Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisA startling and gripping novel, Suzy, Suzy follows a teenage girl trying to understand the chaos of her family life. Suzy lives in a dysfunctional household. She can't stand her mother; her father is keeping secrets; and her brother only seems to egg on their parents' erratic and unpredictable behaviour. Alongside her friends, Suzy finds herself drawn into the downward spiral of her parents' relationship, and as a result is drawn into the centre of a mystery surrounding a murder. Forced to make impossible choices, Suzy must navigate the increasingly disturbing antics of her family and the oddities of the mystery she finds herself involved in, while also trying to survive the horrors of secondary school. Narrated by a troubled young woman, the novel weaves a tale of secrets, lies and betrayal in the pressure cooker of her formative years. William Wall is an underrated Irish master with a powerful, distinctive writing style, and an uncanny ability to create astonishingly complex and well-realised female protagonists. Trade Review'A startling and gripping novel' Killarney Advertiser.'Everything a great book should be – humorous, poignant and utterly original. With a wickedly funny central character, a gripping and propulsive plot, several unsolved mysteries and real-life, ragged endings, this is the sort of book that readers will be immediately absorbed by' Irish Times.'A gripping, insightful satire reflecting contemporary Ireland' Books Ireland.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMorag Gunn is a writer in her mid-forties who lives in a riverside farm in East Ontario. Her eighteen-year-old daughter is suffering from a profound loneliness that she is struggling to understand, causing Morag to contemplate her own past. Through a series of flashbacks she reviews the painful and exhilarating moments from her earlier life: her childhood on the social margins of the small prairie town of Manawaka; her escape from a demeaning marriage into writing fiction; and her travels to England, Scotland and finally back to Canada, where she faces her most difficult challenge – the necessity to understand, and let go of, the daughter she loves. First published in 1974, The Diviners is an evocative, moving exploration of one woman's search for identity.Trade ReviewA vivid portrait of a woman coming to terms with life's disappointments * The Bookseller *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of 2019's most anticipated novels in THE TIMES, IRISH TIMES and GUARDIAN. 'Where fiction's master of enchantments stares down a real horror, and without blinking or flinching, produces a work of beauty, grace and uncommon power' MARLON JAMES, winner of the Man Booker Prize 2015. An impassioned plea for freedom and justice, set in a world uncomfortably like our own, by the Man Booker-winner Ben Okri. In a world uncomfortably like our own, a young woman called Amalantis is arrested for asking a question. Her question is this: Who is the Prisoner? When Amalantis disappears, her lover Karnak goes looking for her. He searches desperately at first, then with a growing realization. To find Amalantis, he must first understand the meaning of her question. Karnak's search leads him into a terrifying world of lies, oppression and fear at the heart of which lies the Prison. Then Karnak discovers that he is not the only one looking for the truth. The Freedom Artist is an impassioned plea for justice and a penetrating examination of how freedom is threatened in a post-truth society. In Ben Okri's most significant novel since the Booker Prize-winning The Famished Road, he delivers a powerful and haunting call to arms. 'Ben Okri is that rare thing, a literary and social visionary, a writer for whom all three – literature, culture and vision – are profoundly interwoven' ALI SMITH.Trade ReviewBen Okri's most significant novel since his Man Booker Prize-winning masterpiece The Famished Road, The Freedom Artist weaves together ancient myth and modern politics for an impassioned story primed for the post-truth age. A story of love and loss, fiercely told and impossible to ignore * Waterstones, The Best Books to Look Out For in 2019 *A multi-layered allegorical narrative that cuts to the heart of our current political and cultural malaise, while maintaining a mythical, mesmeric flavour that makes the reader feel these are stories they have always known... It's savagely political, disturbing and fiercely optimistic, the deeply felt work of a writer who refuses to stop asking the hardest questions' * Observer *Okri creates a chilling atmosphere... Okri's rhythmic, folk tale-like prose is beguiling' * Sunday Times *These ideas are virtuosically juggled in a series of short enigmatic chapters... The story does not so much unfold as become manifest... The Freedom Artist has a compelling power and energy that won't let the reader go. Or fall by the wayside' * Herald *A heady jumble of influence and inspiration, a tapestry of biblical reference, mythology, folklore and fable. The lyrical simplicity of Okri's prose, with its short sentences and chapters, only heightens the power of the novel's political message * Financial Times *In a world not unlike our own, a young woman called Amalantis is arrested. Her lover goes looking for her. An examination of post-truth society and justice from the Booker-winning author of The Famished Road * The Times, Biggest Novels of 2019 *The new novel from the Booker winner is set in a world of oppression and imprisonment – one rather like our own' * Guardian, What You'll Be Reading This Year *Fiction's master enchanter stares down a real horror, and without blinking or flinching, produces a work of beauty, grace and uncommon power -- Marlon James.Okri's trademark magical literary thinking is not broke and he is not about to fix it... The Freedom Artist is an adventure story and an intense trip through the most esoteric corners of the human mind. It's also a beautiful and timely appeal for the importance of books, subversive stories and love' * The Times. *A novel for our times... Okri takes us into a world where the very concept of truth is barely conceivable... This is uncomfortably close to the bone' * Scotsman *Satirical and carnivalesque elements entertain... Okri's treatment of mass hysteria is inventive' * Guardian *The Booker winner's best for some time, set in a near-future world of oppressive official spying... Often haunting and beguiling' * Sunday Times, Best Literary Novels of 2019 *One gets the sense that [Ben Okri] is trying to impart an essential, urgent truth about the state of the world today, but - as he warned at the beginning - it is shrouded in mystery... What comes across strongly is the power of words - and by extension, the wordsmith - to wake people from their sleep and look at the world through fresh eyes' * Straits Times *A return to form for its Man Booker-winning author, this is a timely tale of shady government forces, post-truth discourse and the slow erosion of justice * World of Cruising *Ardent fans of Okri's fiction and poetry will rejoice in knowing that the master's descriptive capacities and unmatched ability to conjure uncommon worlds are as vital as ever * Nigerian Guardian *When the characters in The Freedom Artist ["upwake"], a cerebral novel turns into one with heart and soul * The National (UAE) *Okri suffuses his parable in the sonorously repetitious language of myth, mysticism and fairytale * Guardian *Visionary and social commentator Ben Okri creates a powerful picture of a traumatised humanity: part existential excavation, part expression of contemporary political culture, this is a world where books have disappeared, and a woman is arrested for asking a question. Lyrical, bold and resonant * The Lady *The story is complex, layered, and subtle in its critique of how modern society warps our individual interpretations of our collective reality. This is a book with which to sit, reflect, and engage time and time again. Each read teases out another truth, another metaphor, another example of what it means to feel restricted by social norms * Sierra Club *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFresh pasta, red wine, fine art… and love? Find enchantment this year in the magical city of FlorenceWhen Debbie Waterson’s bicycle crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Determinedly single after ending a long relationship, at last, a man worth bumping into!Inspired to visit Florence, she soon runs headlong into that old foe: reality. But is Pierluigi the man of her dreams? Then there’s her booze obsessed boss, his forbidding secretary and her noisy inconsiderate neighbours. But could her luck be about to change? Will she find love after all?Warm-hearted and unputdownable, Dreaming of Florence is the perfect escape for readers of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.Praise for Dreaming of Florence 'It’s fun, fresh and heart warming... Dreaming of Florence? I am now!' The Book Trail'Such a beautiful read... You could taste the wonderful food, it was so vividly written.' Blue Yonder'Just what I needed – a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish... get ready for a fun filled, heartwarming Italian adventure and romance.' Splashes into Books'Dreaming of Florence is a fabulous book that I loved every last second of.' Rachel's Random Reads'A really beautifully romantic and heartwarming novel. Another brilliant story by T.A. Williams.' Cosiest Corner

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeauchamp's Career (1875) is a novel by George Meredith that portrays life and love in upper-class Radical circles and satirizes the Conservative establishment. The plot revolves around Nevil Beauchamp, a courageous but occasionally irrational naval lieutenant who served in the Crimean War and holds republican ideas. On the other side, his wealthy uncle, Honorable Everard Romfrey has notions that border feudalism. Romfrey even beats Dr. Shrapnel, a friend of Nevil's who is a Republican, during this fight. Romfrey is ordered by Nevil to apologize to Shrapnel, but the uncle declines. Nevil becomes gravely unwell and loses hope for his future because of this and his unlucky love affairs. Will Nevil ever get married? To get an answer to this question, readers should get through the novel!

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Tale of Chloe is a novella by George Meredith. The story follows the romantic misadventures of a young woman named Chloe, who finds herself torn between two suitors. As Chloe navigates the complexities of love and courtship, she must also confront the rigid social norms and gender roles of Victorian England. Her struggles are complicated by her own passionate nature and her tendency to follow her heart rather than her head. Through Chloe's story, Meredith explores themes of love, duty, and personal freedom, as well as the societal pressures and constraints that often hinder women's fulfillment and happiness. The novella is notable for its witty and insightful dialogue, as well as its vivid and evocative descriptions of the English countryside and rural life. Overall, The Tale of Chloe is a charming and poignant work of Victorian literature, offering a window into the romantic and social mores of the era, as well as a timeless meditation on the human heart and its capacity for both joy and sorrow.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'It is romcom at its greatest...definitely one of the best books I've read this year.' Book Nerd AnonymousWhat if you got a second chance with your first love?What happens when you meet your teenage heart-throb – when you’re both all grown up? When Cassie was fifteen, all she wanted was to marry Jesse Franklin, the bassist from her favourite band, Franko. Now she’s single, in her late twenties and wondering what happened to that teenage dream.A chance encounter on Facebook soon leads to a transatlantic hook up, and soon, Jesse and Cassie are having a long-distance love affair spanning five thousand miles. Cassie is on cloud nine – until she hears something that makes her think that Jesse might not be all that he seems. They say never meet your heroes – but what happens when you fall in love with them…?Are Cassie and Jesse star crossed lovers, destined to be together? Or should Cassie have left her crush in the box marked 'teenage memories'?Previously published as Getting Over Jesse Franklin, this brand new edition has had extensive editorial changes.'It is romcom writing at its best; dreamy with nostalgia, with a strong, funny and relatable female protagonist and a super sexy leading man. I just loved it! Lia Louis – author of Somewhere Close to Happy'Call Me, Maybe is all your teenage fantasies come true. Chapman writes with such warmth about love, family and friendship that I smiled the whole way through this delightfully charming book.' Laura Pearson, author of Nobody's WifeReaders are loving Call Me, Maybe!‘What an original idea for a romance book! Anyone who can remember their teenage fan crush (come on, I bet you can) will relate to Cassie… a really enjoyable read, full of nostalgia, hope and a little piece of every teenage crush daydream.’ (5 stars) Bee Books Beauty‘WOW!! I loved this book… Cassie is an “everywoman” in her relationships with her friends and exes. She’s real and has flaws… I think Stephie Chapman’s writing will touch so many on different levels.’ (5 stars) Reader Review‘I have loved this book, it has been such a delightful and pleasant read…This is a book which had me hooked from the very beginning.’ (5 stars) Little Miss Book Lover‘A really funny, current, relatable, well written, romantic book that all chicklit and romance fans will devour in one sitting.’ Reader Review'an entertaining and amusing read, with plenty of love and laughs to hold my interest throughout the book.' Stardust Book Reviews‘This one is as cute as its cover…delightful characters, engaging banter and a realistic view on love and friendship.’ Reader Review‘Super cute!! I loved it!...It was sweet and just angsty enough to keep you wondering how things would turn out.’ (5 stars) Reader Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first edition of Lord Dunsany's collection of fantasy short stories, The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories. There are many stories in the book, each of which is set in a distinct realm of magic and fantasy. In the title story, The Sword of Welleran, four warriors travel on their quest to recover a potent sword that has been taken by a wicked sorcerer. On the other hand, In The Kith of the Elf-Folk, a man stumbles onto a secret settlement of elf-like creatures with the ability to control the weather. In the novel The Highwayman, a man trades his soul for money and power with the devil, only to come to regret it. Hereby, readers who are interested in fantasy writing will love this book. Now, his stories are full of unique people, vivid settings, and magical animals, and Dunsany's style is rich and evocative. Hence, the book is still regarded as a masterpiece of the fantasy genre and has received accolades for its inventive storytelling.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWay Of The Lawless is a fictional novel written by Max Brand. Uncle Jasper has taught Andrew Lanning how to shoot in the same manner as the gunmen of the Old West, when the region was still a little more primitive and wilder. Andrew is perhaps a little too friendly and welcoming. Yet when challenged, he knocks down a man with a glancing punch. He flees, believing he has killed the man. Nevertheless, he kills the commander of the posse while he is being pursued by them and realizes they aren't being fair, starting his life as a desperado. Way Of The Lawless by Max Brand is a masterpiece that takes the reader through a roller-coaster of emotions and unlike other novels, makes no qualms in showing tragedy in its true color and sprit. By the end of the novel, readers will be overwhelmed with sea of emotions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTracing life from a childhood in an Italian-English family on Tyneside to becoming a Welsh-speaking freelance writer in Cardiff, Eisteddfod-winning author Tony Bianchi leads the reader through a series of increasingly bizarre vignettes. Each section is a free-standing short story but read together they form a ludic, untrustworthy autobiography where the rug of humdrum normality is constantly pulled from under our feet. Lured into trusting belief by the narrator’s direct, confiding tone, by the sometimes overwhelming weight of circumstantial geographical and historical detail, and by the photos and documents that seem to guarantee authenticity, again and again the reader is suddenly left rudderless, unsure of the boundaries between truth and fiction. Did Bianchi ever play football in a Cardiff park with notorious Serbian war-lord Arkan? Is the floor of his local pub a concrete realisation of an M.C. Escher painting?In England, Wales, and beyond, Bianchi introduces a series of extraordinary characters, from the devout, indulgence-collecting, organ-playing grandfather, to the plumber and Cumbrian nationalist Caedmon, or the piano-playing pharmacist with carpal tunnel syndrome. And whether at the centre of the narrative or reporting from the sidelines, there, constantly leading us on from one potentially disastrous situation to another, is the author as anti-hero, always earnestly self-deprecating, always reinventing himself, always challenging our assumptions about identity, time and memory.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrailin'! is a western novel by Max Brand, first published in 1920. The story follows the adventures of Anthony Bard, a young man who sets out on a quest to avenge his father's murder and reclaim his family's stolen fortune. As Bard begins his journey, he encounters a group of outlaws who take him captive. However, Bard is able to escape and goes on the run, determined to track down the men who killed his father. Along the way, Bard befriends a young girl who becomes his loyal companion and helps him in his search for justice. Together, they face a series of dangerous situations and confrontations with the outlaws who are responsible for Bard's family's misfortune. As the story unfolds, Bard's quest for vengeance becomes more complicated as he begins to question his own motives and the nature of revenge itself. In the end, Bard must choose between his desire for revenge and his growing love for Ruth, as well as his own sense of morality. Trailin'! is a classic western tale that explores themes of justice, morality, and the human spirit. It is a fast-paced adventure story filled with action, suspense, and memorable characters.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRiders Of The Silences is a classic revenge story written by Max Brand. The story of seasoned gunslinger Red Pierre is told in Riders of the Silences. Red Pierre will do whatever it takes to achieve revenge on the thug who killed his father. This is a collection of ideas by Sir Brand where he attempts to compile many of his classic thoughts consolidated in a single draft and offer them at an affordable price so that everyone can read them. Some stories are interesting and amazing, while others can draw you completely into the book. With an eye-catching new cover and professional manuscript, this edition of Riders Of The Silences is both modern and readable. This book has been deemed a classic that is comprehended to read by people of all age groups. Readers who are craving a good action-packed adventurous book will love this fantastic narrative.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoseph Schneider grows up in a Cherokee-Jewish family in the Smokey mountains of North Carolina. He dreams to be a cook on the biggest ship there is in the world but his attachment to his mother Rachel and his rootedness to the little mountain village keep him from moving on. When his mother falls ill she reveals she stole him from a Palestinian girl Aliya in the 80s when she volunteered at a hospital in Gaza. Joseph refuses to know anything more about his biological mother, but later when Rachel dies, Joseph honors his promise to her and embarks on a painful pilgrimage to the holy land, a walk in the footsteps of his American mother and a search for Aliya.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStreets of Night is a novel by John Dos Passos, set in the early 1900s in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and focuses on the lives of two college students, Fanshaw and Cham. The story revolves around their experiences with women, particularly with Phoebe Sweeting and her friend, both of whom are chorus girls. Cham convinces Fanshaw to accompany him on a double date with Phoebe and her friend, despite Fanshaw's reluctance. They spend the day together, canoeing, picnicking, and visiting a hotel. Fanshaw is uncomfortable with the situation, but Cham insists that everything is innocent and that the girls are respectable. As the day progresses, Fanshaw becomes more and more disillusioned with the world around him, feeling trapped by the expectations of his social class and the narrow-mindedness of his peers. He struggles to reconcile his own desires and values with the society in which he lives. The novel explores themes of class, gender, and sexuality, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity. It is a portrait of a particular time and place but also speaks to universal human experiences of love, loss, and disillusionment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCornelli is a children's book written by Johanna Spyri, the author best known for creating the classic children's novel Heidi''. Cornelli is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Cornelli who lives with her wealthy parents in the Swiss mountains. Cornelli is a spoiled and lonely child who lacks empathy for others. Her parents decide to send her to stay with a poor family in the countryside in order to teach her the value of hard work, compassion, and community. There, Cornelli meets a kind and loving family who teach her how to take care of animals, work in the garden, and appreciate the simple things in life. Throughout the book, Cornelli learns important life lessons about the importance of friendship, kindness, and selflessness. She also discovers her own strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Readers can find this as an uplifting story that teaches important values to young readers. It is a timeless classic that continues to be loved by generations of children around the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlex Ingram is well-acquainted with sorrow. He's overcome childhood polio to become a successful singer whose lyric voice lays bare the joy and pain of being alive.' When tragedy strikes again, Alex finds hope through the healing power of music. And an epiphany awaits... an unforeseen encounter that changes everything. Standing alone but reconnecting with characters from Carole Strachan's acclaimed debut, The Truth in Masquerade, The Tenor Man's Story returns to the world of classical music. With a vivid and compelling story of love and loss, reminding us that life can be wonderful, often in the most unexpected of ways.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Honore de Balzac's novella The Village Rector, a French village serves as the backdrop. The protagonist of the story is Abbe Francois Birotteau, the loved and respected local rector. The dynamics of the village shift with the advent of a new prefect, Monsieur de Rastignac. The prefect views Abbe as a hindrance to his ambitions to develop and rehabilitate the community. He starts to circulate misleading stories about Abbe's personality in an effort to undermine him and take over the community. Notwithstanding the malicious accusations, Abbe chooses to ignore them and concentrate on his pastoral responsibilities. He loses the support of the locals as they start to distrust him. The themes of power, corruption, and the resiliency of the human spirit are all explored throughout the novella. In the end, Abbe is defended because of the villagers' admiration for his honesty and selflessness. The novella is a celebration of timeless human virtues like kindness and compassion as well as a condemnation of the corrupt political system of the day. It is a moving tale of how people may find courage in their beliefs and the help of their community.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Prophet of Berkeley Square is a novel written by Robert Hichens. The story is set in the early 20th century and follows the life of a man named Henry, who becomes a spiritual teacher and prophet in the heart of London. Henry is a wealthy and successful businessman who has a sudden spiritual awakening while walking through Berkeley Square. He begins to see the world in a new way and feels a calling to share his spiritual insights with others. He starts giving public talks and soon attracts a devoted following of followers who are drawn to his wisdom and charisma. Despite facing criticism and ridicule from the skeptical public, Henry continues to spread his message of love and spiritual awakening. He encounters various characters, including a wealthy woman who becomes his disciple and a skeptical journalist who is initially dismissive of him but eventually becomes a believer. As Henry becomes more famous and influential, he also becomes the target of those who see him as a threat to their own interests. The novel explores themes of spirituality, love, and the conflict between materialism and higher consciousness. Overall, The Prophet of Berkeley Square is a thought-provoking novel that explores the search for meaning and purpose in life, as well as the challenges faced by those who seek to bring spiritual enlightenment to the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisArriving in Los Angeles intent on donating her kidney to an unwell friend, She contemplates the powerful magnetism of California. Like the gold-diggers, the health-seekers and the movie moguls before her, She had come to the state as a young woman to seek her fortune in the industry', but her dreams were not fulfilled. What had become of the men who did not strike gold, those who could not be cured of their ailments, the ones who did not find fame? Where are the failures? Where are the women like her?Before leaving London, her brother had said, Most people would give an arm and a leg for a month in LA to revisit their youth. You're willing to give a kidney. Perhaps he was right. There are no heroes. In the lounge of a luxury hotel, observing the clientele, She asks: Why are they so lucky? Why are they so worthy? Why haven't they offered their kidneys, spare bedrooms or a helping hand to the poor, the sick and the needy?There is an opportunity for karmic restoration here.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSerapis is a historical novel written by German author Georg Ebers. The novel follows the character of Publius, a Roman centurion who is sent to Alexandria to investigate the disappearance of a group of soldiers. The novel explores the tension between the traditional Egyptian religion and the new cult of Serapis, which was created by the Ptolemaic dynasty as a fusion of Greek and Egyptian religious beliefs. The conflict comes to a head when the Roman emperor Hadrian arrives in Alexandria and attempts to resolve the tensions between the two religions. The novel is notable for its vivid descriptions of ancient Alexandria, its customs, and its people. Ebers' extensive research into the history of the period is evident in the novel's attention to detail and historical accuracy. The novel also explores themes such as power, loyalty, and the clash of cultures.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAaron's Rod by D.H. Lawrence follows the story of Aaron Sisson, a union official who is disillusioned with his life in the English coal mines and decides to leave his family behind to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician in Italy. As he travels through post-World War I Europe, Aaron meets a variety of characters who challenge his beliefs and push him to confront his inner turmoil. One of the people Aaron befriends is Rawdon Lilly, a writer who becomes his mentor and introduces him to intellectual and artistic circles. While in Italy, Aaron has an affair with an aristocratic woman, and he becomes involved in political and philosophical debates about leadership and submission. Now, What will Aaron do? The novel ultimately culminates in a tragic event that forces Aaron to confront the limitations of his dreams and the realities of his life. Through this journey, Lawrence explores themes of individualism, spirituality, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a changing world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased in part on the author’s mother’s handwritten memoirs, this novel is an act of bricolage in which the narrator keeps finding gaps in the materials. We desire to regain the past, but every time we attempt it we fabricate it anew. Through various narrative voices, the author discovers a different sense of her mother than she held during her lifetime. This is a type of biographical revisionism. We cannot know the past, especially that of our mothers, but we can re-member them. Meticulously researched, this book constitutes an extended meditation on memory, the strength of memory and its fallibility.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPoems and Songs of Robert Burns is a collection of poems and songs by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, first published in 1786. Burns is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Scottish literature and his works continue to be popular today. The collection includes a wide range of works, from love songs to political commentary. Many of Burns' most famous poems are included, such as Auld Lang Syne and To a Mouse. The poems are written in Scots dialect and often deal with themes of rural life, love, and Scottish nationalism. Burns' poetry is known for its wit, humor, and emotional depth. He often wrote about the struggles of the common people and the injustices they faced. Many of his poems are also inspired by the natural beauty of Scotland and the traditions of its people. The collection has been praised for its lyrical quality and its contribution to Scottish culture. Burns' works have been translated into numerous languages and have influenced writers and musicians around the world. Overall, Poems and Songs of Robert Burns is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of Scotland's most beloved poets. It is a celebration of Scottish culture, language, and history, and a reminder of the power of poetry to inspire and connect people across generations.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJustin, a popular Leeds professor, seeks redemption in the ashes of youthful idealism. Holding together his family is already a struggle as his son, Sanjay, is drawn into radical politics by his lover Farida, who joins a Kurdish Women's militia to fight ISIS. With nerves already frayed, Justin's wife, Harpreet, is devastated when revelations of his past as an urban bomber come to light, turning his life upside down. Can love and loyalty prevent this family from imploding?Trade ReviewFrom 1970s violent anarchy in Notting Hill to respectability as a happily married university professor: can Justin come to terms with the guilt of his past? This evocative historical novel also explores the nature of libertarian ideals in the contemporary world. An absorbing read. — Dr Jeremy Worman, writer and critic

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor Eleanor Barton, fleeing from the bombs of the Birmingham Blitz during World War II changes her life. On the Isles of Scilly, she negotiates a teaching contract, her own sexual awakening, and a decision about her future that will have repercussions for decades. Her course is set when she sails from the UK on the Queen Mary as one of thousands of GI brides. But the path she has chosen will not be an easy one. Struggling with issues of infidelity, gas-lighting, her 'outsider's' experience of racial apartheid in 1950s America and living within the bounds of Catholic teaching on contraception and marriage, Eleanor faces an uncertain future. But she persists, bolstered by her love for her daughter, Sadie. Spanning the 1940s to 1980s, Eleanor faces a stream of new challenges-not least the struggle to overturn the Decree of Nullity granted to her American husband by the Catholic Church, and her waning health. But a return visit to Scilly brings her life full circle and demonstrates the endurance of deep love. Exquisitely realised characters and a powerful story unite in Waiting for the All Clear, L.B. Gray's debut novel, to immerse readers in the ageless questions of what it means to make a good life and what are the boundaries that must be defended if we are to remain true to our own stories.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Lonely Island, a fictional work by R.M. Ballantyne, takes readers on an exhilarating journey to an isolated and mysterious island. The story follows a group of young protagonists who find themselves marooned on this remote landmass, cut off from the rest of civilization. As the characters explore the island, they encounter captivating landscapes, unique flora and fauna, and hidden secrets waiting to be unraveled. The island's isolation brings both challenges and opportunities for the characters as they strive to survive, adapt, and possibly find a way back home. Throughout the narrative, Ballantyne weaves themes of adventure, discovery, and the resilience of the human spirit. The characters face various obstacles and conflicts, testing their courage, resourcefulness, and friendship. They may encounter hostile forces or discover unexpected allies in their quest for survival and escape. With R.M. Ballantyne's characteristic storytelling style, The Lonely Island offers an engaging and exciting tale that captivates readers of all ages.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJournal of a Voyage from Okkak, on the Coast of Labrador, to Ungava Bay, Westward of Cape Chudleigh is a remarkable historic report authored by using Benjamin Kohlmeister and Georg Kmoch. This magazine, posted inside the early 19th century, gives a vibrant account in their missionary day trip into the Arctic areas of North America. Benjamin Kohlmeister and Georg Kmoch have been Moravian missionaries committed to spreading Christianity and education a few of the indigenous Inuit communities living in the faraway Labrador and Ungava Bay areas. Their magazine narrates the demanding situations, triumphs, and day by day life experiences as they interacted with the Inuit humans, regularly under harsh Arctic conditions. The document gives valuable insights into the tradition, geography, and residing situations of the indigenous population of the Arctic during this era. Kohlmeister and Kmoch's dedication to their challenge is palpable, as they braved strange terrain and excessive weather to offer spiritual steerage and realistic guide to the nearby communities. As a primary supply, the Journal of a Voyage stands as a tremendous ancient document of the Moravian Church's efforts in North America and the cultural dynamics of the Arctic place at that point.

Read more less

Book SynopsisScottish Ghost Stories by Elliott O'Donnell is a thrilling display that looks at Scotland's supernatural world via a combination of frightening stories and actual-life supernatural encounters. The book via O'Donnell, which got here out within the early 1900s, tells stories and solutions puzzles approximately the Scottish panorama. The book talks about a number of exclusive sorts of ghostly occasions that came about in Scotland's long and interesting beyond. These encompass apparitions of well-known humans, fights between ghosts, haunted castles, and greater. O'Donnell skillfully puts together recollections of ghostly meetings with the help of legends, neighborhood stories, and her very own study. O'Donnell paints a beautiful image of Scotland's abnormal and frightening landscapes thru vibrant storytelling. She also shows readers the scary and otherworldly components of American records. In his testimonies, ghosts show up, which has been part of Scottish way of life for a totally long time. It's a thrilling blend of scary memories and records about the beyond. Scottish Ghost Stories is a thrilling examine the supernatural that attracts readers into the wealthy tapestry of Scotland's haunted facts and takes them on a scary excursion of america' haunted past.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Dark, written by Leonid Andreyev, is a psychological masterpiece that delves into the profound complexities of the human soul. This Russian literary gem explores the darker recesses of the human psyche, offering a haunting and introspective journey into existential despair. The narrative facilities around Nikolai Apollonovich Stavrogin, a complex and tormented person whose internal struggles serve as a metaphor for the societal disquiet of the time. Andreyev weaves a tale of existential crisis, capturing the bleakness of human lifestyles and the search for which means in a global reputedly devoid of reason. As the tale unfolds, Stavrogin's encounters with other characters reveal a tapestry of human suffering, alienation, and the haunting shadows that linger within the human soul. Andreyev's prose is each excessive and introspective, drawing readers into a realm wherein the limits among reality and the inner workings of the mind blur. The Dark stands as a seminal work in Russian literature, showcasing Andreyev's mastery in exploring profound philosophical and mental topics. Through its vivid portrayal of existential angst and the haunting splendor of melancholy, the novel stays a powerful and notion-frightening exploration of the human condition, leaving an indelible mark at the panorama of literary existentialism.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing Roy’s boyhood in post-war rural Bedfordshire Open Strings immerses us in the countryside with its changing seasons and characters who accompany Roy as he makes the transition from childhood to adolescence. Often naïve, Roy struggles to understand much of the behaviour he witnesses, yet makes discoveries about himself and the human condition. Moving from ‘Flood’ with its echoes of Bruno Schulz’s Street of Crocodiles and merging of memory, imagination and dream to the onset of school, that results in a vow of silence, and through the friendships, rivalries, hero-worship, first loves and moments of pushing the boundaries of behaviour that come with these early life stages, we arrive at ‘GDAE’ in which violence between strangers leaves Roy fleeing the scene as he has fled from other dilemmas. A poignant and convincing novella, Open Strings examines the way we make sense of the world with its moments of euphoria, its bewildering protocols, the strange behaviour of others and the small acts of betrayal that mark us deeply. Humane, engaging and authentic, Open Strings is a finely-observed collection and a compelling read.Trade ReviewIt’s rare indeed to find prose where every few sentences delivers up a vivid metaphor or descriptive turn that’s subtly connective to the reader. These vital vignettes of a post-War Bedfordshire childhood are delivered to us through rich recurrences and strange isolations of character. Their interwoven tones and fractured guises offer a near-Cubist set of perspectives that avoid any centralising or forceful moral, opting instead for a gentle observational illumination that allows the chapters’ slant meanings to float insistently into memory. — Mario Petrucci; At a time when children at play have become ‘warnings’ along service roads, a time of growing isolation from the natural world and eco-anxiety amongst the young, it is necessary and urgent for them to put their screens away and discover how their elders played, learned and dreamed. Open Strings is an irresistible invitation to do just that: read, imagine, and read again. — Isabelle Llasera, author; Open Strings captures so well the rough edges, sharp corners, loose ends, terrors and daily miracles of childhood; its rivalries and moments of unexpected tenderness. A compelling, first-rate story that invites the reader to become a participant and a collaborator; thereby drawing the reader into a debate on the nature and power of story, of memory and on the nature of ‘reality’ itself. — Jackie Fellague, poet and environmentalist; I felt I was stepping into a bygone age. Beautiful writing, evocative yet with a poetic economy of style. The quirky characters and the landscape are deliciously encapsulated. So much to dwell on: a wonderful novella. — Emma Curtis, novelist; A vivid picture of a bygone era, brilliantly brought to life through detailed observation. The reader is effortlessly and intimately involved in the narrative. — Bernard Lord, poet; Gordon Simms captures the spirit of a rural, post-war childhood in this enchanting story. Through his evocative descriptions and masterful dialogue we see how one boy’s friendships and rivalries prepare him for the wider world. — Harriet Springbett, author

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book The Amazing Interlude by way of Mary Roberts Rinehart is a riveting story set towards the history of World War I. It gives a fascinating mix of affection, spying, and the power of the human spirit. During the war itself, Rinehart drawings display the problems humans faced at some point of this time. Sara Lee Kennedy is an American lady who feels obligated and excited to fly to Belgium to help with the warfare attempt. This is wherein the tale takes place. Sara Lee's adventure takes sudden turns as she gets caught up inside the chaos of Europe at some point of a war. Love, suffering, and the energy of massive events to change human beings are all explored within the book. Many human beings name Mary Roberts Rinehart the American Agatha Christie, and she or he is aware of how to write a story that keeps enthusiasts on the brink in their seats. Rinehart bright descriptions and eager information of the way people experience make the suspenseful plot even higher. The Amazing Interlude is a super example of Rinehart talent at mixing distinctive types of writing into one cohesive entire. It's each a drama approximately struggle and a shifting examine how the human spirit can live on trouble.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt’s the last months of the nineteenth century and twenty-two year old Euphemia Thorniwork, is out of step with the men’s world she lives in. A mathematical research student at Oxford, looked on with suspicion by her her tutor, Professor Milton, she is forced to collaborate with fellow-student, Leo Lazarus, also under suspicion—for being Jewish. At home in London, life is under pressure—for months a toxic fog has engulfed the city each evening, bringing illness to many, including Euphemia’s widowed mother. The fog has been accompanied by a wave of body-snatching and the body of Euphemia’s beloved cousin, Pearl, remains missing. Additionally, money is tight and Euphemia and her mother must move in with relatives who disapprove of her lifestyle. Haunted by dreams of Pearl in which numbers, a red heifer and Biblical purification rites provide insoluble clues, she discovers an article about communicating with the dead using sound waves. Determined to cling to rational explanations, Euphemia returns to Oxford, but when she begins to fall in love with Leo, and learns something of esoteric Judaism, their research takes an unconventional turn and the questions mount. Can Euphemia and Leo find the body snatchers? What is the origin of the toxic fog and can they find a way to defeat it? Will Leo and Euphemia’s love survive their religious divide? Blending Victorian romance and drama with a compelling supernatural story, The Sound of Gematria is an engaging debut novel not to be missed.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe History of John Bull become written with the aid of the Scottish health practitioner and writer John Arbuthnot in 1712. It is a humorous allegory. As an allegorical story, the story makes use of characters that don't look like people to represent political players and events within the early 18th century. John Bull, who stands for English people, is shown as a success and sincere businessman. The tale is primarily based on Bull's interactions with other characters, every of whom represents an exclusive of an or celebration organization. The tale catches the political scene of the time in a funny manner, bringing up events just like the War of the Spanish Succession and the Peace of Utrecht. Arbuthnot's paintings make clever and humorous feedback about politics and power battles in the modern international. Through the person of John Bull, he makes a laugh of the politics and policies of the time by displaying how complicated overseas own family lifestyles can be and how stupid humans may be. People have continually appreciated The History of John Bull as a political satire because it became humorous and made clever feedback approximately the social and political issues of the time. People still examine and love Arbuthnot's symbolic story as a piece of literature that is going past its ancient placing and makes timeless observations approximately how human beings act and the way politicians paintings.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Ink-Stain, Complete is a compelling novel written via French author René Bazin. Set within the idyllic French geographical region, the narrative unfolds as a nuanced exploration of ethical dilemmas, societal expectancies, and the complexities of human nature. The story revolves round Monsieur de l. A. Fresnaye, an upstanding choose in a rural community whose life takes a dramatic flip while an ink stain on a criminal record becomes the catalyst for a chain of events. This seemingly trivial incident evolves right into a gripping story that delves into the intricacies of justice, honor, and the results of 1's moves. René Bazin, regarded for his eager observations of provincial life and ethical subject matters, weaves a story that displays the author's dedication to ethical concerns. Through vivid characterizations and a shiny portrayal of the French geographical region, Bazin presents a tale that resonates with readers because it explores the fragility of recognition and the burden of moral selections. The Ink-Stain, Complete is well known for its moral intensity, providing readers a notion-provoking exam of human behavior and the ripple consequences of person decisions inside a decent-knit network. Bazin's literary craftsmanship shines thru, making this work a timeless contribution to French literature.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGently introduces children to Jesus and shows how he is truly interested in all parts of their lives.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less