This is Your Library...

Mark Z. Danielewski is the bestselling author of House of Leaves and National Book Award finalist Only Revolutions. He is currently at work on The Familiar, a 27-volume novel about a 12-year-old girl who finds a kitten. This fall, Pantheon Books will release his novella, The Fifty Year Sword.  Learn more about Danielewski via his Facebook and Twitter pages, or visit www.MarkZDanielewski.com.

Colin Hanks has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors.  His natural talent and raw energy have secured him a place as one of Hollywood’s young leading men. Most recently, Colin shocked audiences as Travis Marshall, the Doomsday Killer, on this season of “Dexter.”

Colin can next be seen in the Paramount Pictures’ film, My Mother’s Curse, alongside Seth Rogen, Barbara Streisand and Adam Scott. The film follows an inventor who invites his over-bearing mother on a cross-country road-trip as he tries to sell his latest creation. 

Additional feature film credits include the Oliver Stone biopic W, which chronicled the life and presidency of George W. Bush, the independent film Lucky, directed by Gil Cates, Jr. and co-starring Ari Graynor, the ensemble comedy The House Bunny with Anna Faris, the thriller Untraceable with Diane Lane and director Gregory Hoblit, The Great Buck Howard with John Malkovich, Universal’s King Kong, directed by Peter Jackson, Paramount’s Orange County, Miramax’s comedy Get Over It with Kirsten Dunst, Alone With Her , Standing Still, Rx, 11:14, Whatever It Takes and Steven Spielberg’s award-winning 10-part miniseries Band of Brothers for HBO. Additional television credits include the Fox television series “The Good Guys” created by Matt Nix and co-starring Bradley Whitford and his memorable role as a mysterious priest on the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning television series “Mad Men.” 

In 2002, Colin appeared, to critical acclaim, in the theatrical performance of This Is Our Youth, written by Ken Lonergan at the Garrick Theater in London’s West End.  He was also seen on Broadway in Moises Kaufman’s 33 Variations, alongside Jane Fonda. 

A designer, writer and community activist, Sonja Rasula founded UNIQUE LA as a way to bring local-made design and art to the masses. Hailed the fresh face of a growing Made in the USA movement, Sonja’s mission is simple: “I want to bring modern Made-in-America design to the masses. My goals are to help designers and small businesses grow and become sustainable, to support the local economy, and to teach shoppers the value of conscious consumerism.” UNIQUE LA attracts 20,000 shoppers to each show and it's estimated that over $1.3 million is spent during the two days.

A true media maven, Sonja’s diverse background before starting UNIQUE included work on television, in print and online. On TV she was an interior designer for HGTV’s Home to Go and TLC’s Trading Spaces. Online Sonja has created award-winning websites and interactive projects for HGTV, Food Network, Reebok, AT&T, Harlequin, Jelly Belly and many more. She was the Deputy Editor of The Home Depot’s Style Ideas magazine and her writing has been featured in numerous publications including Azure, The Toronto Star and Canadian Living.

Sonja has been featured on ABC, CBS, FOX LA, CTV, MuchMusic and in TV Guide and has been a workshop leader and speaker for a variety of organizations and schools including the Disney Imagineers group, GOOD and Scripps College.  As a consultant she works with both big brands and small businesses on creative direction and design, branding, marketing and new media projects. A leader and community activist, Sonja also sits on the Board of 826LA and Ed Begley Jr’s Greenwish.

John Salley is a father, athlete, actor, entrepreneur, talk show host, philanthropist, wellness guru, vegan and champion.  A proud native of Brooklyn, New York, John found a love for basketball at an early age.  Salley went on to become a 15-year NBA veteran and was the first NBA player to win four championships with three different teams.  During the 80’s, Salley was a member of the Detroit Piston “Bad Boys” squad.  Salley went on to Chicago playing with Michael Jordan as part of the Bulls 1996 championship team.  In 1999, Phil Jackson invited Salley to come to Los Angeles to provide experience and leadership to the 1999-2000 Lakers’ championship team. 

After his retirement from the NBA in 2000, Salley explored several opportunities in both television and film.  John’s film credits include Bad Boys 1 & 2, Eddie and Jerry Bruckheimer’s Confession of a Shopaholic. John has served as host for numerous award shows and was also the host of The John Salley Block Party on 100.3 The Beat Morning Show in Los Angeles.  John recently hosted the Reunion Show of VH-1’s #1 rated show, “Basketball Wives”.

John recently concluded 7 years serving as the co-host of the Emmy nominated, critically acclaimed “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Fox Sports Net.  He was also the host of the sports talk show “Ballers” on BET.  John is also the head of his own production company, John Salley Presents, Inc. In April, 2011 John began hosting his own show “Game On!” airing on The Reelz Channel. In addition, John was recently a co-host on The Car Show airing on Speed Channel.

John is actively involved with Operation Smile and PETA.  In addition, John is involved with PCRM and visited Washington in Nov ’09 and May ’10, speaking to Congress about the Child Nutrition Act, asking Members to support legislation that would increase vegetarian options in meals served in public schools.

John has adopted a plant based (raw vegan) lifestyle, which helped him reach the final round of the summer reality hit I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! on NBC.  With a passion for real food, wine and spirits, John has contributed articles to Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado and LA Confidential.  You can follow John on Facebook, Twitter @thejohnsalley.com and his website, www.johnsalley.com. John currently lives in Los Angeles with his family.