Everyone Remain Calm

The stories in Everyone Remain Calm reveal landscapes where the surreal and the familiar clash, to visceral effect. A woman yearns for—and dreads—the snowfall that arrives whenever her ex-boyfriend returns to the home she shares with their son. Another character reassures herself after breakups by seeking out the monster under her bed, the Incredible Hulk himself, for rebound sex that can be hot, heavy, and unnerving. Marching bands blare all the way from New Orleans to the Midwest. There are wild shootouts, rising tides, and perils embedded in the act of storytelling itself. “There are words that can kill you if you’re not careful,” Stielstra writes. And the stories we tell ourselves are the most fantastic tales of all. Everyone Remain Calm is eerie, hilarious, moving, and down-to-earth, even as its characters defy the rules—sometimes in the ways we wish we could.

Once I Was Cool contrasts past aspirations with the mess and magic of the present. In her younger days, essayist Megan Stielstra saw Jane’s Addiction at the Aragon Ballroom and fantasized about living on the same block, right in the thick of music and revelry. As an adult, she lives in a turreted condo across the street, with her husband, a child, and an onerous mortgage. It’s just the home her young, cool self imagined. And it isn’t what she expected, either. With conversational flourishes and on-the-mark descriptions, Stielstra’s essays evoke the richness of her everyday life and the memories that are never far away. She remembers learning how to shoot a gun, a cancer scare, and—in a piece that was anthologized in The Best American Essays 2013—the time she eavesdropped on another new mother using her son’s baby monitor. “I shouldn’t have listened,” she writes. “But it was the first time since my son was born that I didn’t feel alone.” Combining footnotes, electric sentences, and uproariously funny anecdotes (have you ever run into an ex while rolling on ecstasy?), Stielstra shows us that maturity is demanding, but its rewards are a gift.

"Introduces the reader on how to work together in certain situations"--

Are you sometimes stressed, anxious, or emotional? Do you ever feel something is missing, even when you think you should be happy? Are there people with whom you dont get on well but wish you did? Have you ever wondered why you behave a certain way, do or dont do certain things, or have done something you now regret? This is not a typical self-help book, because self-help books are usually read by people who think they have a problem to solve. This book is for everyone. Using straightforward jargon-free language it discusses many of the difficult issues of life, most of which are likely to affect us or someone we know at one time or another. It includes short discussions of stress, relationships, love affairs, work, parenting, sibling rivalry, motherhood, divorce, weddings, Christmas, teenagers, arguments, criticism, depression, communication, childhood, bullying, chronic pain, self-harm, addiction, suicide, bereavement, kindness, abuse, the battle of the sexes and more. People who can stay calm and content no matter what life throws at them all have similar thoughts and attributes which can be learnt by anyone. The central theme of this book is self-esteem and how it is affected every day by our circumstances and the people we come across. We are usually unaware that it is our self-esteem that drives our emotions, thoughts, and actions. The authors clients suggested this book be written so anyone could learn how to stay calm and content no matter what life throws at them. Personal stories highlight how you can control or change how you feel about yourself, and how you can positively influence your life and the lives of everyone around you.

Who did it? The murder of a rich and powerful partner who worked at a securities firm produces a long list of suspects. Who killed Peter Goldstein? Was it his ex-wife, son, or perhaps a disgruntled investor? Detective John Napoli begins the investigation into the high profile crime. His new partner, Detective Terry Franklin, reminds Napoli everyone's a suspect. As the evidence is collected, the focus of the case turns toward Napoli's father in-law, Charles Martinez, a partner at the firm. Martinez had a recent altercation with the victim, which was witnessed by his secretary. After a second murder is committed, Martinez is arrested for both crimes. Napoli has to face a family crisis with his pregnant wife, who adamantly supports her father. As the trial begins, Napoli isn't convinced of his father in-law's guilt. Things don't look promising for Martinez as damaging testimony is given in the courtroom. Will Detective Napoli exonerate his father in-law of the crimes, or will Martinez face a life in prison? Everyone's a Suspect is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the surprising finish.

Picking up where Quiet ended, How to Be Yourself is the best book you’ll ever read about how to conquer social anxiety. “This book is also a groundbreaking road map to finally being your true, authentic self.” —Susan Cain, New York Times, USA Today and nationally bestselling author of Quiet Up to 40% of people consider themselves shy. You might say you’re introverted or awkward, or that you're fine around friends but just can't speak up in a meeting or at a party. Maybe you're usually confident but have recently moved or started a new job, only to feel isolated and unsure. If you get nervous in social situations—meeting your partner's friends, public speaking, standing awkwardly in the elevator with your boss—you've probably been told, “Just be yourself!” But that's easier said than done—especially if you're prone to social anxiety. Weaving together cutting-edge science, concrete tips, and the compelling stories of real people who have risen above their social anxiety, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen proposes a groundbreaking idea: you already have everything you need to succeed in any unfamiliar social situation. As someone who lives with social anxiety, Dr. Hendriksen has devoted her career to helping her clients overcome the same obstacles she has. With familiarity, humor, and authority, Dr. Hendriksen takes the reader through the roots of social anxiety and why it endures, how we can rewire our brains through our behavior, and—at long last—exactly how to quiet your Inner Critic, the pesky voice that whispers, "Everyone will judge you." Using her techniques to develop confidence, think through the buzz of anxiety, and feel comfortable in any situation, you can finally be your true, authentic self.

What is the perfect life? For some it’s financial security while others crave the ideal relationship or physical fitness. However you define the perfect life, there’s a good chance that you haven’t achieved it yet. Why are some people able to achieve all their dreams while others linger in mediocrity? Frank Canace examines this question and provides answers in the form of specific skills which will help you create your perfect life. Rooted in the law of attraction and the power of positive thinking, Frank’s philosophy is broken down into forty chapters that are quickly and easily read and provide daily lessons that can be immediately implemented into anyone’s life.

'Quirky, Sedaris - style musings with unexpected theatrical trimmings.'' - Time Out Chicago These days, reality can be hard to swallow. How do we get to the end of day, let alone the end of the week? Some people drink, others get therapy, but all of us - hidden in the secret places in the backs of our minds - have fantasies. These are what we wish for, fight for, live for. Maybe yours is a pretty girl. Maybe it's a better job. Maybe its the love that'll swoop down makes everything seem okay. It's the fantasies that'll save us, but still - they're a dangerous thing. That pretty girl may not be so pretty tomorrow; that perfect job may not really exist; and what happens to love when you're so lost in a fantasy you can't see what's right in front of your face? The stories in Everyone Remain Calm explore the lines between fantasy and reality - how we move between the two in a crazy attempt to make our lives better. It's a hard journey - we get anxious, panicked, fearful, lost - our pulse quickens, shoulders tighten. We forget to breathe. These stories are a reminder.