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Worst-Case Wednesday: How to Flip an Overturned Kayak

Oops.

Summer is finally here! That means no more school, more time for relaxing and more time to try out adventurous activities! One of the easiest ways to beat the heat is to try some water-related activities that will keep you cool. Going kayaking? No problem! That is until you hit turbulent waters or were daydreaming too much about how peaceful your surroundings are and next thing you know, you tip over. What do you do next? Follow these steps from The Worst Case Scenario ALMANAC: Great Outdoors to find out how to get back afloat—and stay there.

Posted by Marissa Stern

Quirk Perks: Get Campfire Cuisine by Robin Donovan for $3.99 Through July

CAMPFIRE CUISINE by Robin Donovan ($3.99)

KINDLE / NOOK / KOBO / IBOOKSTORE

There’s more to campfire cooking than hot dogs and baked beans! Campfire Cuisine provides upscale recipes for delicious, healthy, satisfying food to make at your campsite or in any outdoor setting. Try Bananas Foster French Toast, Grilled Vegetable Salad with Goat Cheese, Salmon with Balsamic Fig Sauce, Foil- Baked Yams with Spicy Chili Butter, Jambalaya, and Rum-Baked Peaches.

Posted by Eric Smith

Quirk Perks: Get The Meowmorphosis for Only $3.99 This Month!

THE MEOWMORPHOSIS by Franz Kafka and Coleridge Cook

KINDLE / NOOK / KOBO / IBOOKSTORE

"One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that he had been changed into an adorable kitten.”
 
The phenomenal success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies inspired a massively popular literary-remix movement. Now Quirk Classics once again charts bold new territory, turning the monster-mash-up formula inside out to infuse Franz Kafka’s horrific masterpiece, “The Metamorphosis,” with the fuzziest, snuggliest, most adorable creatures possible: kittens!

Posted by Eric Smith

How-to Tuesday: Fantastic Trees to Read Under and Where to Find Them

 
Now it's (finally) summer, it's a great time to think about going outside more often. And I don't mean to get a sun tan. More like, time to go outside to enjoy some beautiful scenery and cool fruity drinks (or some ice cold beers) while guzzling down your latest read. In order to do that though, you'll need some shade, or at the very least a sturdy friend to lean on. 
 
Here's a list of trees to look for the next time you're out somewhere with a book and in need of a spot to park your butt. 
 

Posted by Kristina Pino

As Planting Season Kicks Off, Start With Tomato & Basil

 
Beautiful photo via Bonnie Plants
 
It’s the time of the year again that you are inundated with reminders that it is time to spend time in your garden. You don’t even need to go to a home improvement store or nursery to be told “You need to plant to be like everyone else”—heck, they even sell plants and mulch at the grocery store and gas station.
 
Some of you may get excited about this reminder to use your green thumb, while others…may get extremely anxious because they kill every plant they’ve ever owned.
 
I’m here to tell you: It. Is. Okay.

Posted by Sara Rosenstock

Literary Events in Philadelphia This Week: June 29th – July 5th

 
Photo via Visit Philly
 
Philly is still reading and putting together exciting happenings for readers like you. Whatever plans you might have for celebrating the birth of our nation, don’t let them interfere with any of these upcoming events:
 
The Philly Feminist Zine Fest will still be going strong on Sunday, June 29th. Get out to Philly Soapbox, Wooden Shoe or Yell Gallery for some exciting workshops and panels.
 
Also on the 29th, the Rosenbach Museum and Library is offering a hands-on tour of some artifacts that remain from the writing of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
 
On Monday, June 30th at the Free Library of Philadelphia, romance novelists Megan Hart, Sara Humphreys and Geri Krotow will be reading from new books and discussing the craft of romance.
 
Thursday, July 3rd is the first Thursday of July, which means Jus’ Words is hosting another biweekly open poetry slam, emceed by Shyster and E the Poet-Emcee.
 
Finally, at Tattooed Mom on Saturday, July 5th, True Skateboarding Magazine is premiering its fourth video, Sol, featuring Ryan Chaney, Stephen Kellogg, Tyrone Olson, Jacob Sandin, and Barak Ban-Zino.
 
This weekly event roundup is brought to you by Quirk Books and APIARY Magazine. Check in every Friday to find literary events happening in your area throughout the week.

Posted by Stephen Piccarella