New Book by Shaquille O'Neal - "Shaq Uncut: My Story"

Shaquille O'Neal released his autobiography today - "Shaq Uncut."  Here is the publisher's synopsis:

"Superman. Diesel. The Big Aristotle. Shaq Fu. The Big Daddy. The Big Shaqtus. Wilt Chamberneezy. The Real Deal. The Big Shamrock. Shaq.

You know him by any number of names, and chances are you know all about his legendary basketball career: Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA Finals MVP. After being an All-American at Louisiana State University, he was the overall number one draft pick in the NBA in 1992. In his 19-year career, Shaq racked up 28,596 career points (including 5,935 free throws!), 13,099 rebounds, 3,026 assists, 2,732 blocks, and 15 All-Star appearances.

These are statistics that are almost as massive as the man himself. His presence - both physically and psychologically - made him a dominant force in the game for two decades.  But if you follow the game, you also know that there's a lot more to Shaquille O'Neal than just basketball.

Shaq is famous for his playful, and at times, provocative personality. He is, literally, outsize in both scale and persona. Whether rapping on any of his five albums, challenging celebrities on his hit television show "Shaq Vs.," studying for his PhD or serving as a reserve police officer, there's no question that Shaq has led a unique and multi-dimensional life. And in this rollicking new autobiography, Shaq discusses his remarkable journey, including his candid thoughts on teammates and coaches like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley.  From growing up in difficult circumstances and getting cut from his high school basketball team to his larger-than-life basketball career, Shaq lays it all out in SHAQ UNCUT: MY STORY. "

Purchase Shaq Uncut at www.thequalitycorner.com in print or audio.

View photos of Robin Robert's interview with Shaq on GMA.

"One Day It'll All Make Sense" by Common

Common's new book, "One Day It'll All Make Sense," hit store book shelves last month.  Here is the publisher's synopsis:

"Common has earned a reputation in the hip hop world as a conscious artist by embracing themes of love and struggle in his songs, and by sharing his own search for knowledge with his listeners. His journey toward understanding--expressed in his music and now in his roles in film and television--is rooted in his relationship with a remarkable woman, his mother, Mahalia Ann Hines.

In "One Day It'll All Make Sense," Common holds nothing back. He tells what it was like for a boy with big dreams growing up on the South Side of Chicago. He reveals how he almost quit rapping after his first album, "Can I Borrow a Dollar?," sold only two thousand copies. He recounts his rise to stardom, giving a behind-the-scenes look into the recording studios, concerts, movie sets, and after-parties of a hip-hop celebrity and movie star. He reflects on his controversial invitation to perform at the White House, a story that grabbed international headlines. And he talks about the challenges of balancing fame, love, and fatherhood.

"One Day It'll All Make Sense" is a gripping memoir, both provocative and funny. Common shares never-before-told stories about his encounters with everyone from Tupac to Biggie, Ice Cube to Lauryn Hill, Barack Obama to Nelson Mandela. Drawing upon his own lyrics for inspiration, he invites the reader to go behind the spotlight to see him as he really is--not just as Common but as Lonnie Rashid Lynn.

Each chapter begins with a letter from Common addressed to an important person in his life--from his daughter to his close friend and collaborator Kanye West, from his former love Erykah Badu to you, the reader. Through it all, Common emerges as a man in full. Rapper. Actor. Activist. But also father, son, and friend. Common's story offers a living example of how, no matter what you've gone through, one day it'll all make sense."

Common has received accolades for this book.  Here is what a few of his colleagues have said regarding his work:

"Common is a 360-degree human being, and I don't say that about many people. He never needed to "pimp the hood" to achieve his deserved success. He is an eloquent and honorable role model and his memoir is a perfect example of his depth as a human being. In addition, reading about his childhood and upbringing in Chicago is really a trip - because we went through so many of the same experiences albeit decades apart. Chicago is still the roughest and primary "Institution of Hard Knocks," and if you can make it there, you can truly make it anywhere!" -Quincy Jones

"Common has written a magnificent memoir. It states that it is a book about his fascinating life. That is true. More importantly, his story is the story of all young people trying to grow up. His saga reminds the reader that love liberates and poverty cripples. Common writes beautifully, like the poet he is." -Maya Angelou

"A powerful memoir that speaks to all audiences." -Queen Latifah

Purchase "One Day It'll All Make Sense" at www.thequalitycorner.com.

New from Harlan Coben - "Live Wire"

Harlan Coben has done it again.  His latest thriller, Live Wire is in the number one spot on The New York Times Best Sellers list in the Hardcover Fiction category.   Coben is one of my favorite authors.  I first fell in love with his suspenseful writing in Tell No One.  His latest novel promises to be just as good.  Here is the publisher's synopsis:

"Myron Bolitar's family takes center stage in this new Coben thriller. Former tennis star Suzze T and her rock star husband, Lex, are both clients, and now Lex has disappeared and a very pregnant Suzze is in tears. Myron is forced to confront deep secrets in Suzze's past, his family's mortality, and before "Live Wire" is over, his own."

Here is what people are saying:

“Edgar-winner Coben's 10th Myron Bolitar novel (after Long Lost) is a perfect 10... This explosively fast thriller will leave fans clamoring for more.”
--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, Starred Review (MAR)

"Harlan Coben is the modern master of the hook-and-twist - luring you in on the first page...only to shock you on the last."
--Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci Code

Live Wire is available in print and audio at The Quality Corner.  Click here to purchase your copy.

View the trailer - 

Oprah's Latest Book Club Pick

As a part of the last season premier week of the Oprah show, she announced her latest book club selection.  She has chosen Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.  Already on the New York Times Best Sellers list, it is sure to delight readers.

The publisher's synopsis contains this overview -  "From the National Book Award-winning author of The Corrections comes a darkly comedic novel about family. Franzen's intensely realized characters struggle to learn how to live in an ever-confusing world--one with the temptations and burdens of liberty, the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, and the heavy weight of empire."

Shortly after announcing the book, Oprah squashed a nasty rumor.  She will not end her book club.  Even though this is the last season of her talk show, the book club will continue.  Have no fear, readers!  Oprah will not leave us to fend for ourselves.  We can still count on her to recommend great books for our enjoyment.  I am looking forward to this one. 

Click here to purchase Freedom by Jonathan Franzen at The Quality Corner.