Steve Silberman

Discover the untold stories of the female friends and lovers behind the Beat Generation - Joyce Johnson, Edie Parker, Elise Cowen, Diane Di Prima, and many more. While Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs are well-known icons, Minor Characters sheds light on the women who played vital roles in forging the Beat movement. Joyce Johnson, an aspiring novelist, fell in love with Kerouac before he became a celebrity. Through her eyes, readers witness the cultural revolution the Beats created in the streets of the East Village. With wit, love, and a critical eye, Minor Characters showcases an original American voice - Johnson's own.

Discover the fascinating history and uses of psychoactive plants with the first volume of Dale Pendell's Pharmako trilogy. This updated paperback edition includes a new introduction by the author and explores the effects of licit and illicit substances, as well as exotic plants like absinthe and salvia divinorum. With unparalleled authority and playfulness, this detailed study is both informative and enjoyable, sprinkled with literary quotes that create a literary brew as intoxicating as its subject. The Pharmako trilogy is a must-read for anyone interested in the medically, culturally, and spiritually fascinating subject of psychoactive plants.

Explore the power of myth and the medicine it contains to heal trauma, exile, illness, and grief. In The Other Within, the author draws on shamanic practice, quantum physics, alchemy, soul poetry, and his own experience to guide readers on an initiatory journey toward discovering our true identity. He shows how the archetypal figures of the Other can offer insight into reframing disparities and recognize the blessings of outsiderhood. Through myth-making, the experience of Otherness becomes a catalyst for human liberation and restoring our relationship with the world.

Discover the healing powers of music with Wired for Music, a captivating blend of science and memoir by health journalist and former cellist, Adriana Barton. Explore how music can be a source of health, resilience, connection, and joy, acting as a mild antidpressant, painkiller, sleeping pill, memory aid, and even enhancing athletic performance and supporting healthy aging. Through combing medical studies, discoveries from pioneering neuroscientists, and research from biology and anthropology, Barton reveals the profound effects that melody and rhythm can have on the human body and brain. Learn how music is wired inside us in this fascinating read.

This memoir delves into the heart-wrenching journey of a stutterer who learns to live with, not "overcome," his condition. From childhood bullying to substance abuse and depression, readers gain an over-the-shoulder view of the intricate family dynamics and career hurdles that come with stuttering. Written with candidness and vulnerability, this book explores the evolving world of speech therapy, the pursuit of a "magic pill," and the burgeoning self-help community among stutterers. It's a soulful tale of perseverance and learning to make peace with oneself.

"Delve into the fascinating world of autistic hyperfixation with this powerful and enlightening book. Through his own experiences, autism advocate Pete Wharmby sheds light on the challenges of autism while celebrating the beauty and importance of special interests. Funny, revealing, and profoundly honest, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to truly understand and empathize with the autistic experience."

This memoir, written by a charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, provides a unique insight into how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds. Using an alphabet grid to craft words and thoughts, Naoki answers delicate questions people want to know, such as "Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?" and "What's the reason you jump?". With his disarming honesty, Naoki provides poignant reflections on the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory that will leave you seeing the world in a whole new way.

Discover the humanity of the autistic community with this powerful book by journalist and autistic person Eric Garcia. Through his insider's perspective and reporter's eye, Garcia reveals that autism is not a disease that needs to be cured, but rather an essential part of his community's identity.

"Disability Pride" by Ben Mattlin is a riveting exploration of the evolution of attitudes towards disability, from civil rights to identity celebration. Through interviews and reportage, the book focuses on the impact of identity politics, representation, and the state of disability rights and justice. With societal changes such as wheelchair ramps, closed captioning on TVs, and more, people under 30 have grown up with the expectation that disabled individuals should fully participate in society. This book showcases the new wave of disability visibility and pride, showcasing how it's furthering the cause of disability justice. "Disability Pride" teaches readers how to fearlessly push the movement forward."