Bone Deep: A Cooper School Novel

Literature & Fiction

Thal, Jan Levine

Contemporary

Van Velzer Press

A thousand years ago in west Africa, a hero stopped a sacrifice. He cut off the head of a monster, the head flying into the air. But the Soninke princess was not saved: she was caught in an unfulfilled ritual. She was lost, immortal and unrecognized. A thousand years later a Bamana peasant boy fled his home and was recruited by the spirits to help fulfill a quest traveling a new world, where the French were colonial rulers, then encountering the lost princess. Yet their paths are forced apart. Grounded in the mythology, folklore, and legendary history of the old empires of west Africa (Wagadu and Mali), this novel is set at the dawn of French colonial rule in the territories of Mali and Guinea. Follow this Bamana peasant and the spirits of the bush that are guiding him in this quest. His path leads him on the old trade routes: salt to the south, kola nuts to the north. He discovers the purpose of his quest: to assist the princess of Wagadu who was not sacrificed a thousand years before. In the village of Kri Koro, a new French administrator is in charge. The traditional rulers of the town sought influence, the men used women as pawns; the women sought their own courses and means of influence. Behind the old authority of the Condé was a secret: a theft of power. In Kri Koro, the peasant and the princess meet again ... will they accomplish their goal with the tribal leaders and colonial authority both racing them to the golden secret? Meanwhile, an American has come to west Africa seeking a fortune and travels with a companion from the coast of Guinea to Kri Koro. All paths are set to crash together!

The Golden Secret of Kri Koro

Belcher, Stephen

United States

Tassie Kalas is not afraid to bare her soul, her freakishly long middle toe, and the excess baggage she carries around in her designer purse in this debut collection of short stories inspired by her Greek life. Each chapter is a tidy, humorous story.\nGrowing up Greek-American isn’t easy for this first born, but growing older—marriage, motherhood, dog hair and divorce—is even harder. Yaya’s Big Black Purse, a fuzzy collection of short stories covering four generations of a traditional Greek family, focuses on one member’s modern-day struggles as she grows up, grows older, and finally finds her voice—at the same time she’s losing her mind.\nIf you’ve ever said yes to the dress (then had to fit into it), recorded your child’s graduation (with the lens cap on), or struggled to be the perfect wife, mother, and daughter in an imperfect world, you’ll want to reach into Yaya’s Big Black Purse.\nBecause Yaya knew you have to grow up to appreciate how you grew up. And you’re never too old to purse-sue your dreams.

YaYa's Big Black Purse: Drama of a Greek Mama

Humor & Entertainment

Kalas, Tassie

Humor

China's economy is collapsing. (This is real, corrupt elites and their Belt and Road program have drained them.) So begins the novel Red Dragon's Gambit ?In desperation, China makes plans to gain control over Taiwan to harness its wealth. With a very public military show of moving on Taiwan, China lures the U.S. 7th Fleet far away from their real target: San Francisco! The plan is to hold this American city hostage until the world allows China to annex Taiwan and then retreat from the U.S. West Coast. While the Chinese invasion force slips across the ocean toward San Francisco; a crack team of CIA analysts try to convince the president of the real danger. Dismissed and not believed, this team has to save the U.S. in any way they can, offering aid to enemies and breaking the law in order to save our west coast. Deceptions and chaotic tactical plans are clashing. Only one thing seems to be working in favor of saving San Francisco - an unlikely, motley crew of Asian-American locals with one thing in common: a savage take-no-prisoners battle against the Chinese invaders. Will this be enough when the President of the United States has not even sent in one Marine Corp Unit?

Red Dragon's Gambit

Buonanno, C. R.

Bone Deep

LGBTQ+ Books

Levine Thal, Jan

Ski Bum

A flunking college student drops out to chase a dream of traveling west to live the ski bum life. In Colorado Jimmy finds a home amongst a group of like-minded, often degenerate, ski bums whose lives of adventure seem far more appealing than what he left behind. At Silver Mountain, Jimmy realizes a ski town is the ideal place for young people to raise a middle finger to societal norms and do as they please. Jimmy and crew live a spontaneous life of partying, hot tub poaching & illicit sledding; living scrappy and poor in a place where rich people vacation.\nIn the sport he loves and its accompanying culture, Jimmy is chasing a high. He questions whether he’s come to the mountains to experience just a taste or to succumb to it completely, all while trying not to fall victim to the excesses of resort life. When an impromptu road trip turns catastrophic, Jimmy’s relationships and newfound sense of freedom are strained to a breaking point. As ski season becomes spring, Jimmy struggles to find his own path forward—if there is a path at all.

Clancy, Colin

Genre Fiction

A flunking college student drops out to chase a dream of traveling west to live the ski bum life. In Colorado Jimmy finds a home amongst a group of like-minded, often degenerate, ski bums whose lives of adventure seem far more appealing than what he left behind. At Silver Mountain, Jimmy realizes a ski town is the ideal place for young people to raise a middle finger to societal norms and do as they please. Jimmy and crew live a spontaneous life of partying, hot tub poaching & illicit sledding; living scrappy and poor in a place where rich people vacation.In the sport he loves and its accompanying culture, Jimmy is chasing a high. He questions whether he's come to the mountains to experience just a taste or to succumb to it completely, all while trying not to fall victim to the excesses of resort life. When an impromptu road trip turns catastrophic, Jimmy's relationships and newfound sense of freedom are strained to a breaking point. As ski season becomes spring, Jimmy struggles to find his own path forward-if there is a path at all.

Mary Brewster's Love Life: Matriarch of the Mayflower

A 17th century wife had limited choices; go along with her husband's plans willingly or begrudgingly. Mary Brewster, wife of Elder William Brewster of Mayflower and Plimoth Plantation fame, chose love over resentment. Love inspired her to sacrifice her time, health, and safety for the sake of others. Her commitment to William and their children took her away from her tranquil English hamlet to flee across the North Sea as a refugee. A decade later she sailed on the Mayflower as one of the Separatists destined to establish a new English colony in North America. Through life-threatening transitions, she displayed unrelenting loyalty and service to others. Her compassion encompassed family, friends, orphaned children, young adults, and total strangers. Mary Brewster earned the title 'Matriarch of the Mayflower.' When other women might have chosen differently, she repeatedly chose to support William, even when his convictions exposed her to deprivations and danger. She exemplifies an all-powerful love that bears all challenges, endures losses, and transforms people and places.

Biographies & Memoirs

Haueisen, Kathryn Brewster

Community & Culture

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Steel Butterflies

Splaine, Elizabeth B.

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