“You see things, and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never wore, and I say, ‘Why not?’”
It is a statement of possibilities, of unlimited imagination, of perspective, of creative enthusiasm. And it is why, when we started a publishing venture, we called it Why Not Books.
None of the 59 books that you’ll see on the list below were published by us. But all of them have one thing in common—“why not” appears somewhere in the title. We could have chosen more—titles ranging from Why Not Waste Time With God? to Why Not Embroider Boxes? But this is an eclectic group divided into several categories and covering 150 years of publishing—books about everything from Buddhism and the Boston Red Sox to Billie Holliday and beekeeping.
Why collect them all on one goofy list? Why not.
FICTION AND POETRY:1. Why Not You and I? (Karl Edward Wagner)
Wagner's collection contains 11 horror stories, most of which are diverting if not actually horrifying. "Neither Brute Nor Human" is a tale of two writers who make it big, one of whom is really drained by his success; "Into Whose Hands" is an account, with very sinister overtones, of a day in the life of a psychiatrist in a state mental hospital; "The Last Wolf" is a sad tale of the future in which people have almost ceased to read.
2. Why Not-World (Alexei Maxim Russell)
Young Elsie Boncoeur is staging a one-girl rebellion against a world full of ignorance and prejudice, but her search for a world based on intelligence and justice leads her into a surreal alternate universe, where Einstein won World War II, the Greek gods were real, and the citizenry are guided by the moral precepts of a lost Shakespeare comedy.
3. Why/Why Not (Martha Ronk)
Why/Why Not moves across a vivid terrain—the stage of Hamlet, Phillip Marlowe's Los Angeles, Prague, paintings and gardens—to push through a tangle of ways to make sense of the world. Martha Ronk's poetic language is that of the everyday slightly skewed, as if pieces of an ordinary sentence were missing. Ronk's poems use the repetitive and the banal to explore ways in which language is intertwined with thought and experience.
4. Mama for President: Good Lord, Why Not? (Vicki Lawrence and Monty Aidem)
Finally, a candidate who will speak her mind and put the country on the right track. From health care to homeland security, Mama has a plan, and she's not afraid to tell you about it. The the outspoken, irascible widow from the television series Mama's Family tackles the big issues and runs a campaign that has everyone running.
5. Why Not (Sylvia A. Hofsepian)
A solemn man who is lonely gets a cat for company, but one thing leads to another and soon he gets a wife as well.
6. Why Not? (Mary Wormell)
When his mother repeatedly tells him not to bother the other animals, Barnaby the kitten always asks: "Why?"
7. Why Not Forever? (Emily A. Mullen and Johnna A. Nicholson)
With high school now behind them, best friends Randa and Erica are determined to leave Oklahoma and start pursuing their futures somewhere else. Colby Lenley and his best friend, Jesse Duncan, soon give the girls second thoughts, however.
8. Do You Make a Difference? Why Not? (John Rodriguez)
It is a collection of short stories that constantly remind us who we are. It reflects the importance of the family and acknowledges the individual contributions of everybody in building a cohesive and harmonious society.
9. Why not...? (Steve Burns)
‘Why not…?’ is a collection of short stories covering contemporary, historical and futuristic topics and written for those people who are always asking themselves ‘Why not…?
10. Why Not? (Shari Low)
The man Jess has fallen in lust with is not only married, he's her boss. He's also famous—a high-ranking government official who is all business by day, kinky by night.
11. Why Not Tonight (Jacquie D'Alessandro)
Mallory never would have had the nerve to seduce her photographer, and first love, Adam. Sure, she knew she was on the rebound, but it was for only one night. And for Mallory, that was going to have to be enough.
12. The Why Not (Victor J. Banis)
A journey through the muddled collective mind of the outcast in-group, a gay throng of third-sex bewildered ones who frantically seek a why—but must always settle for The Why Not!
BIOGRAPHY AND MEMOIR:
13. Why Not Me? (Al Franken)
Subtitle: The Inside Story of the Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency—the searing chronicle that will forever change the way we view the man and the office.
14. Why Not the Best? (Jimmy Carter)
Jimmy Carter's autobiography, published in 1976, introduces him to the American public, when he was a little-known former Governor of Georgia, running for President.
15. Why Not Me?: The Story of Gladys Milton, Midwife (Wendy L. Bovard)
The opening chapter of Why Not Me? is a courtroom scene: the State of Florida Health and Rehabilitative Services vs. Gladys Milton, age sixty-four, for providing illegal medical care. From this point, Gladys Milton looks back, telling her story to Wendy Bovard, a midwife and one of Gladys' many patients.
16. Why Not Take All of Me (Joel Peckham)
Billie Holiday made no apologies for who she was or how she lived. In this collection of narrative poems, Joel Peckham evokes her rich and vibrant personality with a music and passion worthy of his subject.
17. Me, Why Not Me (Sandra Arboine)
The struggle of a young girl who went through a life of relative peace with her grandmother while young and living in Costa Rica, but lived out devastating experiences after emigrating to the United States.
18. Why Not Me?: Cancer Isn't Picky, It Just Picks (Noreen E Taranto)
A personal account of a journey from diagnosis through post cancer issues, from a seven-year breast cancer survivor.
19. Why Not Say What Happened?: A Memoir (Ivana Lowell)
Born into one of the most celebrated Anglo-Irish families, the Guinnesses, Ivana Lowell grew up at the whim of two literary heavyweights—her mother, writer Lady Caroline Blackwood, and stepfather, poet Robert Lowell.
20. Why Not Me?: A True Story About A Miracle in Miami (Raymond Rodriguez-Torres)
In 2007, the author’s four-year-old daughter, Bella became paralyzed overnight, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Experts believed that she had only a few months to live. But today, Bella is cancer free.
21. Why Not?: Your Best Years are Yet to Come! (Attila Varga)
Attila Varga had a good job in a large financial institution, a wonderful family and what most would think was a very nice life, but inside he felt frustrated and uneasy with the idea that this might be as good as life gets. Why Not? is the story of his journey toward discovering a much happier and more fulfilling life than he ever thought possible
22. Why Not Smile (Thelma Kormos)
The story of a seven-year-old kid trying to put on a happy face amid life in an orphanage.
23. Why Not You, Why Not Now: The Brig Hart Story (Brig Hart and Ken Abraham)
At a time when many felt that Amway was yesterday’s news, Brig started a marketing company that he built into one of the largest independent sales and marketing machines in Amway history.
HISTORY, SOCIETY AND POLITICS:
24. Why Not Catch-21?: The Stories Behind the Titles (Gary Dexter)
Based on the author's long-running column in London's Sunday Telegraph, this book offers literary history in bite sizes, presenting surprising details on each of 50 classic work's genesis and composition. It covers iconic works from Thomas Moore's Utopia to Joyce's Ulysses. Readers learn what Wordsworth's Prelude was a prelude to, the identity of the original Jeeves, and why A Clockwork Orange wasn't A Robotic Banana.
25. Why Not Eat Insects? (Vincent M. Holt)
Holt gives the reader an interesting and rational look at—yes—eating insects and the precedents for doing so in Western culture.
26. If Houses, Why Not Mouses? (Damian O'Brien)
This isn't just another history of English or a catalogue of etymologies. It explores some of the most obvious but unusual features of English.
27. Why Not Lafayette? (Jean Fritz)
A young Frenchman of nineteen traveling across the sea to help a struggling nation fight for its independence? Why not? To Lafayette, anything was possible.
28. Why Not Victory? (Barry M Goldwater)
Published in 1964, the leading conservative thinker in Congress challenges the U.S. to take the offensive in dealing with the worldwide Communist threat.
29. Why Not Freedom!: America's Revolt Against Big Government (James and Walter Kennedy)
The Kennedys advocate restoring our Constitutional rights by strengthening each state's government.
30. Why Not Kill Them All?: The Logic and Prevention of Mass Political Murder (Daniel Chirot and Clark McCauley)The book goes beyond exploring the motives that have provided the psychological underpinnings for genocidal killings. It offers a historical and comparative context that adds up to a causal taxonomy of genocidal events.
31. Why Not Parties in Russia?: Democracy, Federalism, and the State (Henry E. Hale)
This book mobilizes fresh public opinion surveys, interviews with leading Russian politicians, careful tracking of multiple campaigns, and analysis of national and regional voting patterns to show why Russia stands out.
32. Fascism: Why Not Here? (Brian E. Fogarty)
Fascism: Why Not Here? draws parallels between German culture of the early twentieth century and American culture today, concluding that fascism could arise in America—but not through either of the major political parties.
33. Why Not Capitalism? (Jason Brennan)
Most economists believe capitalism is a compromise with selfish human nature. In Why Not Capitalism?, Jason Brennan attacks this widely held belief, arguing that capitalism would remain the best system even if we were morally perfect.
34. Why Not Socialism? (G.A. Cohen)
Is socialism desirable? Is it even possible? In this concise book, one of the world's leading political philosophers presents with clarity and wit a compelling moral case for socialism and argues that the obstacles in its way are exaggerated.
35. Why Not Socialism - Against G.A. Cohen's Defence of Socialism's Feasibility and Desirability (Igor Caldeira)
In his last book, Why Not Socialism?, G.A. Cohen uses as a departure point for his argument in favor of a democratic non-market economic system the example of a camping trip. In it, the author states, most people will intuitively accept as normal an egalitarian principle of organization with common property over all goods. In this essay it is shown that Cohen's thought-experiment of a camping trip is, if not inadequate, at least biased, and that in fact it proves nothing of Socialism's moral desirability in the context of contemporary societies.
36. Why Not Utopia?: A Political Platform in Search of a Party (Jack Moscou)
Whether discussing the myth of America as a happy and contented country or the possibility of creating a radically different society, Why Not Utopia? offers a thought provoking challenge to the notion that only capitalism can guarantee economic prosperity and personal liberty.
37. Why Not Torture Terrorists?: Moral, Practical, and Legal Aspects of the 'Ticking Bomb' Justification for Torture (Yuval Ginbar)
This book addresses a dilemma at the heart of counter-terrorist policy: is it ever justifiable to torture terrorists in order to save the lives of others, the so-called 'ticking bomb' scenario?
38. Why Not Today: Trafficking, Slavery, the Global Church and You (Matthew Cork, Kenneth Kemp and Joseph D'souza)
This book tells story of the Dalit people and the rising efforts to set them free, in both soul and society. It is a story of both brokenness and hope, of oppression and freedom.
39. Why Not in My Backyard? (George C. Galster, Peter A. Tatian, Anna M. Santiago and Kathryn L. S. Pettit)
The authors explore fundamental issues concerning the neighborhood impacts of deconcentration of assisted housing.
SPORTS:
40. Why Not Us?: The 86-year Journey of the Boston Red Sox Fans From Unparalleled Suffering to the Promised Land of the 2004 World Series (Leigh Montville)
Why Not Us? is about what the Red Sox's amazing victory in the 2004 World Series meant to the fans. It's about how it felt to be a Red Sox fan—not only at 20 minutes to midnight on October 27, 2004, but decades before.
41. Why Not Wisconsin?: From Barry to Bo: Broadcasting the Badgers from the Best Seat in the House (Matt Lepay)
Based on more than 20 years behind a Madison microphone, this autobiographical account follows the University of Wisconsin Badgers’ play-by-play announcer as he witnessed the college’s famed golden era of athletics.
SELF-HELP:
42. Every Drunken Cheerleader… Why Not Me? (Kristine Waits)
This information-packed, inspiring story is for women who are struggling with infertility and for those trying to support them.
43. Why Not: Start Living Your Life Today (Eric DelaBarre)
In the quiet moments of our lives, we often dream about a life that seems so far away. But when we think of actually living this life, we become paralyzed by feelings of fear, doubt and worry. When we allow this to happen, we put our attention on failure rather than the possibilities at hand.
44. Why Not?: Fifteen Reasons to Live (Ray Robertson)
Shortly after completing his sixth novel, Ray Robertson suffered a depression of suicidal intensity. Soon after his recover, he decided to try and answer two of the biggest questions we can ask. What makes humans happy? And what makes a life worth living?
45. What If? and Why Not?: How to Transform Your Fears Into Action and Start the Business of
Your Dreams (Jen Groover)
Serial entrepreneur and small business advocate Jen Groover shows you how to transform your fears into action by rethinking the negative questions that can lead to failure before you even get started.
46. Why Not: How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big and Small (Barry Nalebuff and Ian Ayres)
Illustrated with examples from every aspect of life, this book offers techniques which will help you take the things we all see, every day, and think about them in a new way.
47. The Skinny on Success: Why not you? (Jim Randel)
In Jim Randel's distinct and unique format of telling a story through skinny stick people, readers will see success in a new light as they learn the tools that will help them to become victorious or, if they want to flourish even more, how to take their dreams about achieving to the next level.
An abundance of ideas for celebrating life daily, weekly, monthly--all year long--with family and friends.
49. Why Not Do What You Love? An Invitation to Calling and Contribution in a World Hungry for Your Gifts (Martha Johnson)
A timely and important book that speaks to the longing in people’s hearts for meaning in their lives. With questions, inspiration, real-life examples, and get-on-with-it guidance you are offered the joyful opportunity to choose a life you’ll love.
50. Why Not Lead?: A Primer for Families of People with Disabilities and Their Allies (Deborah E. Reidy)
A practical and accessible guide for families of people with disabilities and their allies who are motivated to bring about positive change and who are looking for guidance on their journey.
51. Why Not Say It Clearly: A Guide to Expository Writing (Lester Snow King)
Lester King's "Why Not Say It Clearly: A Guide to Expository Writing" is a must for every scientist that publishes in peer reviewed journals.
52. Why Not Knot For Fun: A Kid Friendly Guide to Knots & Adventure (Frank T Hoffman and Kristin Svensson)
Have you or your child ever tried learning knots only to have difficulty finding good resources that lay out the steps in an understandable way? Looking for a resource to help you to remember the knots? And what do you do with the knots once you learn how to tie them?
53. Why Not Top Bar Hives? (J.R. Slade)
A look at the practicalities of keeping bees in top bar hives.
54. Why Not? A Book for Every Woman (Horatio Robinson Storer)
Published by Forgotten Books, this essay received the special prize for 1864-65 of the American Medical Association.
55. Life is a Journey Why Not Live it Aboard a Trawler (John and Maria Torelli)
A guide to living life aboard a trawler yacht based upon personal experiences over four years in San Diego, Ca.
RELIGION:
56. Why Not Try God? (Mary Pickford)
Film star Mary Pickford was one of the most famous women in the world in the early 20th century. In 1934 she published her first book, a short essay on spirituality and personal growth. It was an instant best-seller.
57. If It Could Happen To Buddha, Why Not You: Understanding the Ancient Secrets of Self Awareness (Dr. Vasant Joshi)
Interspersed with quotes from various masters, this book contends that the seed of consciousness is already sown. The path to follow is of awareness, discovery and transformation.
58. Why Not Women : A Biblical Study of Women in Missions, Ministry, and Leadership (Loren Cunningham, David Joel Hamilton, and Janice Rogers)
Multiplied millions of women all over the have found freedom in Jesus but are still bound by human ideas-ideas that pressure a woman to let culture, not God, determine her place in the Kingdom.
59. Old Earth?: Why Not! (James I. Nienhuis)
Here’s what the author believes: Mainstream science has deluded the public (either consciously or unconsciously) regarding the paucity of old-earth-evolution evidence, and the overwhelming empirical confirmation of Genesis history.
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