toys that dominate the chain's shelves need not be the enemy of every right-thinking parent. "Ghostbuster" figurines and "My Little Pony" can share the toy chest with those sensible wooden blocks."--Chronicle of Higher Education "Emphasizing problems of socioeconomic class, gender, and race stereotyping, this study acknowledges the usual parental complaints about toys like Barbie and G.I. Joe, but insists that they do play an important role in children's culture, especially for working class families. A thought-provoking analysis."--Wilson Library Journal "In this thought provoking study, Seiter reasonably urges parents and others to put aside their own tastes and to understand that children's consumer culture promotes solidarity and sociability among youngsters."--Publishers Weekly "An important book for those desiring an overview of the toy industry's impact on consumer culture . . . it] presents a fair and well-balanced view of the industry."--Kathleen M. Carson, associate editor, Playthings "A refreshing, thoughtful, and insightful investigation of an enormously important subject--consumer culture for kids. . . . I can't recommend it highly enough."--Janice Radway, Duke University, author of Reading the Romance

Separate spaces may be an option for renewing relationships when marriages struggle or divorce is contemplated.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Good Grief comes a “winsome story with charm to burn about second acts and second chances” (Jennifer Weiner, New York Times bestselling author) that asks: How soon is too soon to fall in love again? The last thing Rudy expected was to wake up one Saturday morning, a widower at fifty-four-years-old. Now, ten months after the untimely death of his beloved wife, he’s still not sure how to move on from the tragedy—but his new job is helping. After being downsized, Rudy turned to his first love: the piano. Some people might be embarrassed to work as the piano player at Nordstrom, but for Rudy, there’s joy in bringing a little music into the world. And it doesn’t hurt that Sasha, the Hungarian watch clerk who is finally divorcing her no-good husband, finds time to join him at the bench every now and then. Just when Rudy and Sasha’s relationship begins to deepen, the police come to the store with a shocking update about Rudy’s wife’s premature death, and now they believe his actions are suspicious enough to warrant a second look. With Sasha’s husband suddenly reappearing, and Rudy’s daughter confronting her own marital problems, life suddenly becomes more complicated than Rudy or Sasha could have ever imagined. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Fredrik Backman, Me for You is an “exquisitely wrought window into an oft-ignored subject, mid-life love, and a reminder that grief and joy can live side by side.” (Michelle Richmond, New York Times bestselling author). Exploring the tender humor of two people being newly single again, Lolly Winston’s latest is a funny, wry, and heartfelt examination of finding love when it’s least expected.

This book is both a testament to the triumph of the spirit and roadmap for success. What does it take to achieve a real breakthrough in your life, be happy, and win the "battle of your mind?" What are the mysterious forces that conspire to cripple us emotionally, psychologically, and socially? Even more importantly, how do we permanently overcome them and confidently, boldly, and joyfully reclaim our lives? You are about to find out. This is the story of George "GK" Koufalis, a boy who lost his innocence early on and grew up with the constant companionship of painful hardships and suffering, yet never gave up on his quest for something better. Despite all the odds stacked against him early on, he learned to fight for his happiness and succeed against the mental demons that plagued him. GK used the bricks of failure, struggle, and pain to build a solid foundation for the successful, fulfilling and inspired life he enjoys today. Today, that boy educates, instructs and inspires others on how they can improve their lives by following a simple success system he developed to overcome the adversities in his own life. Success leaves clues, and this book is filled with them. GK's 21-Day Blueprint will empower you for a more positive and powerful you. This unique system will reprogram your philosophy to drive new actions and deliver desired results. This autobiography is complemented by workshop based exercises to aid in your personal journey and discovery. Ultimately, it will not only show you that optimism and love can conquer all, but it will also prove it! When applied, GK's super-simple, practical and positive action steps will help you improve your course in life from where you are to where you want to be. And what is positive besides the rose-tinted glasses many of us would assume, it is the accurate response to any situation. As we all know, it's not what happens to us that is the major factor for our results; it's how we respond to what happens. If you ever needed a simple road map to your better life, here it is.

These are tough times. Amid global isolation, economic downturn, and social unrest, could you use a dose of happy right about now? Learn the secret to lasting joy that will endure through any season of life. In How Happiness Happens, Max Lucado shares the unexpected path to a lasting happiness, one that produces reliable joy amidst any life circumstance. Based on the teachings of Jesus and backed by modern research, this book presents a surprising but practical way of living that will change you from the inside out. In this book, Max will help you discover: Happiness is not selfish People are a joy There is strength in choice Happiness happens when you give it away What are you waiting for? Open the unexpected door to joy and walk in. There’s no better day than today to start your happiest life yet. How Happiness Happens is also available in Spanish.