"We all know bad manners when we see them," NPR and Vanity Fair contributor Henry Alford observes at the beginning of his new book. But what, he asks, do good manners look like in our day and age? When someone answers their cell phone in the middle of dining with you, or runs you off the sidewalk with their doublewide stroller, or you enter a post-apocalyptic public restroom, the long-revered wisdom of Emily Post can seem downright prehistoric. Troubled by the absence of good manners in his day-to-day life-by the people who clip their toenails on the subway or give three-letter replies to one's laboriously crafted missives-Alford embarks on a journey to find out how things might look if people were on their best behavior a tad more often. He travels to Japan (the "Fort Knox Reserve" of good manners) to observe its culture of collective politesse. He interviews etiquette experts both likely (Judith Martin, Tim Gunn) and unlikely (a former prisoner, an army sergeant). He plays a game called Touch the Waiter. And he volunteers himself as a tour guide to foreigners visiting New York City in order to do ground-level reconnaissance on cultural manners divides. Along the way (in typical Alford style) he also finds time to teach Miss Manners how to steal a cab; designates the World's Most Annoying Bride; and tosses his own hat into the ring, volunteering as an online etiquette coach. Ultimately, by tackling the etiquette questions specific to our age-such as Why shouldn't you ask a cab driver where's he's from?, Why is posting baby pictures on Facebook a fraught activity? and What's the problem with "No problem"?-Alford finds a wry and warm way into a subject that has sometimes been seen as pedantic or elitist. And in this way, he looks past the standard "dos" and "don'ts" of good form to present an illuminating, seriously entertaining book about grace and civility, and how we can simply treat each other better.

“Will keep readers on edge from start to finish.” —Kirkus Reviews Tell the truth. Or face the consequences. Clue meets Riverdale in this page-turning thriller that exposes the lies five teens tell about a deadly night one year ago. One year ago, there was a party. At the party, someone died. Five teens each played a part and up until now, no one has told the truth. But tonight, the five survivors arrive at an isolated mansion in the hills, expecting to compete in a contest with a $50,000 grand prize. Of course…some things are too good to be true. Now, they realize they’ve been lured together by a person bent on revenge, a person who will stop at nothing to uncover what actually happened on that deadly night, one year ago. Five arrived, but not all can leave. Will the truth set them free? Or will their lies destroy them all?

How do you take charge of your health and stop turning over your life to our confusing and intimidating healthcare system before it’s too late? Dr. Erika Schwartz believes that today’s patient is but a leaf blowing in the wind of group-think protocols, corrupt medical societies, insurance companies on the take, and billion dollars in marketing and lobbying pressure from drug companies. What is the quick fix? The answers are here in the ten clear chapters, giving examples every step of the way. It’s a simple process that takes you, the patient, from being a victim to being in charge. Developing personal self-confidence, choosing the right doctor for you, walking out on the wrong ones with impunity and making the right choices will add up to great health care with you at the center. Follow the plan and the facts and change your life and that of your loved ones. Life is to be enjoyed not feared. This book will put enjoyment back into your life and remove the fear and intimidation from your healthcare.

Karen Little's desire for more of God led to these events. Her main focus was on signs, wonders, and miracles. She followed the wrong crowd, which led her into a deep depression, causing stress. I thought she was taking us in the right direction. She was not. We were subjected to mind control, brain washing, and extortion. Strange things happened at our church. They became disgusting. We were influenced by bad suggestions, emotions and witchcraft. We saw things that didn't exist. False teachings were exposed in our religion and others. Karen died in my arms of a heart attack. Later, someone accused me of having an affair with a woman. They said I killed her husband, another man, and my wife. I forgive them.

This memoir is a story as well as a study of sustained resilience.You’ll not find slavery, poverty or exile in the author’s background.Her distress was not collective but individual, brought on by circumstances which fostered a sleep disorder and depression.Perhaps therefore harder to survive, and yet so common in our society, although hardly acknowledgedParental negligence, institutional abuse, sexism, addiction, a touch of incest, rejection, within the frame of religious, educational, medical, judicial institutions feature in this memoir covering the first sixty years of this eighty year old author’s life. The Epilogue is a reminder that although adversity can always pounce when least expected, one can retain a sense of accomplishment and regain serenity.

On a dark and cold November night, Vincent is on his way to close the biggest deal of his life and pave the way for his dream of opening his own tax firm to become a reality. But when he is nearly killed by his cousin’s henchmen, his life is forever changed. Readers can unravel a web of betrayal, suspense, danger and revenge in Jason Ross’ gripping novel, Don’t Wound What You Can’t Kill. Vincent works for his cousin William and is only disloyal in the way that he is about to abandon him and open his own business. He had no intentions on using any of his cousin’s money, which he could have easily embezzled without his cousin knowing a thing. A man with principles, Vincent is the one who informed his cousin that his men, Harold and Ronald were embezzling from him. But he never expected William would repay his loyalty with death. Vincent barely escapes with his life, stinging at the pain of betrayal. His love for accounting and taxes had taken a back step to another more important matter—revenge. Vincent now knew what he had to do, but he wonders at what price he would have to pay for his revenge. The choice is obvious, and there is no turning back. Vincent finally crosses that thin line between good and evil that he had straddled along when he was a child. His life as he knew it is over, and his life as he never envisioned is just beginning. Maybe man really does not have any control over how his life turns out—how events both tragic and joyful help frame one’s true destiny and set them on their true path. Is a life of crime Vincent’s true destiny? Readers can unravel the answer and witness the intriguing events unfold in Don’t Wound What You Can’t Kill.