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100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die

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100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die

Author: Jamie Ward
Publisher: Reedy Press
Release Date: September 1, 2022
Paperback: 192 pages
ISBN-10: 1681063867
ISBN-13: 978-1681063867
Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
MRSP: $22.50

If you’re new to the Hoosier State and want a crash course in the Indiana scenery, or if you’re a lifelong local just wanting to find something new to explore, 100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die is a book for you! Grab a copy and stash it in your car for when the mood hits you to take a “One Tank Getaway“.

Falling into the lifelong Hoosier category spanning decades, I was surprised that I could only check 32 of the 100 off my list. I’ve tried to do a handful of others over the years, but things like small-town business hours exist (I’m looking at you, Schimpff’s Confectionery!).

Delving into 100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die, you’re presented with six sections; Food and Drink, Music and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation, Culture and History, Shopping and Fashion, and Main Streets and Neighborhoods. In the back, the list is indexed by season and suggested audience to help find something relevant to do on any given day.

While I could think of a thousand additional things to add to the list (in Indianapolis alone), narrowing it down to 100 would be a difficult task. Indiana is a much bigger place than what the “flyover” crowd wants to believe. But along those lines, the one thing 100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die could use is a map of where the places are, preferably sorted out by region of the state. No place is typically more than three hours away from Indianapolis, but a trip from Angola to Evansville can take 5 to 6 hours depending on the traffic.

VERDICT: Pick up a copy of 100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die and get to exploring the Hoosier State!

Disclosure: We received a review copy of 100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Illustrated Edition Cover Revealed

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The cover for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Illustrated Edition (affiliate link), Book 3 ($39.99) by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay, has been revealed.

The illustrated edition will be published by Scholastic in the U.S. on October 3, 2017.

If you haven’t seen the illustrated editions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (affiliate link) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (affiliate link) yet, they are both worth a look.

Flash Mob of Harry Potter fans – “Muggle Mob” – Stops Traffic at Scholastic Headquarters in New York City

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I don’t know about the people at your house but most of the people at mine are getting pretty excited about the upcoming release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two. On July 31st Harry Potter fans will get to read a special rehearsal edition of the new play  which opens in London’s West End on July 30th.

Scholastic recently announced that an estimated 5,000 bookstores and libraries will be hosting midnight parties around the U.S. on July 30th to celebrate the release of the script book. For more information or to find a midnight party near you, visit www.scholastic.com/harrypotterbooks.

“Scholastic introduced Harry Potter to readers of all ages nearly 20 years ago. What better way to celebrate the release of the eighth story and start the countdown to the biggest publishing event of the summer than to gather a flash mob of dedicated Harry Potter fans eager to share their love of books and reading,” said Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade. “We could feel the excitement and anticipation as hundreds of people were reading and one of the busiest streets in Manhattan came to a standstill. It was an incredible moment and we can’t wait until July 31st!”

Scholastic announced earlier this year that they will release a hardcover of the screenplay for the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on November 19th.

My little Muggles can’t wait to get their hands of both of these books! The Harry Potter series has helped spur a love of reading for so many children over the last (nearly) 20 years. I’m glad that my children are experiencing that same love and excitement for these books.

The End Is Near (Maybe)

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Doomsday. Some thought it would come on Y2K. It didn’t. Thirteen years later the focus is on the Mayan calendar and December 21, 2012. It won’t come on this day either.

Or there any other number of theories of how the world will go down the toilet.  There are even TV shows about how to survive the end of the world (let’s not even delve into that logic). Some are preoccupied with the thought, that is certain.

But regardless of the day, eventually a Doomsday will come for us all.  In the meantime, here are some books you can pick up to see what all of the Doomsday fuss is about.

The Book of Destiny: Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Mayans and the Prophecy of 2012

Written at the request of the Mayan Elders, by a member of the Guatemalan Elders Council and Mayan priest Carlos Barrios, The Book of Destiny is a tool to help people understand their life purpose and to use this profound knowledge to make the best of their time on earth.

According to the Mayan Elders, at the moment of birth every human being is given a destiny. Our life challenge is to develop ourselves and our skills in order to fulfill this destiny, thus fueling our individual contribution to the planet. At the heart of The Book of Destiny is the sacred Mayan Calendar, an extraordinary tool that allows readers to discover this destiny, along with their special Mayan symbol, origin, and protection spirits that accompany them through life.

Author: Carlos Barrios ♦ Paperback: 368 pages ♦ List Price: $14.99 ♦ Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (June 29, 2010) ♦ ISBN-13: 978-0061833830 ♦ Buy From Amazon.com

Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios

Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe and Secure—No Matter What

Undaunted by the prospect of TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World as We Know It), Lisa Bedford tackles every what-if and worst-case scenario head-on, offering practical advice on how to prepare your family for whatever might come your way. From a few days without electricity to an unexpected job loss or total chaos after the destruction of a tornado, Survival Mom provides everything you need to become self-reliant and establish plans for your family, including:

  • preparing the home for a natural disaster
  • alternative sources of energy in a power’s-out situation
  • everything you need to know about food storage
  • personal protection (do I really need to learn how to shoot a gun?)

Deep inside every mom is a Survival Mom whose passion for her family drives her to make the best of the present and prepare for the future. So tap into your Mama Grizzly instincts and channel your worries into action. Whether you’re a full-fledged “prepper” or just getting started, with real-life stories and customizable forms and checklists along with Lisa’s “you can do it” attitude, Survival Mom replaces paranoia and panic with the peace of knowing YOU have the power to keep your loved ones safe and secure.

Author: Lisa Bedford ♦ Paperback: 336 pages ♦ List Price: $19.99 ♦ Publisher: HarperOne; Original edition (March 13, 2012) ♦ ISBN-13: 978-0062089465 ♦ Buy From Amazon.com

Solar Cataclysm: How the Sun Shaped the Past and What We Can Do to Save Our Future

A bold new theory about the Sun–Earth relationship, its role in history, and its potentially disastrous future.

We are in the midst of one of the most massive, powerful, and relentless solar storms in history, reports science journalist and solar expert Lawrence Joseph, and a single, random blast from the Sun could well destroy our way of life at any time. Tracing the Sun’s behavior and its influence on Earth from the most recent Ice Age to the present and connecting groundbreaking research in solar physics to biology, politics, and culture, Joseph alerts us to the tremendous vulnerability of our infrastructure and delivers the tools and strategies we need to outsmart the Sun and protect Earth’s satellites and other vital systems from the coming solar apocalypse.

Solar Cataclysm implores us to rethink our understanding of human history and redefine our relationship with the 4.57-billion-year-old thermonuclear behemoth in order to defend our future.

The connection between human history and solar activity has gone largely untold—until now. Carefully examining the 4.57-billion-year story of our relationship with the Sun, science reporter and bestselling author Lawrence Joseph demonstrates how nearly every aspect of earthly existence and human behavior has always been and continues to be susceptible to changes in the Sun—the basis for his “Moody Sun Hypothesis.” As we come to realize that the Sun is far more turbulent and explosive than imagined, we must also come to terms with the fact that our future is more vulnerable to the Sun than ever suspected.

From the Sun’s role in global climate change to its constant threat of catastrophic solar blasts, and from stories of solar activity causing rifts in religion in the Middle Ages to the way sunspots are messing with our moods and minds today, Solar Cataclysm examines the myriad ways the ever-changing Sun disrupts our personal lives, determines the course of history, and shapes our destiny.

But this isn’t a tale of doom. Our fates, collectively and individually, aren’t tethered to the Sun’s ups and downs. With captivating storytelling and witty prose, Joseph shows us how to draw on the tools and expertise—including the very latest solar science research and technology advances, as well as human ingenuity and survival instincts—to respond effectively to the Sun’s threats and to shield ourselves and our atmosphere, satellite system, power grids, and nuclear power infrastructure from the Sun’s impending assault.

How did the Sun King, Louis XIV, ban sunspots for virtually all of his seventy-two-year reign? What makes Stanford and Purdue University scientists so sure that the Sun is sending out secret, vitally important messages today?

Smart and engaging, Solar Cataclysm guides us to a new, dynamic, life-affirming level of interconnectedness among self, planet, and sustaining star.

Author: Lawrence E. Joseph ♦ Hardcover: 288 pages ♦ List Price: $25.99 ♦ Publisher: HarperOne (September 25, 2012) ♦ ISBN-13: 978-0062061928 ♦ Buy From Amazon.com

The Coffee Table Book of Doom

The Doomsday clock is ticking… could this really be the end of the world?

Remember the good old days, when all we had to worry about were those Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Bible: Pestilence, War, Famine and Death? Well, now we have reason to believe that there are more than just four horsemen. Many, many more. The Coffee Table Book of Doom is a handy guide to all the ways you and everyone else might cease to exist. It might not be able to save you, but it can make Doomsday a lot more fun.

Buy this book. Take a deep breath. Then read like mad…who knows if you’ll have enough time to finish?

Authors: Steven Appleby & Art Lester ♦ Hardcover: 224 pages ♦ List Price: $20.00 ♦ Publisher: Plume; Original edition (September 25, 2012) ♦ ISBN-13: 978-0452298668 ♦ Buy From Amazon.com

Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest

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Need a gift for that hard-to-buy-for relative or boss? How about one for a best friend who’s a foodie, or a colleague who loves to shop local? Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest is a new coffee table book that features vivid photography and personal stories from more than 80 Hoosiers involved in Indiana food. The book includes entrepreneurs such as Sun King Brewing Co.’s Clay Robinson and Goose the Market’s Chris Eley; chefs such as Duos’ Becky Hostetter and R Bistro’s Regina Mehallick; as well as producers and growers that supply them – including Greg Gunthorp and Dave Fischer.

The book retails for $24.95 and is sold at a variety of local stores including Homespun, Silver in the City, Indy Reads Books, Big Hat Books, Book Mama’s, and the new West Elm store at The Fashion Mall at Keystone. It is also available online at www.IndianaHarvest.com. All proceeds benefit Indiana Humanities, which creates engaging humanities programs for Hoosiers.

Over the next few weeks, several Indianapolis locations are hosting free book signings with author David Hoppe and photographer Kristin Hess. At the events, the books will be available for 20% off the cover price for $20.

Locations and times of the book talks and signings:

Thursday, Nov. 29 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Book signing at New Day Meadery (1102 Prospect Street, Indianapolis)

Saturday, Dec. 1 from Noon – 4 p.m.
Holiday Author Fair, Indiana History Center (450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis)

Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 – 7 p.m.
Holiday Harvest book signing at Sun King Brewing Co. with Duos (135 North College Avenue, Indianapolis)

Friday, Dec. 7 from 8 – 10 p.m.
First Friday book signing at Murphy Art Center with People for Urban Progress (Murphy Art Center, 1043 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis)

Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Book signing at Goose the Market (2503 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis)

At Goose the Market, local producers, food advocates and chefs all featured in Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest will be available to sign autographs, dedications and talk one-on-one with guests about the challenges and successes of Indiana’s local food future. New Goose products just for the holidays will be available including special releases made from the goods grown and cooked up by people featured in the book.

“Through our Food for Thought program, we met an amazing group of people involved in Indiana food,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “We wanted to share their stories about making a living through food, how the creative, entrepreneurial passion drives people to take risks and introduce food-based innovations, and how Hoosiers’ efforts are working to solve food-based challenges across the street and around the globe. These are the stories we will be telling about through our book.”

Commissioned by Indiana Humanities, Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest features a broad spectrum of Hoosiers statewide, and is a legacy of the two-year award-winning program called Food for Thought. Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest was published by IBJ Publishing and printed by an Indiana company.

I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution

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Ask five witnesses what they just saw and you may get three different stories. When you ask more than 30 people what happened in the music video industry between 1981 and 1992, and you get a complete history of MTV.

I Want My MTV takes you behind the scenes of a television station that revolutionized how we listened to music. Artists became superstars overnight, generations were introduced to music genres they may never have been exposed to, and bags of sugar were poured out on living room floors across the nation. (Okay, I know I am not the only one that got in trouble for making their own Def Leppard video).

Somehow, MTV worked, but its future was not always so certain. Craig Marks takes us through more than a decade of the golden age of MTV, an age that reflected the life and times of a generation, but also defined it. An easy and fascinating read, anyone interested in how MTV went from an idea to a cultural icon will enjoy this book.

Four out of five stars.

[ReviewAZON asin=”0452298563″ display=”fullpost”]

Hidden America: From Coal Miners to Cowboys, an Extraordinary Exploration of the Unseen People Who Make This Country Work

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Hidden America isn’t your average “read before bed time story.”  No one is falling in love, saving a damsel in distress, or solving a crime.  In this book, we follow a different protagonist–the author.  On a journey to share the stories of those often overlooked, Jeanne Marie Laskas takes us along on her mission to bridge the gap between perception and reality of those that make the world go ’round.  You will never flip another light switch the same way again.

[ReviewAZON asin=”0399159002″ display=”fullpost”]

Leonard Maltin’s 2013 Movie Guide: The Modern Era

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In this 1,664 page reference book Leonard Maltin includes more than 17,000 capsule movie reviews as well as a listing of popular actors and actresses and the films they have appeared in.

To test the depth of the movies covered in Leonard Maltin’s 2013 Movie Guide: The Modern Era, I requested that our Twitter followers and Facebook fans send the title of any theater released movie prior to 2007.  Sure enough, all movie titles submitted were indeed found in the book.

However, if you’re looking for indie films, or direct to video releases, there is a chance that you will not find them listed here.

For example, the worst movie I have ever seen, the independent film Zombie Nation, was not in the movie guide. But to be honest, I wouldn’t waste the space and the ink to include a capsule review of that film either.

Bottom line, Leonard Maltin’s 2013 Movie Guide: The Modern Era would be a perfect book for any movie lover wanting a quick reference movie guide at their fingertips.

[ReviewAZON asin=”0452298547″ display=”fullpost”]

The Vampire Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Bloodthirsty Undead

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In The Vampire Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Bloodthirsty Undead, Roger Ma’s followup to The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Living Dead, he prepares readers for the inevitable event of a vampire attack.

Ma starts with dispelling the myths surrounding vampires, such as them being shapeshifters, and then gets into the anatomy of a vampire.

Next up we get into vampire combat tips including conditioning, weapons, strategies and techniques.

Without giving away too much of the book, I will tell you two things I’m sure you’re wondering about.

First, yes, wooden stakes are an excellent weapon in vampire combat, but they require an extremely high skill level to use effectively. Ma includes a list of the best wood types (hardwoods) to use when creating wooden stakes.

Secondly, garlic is indeed another great weapon to use against vampires, and Ma includes a recipe for garlic mace (warning: it takes 60 days to make) for those times you don’t have garlic cloves on you.

Be sure to grab a copy of The Vampire Combat Manual for your loved ones. You never know when you may have to fight a vampire and it’s best to be prepared.

[ReviewAZON asin=”0425247651″ display=”fullpost”]