2012: The End or a New Beginning?

With all the dramatic changes currently effecting all aspects of our lives -- from the environment to food supply -- the question of what our future holds has understandably become an important topic of conversation. Many people are looking to the Mayans and the year 2012, which marks the end of the 5,000 year "Fourth Age," for answers. Are the increasing global catastrophes foreshadowing the apocalyptic end to our planet, or are we simply entering an "Age of Enlightenment"?

At Crazy Wisdom, we have an entire section, Future Visions, devoted to the possibilities of what is yet to unfold before us. Like the best selling book, 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl by Daniel Pinchbeck (Tarcher Penguin, $14.95), Hwee-Yong Jang's The Gaia Project: 2012 The Earth's Coming Great Changes (Llewellyn, $14.95), and Barbara hand Clow's The Mayan Code: Time Acceleration and Awakening the World Mind (Bear & Co., $18.00) we carry titles that offer explanations for the changes we are experiencing and what they mean for mankind and our planet. Whether you are looking for something to calm your fears, or looking for something that resonates with your own personal theory about our future, you are sure to find something that will confirm that we are surely on the verge of something great.

Come in and check out our Future Visions section, located at the back of the store on our first floor. Our friendly staff would be happy to lead the way!

Breaking Dawn is in stock!

The newest in the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer, the highly anticipated Breaking Dawn (Little, Brown $22.99), has arrived! At 754 pages, Breaking Dawn is sure to add more dramatic twists and turns to a story that has millions captivated. The Twilight Series follows the story of Isabella Swan, a girl who happens to fall in love with a vampire, which complicates her life, to say the least! Follow her harrowing adventures by picking up Twilight (Little, Brown $10.99), the first in the series, and see if you don't get hooked. Crazy Wisdom is the place to pick up all of Stephenie Meyer's books, including her recent title for adults, Host (Little, Brown $25.99).

Ted Andrews Writes Again!

Ted Andrews is the go to guy for all things animal and nature related. In his best selling books Animal Speak and Nature Speak, Andrews unravels the many mysteries of the natural world and teaches us how we can both become aware of the animals and nature around us, and how to apply their lessons to our own lives. With his new book, Intercession of Spirits: Working with Animals, Angels & Ancestors, Ted Andrews for the first time gives us a glimpse into his personal life story and the magic that is found there. You'll learn about the world of fairies and realm of angels and in the end, will be inspired to open your heart to the world of spirit, in whatever form that happens to take(Dragonhawk, $14.95).

As local as it gets

By now you've probably heard all kinds of things about how buying local helps support your community. Well I've come up with a way for you to get the most bang for your buck: buy a locally created book by a local organization published by a local publisher, from your local independent bookstore! Below are a couple of great ways to put your money into your community.

Hot off the presses from 826 Michigan comes Tall Tales and True Stories, a year long collaboration between 826 Michigan volunteers and students of Childs Elementary School in Ypsilanti. The book, which is sprinkled with whimsical illustrations by Ian Huebert, is a combination of personal essays and fictional stories, all written and edited by elementary school students with the help of 826 Michigan Volunteers. Located in the back room of Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair at 115 E. Liberty, 826 Michigan is our local chapter of the national non-profit organization that offers free writing assistance and tutoring to kids ages 6-18. Show them your support by buying this book! (Blotch Books, $10)

And from Community Farm of Ann Arbor comes the newly published A Hard Day's Night, a picture book inspired by the farm (Pine Printers, $8.99). Written by Anne Elder, who has been farming at Community Farm of Ann Arbor for 17 years, the book is illustrated by Miranda Bissinger, age 13, and Stephanie Body, age 17. Community Farm of Ann Arbor is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and has been using sustainable methods of agriculture for 21 years and are located at 1525 S. Fletcher. Check out their website to find out more about this incredible farm (Community Farm of Ann Arbor), and stop in to pick up a copy of this delightful book!

Don't Forget to Pack the iSpeak

Traveling to an exotic location this summer but don't know the language? Forget about all those phrasebooks that leave you wondering how to pronounce the words. Try an iSpeak phrasebook instead! iSpeak is an audio MP3 Cd with 1,500 travel phrases that you can both see and hear before you even attempt to speak out loud! Built to work with iPod, iSpeak is also compatible with Zune and most other MP3 players. Just download onto your MP3 device and scroll through a variety of categories to find what you are trying to say. Main categories include: Conversation, Travel, Accomodations, Food, Services & Shopping, Entertainment and Reference. Each category has several subcategories to help you narrow down what you are looking for, faster than you can flip through a book. With a very reasonable price of $12.95, you can't afford to travel without one! (McGraw Hill).

Get the Best Sellers at Crazy Wisdom!

Summer is the time to sit back, relax and read that new book all your friends are talking about. Why not pick that book up at Crazy Wisdom? Sprinkled amidst the new titles from spiritual leaders, books on eco-friendly living and titles designed to improve your body, mind and spirit, we have the popular titles you just keep hearing about.

Like the newest from America's favorite humorist, David Sedaris, When You are Engulfed in Flames (Little, Brown $25.99). A frequent contributor to NPR's This Amerian Life and the New Yorker, David Sedaris' sixth book of essays is yet another book of quirky yet witty observations that only David Sedaris can make.

Of course there's also Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain, the story which recounts the tragedies and triumphs of one family, all through the eyes of the dog! At the top of many Best Seller lists this summer, this tale is sure to be on the top of yours as well!

Stop in to Crazy Wisdom to check out our selection of titles to make those long summer days memorable ones. With new titles by Louise Erdrich, Chuck Palahniuk, Annie Dillard, and Paulo Coelho, there's something for everyone!

The Cure is in Your Feet!

Do you ever wish there was a quick way to relieve yourself of that incessent headache? Or a simple way to heal yourself of a hangover, reduce allergies or alliviate depression? With Michelle Kluck's new book, Hands on Feet: The New System that Makes Reflexology a Snap! the answers to a healthy body are all in the feet. This book not only offers a history of reflexology, its benefits and practice, but it comes with a handy pair of Reflexology Sox, an indispensible tool when learning reflexology. These thin socks (a $20 value) have illustrations on them to help you discover what part of your foot is linked to what organs and ailments, allowing you to easily identify the correct spot to massage away your troubles. (Running Press, $19.95)