Samuel L. Jackson Performs 'Go the F**k to Sleep' Free Download for Father's Day

Audible is celebrating Father's Day, offering a FREE download of Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson’s performance of the mock children's book, Go the F**k to Sleep Monday from today through Father’s Day, on June 15.

“Go the F**ck to Sleep”, written by Adam Mansbach, is a hysterically funny adult storybook that captures an exhausted parent's attempt to put their kid to bed. First released by Audible Studios in 2011, Jackson’s recording became a viral phenomenon after he brought the book with him on a Letterman appearance.

                        

"I remember all those times when I did read to my daughter when she was that age and everybody tells you reading stories will put kids to sleep, but it never works. It didn’t in my house," said Samuel L.Jackson. "I did say “go the f**k to sleep” to her a lot and I think at some point she would look at me when I would come into her room and she would say “go the f**k to sleep daddy?” and I would say “yeah, go the f**k to sleep.”

Among the acclaimed actors who have performed works of literature for Audible are Anne Hathaway, Ben Stiller, Bryan Cranston, Claire Danes, Colin Firth, Dan Stevens, Diane Keaton, Dustin Hoffman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kate Winslet. In 2013, Audible Studios won its first Grammy Award, for its production of Janis Ian’s memoir Society’s Child, and also won the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year, for Firth’s performance of Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair.

Jackson's performance of “Go the F**ck to Sleep” is the most downloaded Audible Studios title of all time and was an Audie finalist for Audiobook of the Year in 2012.  For you free download, visit Audible and Happy Father’s Day!

‘Second Suns’ Summer Must Reads

I first reviewed the book “Second Suns” last June -- actually on the day of its release June 18, 2013 -- but when a book is truly outstanding, it warrants a repeat. “Second Suns” is crash course in humanity delivered as an adventurous tale. The book captures the joy of thousands of patients whose sight is restored with a 10-minute procedure, draws attention to dangerous issues within the medical community that fails us, and leaves us with infectious inspiration to do more with our lives.

Written by “Three Cups of Tea” co-author David Oliver Relin, “Second Suns” is the true-life story of two very dissimilar doctors, serving with the same spirit. In “Second Suns,” we are introduced to Drs. Sanduk Ruit and Geoffrey Tabin who are born a world apart and brought together in brotherhood to eradicate preventable blindness that is prevalent throughout the world’s developing countries.

“Second Suns” takes the reader from the remote village of Olangchungola, the birthplace of Dr. Ruit, where as a boy of 7, he and his father trekked for 15 days to deliver Ruit to the closest school. It flashes to the privileged life of an obnoxious, over indulged, Ivy Leaguer named GeoffTabin. How these two men meet and partner in the creation of the Himalayan Cataract Project, is told by Relin in such a way that I was unable to put the book down.

David Oliver Relin died in November 2012. Relin’s author’s note reads: “Some books you want to write. Others you have to write.” It is my opinion that “Second Suns” is one of those books that you have to read! “Second Suns” ($27) is published by Random House and is available at the website. For more information about the Himalayan Cataract Project, visit CureBlindness.org.

The Battle of Gettysburg: 150th Anniversary Tribute book

Fought over the course of three days, July 1-3 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. It was the bloodiest battle fought on American soil and it is said that visitors to the Battlefields of Gettysburg can still feel the presence of fallen soldiers. For Civil War history buffs this year will be an exciting time, as the 150th anniversary of this battle will be celebrated in grand style.

While many will travel to the hollowed grounds, for this special celebration that begins next week, many will not have the opportunity. “Gettysburg: Turning Point of the Civil War” written by the writers at Time, offers a plethora of information about America’s most historic battle.

The book takes readers through an hour-by-hour timeline, including a chapter for each of the three days of the battle. It contains maps, first-person accounts, and biographies of the commanding officers. The photographs and pictures, including a six-panel insert of Paul Philippoteaux’s Gettysburg Cyclorama depicting “Pickett’s Charge” places the reader at the battle. The book is a priceless treasure and is available online at Amazon ($21.78 hardcover, $9.99 Kindle) and major bookstores in the U.S. including Barnes and Noble.

Second Suns A Must Read for Summer 2013

‘Second Suns’ 

The original ‘Bad Boys’: Frank Sinatra and his Vegas buddies

May 14 marks the 15th anniversary of the death of “The Chairman of the Board,” Frank Sinatra. To both commemorate the anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s passing, and celebrate one of pop culture’s most influential group of friends, the editors at Life have released a book, “The Rat Pack: The Original Bad Boys". So, who were the infamous guys that comprised this group of friends known as “The Rat Pack”?

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, “The Rat Pack” represented the epitome of cool, chic and style. With Frank Sinatra as their leader, this group of five “cool cats” included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Sinatra was a fixture in Vegas and he, along with his “partners in crime,” became infamous for their high-living, hard-drinking and skirt-chasing lifestyle. It seemed that every woman wanted them and every guy wanted to be them. The Rat Pack’s antics were the stuff of legends.

Biographer, James Kaplan and photographer John Dominis capture Frank Sinatra, and his buddies, in their glory days. The book takes the reader through a dynamic tale and an intimate look at the legendary bad boys of entertainment, tracing their lives and careers from Las Vegas to Hollywood and everywhere in between. From booze-filled hotel parties to movie sets and glamorous events, “The Rat Pack: The Original Boys” gives readers an intimate look at how “The Rat Pack” came together, their home at the Sands Hotel in Vegas, filming Ocean’s Eleven, Sinatra’s alleged Mafia run-ins, as well as countless antics.

In addition, the book highlights many of the stars that frequently rubbed elbows with “The Rat Pack” including Shirley MacLaine, Jackie Gleason, Bing Crosby, and President Kennedy. Whether you’re a Frank Sinatra fan or a history buff, this book is a must have to add to your collection of memorabilia for this time period! “The Rat Pack: The Original Bad Boys” is available in hardcover ($19.95) at Amazon and on newsstands.