BOOK BITS

HOW COME, you may ask . . . why so

long since the last Jim's Muses?

Or you might not have noticed at all. In any case, the reason (term it “excuse” if you like) is, I've been working . . . happily, with a couple of authors and a publisher.

As a result of of these elated labors you are invited to enjoy either hard copy or e-Book, an eclectic selection of material to which I had much fun contributing.

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Available on amazon.com are both That Does Not Compute and That Does Not Compute Too! Gag cartoons---ideas hatched from the fertile brain of Jack Dunning, publisher of the popular on-line ComputorEdge. (sic)

Jack started that magazine in 1984. Its title then was The Byte Buyer. I've drawn his ideas for cartoons ever since the print version ceased. Jack now lives in Oregon.

You can get free Kindle software for any device, tablet or computer:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&docId=1000493771&linkCode=ur2&tag=comput0b9-20

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The Ten Commandments forTravelers is another of several books penned by San Diego resident Nancy Chappie.

She is certainly in her element; having traveled in more than 120 countries, her expertise in the field makes her a welcome guest on radio and TV. If you want to make the most of any trip, read Nancy's book to find tips for a hassle-free experience. I was elated when Nancy asked me to do the cover for her great little guide book. You might want to check her web page, Chappieconsulting.com

Have you noticed the extra large type, especially for folks like me who do not like putting our mugs to the monitor in order to read the message?

Jane Simon, a psychiatrist of New York City found me on the Internet almost a year ago and it was my pleasure to illustrate The Cabala of the Animals, a most unusual tretise about people and animals (pets, in particular) and how they relate one to another. Jane's fascination with animal psychology is contagious. Mostly drawings, with spot-on observations by the author. We are currently working on a second book: Paradoxes. Stay tooned

How to Prevent Falls: Better Balance, Independence and More Energy in 6 Simple  Steps

There you have it. Betty Perkins-Carpenter, Ph.D., former Olympic diving coach, a member of the prestigious Healthy American Fitness Leaders, and author of two best-selling books, asked me to illustrate this great guide which is a life saver for seniors . . . and everyone. More than a hundred drawings make it easy to do what you can do!

NOW, reccommendations for two books I'm currently enjoying; the creator of each is a cartoonist---in my opinion top notch in his particular field.

Award winning sports cartoonist Murray Olderman never fails to hold your attention in any arena; this time football fans will rejoice as the true Al Davis is revealed. It's all there in the pages of Just Win, Baby; inside bits and pieces of AFL and NFL history, The Oakland Raiders, the coaches and players who influenced and were influenced by the enigmatic Davis. It's a terrific read even if one is not an avid football aficianado.

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Drabble has long been one of my favorite comic strips. The deceptively simple characters who inhabit a town you're sure to recognize, have become like a second family to me, but distinctly more disfunctional. It's a consistanly humorously pleasing experience each time you visit.

 Kevin Fagan, at the time of Drabble's debut in 1979 was one of the youngest cartoonists ever to be syndicated. He was 22 years old. I have to say, he writes as funny as he draws. Highly recommended is A Drabble Family Christmas Tale. A 130 page gem.

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Another collection of cartoons is in the pipeline. This one, about one of my favorite topics: Magic.

From the Preface of The Magitoons of Friedman and Whiting:

Ellen Friedman, gag writer for the magic cartoons, or Magitoons, is a writer, scientist, artist and is married to a magician.

Jim Whiting, artist for the Magitoons, is a cartoonist, writer and a magician.

Together we have made a Magitoon almost every month for the past nine-plus years. The Magitoons appear monthly in MagiCurrents, the publication of Ring 76, the San Diego, California chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, or IBM. Soon to be published!

Order any of the others on amazon.com

“til sooner, I hope.

Jim