Born on the Fourth of July

By Ron Kovic

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This classic, New York Times Bestseller details the author’s life story (portrayed by Tom Cruise in the Oliver Stone film of the same name) from a patriotic soldier in Vietnam, to his severe battlefield injury, to his role as the country’s most outspoken anti-Vietnam War advocate, spreading his message from his wheelchair. Ron Kovic served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He was paralyzed from his chest down in combat in 1968 and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Kovic’s powerful and moving new introduction sets this classic antiwar story in a contemporary context.

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100 American Flags

By Kit Hinrichs

This vibrant collection of 100 Stars and Stripes artifacts ranges from Civil War-era banners and Native American braided moccasins to an early 20th-century “friendship” kimono and original flag art by several of the world’s leading designers. Destined to captivate folk-art aficionados, history buffs, and collectors, this book provides a stunning visual history of America’s most treasured symbol. A timely, patriotic full-color book presenting 100 American flag artifacts from one of the world’s most eminent collectors, designer Kit Hinrichs.

May is the month of mom — especially in my family.

Mom’s birthday is the day before Mother’s Day. She’s a real-life Wonder Woman who certainly deserves all the extra attention. But I feel pressure this year to make her gift extra special because this birthday is her big 5-0 (sorry to divulge that, mom!). I want a gift that’s both sentimental and memorable, something that no one else could give her. There’s no better place to look than Lulu, but I can’t decide what to make.

Growing up, mom wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic. So I’ve thought about making a Lulu photo book full of her best pictures mixed in with maps that show where she was when she took them.  I can completely customize it and make a nice, personalized, hard cover book that she’d be proud to display on her coffee table.

Then again, mom also likes to cook, and she has all these recipes that have been passed around our whole family. So another thought is to create a personalized Lulu cookbook full of our family’s favorite dishes.  That’d be great for preserving delicacies like my grandmother’s delicious sweet potato casserole and seven layer cookies.  I even have handwritten recipes and pictures of food I could upload. The cookbook could live on in our family, with regular updates as we collect new recipes.

My mom is also very busy and could always use help with her schedule.  So maybe a personalized Lulu calendar with photo birthday and anniversary reminders would do the trick.  I can pull in pictures of our family and her friends directly from Facebook so it should be pretty simple.  I know she’d use it every day, too.

What do you think? What Lulu creation has gotten the best reaction for you?

I’m hoping you can help me pick out the perfect gift, and get a few ideas of your own. Right now you can save 15% on all photo books and calendars (use code MOM15 at checkout) so it’s a great time to make mom a remarkable present.

Hurry though, Mother’s Day is only 2 weeks away.

One of the reasons I love Lulu eBooks so much is the content. Without a doubt, we have a unique selection that can’t be found anywhere else. Below, I’ve chosen a few that caught my interest. Take a look at my top eBook pics for the week!

Fight On! #7 Fall 2009

Deep under the misty mountains, the proudest and toughest keep Fighting On! Join us in those days of blood and plunder by picking up a copy of issue 7, dedicated to M.A.R. Barker and featuring EIGHT adventures, tables, settings, reviews, encounters, monsters, spells, magic items, new classes, non-canonical expansions to Empire of the Petal Throne, and much, much more!

The Crochet Dude’s Flying Afghan!

Download version – As seen in the Accord Crochet Pattern-a-Day Calendar, here are all the patterns you’ll need to create this sampler afghan by The Crochet Dude. In no time you will have a wonderful gift (perhaps for yourself).

Included are the instructions for twelve large squares and sixteen small squares. Mix and match to create your own layout! Oh, and you also receive the Dudessembly instructions to put it all together!

The Vegan Dad Cookbook: Recipes from the Award-Winning Blog

Making vegan food the whole family can enjoy seems like a daunting task. No more! The Vegan Dad Cookbook contains over 120 recipes that take kids’ food beyond the veggie dog. From brunch to dinner, Vegan Dad has you covered with dishes from around the world as well as good ol’ fashioned comfort food. This book provides the answer to that daily question, “what’s for dinner?”

Second Chances

A sexy story about two people who find love where they least expect it.

Erica Parker lost her husband four years ago and never thought she’d find love again. Todd Atkins was a man who was happy being a bachelor and had never been in a long-term relationship. An unexpected meeting, in the most unlikely of places, will bring two people together and help them have a second chance at love.

Here are some of the great gifts that I found:

Bawdy & Soul by R.A. Christmas is the result of R. A. Christmas’ lifetime interest in American Folk and Popular music—specifically, his roughly ten-year quest (ca.1975-85) for success in the “music business,” in and around Hollywood.

Christmas… Relax your spirit with the gentle sounds of pure piano holiday favorites, 
celebrating the serenity and beauty of Christmas. An outstanding collection of Christmas classics played by Marilyn Byrnes in a moving and contemporary style.

The Thorner Historical Society 2009 Calendar is twelve months of fantastic archive photos of Thorner in Leeds, capturing the good old days of horse drawn carriages and steam trains, no longer to be seen in Thorner.

There are thousands of great last-minute gift ideas available at the Lulu.com marketplace.

* Pick up a scrumptious copy of Cookies and Cocktails . This festive cookbook has recipes sure to please even the pickiest of party palates. Whether you serve the Jack Frost Martini or the Kris Kringle cookies, your guests are guaranteed to come back for seconds and, who knows, maybe thirds.

* Whether you’re hosting or attending, a digital camera is a must have. Capture all of your party’s unforgettable moments and create a Lulu photo book to share with friends at the party and those who couldn’t make it. With the easy-to-use Lulu Studio™ photo book tool, you could have it ready before the next party. Could be a great gift idea…(hint hint.)

However you choose to celebrate your upcoming holiday event, have a very merry Happy Holidays from Lulu.com.

And what could be better than this cute holiday tale, beautiful artwork, and the fun, interactive Santy Claws website, you ask? How about the fact that McMillan is donating 100% of all profits to Make-A-Wish® Canada and a major national children’s charity in the United States.

Santy Claws and the TOE-nenbaum was written by John Collins and illustrated by Michael Zavacky of McMillan. Visit the fun and interactive site website for a sneak peak of the book. What a festive way to give to charity while captivating all the youngsters on your list.

If you would like to help support Make-A-Wish® Canada and get your very own copy of Santy Claws and the TOE-nenbaum, click HERE to order. If you would like to help support a major national children’s charity in the U.S., you can order your copy of Santy Claws and the TOE-nenbaum HERE.

Americas Best Kitchens’ Thanksgiving Recipes compiles over 60 original recipes – dips, appetizers, soups, salads, sides, stuffing, turkey, ham, lasagna and desserts. There are five turkey roasting recipes and two mouth-watering gravy guides. This cookbook has your Thursday covered.

Vegetarian options abound in Ruchi: An All-Vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast by Laxmi Laxman. Ruchi means “taste” in Sanskrit, and your flavometer will go into overdrive with recipes for Spicy Mashed Potatoes, Pumpkin & Red Beans, and Corn Curry. The “Turkey” is a nutritious, marinated cauliflower over a festive, peppery rice dish (pulao).

If you’re short on time and need help planning your meal, get your holiday humming with the full Turkey Day menu outlined in Mami’s Book of Thanksgiving Recipes by Sandy G. Gompf. This platter planner will keep you on schedule with a concise shopping list and daily to-do lists. The dozen table-filling recipes (turkey, stuffing, pies) are as easy to follow as they are delicious.

Gather to Gobble is a family-focused Thanksgiving Day guide, filled with over two dozen recipes wrangled from relatives as well as holiday quotes, amusing art and photos from the Pollock family’s years of giving thanks. There are even guides to choosing a turkey or wine, and an inspired recipe for leftover turkey.

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and merry cranberry sauce!