The Beginner S Guide

“Arguably the greatest living travel writer” (Outside magazine), Pico Iyer has called Japan home for more than three decades. But, as he is the first to admit, the country remains an enigma even to its long-term residents. In A Beginner’s Guide to Japan, Iyer draws on his years of experience—his travels, conversations, readings, and reflections—to craft a playful and profound book of surprising, brief, incisive glimpses into Japanese culture. He recounts his adventures and observations as he travels from a meditation hall to a love hotel, from West Point to Kyoto Station, and from dinner with Meryl Streep to an ill-fated call to the Apple service center in a series of provocations guaranteed to pique the interest and curiosity of those who don’t know Japan—and to remind those who do of its myriad fascinations.

Invaluable tutorials and insightful tips make Beginner's Guide to Fantasy Drawing a perfect start to a fantasy art journey.

What kid hasn't wanted to make their parents feel sorry for treating him badly? And how better to accomplish this than to run away? Here's a guide showing how, from what to pack (gum--then you won't have to brush your teeth) to how to survive (don't think about your cozy bed). Ultimately, though, readers will see that there really is no place like home. Like Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, here's a spot-on portrait of a kid who's had it. And like Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, it's also a journey inside a creative kid's imagination: that special place where parents aren't allowed without permission.

God created the human body as a finely tuned instrument of enormous power, but it requires fuel to operate. To make sure the body gets enough fuel, God created in us an appetite for food, which we call hunger. So why would we ever ignore our hunger and choose not to eat? Going without food for spiritual reasons is called fasting, a spiritual dis...

Go from Watercolor Beginner to Painting Pro with this Incredible, Comprehensive Guide Taking up watercolor painting can feel overwhelming or intimidating, but with Jovy Merryl’s expert advice, easy-to-follow tutorials and beginner- friendly projects, it doesn’t have to be! Jovy walks you through all the foundational knowledge you need to succeed as a water colorist, from choosing the right materials to understanding color harmony and mastering basic brushstrokes. Easy-to-follow projects provide an effortless way to practice your skills and reinforce essential techniques. Hone your brushmarking with projects like Melody of Roses and Bouquet of Sunshine, and gain confidence in wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques with beautiful paintings like Atmospheric Landscape and Sunny Day. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll continue to polish your newfound skills while learning other techniques that refine and add depth to your paintings. Learn the value of white space with Backlit Forest, add texture and special effects with Sun Glitter and become a pro at layering and glazing with Dreamy Phuket. Packed to the brim with helpful tips and tricks, this collection of stunning projects is the only resource you’ll need to unleash your creativity, find your artistic style and begin your watercolor painting journey.

The brand-new book from a powerful literary voice, author of The Stranger She Knew, shortlisted for the Paul Torday Prize.

Discover the nature of the mysterious, spiritually potent starseeds—intuitive people who help change the world—with this easy-to-read and accessible beginner’s guide! Explore the ancient new age concept of starseeds, spiritually advanced people with strong psychic abilities sent to help the earth heal, grow, and change. The Beginner’s Guide to Starseeds offers a look at who starseeds are and where they come from, as well as their innate skills and spiritual sensitivities. You will gain fascinating insight into the unique personalities and nature of starseeds and even figure out if you’re a starseed, too! Perfect for anyone hoping to change the world or curious about different dimensions, this book is an illuminating and enlightening look at life on a higher plane of existence.

Based on their extensive experience with teaching R and statistics to applied scientists, the authors provide a beginner's guide to R. To avoid the difficulty of teaching R and statistics at the same time, statistical methods are kept to a minimum. The text covers how to download and install R, import and manage data, elementary plotting, an introduction to functions, advanced plotting, and common beginner mistakes. This book contains everything you need to know to get started with R.