These days television and the Internet compete with books for kids' attention, but "Good Morning America" parenting contributor Ann Pleshette Murphy has some must-reads that are sure to turn your couch potatoes into bookworms.These selections are divided into four categories -- supernatural, how-to, growing pains and books+ -- and are perfect for tweens and teens as they enjoy their summer vacations.Growing Pains
Books about the trials and tribulations of growing up are staples of summer literature."The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate," by Jacqueline Kelly
Callie lives in rural Texas in 1899 with her six brothers. She's a real rebel, preferring to explore nature with her granddaddy to darning socks. "Along for the Ride," by Sarah Dessen
Writing for older girls, Sarah Dessen presents a first-person account of a slightly awkward girl named Auden, who spends her summer before college at a small beach town with her dad and stepmom and their new colicky baby.

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The book sold over 40 million copies, becoming the most widely read fiction books of all time. But the book and its author have intimated that there is far more truth found in its pages than fiction. What claims does the Da Vinci Code make, why was it written, and do any of its claims affect the truth of Christianity? Who was Mary Magdaline? Was she married to Jesus? What are the Nag Hamadi documents, and do they really contradict the Bible? Why did Dan Brown write the book, and how does the “truth” that he offers compare with actual historical, archeological and Biblical scholarship? Does the Bible really contain errors? Did the church suppress the truth in favor of Christianity? How can we be sure that scripture was inspired, and how do we know our Scriptures are from God?

Myths, half-truths and wives’ tales persist in medicine. Sometimes doctors and nurses even believe things that aren’t true or at least are unproven. That’s the focus of a new book, “Don’t Swallow Your Gum! Myths, Half-Truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health,”
by Dr. Aaron E. Carroll and Dr. Rachel C. Vreeman.Dr. Carroll and Dr. Vreeman, both from the Indiana University School of Medicine, have written a lot about medical myths and misunderstandings. In December 2007, the pair published an article in the British Medical Journal about seven medical myths even doctors believe. A year later, they identified six medical myths for the holiday season.

Now, “Don’t Swallow Your Gum” offers a fun collection of numerous medical myths that are likely familiar to most of us. The book is organized to focus on various types of myths, including myths about your body (you should poop at least once a day), myths about disease and illness (cold weather makes you sick), myths about sex and pregnancy (twins skip a generation) and myths about what we eat and drink (gum stays in your stomach for seven years.)

It’s a fun read, and chances are you will stumble across several medical myths you’ve always believed. Here are a few medical myths that may surprise you:

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You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement
of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings.
I arrived here yesterday, and my first task is to assure my dear sister
of my welfare and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking.
I am already far north of London, and as I walk in the streets
of Petersburgh, I feel a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks,
which braces my nerves and fills me with delight. Do you understand
this feeling? This breeze, which has travelled from the regions
towards which I am advancing, gives me a foretaste of those icy climes.
Inspirited by this wind of promise, my daydreams become more fervent
and vivid. I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole
is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents itself
to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight.

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I know the show ended several years ago, but I'm finding myself more obsessed with "The Sopranos" than I ever was before.

I own the DVD set, and whenever I'm bored, I pop in a disc and immediately get immersed in the lives of New Jersey's most-famous family (besides the Springsteens.)

Watching the show also makes me really hungry. They're always eating scrumptious-looking Italian food, either at Vesuvio or in someone's dining room (I'm not a fan of what they eat at the Pork Store or Bada Bing. How can you have an appetite at a strip club, or a place where so many people got whacked?)Anyway, I thought I'd throw a plug in today for "The Sopranos Family Cookbook", which very cutely says it's "compiled by Artie Bucco."In addition to featuring some mouth-watering recipes, it's a good read for fans of the show. Here's the product description from Amazon.com:

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America: A History in Art. The subtitle has been carefully worded, as this is not a traditional “art history” book. Placing equal focus on both history and art, this book tells the story of America and illuminates it with works of art representational of specific periods and events. And unlike other American surveys, it begins not with the period of European colonialism or the independence movement, but rather in the era of “prehistory,” with the art and history of Native American societies. With more than 300 images, America: A History in Art takes the reader from pre-Columbus settlers to the present day, focusing on works of art spawned from such periods as European encroachment, westward expansion, industrialization, prosperity and depression, and, of course, war and conflict, including 9/11 and its aftermath. Readers will find all forms of American art, from important architecture and works on canvas to decorative arts and photography. The author provides detailed explanations about why the works are representational of their corresponding period. America: A History in Art provides a look at America’s historical landscape unlike any you’ve seen before. Additional 99¢ shipping charge.

For 75 years the Joy of Cooking cookbook has been a kitchen staple, from preparing appetizers at your cousin’s wedding to that birthday cake you’ll never forget.
To celebrate the infamous cookbook’s 75th birthday, the Joy of Cooking brand is launching a new, more comprehensive edition.  You will see the cookbook take on new ground such as sushi, breakfast bars & herb teas.
If this new edition is anything like the others, I’ll never leave the kitchen!

Hailed as the world's first recipe collection of its kind, Cooking With Balls includes testicle pizza, battered testicles and and barbecued testicles with giblets.
Ljubomir Erovic, the chef behind the book, said testicles are rich in testosterone and are believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac in China as well as his homeland of Serbia.The collection, made available by e-book publishers YUDU, features testicles from several different animals, including stallions, ostriches, bulls, pigs and turkeys.
"Wash testicles thoroughly for 30-45 minutes," begins the recipe for testicles pie. "Once softened, mince them in a mincer."
A "very sharp knife" is needed for traditional style testicles, which get boiled, cut up and deep fried in hot oil.
Erovic, 45, said: "The tastiest testicles in my opinion probably come from bulls, stallions or ostriches, although other people have their own favourites. All testicles can be eaten - except human, of course. The best for aphrodisiac properties are sheep and stallion testicles."
Erovic also organises the World Testicle Cooking Championship held annually in Serbia since 2004. It draws in chefs from Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Norway and Serbia. One metric tonne of testicles are prepared during the contest.
"When not cooking or eating testicles, or helping others to do so, (Erovic) now runs a company involved in the maintenance of medical and dental equipment," the book said.

It seems the word ‘Survivalist' is changing, thanks to author Neil Strauss and FOX News coverage of his book, EMERGENCY, This Book Will Save Your Life.
Before you get revved up about a medical book content, it's much more along the lines of philosophic truths learned traveling and elsewhere.
However, it's news, this change in perceptions. I like this book for several reasons, the first being that it makes a difference. It shares some powerful insight in outlook, and the paradigm shift that comes with it makes Strauss an interesting thought leader on more than one subject.
FOX's interview with Strauss the week of June 15th, 2009 made me buy the book. Others conducting preparedness courses around the country also change the complexion of the term ‘Survivalist" this week (maybe), which was the thrust of the FOX coverage, but EMERGENCY is more about a total paradigm. The subtitle, This Book Will Save Your Life, will probably be fulfilled on a more profound level of independence than first-aid, food, and waiting for first responders. It could turn the entire country around thanks to a paradigm shift, which is what thought leaders do, and the timing is great, too: more and more Americans are realizing that the term is no longer a pejorative.

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When video first reached the high street back in the early 80’s, my mother decided that plonking us down in front of the TV for a couple of hours would be a great way to get some relief from the endless (and expensive) games of ‘living-room football’ that me and my two younger brothers enjoyed on a rainy day.

So it was with great excitement that my parents took delivery of a top of the line video cassette recorder (even if it was the size of large suitcase!). After a lengthy installation and training session my parents left us at home and went off to the newly opened local video store - ‘Hollywood Greats’, to choose our first piece of family viewing material.Enter The Wrangler
April 22nd, 2008 by The Wrangler · No Comments · On The Wire

When video first reached the high street back in the early 80’s, my mother decided that plonking us down in front of the TV for a couple of hours would be a great way to get some relief from the endless (and expensive) games of ‘living-room football’ that me and my two younger brothers enjoyed on a rainy day.

So it was with great excitement that my parents took delivery of a top of the line video cassette recorder (even if it was the size of large suitcase!). After a lengthy installation and training session my parents left us at home and went off to the newly opened local video store - ‘Hollywood Greats’, to choose our first piece of family viewing material.

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