We have LOTS of great events planned for May: a Rock n' Roll seminar, a photo exhibition, children's author and artist Patricia Polacco, Tyree Guyton and the Read in the Park book festival at Berkley High School. Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of our newsletter to read the details. Happy May Reading!

Books for Grads, Kids, Moms & Springtime Readers

Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing?: 23 Questions from Great Philosophers (Hardcover) »  Can nature make us happy? How can we know anything? What is justice? Why is there evil in the world? What is the source of truth? Is it possible for God not to exist? Can we really believe what we see? There are questions that have intrigued the world's great thinkers over the ages, which still touch a chord in all of us today. They are questions that can teach us about the way we live, work, relate to each other and see the world. Here Leszek Kolakowski explores the essence of these ideas, introducing figures from Socrates to Thomas Aquinas, Descartes to Nietzsche, and concentrating on one single important philosophical question from each of them.

The Bounce Back Book: How to Thrive in the Face of Adversity, Setbacks, and Losses (Paperback) » The book is grounded in happiness research, psychological studies, Greek philosophy. And it delivers: Here are 70 easily digestible, potentially life-changing tips on how to bounce back from adversity, each on a spread that's as punchy in look as it is powerful in message.

"Salmansohn's writing is bold, playful, insightful—with powerful metaphors that provoke and inspire. Her kinetic images amplify her message and take the book to a new level of literary experience." - Deepak Chopra

The Prosperity Bible: The Greatest Writings of All Time On The Secrets To Wealth And Prosperity (Hardcover) »  In a beautiful, durable volume suited to a lifetime of use, here is the all-in-one "bible" on how to harness the creative powers of your mind to achieve a life of prosperity-packaged in a handsome display box with a ribbon bookmark. Here is the only single volume where you can read success advice from Napoleon Hill, P. T. Barnum, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Fillmore, Wallace D. Wattles, Florence Scovel Shinn, and Ernest Holmes-along with a bevy of million-copy- selling writers who have one key element in common: a commitment to understanding and promulgating the laws of winning.

The Last Lecture (Hardcover) » We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." —Randy Pausch

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave—"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"—wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have, and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

Mama Rock's Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Houseful of Successful Children (Hardcover) »  To be a parent is and should be a calling. There is absolutely nothing as great, challenging, or rewarding as raising a child." So says Über-mom Rose Rock, who has raised 10 children in addition to caring for 17 foster children in her 40-plus years as a mother.

As a mother who does not shy away from the hard conversations, Rose isn't afraid to present strong ideas about boundaries, discipline, choices, and consequences—and she tells it like it is. In Mama Rock's Rules, Rose shares the funny and highly practical lessons she learned both as a parent and an educator, while offering strategies for teaching a child to be self-reliant in this world.

Some Curious Toys: 

Sock Monkey Musical Jack-in-the-Box » Classic jack in the Box with the friendly and ubiquitous SOCK MONKEY popping up after a haunting rendition of "pop goes the weasel" Each old fashioned decorated tin box is about 6" square with a lovely stitched cloth and plush sock monkey wearing a goofy hat. For the sock monkey collector, or keepsake treasure for anyone over 18 months old.

Tin Basketball Game » About 9" tall basketball game comes in illustrated box, uses a spring mechanism that makes the player shoot baskets - keep score on the realistic scoreboard. Primitive yet satisfying Chinese produced tin toy, without lead paint. We promise. Ages 3 and up.

Mini Sock Monkey » He's only 4" tall and his name is Timmy the sock monkey. He needs a good home. Friends he can talk to. Sock Monkeys are good luck. This soft fabric mini sock monkey will fit perfectly in your pocket or hang him on top of the computer for good luck. Can you help Timmy find true happiness?  

Flatwoods Monster Figurine (terracotta, votive candleholder) » This clay Monster folkart figurine was designed and created by a high school friend of one of the original eyewitnesses and done to specifications of his friends description of the UFO creature. It was made to commemorate the appearance of the Flatwoods monster --a West Virginia UFO and floating creature  eye-witnessed in 1952. This sculpture was first made in the late 1960s, and a new edition was cast for the 50th anniversary in 2002. This is from the original mold and hand painted by the artist.

A wonderful UFO artifact and folk art piece from the Flatwoods incident. It measures about 12" tall and about 4" wide at the base, it is fired clay and brightly handpainted. There are holes to emit light should you want to use this as an elaborate candle votive, by placing a candle underneath the sculpture and watching the light shoot through it. A Book Beat exclusive, not available on amazon.

Marching Planet Robot Tin Toy » Colorful clunky tin robots have a very unique style. Each robot comes with a wind up key and the robots move forward thrrough space with marching arms. Each robot is sold separately, and comes in a colorful brightly designed box.

James Semark: Summer of Love (DVD) » This one hour DVD is a live performance by James Semark at the "Summer of Love Festival" in Wyandotte, Michigan, July, 2007. It is a spoken word, one camera video, shot by Len Beste. Semark performs "Collapse of American Pseudo-Civilization, The Sun, A Day in the Life of the Neighbors, AEIOU, and The Intergalactic Star Trip. Semark is one of the most original and fascinating poets  in the Detroit area. Each DVD is lovingly hand assembled and signed by the poet, cool low-budget limited edition packaging. Your purchase of this DVD helps promote and keep alive the vision of the Detroit Artists Workshop. A Book Beat exclusive.