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Nourish Mind and Body with Four Unique Summer Reading Choices

(ARA) — The lazy days of summer were made for a good book. Whether you’re lying on the beach or lounging in a hammock in the backyard, balmy afternoons and books let you leave your day-to-day cares behind and live out your fantasies via an intriguing read.

No matter what your reading preference, a quick browse through your local bookstore, library, or the Internet is sure to yield a wealth of interesting titles. If you need some suggestions to add to your list, consider the books mentioned below. Each is unique and sure to prove entertaining.

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2. Revisit the Classics

Gilgamesh is an epic poem named for its hero, a tyrannical Babylonian king. Written more than 4,000 years ago, the story is rich in universal themes, including many parallels to Biblical stories. It tells of the adventures of the imperious Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu. When Enkidu suddenly sickens and dies, Gilgamesh becomes obsessed by a fear of death.

He travels in search of a plant said to give eternal life and finds it, only to have it stolen by a serpent. The hero then decides he will heed the advice from Siduri, a wise barmaid, to abandon his quest for immortality and enjoy the temporal pleasures allotted to mortals while he may: “. . . sing and dance. Relish warm food and cool drinks. Cherish children to whom your love gives life . . . Play joyfully with your chosen wife.”

Now this timeless story is available in a deluxe, case-bound, limited edition. The Epic of Gilgamesh: A Myth Revisited, released by Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc., is a definitive version of one of civilization’s oldest and greatest epics. The book features two translations — one in contemporary English poetry and another in Hebrew. It also highlights brilliant, full-color illustrations by Zeev Raban, published for the first time in the United States.

This edition includes a psychological analysis of the story and a guide to the epic’s themes, narrative forms, and types. There is also commentary on the Raban paintings, which play such an important role in the book. In a forthcoming review in the Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Dr. John Hayes (University of California at Berkeley) wrote: “This is a handsome, even sumptuous volume, one which it is a pleasure to touch and to read . . . The true test of a classic is that each time one reads it, one finds something new, and that is true of these translations.” Visit www.bolchazy.com for more information on Gilgamesh.

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4. Something for the Kids

Your kids need something to read this summer, too. Why not make it educational as well as fun? Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has just released the first two books in its “I Am Reading Latin” series.

Created for children ages 4 to 8, these books are a delight for any reader. They feature charming illustrations that enhance the simple text and help readers identify vocabulary. Translations for each page appear at the back of the book, along with a pronunciation guide and basic grammar information. Additional help is available on the publisher’s website, where readers can hear the books read aloud in classical Latin.

In Quot Animalia? (“How Many Animals?”), kids learn to count and name animals—from lions to mice. Quid Edam? (“What Will I Eat?”) explores breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a child’s point of view, featuring foods such as fish sticks and pancakes. “These books are educational, but they are also just plain fun,” says author Marie Bolchazy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Authors are available for interviews.