In Hillbilly elegy, J.D. Vance described how his family moved from poverty to an upwardly mobile clan while navigating the collective demons of the past. The book has come to define Appalachia for much of the nation. This collection of essays is a retort, at turns rigorous, critical, angry, and hopeful, to the long shadow cast over the region and its imagining. But it also moves beyond Vance's book to allow Appalachians to tell their own diverse and complex stories of a place that is at once culturally rich and economically distressed, unique and typically American. -- adapted from back cover

"This tense wire of a novel thrums with suspense. . . . [this book] just might be the highlight of your summer.”–The New York Times Cheryl Strayed's Wild meets The Revenant in this heart-pounding story of survival and revenge in the unforgiving wilderness. After: Jess is alone. Her cabin has burned to the ground. She knows if she doesn’t act fast, the cold will kill her before she has time to worry about food. But she is still alive—for now. Before: Jess hadn’t seen her survivalist, off-the-grid dad in over a decade. But after a car crash killed her mother and left her injured, she was forced to move to his cabin in the remote Canadian wilderness. Just as Jess was beginning to get to know him, a secret from his past paid them a visit, leaving her father dead and Jess stranded. After: With only her father’s dog for company, Jess must forage and hunt for food, build shelter, and keep herself warm. Some days it feels like the wild is out to destroy her, but she’s stronger than she ever imagined. Jess will survive. She has to. She knows who killed her father…and she wants revenge.

Let this book help you to know that: A crisis does not need to destroy you. Worry wrinkles diminish with a clear conscience. Friendships are worth all they cost. A good attitude opens many doors. Cherished memories add spice to life. Smiles do what wrinkles cannot do. Forgiveness creates a healthy body and soul. What you say to yourself can make or break you. Your body is a gift worthy of good care. The upward look brings a Divine Helper. " ...he here brings together lessons from his "prayer of dominant desire." He has answered many a call from church and community, with a humble: Here am I, send me. I cannot think of anyone, regardless of age or station, who will not be enlightened and inspired by reading this book. I am honored to recommend it." -- Rev. O. Gerald Trigg, PhD "What leaves an impression are the experiences of a man with an underlying happy heart, ever glad to be of service to God and others." --Philip Green Jr. "I wrote this book at my age because I felt led to do so. This book has much to say about what God has done through me." --Philip Green Sr.

Stella Cross's heart is poisoned. After years on the transplant waiting list, she's running out of hope that she'll ever see her eighteenth birthday. Then, miraculously, Stella receives the transplant she needs to survive. Determined to embrace everything she came so close to losing, Stella throws herself into her new life. But her recovery is marred with strange side effects: Nightmares. Hallucinations. A recurring pain that flares every day at the exact same moment. Then Stella meets Levi Zin, the new boy on everyone's radar at her Seattle prep school. Stella has never felt more drawn to anyone in her life, and soon she and Levi can barely stand to be apart. Stella is convinced that Levi is her soul mate. Why else would she literally ache for him when they are apart? After all, the heart never lies . . . does it?

Mark Chabus had it all: a beautiful girlfriend, a loving family, and a new direction in life. At twenty-three years old, he was pursuing his passion for cooking at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. His life came to a screeching halt when his girlfriend perished in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. Chabuss inspiring story describes the emotional pain he endured, as well as an eight-year journey toward healing, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. Chabus takes readers on a voyage from heartache and suffering to a place of strength and harmony. In Remembering Your Spirit, Chabus shares his evidential stories that provide proof that the spirits of our deceased loved ones do assuredly survive death. He also shares how this horrific tragedy became the very catalyst for recalling his souls purpose. Through his true stories, Chabus provides hope, healing, and inspiration for those struggling through lifes difficult times.