(K12) - Snowflakes, cozy blankets, and hot cocoa—images of winter often evoke a cheerful glow. Yet for many children, the season’s dimmer days and limited outdoor play can leave them feeling irritable or tired and can even affect their schoolwork.   

To help beat the winter blues, school counselors across K12-powered online schools offer practical tips for parents to help their children feel more balanced as we wait for the days to turn warmer and brighter. 

Maintain a normal routine  

Low sunlight can affect serotonin and melatonin levels, leading to sluggishness and low energy. Sticking to a consistent daily routine—waking up and going to bed at normal times, eating healthy meals, and building in time for family, friends, homework, and play—can help kids feel productive, centered, and more alert.  

Get outside   

Even in colder months, time outdoors matters. Studies show that small doses of sunlight and outdoor play can boost kids’ spirits and energy. A short walk, stretching, or playing in the snow can provide beneficial exposure to daylight while encouraging movement.   

Make screentime intentional   

Heavy social media use can intensify feelings of sadness and may affect school performance. Screen time should lean toward purposeful use. Educational gaming platforms like the K12 Skills Arcade transform practicing math, English language arts, science, and history into a fun gaming experience. Research shows that game-based learning can produce measurable academic improvement—plus, it keeps kids engaged.  

Learn and build new skills  

When boredom hits, look for opportunities to build practical skills indoors. Let your child help make dinner, learn a basic sewing stitch, or try a simple science experiment. Board games, puzzles, and audiobooks also help pass the time while encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and family connection.  

Stay focused on schoolwork   

Low energy and sadness can take a toll on schoolwork, and falling behind may intensify those feelings. Help your child stay on track by reinforcing daily routines and seeking extra support when needed. Online options like K12 Tutoring allow students to get homework help without braving cold or icy roads. Sessions are delivered virtually by state-certified teachers. 

These challenges are often temporary, but you know your child best. If sadness or fatigue feels more serious or begins to affect daily life, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider.   

With encouragement and guidance, your child can learn to navigate overwhelming feelings—skills that support well-being for years to come. 

(BookTrib) - “The Memory Stone (Dragons of Camelot Book 2)” by Bryan Davis

A girl with powers beyond her understanding. A boy sworn to protect her. And a kingdom veering into madness.

Camelot is becoming increasingly dangerous for dragons and their allies. When a fear-inducing toxin seeps into the water supply, Merlin, Hawk and Sabina suspect sorcery. Could this be Lady Morgan’s doing? But when Lady Morgan pleads innocent and offers a truce to save her poisoned sister, the trio hesitantly believes her. Using a supernatural device called the memory stone, the team splits up to embark on an epic journey to Dragon’s Rest and portals beyond to uncover the mystery.

From Bryan Davis, bestselling author of the Dragons in Our Midst series, comes book two in an epic fantasy adventure set in King Arthur's Camelot. Perfect for middle-grade readers of Christian fiction, this fast-paced novel features an epic battle between good dragons and dragon riders against the forces of evil, told through multiple points of view, including those of the dragons.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/thememorystone.

“Animal Control” by Jonathan R. Miller

Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2025 Honoree

Nominated for the Otherwise Award

A young woman inherits a power that begins in the body and echoes out to the edges of the world. It isn’t explained and doesn’t come with rules. It gathers underneath the skin, waiting for direction.

As she begins to understand what the power can touch, rearrange and dismantle, her decisions grow heavier. The results, stranger. Two friends join her, and the movement that forms between them gathers momentum until it starts to shift the balance between what is and what could be. Together they learn that transformation isn’t an event. It is a state. And not every becoming is safe.

In its starred review, Kirkus Reviews calls “Animal Control” “unusually unsettling and unforgettable. A strange, inventive tale that evolves into a challenging and rewarding odyssey.” “Animal Control” is a literary novel of restraint and power, of a young woman who must decide what she is willing to change and what she is willing to become.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4mtoEHl.

“Pearl Bound” by Natalie Bergman

Some women are bound by class. Others refuse to be bound at all.

In the glittering halls of Gilded Age New York, beneath chandeliers and velvet drapes, danger hides in plain sight. “Pearl Bound” is a gothic historical novel steeped in desire, power and the cost of defiance.

Eve Kelly, a young Irish immigrant, arrives at Greythorne, the sprawling estate of the formidable Rennard family, to work alongside her mother. Born into servitude but driven by a restless force she cannot name, Eve is drawn into the orbit of Saskia Rennard — the family’s magnetic, volatile daughter. What begins as forbidden attraction quickly becomes something far more dangerous, entangling Eve in a world where wealth conceals cruelty, gender dictates survival, and intimacy itself becomes a form of rebellion.

As secrets surface and boundaries collapse, “Pearl Bound” reveals how love, ambition and power can turn lethal when society’s rules are broken.

Fans of gothic fiction, sapphic desire and dark historical narratives will find “Pearl Bound” a haunting and unforgettable debut.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qFBbJu.

“Vic’s Views: Opinions Of An Old Codger” by Victor A. J. van Lint

In “Vic’s Views,” scientist, engineer and concerned citizen Victor A. J. van Lint offers a clear-eyed, data-driven examination of the forces shaping modern society — and the dangerous consequences of our growing unwillingness to listen to one another. Drawing on a lifetime of learning in research, public policy and global affairs, van Lint explores science, religion, politics, economics, law, environmental risk, war and peace through a unifying lens: how humans make decisions and why extreme thinking so often overrides reason.

Rather than promoting ideology, “Vic’s Views” challenges readers to question assumptions, weigh evidence, and engage opposing perspectives with intellectual honesty and moral restraint. In an era defined by polarization and outrage, this book is a call for civil discourse, principled compromise and informed skepticism — before division hardens into conflict. Most importantly, van Lint invites readers not simply to agree or disagree, but to think more carefully about the future we are creating together.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/vicsviews.

(NewsUSA) - Emerging sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to drive the most profound changes to the world of spy craft since the advent of the internet, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

“Advances in virtual- and augmented-reality technologies, robotics and autonomous systems, and large-scale data analysis capabilities present both an existential challenge to traditional human intelligence operations and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformation,” said Ylli Bajraktari, president and CEO of SCSP, in a recent report.

Key advances including multimodal AI, which can process and generate text, images, video, and audio, opens new opportunities for information gathering and exploitation.

In the private sector, companies involved in customer service are increasingly using AI tools to develop chatbots that provide companionship, advice, and mental health therapy. However, more nefarious entities may use these same tools to persuade users to take actions against their interests.

An AI tool could likely be used to persuade someone to divulge proprietary corporate data or betray their country, particularly if the AI were backed with the resources and kills of a professional national intelligence service, according to SCSP experts.

To prepare for and operate in this new landscape, the SCSP offers several recommendations for how the U.S. intelligence community can leverage AI in spy craft:

-Identify targets. AI can synthesize data sets to identify potential spy targets and prioritize intelligence assets according to access, motivation, and vulnerability.

-Assess and develop. AI technology can be used to analyze digital footprints and develop detailed psychological profiles. Hyper-realistic personas can engage spy targets and build trust and rapport. In addition, AI can manage hundreds of developmental conversations at once.

-Recruit and handle. AI also can create personalized recruitment pitches based on a spy target’s specific grievances or motivations, and also provide real-time operational security advice to targets after recruitment.

Importantly, the objective of AI in spy craft is not to replace human officers, but to empower them and serve as force multipliers, the SCSP experts note in their report. The human-machine team will be key to success; AI will handle data processing, which frees case officers to focus on the high-value work of making nuanced judgments, managing the psychology of the asset-case officer relationship, and overseeing high-stakes operations.

Any expansion of AI in espionage, must involve Meaningful Human Control (MHC). At every critical juncture, especially the final decision to recruit, the tasking of an asset, or actions that pose significant risk to the asset or U.S. national security interests, an accountable human must be able to exercise final judgment,” Bajraktari emphasized.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - December is here, and Marine Toys for Tots is once again rallying communities nationwide to ensure a magical Christmas morning for children in need. For families facing hardship, the holidays can bring more worry than wonder, but Toys for Tots’ Holiday Campaign offers a chance to change that story. Every donation carries the power to turn a season of struggle into a season of light for disadvantaged children.

“For many Americans, the holidays are a time of celebration. But for parents and guardians facing difficult circumstances, they can be shadowed by worry,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Yet even in hardship, families hold onto the dream of giving their children a Christmas. With your support, we can deliver more than presents. We can deliver comfort when families face the unexpected and hope that shines in the darkest seasons.”

That promise of comfort and hope comes to life in the story of Sergeant Christos Toromanides. At 13 years old, he was diagnosed with acinic cell carcinoma, an extremely rare form of pediatric cancer.  Throughout his stay in the hospital, Sergeant Toromanides faced uncertainty and isolation, but one act of generosity inspired his future.

Marines from the local Toys for Tots Chapter, in full Dress Blues, visited the children's ward to brighten the holidays for kids spending Christmas away from home. Sergeant Toromanides, then a young teen with no knowledge of the Marine Corps or Toys for Tots, was stunned when a Marine Sergeant walked into his room and placed a Christmas gift in his hands.

“I had no idea who they were or what Toys for Tots was,” he recalled. “But I remember thinking—wow, you guys are in the military, and you’re giving out toys? It was one of those moments where I just wanted to know more.”

That simple act of kindness captures the essence of Toys for Tots: that no child should feel forgotten, especially during the holidays. What Sergeant Toromanides received that Christmas wasn't just a toy; it was proof that hope endures, even in the darkest times.

In 2016, Sergeant Toromanides enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and has been cancer-free for 14 years. His journey has come full circle, and he credits his success to that one moment of connection with Toys for Tots and the generosity of our donors.

Every toy, book, or game holds a story waiting to unfold, and a future waiting to be shaped. When supporters stand with Toys for Tots, they help write new chapters in children’s lives, filled with possibility, purpose, and the assurance that someone cares.

One gift can do more than brighten a holiday—it can inspire a future.

Visit www.toysfortots.org to help Toys for Tots share hope!

(NewsUSA) - As you set New Year’s resolutions, add one that takes just minutes and can make a real difference: protect your skin and get suspicious spots checked. Skin cancer is prevalent, but when caught early, it’s also highly treatable. Here are 10 facts and tips to start the year smarter about prevention and options.

1. About 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, with more than 3 million new cases recorded yearly nationwide.

2. There are more cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year than all other cancers combined, and at least 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.

3. The incidence of skin cancer is rising faster than that of any other cancer, making prevention and early detection more important than ever.

4. UV damage happens year-round, even when it’s cold. UVB rays, the leading cause of sunburn, peak in summer, but they can still damage skin in winter, especially at high altitudes and around reflective surfaces like snow, water, and sand. UVA rays are present all year and can penetrate clouds and glass, so it’s possible to damage your skin while indoors or in the car.

5. The most common risk factors for nonmelanoma skin cancer, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, are:

•  Lighter colored skin
• Advanced age
• Lots of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure over one’s lifetime
• Frequent sunburns
• Use of tanning beds
• Previous case of skin cancer
• Long-term or severe skin injury or inflammation
• Weakened immune system

6. U.S. veterans are nearly three times more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population.

7. Black and Hispanic individuals tend to have poorer prognoses and survival rates when they receive a skin cancer diagnosis. Each year, nearly 1-in-4 Hispanic adults and 1-in-10 Black adults experience at least one sunburn, showing that no skin tone is immune to damage from the sun.

8. The traditional treatment, Mohs surgery, dates to the 1930s and involves repeated use of a scalpel to remove suspect tissue layer by layer. It can be a good option for some, though it may result in scarring and, in some cases, reconstructive repair.

9. There is a Medicare-covered nonsurgical alternative treatment available, called Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy, also known as IGSRT or GentleCure. Patients who are not good surgical candidates, or those who wish to avoid the pain, recovery time, or cosmetic issues often associated with surgery, may prefer a proven noninvasive alternative.

10. GentleCure uses FDA-cleared technology and is supported by clinical research. Documented outcomes include a success rate exceeding 99%, with more than 125,000 patients treated in dermatology practices nationwide. Of patients surveyed, more than 99% said they were happy with their treatment decision and would recommend GentleCure to a friend or loved one.

More information is available at GentleCure.com.

(BookTrib) - “Teaching in the Dark” by Genét Simone

A young teacher buys a one-way ticket to the tiny Arctic village of Shishmaref, Alaska. Within minutes of landing, she finds herself dealing with unexpected, rustic accommodations and the culture shock of living in a remote Iñuit community. To endure freezing temperatures, power outages, loneliness and first-year teacher anxieties and missteps, she relies on her courage, resilience, sense of humor and wit. Eventually, she realizes that her challenges pale in comparison to the life lessons she learns about the heart of teaching — lessons from her students, their culture and their community on the vast, windy landscape at the edge of the Chukchi Sea.

Full of poignancy and humor, this bold, heartfelt story has won numerous awards, garnering praise for Simone’s “lyrical appreciation of the natural environment” (Gold Non-Fiction Book Award) and “rich character development,” and the book’s themes of “resilience, belonging, and the power of community” (International Impact Book Award). Jack Canfield, author of “The Success Principles” and the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, says, “Buy this book!”

“Teaching in the Dark” makes a great gift for new teachers or anyone who loves journeys of personal growth amid culturally unique settings.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4rPA0s9.

“Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá - But Still Whole” by Dolma Diaz Braynin

“Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá, But Still Whole” is a breathtaking bilingual (Spanish–English) celebration of what it means to grow up between worlds. Born from the beautiful chaos of shifting between languages, blending cultures and shaping identity, this book reminds readers of a powerful truth: you are not missing pieces. You are already whole. A living masterpiece woven from every story, every word and every tradition you carry.

Created for every child navigating their family’s past while forging their own future, this story shines a light on the strength found in being both — and more. It’s a love letter to the bridges we build between languages, generations and hearts. A reminder that being “in-between” isn’t confusing; it’s courageous, powerful and extraordinary.

Written and illustrated for children ages 8–12 by an educator of Mexican–Puerto Rican heritage, this Spanish–English dual-language storybook celebrates bicultural pride, identity affirmation, emotional and social growth, and the deep roots of family and culture.

Beautifully told and vibrantly illustrated, “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá – But Still Whole” is a stunning invitation for young readers to see themselves — fully, proudly and powerfully — just as they are.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/nideaqui.

“Ten Thousand Central Parks: A Climate-Change Parable” by David Brown Morris

With extreme heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods displacing millions, many wonder: What can I do about climate change? “Ten Thousand Central Parks” challenges the despair of inaction, using the history of Central Park as an unlikely yet urgent environmental parable.

Built in the years surrounding the Civil War, Central Park was a radical experiment in urban renewal, transforming chaotic, polluted, wildly irregular terrain into an 843-acre refuge ― a visionary public project undertaken at a time of national crisis. It offers a powerful lesson: Even in turbulent times, cities can be reimagined, and large-scale ecological transformations are possible.

Written with urgency and optimism, “Ten Thousand Central Parks” offers a fresh perspective on the climate crisis, rejecting doom in favor of possibility. We need projects on the scale of Central Park ― thousands of them ― to meet today’s environmental challenges. Fast-paced, beautifully written and boundary-crossing, this narrative nonfiction gem is an invitation to think big, act boldly and embrace radical hope.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4oSZ7Yx.

“Charlie Minto's Pyramid Scheme” by Les Carroll

After Charlie Minto’s sister is murdered by a cartel-connected gang, the retired Marine Corps sniper and recent law school graduate assembles a team of like-minded warriors to avenge her death. Haunted by the possibility that his sister's killers will never be caught and punished, Charlie goes all-in with high-risk vigilante justice while wrestling with his own moral compass and the future security of his surviving loved ones. To further complicate his life, Charlie is shockingly approached by the woman responsible for the death of his parents, who needs his help with a high-profile, against-all-odds lawsuit.

Charlie must launch his legal career and execute the dangerous moonlighting job while facing intense internal conflict over his activities outside the rule of law. For Charlie Minto, what will the final cost of vengeance be? And will it be worth it?

Written by an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran, “Charlie Minto's Pyramid Scheme” grapples with a relevant moral question in today’s society: Is it justified to avenge a murder with murder? Is it acceptable to kill people who “deserve to be killed”?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4iP07vg or visit http://www.lescarroll.com/ for more information.

(Jessica Vanscavish, Head of Disability, Absence, Life, and Supplemental Health at Guardian) - Across the United States, the caregiving landscape is shifting rapidly. Every day, millions of people are balancing their careers alongside the responsibility of caring for loved ones—a reality that can bring both fulfillment and significant challenges.  

New research from Guardian offers a deeper understanding of the pressures facing today’s working caregivers and the ways these roles are shaping American families, workplaces, and communities. As the demand for caregiving continues to grow, it’s more important than ever to recognize the trends and, for those providing care, consider steps you can take to manage your own well-being while supporting others. 

The state of caregiving today 

If you feel as if you or your family, friends, and coworkers are increasingly taking on caregiving roles in recent years, you aren’t alone. Guardian’s findings highlight just how widespread caregiving has become: nearly half of all full-time workers nationwide—43%—are now juggling work alongside caring for a loved one. This represents a 13% increase since 2019, reflecting just how many lives have been touched by these responsibilities. 

You may have also noted that caregiving crosses generational lines. The study shows that 25% of Baby Boomers, 39% of Gen X, 51% of Millennials, and 38% of Gen Z employees identify as caregivers.  

What we found to be particularly notable—and perhaps less expected—in the report data is that while women have traditionally made up the majority of caregivers in the workplace, men now represent 57% of full-time working caregivers, while women make up 43%. This shift doesn’t mean fewer women are taking on caregiving. Rather, as Guardian’s survey looked at full-time working professionals, it’s an indication that many women have left their jobs entirely to care for loved ones—you or someone you know may have made this same decision yourself.  

As many caregivers can likely attest, the challenges of providing care while managing a full-time job are significant. Only 36% of caregivers say their mental health is “very good.” Caregivers are 55% more likely than non-caregivers to struggle with substance use and 48% more likely to have experienced increased anxiety and depression in the past year.  

If you’re a caregiver, supporting a loved one may have taken a financial toll as well: 40% of caregivers say they’re fair or poor at managing their finances. Exacerbating these challenges is the reality that one-third of caregivers who take a leave from work to care for family members end up needing to take another leave for themselves. 

Support in the workplace can help make a difference. Caregivers with access to benefits like caregiving support services, mental health resources, flexible schedules, and paid leave report markedly better overall well-being and lower stress. Conversely, nearly half of caregivers who lack resources or assistance from their companies report low overall well-being. 

Getting the support you need 

Caregiving is an act of love, but it’s essential for those providing care to also ensure they’re supporting their own mental, physical, and financial wellness. If you or someone you know is juggling caregiving with work, here are a few steps caregivers can take to help bolster their own well-being. 

• Find out what benefits are available through work: Explore what support your workplace offers. This could include benefits such as mental health support, paid leave, flexible scheduling, employee assistance programs, or caregiving support services. Ask your HR team about these or other resources you already have access to that can help you manage stress and maintain stability while balancing work and care. These offerings can help to address the mental, physical, and financial health impacts of caregiving so that you can care for yourself while also supporting those you love. Be sure that you understand not only what these benefits are but also how to access and make the most of them. 

• Connect with your manager and colleagues: Only half of working caregivers have spoken with their manager about their caregiving duties, and fewer have done so with colleagues. Transparent conversations about your situation may reduce stress and help to normalize conversations around caregiving in the workplace. Consider joining your organization’s caregiver-focused employee resource group or, if one doesn’t exist, connecting with like-minded colleagues to start the conversation. 

• Consider your financial wellness: The financial costs of caregiving can add up quickly. Think about meeting with a financial professional to gain a clearer understanding of your current budget and how to integrate caregiving costs into your long-term financial planning alongside other priorities such as preparing for retirement or saving for a child’s college tuition. Some individuals may also want to consider seeking legal guidance regarding elder care, which can have a meaningful impact on financial health.  

Moving forward, together 

As more Americans step into caregiving roles, it’s vital that both individuals and workplaces adapt. By seeking support, taking care of yourself, and connecting with others, you can make a meaningful difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you.  

To learn more, visit: https://www.guardianlife.com/reports/caregiving-in-america.  

Unless otherwise stated, all data is sourced from Guardian’s From Workforce to “Careforce” report.  

Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, medical, or financial advice. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, medical or finance advice. Consult your tax, legal, medical or finance professional regarding your individual situation. Guardian® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. 

Copyright© 2025 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. All rights reserved. 

8661494.1 (12/27) 

(BookTrib) - “Unshrink Yourself: 12 Mini-Shifts to Ditch Self-Doubt and Own Your Life” by Thanh Nguyen

“Unshrink Yourself” is a heart-driven guide to help you break free from self-doubt and start owning your life. If you’ve ever held back because you didn’t feel ready, smart or worthy enough, this book offers a turning point. Bestselling author and leadership coach Thanh Nguyen shares twelve small-but-mighty mindset shifts designed to quiet your inner critic, let go of perfectionism and step into your power.

Through honest stories and practical reflection exercises, she walks you through the steps she used to rebuild her confidence — from a voiceless immigrant teenager to an engineering executive, bestselling author, professor and speaker. Each mini-shift introduces a simple but profound change in how you think, speak and show up every day, helping you break self-sabotaging patterns, replace fear with compassion, speak up, stand tall and build confidence through consistent, courageous action. Because the world doesn’t need a smaller version of you.

Purchase at https://www.theencourageteam.com/unshrink.

“Reflections on Life’s Illusions: A Memoir of Culture and Consciousness” by Jane Gallagher

“Reflections on Life’s Illusions: A Memoir of Culture and Consciousness” dives into the pool of memory to explore what shaped the consciousness of the Baby Boom generation — and Jane Gallagher’s own perspective. Her lyrical prose interweaves a search for identity, love and meaning with reflections on the larger forces that defined an era, piecing together a “patchwork quilt” of vivid memories and social commentary, featuring the voices of leading intellectuals alongside her own.

The explosive years between 1954 and 1975, when McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, Watergate and systemic racism collided with the rise of feminism, civil rights and environmental awareness, inform Gallagher’s growing awareness, culminating in a life-changing hike through the mountains of Peru. Ultimately, this memoir offers a wise and graceful invitation to reexamine cultural stories, looking beyond nostalgia to rediscover wonder, curiosity and belonging for a deeper understanding of how culture molds belief — and how awareness can transform it.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4p41kS1 or https://bookshop.org/a/2572/9781633379077.

“Gunbarrel Highway” by Sean Bridges

Texas trophy wife Claudia Grant dies after she causes an early morning car accident. In the other vehicle, Daniel Morrison, an attorney struggling with a pending divorce and pill addiction, panics and leaves the scene.

The victim’s husband, congressional candidate Hayden Grant, is a corrupt politician who seizes the opportunity and places a million-dollar reward on Daniel’s capture. Dead or alive.

Daniel is on the run. Roya Navarro, a determined San Antonio police detective, is hot on his trail with local law enforcement, county sheriffs, a hungry journalist and trigger-happy citizens all across the Lone Star state out on the hunt for the bounty.

IT’S 150 MILES TO THE BORDER AND THE ENTIRE STATE IS OUT FOR BLOOD. THERE’S NO TURNING BACK NOW …

Purchase at https://amzn.to/48NioFS.

“The BEST Christmas Pun & Dad Joke Book” by L. Newkirk

The perfect way to bring laughter to your holiday celebration! “The BEST Christmas Pun & Dad Joke Book” features 201 Christmas-themed gems, from fresh one-liners to classic knee-slappers. Plus, laugh (and groan) your way through 301 everyday puns for year-round fun — from sports, food, animals, celebrities and more, there’s something to tickle everyone’s funny bone. Here are just a few samples:

What did the football coach say to the broken vending machine? "Give me my quarterback."

Every New Year's Eve, I look forward to a good show at Times Square ... and year after year, they drop the ball.

Why is a broken drum the best Christmas present? You can’t beat it!

With squeaky-clean humor that’s appropriate for all ages, it makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift for family, friends, co-workers … and, of course, dads!

Purchase at https://amzn.to/48I3CPu.

(NewsUSA) - The United States and India sit front and center in the global emerging technology competition, and a recent meeting have sparked promising collaboration.

As part of the AI+ Expo in Washington, DC, the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) and the Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America) hosted the launch of the U.S.-India AI & Technology Cooperation Dialogue. Both SCSP and ORF America are non-partisan, non-profit organizations.

In the face of increasing global risk from China, partnership between the United States and India in AI development and deployment will impact the balance of economic and strategic power across the Indo-Pacific.

During the Dialogue meeting, U.S. and Indian officials and industry representatives discussed four key elements:

• Applications. AI use case deployments refer to the integration of AI models into real-world solutions such as fraud detection, automating business processes, and personalizing customer experiences. Expanding AI use case deployment in both civilian and military domains will benefit both countries, and partnering with India on deployment of AI applications can meaningfully strengthen both countries’ economic and strategic positioning in third countries, according to SCSP experts.
• Infrastructure. Increasing partnership with India includes securing the building blocks that power AI technologies. India’s demand for data centers, energy resilience, and trusted computing is creating opportunities for American companies to establish computing infrastructure before other competitors. Joint infrastructure gives India the backbone needed for its national AI deployment, and the United States gains a large, strategically-located partner capable of supporting redundant, secure infrastructure routes in the Indo-Pacific.
• Talent. Establishing education to employment pipelines is essential for long-term innovation success. India boasts an enormous pool of young and ambitious engineers, data scientists, and entrepreneurs with the desire to build solutions for global markets. However, both the United States and India need to look beyond elite institutions and tap into broader university systems to provide practical technical training, along with clear pathways to AI and technology careers.
• Policy and AI Governance. A key feature of the U.S./India dialogue meeting was the consensus that AI governance should be based on enabling innovation, rather than prescribing frameworks for development that might suffocate the fast-moving ecosystems of AI development.

“While the United States is exploring deregulation across several technology domains, India has articulated a “light regulation” approach focused on enabling and not constraining startups,” according to the SCSP team.

Both countries highlighted risks of cyber incidents, weak data-quality controls, and unclear cross-border standards impeding AI deployment at scale. Looking ahead, the United States and India can set the tone for a trusted and flexible framework.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about the SCSP activities and initiatives to strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness in AI.

(BookTrib) - “The Great Dick and the Dysfunctional Demon” by Barry Maher

“An enormous amount of fun. Wholly fresh and original. Wickedly funny … a hot, sweaty, magic- and murder-infused rollercoaster. … I loved it.” —David Moody, author of Hater

Once Steve was a hero. Now he’s running from the law. And he’s just become a killer, stumbling upon a woman being assaulted by what seemed to be the most bloodthirsty wino in California. Steve should keep moving. But Victoria, the woman, is beyond stunning.

Steve stays. Even as the face of the man he just killed materializes on his arm. Even as he’s looting the decomposing dead for the secrets of a self-proclaimed sorcerer. Even as he becomes trapped in a nightmare of fire, blood and death with the Ralph Lauren version of the Manson family.

The Sorcerer’s rituals and spells can’t actually work, of course. Until they do. And unknown to Steve, a demon is growing desperate.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/499XJN7.

“The Book of Reservations” by Laura Buchwald

Josie Gray believes her restaurant, Miss Sylvie’s, can be a sanctuary for both the living and the dead, with whom she can communicate. But as the Greenwich Village eatery struggles to survive, the practical demands of running a kitchen collide with her spiritual gift.

Derek, her pragmatic partner in business and life, eschews the spirit world — and the ghost table Josie sets every night for her departed loved ones. Tensions at the restaurant rise further as the staff contends with a manipulative new manager and mysterious sous chef, while the spirits Josie serves grow restless.

Drawn into the unfinished stories of those around her, Josie must deliver long-buried truths that could change lives, even as she questions her place in a world that doubts what she sees. Every encounter forces her to confront what she owes her friends and family on both sides of the veil, as well as her own needs.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/bookofreservations.

“The Black Dagger Brotherhood: 20th Anniversary Insider’s Guide” by J.R. Ward

Celebrate twenty years of the #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood with this all-new insider’s guide. J.R. Ward returns to the world that redefined paranormal romance, offering behind-the-scenes stories, personal reflections, writing insights and a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of her legendary career.

This commemorative volume also revisits the original Brothers with classic favorites and never-before-seen material, including a brand-new novella — “Happy Anniversary,” in which Wrath and Beth reclaim lost time in a tender, erotic and emotional reunion. Fans will also enjoy Brotherhood interviews, “Ask a Brother,” Vishous’s Agony Aunt column, “Kitchen Corner with Fritz,” “Bella’s Books,” playlists, monthly horoscopes and more.

A true keepsake, this collection is both a celebration of the series and a heartfelt thank-you to the readers who have been part of the journey. It’s also the perfect holiday gift for any J.R. Ward superfan.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/9WkNywI.

“Joyful Resilience” by Agazit Negash

A moving memoir about love, loss and the unbreakable bond between siblings.

When Biruk — diagnosed with autism — loses both his mother and father just 25 days apart, his world is shattered. Stepping in as his guardian, Agazit must navigate overwhelming grief while honoring the devotion and sacrifices of the parents who shaped them. Full of vivid, emotionally rich storytelling, “Joyful Resilience” reads like a love letter to the author’s family and a testament to the strength found in compassion.

As Agazit and Biruk lean on each other and learn to adapt, their journey reflects the power of familial love, the beauty of neurodiversity, the courage required to keep moving forward, and the universal struggle through grief to healing. Heartfelt, relatable, inspiring and deeply human, “Joyful Resilience” celebrates connection and perseverance in the face of unimaginable loss.

Purchase on Amazon https://amzn.to/448pJxc or visit AgazitBooks.com for other options. Follow @authoragazitnegash on Instagram or @AuthorAgazit on X.