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Musimathics: The Mathematical Foundations of Music, Volume 1
by Gareth LoyMathematics can be as effortless as humming a tune, if you know the tune, writes Gareth Loy. In Musimathics, Loy teaches us the tune, providing a friendly and spirited tour of the mathematics of music--a commonsense, self-contained introduction for the nonspecialist reader. It is designed for musicians who find their art increasingly mediated by technology, and for anyone who is interested in the intersection of art and science. In this volume, Loy presents the materials of music (notes, intervals, and scales); the physical properties of music (frequency, amplitude, duration, and timbre); the perception of music and sound (how we hear); and music composition. Musimathics is carefully structured so that new topics depend strictly on topics already presented, carrying the reader progressively from basic subjects to more advanced ones. Cross-references point to related topics and an extensive glossary defines commonly used terms. The book explains the mathematics and physics of music for the reader whose mathematics may not have gone beyond the early undergraduate level. Calling himself "a composer seduced into mathematics," Loy provides answers to foundational questions about the mathematics of music accessibly yet rigorously. The topics are all subjects that contemporary composers, musicians, and musical engineers have found to be important. The examples given are all practical problems in music and audio. The level of scholarship and the pedagogical approach also make Musimathics ideal for classroom use. Additional material can be found at a companion web site.
Musorgsky and His Circle
by Stephen WalshThe emergence of Russian classical music in the nineteenth century in the wake of Mikhail Glinka comprises one of the most remarkable and fascinating stories in all musical history. The five men who came together in the Russian capital of St. Petersburg in the 1860s, all composers of talent, some of genius, would be--in spite of a virtual lack of technical training--responsible for some of the greatest and best-loved music ever written. How this happened is the subject of Stephen Walsh's brilliant composite portrait of the group known in the West as the Five, and in Russia as moguchaya kuchka--the Mighty Little Heap. Friends, competitors, and creative intellectuals whose ambitions and ideas reflect the ferment of their times, Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Alexander Borodin, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, and--most important of all--Modest Musorgsky, come wonderfully to life in this extended account.The detail is engrossing. We see Borodin composing music while conducting research in chemistry ("he would jump up and run back to the laboratory to make sure nothing had burnt out or boiled over there, meanwhile filling the corridor with improbable sequences of ninths or sevenths"); Balakirev tutoring Musorgsky ("Balakirev could not remedy the defects in his pupil's character, but he could confront him with works of genius"); Cui doggedly producing operas during breaks from his career as a military fortifications instructor. Musorgsky asserts his independence, moving from writing songs and the showpiece Night on Bald Mountain to the magnificent Boris Godunov, meanwhile struggling against poverty and depression. In the background such important figures as Vissarion Belinsky and Nikolay Chernïshevsky shape the cultural milieu, while the godfather of the kuchka, critic and scholar Vladimir Stasov, is seen offering sometimes combative support. As an experienced and widely skilled musical scholar and biographer (his two-volume life of Stravinsky has been called "one of the best books ever written about a musician"), Stephen Walsh is exceptionally wellplaced to tell this story. He does so with deep understanding and panache, making Musorgksy and His Circle both important and a delight to read.
Musorgsky: Eight Essays and an Epilogue
by Richard Taruskin"It is [a] fully illuminated story that Richard Taruskin, in the path-breaking essays collected here, unfolds around Modest Musorgsky, Russia's greatest national composer.... [Taruskin's] tour de force comes with a frontal attack on all the Soviet-bred truisms that for a century have refashioned Musorgsky from what the evidence suggests he was--an aristocrat with an early clinical interest in true-to-life musical portraiture and a later penchant for drinking partners who were both folklore buffs and political reactionaries democrat."--From the foreword Incorporating both new and now-classic essays, this book for the first time sets the vocal works of Modest Musorgsky in a fully detailed cultural, political, and historical context. From this perspective Richard Taruskin revises fundamentally the composer's historical and artistic image, in particular debunking the century-old dogmas of Vladimir Stasov, Musorgsky's first biographer. Here the author offers the most complete explanation of the revision of the opera Boris Godunov, compares it to contemporaneous operas by Chaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, advances a revisionary characterization of Khovanshchina as an aristocratic tragedy informed by a pessimistic view of history, discusses Musorgsky's use of folklore, and, focusing on Sorochintsi Fair, brings to a climax his refutation of Musorgsky as a protorevolutionary populist. The epilogue is a survey of revisionary productions of Musorgsky's works at home during the Gorbachev era.
Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (Once Upon a Masterpiece #2)
by Anna Harwell CelenzaWhen his friend Victor suddenly dies, composer Mussorgsky is deeply saddened. But, with the help of his friends, and through his own music, Modest finds a way to keep Victor's spirit alive.Readers of all ages will enjoy the inspirational story behind the composition of Pictures at an Exhibition. Bright, colorful illustrations incorporate elements of Russian folk art and traditional symbols. View pages from artist JoAnn Kitchel's notebook for explanations of the symbols and see her pencil-sketch research of the Russian culture.This handsome book and CD recording provide enrichment for the whole family.
Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir
by Joe Layden Dave MustaineNew York Times BestsellerFounding member, singer, and lead guitarist of Metallica and Megadeath shares the ultimate, unvarnished story behind his involvement in the rise of two of the world’s most influential heavy metal bands in history. Dave Mustaine is the first to admit that he’s bottomed out a few times in his dark and twisted speed metal version of a Dickensian life. From his soul-crushing professional and artistic setbacks to his battle with addiction, Mustaine has hit rock bottom on multiple occasions. April 1983 was his lowest point, when he was unceremoniously fired from Metallica for his hard-partying ways. But, what seemed to be the end of it all was just the beginning for the guitarist. After parting ways with Metallica, Mustaine went on to become the front man, singer, songwriter, guitarist (and de facto CEO) for Megadeath—one of the most successful metal bands in the world. A pioneer of the thrash metal movement, Megadeath rose to international fame in the 1980s, and has gone on to earn seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. In this outrageously candid memoir, one of heavy metal’s most iconic figures gives an insider’s look into the loud and sordid world of thrash metal—sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll included.
Muzio Clementi and British Musical Culture: Sources, Performance Practice and Style (Ashgate Historical Keyboard Series)
by Luca Lévi Sala Rohan H. Stewart-MacDonaldRecent scholarship has vanquished the traditional perception of nineteenth-century Britain as a musical wasteland. In addition to attempting more balanced assessments of the achievements of British composers of this period, scholars have begun to explore the web of reciprocal relationships between the societal, economic and cultural dynamics arising from the industrial revolution, the Napoleonic wars, and the ever-changing contours of British music publishing, music consumption, concert life, instrument design, performance practice, pedagogy and composition. Muzio Clementi (1752–1832) provides an ideal case-study for continued exploration of this web of relationships. Based in London for much of his life, whilst still maintaining contact with continental developments, Clementi achieved notable success in a diversity of activities that centred mainly on the piano. The present book explores Clementi’s multivalent contribution to piano performance, pedagogy, composition and manufacture in relation to British musical life and its international dimensions. An overriding purpose is to interrogate when, how and to what extent a distinctive British musical culture emerged in the early nineteenth century. Much recent work on Clementi has centred on the Italian National Edition of his complete works (MiBACT); several chapters report on this project, whilst continuing to pursue the book’s broader themes.
My 2nd Chapter: The Matthew Ward Story
by Darlene ZschedhHow one family's tragedy ultimately revolutionized contemporary Christian music. Known for such classics as "Easter Song," the Second Chapter of Acts was one of the major music groups in the forefront of the Jesus movement. But what happened, in the wake of personal tragedy, to bring together a brother and his two sisters to sing so boldly for their Lord? And what was life really like for a major contemporary Christian band in those early days? In My Second Chapter, Matthew Ward tells his part of the storyfull of intriguing and humorous behind-the-scenes anecdotes and observations: growing up in a large family...orphaned at age twelve...finding the Lord in the California Jesus movement... becoming a music star...traveling the world...battling cancer...raising his own family ... and much more all revealing God's faithfulness in every circumstance. Join Matthew on his amazing personal journey from tragedy to dynamic faith that helped set contemporary Christian music on fire. And discover how God chooses whom he will to accomplish great and mighty acts.From the Trade Paperback edition.
My Adventures With Your Money
by George Graham RiceAn Autobigraphical look at the great American Swindler, George Graham Rice.
My Appetite for Destruction: Sex & Drugs & Guns N' Roses
by Steven Adler Lawrence J. SpagnolaFrom the original Guns N’ Roses drummer comes a tale of sex, drugs, excess, hairspray, and an intense 20-year struggle with addiction.Guns N’ Roses is one of the world’s most successful rock bands, with estimated sales of 90 million albums worldwide. Steven Adler is the original drummer, with an infamous past of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll that led to his removal from the band.And here, for the first time, Steven Adler tells it all. In My Appetite for Destruction, he reveals with wit and candour his personal struggles with drug addiction, including the financial ruin he faced after being kicked out of Guns N’ Roses and the health problems that almost claimed his life several times—two heart attacks, a suicide attempt, and a debilitating stroke, as well as an epic 20-year addiction to crack and heroin.Now clean and sober, Steven sets the record straight on his life and his time with Guns N’ Roses, during the rise and collapse of one of the greatest rock bands of all time.“Great for the die-hard GNR fan . . . This is a cautionary tale, all the way.” —Penthouse
My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future
by Alice RandallAlice Randall, award-winning professor, songwriter, and author presents &“a celebration of all things country music&” (Ken Burns) as she reflects on her search for the first family of Black country music.Country music had brought Alice Randall and her activist mother together and even gave Randall a singular distinction in American music history: she is the first Black woman to cowrite a number one country hit, Trisha Yearwood&’s &“XXX&’s and OOO&’s (An American Girl)&”. Randall found inspiration and comfort in the sounds and history of the first family of Black country music: DeFord Bailey, Lil Hardin, Ray Charles, Charley Pride, and Herb Jeffries who, together, made up a community of Black Americans rising through hard times to create simple beauty, true joy, and sometimes profound eccentricity. What emerges in My Black Country is &“a delightful, inspirational story of persistence, resistance, and sheer love&” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) of this most American of music genres and the radical joy in realizing the power of Black influence on American culture. As country music goes through a fresh renaissance today, with a new wave of Black artists enjoying success, My Black Country is the perfect gift for longtime country fans and a vibrant introduction to a new generation of listeners who previously were not invited to give the genre a chance.
My Broken Pieces: Mending the Wounds From Sexual Abuse Through Faith, Family and Love
by Rosie RiveraThe sister of "La Diva de la Banda"--legendary Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera--opens up for the first time about Jenni's untimely death and her own triumph over abuse and addiction.<P><P>Jenni Rivera was the top selling female Mexican-American recording artist of all time, before a plane crash ended her life on December 9, 2012. But to Rosie Rivera, she was simply "sister."Now, for the first time since Jenni's death, Rosie has found her own voice. With unflinching candor and courage, she recounts her very personal and very difficult story--from a childhood filled with love and praise to sexual abuse at the hands of a family member. The resulting trauma sent her life spiraling into a never-ending cycle of addiction, depression, and promiscuity, culminating in a suicide attempt. But, thanks to the unconditional love and compassion of her beloved sister, Jenni, Rosie was able to reconcile with her family, her faith, and--most importantly--herself. Filled with compelling stories of her family's humble beginnings, their meteoric rise to stardom, and Jenni's fatal crash, this memoir is a testament to Rosie's strength--and her struggle to fit together the broken pieces of her life on a new path towards hope and healing. INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
My Country
by George CanyonFrom Juno and Canadian Country Music Award winner George Canyon comes a heartfelt and candid memoir charting his humble beginnings in rural Nova Scotia, the hard-won success he found under the bright lights of Nashville, Tennessee, and all the life lessons he learned on and off the road that ultimately led him home.Today, George Canyon is a Platinum Award–winning country musician, known for hits such as &“Good Day to Ride,&” &“I Want You to Live,&” and songs that tell stories about family, love, faith, and having a good drink every now and then. But growing up in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, among his close-knit family of grandparents, aunts, and uncles, George wanted nothing more than to be an astronaut. He was always drawn to music, whether it was the hymns he belted out from the church pew or the old guitar he strummed his first notes on at the tender age of five, but it was possibility of a life in the stars that drove him. First, though, he had to learn to fly a plane on Earth, so as soon as he turned twelve, he joined the Air Cadets, following a rich family tradition of serving one&’s country. Just two years later, George&’s big dreams of being a pilot came crashing to the ground when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a disease that meant a lifetime of measuring his food, testing his sugar levels, and taking insulin. And with limited treatment options available in the 1980s, the diagnosis ruled out the air force. Devastated as he was, deep down George knew that there was a greater plan for his life. When a snap decision to audition for a musical led to an offer to join a local country band, everything changed: George found his calling. It would be years of hard work and sacrifice—touring dive bars across the country and working multiple jobs—but with the unwavering support of his family and his deep sense of faith, George got his big break in 2004 when he landed a spot on Nashville Star, a singing competition TV show. From there, he was catapulted onto the world stage. With his natural gift for spinning a good tale and his signature humour and honesty, George recounts his musical journey from small-town Nova Scotia to the big city of Nashville, Tennessee, and how his life came full circle when he returned to Canada—this time, to the wide plains of Alberta. At its heart, this memoir is a love song to a way of life that&’s rooted in family, faith, and place, and a reminder to never give up on your dreams.
My Country Roots: The Ultimate MP3 Guide to America's Original Outsider Music
by Alice RandallHow do you define rockabilly?Who were the original "outlaws" of Country music?Where can you go to hear great music in Austin, Texas?My Country Roots answers all these questions and hundreds more! It is a resource that will help you fill your mp3 player with the essential Country songs, while impressing your friends with your knowledge of the ultimate outsider art.Containing 100 recommended playlists for downloading, this book is the best and most unique way to explore the Country music genre in a modern easy, convenient way. Each playlist walks you through the history, culture, and relevance of Country music, revealing the authenticity and raw truth that represents Country.Whether you are a long-time lover of Country music or just discovering the genre, this book will help you not only organize your music, but explore, evaluate, and critique the music while learning about the basics of Country?what we sound like, what we believe in, where we've come from, and where we're goin'. This guide also provides a behind the scenes look at some of the cities that have spawned the greatest music of the genre and films that have contributed to the mystique which defines Country.For all you music lovers, mp3 users, or folks who are interested in discovering or rediscovering your country roots, this is a book you can't live without!
My Country: 50 Musicians on God, America & the Songs They Love
by Melanie DuneaNow in paperback, a volume of stunning photographs of 50 country music icons and intimate accounts of their thoughts on God, America, and their favorite songs.Award-winning photographer and author of My Last Supper, Melanie Dunea traces the throughlines from country music's gritty roots to the chart-topping chanteuses of today, presenting beautiful, imaginative, and revealing photographs of icons ranging from Taylor Swift to Wynnona Judd to Little Jimmy Dickens and conducting interviews that ask stars to discuss their musical roots and inspirations, their defining moments, and what makes country music the heart and soul of America.As the music industry fractures and suffers from flagging sales, country music has enjoyed explosive growth and unprecedented popularity. This totally unique book will be a must-own (and a perfect gift) for fans of the old time country twang and the millions who love the glitz and glamour of today's country-pop. My Country is a music-lovers dream, and in this more inexpensive, accessible market the book is sure to find its core audience amongst country music's legions of fans.
My Cross to Bear
by Gregg Allman Alan LightFor the first time, rock music icon Gregg Allman, one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, tells the full story of his life and career in My Cross to Bear. No subject is taboo, as one of the true giants of rock ’n’ roll opens up about his Georgia youth, his long struggle with substance abuse, his string of bad marriages (including his brief union with superstar Cher), the tragic death of brother Duane Allman, and life on the road in one of rock’s most legendary bands.
My Curious and Jocular Heroes: Tales and Tale-Spinners from Appalachia
by Loyal JonesWe were going down the road, and we came to this house. There was a little boy standing by the road just crying and crying. We stopped, and we heard the biggest racket you ever heard up in the house. œWhat ™s the matter, son? œWhy, Maw and Paw are up there fightin ™. œWho is your Paw, son? œWell, that ™s what they are fightin ™ over. Brimming with ballads, stories, riddles, tall tales, and great good humor, My Curious and Jocular Heroes pays homage to four people who guided and inspired Loyal Jones ™s own study of Appalachian culture. His sharp-eyed portraits introduce a new generation to Bascom Lunsford, the pioneer behind the œmemory collections of song and story at Columbia University and the Library of Congress; the Sorbonne-educated collector and performer Josiah H. Combs; Cratis D. Williams, the legendary father of Appalachian studies; and the folklorist and master storyteller Leonard W. Roberts. Throughout, Jones highlights the tales, songs, jokes, and other collected nuggets that define the breadth of each man ™s research and repertoire.
My Dad Is a DJ
by Kathryn Erskine Keith Henry BrownNational Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine teams up with Keith Henry Brown on this lyrical picture book that celebrates music and Black identity.Trevor’s dad is a DJ, and he always picks the best music—tunes jivin’, beat drivin’, high fivin’!—he’s DJ Dap Daddy!But after his parents split up and Dad moves out, Trevor feels like the pitch doesn’t fit between them. Trevor has his own music now—hip-hop—and Dad can’t seem to let go of his old soul favorites. As the end-of-year dance approaches, Trevor and his father will have to find their new groove to get the party started.My Dad Is a DJ is a hip-hoppin’, beat boppin’, tunes poppin’, not stoppin’ story of a father and son’s shared love of music and each other.
My Damage: The Story of a Punk Rock Survivor
by Keith Morris Jim RulandKeith Morris is a true punk icon. No one else embodies the sound of Southern Californian hardcore the way he does. With his waist-length dreadlocks and snarling vocals, Morris is known the world over for his take-no-prisoners approach on the stage and his integrity off of it. Over the course of his forty-year career with Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, and OFF!, he's battled diabetes, drug and alcohol addiction, and the record industry...and he's still going strong.My Damage is more than a book about the highs and lows of a punk rock legend. It's a story from the perspective of someone who has shared the stage with just about every major figure in the music industry and has appeared in cult films like The Decline of Western Civilization and Repo Man. A true Hollywood tale from an L.A. native, My Damage reveals the story of Morris's streets, his scene, and his music-as only he can tell it.
My Dog Romeo
by Ziggy MarleyZiggy Marley's ode to his four-legged friend Romeo becomes a picture book that is sure to touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. "A delight for young readers . . . It’s sure to inspire a love of books, and warm and loving sto
My Dog Romeo
by Ziggy MarleyZiggy Marley’s ode to his four-legged friend Romeo becomes a picture book that is sure to touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.“A delight for young readers . . . It’s sure to inspire a love of books, and warm and loving storytime bonding between you and your child.” —Miami Times Online“My Dog Romeo”—a single on More Family Time, the follow-up children’s album to the GRAMMY Award–winning Family Time—is a playful and endearing tribute to Ziggy Marley’s beloved pet dog Romeo. Opening with Romeo’s barking, Marley sings of his great love and friendship with his four-legged friend.Now, with beautiful illustrations by Ag Jatkowska—illustrator of Marley’s debut picture book, I Love You Too—My Dog Romeo becomes a vibrant picture book that follows a child and a dog throughout their days, sharing their love of music and play. The perfect accompaniment to Marley’s charming children’s album, My Dog Romeo is sure to be a hit among young, old, and, of course, our furry friends.
My Effin' Life
by Geddy LeeThe long-awaited memoir, generously illustrated with never-before-seen photos, from the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Rush bassist, and New York Times bestselling author of Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass.Geddy Lee is one of rock and roll's most respected bassists. For nearly five decades, his playing and work as co-writer, vocalist and keyboardist has been an essential part of the success story of Canadian progressive rock trio Rush. Here for the first time is his account of life inside and outside the band.Long before Rush accumulated more consecutive gold and platinum records than any rock band after the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, before the seven Grammy nominations or the countless electrifying live performances across the globe, Geddy Lee was Gershon Eliezer Weinrib, after his grandfather was murdered in the Holocaust.As he recounts the transformation, Lee looks back on his family, in particular his loving parents and their horrific experiences as teenagers during World War II.He talks candidly about his childhood and the pursuit of music that led him to drop out of high school.He tracks the history of Rush which, after early struggles, exploded into one of the most beloved bands of all time.He shares intimate stories of his lifelong friendships with bandmates Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart—deeply mourning Peart’s recent passing—and reveals his obsessions in music and beyond.This rich brew of honesty, humor, and loss makes for a uniquely poignant memoir.
My Family and Other Rock Stars: ‘An insane amount of fun' Andrew Miller
by Tiffany Murray'Gloriously tender and funny . . . with My Family and Other Rock Stars, Murray has written a bohemian rhapsody of her very own' SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE WEEK'A love letter to a remarkable childhood' SARAH WINMAN'Full of pop gossip that'll leave you starry-eyed, and written with a warmth and precision you'll want to savour for as long as you can . . . I didn't want it to end' SÉAMAS O'REILLY 'Funny, vivid and touching . . . An utter treat' RACHEL JOYCE____________________________________________________________________________In a small corner of a field in Wales, Tiffany Murray is hiding with Boggle the dog, dreaming of her mum's moussaka, blackberry and apple crumble, and, if she's lucky, ice-cold lemonade. A sheep bleats. The smell of hay tickles her nose. The twang of a guitar and crack of a snare carry on the breeze.It's the late 1970s and Tiff lives with her mum, Joan, at Rockfield, the iconic recording studios. This place of legend, where some of the most famous rock albums of all time were recorded, is the background to a freewheeling, ever-changing whirlwind of a childhood. Tiff's days are spent running around the farm, making friends with local wildlife and helping out with the endless array of dishes her mum creates to keep the bands fed. She's looking for a dog, she's looking for a father; but the one constant throughout is her and Joan, building an unconventional family in the most unlikely of locations.My Family and Other Rock Stars is Tiff's remarkable, truly unique story of growing up in a rural idyll, of Cordon Bleu cookery and of a childhood where the chances of bumping into Freddie Mercury playing piano, or a group of Hell's Angels turning up to record for Lemmy, or even the hope of David Bowie appearing, were as normal as hopscotch and homework.My Family and Other Rock Stars was the Sunday Times book of the week 12.05.2024
My Family and Other Rock Stars: ‘An insane amount of fun' Andrew Miller
by Tiffany Murray'Gloriously tender and funny . . . with My Family and Other Rock Stars, Murray has written a bohemian rhapsody of her very own' SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE WEEK'A love letter to a remarkable childhood' SARAH WINMAN'Full of pop gossip that'll leave you starry-eyed, and written with a warmth and precision you'll want to savour for as long as you can . . . I didn't want it to end' SÉAMAS O'REILLY 'Funny, vivid and touching . . . An utter treat' RACHEL JOYCE____________________________________________________________________________In a small corner of a field in Wales, Tiffany Murray is hiding with Boggle the dog, dreaming of her mum's moussaka, blackberry and apple crumble, and, if she's lucky, ice-cold lemonade. A sheep bleats. The smell of hay tickles her nose. The twang of a guitar and crack of a snare carry on the breeze.It's the late 1970s and Tiff lives with her mum, Joan, at Rockfield, the iconic recording studios. This place of legend, where some of the most famous rock albums of all time were recorded, is the background to a freewheeling, ever-changing whirlwind of a childhood. Tiff's days are spent running around the farm, making friends with local wildlife and helping out with the endless array of dishes her mum creates to keep the bands fed. She's looking for a dog, she's looking for a father; but the one constant throughout is her and Joan, building an unconventional family in the most unlikely of locations.My Family and Other Rock Stars is Tiff's remarkable, truly unique story of growing up in a rural idyll, of Cordon Bleu cookery and of a childhood where the chances of bumping into Freddie Mercury playing piano, or a group of Hell's Angels turning up to record for Lemmy, or even the hope of David Bowie appearing, were as normal as hopscotch and homework.My Family and Other Rock Stars was the Sunday Times book of the week 12.05.2024
My Favorite Band Does Not Exist
by Robert T. JeschonekSixteen-year-old genius Idea Deity believes that he exists only in the pages of a novel written by a malevolent, omnipotent author . . . and that he will die in chapter 64. Meanwhile, an older teen named Reacher Mirage sings lead vocals for the undercover rock band Youforia . . . a band that exists in Idea's world only as an Internet hoax that Idea himself perpetuated. Then there's beautiful and mysterious Eunice Truant, who links their destinies. When Idea and Reacher plunge into the reality of Fireskull's Revenant, the twisted epic fantasy novel they've both been reading, chapter 64 bears down on them like a speeding freight train on an unstoppable collision course. Being trapped in a bad book can be a nightmare. Just ask Idea Deity.
My First 79 Years
by Chaim Potok Isaac SternRenowned violinist Isaac Stern shares both his personal and his artistic experiences -- the story of his rise to eminence, his feelings about music and the violin, his rich emotional life, his great friendships and collaborations with colleagues such as Leonard Bernstein and Pablo Casals, his background as an ardent supporter of Israel, and his ideas and beliefs about art, life, love, and the world we live in. He and writer Chaim Potok spent a year talking and sharing their perceptions, and as a result, Stern's voice comes through persuasively as the musician and humanitarian loved and admired worldwide.