Stupid White Men, by Michael Moore

I have to admit that when I first picked this book I thought it would be a lot of crap. That�s what the cover art gives the impression of, anyway. It looks like a book made to entertain, not to inform, but in all honesty, its purpose is just the opposite.

I am thoroughly impressed with this book, and would recommend it to every American citizen. It contains important information on just who is in our government and what they are doing. The book also contains chapters on racism, sexism, foreign policy, domestic policy, and the lie that is the Democratic Party. It�s a great book, it informs while entertaining. It will no doubt open your eyes and make you say, like me, why didn�t I know about this earlier?

Fast Food Nation , by Eric Schlosser

"Ew," I can hear half of you saying already. "I don�t want to know what�s in the food, just don�t tell me." That�s the most common response I get when I tell people about the book Fast Food Nation. In reality, however, very little of the book is dedicated to what�s actually in the food. In all reality, the book talks about everything from the economic impact of fast food to the way fast food has become a dominating force in everything from government to foreign policy. Its amazing to see the way that fast food has morphed our farming industry into something that works very much like one huge factory, how its destroyed the lives of many migrant workers, and the diseases that fast food has spread. It�s a good read, whether you�re heading down to McDonalds right now to buy your lunch, or whether you�ve sworn off fast food for years.

The Hitchhiker�s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

This book is just awesome. There is no other way to put it. It takes the average science fiction type story and just twists it around with British humor until it makes fun of every clich� ever written. It�s absurdly funny; I actually remember laughing out loud in the middle of French class while reading it. It follows the story of two characters that leave Earth and end up fighting for their lives against all kinds of wacky galactic monsters.

This book will be a classic forever, and the best part is, it�s got quite a few sequels. All of the sequels, following the trend of the book, actually negate each other with their different stories. Everything just ends up being absurd. Plus, in the fourth sequel you can find my favorite literary character ever, Wonko the Sane. He actually builds an asylum that encases the whole world. He�s so great. You just gotta check these books out.

A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson

I�ve always wanted to Hike the Appalachian Trail one time in my life, so you can only imagine my joy in finding this delightful book by the popular Bill Bryson that details his own adventure in hiking up the Trail. Its not only hilariously funny, (another book that got me in trouble in French class) but it�s also incredibly informative on everything from hiking to the American South. It�s a great read, even if you never plan on owning a pair of hiking boots.

I have to say the parts about the bears were just hilarious. I too have a huge fear of bears, and Bryson managed to illustrate this flawlessly. He also gives interesting information on what is going on in the US government to preserve nature (practically nothing) and he even gives out a little geological history.

By the end of reading this book I felt not only very informed, but also ready to put on my hiking boots and hit the trail!

The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown

I was totally floored by this book. I was taken through a police-like thriller and through a fascinating history lesson at the same time. The story follows a young professor who gets mixed up in the murder of one of the few people who actually knows the whereabouts of the Holy Grail. From there the story winds itself all around Europe in the search both for murderers and for one of the biggest mysteries history has ever kept hidden.

This book is so great because it manages to be both fiction and nonfiction at the same time. On the fiction side, it was an incredibly thrilling book that kept me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. The characters are well thought out and interesting to follow as they make their way through the adventure. On the nonfiction side, I remember putting down the book and feeling as though someone had pulled the wool off of my eyes. The book gives accurate information on the history of the Grail, the Catholic Church, and even Jesus Christ himself. After reading this book I now know why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky. I�ve heard of the heinous crimes the Catholic Church has committed, and I have some eye opening information on the real life of Jesus Christ. That�s not even to mention, either, that I now know what the Holy Grail really is. More than likely, it�s a whole lot more than just a cup.

Seriously, read this book. You get a thriller and a history lesson all in one. Plus, you get to visit Europe. The book perfectly describes places like the Louvre, and many famous churches scattered all over France and England. Its fascinating, so go down to your nearest library and pick up a copy, if there are any free, that is.

Happy Yoga, Seven Reasons Why There�s Nothing to Worry About, by Steve Ross

I started doing yoga with Steve Ross about two years ago. Of course, that was in my basement, as I was watching him on TV.

Steve�s book spreads the same genius that his show does, and thus renders it an instant hit. He speaks in a down to earth way, and as you read you will periodically feel like rolling out your yoga mat and doing a few poses. He�s that inspiring.

Steve starts his book with his own brief biography, how he found yoga in his teens and traveled around with Indian Gurus. He describes how was dissapointed to find that in America most people were only practicing the physical aspects of yoga. He opened his own studio in California, and created an explosion in the yoga world.

In his books, Steve outlines the seven ways to perfect yoga bliss. These include everything from making happiness the goal of your practice to bringing health into your eating. He even describes how to strive for enlightenment. His book concentrates entirely on the mental aspects of yoga. It is most definitely not just another book of postures!

Steve�s book is one of the greatest I have ever read concerning Eastern philosophy. The most important part of yoga, and, indeed, life, is to just be happy to be alive and to love yourself. Steve tells us to stop searching for happiness in malls and beauty products. We can find it in ourselves. His book changed my life, and for all you yogis and yogi wannabes out there, I�m sure if you give it a chance it will change your lives too.

The Circle Within, by Dianne Sylvan

This is not just another Wicca 101 kind of book. In fact, this book was written for those of us who have read our fair share of Wicca 101 books and are now looking for ways to integrate all of that information into our lives.

I personally picked this book up at the perfect time. My practice was stagnating, and every Circle I cast and ritual I made seemed to feel the same. Dianne tells us that the most important part of Wicca is our relationship with Spirit. She gives Wiccans easy steps to follow to turn everyday into a holy day, not just the esbats and the sabbats. She shares interesting ideas to enhance your daily practices and how to create rituals that are meaningful for you. In this relatively small book she managed to open my eyes to how lifeless my practice had become, and how to easily change it into something beautiful and uniquely me. The book asks us to consider how we include Wicca into every aspect of our lives, such as at work, at home, while we eat, sleep, and basically just live. She encourages us to make Wicca our own, and not just something we read about in a book.

I give my highest praise to The Circle Within. Any Wiccan could use the information, and witchy humor, that bless its pages!