General Reading Books

Bob Ross charmed viewers with his simple and efficient painting techniques, and now you too can discover the joy of creating amazing artworks with these puzzles. Each of the 15 challenges in this book contains more than 100 sticker shapes to be placed in a tessellated grid. When you're done, you'll have a full-color glossy art poster that you can hang on your wall. The art of Bob Ross is featured in every puzzle, so you'll experience the enjoyment of seeing his works come to life as you complete the puzzles.

From musicians and mobsters to mayors and men of the cloth, discover the fascinating history of Chicago's Irish history.

The history of the Irish in Chicago goes back to the days when the city was little more than an outpost on the prairie shores of Lake Michigan. Drawn by opportunities in the growing frontier town, Irish men and women who were fleeing economic hardship and famine in Ireland were quick to make their mark on Chicago's political, religious, and economic life. The unique position of the Irish among immigrant groups-English speaking and more culturally attuned to Anglo-American institutions, yet Catholic-allowed them to flourish in occupations and social positions for which they have become known. Most notably, the Irish in Chicago have produced eight mayors and many bishops. But Irish Chicago is also the story of those who built and enlivened the city: the policemen, firemen, priests, nuns and brothers, tavern owners, educators, transit workers, musicians, and ward politicians made good, and the north, south, and west side neighborhoods and parishes they inhabited.

This collectible kit includes an illustrated 10-piece wooden set of the Peanuts gang gathered around the Christmas tree, along with an illustrated two-sided backdrop to bring the final scene to vibrant life. Also included is a full-color mini book with quotes and illustrations of some of the best moments from the beloved animated special.

In November 2000, Chicago journalist and music critic Jim DeRogatis received an anonymous fax that alleged R. Kelly had a problem with "young girls." Weeks later, DeRogatis broke the shocking story, publishing allegations that the R&B superstar and local hero had groomed girls, sexually abused them, and paid them off. DeRogatis thought his work would have an impact. Instead, Kelly's career flourished.

No one seemed to care: not the music industry, not the culture at large, not the parents of numerous other young girls. But for more than 18 years, DeRogatis stayed on the story. He was the one who was given the disturbing videotape that led to Kelly's 2008 child pornography trial, the one whose window was shot out, and the one whom women trusted to tell their stories--of a meeting with the superstar at a classroom, a mall, a concert, or a McDonald's that forever warped the course of their lives.

Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly is DeRogatis's masterpiece, a work of tenacious journalism and powerful cultural criticism. It tells the story of Kelly's career, DeRogatis's investigations, and the world in which the two crossed paths, and brings the story up to Kelly's criminal reckoning. Decades in the making, this is an outrageous, darkly riveting account of the life and actions of R. Kelly, and their horrible impact on dozens of girls, by the only person to tell it.