New book offers rich glimpses into farm life in 1950s, 1960s

TEMPE, Ariz. - Lawn Griffiths has released a collection of true stories and essays titled "Batting Rocks Over the Barn: An Iowa Farm Boy's Odyssey" (published by Xlibris). The award-winning writer's latest book follows his incredible journey as a young Iowa boy who dared to chart his destiny beyond the rural landscape of the 1950s and 1960s.

"Batting Rocks Over the Barn" captures the rhythm of rural life through the eyes of a young boy who grew up to become a newspaper journalist and farm editor. As largely a non-fiction biography, the work is narrated by the author from real experiences on the farm leading up to college.

The book devotes considerable space to the writer's parents, his twin brother and sister, plus such other people as hired men, neighbors, teachers and others who came to the farm.  All are important because of their genuine place in the writer's formative years, especially in their teaching responsibility.

Pervading the book is the author's belief that, put together, the varied experiences, jobs and misadventures helped shape him to be an alumnus of the rural school of hard knocks.  Time and again, the author has zeroed in on single elements of his farm life like fences, grease guns and harvesting wild asparagus in the roadside ditches, the  death of the town's blacksmith and city kids' raiding of his father's melon patch.

"Batting Rocks Over the Barn"

By Lawn Griffiths

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 150 pages | ISBN 9781503572843

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 150 pages | ISBN 9781503572836

E-Book | 150 pages | ISBN 9781503572829

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Lawn Griffiths spent 40 years in daily newspapers as writer, editor and columnist, including 12 years with the Waterloo (Iowa) Courier, 25 years with Tribune Newspapers in Mesa, Arizona, plus freelance writing for the Arizona Republic. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1946, he grew up on a farm near Parkersburg, Iowa. He earned a bachelor's degree in science journalism from Iowa State University in 1968 and master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 1972. He also served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay and the U.S. Army. Griffiths has earned more than 80 writing and community service awards.

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Author Subba Rao pours out observations, insights in life through humor, fiction

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - A cornucopia of enthralling tales that immortalize the memories of experience lived in varied parts of the world awaits readers within the pages of author Subba Rao's newest book. "Dolphin Nose," (published by Xlibris) Rao's third title, exposes his light-hearted observations of life from the events and incidents of both present and past; producing an exquisite collection of lessons that aims to inspire and entertain.

Through the narration of Juggernaut, Rao shares whimsical and jovial tales based on his thoughts and observations of life. His perspective is rich, astute and full of reflective insights that grace the readers with quotable life lessons. As per the world events, the best he could do was to come out with his own list of wishful thinking. He ponders on many pointless pursuits in life, all presented with light humor.

The dominant influence of diverse cultures spices up Rao's portrayal of every unique character. He takes readers through the beguiling terrains of India, the azure Caribbean and the land of freedom that is the United States. "Without looking at the events from the past and learning from it," Rao believes, "one cannot move forward." Through his eccentric approach in writing, he hopes to create a comforting reprieve from the ills of existence and inspire readers to look at life in a new light.

"Dolphin Nose"

By Subba Rao

Hardcover | 6x9in | 268 pages | ISBN 9781499055092

Softcover | 6x9in | 268 pages | ISBN 9781499055108

E-Book | 268 pages | ISBN 9781499055115

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Subba Rao was born in 1948 in Visakhapatnam, a southern Indian City he fondly calls Pineappleville since it is known for growing pineapples. The author considers himself a non-conformist and defies conventional writing style using his ear as measuring rule for use of grammar. A gypsy at heart, Rao has a penchant to travel through different cultures.  He published his first collection of short stories "Curry Goat and Calypso" in 2012 and "From Donkey's Mouth" in 2013. He lives in Sioux City, Iowa with his wife Radha and daughter Samantha.

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Author Tom Weber proudly shares a man's selfless efforts to help the poor and the needy by being 'The Christmas Doctor'

UTAH - "Sometimes, present day medical practitioners seem to forget the deep spiritual springs of their profession," author Tom Weber says. In his quest to highlight a remarkable person's almost unbelievable willingness and drive to help people, Weber tells an endearing and inspiring account of "The Christmas Doctor" (published by AuthorHouse). Illustrating Dr. Weber's (his father's) life, Weber presents a very interesting alternative to today's emphasis on the economic side of the medical practice and also to modern-day student loans.

Since his life was saved as a teenager by a deeply religious nurse, John Peter Weber dedicated his life to saving the lives of others. He performed hard physical labor over a long period of time in order to pay the cost of attending medical school. His medical career took place amidst some of the most primitive country in the United States including Hell's Canyon of the Snake River, Salmon River Canyon, and the Bitterroot Mountains.

Presenting not an ideal but real practice of one heroic physician from the earlier times, Weber gets his message across that an unselfish, humanitarian, and courageous medical practice can be rewarding.

"The Christmas Doctor"

By Tom Weber

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 112 pages | ISBN 9781491815601

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 112 pages | ISBN 9781491815618

e-book | 112 pages | ISBN 9781491815595

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Tom Weber was born at Boise, Idaho, in 1946. He received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University in 1970 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Utah in 1973. Through the years, he has worked for a number of governmental agencies, including the Utah State Insurance Fund and the United States Tariff Commission. While growing up in southern Idaho, Mr. Weber accompanied his father on many of his house calls. He resides at Salt Lake City.  "As I began to earnestly research my father's life," recalls the author, "and caught a glimpse of his enormous achievement, I sensed my unworthiness to search further. I was treading on holy ground. It was like entering a sacred shrine and involuntarily dropping to one's knees in awe. Still, I determined to stay the course despite my weakness since no one else was likely to ever do so."  The author can be reached at tomweber7@yahoo.com or at P.O. Box 1321, West Jordan, UT 84084.

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Author Michael Hib has created in 'BOOMERVILLE: Getting Off the Corporate Merry-Go-Round' an eye-opening read on how to survive and thrive in today's economy

COVINGTON, Ga. - The Baby Boomers generation has always been fortunate. This is due to the fact that most of them were born after the Second World War and have reaped the economic and moral benefits of the times. Therefore they have reaped the benefits of a higher income and better working conditions and benefits in their lifetime. But with a huge majority of baby boomers reaching retirement age and the world economy in shambles, the collective fates of all baby boomers seem uncertain. In "BOOMERVILLE: Getting Off the Corporate Merry-Go-Round" author Michael Hib has written a helpful guide on how the baby boomer generation can survive and thrive in the new economic arenas.

"BOOMERVILLE: Getting Off the Corporate Merry-Go-Round" shows how as millions of baby boomers head toward retirement and to new ventures, the world in which everyone lives in is shrinking rapidly. Many more countries attempt to become an economic player and US competitor as the global economy emerges. Rapidly expanding technologies and communications are enabling more countries to become borderless within a global economic community of creative destruction ? competitors on a global stage and 24 hour global clock. This highly informative book shows readers how millions of retiring baby boomers getting off the corporate merry-go-round will play a crucial role as freelancers and free agents in bridging the gaps in skills, talent, business wisdom, and sustainability.

This eye-opening and helpful read is a must have for all baby-boomers who wish to survive in the ever changing economic landscape of the times.