New Releases This Week:
Berland and Schoen have gathered short interviews from successful people involving a wide range of professions, such as business, entertainment, and government, to produce an insightful look into what makes someone a standout in their chosen field. The authors’ divide these natural achievers into four categories: Natural-Born Leaders, Independence Seekers, Visionaries and Do-Gooders, with each category detailing various passions and paths of achievement for the individuals. The epilogue consists of a personal “test” to determine what your own style and passion is, and how to capitalize on those strengths. Besides the juicy tidbits about famous celebrities, (for example, NBC Nightly News anchor, Brian Williams never went to journalism school.) What Makes you Tick will get the reader to think about what is truly important in their lives, and how to attain those goals despite obstacles or challenges they might face. 
Today Oprah announced her next book club selection. Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan, a Nigerian Jesuit priest, is a book of short stories about the African experience. You can find a reading guide on Oprah's website.
With the recent DVD release of the science fiction-thriller Knowing, the audience will get to see Nicolas Cage in yet another action packed film full of spectacular visual effects. Cage plays physics professor, John Koestler, who happens to stumble upon a page of random numbers, which was buried at his son, Caleb’s, school. John determines these numbers aren’t random, but rather hold a significant meaning for the future. Despite a great build up and mysterious side plot involving Caleb’s frightening dreams and some creepy visitors, the plot doesn’t hold up. If you enjoy Cage’s work, and have the time to spare, check out Knowing for its action packed scenes, but don’t expect too much. The film is rated PG-13 for intense violence and horrific crash scenes.
Elegiac atmospherics interrupted by grotesque cruelty mark Rain Gods by
In November 1996, sixteen boats set out from the French coast on the most dangerous race in the world. The Vendée Globe is a single-handed circumnavigation, sailors alone circling the globe around Antarctica, without stopping or going into port for assistance. Fourteen men and two women entered the race, testing not only their sailing skills but their fortitude as they battled dangerous weather, equipment failure, damaged and capsized boats, and the exhaustion of sailing alone for four months. Five boats would be damaged so badly they could not finish the race. Four would capsize, leaving their sailors to be rescued from icy waters in areas so distant aircraft can’t reach them. One sailor would be lost at sea, disappearing without a trace. Only six would finish the race.