Fred Sokolow is one of my fave music book authors and he's done it again with his latest ukulele book which introduces you to playing slide and slack key playing. (you can even play the style with your uke on your lap!) 
     The book takes you by the hand and gives guidance on different types of slides,and bless him,even takes you thru a couple of easy to do alternate tunings. I received the book a couple of days ago as I've always loved the sound of slide guitar. The book is so easy to learn from that I stayed up way past my usual bedtime playing with the uke laying on my lap and using a glass guitar slide to get the most amazing sounds I've ever heard from my ukuleles!      And- I owe him a debt of thanks- while I had heard of slack key guitar,I'd never actually heard any of the tunes. Well,I tried some of those tabs as well,fingerpicking my way thru some delightful tunes I'd never heard of before....and wish I'd heard years earlier. 
    It also covers improvisation/making your own arrangements,so you're by no means fenced in by the tunes given in the book. For those who have never fingerpicked,he walks you thru this as well as "rolls" which are three finger right hand patterns traditionally used by 5 string banjo players. 
   Granted,my years of classical guitar study & the fact I can play banjo 3 finger style means I'm probably catching on quicker than the average ukeist with no previous guitar or banjo experience-however he gives very clear & easy to understand directions. Best of all for those of us in middle or past middle age,the TAB is in a very easy to read size. 
   Barre chords are rampant thru the book,which are a snap to do on uke. There's scale diagrams given for each alternate tuning as well as chord grids.(Also in a very easy to read size!) He thought of everything here,and you get some music history to boot. What more could you ask for? As a last mention,I love the fact that the audio that goes with the book is now done thru a download as opposed to having it on CD as they so often get lost, or fall out of the book. All in all I give it 5 stars. A must have in any ukulele player's library,and once I have a better handle on these styles,I want to start teaching them! 

        I surprised  myself recently by returning to hand drumming as a form of meditation. I picked up a previously owned travel size djembe,and then decided to go for bongos. I found a set of Tycoon Ritmo Series bongos for a sweet deal- used and in excellent condition. (My way of recycling and saving trees is to pick up previously owned books and instruments whenever possible!) 
      Of course I got a DVD to learn different rhythms on bongos-for meditative purposes,I do spontaneous drumming,also known as "Spirit Drumming". But- to jam with others on acoustic instruments,one needs to know different patterns- like the calypso rhythm,for example. I asked a well known ukulele player if hand drummers/percussionists were welcome at uke jams. "We love it when they come!" she told me with great enthusiasm. Only one time did it go awry- that was in the case of a beginning bongo player. So- if you're a ukulele player who's looking to also go into percussion-be certain you really have some knowledge under your belt before asking to jam in a group. I'd suggest playing with a friend or with CDs so that any mistakes on your part won't be any big deal,and you'll spare yourself possible embarrassment.(and jamming with your fave tunes can be a blast!)  
     What I love about playing bongos and ukulele is that they're highly portable,and I can carry them myself with ease. No asking for help,they don't take up much room in the car if you're traveling,and you can play both quietly! 
     A suggestion I'd like to make is if you decide to get bongos or any other drum for hand percussion,if you're around small children get an inexpensive kids model drum for them to beat on. That way you can keep your "good set" out of their reach and not appear to be rude. 
    Case in point- recently we had some new neighbors move next door to us-non musicians,and they have a young and highly energized son. I had just gotten a very used set of pre tuned bongos when the mother of the boy mentioned that her hubby wanted to bring the boy over next time he heard me playing so the son could play my drums. I had just picked up another pair of tunable bongos-the Tycoon set,and no way was I about to let any small child or adult play them. I had planned on selling the pre tuned set,but on hearing this I decided to keep them and use them as "porch drums" in the event that the father brings the boy over if I'm playing them outside.
     Non musicians don't understand that drums are instruments that require as much TLC as say,a ukulele or a guitar. Because drums are hit with a stick or struck with the hands,it's assumed drums can "take a beating" which isn't true.       So-if you go this route and small children will be over,do get an inexpensive set or tell the parents to get their child his or her own drum and bring it with them. (Remo makes wonderful hand drums for kids!)