Carry the Conversation

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Carry the Conversation

Selected by Elizabeth Babbit

Music

Tom Petty: Highway Companion
American
Tom Petty has made a career out of taking life’s challenges and turning them into classic songs. And while this album is a bit more moody than his others, Petty’s lyric facility, easy style and vocal abilities make this record another classic.

Diana Ross: Blue
Motown
After performing as Billie Holiday in the film “Lady Sings the Blues,” Ross recorded a follow-up album that, until now, was never heard. A treat for fans and music lovers alike, this timeless classic captures Ross’ ability to combine jazz and pop elements to great effect.



Phoenix: It’s Never Been Like That
Astralwerks
Focusing on a more rock-infused sound, this group’s third disc showcases music that, while sounding somewhat akin to The New Radicals, remains distinct. With an upbeat attitude and playful sound, the CD would be great for any road trip.

Los Lonely Boys: Sacred
Sony
The four brothers who make up Los Lonely Boys have created a fantastic follow-up to their smash debut and hit song “Heaven.” Showcasing a more mature, confident sound, the group still leans on its Tex-Mex roots to blend an array of musical genres into effective pop hot sauce.



Lily Allen: Alright, Still
Regal
Mixing pop music with ska and reggae, British singer Lily Allen has produced a promising new record that is slowly becoming a cult favorite, due in part to her Myspace page. Full of personality and wit, Allen proves she can succeed on her own, despite being the daughter of well-known Welsh actor Keith Allen.

Books

Intuition
By Allegra Goodman
The Dial Press, ISBN: 0385336128
Chronicling an ethics scandal involving scientists at a medical research facility in Massachusetts, this engaging third novel from Goodman delves into the complexities of the scientific process. A great read that has fascinating characters and takes an in-depth look at trust and relationships in the workplace.

Power of an Hour: Business and Life Mastery in One Hour a Week
By Dave Lakhani
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN: 0471780936
Never able to get anything done, author Dave Lakhani overcame his inertia to show readers how to gain focus and accomplish more in just an hour. He covers one chapter a week for 20 weeks and uses multiple case stories to illustrate that any individual can make a change for the better.

Small Is the New Big: And 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas
By Seth Godin
Portfolio, ISBN: 1591841267
Compiling entries from articles he has written, personal blogs and even short e-books, Godin has created and expanded on his ideas about the keys to successful marketing. Using a variety of examples, Godin writes with a flair that is easy to understand.




Cross Country: Fifteen Years and 90,000 Miles on the Roads and Interstates of America With Lewis and Clark, a Lot of Bad Motels, a Moving Van, Emily Post, Jack Kerouac, My Wife, My Mother-in-Law, Two Kids, and Enough Coffee to Kill an Elephant
By Robert Sullivan
Bloomsbury USA, ISBN: 1582345279
If you really want to know what you are getting into with this book, re-read the title. Sullivan’s cross-country travels with his family provide insight into the history of various highways, gas station chains and countless other unusual places, absurd people and quirky things along the way.

Misc.

The Simpsons – Season 8
20th Century Fox
Every family needs this Simpsons DVD set with its special Maggie Simpson-shaped box. The four-disc collection features all 25 episodes from the 1996-1997 season, along with commentary about each episode and many extras. You can also opt for a Homer- or Marge-shaped collectible box housing earlier seasons.

Bplans.com
Bplans.com
The Bplans site is a useful resource for any entrepreneur, as it provides online solutions to help start and build a business. With in-depth articles, various tools and advice, the website is easy to navigate and offers numerous sample business plans.

Overheard In New York
Overheardinnewyork.com
The site is composed of out-of-context, “overheard” quotes nabbed on street corners, in coffee shops, at Times Square or in subways and then posted daily. It provides a caution to anyone out there ever guilty of dialing while drunk or just generally sharing too much information in public.

The World’s Fastest Indian
Magnolia
The true story of New Zealand’s Burt Munro, a 64-year-old amateur motorcycle racer who, despite his age, set a land-speed record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The talented Anthony Hopkins stars in the pleasant, funny and, at times, sentimental movie, which reminds viewers of the importance of never giving up on a dream.





The Onion
Theonion.com
Self-billed as “America’s Finest News Source,” the Onion is based solely on fake news. A kind of wacky, online version of the “Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” the site features hilarious news clips; a great break from any work day.

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