The brilliant intellect and candor of Anthony Bourdain is on full display in this collection of interviews from throughout his remarkable career, including interviews with Neil Degrasse Tyson and Trevor NoahAnthony Bourdain always downplayed his skills as a chef (many disagreed). But despite his modesty, one thing even he agreed with was that he was a born raconteur—as he makes clear in this collection of sparkling conversations. His wit, passion, and deep intelligence shine through all manner of discussion here, from heart-to-hearts with bloggers, to on-stage talks before massive crowds, to intense interviews with major television programs. Without fail, Bourdain is always blisteringly honest—such as when he talks about his battles with addiction, or when detailing his thoughts on restaurant critics. He regularly dispenses arresting insight about how what's on your plate reveals much of history and politics. And perhaps best of all, the heartfelt...

This holiday season, visit four of your favorite towns created by four of your favorite authors!First, let's drop in to Cedar Cove, Washington, where you'll visit with Ruth and Paul. They'll offer you a cup of mulled cider and the story of how they met—and they'll share Ruth's grandmother's breathtaking adventures during the Second World War.5-B Poppy Lane by Debbie MacomberNext, come on over to the Gold Country town of Whiskey Creek, California. Join in the annual Victorian Days celebration and eavesdrop on sisters Olivia and Noelle to find out why they're estranged. Now that it's Christmas, the time of forgiveness and peace, is there hope for reconciliation between the sisters?When We Touch by Brenda NovakIt's time to head north again to the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. At a Christmas cookie exchange at Muriel Sterling's house, she'll tell you her story about...

THE APARTMENTA classic story from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber about mothers, daughters and falling in love...Hilary Sullivan's new apartment is the first place she's ever had on her own. She left San Francisco to live and work in Portland—and to get away from her much-loved but overprotective mother. Hilary's twenty-four, after all! But she soon discovers that the apartment comes with an unexpected roommate—Sean Cochran, a good-looking pilot who's just left the army and shows up at the place he thinks he's rented!First published in 1993

Katherine O'Connor often spends her days at a cozy café on Blossom Street in Seattle—where she writes Christmas letters for other people. She's good at making their everyday lives sound more interesting. More humorous. More dramatic.But for Dr. Wynn Jeffries, who also frequents the café, Christmas means lies and deception. In fact, the renowned child psychologist recommends that parents "bury Santa under the sleigh." Katherine, however, feels that his parenting philosophy is one big mistake—at least, based on her five-year-old twin nieces, who are being raised according to his "Free Child" methods.She argues with Wynn about his theories, while he argues that her letters are nothing but lies. They disagree about practically everything—and yet, somehow, they don't really want to stop arguing.As the days—and nights—move closer to Christmas, Katherine and Wynn both discover that love means accepting your differences. And Christmas is about the things you share....From Publishers WeeklyKatherine O'Connor, a Seattle medical transcriptionist, has a booming sideline business, writing other people's Christmas letters. A run-in with Dr. Wynn Jeffries, however,ruins her holiday cheer. Katherine's sister is a devotee of Jeffries's Free Child movement, advocating "no boundaries for kids," a technique that has turned Katherine's into terrors. Jeffries just happens to live in Katherine's building, and their debate over parenting technique turns predictably, if perplexingly, to lust. Sticky with sentimentality, Macomber's latest is a fine companion to a glass of eggnog, but don't expect sustenance. (Oct.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistSimilar in format to Keys to the Imagination [BKL F 1 06], a previous StoryWatchers Club episode, this title features Christmas stories. Kevin Condi relays the story of Marie in "A Gift for Santa," and Christine Petrell Kallevig uses paper folding to enhance "Home for Christmas," a nineteenth-century immigrant tale of unselfishness. Mary Jo Huff humorously relays that Santa is under the weather in "Christmas Is Cancelled," while Michael R. Kasony-O'Malley concludes with a recitation of "The Christmas Fairy of Strasburg," a participation tale that takes an original view of the first Christmas tree. A multicultural group of puppet friends leads viewers into the stories and helps segue into the next tale. There are some studio-audience shots, but the main focus is on the storytellers. Suggested for holiday and storytelling collections. John CharlesCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Savor the magic of the season with #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber's newest Christmas novel, filled with warmth, humor, the promise of love, and a dash of unexpected adventure.Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Tyler, a former army intelligence officer, receives a job in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there's only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can't help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there's even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard--never before has either been so excited about a first...

The best gifts are the ones that don't come wrapped! Gifts of home, of family and friends, of love . . . Can this be Christmas? On December 24, a crowded train is taking holiday travelers home for Christmas. But because of a snowstorm, this group of strangers ends up spending Christmas Eve together, stranded in a small New Hampshire station. Despite the cold and discomfort, they create an impromptu celebration that reminds them all what Christmas really means. A story that's destined to become a Christmas classic! Shirley, Goodness and Mercy Greg Bennett hates Christmas. Divorced, virtually friendless and about to lose his business, he has no time fo what he considers sentimental nonsense. It takes three wacky angels to show him the truth. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy shall follow him . . . until he learns what Christmas is all about! A return engagement by these popular angelic characters. No one tells a Christmas story like Debbie Macomber!

Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming new series, set at the Rose Harbor Inn in  picturesque Cedar Cove, displays the author’s signature talent for creating characters who feel like friends, and small towns that feel like home. In this original short story available exclusively as an eBook, Jo Marie Rose readies her inn for spring, turning to her new friends Grace and Olivia when she needs them most. Jo Marie has big plans for her bed-and-breakfast. With the help of handyman Mark Taylor, she intends to plant a beautiful rose garden in time for her upcoming open house. Jo Marie and Mark rarely see eye to eye—especially on matters of home improvement—but she knows he has her best interests at heart. After the two walk the grounds, Jo Marie realizes that her beloved rescue dog, Rover, is missing, and at a time when she most needs a friend, Mark abruptly leaves. Confused by Mark’s behavior and worried for Rover’s safety, Jo Marie searches for her precious pup all over Cedar Cove. Rover is on an adventure of his own—one that will lead to a delightful surprise for two unlikely people. Includes an excerpt from Rose Harbor in Bloom, the next novel in Debbie Macomber’s new series. Watch the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove on Hallmark Channel.Praise for *The Inn at Rose Harbor“Charming . . . warm and serene . . . a wonderful novel.”—Bookreporter   “[An] emotionally charged romance.”—*Kirkus Reviews