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Show Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 A&EDiversions Page 7 A holiday guide for your book buying needs Stumped on what to give your roommate, dad, cousin or co-worker this gift-giving season? Here are 15 books, all released this year, that might be just the thing. Since they're new releases, even your most bookworm-y friend might not already have them, and with this list you'll have time to check out a few over the Thanksgiving break and still make your purchases before the major holiday rush. For the political guru (listed by release date, please don't hurt me): 1. "America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag" by Sarah Palin, to be released Nov. 23 2. "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters" by Barack Obama, released Nov. 16 3. "Decision Points" by George W. Bush, released Nov. 9 4. "Valley Forge: George Washington and the Crucible of Victory" by Newt Gingrich, et al., released Nov. 9 Pick by party or by topic: Obama and Palin both write about their inspirations, both in their families and in whom they consider great Americans, while Bush offers his own perspective on the events leading up to and throughout his presidency. These include the contested elec- tion and 9/11, among others. Gingrich and co-writers follow up their 2009 novel "To Try Men's Souls" - that's right, it's historical fiction - with this revolutionary war-era tale narrated by Washington himself. For the pop-culture afficionado: 5. "Unbearable Lightness" by Portia De Rossi, released Nov. 1 The autobiography of the actress with body image issues and the struggle of rising to fame seems overdone, but De Rossi often flies under the radar and I'm interested to see what she has to offer to the sea of inspiration with her sexuality and famous wife. This one also comes with an endorsement from one of my favorite authors, Jonathon Safran Foer. 6. "Decoded" by Jay-Z, released Nov. 16 Yeah, I'm sure there are ghostwriters more often than not with these celebrity autobiographies, but the guy has got to have a great story. For music fans in general, this has got to offer some insight from a solid guy who's been in, and all over, the business for a long time. 7, 8, 9 and 10. Ricky Martin ("Me"), Keith Richards ("Life"), John Stewart and Glenn Beck all have new books out. Purchase at your own risk. For the kids, or kids-at-heart: 11, "Harry Potter Film Wizardry" by Brian Sibley, released Oct. 19, is a welcome treat. On the heels of the soon-to-be-released movie, this makes a great gift for the movielover or Harry Potter lover. Sibley worked with cast and crew members from the Harry Potter films to create a colorful, fully illustrated look behind the scenes of the magical series. For the quick reader, novel devourer or thrill-seeker: 12. "The Confession" by John Grisham, released Oct. 26 Legal thriller master Grisham's latest offers the story of a crime from the criminal's perspective instead of the lawyer's. An innocent man has been sentenced to death for a crime committed by our narrator - will he watch and revel in quite literally getting away with murder, or will his overwhelming guilt compel him to initiate a shocking turn of events for all involved? Better question: How will any reader empathize with a heinous killer as "protagonist?" 13. "Full Dark, No Stars" by Stephen King, released Nov. 9 A collection of four dark stories, "Full Dark, No Stars" led one reviewer to dub King the "modern heir" to Edgar Allen Poe. While this won't make for any kind of warm-fuzzy holiday reading, it might be appropriately suited to the gloom and doom come the start of inversion season, I mean, spring semester, Jan. 10. 14. "Autobiography of Mark Twain, vol. 1" by Mark Twain with multiple editors, released Nov. 15 Although this new edition of Twain's brilliant autobiography - the first of three volumes compiled and edited by the Mark Twain Project to include what the author didn't want the public to see for 100 years after his death - is exciting, it isn't why I included it here. Classics old and new, in special editions, new editions or old used editions make a great, thoughtful gift and shouldn't be overlooked. 15. "Heaven is for Real: A little boy's astounding story of his trip to heaven and back" by Todd, Sonja and Colton Burpo and contributor Lynn Vincent, released Nov. 2 Just reading the title of this book and taking a look at the cover was instantly moving. The book tells the real-life experience of a young boy who loses consciousness while on the operating table and goes to heaven, then returns to tell his family about deceased loved ones and the love and power of God. This story co-written by Colton and his parents is bound to invoke humility, gratitude, wonder and curiosity. - chelsey.gensel@aggiemail.usu.edu Game: Something for all to enjoy continuedfrom page 6 lenge on the veteran difficulty. Multiplayer returns in "Black Ops" and it's bigger and better than ever. With over 40 guns to master, 21 different game modes and 14 maps, there is no shortage of things to do. Overall, the experience feels very familiar. You level up, unlock guns, prestige, then do it all over again - but there are a few key differences this time around. As you level up, you will earn credits to go along with your experience points. These are used to buy everything you need to unlock your character. This adds more player customization which makes the game more personal. Keeping in tune with the more personal experience, you now have more control over the look of your character as well as your gun. With credits come Wager Matches. Wager Matches are the only new multiplayer mode to this year's entry and they are a blast. You bet your hard earned credits against other players for all matches. Place in the top three, you are in the money and receive some winnings. If you finish out of the top three, you get nothing. There are four different game types in Wager Matches, each with their own rules and conditions. Matches are extremely competitive and the different rule sets add a lot of variety to the experience. Zombies also return to add a co-op element to the game. Zombie matches consist of up to four players trying to survive wave after wave of zombies. The mode is tough and requires good teamwork to survive. It is also an absolute blast and adds a completely different game play element. There are two maps on the disc, one of which unlocks after you beat the campaign. Graphically, the game is stunning and features some truly incredible environments. The lighting and textures are fantastic and the variety in the settings ensure you are always seeing new things. Character models are extremely impressive with some of the most realistic movements I have ever seen in a game. The game engine handles all this incredibly well and I never experienced any technical hiccups while playing the game. The sound is also impressive. Guns sound excellent and the battles have never sounded so good in a "Call of Duty" game. The score delivers as well. Events are always set to music that feels perfect for what is going on, and the music is emotionally charged, making for some memorable experiences. Voice acting is excellent as well with some great performances, especially from Mr. Avatar himself, Sam Worthington, who plays protagonist Alex Mason. Overall "Call of Duty: Black Ops" is an incredible experience. From the stellar campaign to the ridiculously deep multiplayer mode, there is something for all garners to enjoy here. This game is one of the best first person shooters I have ever played. So let us all be thankful that "Call of Duty" is here and it's better than ever. - nathan.c@aggiemail.usu.edu 6772e . @Ze 661/117Wila A SKIER LOOKS back at a ski slope. Nash said it doesn't matter what brings you to the ski slope, what matters is what you decide to do next. DUSTY NASH photo Winter: Season quickly approaching continuedfrom page 5 Here it is: one of those gut-check moments. I can sneak out the back door. It's still open. I can take the skis back off, slide down the slope on my butt, walk to the car, post the skis on KSL and forget that the whole thing ever happened. I can convince myself that I am perfectly happy as a snowboarder and I never even really wanted to change. I shift my weight from one foot to the other as the crunching of snow beneath my skis accompanies my movements. I look at the front door. This front door has double black diamond stamped all over it. Gut-check time. I shove both poles deep into the hill and push off down the mountain, out the front door, ready to face what may. For the first few seconds I glide effortlessly through the powder. A smile appears on my face. Then, as I attempt to make a turn, my skis cross, my body flips and the next thing I know, I am face down in the powder, my legs twisted awkwardly behind me. I am still smiling, though. No matter how sore I am tomorrow, it sure feels good to go out the front door. - dustin.nash@aggiemaiLusu.edu 44 ‘ 6W6(7y- "IA/ (6§eetiogii 930 N. Main Logan, Ut 435.753.9755 wwwjerricksfmejewelry corn Put a Little ROMANC Into Your Life |