Publisher: Tales of Terror
Demons are malevolent supernatural beings prevalent in religion, occultism, folklore, and mythology. They scare, trick, possess, and kill humans. They are a major archetype of horror movies. In this book, film critic Steve Hutchison reviews and ranks 50 of the best horror movies featuring demons ever released. How many have you seen?
Hollywood is indelibly printed in our minds as the ‘go-to place for entertainment and has been for decades. When there really did seem to be more stars in Hollywood than in Heaven Hollywood Stage had them performing films as radio plays – on the sponsors dime of course. The Hollywood Ringmaster himself, Cecil B DeMille unveils the treasures and the stars for you right here…..Show book
What does it mean to be a "diva"? A shifting, increasingly loaded term, it has been used to both deride and celebrate charismatic and unapologetically fierce performers like Aretha Franklin, Divine, and the women of Labelle. In this brilliant, powerful blend of incisive criticism and electric memoir, Deborah Paredez—scholar, cultural critic, and lifelong diva devotee—unravels our enduring fascination with these icons and explores how divas have challenged American ideas about feminism, performance, and freedom. American Diva journeys into Tina Turner's scintillating performances, Celia Cruz's command of the male-dominated salsa world, the transcendent revival of Jomama Jones after a period of exile, and the unparalleled excellence of Venus and Serena Williams. Recounting how she and her mother endlessly watched Rita Moreno's powerhouse portrayal of Anita in West Side Story and how she learned much about being bigger than life from her fabulous Tía Lucia, Paredez chronicles the celebrated and skilled performers who not only shaped her life but boldly expressed the aspiration for freedom among brown, Black, and gay communities. Paredez also traces the evolution of the diva through the decades. Filled with sharp insights and great heart, American Diva is a spirited tribute to the power of performance and the joys of fandom.Show book
Who better to travel to Italy with than Charles Dickens? From the travails of 19th century travel to the wonder of discovering the great art of western civilization, all are brought to life with the characteristic humour, wryness, sentimentality, fervour and love that are poured into the best of the author’s fiction. Modern readers will recognise many of Italy’s historical treasures that millions have enjoyed since Dickens described them over 150 years ago; in that sense surprisingly, little has changed. What might be more interesting to us today are the nature and mechanics of tourism in 1846. So used are we to the relative comfort and speed of global transport that we forget the discomforts (and at times horrors) undertaken by those few that would endeavour to see the world in previous centuries. By comparison we journey at our leisure whereas Dickens’ journal is more the record of a pilgrim and pioneer. Far be it from him however to dwell on the rigours of Victorian tourism, indeed he saves his pithiest wit for such times and is much more interested, as he always is, in the humanity of all he encounters. His vibrant and colourful description of the Roman Festival is as joyful as his reserved observation of an execution is sombre and reserved. Dickens is not enamoured of all he experiences and is quick to let us know when he suspects sham commercialism, hypocrisy or injustice.Show book
Sustainable living has become one of the most widely discussed topics in modern society. From eco-friendly products and renewable energy to ethical farming and carbon offsetting, the idea of reducing environmental impact has been embraced by individuals, corporations, and governments alike. The push for sustainability is often framed as a moral responsibility—one that promises a better future for the planet and future generations. But beneath the surface of these well-intentioned efforts lies a reality that is far more complex than most people realize. This book challenges the widely accepted belief that sustainable living is always beneficial and without trade-offs. While reducing waste, conserving energy, and making mindful consumption choices are undoubtedly valuable, many so-called “green” solutions are not as effective—or as ethical—as they seem. In some cases, the environmental costs of these initiatives may be just as damaging, if not worse, than the problems they aim to solve. The truth is that sustainability has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, driven by marketing strategies that capitalize on people’s desire to do good. Consider the rise of organic farming. While it is often marketed as a superior alternative to conventional agriculture, it requires significantly more land to produce the same amount of food, contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Similarly, electric vehicles are widely praised as the key to a cleaner future, yet their production depends on intensive mining for lithium and rare earth metals, which comes with severe environmental and human rights concerns. Even recycling, which many believe to be a simple and effective way to reduce waste, has its own limitations, as much of what is intended for recycling never actually gets repurposed.Show book
Meet Killian who is obsessed with clothes and just has to find the right outfit each morning; Jet who snores louder than a human; and Roger, who came to his family from a puppy mill and learned that people can be kind and loving. Gotcha Day! spotlights the adoption tales of over 60 adorable rescue dogs and their new forever families. The unique personality of each pup shines through the candid photos by animal advocate and photographer Greg Murray, and their humans let us in on their inspiring stories, funny quirks, and all the many things that make them special.Show book
In five autobiographical vignettes, Charlayne Woodard tells the moving tale of her African-American family through three generations of love, struggle, and triumph. This NAACP award-winning play is a one-woman tour de force. Chosen as a “Recommended Young Adult Audiobook” by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association. Pretty Fire is the first play of a trilogy that continued with Neat and ended with In Real Life. An L.A. Theatre Works performance featuring Charlayne Woodard.Show book
