Spotlight


Book Description

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga has taken the world by storm. The four novels that tell the paranormal romance of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are international bestsellers that readers everywhere are discussing and re-reading again and again. But WHY are the books so popular? Critics have dismissed them as "Harlequin trash" and "literary junk food" but book lovers obviously disagree. Is there more to Twilight than a love story for teen girls crossed with a cheesy vampire-werewolf drama? . . . . . John Granger, author of Unlocking Harry Potter: Seven Keys for the Serious Reader, explains in Spotlight the literary backdrop, the themes, the artistry, and the meaning of the four Bella Swan adventures. Twilight readers will learn here: * Why the Book Covers are Black, White, and Red; * How Edward Can Read Thoughts and the La Push Wolf Pack Can Have a Shared Mind; * What Influence the X-Men, Night of the Living Dead, and Plato's Republic had on Twilight; * Why the Volturi live in Italy and Hate the Cullens' "Lifestyle Choices";* Why Bella's "empty chest" is mentioned thirty seven times in New Moon; * Why so many Key Twilight Saga Scenes take place in Mountain Meadows; * What Role the Quileute "Protectors" play in Meyer's Re-Telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; * How Carlisle's Birth in Sixteenth Century London Explains Why the Cullens are "Vegetarians";* Why the James and Bella Confrontation in Twilight takes place in a Ballet Studio; * Why Jacob and Edward are described consistently as Bella's Sun and Moon; and * Why Books and Films about Bella Swan and Harry Potter are such Blockbuster Hits. . . . . . Spotlight unveils layer-by-layer the meaning of the books and the artistry of their composition so Twilight lovers can see how the books work and why we love them the way we do! Spotlight is the only book that explains Twilight-mania and is the perfect gift for serious Twilight readers wanting to learn why the books they love are so good and have become as popular as they are.




Moon Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes Camping & Hiking


Book Description

California residents Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown extend travelers their firsthand advice on how to find the best places to camp and hike in this vast region, from the pristine meadows and towering granite formations of Yosemite Valley to the alpine waters of the Mammoth Lakes area. Along with their in-depth coverage, Stienstra and Brown offer "best-of" lists—including Best for Fishing, Best for Families, and Best Hikes with a View—ensuring that both outdoors beginners and experts will find the campgrounds and trails to match their skill levels and interests. Complete with clear directions to each location, detailed destination descriptions, difficulty and quality ratings for each hike, and helpful maps, Moon Yosemite & Mammoth Lakes Camping & Hiking provides campers and hikers with all the necessary tools to head outdoors.




Projecting a Camera


Book Description

In Projecting a Camera, film theorist Edward Branigan offers a groundbreaking approach to understanding film theory. Why, for example, does a camera move? What does a camera "know"? (And when does it know it?) What is the camera's relation to the subject during long static shots? What happens when the screen is blank? Through a wide-ranging engagement with Wittgenstein and theorists of film, he offers one of the most fully developed understandings of the ways in which the camera operates in film. With its thorough grounding in the philosophy of spectatorship and narrative, Projecting aCamera takes the study of film to a new level. With the care and precision that he brought to NarrativeComprehension and Film, Edward Branigan maps the ways in which we must understand the role of the camera, the meaning of the frame, the role of the spectator, and other key components of film-viewing. By analyzing how we think, discuss, and marvel about the films we see, Projecting a Camera, offers insights rich in implications for our understanding of film and film studies.




Moon Oregon Fishing


Book Description

Lifelong angler and Oregon resident Craig Schuhmann offers thorough coverage of fishing spots all over the state, from the waters of the Columbia River Gorge to the lakes of the Cascades. Schuhmann supplies fishermen with accurate, knowledgeable information on special regulations, appropriate fishing times, the best fishing attire, and when to use which baits and lures; and he includes handy maps and detailed directions to help anglers find even the most hidden locations. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, after rainbow trout or steelhead, Moon Oregon Fishing provides all the necessary tools to head outdoors.




The Dryatrix


Book Description

One boy. One prophecy. One choice. George is young, impaired, and completely alone. He is responsible for the death of his parents and the reason why one inquisitive Faun needs to protect him. Maliciously treated by his stepfather, George wears the scars of his torment across his back. He cannot escape his stepfather, and he has all but given up hope of ever doing so. But when he peers through the window of his stepfather's shack one night, he sees something strange: an earless creature in the middle of the street. Intrigued by it, George saves it from the road, and the next thing he knows, he's in the middle of nowhere. Before he can enjoy his freedom, however, George is forced into a fiendish forest where he crosses paths with a Witch, Tamsin, and witnesses the callousness of nature as it turns on them. Evading death, George and Tamsin are saved by Thumbalas, a Faun, who identifies George as the Dryatrix: a prophesied force said to be the saviour or destroyer of the natural world.




Moon California Hiking


Book Description

Pack a lunch, lace up your boots, and head out to discover the best hiking trails in the Golden State with Moon California Hiking. A Hike for Everyone: Pick the right hike for you, from breathtaking coastal walks to challenging backcountry treks, with options ranging from easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips Best Hikes Lists: Choose from strategic lists like Best Desert Hikes, Best Hikes for Redwoods, Fall Colors, Hikes with Kids, Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and more Essential Planning Details: Each hike is marked with round-trip distance and hiking time and rated for scenic beauty and trail difficulty Maps and Directions: Find easy-to-use maps, driving directions to each trailhead, and details on where to park Skip the Crowds: Have the trail to yourself with recommended off-the-radar hikes Expert Advice: Seasoned hikers Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown offer their trusted insight and honest opinions on each trail Tips and Tools: Advice on gear, first aid, and camping permits, plus background information on climate, landscape, and wildlife Whether you're a veteran or a first-time hiker, Moon's comprehensive coverage and honest expertise will have you gearing up for your next adventure. Exploring more of the Golden State? Try Moon California Camping. Hitting the road? Check out Moon California Road Trip.




Classified


Book Description

Colby Agency investigator Levi Stark had been prepared for the worst when his boss sent him to find her agency's deadliest enemy. But deep undercover in a Mexican mining outpost, Levi met danger from the unlikeliest source—an unknown blonde spitfire on the same trail. Casey Manning had been secretly sent by Levi's boss's husband. The benched CIA agent trusted no one and worked alone…until she and Levi found themselves outmanned and outgunned. Around her sexy new partner, Casey had a feeling that protecting her identity—and her heart—would prove tougher than keeping them safe from the Colbys' most wanted.…




Explorer's Guide Yosemite & the Southern Sierra Nevada


Book Description

Awarded the 2009 Bronze Medal in the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation's annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition: "Whether you want to stand on a glacier or have a beer with local bikers, this is the definitive (as well as wonderfully eccentric) guide to the immensity of the southern Sierra and Owens Valley. John Muir would be pleased."—Mike Davis, author of City of Quartz and Ecology of Fear The only complete guide to California’s southern Sierra Nevada—some of the most stunning wilderness in North America—is better than ever in this revised, updated edition. Detailed reviews of lodging, dining, and recreation, plus outfitters, campsites, trails, and points of historic and cultural interest.




Blind Items


Book Description

In this hilarious romp through gay New York, author Matthew Rettenmund once again delivers with acerbic wit, dead-on dialogue, and perfect pop culture references. This time, a lonely magazine editor has fallen for a TV star hunk, who, unfortunately, must remain firmly in the closet or risk his career. Which will win out, true love or shallow fame? Rettenmund answers the question with verve and attitude, in this wonderful second novel of love and loss in modern Manhattan.




Explorer's Guide Yosemite & the Southern Sierra Nevada: Includes Mammoth Lakes, Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Death Valley: A Great Destination (Second Edition)


Book Description

Awarded the 2009 Bronze Medal in the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation's annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition: "Whether you want to stand on a glacier or have a beer with local bikers, this is the definitive (as well as wonderfully eccentric) guide to the immensity of the southern Sierra and Owens Valley. John Muir would be pleased."—Mike Davis, author of City of Quartz and Ecology of Fear The only complete guide to California’s southern Sierra Nevada—some of the most stunning wilderness in North America—is better than ever in this revised, updated edition. Detailed reviews of lodging, dining, and recreation, plus outfitters, campsites, trails, and points of historic and cultural interest.