Jon Stewart must be hot because his pants are on fire. We call phooey on his claim that he read The Obamas by Jodi Kantor cover-to-cover as he convinced many, namely us, on his show that he did. Stewart's claim that he dedicated an entire weekend from work to this one book of so many he receives is the only reason The Obamas made it to the top of our nightstand reading.

Please join Literacy Connects for Best of Stories that Soar! on Sunday, May 20 at the Temple of Music and Art. This family-friendly fundraising event celebrates the power of children's imaginations, literacy and the performing arts.

* by Luke Wilson, Electronics at Bookmans Speedway

Today's generation can easily Google Pat Boone and read up on his immensely successful recording career just as easily as fans of '50s and '60s pop music can recall his domination of the billboard charts. Throughout his career, Boone has been a singer and an actor, writer, religious advocate, Republican activist, philanthropist and sports-team owner. Naturally the only goal yet unrealized by this renaissance man was to record and release an album of heavy metal classics re-arranged with big band orchestration.

The Arizona Derby Dames return to the Arizona Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, May 19 for the Arizona Derby Dames 2012 Season Banked Track Roller Derby Playoffs. The playoff bouts consistently offer an extensive display of determination and skill from all skating teams. Each season because this bout is a triple-header battle between the lowest ranked teams and any of them could win to play in the 2012 championship bout. Playoffs promise exciting and intense competition with quick mini bouts where teams race to grab the most points. Emotions will run high because only one of the four playoffs teams will get to play another bout this season.

The 2012 second-ranked Runaway Brides will battle the Brutal Beauties and third-ranked Bombshells take on the Schoolyard Scrappers. Each team will compete for the opportunity to go head-to-head with the Coffin Draggers in this year's championship bout.

Does your soul have what it takes? It's time to crack those knuckles, grab your energy drink and meet us at Bookmans for our annual Video Game Challenge hosted by our good friends at DEVASTATION. Devastation is rocking out with upcoming tournaments at our Bookmans Phoenix and Bookmans Speedway locations. This organization is built from a love of retro gaming and who better to host our in-store video game challenges? They provide the equipment but if you're a control(er) freak, feel free to bring your own. Prizes and bragging rights are on the line so bring your A game. There is no fee to join the tournament. Keep in mind space is limited and seats fill up quickly so arrive early.

This Ticket Tuesday is brought to you by one of our favorite community partners Tower Theatres, located at 5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Dr., who graciously donated two pairs of passes to The Dictator and Battleship. One is a social commentative comedy and the other is an explosive action-packed extraterrestrial movie. Even though these movies are completely different you'll still enjoy the show.

The Dictator is the hilarious brain child of Sacha Baron Cohen, world renowned comedian most notable for his characters Ali G, Borat and Bruno. In this film Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen, a Hussein-like dictator from a fictional country called the Republic of Wadiya. Admiral General Aladeen is secretly replaced and flees to New York where he is forced to assimilate with the everyday man. Let the comedy begin. Unlike Cohen's past films that integrate unsuspecting bystanders, he films this scripted movie alongside fellow comedians Anna Ferris, John C. Reilly and Chris Parnell. Be careful when munching on consessional treats because we we don't want you to choke during the funny scenes. The film premiere for The Dictator is Wednesday, May 16 at Tower Theatres.

Battleship, inspired by a Hasbro children's game, is a science fiction thriller of heroic proportions. Battling to save Earth from unknown invaders, the characters discover the aliens' intentions and their weaknesses while thwarting the increasingly complicated extraterrestrial invasion in the South Seas. Most notable of the cast members is Rihanna, but other heavy hitters include Liam Neeson and Taylor Kitsch. This movie not only delivers action it integrates cutting-edge graphics. You'll have to bring a fellow action junkie to this nail bitter with you, if you're lucky enough to win passes.

Thirteen food truckers will cruise their cuisines to Bookmans where crowds gather for Food Truck Fridays. Culinary connoisseurs will whet their palettes with yummy local fare from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 18 at Bookmans Grant, 1930 E. Grant Rd. in Tucson. In addition to chowing down, foodies will watch blast from the past 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (the silent version), which will be projected onto the side of our building.

The 15th Annual Northern Arizona Book Festival takes place this Saturday, May 19 at the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff. The diversity of events ensures that there will be something there for everyone including young poets, cookbook authors (get your spatulas ready to be signed), children's book authors and lectures. All the day events are free except for the evening headliners Stella Pope Duarte and Eddie Chuculate, this event is $5 a ticket. In addition to meeting authors there will be a book fair and an author meet-and-greet in Bookmans Flagstaff Cafe.

We've been looking forward to the out-of-this-world giveaway from our pals at Tower Theatres. This Ticket Tuesday we are giving away two pairs of passes to the midnight showing of the third installment in the Men in Black series, MIB 3. Hold on to your butts because this movie includes time travel, extra-terrestrials and of course the planet Earth in peril. What better way to kick off summer than with another blockbuster? The epic battle for Earth brings back our favorite stoic faced and comedic relief characters played by Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Summer movies are a good excuse to have fun and beat the heat so see how you can win a pair of passes in this weeks Ticket Tuesday.

Your 2012 Phoenix Comicon (PCC) is finally here. Just like you we anxiously waited, planning and prepping all year long, for what is rightly dubbed the "signature pop-culture event of the southwest". Over 30,000 people will call the Phoenix Convention Center home for Memorial Day weekend and we hope that you'll be there with us. The event runs from Thursday, May 22 (preview night) until Sunday, May 27. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online for $15 to $45. They are worth every penny.

Bookmans Summer Kids Events are back! Put on your sunscreen and hat because summer is upon us and even a trip to your favorite bookstore requires shade, but once here we've got endless air conditioning and cool events to keep the kiddos engaged. In the Bookmans tradition every week throughout the summer each location will host an hour long kids craft, story time or host a local organization. You don't have to thank us for giving you an entire hour of free entertainment. It's thanks enough that you braved the sweltering heat to stop by to see us.

All Bookmans locations have limited store hours in recognition of Memorial Day. Today we are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will return to normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 29 (9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in case you forgot).

Our holiday hours give you enough time to enjoy your favorite used media store and your family of birth or choice.