Patrick Sanchez's wickedly funny debut novel, GIRLFRIENDS, shimmied off the shelves and brought him an instant legion of fans. Now, in THE WAY IT IS, he introduces three thirty-something roommates with insatiable appetites for life, love, and anything deep-fried in this delicious, delirious celebration of women whose hearts are as big as their hips. . . When The Chips Are Down, These Girls Bring The Dip Livin' large has never gotten Ruby Waters what she wants in life. Overweight and addicted to every fad diet on the planet, Ruby's sure that the only thing that stands between her and the good life are those extra pounds she can't seem to shed. But when a girl's stuck caring for an annoying ex-husband, an impossibly critical mother, and the world's most psychotic, incontinent Chihuahua, her best friend is a dozen doughnuts and a can of whipped topping. She'll starve herself tomorrow, and soon, she just might have the courage to go after what she really wants. . .the hunky coworker with the bod of steel. . . Fat is where it's at, honey. That's plus-sized model Wanda Johnson's motto. The larger-than-life African-American goddess may top the scales, but there are plenty of men begging for her phone number. The only thing standing between Wanda and fashion fame is another model who wants what Wanda has and would do anything--that's anything--to get it. . . Simone Reyes, D.C.'s most famous Latina, certainly goes after what she wants--and it's usually ripped with muscles and under thirty. As the city's sexiest anchorwoman, the glamorous, svelte Simone doesn't have time to mess with commitment. She's too focused on making it all the way to the top. . .while protecting a secret that could blow the lid off her whole fraudulent life. . . In the nation's capitol, where the drinks are cold and so is the competition, these three roomies are joining forces, battling their way through a maze of Chubby Chaser web sites, scam diet centers, outrageous fantasies, romantic entanglements, power shopping, and plus-size fashion shows. . .because when life throws you a few curves, it's best to show them off! Patrick Sanchez is a native Washingtonian, having grown up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and has been a professional writer for several years. He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia. He is also the author of Girlfriends, and is currently working on his next novel.

In 1947, at the age of 18, Thomas Gilrane immigrated from County Leitrim, Ireland to America. By all standards, he has been successful. Tom found work, served in the US Army, married and earned his American citizenship. His childhood of farming, family, hard work and religion provided him with all he needed to succeed. With his wife Lorraine, he made a life in America, earning his way and raising four children. His memoir details life growing up in a thatched cottage, without electricity, water or any modern conveniences. The simple joys, challenges and difficulties that were typical of living a traditional farm life in rural Ireland are described in vivid detail. It is a fascinating journey, and one that is typical for thousands of Irish families in the early 1900's. This story of immigration is bitter-sweet, full of emotion, humor and sometimes harsh realities. He tells his story matter-of-factly, as he remembers it-Just the Way It Was. Website: Justthewayitwas.com

From Pulitzer Prize–winning author Annie Proulx, an "unforgettable" (Miami Herald) and "vivid" (Oprah Daily) collection of stories set in Wyoming. Winner of two O. Henry Prizes, Annie Proulx has been anthologized in nearly every major collection of great American stories. Her bold, inimitable language, her exhilarating eye for detail, her dark sense of humor, and her compassion inform this profoundly compelling collection of stories. Proulx creates a fierce, visceral panorama of American folly and fate in these nine dazzling stories about multiple generations of Americans struggling through life in the West. Each character is a pioneer of a sort—some are billionaires, some are escapists, and some just think the rest of the country has it wrong. Deeply sympathetic to the men and women fighting to survive in this harsh place, Proulx turns their lives into fiction with the power of myth, leaving the reader in awe.

Reading Hunting, the Way it Was is like lingering around a campfire 50 miles deep in the Snag River country, or at Wolf Lake, and hearing the fascinating and entertaining stories told by Bud and LeNora about hunting in Alaska's bygone era. It is the true tales about one of Alaska's best fair-chase guides, of horse-wranglers and assistant guides, and of pilots who flew clients in their fragile Super Cubs to the frozen arctic for polar bear and to the windy Alaska Peninsula for the big browns -- and all the other big game Alaska had to offer brave hunters. Hunting, the Way it Was, is more than an Alaskan big game guide's story -- it's LeNora Conkle's biography as well. She was there -- This is her story, and Bud's. These are not the flowered up narratives of a professional journalist, but the true tales of two amazing Alaskans and what they did for a living. This is the story of hunting in Alaska, the way it was, but will never be again.

Alvin Fuhrman began a storied career with Muenster Telephone Company during ice storms in 1949. "The Way It Was" is Alvin's story of how the company, under his leadership, ultimately went from just 12 telephones still working because of that tell-tale freeze to the primary communication provider not just for Muenster but for the surrounding area, as well. It's the story of how Alvin and his wife Gracie teamed to weather their own unthinkable personal storms and emerged closer and stronger because of their shared commitment to one another and to those who looked to them for leadership. It's the story of the people who joined Alvin and Gracie over the years to create a better company, a better community and a better life for thousands of family members, friends and neighbors. Mainly, "The Way It Was" is a story about life - as it was, as it is, and as it should be lived.

About the Book This is the way it is from the Heart is all my Poetry from 1992 till present day. The poems relate to sadness, trauma, humour, everyday life, relationships, dark side, Environment, and Mother Nature. Something within my book could relate to you the reader. I have experienced some of the poems within this book. You should enjoy reading it may make you cry or laugh but you will enjoy reading.. Paul Pattinson

Greg Curnoe is one of the most adventurous and exciting Canadian artists of the second half of the twentieth century. In a series of vividly coloured works he found a multitude of ways to construct an autobiography that, contrary to establishment ideas of his time, obliterates the boundary between art and artist.

I wasn't planning to write a book. I would just write a short story for my sister, Hazel. We were at the annual Bowman Christmas Dinner where I often told Christmas stories. Hazel asked me to write my favorite Christmas story for her. I wrote for her my favorite, "Radio Flyer." "Radio Flyer" was a big hit with family and friends and I was encouraged to write more stories about growing up on a rural farm in Virginia in the forties. The memories of this way of life would be lost if they were not recorded. I continued to write stories that I remembered as "The Way It Was in the Forties." I now have enough stories to produce a book, thanks to my family and friends. My goal was to capture the mind of the reader and take him back to those days. I wanted the reader to feel the summer heat, the winter cold and the cool visits to the spring. The reader would feel the aching muscles, the tired body after a long hard day on the farm. When we visited the "Molasses Makers" the clanky noise of the metal gears on the press echoed in my ears as I watched the dark sorghum juice flow from the press to the cooking pan. I saw large bowls of food on the side porch, so I stayed on the porch and ate with the blacks. My Father said grace for the table inside and one of the black men prayed at my table. He talked to God as if He were present with us. He gave thanks for His Son, Jesus; for blessings and food. The other men began to chant "Amen, brother', now yore talking" and an echo of "Amen's." The air permeated with the stench of their sweaty bodies mixed with the great smell of all that food. It was impossible to describe how hard my Mother and Father worked to survive and rear eleven children. That way of life has disappeared from the American scene. You would have enjoyed growing up with the nine Bowman boys and two girls. Clyde just couldn't stay out of trouble. By the time he was out of one mess, he was off to more mischief. Raising tobacco was extremely hard work and my family raised lots of it. Every product raised was labor intensive and carrying water from the spring was no small matter, either.

'Nursing at the Horton' - 1956 to 1962; when hospitals were run by nurses. Matron was all powerful, demanding considerable respect from all. We were taught patients came first, second and last, everything else had to fit in between. The relationship between them, and the local people was; 'They are our patients, and we were their nurses'. During this time student nurses were responsible for cleanliness in the hospital. We knew that if a patient developed a hospital born infection - heads would roll! Our heads remained safe. Antibiotics had just become available, in limited supply. The nurses worked long hard hours - 60 to 72 hours a week; but played hard too. Some parts are very sad, others happy or funny. If you have ever been a patient or nurse in a hospital, especially the Horton, you will recognise the love that was generated. The book is a sequel to 'Aynhoe Village Life. The Way it Was', but can be read as a stand alone. Look for 'Nursing and Living in America. The Way it Was'.

A young girl compares her great-grandmother's life in a bygone era in with her own modern lifestyle. Looks at transportation, cooking, lighting, laundry, and a modern bathtub. Suggested level: junior, primary.