Local Authors

Harry Rechthart always knew how to laugh, but laughter can hide a lot of pain that's drowned by the bottle and good times. He grew up the joker in the early 1900s in Cleveland, Ohio, but as he enters adulthood, conflict splits him. His once close relationship with his brother, Erik, breaks as they come into their own and Erik goes off to college. No longer under Erik's shadow, Harry feels he might finally shine and make others see him as someone to be proud of. Harry finds an unlikely comrade who understands how he feels-his younger sister, Hannah. Once free of high school, Harry and Hannah double date sister and brother, Kat and Will Jones, attending wild, extravagant parties during the years of Prohibition. Harry thinks he's won at life-he's found love in Kat, in a good time, and in the bottle. But all the light goes out fast when Harry's alcoholism leads to disastrous consequences for him and Kat. Harry thinks the joke's on him now that he's sunk lower than ever. He's in jail. He's pushed away his family. He's a broken man, but in the darkest depths of a prison cell, there is hope. Can Harry rebuild his life and learn that true laughter comes from knowing true joy, or will he bury himself once and for all in this laughing matter of pain?"Harry chooses to laugh off all of his troubles as a teenager, and later - to drink them away, immersed into a chimeric life of illegal alcohol, dubious relationship, and bad choices made in the prestigious Millionaires' Row. One of such choices ends up in tragedy, which will haunt Harry for the rest of his life. Now, it's up to him to rebuild it anew or drink it away like he used to." - 5-star review by Ellie Midwood, award-winning author of The Girl from Berlin series

A is for apple. J is for jump. Z is for zipper. From start to finish, learning the alphabet is fun with Jakee. Inspired by the author's son, ABC's with Jakee is a beautifully illustrated book. Each page features a hand-drawn picture that highlights one letter of the alphabet. The book utilizes bright colors and familiar words to help parents engage their children and teach them not just the alphabet but words and concepts. ABC's with Jakee would make a wonderful gift for a baby shower or birthday.

In this haunting, bracing new collection, Dan Chaon shares stories of men, women, and children who live far outside the American Dream, while wondering which decision, which path, or which accident brought them to this place. Chaon mines the psychological landscape of his characters to dazzling effect. Each story radiates with sharp humor, mystery, wonder, and startling compassion. Among the Missing lingers in the mind through its subtle grace and power of language.

Although horses played no part in her family's lives, young Jan dreamed of owning a horse. As an adult, her attempts at horse ownership were repeatedly frustrated, until she claimed she just didn't care anymore. Then the words of a caring pastor opened her heart and renewed her dream. Now that Jan was really ready, her dream came true. These essays of inspiration, meditation, and dedication cover Jan's journey from child playing cowgirl to a woman AT HOME ON A HORSE IN THE WOODS.

In The Beats: A Graphic History, those who were mad to live have come back to life through artwork as vibrant as the Beat movement itself. Told by the comic legend Harvey Pekar, his frequent artistic collaborator Ed Piskor, and a range of artists and writers, including the feminist comic creator Trina Robbins and the Mad magazine artist Peter Kuper, The Beats takes us on a wild tour of a generation that, in the face of mainstream American conformity and conservatism, became known for its determined uprootedness, aggressive addictions, and startling creativity and experimentation.

What began among a small circle of friends in New York and San Francisco during the late 1940s and early 1950s laid the groundwork for a literary explosion, and this striking anthology captures the storied era in all its incarnations--from the Benzedrine-fueled antics of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs to the painting sessions of Jay DeFeo's disheveled studio, from the jazz hipsters to the beatnik chicks, from Chicago's College of Complexes to San Francisco's famed City Lights bookstore. Snapshots of lesser-known poets and writers sit alongside frank and compelling looks at the Beats' most recognizable faces. What emerges is a brilliant collage of--and tribute to--a generation, in a form and style that is as original as its subject.

Laura Grace Weldon was the Ohio Poet of the Year in 2019 for this collection of nature filled poems. This collection casts an uncommonly bright glow. In clear language, these poems explore themes of connection and healing through subjects as unusual as cow pastures, dictionaries, to-do lists, and astrophysics. Beauty is revealed in what one reviewer calls "sacraments of the ordinary." Perfect for poetry lovers and those who haven't read a poem in years. 

"Compassionate, moving, funny, and wise, Blue Boy is one of the best debut novels I have read in years." --David Ebershoff, author of The Danish Girl

Meet Kiran Sharma: lover of music, dance, and all things sensual; son of immigrants, social outcast, spiritual seeker. A boy who doesn't quite understand his lot--until he realizes he's a god. . .

As an only son, Kiran has obligations--to excel in his studies, to honor the deities, to find a nice Indian girl, and, above all, to make his mother and father proud--standard stuff for a boy of his background. If only Kiran had anything in common with the other Indian kids besides the color of his skin. They reject him at every turn, and his cretinous public schoolmates are no better. Cincinnati in the early 1990s isn't exactly a hotbed of cultural diversity, and Kiran's not-so-well-kept secrets don't endear him to any group. Playing with dolls, choosing ballet over basketball, taking the annual talent show way too seriously. . .the very things that make Kiran who he is also make him the star of his own personal freak show. . .

Surrounded by examples of upstanding Indian Americans--in his own home, in his temple, at the weekly parties given by his parents' friends--Kiran nevertheless finds it impossible to get the knack of "normalcy." And then one fateful day, a revelation: perhaps his desires aren't too earthly, but too divine. Perhaps the solution to the mystery of his existence has been before him since birth. For Kiran Sharma, a long, strange trip is about to begin--a journey so sublime, so ridiculous, so painfully beautiful, that it can only lead to the truth. . .

"The best fiction reminds us that humanity is much, much larger than our personal world, our own little reality. Blue Boy shows us a world too funny and sad and sweet to be based on anything but the truth." --Chuck Palahniuk New York Times bestselling author

The disappearance of a local girl leads Special Agent Graham Grassi right to the doorstep of the sexy redhead that has haunted him since they were part of a thwarted hijacking last week.

Questioning Mickey O'Shay cuts through him as he informs her about her missing goddaughter, one of the girls involved in his investigation. He wants to keep her safe, but she won't sit on the sidelines. The life of her goddaughter is in jeopardy and Mickey's determination has him ready to handcuff her-or kiss her-in place. As time runs out though, the stakes run higher. They both struggle to ignore their attraction as they try to unravel a web of deception-- before it's too late.

Chasity Strawder takes a trip down memory lane, recalling the hardships she endured after learning she was pregnant with her second son, Joshua. Chasity's battle for her life, and her survival through endometriosis, homelessness, and much more will encourage and strengthen you.

Think your husband is unfaithful? Call Fitz. Niccolo 'Fitz' Fitzhugh is the retired cop who runs Fitzhugh Investigations, whose business revolves around digging up dirt for local divorce lawyers. He knows, maybe better than anyone, how an unfaithful male thinks. After all, his police career came to an abrupt end when he slept with the police chief's slinky wife-and he's sleeping on his office couch because his own wife, cellist and college professor Dr. Grace Darcy, believes he hasn't changed his ways. But getting a suspected murderer off? That's not in his usual wheelhouse. When a local attorney, Jim Ambrosi hires him to prove his client Michael Atwater isn't the killer of hooker Gina Cantolini, Fitz must get to the bottom of a tangled web of small town politics and a dark, dark tale of family secrets and revenge. But at what cost?

The bestselling true story of a Texas congressman’s secret role in the Afghan defeat of Russian invaders is “a tour de force of reporting and writing” (Dan Rather).
 
A New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller.
 
Charlie Wilson’s penchant for cocktails and beauty-contest winners was well known, but in the early 1980s, the dilettante congressman quietly conducted one of the most successful covert operations in US history. Using his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Wilson channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to support a ragged band of Afghan “freedom fighters” in their resistance against Soviet invaders.
 
Weapons were secretly procured and distributed with the help of an outcast CIA operative named Gust Avrakotos, who stretched the agency’s rules to the breaking point. Moving from the back rooms of Washington to secret chambers at Langley, and from arms-dealers’ conventions to the Khyber Pass, Wilson and Avrakotos helped the mujahideen win an unlikely victory against the Russians.

New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2003. 1st edition, signed by author; dust jacket in protective mylar cover. F/F

At a time when there are numerous books and magazine articles on pain management, diet and nutrition, exercise, and changing your lifestyle, Sandy Rozelman has put together a book incorporating all of these topics and more as they relate to chronic pain. As a person who has had to endure chronic pain for many years, Sandy has researched methods to empower herself and has compiled them into one book. All that she shares, she has applied to the management of her own chronic pain. If you are experiencing chronic pain and are looking for alternatives to conventional medicine, "Chronic Pain Doesn't Have to Hurt" has arrived just in time to guide you down a gentle path of self-healing. Sandy offers easy-to-use suggestions in an easy-to-understand format, knowing that when you are experiencing pain, the last thing you want to do is spend hours reading books on how to feel better.

What made the summertime special when growing up in Cleveland? The final school bell has rung, so put on your shades, slather on the sunscreen, and relive some of your fondest memories . . .

Taking a dip at the city pool with your best friends. Building a sandcastle in your clam diggers at Edgewater Park. Pulling up to Manners Big Boy in your parents' car for a burger and a Big Ghoulardi. Cooling off with a ornate sundae at Boukair's near the Palace Theatre. Watching the Indians lose (again) but being dazzled by the fireworks at Municipal Stadium. Riding the Rocket Ship and then being terrified by Laughing Sal at Euclid Beach Park. Packing a picnic for the first season at Blossom.

Enjoy stories told by dozens of Northeast Ohioians who shared in the same fun and excitement of growing up in the Cleveland area.

Look inside and rediscover some of your own Cleveland summertime memories!

"It's hard not to cheer for Cody, with her sunny disposition and penchant for optimistic similes. . . . A deep, satisfying reading experience." -- Kirkus Reviews

For whimsical Cody, many things are beautiful, but nothing so much as the first day of summer vacation. She doesn't want to waste one minute of it. Meanwhile, teenage brother Wyatt is moping over a girl, Mom is stressed about her new job, Dad is off hauling chairs in his long-distance truck, and even camp has been closed for the summer. Just when all seems lost, Cody bumps into a neighborhood boy looking for a runaway cat. With a new friend and a soon-to-be-found cat, Cody is on her way to the fountain of happiness.

Doing the right thing can be hard! When prized possessions start going missing, Cody gets a crash course in the most important rules of all -- the rules of life.

In Cody's life, many things are hard to predict. Like why her older brother, Wyatt, is obsessed with his new bicycle called the Cobra, or why her best friend Pearl suddenly wants to trade favorite toys. Pearl says she will trust Cody with Arctic Fox because Cody is a trusty person. But Cody doesn't want to give up her beloved Gremlin, and she regrets it as soon as she hands him over. When the Cobra goes missing, Cody has to decide for herself who is trusty and who is not. If only she had Gremlin to talk to! Surely Pearl wouldn't mind if she secretly traded back . . . it's not stealing if it belonged to you in the first place, right?

Cultivating Minds To Own Thyself was birthed with the intentions of helping men and women discover their purpose and to take ownership of their life without using society's standards. It teaches readers how to examine themselves in attempt to modify their thoughts and in turn become their best self as well as make a difference in the lives of others.Davis' tale outlines what it takes to overcome having a false identity and being miseducated and conditioned by society's norm.

Two and a half millennia ago, a small party of Jews exploring new trading routes for King Solomon settled in the south of India, and lived there peacefully until today. During the ancient Roman period, many Jewish merchants traveled to China over the Silk Route and some made it their permanent home. Before the Edict of Expulsion in 1492, Sicily was home to over 50 Jewish communities, possibly numbering 50,000 people. So, how did the Diaspora bring these wandering Jews to so many places around the globe? And why did Jews live happily in India and China for centuries and not experience antisemitism, while the story of the Jews in Europe went from persecutions and massacres to unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust? Finally, why do we see the rise of antisemitism and violence again in the 21st century? You will find answers to these questions and much more in the current edition of Irene Shaland's artfully illustrated book The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories. She collected these fascinating stories while visiting ten countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa and interviewing the locals in their homes, synagogues, and even cemeteries. Now, Irene Shaland's book, replete with her husband's photos, takes you on your own exciting journey of discovery from Austria and the Czech Republic to Scandinavia, from India and China to Sicily and Sardinia, and from East Africa to Stalinist Russia.

"Find me please," the girl said softly, her voice just above a whisper. From an early age Mark Castle has possessed abilities like very few others. He can see auras, speak to animals, and make people do things with a mere thought.From the onset of these Gifts, Mark's been having strange, vivid dreams. He dreams of a beautiful young woman floating in front of him, just out of his reach. And each time he sees her, she asks for the same thing. She begs for him to find her and release her from her torment.In a quest to help the mysterious girl, Mark and his high school friends - Shane and Doug - contact the Netherworld and meet a spirit guide that claims he can help.Is their spirit guide on the level? Is he really who he claims to be? Or, will Mark and his friends become trapped like the girl - suffering in the Netherworld for all eternity?"Defiled" is the first novel in the Castle Chronicles. A series that follows the life - and afterlife - of Mark Castle as he comes to grips with his fantastic powers, and his extraordinary ability to contact beings from the Netherworld.

DESTINY’S DARK LIGHT by Sara Dobie Bauer is contemporary adult paranormal romance focusing on Cyan Burroughs, a white witch whose birth has been prophesied to save the world in a battle with the dreaded Dorcha, a dark and powerful sorcerer. It is a story of magic, power, witches and love.

The covenant that was meant to keep the wizard wars at bay has been stolen, and Trinity must prepare for attack. Everyone is doing their part -- Seph is monitoring the Weirwalls; Jack and Ellen are training their ghostly army; even Anaweir Will and Fitch are setting booby traps around the town's perimeter. But to Jason Haley, it seems like everyone wants to keep him out of the action. He may not be the most powerful wizard in Trinity, but he's prepared to fight for his friends. When Jason finds a powerful talisman --a huge opal called the Dragonheart--buried in a cave, his role takes on new importance. The stone seems to sing to Jason's very soul -- showing him that he is meant for more than anyone guessed. Trinity's guardians take the stone away after they realize that it may be a weapon powerful enough to save them all. Without any significant power of his own, and now without the stone, what can Jason possibly do to help the people he cares about -- and to prove his mettle? Madison Moss can feel the beating heart of the opal, too. The desire for it surges through her, drawing her to it. But Maddie has other things besides the Dragonheart on her mind. She has a secret. Ever since absorbing the magical blow that was meant to kill Seph, she's been leaking dark powers. Although Maddie herself is immune to magic, what would her friends think if they knew what kind of evil lay within her? Trinity's enemies are as enthusiastic about her powers as she is frightened. They think they can use her to get to the Dragonheart -- and they'll use anyone Maddie cares about to make her steal the stone for them. Moral compasses spin out of control as a final battle storms through what was once a sanctuary for the gifted. With so much to lose, what will Jason and Maddie be willing to fight for -- and what will they sacrifice? Every man is for himself in this thrilling conclusion to the Heir trilogy.

"A hand wearing a fancy watch parted the office blinds, and J.D. felt nauseous with despair: suddenly he knew-even though he could not explain how-that all of his mojo had been permanently taken away." J.D. and George: thick as thieves since the fourth grade. J.D., the troublemaker, the stud: the alpha. George, the sidekick, the misfit: the loser. Upon graduating college, J.D. has convinced the only job creator in rusty Middlestop to hire them. BrewCorp, the hot new coffee and retail chain, is offering a vice presidency to the employee with the boldest plan for growth, and J.D. is determined to be the guy. When not sleeping with co-workers, he hatches his pitch for a one-of-a kind data pipeline. He is unbeatable--until George grabs the promotion. Now J.D. wants answers. His quest to find them-and to deal with the monstrous truth-is the subject of indie filmmaker Andrew Montlack's wry debut novel, which features the same biting satire that made his mockumentary, The Devil's Filmmaker, a cult classic.

Americans are on a roll in the kitchen--we've never been better or smarter about cooking. But how does a beginning cook become good, a good cook great?

Modeled on Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, The Elements of Cooking is an opinionated volume by Michael Ruhlman--the award-winning and bestselling author of The Making of a Chef and coauthor of The French Laundry Cookbook--that pares the essentials of good cooking into a slim, easy-to-take-anywhere book. It will also stand alongside a handful of classics of the kitchen, just as Strunk and White's book sits on the desk of every writer and every English student.

Not only does this book deconstruct the essential knowledge of the kitchen, it also takes what every professional chef knows instinctively after years of training and experience and offers it up cleanly and brilliantly to the home cook.

With hundreds of entries from acid to zester, here is all the information--no more and no less--you need to cook, as well as countless tips (including only one recipe in the entire book, for the "magic elixir of the kitchen") and no-nonsense advice on how to be a great cook. You'll learn to cook everything, as the entries cover all the key moves you need to make in the kitchen and teach you, for example, not only what goes into a great sauce but how to think about it to make it great.

Eight short, beautifully written essays outline what it takes not merely to cook but to cook well: understanding heat, using the right tools (there are only five of them), cooking with eggs, making stock, making sauce, salting food, what a cook should read, and exploring the elusive, most important skill to have in the kitchen, finesse.

Our country is divided in so many ways, with a growing chasm between men and women. The news cycle is discouraging. Emotional and physical toxicity is affecting our health and well-being. There are words for what is happening. We are suffering from an empathy deficit disorder.

The good news is there is a way out. Healing starts with reexamining our modern myths about how we work, what "quality time" at home really means, and why the age-old battle of the sexes persists. Is there a way to come together in this era of bitterness, distrust, #MeToo, and #HimToo? Empathy Deficit Disorder sets the table for that new way.

Praise for Empathy Deficit Disorder:

"Jackie and Eva's message offers real cause for hope. For those who are sick of the cynical zeitgeist, I can't recommend this book strongly enough. The revolution of the future will hinge on the empathy-inducing "co-creation" explained so masterfully and entertainingly in these pages. This book is a convincing read whether one is a Democrat, Republican or like me a left leaning Libertarian." -Detective Chris Gibbons, Cleveland Police Department

"Acho and Basilion understand that caring for and listening to children--their own children, in the deepest sense--promotes empathy in the children and enhances the parents' own capacities for empathy. They have taken this simple but profound understanding and skillfully applied it, not only to their spouses, but to the work force, corporations, and the inner-connectivity of the internet-all with the vision of creating a more functional world. Empathy Deficit Disorder is an uplifting, inspiring book. It makes you think. It makes you smile. And it makes you feel more hopeful than you did before you picked it up!"-Barbara Streeter, Director of the Hanna Perkins School and Faculty Chair of the Cleveland Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Training Program

"Titled rather simply, this book is a kaleidoscope of human experience. The authors dig deep into their own life experiences, giving us glimpses into their very core. They fortify their experiences with wicked intellect, and then they add soul-the kind that reveals our collective humanity. Then they apply it to life. From the C-suite, to the network, to parenthood, Acho and Basilion examine the conflicts embedded in these areas and then offer us a better way: choosing empathy. The book will cause you to self-examine. It will provoke you to think, and think again. It will drive you to be your sister's keeper, and your brother's, and your neighbor's too." -Harold V. Jones, Executive Vice President of Eaton Business System & Sustainability, Eaton Corporation

Set in 1954, this compelling historical novel tells the story of a young girl's struggles and triumphs in the aftermath of World War II. The war is over, but the threat of communism and the Cold War loom over the United States. In Detroit, Michigan, twelve-year-old Marjorie Campbell struggles with the ups and downs of family life, dealing with her veteran father's unpredictable outbursts, keeping her mother's stash of banned library books a secret, and getting along with her new older "brother," the teenager her family took in after his veteran father's death. When a new girl from Germany transfers to Marjorie's class, Marjorie finds herself torn between befriending Inga and pleasing her best friend, Bernadette, by writing in a slam book that spreads rumors about Inga. Marjorie seems to be confronting enemies everywhere--at school, at the library, in her neighborhood, and even in the news. In all this turmoil, Marjorie tries to find her own voice and figure out what is right and who the real enemies actually are. Includes an author's note and bibliography.

From acclaimed author Tricia Springstubb comes a poignant and topical middle grade novel about the effects of an accidental shooting on family, friendship, and community. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Holm and Rita Williams-Garcia.

Twelve-year-old Nella Sabatini's life is changing too soon, too fast. Her best friend, Clem, doesn't seem concerned; she's busy figuring out the best way to spend the "leap second"--an extra second about to be added to the world's official clock. The only person who might understand how Nella feels is Angela, but the two of them have gone from being "secret sisters" to not talking at all.

Then Angela's idolized big brother makes a terrible, fatal mistake, one that tears apart their tight-knit community and plunges his family into a whirlwind of harsh publicity and judgment. In the midst of this controversy, Nella is faced with a series of startling revelations about her parents, friends, and neighborhood. As Angela's situation becomes dangerous, Nella must choose whether to stand by or stand up. Her heart tries to tell her what to do, but can you always trust your heart? The clock ticks down, and in that extra second, past and present merge--the future will be up to her.

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden's Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn't mean that danger isn't far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery-but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

Everything changes when Han and Raisa's paths cross, in this epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

Meliora lives on the Earth-like planet of Ima where days are idyllic and worries never last. Tension enters the north continent as her father, the King of a prominent sovereignty passes away. Her mother is left with the crown, but shows no interest in ruling. In desperation to find a cure for the hereditary disease that took her husband, Queen Vesper travels off-planet to study sorcery. Magic had long been banned on Ima, leaving desperate questions in her wake. To make matters worse, soon after her departure, Queen Vesper ceases communication. The lone successor to the throne is teenage Meliora, who feels shy of the task. With her best friend, Jedrek by her side, she musters the strength to lead. Meliora's reign is short lived as the previous Queen returns after years of silence. Though once close, the woman now wielding magic isn't the mother she remembers. Includes pen and ink illustrations of scenes by Ava Reiss.

Destiny sucks. . . .

There was a time when Persephone Alcmedi thought her life was hard to manage, what with wondering how to make sure she took adequate care of both her grandmother and her foster daughter, Beverley, whether she'd end up in the unwanted position of high priestess of a coven, and whether her wærewolf lover, Johnny, would resist the groupies who hang around his band Lycanthropia.

But that was before the fairies started demanding that Seph's frightening, unpredictable ally--the ancient vampire Menessos-- be destroyed . . . or the world will suffer. Seph and Menessos are magically bonded, but that's a secret she dares not reveal to her fellow witches lest they be forced to reject her and forbid her use of magic. And, despite the strain this casts on her relationship with Johnny, as a showdown with the fairies nears, she and Menessos badly need the wærewolves as allies.

Life, death, and love are all on the line, but when destiny is calling, it doesn't help to turn away. With the individual threads of their fates twisted inextricably together, can Seph, Johnny, and Menessos keep the world safe from fairy vengeance?

What would you do after losing the love of your life?For Mike, coming to terms with his loss seems impossible. In an effort to confront his pain, he starts a diary to tell his lost love how much he misses her--and what life is like without her--as he works though his grief.While inscribing his feelings, he reflects on a lifetime of personal and romantic relationships as he struggles to move on with his life, always retaining the hope that one day his life will truly be "Fine Again."This emotional and touching story will resonate with those who have struggled to come to terms with the loss of love, and provides a flicker of hope to anyone who wonders if the pain will ever fade away.

From a childhood survivor of the Camdodian genocide under the regime of Pol Pot, this is a riveting narrative of war crimes and desperate actions, the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family, and their triumph of spirit.

One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung's family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed.

Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung's powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.

Ten year old Scott's troubles start the day he and his family move to Chagrin Falls. His best friend is now far away, he's stuck in a school he hates and all the popular boys ignore him. Plus, strange things start to happen in his new house. Someone moves his games around, eats half the cornbread, steals the bread knife and lets his little brother out the front door. Nobody can figure it out. Until Scott sees an old man in his room and his parents see..no one! It's a ghost! A groaning, clanking and much too helpful ghost. A ghost named Malcolm. And since his parents can't see Malcolm, Scott gets blamed for everything the spunky ghost does. Now Scott's whole life is nothing but a bunch of trouble. What's going to happen next? Well, Malcolm has a few spirited ideas...

Don Robertson was a true Clevelander. He was born and raised in Cleveland, and after stints in the Army and one year at Harvard, he returned to Cleveland and attended Case Western Reserve University for one year. He then became a reporter and columnist for The Plain Dealer (1950-1955 and 1963-1966), The Cleveland News (1957–1959), and The Cleveland Press (1968–1982). He wrote 18 published novels, most of which took place in Cleveland and the fictional town of Paradise Falls, Ohio. Robertson is probably best known for his trio of novels featuring Morris Bird III: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread (1965), The Sum and Total of Now (1966), and The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1970). Set in Cleveland between 1944 and 1953, each of the three novels revolves around a major event in the city’s history: the East Ohio Gas explosion, the Indians winning the pennant, and the Korean War. Reviewers compared the trilogy to the works of Mark Twain, Booth Tarkington and J. D. Salinger.

The first of the Morris Bird III trilogy, The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, takes place on a quiet autumn afternoon in 1944, when nine-year-old Morris Bird III decides to visit a friend who lives on the other side of town. He grabs the handle of his red wagon and, with his little sister in tow, begins an incredible pilgrimage across Cleveland . . . and out of childhood forever. Set against the backdrop of one of the worst industrial disasters in American history, Don Robertson's enduring, beloved masterwork is a remarkable story of destiny, bravery, and responsibility.

1st edition; dust jacket in protective cover; edges chipped and creased; head of spine has 1" piece missing from top; red cloth with black image of wagon embossed on front bottom; endpapers lightly tanned; former owner's name in pencil on ffep. G/G-

Don Robertson was a true Clevelander. He was born and raised in Cleveland, and after stints in the Army and one year at Harvard, he returned to Cleveland and attended Case Western Reserve University for one year. He then became a reporter and columnist for The Plain Dealer (1950-1955 and 1963-1966), The Cleveland News (1957–1959), and The Cleveland Press (1968–1982). He wrote 18 published novels, most of which took place in Cleveland and the fictional town of Paradise Falls, Ohio. Robertson is probably best known for his trio of novels featuring Morris Bird III: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread (1965), The Sum and Total of Now (1966), and The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1970). Set in Cleveland between 1944 and 1953, each of the three novels revolves around a major event in the city’s history: the East Ohio Gas explosion, the Indians winning the pennant, and the Korean War. Reviewers compared the trilogy to the works of Mark Twain, Booth Tarkington and J. D. Salinger.

The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened concludes the story of Morris Bird III. Now, at seventeen, he's on the verge of adulthood . . . and he's fallen in love. It's 1952 and the Korean War hangs over his head like a dangling sword, and his prickly, complicated relationship with his cold and silent father has never been satisfactorily resolved. When Morris's own mortality stares him in the face, he learns what it truly means to become a man.

Signed first edition; dust jacket in protective cover; head of spine has small tear at top; edges chipped and tanned; some creases; red cloth over green boards; binding tight; text clean. VG/G

Don Robertson was a true Clevelander. He was born and raised in Cleveland, and after stints in the Army and one year at Harvard, he returned to Cleveland and attended Case Western Reserve University for one year. He then became a reporter and columnist for The Plain Dealer (1950-1955 and 1963-1966), The Cleveland News (1957–1959), and The Cleveland Press (1968–1982). He wrote 18 published novels, most of which took place in Cleveland and the fictional town of Paradise Falls, Ohio. Robertson is probably best known for his trio of novels featuring Morris Bird III: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread (1965), The Sum and Total of Now (1966), and The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1970).

Although Robertson declares on his title page that Harv is a novel, its first chapter admits that the book is a loose collection of stories. In 40 anecdotes Harv describes the progress of his life from toilet training at age two to the blindness which forces him to return to diapers at age 65. In the meantime, he proposes to a prostitute who befriends him, falls into the grave at a funeral, saves kittens from freezing, and eventually marries the childhood girlfriend who knocked out two of his teeth. Harv frequently combines bawdy humor with nostalgia and tenderness. [Library Journal, 1985]

Cleveland: John T. Zubal, Inc. Publishers, 1985. Signed by author. F/F

Who's eating all the pepperoni rolls? Who's taking all the books off the shelves? Lucy is about to find out...Living in a forest full of hearsay, Lucy has always believed the rumors about the SCARY, HAIRY, and NO GOOD Hermit No Name. But when she finds herself face to face with him, she discovers the truth.

It is entertaining to be anti-Masonic and perpetuate conspiracy theories and stories based on satanic worship rather than join Freemasonry or any other private organization primarily structured with improving the individual in society. The Masonic term "making good men better" is the desire of the craft concerning all people living in a multicultural society to better themselves. This is masonry in a nutshell. To achieve this betterment takes a great deal of work and self-introspection, which the critics of the craft refuse to endure and fail to examine the important historical esoteric symbols associated with the craft. This book is dedicated toward neutralizing such superficial negative ideology pursued by critics who have a personal interest in negating the significant works of the greatest fraternal organization in the world. Contained herein are chapters on women in Freemasonry, the Catholic Church, and Freemasonry (which contains an addendum relating to over one hundred cardinals and bishops who, under pseudonyms, were Freemasons), a chapter on the 133rd Psalm (providing a line-by-line interpretation of a work which provides the important ideological, humanistic basis for both society and Freemasonry) with an important chapter analyzing the final end-period of a man's life as it related to Ecclesiastes Chapter 12. Men join Freemasonry because in their hearts, they seek to improve themselves. In a reality, any can start living as principled individuals, exercising the same values without being a Freemason. All that is required is desire and work effort, with a foundation from the Holy Bible to betterment of himself. However, the Masonic Craft assists an individual in this journey by providing defined structure, support, and a roadmap that helps focus the advancement and, as such, increases the probability of a successful outcome. Freemasonry centers on learning how to charge one's self with thought and physical conduct. However, in order to improve, one must read, study, and understand the true nature of reality in life, buttressed by the role of oneself and those with which one socializes. This philosophy underlines why the most important virtues of Freemasonry are symbolic and teach us to be better humans. Freemasonry gains its structure and foundation through an inherent love of an adherence to the Holy Bible and would not exist without that devotion. The foundation of Masonry is predicated on the fact that the craft and the Bible are intricately interconnected, just as other holy books around the world are central to their Freemason organizations. Much of Masonry's symbolism is taken from biblical sources, especially Genesis and the stories surrounding the building of King Solomon's temples. Great emphasis is placed on the development of moral and ethical virtues and the building of character, with truth being the guiding principle of our lives. Thus, brotherhood and charity are natural outcomes and further define one of Masonry's major tenets. Masonry uses proven methods to enhance the lives and spirits of members in a tangible way. In every Masonic lodge, upon its altar, there is a Holy Bible supporting the square and compasses. This old familiar book, so beloved by so many generations, is our Volume of the Sacred Law and represents the Great Light in Freemasonry. The Bible is open when the lodge opens; the Bible is closed when the lodge closes. No lodge can transact its own business, much less initiate candidates into the mysteries of the craft, unless the Book of Holy Law lies open upon its altar. It is the true responsibility of each individual Mason to seek out and understand the true nature of reality through the teachings of Freemasonry discovered in the symbols of the craft. The individual must learn to recognize and interpret the footprints of the deity and the sublime methods that he uses to reveal his message. So mote it be. May the mystery begin

The book is a biography of Dr. Jacob Stupay, a survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto, who was the author's uncle. The book deals with Polish history in the 1920s and 1930s and later the brutal occupation of Poland by the Nazis. It also covers the German plan to first force Jews into ghettos, and later to remove them from Europe or to exterminate them, obliterating their history and culture. The author discusses conditions in the Warsaw Ghetto, and highlights the little-known ghetto medical school and the hunger research project. The author provides some details on how the Nazis implemented their plan for the total destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto. Jacob Stupay survived the war after losing 27 members of his immediate family. The author discusses the impact of this catastrophic loss and how and why he choose to live. The author ends with the possible meaning of this tragedy for humanity.

Irv Korman continues to recount his interviews and personal encounters with some of the most legendary icons in the entertainment industry. Irv once again breaks out his collection of stories to share with readers. Learn about their thoughts on acting, life, love, and politics. Be entertained by this unique collection of photos, memories, facts, and quotes. There is sure to be something for everyone, so sit back, pick an entertainer, and learn something you've never known about them.