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INTIMATE MEMOIR CHRONICLES A WOMAN’S JOURNEY WITH A MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS AND HER PERSONAL DECISION TO END HER LIFE AT DIGNITAS

By
Jocie McKade
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A new memoir released today by Amplify Publishing chronicles one woman’s years of battling a complex illness and her choice to end her life. This extraordinary and intimate book, written in the months before her death, bravely explores the profound question: How much suffering is enough? 

Authored by sustainability and equality advocate Diana Williams, Traveling Solo: A Life Well Lived, A Death Well Planned follows her decades-long search for a correct diagnosis and  effective treatment. Countless specialists gave momentary hope, but one-by-one failed, leaving Williams in a limbo of suffering. Rather than face a life of increasing pain and disability, and after deep contemplation, Williams chose assisted dying at the Swiss nonprofit, Dignitas.

Traveling Solo raises questions, too often asked in silence: What makes life worth living? How much can one person bear? Most of all, should we afford humans the choice to end their lives on their own terms?

Diane Rehm, award-winning journalist and host of the podcast On My Mind says Traveling Solo is “a timely book as the issue of taking control of one’s final days is debated around the world.” While Mel Robbins, New York Times bestselling author and host of the award-winning Mel Robbins Podcast, calls the book “a raw and revealing look at the complexity of love, life, and death.”

Diana Williams was the founder and executive director of Prison to Employment Connection, a nonprofit organization that provides job readiness training at California’s San Quentin State Prison. She previously worked for more than twenty years in fundraising for organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund and the Coral Reef Alliance. Williams’s work stemmed from her profound interest in creating a more equitable and sustainable world. She held an M.A. in counseling psychology from Columbia University, was a certified life coach, and served as a hospice counselor at Marin General Hospital. Her greatest accomplishments, however, are her two daughters, who light up the world. Learn more at her website: https://travelingsolobook.com.

Traveling Solo: A Life Well Lived, A Death Well Planned is on sale now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Amplify Publishing.

Unveiling the Mystery Beatles Drummer: Author Jim Berkenstadt, the Rock and Roll Detective®, Reveals the Long-Sought Discovery

By
Jocie McKade
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For just 13 days, he shared the stage with the world’s most renowned rock group before vanishing into thin air. Now, in the 60th Beatles Anniversary Tour Edition of The Beatle Who Vanished, award-winning author Jim Berkenstadt delves into the enigmatic journey of Jimmie Nicol.   With a compelling narrative, Berkenstadt unravels the mysterious path that has shrouded Nicol since his sudden disappearance in the late Sixties.

The Beatle Who Vanished -60th Beatles Anniversary Tour Edition scheduled for release June 11, 2024, is the first historical account of Jimmie Nicol, a little-known drummer whose journey from humble beginnings to an improbable climb – rescuing The Beatles’ first world tour from disaster by stepping in for ailing Ringo Starr – waBeatless only one part of his legend. Though his 13 days of fame made headlines, the true mystery of Nicol’s account is riddled with blacklisting, betrayal, drugs, divorce, bankruptcy and an eventual disappearance that leads many to question whether he is dead or alive.

In this edition of the No. 1 Bestseller, released to coincide with the 60th Beatles Anniversary World Tour featuring Nicol’s memorable performances with the iconic band, readers will uncover the truth about the drummer’s mysterious fate. Delving into the narrative, we unveil the story behind his reported demise, which sparked rumors of his death in London during the 1990s and resurfaced again in Mexico City in 2014.

The Beatle Who Vanished – 60th Beatles Anniversary Tour Edition reveals new insights into Nicol’s life and career, including:

  • Is Jimmie Nicol still alive? If so, where is he residing and what is he currently doing?
  • Where did Nicol first learn to play the drums?
  • Who were Nicol’s bandmates in his first teenage band?
  • What advice did Producer George Martin impart to Nicol before his tour with The Beatles?
  • What became of the iconic Gold Watch presented to Nicol by Brian Epstein and The Beatles?
  • Have there been any recent sightings of Nicol over the past decade?
  • How have tributes across the globe commemorated Nicol’s time with The Beatles?
  • Why was Nicol “posthumously awarded” a Gold Medal in Mexico City in 2014?
  • Who is the mysterious Josefina, and how did the Rock And Roll Detective® uncover The Beatle Who Vanished?

“Jimmie’s story captivated me from the beginning, and over my sixteen years of research and interviews with industry insiders who knew him, the intricacies of his life in the world of Rock ‘n Roll became increasingly surreal,” says Berkenstadt. “This narrative is akin to a great mystery, with Nicol navigating competition with The Beatles, battling Epstein’s alleged blacklisting, globe-trotting in search of a hit record, and ultimately disappearing.”

The Beatle Who Vanished – 60th Beatles Anniversary Tour Edition is now available in paperback ($24.95), Kindle eBook ($9.99), and hardcover ($29.95) formats on Amazon and select retailers. For more information, please visit https://thebeatlewhovanished.com.

Sneak Peek: Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket by Laura Levine

By
Jocie McKade
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Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket by Laura Levine

It’s the funny side of homicide in acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist Laura Levine’s newest mystery featuring Jaine Austen and her snarky cat, Prozac, as a ghostwriting project sends the Hollywood writer-for-hire on a luxury train trip with strange company, extra baggage, and murder . . .

What could be more idyllic than starting a new gig with an exclusive train ride from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara? Turns out, a whole lot. Jaine must figure out how to tolerate her client—Chip Miller, aka Iron Man, a wealthy gym chain owner—who Jaine soon discovers is a tyrant and a bully with an ego as pumped as his pecs.

Practically everyone on board seems to have it in for Chip—his dysfunctional family members, his beleaguered staff, even his supposed best buddy from the gym. So it’s no shocker when he’s found dead in his cabin. Unfortunately for Jaine, she’s the one who finds Chip’s body, leaving her DNA on the murder weapon, and making her a prime suspect in the police investigation.

Forced to save her own caboose, can Jaine chug on through an unexpected love connection and ID the killer—or has she finally reached the end of the line?

UNCOVER WHAT MYSTERIES LURK IN THE HALLS OF GUNNERKRIGG IN “GUNNERKRIGG COURT” VOLUME 1

By
Jocie McKade
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Tom Siddell’s acclaimed web series comes to Dark Horse

Dark Horse Books presents Gunnerkrigg Court Volume 1. The NCS/Reuben award-winning webcomic by Tom Siddell will now be collected in an omnibus paperback volume containing the first two books of the original series, Orientation and Research. The series is written, illustrated and colored by Siddell and features new cover art as well as updated interior art. Dark Horse will also present a stunning hardcover limited-edition of 1000 copies, which features a signed and numbered tip-in page.

After the death of her mother and the disappearance of her father, a young girl arrives at a mysterious boarding school. While the curriculum seems to be focused on advancing science and technology, Antimony “Annie” Carver quickly discovers that the grounds are home to plenty of things that science can’t explain: ghosts, supernatural phenomena, and even the gods of the neighboring forest. Along with her friend Kat, Annie begins to unravel the mysteries of her new home, Gunnerkrigg Court, which may not actually be a school after all.

“Anyone with a taste for mystery, an eye for the fantastic and strange, The Court welcomes you,” says creator Tom Siddell. “I’m really excited for readers, new and old, to get their hands on the best version of Gunnerkrigg, from a publisher whose work I’ve been enjoying for decades!”

The Gunnerkrigg Court Volume 1 trade paperback edition and limited-edition hardcover edition each contain 586 pages and measure 6.625 x 10.1875″. The book will be available November 5, 2024 in bookstores and November 6, 2024 in comic shops. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, TFAW and at your local comic shop and bookstore and will retail for $29.99 for the standard edition and $79.99 for the limited-edition.

Be sure to follow Dark Horse Comics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com, for more news, announcements, and updates!

Praise for Gunnerkrigg Court:

“I was thrilled to hear that my favorite webcomic was going to be collected on paper. I wish that Antimony Carver and her adventures and mysteries and myths, not to mention her school, had been around when I was a boy to shape and warp and twist my growing mind – but I don’t think you could ever grow too old to delight in Gunnerkrigg Court.”—Neil Gaiman (Good Omens, Sandman, Coraline)

Dark Horse Comics

PODCAST::: Cold Cases and Killer Secrets with Author Caroline Cleveland on Book Lights

By
Jocie McKade
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Cold Cases and Killer Secrets with Author Caroline Cleveland on Book Lights

LISTEN HERE!!

Caroline Cleveland is the founding partner of the law firm, Cleveland & Conley, LLC, where she represents private and public employers, including law enforcement. A native South Carolinian, she inevitably writes from a Southern perspective. She gravitates — both as a writer and a reader — toward mystery and suspense, and she cannot resist a character with a dark secret.

Caroline lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, David. You can learn more at: https://carolineclevelandauthor.com/

And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Book Lights – shining a light on good books!

Here’s a quick look at When Cicadas Cry:

A high-profile murder case—A white woman has been bludgeoned to death with an altar cross in a rural church on Cicada Road in Walterboro, South Carolina. Sam Jenkins, a Black man, is found covered in blood, kneeling over the body. In a state already roiling with racial tension, this is not only a murder case, but a powder keg.

A haunting cold case—Two young women are murdered on quiet Edisto Beach, an hour southeast of Walterboro, and the killer disappears without a trace. Thirty-four years later the mystery remains unsolved. Could there be a connection to Stander’s case?

A killer who’s watching—Stander takes on Jenkins’s defense, but he’s up against a formidable solicitor with powerful allies. Worse, his client is hiding a bombshell secret. When Addie Stone reopens the cold case, she discovers more long-buried secrets in this small town. Would someone kill again to keep them?

Fight Pediatric Cancer with Children’s Book Raising Funds for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

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Jocie McKade
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Advertising Agency PPK Aims to Fight Pediatric Cancer with Children’s Book Raising Funds for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

The Tampa agency wrote, designed, illustrated and will publish its first ever children’s book, titled “Clarence the Cloud,” to support long-time partner, NPCF.

Advertising agency PPK today announced its first-ever children’s book, Clarence the Cloud, created to support a philanthropic cause close to the agency’s heart: pediatric cancer. The project aims to raise $10,000 for long-time agency partner National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) through the sale of the book and associated merchandise.

Clarence the Cloud was designed and created entirely by PPK, written by Creative Director and Writer Nick McMurdy and Illustrated by Art Director and Illustrator Alan Schneller. Written for children ages 5-8, it tells the story of happy-go-lucky rain cloud Clarence, who must find his purpose after inadvertently ruining a big party and being cast out. Ultimately, the book tells a story of inclusion that highlights the importance of seeing value in everyone, especially oneself, and encourages people to see the good in others.

Clarence’s story reflects PPK’s own mantra of celebrating the unique talents and backgrounds of all its team members, standing as a testament to the agency’s ambition to elevate creativity in unexpected places, while also reinforcing its commitment to supporting its community and nonprofit partnerships.

“The idea for this book was born of our team’s passion for giving back to our community and creative spirit, which extends well beyond the talents of traditional advertising,” said PPK President Garrett Garcia. “Inclusion is deeply rooted into the DNA of our agency, and we really wanted to undertake a project that not only celebrates uniqueness but that supports our community in the process. We’re so proud to partner with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to do some good and spread a message that we all desperately need amid the current social and political landscape.”

Clarence the Cloud will be available for purchase beginning September 2024, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, online at ClarenceTheCloud.com, and all proceeds raised from September to December 2024 will be donated to NPCF. To promote the launch of the book, PPK is also creating a merchandise line of the book’s characters also benefiting the NPCF and will host readings at children’s hospitals in Tampa throughout the month of September.

Visit ClarenceTheCloud.com to sign up for priority pre-sale access.

Books-A-Million Unveils Grand Reopening

By
Jocie McKade
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Books-A-Million, a renowned family-owned book store with over 200 branches across the US, is excited to announce the grand reopening of its South Portland, Maine location after an extensive renovation. The revamped store is set to welcome book lovers with a fresh new look and enhanced experience. The store will still be located at 430 Gorham Rd in South Portland, Maine.

Located near The Maine Mall, the store has undergone a complete transformation to create a beautiful space that showcases Books-A-Million’s commitment to providing a haven for readers of all ages. The grand reopening celebration is scheduled for May 18th, inviting the community to explore the brand new bookstore experience.

In celebration of the grand reopening, Books-A-Million is hosting a spectacular event on Saturday, May 18th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Customers can look forward to exciting activities including a chance to win a $1000 gift card, complimentary ice cream and coffee for all attendees, and an exclusive 20% discount for Millionaire’s Club Members. It’s a day of festivities not to be missed, and everyone is welcomed to experience the new chapter of Books-A-Million in South Portland!

“We are thrilled to unveil the revitalized Books-A-Million store in South Portland,” said Olivia McDaniel, Vice President of Marketing at Books-A-Million. “This renovation reflects our dedication to offering an unparalleled literary experience to our customers. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be immersed in a world of books, comfort, and community. It’s a true destination for book lovers to connect, explore, and discover.”

In addition to an extensive book collection, the updated store will feature reading areas, a dedicated children’s section, and a curated selection of gifts, stationery, and literary-themed merchandise. Customers can also look forward to special events, author signings, and book clubs, creating opportunities for book lovers to engage with fellow enthusiasts and authors, fostering and further supporting the vibrant literary community within the Portland area.

In keeping with Books-A-Million’s desire to make reading easy and accessible, Portland customers will also be able to order online and pick up their books, or can order for delivery right to their home, for same-day. But the emphasis is on in-store shopping and creating a space for the community to find any book they may desire.

For only $25 a year readers can join the Books-A-Million Millionaires Club, voted Newsweek’s Best Loyalty Programs, and unlock free shipping on every online order, 10% off any in-store purchase, and 50% off top bestsellers, as well as receive over hundreds in bonus coupons upon joining.

As part of Books-A-Million’s commitment to foster a love for reading and supporting the local community, the South Portland location will collaborate with schools, libraries, and community organizations to promote literacy initiatives and educational programs.

Books-A-Million began in 1917 as a street corner newsstand in Florence, Alabama, by Clyde W. Anderson. At the time, workers were coming from all over the country to complete the nearby Wilson Dam, and Anderson saw that they struggled to obtain news from their hometowns. He started bringing in newspapers from across the country, and his newsstand, and the first iteration of what would become Books-A-Million, was born. When his son inherited the business he expanded it into several bookstore locations. Today, Books-A-Million has over 250 locations across the country, but is still a family-run business, operated by descendants of Clyde W. Anderson.

Another Books-A-Million location is opening in Bangor, Maine this summer. An existing Books-A-Million has been open in the area since 2011 but the store is relocating to 490 Stillwater Ave in Bangor, and holding a grand opening of this brand new space on June 22nd. More information about that location can be found here.

For media inquiries or to request further information about Books-A-Million’s new Bangor or South Portland location, please contact Alessandra Pollina of Quotable Media Co at alessandra@quotablemediaco.com.

ABOUT BOOKS-A-MILLION
Books-A-Million (BAM!) is one of the nation’s leading book retailers & operates over 250 stores nationwide and sells online at www.booksamillion.com. As a trusted destination for book lovers and enthusiasts, BAM! is committed to providing quality literature and exceptional service to its valued customers both in-store and online. With its Millionaires Club, BAM! members enjoy free shipping on online orders, a 10% discount on all in-store purchases, and exclusive deals on top bestsellers. For more information, visit www.booksamillion.com or follow Books-A-Million on Facebook and Instagram.

Sneak Peek: Queen B: The Story of Anne Boleyn, Witch Queen (The HMRC Trilogy)

By
Jocie McKade
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Queen B: The Story of Anne Boleyn, Witch Queen  By Juno Dawson

This next spellbinding installment of Juno’s “irresistible” fantasy series Her Majesty’s Royal Coven (Lana Harper) takes us back to the reign of Henry VIII and the origins of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven under the beautiful, the bewitching, Anne Boleyn.

It’s 1536 and the Queen has been beheaded.

Lady Grace Fairfax, witch, knows that something foul is at play—that someone had betrayed Anne Boleyn and her coven. Wild with the loss of their leader—and her lover, a secret that if spilled could spell Grace’s own end— she will do anything in her power to track down the traitor. But there’s more at stake than revenge: it was one of their own, a witch, that betrayed them, and Grace isn’t the only one looking for her. King Henry VIII has sent witchfinders after them, and they’re organized like they’ve never been before under his new advisor, the impassioned Sir Ambrose Fulke, a cold man blinded by his faith. His cruel reign could mean the end of witchkind itself. If Grace wants to find her revenge and live, she will have to do more than disappear.

She will have to be reborn.

In this gripping, propulsive, sultry short novel, Juno Dawson takes us back to the bloody beginnings of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven to show us the strength, steel and sacrifice it takes to make a sisterhood.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Juno Dawson is a bestselling novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. Juno’s books include the global bestsellers, This Book is Gay and Clean. She also writes for television and has multiple shows in development both in the UK and US. An occasional actress and model, Juno appeared on HBO’s I May Destroy You.

Smithfield Foods Donates $12,000 to Expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Virginia

By
Jocie McKade
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In the second year since the expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library into Isle of Wight County, Virginia, Smithfield Foods has donated $12,000 to The DeGood Foundation, a local Imagination Library partner, to expand access of the book-gifting program for 2024.

“It’s no secret that reading at an early age can have a profound impact on a child’s life and future success,” said Steve Evans, vice president, community development for Smithfield Foods. “Through our partnership with The DeGood Foundation, we’re able to continue expanding literacy access to all children and deepening the program impact in Isle of Wight County, bolstering our commitment to do good work in our communities.”

Recent legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly supports continued expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book gifting program in Virginia. Virginia State expansion monies were approved in 2022 and renewed for the next two years. Smithfield’s $12,000 donation together with the Commonwealth’s $12,000 funding match would provide $24,000 to Isle of Wight County, which will help distribute books to more children, supporting early literacy development, knowledge and fundamental skills.

This is the second year of Smithfield’s support for The DeGood Foundation, following a $6,675 donation in 2023. Smithfield and the Foundation held a kick-off event in February 2023 at the Smithfield Center to celebrate and enroll local children in the program.

To date, 45% of eligible children in Isle of Wight County have been enrolled, with more than 7,600 books distributed to over 600 children in the county.

“We couldn’t be more excited to continue to partner with our friends at Smithfield Foods to get more free books into the hands of more children,” said Kyle DeGood, founder and executive director for The DeGood Foundation. “Our expansion to Isle of Wight County, made possible by Smithfield, was one of our best performing expansions to date. We’re so grateful to be working with a corporate partner that cares so much for the communities where their associates live and work.”

Enrolled children will receive a free brand-new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month from the time they are born to age five. Parents and guardians can register at their local library branch or online at www.degoodfoundation.org or www.imaginationlibrary.com.

Smithfield is committed to developing the next generation of leaders through donations to schools and education programs and providing scholarship assistance for 1,500 students globally by 2025. Last year, the company funded more than $2.5 million in education programs and awarded scholarships of more than $740,000 to 13 schools in seven states for the 2023–2024 school year. For more information, visit https://smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability/helping-communities/.

About Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a U.S. food company that employs more than 54,000 people in seven countries and partners with thousands of American farmers. As one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies, we are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” to feed a growing world population. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30% across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Gwaltney® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads.

About The DeGood Foundation
Founded by Kyle DeGood in 2017, The DeGood Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, ensures that all children on the Virginia Peninsula have equitable access to positive early childhood experiences that nurture, grow, and inspire through programs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Bags of Hope. The foundation believes that children can achieve by inspiring them to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More. Since 2019, the foundation has mailed over 40,000 books to children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and has become one of the fastest growing affiliates of the Imagination Library in the state of Virginia. For more information, visit www.degoodfoundation.org, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more.

The program has been widely researched and results demonstrate the positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Julian Lennon to Release First-Ever Fine Art Photography Book, “Life’s Fragile Moments,”

By
Jocie McKade
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0

Internationally acclaimed photographer and visual artist, Julian Lennon, is set to release his first-ever coffee table photography book titled “Life’s Fragile Moments” available on September 9, 2024. This stunning collection features a compilation of visually striking images that span over two decades of Lennon’s unique life, career, adventures, and philanthropic efforts, reflecting his multifaceted creativity and innate curiosity.

Known for his contributions to the music world as a singer/songwriter, Lennon demonstrates his versatility with his esteemed presence behind the lens. In this new book, he captures authentic street art, captivating landscapes, and intimate portraits, offering a unique perspective on the beauty and fragility of life. His photography covers a wide range of subjects, from scenic landscapes that evoke a sense of wonder to urban scenes that pulsate with radiant energy. Each image tells a compelling, documentary-like story, drawing viewers into a world of emotion and creativity.

“To finally have a Photography Coffee Table Book is a Dream come True…It’s one of the most beautiful ways to be able to showcase such a variety of my photography work…. Beyond Thankful,” said Lennon.

“Life’s Fragile Moments” also includes personal reflections and insights penned by Lennon himself in his own script, providing readers with a deeper understanding of his artistic journey. Through his words and images, Lennon reveals the inspiration behind his work, offering a rare glimpse into his thoughts and emotions. This intimate connection with the artist makes this book a must-have for any photography enthusiast or collector.

In addition to many of his classic images, the collection reveals never-before-seen photographs of Lennon’s travels to Uruguay, plus a series of captures from a tribute concert for Leonard Cohen, which features artists such as Sting, Elvis Costello and Lana Del Ray.

This coffee table book stands out not only for its visual impact but also for its emotional depth. The carefully curated photographs and accompanying texts make “Life’s Fragile Moments” a unique addition to any collection, reflecting the complex and diverse sides of Lennon’s creative spirit.

“Life’s Fragile Moments” will be available for purchase at major booksellers, department stores and online retailers, including Amazon, starting September 9, in both English and German. Collectors outside of Germany can pre-order the book for delivery worldwide, October 29. For more information about the book and upcoming events, visit teNeues.com.

 

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