M. Earl Smith

Elizabeth, the first capital of New Jersey, took its name from the founder of the English colony's wife, Elizabeth Carteret. The birthplace of several Founding Fathers, Elizabeth would use such prestige to position itself in the booming business eras of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its strategic location along the Hudson River and on the route to New York made it a hot spot of activity during the American War of Independence and the War of 1812. These same traits gave rise to Elizabeth as a center of commerce in New Jersey during the past two centuries. Today, Elizabeth stands as a multicultural metropolis, home to over 100,000 people.

For Esther, her plan is simple: Get to Bhutan, and end her life. For Travis, the plan is much more complex. When Travis Saint Croix enrolled at San Francisco State University, romance was the last thing on his mind. Meeting Esther, however, changed all of that. What followed was a whirlwind romance entwined with questions of race, society, mental health and two trips to Bhutan. It was in this tiny South Asian country that wars against both self-doubt and self-harm would be waged. With his name already embroiled in infamy due to events at San Francisco State, he must not only find Esther and stop her from her directive, but he must also find his way back to his own humanity as well. Both are forced to face their own demons and learn how to dance with each other's in this complex look at one woman's struggle to embrace life over death.

In the "City of Brotherly Love," there are few things taken as seriously as local bragging rights. In a city that lives and dies with its sports heroes, basketball is no exception. This volume traces the lore and history behind Philadelphia's Big 5, an informal basketball league that features five of the area's most prestigious colleges: LaSalle University, Temple University, Saint Joseph's University, Villanova University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Formed in 1955, the Big 5 pulls teams from the Ivy League, the Big East, the American Athletic Conference, and, in the case of both LaSalle and Saint Joseph's, the Atlantic 10. With a round-robin format, each team plays the other once and best record takes home the trophy. In a sport that has become a nationwide sensation, the spirit of Philadelphia lives on, led by the most loyal and passionate fans in the world.

Nestled along the banks of the Susquehanna River, Muncy first situated itself within the dynamic beginnings of America as the center of action during raids and battles on the frontier. Following the American Revolution, the town prospered as the lumber industry profited from its bountiful mountains and waterway accessibility, leaving Muncy with a competitive legacy of commerce. When the Civil War erupted in America, Muncy became both a key stop on the Underground Railroad and a hotbed for abolitionist activity. This colorful history remains preserved in the architecture of the town, as numerous buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These houses are not museum properties, rather the buildings serve as integral parts of the community as both homes and businesses. Opened in 1936, the Muncy Historical Society remains a unifying presence in the town, acting as a gatekeeper to the community's history. Today, Muncy serves as a portal between America's revolutionary past and the future of small-town America.

What is your biggest fear? Delve into these nightmares and phobias to see if you can handle it Addiction by M. Earl Smith Who's Afraid of a Stupid Clown by Alex Winck Entomophobia by Katie Jaarsveld The Pond by Rob Shepherd The Price of Greed by Sheri Velarde Sleeping Cyberbeauty by Alex Winck Triskaidekaphobia by Samie Sands Reflection by Rick Eddy Heliophobia by Fernanda Oz The Second Clourophobia Massacre by Kevin Hall Nightwalk by Stefan Vucak The Symbiote by Alex Winck Threshold Dreams by McKenzie Richardson The Hunt by Dave Suscheck Fear by Kally Jo Surbeck The Reason We Run by TW Iain Time and Rewind by Katie Jaarsveld Wide Awake by James Bryant

From its humble beginnings as a strip of wilderness just west of William Penn s greene country towne, Powelton Village has seen a rise in both prestige and activism since its inception in the late 17th century. An aristocratic estate at its founding, Powelton has found itself in a state of constant evolution, from the summer retreat of George Washington to the home of Pennsylvania s agricultural fair and from the playground of the elite to a hotbed of activism. In spite of, or because of, its mixed history, Powelton Village is unique among Philadelphia neighborhoods, both in its eclectic diversity and in its historic roots to the founding of the nation. Today, Powelton serves as a home to academics and their students, to the urban poor of Philadelphia, and to the elites of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University."