Sports fiction
Penguin Books Ltd Flying Finish
Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Compelling, exciting, fast paced . . . A timeless story'' 5***** Reader Review''Action packed racing thriller from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review''Sit back and enjoy the ride'' 5***** Reader Review______When amateur jockey Lord Henry Grey decides on a whim to join the bloodstock market, transporting racehorses around the world, he''s sure he''s hit the good life. That is, until a horse unexpectedly dies in transit and a colleague vanishes. And when Grey discovers that both his predecessors also went missing in curious circumstances, he begins to doubt the wisdom of his career change. Now he must turn detective, or else his own disappearance could be next . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Flying Finish is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crTrade ReviewA regular winner * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd Even Money Francis Thriller
Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Well-researched and expertly written, it is gripping from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review''You really feel that you are involved with the plot and feel for the characters'' 5***** Reader Review______On Royal Ascot''s first day, bookmaker Ned Talbot watches helplessly as a string of favourites come in. With the punters totting up their winnings, he counts his losses.Then an old man steps forward with a very different claim. The father Ned never knew - believed to have been killed in a car crash long ago - is standing before him. Barely an hour later, Ned''s newly-found father is dying in Ascot''s car park. Stabbed by an unknown assailant, he warns Ned: ''be very careful''.But of whom? Of what? Ned races to discover the truth behind his father''s disappearance and sudden reappearance. It''s not just money
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd Lucky Hit
Book SynopsisOAKLEYI have one goal. To be drafted into the NHL and make my father proud. I''ve never been interested in dating, not when all of my spare time is spent at the rink perfecting my craft. There''s no time for distractions. I can''t afford them.But she came out of nowhere. Octavia Layton, the girl with the pretty smile and the broken heart. One night spent talking beneath the stars and now she won''t get out of my head.I never expected to see her again, but now she''s here in this new city, with ties to my new team, and I don''t think I''m strong enough to fight against her pull.AVAI hate hockey players. After a nasty breakup, I''ve sworn them all off for good. Or so I thought.We met when I had puffy eyes and a broken heart, but I didn''t know who he was until he shows up in my city months later as a new member of our local hockey team. The sweet guy who so easily made the ache in my chest go away with lame jokes and a swoon-wo
£9.49
Polaris Publishing Limited Tekkers
Book SynopsisSeth Burkettis a sports writer and social media manager who has worked with some of the world's biggest football stars including Ronaldinho, David Luiz and Wayne Rooney to create content, as well as their own social media channels. He is the author ofThe Boy in Brazil, which was shortlisted for Football Book of the Year at the 2015 British Sport Book Awards andDeveloping the Modern Footballer Through FutsalandFootball's Coming Out, which was longlisted for the 2016 William Hill Sport Book of the Year. Most recently he has released his first children's book,No Final Whistle, and worked with football YouTubers Woody and Kleiny on their autobiography.
£7.99
Image Comics La Mano del Destino
Book SynopsisLA MANO del DESTINO tells the tale of a once-champion Luchador – who, after being betrayed by his friends and unmasked in the ring, agrees to a Faustian bargain with a mysterious promoter. He gains a new power and the identity of La Mano del Destino in order to exact revenge upon his betrayers. Set in a swanky, 1960s Mexico where Lucha Libre is intrinsically woven into all aspects of society and the most important events that happen within this world, this tale winds its way through the machinations and motivations of all types who inhabit this unique setting. Can La Mano del Destino get his revenge while remaining the champion he knows himself to be? - Get the complete arc here to find out!Mesoamerican myth, Silver-Age storytelling, and high-flying Lucha Libre action converge to tell this epic story of vengeance and destiny!Collects LA MANO del DESTINO issues #1-6
£19.54
Kodansha America, Inc Knight of the Ice 8
Book SynopsisA rom-com manga on ice, perfect for fans of Princess Jellyfish and Wotakoi. Kokoro is the talk of the figure-skating world, winning trophies and hearts. But little do they know... he's actually a huge nerd! From the beloved creator of You're My Pet (Tramps Like Us).Chitose is a serious young woman, working for the health magazine SASSO. Or at least, she would be, if she wasn't constantly getting distracted by her childhood friend, international figure skating star Kokoro Kijinami! In the public eye and on the ice, Kokoro is a gallant, flawless knight, but behind his glittery costumes and breathtaking spins lies a secret: he's actually a hopeless romantic otaku, who can only land his quad jumps when Chitose is on hand to recite a spell from his favorite magical girl anime!
£11.69
Kodansha America, Inc When Will Ayumu Make His Move? 7
Book SynopsisYaotome's the cute president of the shogi (Japanese chess) club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that her underclassman Ayumu, the only other member, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to coax or trick him into confessing his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. Yet there's one big issue with this plan-he really sucks!
£11.69
Kodansha America, Inc When Will Ayumu Make His Move? 8
Book SynopsisYaotome's the cute president of the shogi (Japanese chess) club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that her underclassman Ayumu, the only other member, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to coax or trick him into confessing his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. Yet there's one big issue with this plan-he really sucks!
£11.69
Amazon Publishing The Fireballer: A Novel
Book SynopsisA poignant story about hopes, dreams, and how far one man’s talent takes him before he realizes it’s about what you do—and how you do it. Frank Ryder is unstoppable on the baseball field—his pitches arrive faster than a batter can swing, giving his opponents no chance. He’s being heralded as a game-changing pitcher. But within the maelstrom of press, adulation, and wild speculation, Frank is a man alone. Haunted by a tragic incident from years past, he yearns to be the best but cannot reconcile the guilt he carries with the man everyone believes him to be. Frank’s path to redemption leads him on a journey back to where his life changed forever, to visit his family, his high school coach, and his brother. Through reconnection and reconciliation with those also deeply affected by the devastating event of Frank’s youth, he finds peace and his place in the world both in and outside the game. The Fireballer is a lyrical, moving story of undeniable talent and the life-changing power of forgiveness and a subtly romantic ode to America’s favorite pastime.Trade Review“Readers looking for sports fiction heavy on the baseball will enjoy this book.” —Library Journal “Like the game of baseball, the great American pastime, there is much to love in The Fireballer by Mark Stevens…a book to enjoy like it was the seventh game of the World Series and your team won.” —New York Journal of Books “Fleet and fun, The Fireballer will appeal to fans of The Natural and Robert Coover’s The Universal Baseball Association. Frank Ryder is a classic American hero—the phenom who has to overcome his own terrible past. Mark Stevens has done the impossible: He actually had me rooting for the Orioles.” —Stewart O’Nan, coauthor of Faithful and author of Ocean State “Seldom do I read a book that knocks my socks off the way The Fireballer did. This is a feel-good baseball story with a hold on the vernacular, the heart, the soul, the big picture, and the subtleties of America’s favorite summer pastime. The characters are beautifully etched, and pitcher Frank Ryder may be the most likeable hero since Gary Cooper gave life to Lou Gehrig on the big screen. I guarantee that you don’t have to be a baseball fan to be swept up by this moving tale. With a full heart, I recommend—no, insist—that you read The Fireballer.” —William Kent Krueger, author of Fox Creek and This Tender Land “Mark Stevens’s The Fireballer is a timeless baseball story told with a love of the game and fast-moving prose that will leave you cheering and crying at the same time. Frank Ryder is the most appealing of heroes, taciturn and loyal, talented and haunted—truly haunted—and with a fastball that will change the game. With its authentic baseball scenes and its rich heart, The Fireballer is a novel that rests comfortably with other classics of the game.” —William Lashner, author of The Barkeep “The Fireballer is not just a great baseball yarn that any fan of the game will enjoy—it is also a richly-layered exploration of character, regret, and redemption.” —Lou Berney, author of November Road and The Long and Faraway Gone “The old game of baseball keeps coming up with new stories about the next twist or turn in the sport. In The Fireballer, Mark Stevens has invented a startling ‘What if?’ that stretches the limits of the game. More than a baseball book, the novel is a journey through the mind and heart of a gifted, but tragic, athlete who finds a road to redemption.” —Stephen Singular, New York Times bestselling author “The Fireballer is a compelling story that I found hard to put down, rich with authentic baseball details and full of heart. Mark Stevens hits it out of the park with this intricate and moving tale of redemption.” —Robert Bailey, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Golfer’s Carol “Mark Stevens has crafted a powerful, heartfelt story—with a memorable baseball backdrop—that carves out a place alongside classics like The Art of Fielding and The Natural. Stevens knows the game—but it’s his deft narrative and characters that help this book truly sing. I couldn’t put it down.” —Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity “You don’t have to know baseball to love The Fireballer. At the center of this big-hearted book is Frank Ryder, a star pitcher tormented by a mistake in his past. Readers root for Frank not for his fastball, but because his redemption delivers us all.” —Stephanie Kane, award-winning mystery writer and author of True Crime Redux “Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie…and heart. Pitcher phenom Frank Ryder’s heart is bigger than the game—as is his grief—and his fastball has the potential to transform or destroy both. As Mark Stevens divulges Ryder’s temptations and talent alongside the complexities of the sport, readers will find themselves captivated by a world-class athlete’s regrets and life choices in The Fireballer.” —Janet Fogg, award-winning author of Soliloquy and coauthor of the best seller Fogg in the Cockpit “The Fireballer goes straight into my pantheon of great baseball writing, alongside The Brothers K (David James Duncan), The Art of Fielding (Chad Harbach), You Gotta Have Wa (Robert Whiting), and the many treasures by Roger Angell. Mark Stevens’s ability to get ‘inside baseball’—while telling a moving human story—is both astounding and worthy of readers of all interests and tastes.” —John Galligan, author of the Bad Axe County series “In The Fireballer, Mark Stevens may have invented a new subgenre: the emotional thriller. As Frank Ryder journeys to the source of both his phenomenal talent and his psychic pain, I couldn’t stop turning pages. And when he earns his redemption? Reader, I cried. Love, loss, and ultimate triumph—this book delivers at 110 miles per hour.” —Keir Graff, author of The Three Mrs. Wrights (writing with Linda Joffe Hull as Linda Keir) “Brimming with humanity, The Fireballer is a richly imagined tale of the modern American pastime with a heart as big as center field. Pure storytelling genius.” — Scott Graham, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award and author of Saguaro Sanction “The Fireballer is about a baseball pitcher, sure. The way The Natural is about a bat and Shoeless Joe is about a corn field. But this many-layered tale deeply considers hope, fear, love, grief, and change, all through the prism of our beautiful national pastime. The writing is heartfelt and gorgeous. The Fireballer struck me out.” —Richard Cass, author of the Elder Darrow Jazz Mysteries and The Last Altruist “This is a great American novel that is about so much more than the great American pastime.” —Wendy J. Fox, author of If the Ice Had Held and What If We Were Somewhere Else “The Fireballer isn’t just about baseball. It’s about life and loss and what love can do. Mark Stevens shows not only a deep understanding of the game but of human frailty and grace as well. This book is a true triumph.” —Claire Booth, award-winning journalist and critically acclaimed author of the Hank Worth mysteries “With baseball as the backdrop, The Fireballer is a rich story that will have you rooting for Frank Ryder as he struggles with imprinted tragedies of his past. Don’t be dissuaded if you’re not a fan of baseball. The enjoyment of this novel comes from the talent of Mark Stevens and his craft of characters with depth and heart. The emotion is palpable and the story moving.” —Wendy Terrien, award-winning author of The Rampart Guards “The Fireballer is more than a story of a freakishly talented baseball pitcher. It’s the story of a good man trapped in an industry that both reveres and despises his abilities, and disregards the emotional toll the game takes. While reading The Fireballer I could see the players scattered in the field, smell the beer and hot dogs at the stadium, and feel the whoosh of Frank Ryder’s fastball zooming past the batter. A truly great sports novel.” —Stephanie Gayle, author of Idyll Threats “In fresh, evocative prose, Stevens spins a tale about a phenom baseball pitcher that transcends the genre of ‘sports fiction.’ Compelling and humane. Highly recommended.” —Karen Odden, USA Today bestselling author of the Inspector Corravan Mysteries
£8.54
Sourcebooks, Inc Block Shot
Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes the steamy, powerful second installment of the Hoops trilogy.If Jared Foster had a dollar for every time Banner Morales made his heart skip a beat-the heart everyone assumes is frozen over-he'd be richer than he already is. He's found success as a sports agent by always assuming "no" means "I'll think about it." And he knows Banner's thinking about him. Her simmering anger? The way she puts him in his place? Foreplay. She thinks she's won the game, but they're just getting started.If Banner had a dollar for every time Jared broke her heart, she'd have exactly one dollar. One epic failure of a night. After parting on such bad terms, Banner has no intention of ever giving Jared a second chance. She's found success in a field ruled by men like him. She's learned to call the shots and block them when she has to.So she'll ignore the way he makes her heart pound. Sure, he seems carved from her most private fantasies, but she can get past that.She's got her one dollar, and Jared won't have her.
£8.54
Bridger Media Sûr et solide
Book Synopsis
£11.99
Ablaze, LLC Versus Fighting Story Vol 2
Book SynopsisThe world of Versus Fighting is facing an unprecedented struggle! On the one hand, Esport magna Eric Volta wants to professionalize the sector with millions of dollars.On the other hand, Max Volta, his own nephew, was recruited by Inès, a former player of the Versus Dojo arcade who fights to preserve the passion of the fighting game culture and its players. To help him, the legendary TKO the Destroyer will have to come out of his retirement to train his team...And in the middle of it all, there is a surprise guest: Mr. Judeau, a talented player of obscure games that no one else plays. Is the man who gets paid in kebab the Chosen One who will help all these people come together? Welcome to the crazy world of Versus Fighting Story! Officially endorsed by Capcom and the fighting game community, featuring genuine Street Fighter characters, and produced in the vein of the best sports shônen, discover the e-sport spirit, as you have never seen it before.Trade Review"Versus Fighting Story is a wonderful eSports manga and a definite winner for those looking for a refreshing take on the fighting game scene. 4 out of 5" --gamingtrend.com
£10.19
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 10
Book SynopsisNadeshiko and the girls have come home from their two-night trip in Izu, and they’realready thinking about when and where to camp next. The next destination is...a daycamp at Ena’s place?! And while that’s going on, looks like Rin is corresponding with a“certain someone”...
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 12
Book SynopsisNadeshiko, Rin and Ayano's vacation trip to the Ooi River is too much for Chiaki, Aoi,and Ena. After a late-night conversation on social media, the three enthusiasticallydecide that they should do some camping too! Where will their ideas take them...?
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 13
The warmth of spring. Rin is away solo camping. Nadeshiko and her older sister take a drive to enjoy the beauty of the blooming cherry blossoms. Ena, Chiaki, and the others idly spend their spring to their hearts’ content. The days up until now bring forth new meetings and challenges, and in turn, become the season of renewal.
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Evvie Drake Starts Over
Book Synopsis''I guzzled it up'' -- Pandora Sykes, THE HIGH LOW SHOW''A quirky, sweet, and splendid story of a woman coming into her own . . . an absolute delight'' -- Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of DAISY JONES AND THE SIX and THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO''Charming, hopeful and gently romantic. Evvie Drake is great company'' -- Rainbow Rowell, author of ATTACHMENTSTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON THE TODAY SHOW ''Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated'' People''Effortlessly enjoyable . . . [a] pitch-perfect . . . adult love story that is as romantic as it is real'' USA TodayIt''s been a year since Evvie Drake''s husband died, but she still can''t leave the house. Her best friend Andy thinks it''s because she''s grieving, and Trade ReviewCharming, hopeful and gently romantic. Evvie Drake is great company -- Rainbow RowellA quirky, sweet, and splendid story of a woman coming into her own . . . an absolute delight -- Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of DAISY JONES AND THE SIXHolmes writes with an easy warmth about kind people who are trying their best but messing things up anyway. . . . A warm and lovely romance, perfect for readers of Rainbow Rowell and Louise Miller * Kirkus *A witty blend of romance and reflection . . . wraps you in the cozy warmth of small-town Maine and delves into the complexities of the human heart -- Helen Hoag, author of THE KISS QUOTIENTI was utterly charmed by Evvie Drake Starts Over - a book that shows us that just because you're broken doesn't mean you can't be put back together again. You'll want to stay cozied up with these delightful, unique, and incredibly human characters long after you turn the last page -- Doree Shafrir, author of STARTUP: A NOVEL and co-host of Forever35 PodcastEvvie Drake Starts Over is what happens when great writing, complex and charming characters, and a not-quite-what-you-expect ending collide, making this lovely novel much more than just another romantic comedy. Deeply moving while simultaneously hilarious, you will want to share it with your best friend, but keep your own copy so you can read it again and again -- Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of DREAMS OF FALLINGA sweet and sincere grown-up love story. Fans of grounded romance will fall hard for Evvie Drake and Dean Tenney, two broken people who help each other mend. Refreshing and real, with a huge heart. I loved it -- Georgia Clark, author of THE REGULARS and THE BUCKET LISTEvvie Drake Starts Over is a warm, witty, and wonderful romance about the art of creating second chances-or a whole second act. Linda Holmes's moving, smartly written debut is so engaging, you'll be tempted to wish Evvie could start over yet again, just for a sequel -- Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, bestselling authors of THE ROYAL WIFE
£9.49
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 6
Book SynopsisIn order to get some camping funds, Nadeshiko goes looking for a new part-time job. But it looks like Chiaki, Aoi, and Ena are already camping?!
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers The Singles Game Secrets and scandal the smash
Book SynopsisNew from the global bestselling author of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: it's a match made in hell.Sweeping from Wimbledon to the Caribbean, from LA to mega yachts in the Med, The Singles Game is a brilliantly entertaining romp through a world where the stakes are high and no-one plays by the rules.When Charlotte Charlie' Silver makes a pact with the devil, infamously brutal tennis coach Todd Feltner, she finds herself catapulted into a world of stylists, private parties and secret dates with Hollywood royalty.Under Todd it's no more good-girl attitude: he wants warrior princess Charlie all the way. After all, no-one ever won by being nice.Celebrity mags and gossip blogs go wild for Charlie, chasing scandal as she jets around the globe. But as the warrior princess's star rises, both on and off the court, it comes at a high price. Is the real Charlie Silver still inside?Trade Review‘The perfect summer read, full of glamour, drama and gorgeous characters. It’s game, set and match to Weisberger’ HEAT ‘Brilliantly written, fun and so stuffed full of interesting characters you won’t be able to put it down’ Daily Mail ‘It’s got parties, it’s got romance . . . our perfect holiday read’ LOOK ‘Brilliant fun’ HELLO ‘Lovers of escapist romance need this book in their life . . . As gripping as any Wimbledon final’ Metro More praise for Lauren Weisberger: ‘The most fun we've had in ages.’ HEAT ‘Delicious…a great insight into the world of magazines and fashion.’ RED ‘This little gem mixes Sex and the City charm with dry New York wit.’ REAL ‘This entertaining read has all the pace, glamour and bitchy dialogue of the original’ SUNDAY MIRROR ‘Sparkling with Sex and the City-style glamour, this entertaining sequel comes a decade after the debut novel which became a smash-hit film’ HELLO
£9.86
Pan Macmillan Selection Day
Book SynopsisSelection Day is a captivating, witty novel by the Man Booker Prize winning author of The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga.'The most exciting novelist writing in English today' A. N. WilsonOne of the New York Times “100 Notable Books of 2017"Manjunath Kumar is fourteen. He knows he is good at cricket - if not as good as his elder brother Radha. He knows that he fears and resents his domineering and cricket-obsessed father, admires his brilliantly talented sibling and is fascinated by the world of CSI and by curious and interesting scientific facts. But there are many things, about himself and about the world, that he doesn't know . . . Sometimes it seems as though everyone around him has a clear idea of who Manju should be, except Manju himself.When Manju begins to get to know Radha's great rival, a boy as privileged and confident as Manju is not, everything in Manju's world begins to change and he is faced with decisions that will challenge both his sense of self and of the world around him . . .Trade ReviewSelection Day is at its heart an engrossing and nuanced coming-of-age-novel . . . intriguing and subtly developed . . . [Adiga] has succeeded in composing a powerful individual story that, at the same time, does justice to life's (and India's) great indeterminacies. * Sunday Times *[A] finely told, often moving, and intelligent novel . . . Adiga's novel takes in class, religion and sexuality - all issues that disrupt the dream of a sport that cares for nothing but talent and temperament. Because Adiga is a novelist, and one who has grown in his art since his Booker prizewinning debut, The White Tiger, he knows how to talk about all these matters through his characters and their compelling stories. -- Kamila Shamsie * Guardian *[Adiga] has always been drawn to that gap between the glitter and gleam of India Shining and the violence, inequality and social misery that give a partial lie to the nation's desire to rebrand itself . . . [he] has written another snarling, witty state-of-the-nation address about a country in thrall to values that 19th-century moralists would have damned as "not cricket". * Observer *Top-rate fiction from a young master . . . Gripping. * Times *Selection Day is a captivating and sensitive coming-of-age story . . . Adiga's characters are getting more complex with each book, and this complexity makes his indictment of the contemporary world all the more urgent and convincing. -- Hirsh Sawhney * TLS *Nobody can write with such dark wit about the story the social tumult of contemporary India like Aravind Adiga, who won the Booker prize for his 2008 debut, The White Tiger . . . Four years on, his characters' voices still jump off the page. * GQ *What makes Selection Day special beyond its journalistic achievements is its sure sense of the eroticism of the locker room. Stripped of his cricketing whites and chest guard, the sportsman is at risk of exposing his heart . . . Never predictable, never simple and never consoling. * Literary Review *[Selection Day] brings Mumbai to life . . . Adiga handles painful subjects - abuse, violence, corruption - with sensitivity and dazzling flashes of black humour. * Daily Telegraph *Adiga's novels . . . get better and better . . . The social, economic, and environmental preoccupations readers have come to expect of him take [Selection Day] to another level of enlightenment * Sydney Morning Herald *A well-observed, compulsively readable story of adolescence and ambition, fathers and sons and India today. * Tatler *Aravind Adiga’s enthrallingSelection Day studies, with universalizing insight, two brothers from Mumbai consecrated to cricket at psychic cost -- Paul Binding * Times Literary Supplement *Ambitious, original and morally serious . . . a moving, unsettling and absorbing story of aspiration and its discontents in contemporary urban India . . . Much more than just a cricket book, Selection Day is one of the finest novels written about the game, combining astute judgements with accounts of individual innings marked by an unobtrusive lyricism . . . Adiga has often been compared, most notably with Last Man in Tower, to Charles Dickens, but Selection Day is reminiscent of a very different Victorian novelist: Thomas Hardy . . . there is never any doubt of its tragic resolution; yet it loses none of its emotional force . . . Selection Day is written at an angle to conventional realism; Adiga does not construct the illusion that we see this world through the eyes of his characters. We see it through the author's eyes, and what emerges most powerfully, as with Hardy, is the author's own personality: the force of his humanity and his social and political vision . . . In the quarter-century since liberalisation, urban India has seen more social and economic change and upheaval than in entire centuries. To a remarkable and depressing extent, Indian fiction in English has failed to reckon with this change. For the third book running, Adiga rises to the challenge with a novel of ambition, originality, moral seriousness and sociological insight. To use an analogy appropriate to a novel about batsmanship: where so many of his peers are content to safely nudge ones and twos, Adiga remains willing to take risks in the pursuit of fours and sixes. * The Hindu *Enthralling . . . studies, with universalizing insight, two brothers from Mumbai consecrated to cricket at psychic cost * Times Literary Supplement *I also enjoyed and admired Aravind Adiga’s funny and touching Selection Day in which cricketing prodigies in Mumbai face googlies from both bowlers and life -- Peter Parker * Spectator *The best novel I read this year . . . In its primal triangle of rival brothers and a maniacal father, hell-bent on success in cricket in India, Adiga grips the passions while painting an extraordinary panorama of contemporary sports, greed, celebrity, and mundanity. As a literary master, Adiga has only advanced in his art since his Booker Prize-winning The White Tiger. -- Mark Greif * Atlantic *Supplies further proof that [Adiga's] Booker Prize . . . was no fluke. He is not merely a confident storyteller but also a thinker, a skeptic, a wily entertainer, a thorn in the side of orthodoxy and cant . . . What this novel offers is the sound of a serious and nervy writer working at near the top of his form. Like a star cricket batter, Mr. Adiga stands and delivers, as if for days. -- Dwight Garner * New York Times *Adiga’s wit and raw sympathy will carry uninitiated readers beyond their ignorance of cricket . . . Adiga’s paragraphs bounce along like a ball hit hard down a dirt street . . . Adiga’s voice is so exuberant, his plotting so jaunty, that the sadness of this story feels as though it is accumulating just outside our peripheral vision -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *A master class in integrating character . . . Peppered with dashes of humor, this dark and unflinching story is an unqualified triumph. * Booklist (starred review) *
£8.54
Little, Brown & Company DIVE!!, Vol. 2
Book SynopsisAs Tomoki's natural genius for diving blossoms under the guidance of Coach Asaki, his relationships with the people around him sour. But even while suffering from the growing rifts in his life, Tomoki has to retain his focus as the trial meet for the Beijing training camp looms!
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Monster Wrestling: Interspecies Combat Girls,
Book SynopsisCan Tirol and Ryuuka win the Monster Wrestling World Tag tournament, or will the cerberus and the dragon tear each other apart first?!
£10.44
Rebellion Publishing Ltd. Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1980s - Who
Book SynopsisMELCHESTER MELTDOWN! Relive the best Roy of the Rovers stories from the 1990s in this exciting anthology of reprinted classic strips, celebrating over 65 years of the iconic football comic.The dawn of this new decade was one that Melchester Rovers would want to forget. The 80/81 season was far from their finest hour with the threat of relegation snapping at their heels all throughout the season and exits from the F.A. Cup and the European Cup leaving the trophy cabinet bare. For star striker Roy Race it couldn't be worse. His obsession with the team had caused a strain on his marriage and fractured his relationship with teammates like the hot-headed Vic Guthrie. And then there was an attempt on his life...After being shot in December 1981, Roy lay in a coma for several weeks while Sir Alf Ramsey stepped into the dugout for Melchester. Life in a lower division beckons, but at least the Rovers will be the most stylish team on the pitch with their new Gola sponsored kits!
£16.99
Penguin Books Ltd Dead Cert
Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''A classic. If you like a rattling good yarn, then Dick Francis is your man!'' 5***** Reader Review''Brilliant, the pace keeps on racing through the whole book'' 5***** Reader Review''Gallops along and keeps you enthralled throughout. Riveting'' 5***** Reader Review______''Admiral met the fence perfectly. He rose to it as if flight were not only for birds. And he fell . . .''Alan York''s friend, jockey Bill Davidson, was killed in Admiral''s fall. After the race, York visits the fence and discovers a coil of wire lying beside the fence post and signs of where the wire had been attached.The fall was no accident - but murder. Unable to convince the police of this, York is forced to turn amateur sleuth and is soon on the trail of a ruthless gang of race-fixers operating out of Brighton.Now Alan''s Trade ReviewAs a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *Dick Francis's fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader's attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end * Sunday Telegraph *
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 4
Book SynopsisNadeshiko's falls deeper and deeper in love with camping, and Rin's learning the joys of group camping for the first time! This time, everyone's going together...!
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd ROCK of Ages From boom days to Zoom days
Book SynopsisThe No 1 Bestseller!When a shameless rugby legend and a distinguished grey lady get together sparks are bound to fly. And when that legend is South Dublin''s favourite socialite, Ross O''Carroll-Kelly, and the grey lady is the Irish Times, the result is, well, legendary. From locked-in in Donnybrook to locked-down in Killiney, Ross and the old gal have been through a lot. Now, you can enjoy the very best of his efforts to keep her entertained . . . - His adventures with the Mount Anville Moms WhatsApp group- His daughter Honor''s infamous production of South Side Story- His father''s court battles with Denis O''Brien- His wife Sorcha''s efforts to force her banana bread on the neighbours- His son Ronan''s attempt to make it as a Mixed Martial Arts fighterFrom the sheer joy of taking his feral triplets to their first Ireland v. England match, to the sheer misery of Kiely''s pub (his spiritual home) cloTrade ReviewRoss is a national institution * Irish Times *The single greatest chronicler of our times * Irish Independent *
£8.54
Little, Brown & Company Yowamushi Pedal Vol. 7
Book Synopsis
£18.04
Kodansha America, Inc Sayonara, Football 3: Farewell, My Dear Cramer
Book SynopsisHigh-octane girls' soccer action mixes with the drama of high school in this cleats-out manga from the creator of Your Lie in April! Midori and Sumire are soccer stars at rival middle schools, destined to collide-one's a striker, the other a goalie. But the two girls end up in the same high school, with a lazy coach and a bizarre teammate, Nozomi, who brags that she's a genius but can't seem to stop kicking the ball into her own goal. To become champions, they'll have to get over their rivalry and work some magic on the field-not to mention the challenges of growing up.
£11.69
Kodansha America, Inc Sayonara, Football 8: Farewell, My Dear Cramer
Book SynopsisMidori and Sumire are soccer stars at rival middle schools, destined to collide-one's a striker, the other a goalie. But the two girls end up in the same high school, with a lazy coach and a bizarre teammate, Nozomi, who brags that she's a genius but can't seem to stop kicking the ball into her own goal. To become champions, they'll have to get over their rivalry and work some magic on the field-not to mention the challenges of growing up.
£11.69
Kodansha America, Inc Sayonara, Football 14
Book SynopsisMidori and Sumire are soccer stars at rival middle schools, destined to collide - one's a striker, the other a goalie. But the two girls end up in the same high school, with a lazy coach and a bizarre teammate, Nozomi, who brags that she's a genius but can't seem to stop kicking the ball into her own goal. To become champions, they'll have to get over their rivalry and work some magic on the field - not to mention the challenges of growing up.
£11.69
Kodansha America, Inc When Will Ayumu Make His Move? 9
Book SynopsisYaotome's the cute president of the shogi (Japanese chess) club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that her underclassman Ayumu, the only other member, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to coax or trick him into confessing his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. Yet there's one big issue with this plan-he really sucks!
£11.69
Kodansha America, Inc When Will Ayumu Make His Move? 10
Book SynopsisYaotome's the cute president of the shogi (Japanese chess) club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that her underclassman Ayumu, the only other member, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to coax or trick him into confessing his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. Yet there's one big issue with this plan-he really sucks!
£11.69
Ablaze, LLC Blitz Vol 2
Book SynopsisAs seen in the pages of Shonen Jump, BLITZ is a new shonen manga exploring the elite world of chess! Immerse yourself deep into the chess world, where intuition and mental agility are precious assets on the way to victory! After the incident with Caïssa, Tom's chess level has improved considerably. Back at school, he reunites with Harmony, Laurent, Saori, as well as Anne, Marius and Zhang. These seven chess club members of the International School of Shibuya must now battle each other to determine who will qualify for the prestigious roles of school representatives to compete in the Kantô region Junior High School Tournament. Facing skilled opponents, our heroes’ abilities and characters will be put to the test... Memories, rivalries, unexpected reunions... Can the young ISS team come out victorious? As Bonus Material included in each volume, chess games are explained move by move to allow you to better understand the strategy. To facilitate further understanding, a chess lexicon and annotations are included.Trade Review"Blitz is the perfect manga for teaching your kids and even yourself how to play chess from absolute beginner to expert, its lessons buried in a fun story about a cocky middle-school boy learning to play chess to impress a girl who's a genius player. Score: 7.5 out of 10 --bleedingcool.com
£10.79
Canelo Dreaming of Verona: An enchanting, feel-good
Book SynopsisVerona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of star-crossed lovers… or is there?A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.
£11.15
HarperCollins Publishers Take Me On (A Pushing the Limits Novel)
Book SynopsisAcclaimed author Katie McGarry (Pushing The Limits, Dare You To, Crash Into You) returns with a new story about love, loss and what winning really means… Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help. West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping him fighting for her is a shot at redemption. Especially since it' s his fault her family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future. Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for. A PUSHING THE LIMITS NOVEL 'The love story of the year' - Teen Now on Pushing the Limits 'A real page-turner' - Mizz on Pushing the Limits 'A romance with a difference' – Bliss on Pushing the Limits
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Monster Wrestling, Vol. 1
Book SynopsisIn a world where humans and demi-humans coexist, the sport of monster wrestling is a major hit! Featuring monster girls competing in the squared circle, a young half-Cerberus named Tirol dreams of becoming a pro monster wrestler herself! But will she ever debut in the big leagues when she's had fifteen straight losses...?
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 11
Book SynopsisRin and Ayano are on a camping road trip to Ooi River while Nadeshiko takes a train to meet them there. The train runs along the river, and the surrounding land is home to a bevy of suspension bridges.
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Yowamushi Pedal, Vol. 19
Book SynopsisRace, start. Click...click! Only 80m left until the sprint goal! Hakone’s Doubashi andSohoku’s first-year Kaburagi have been sprinting neck-and-neck...and with just 80mremaining, Kaburagi’s finally shifting into top gear. But will it be enough to overcomeDoubashi’s rampage and win the green tags?!
£18.04
Little, Brown & Company Run on Your New Legs, Vol. 1
Book SynopsisAfter the loss of his left leg, Kikuzato's dream of becoming the ace striker on the highschool soccer comes to an end...permanently. But endings are always followed bybeginnings-and so, armed with a prosthetic leg, Kikuzato finds a new dream. He'sgoing to become a track star and win the gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics! A 60mrace in Shibuya is only the first step...
£12.34
Little, Brown & Company Run on Your New Legs, Vol. 4
Book SynopsisKikuzato, a high-schooler with a prosthetic leg, continues his dreams of being a para-athlete. Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and arguments with his father, Kikuzato stands proud at the start line for his first competition.
£12.34
Little, Brown & Company Monster Wrestling: Interspecies Combat Girls,
Book SynopsisThe duo of Tirol and Ryuuka are winning match after match, and the pace doesn’t looklike it’ll stop! But when Latep and Yewggoth show their true selves at the MonsterWrestling World Tag Tournament, the competition is flipped on its head and the world isthrown into a crisis. In order to defeat them, Tirol must call upon her specialtraining...at the potential cost of her life!
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 7
Book SynopsisEven though her big sister's against it, Nadeshiko really wants to go camping all by herself! How will her first solo camping adventure go...?
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Monster Wrestling, Vol. 2
Book SynopsisChirol's in a fight against Fururun, the self-proclaimed "weakest monster wrestler," and she's fading fast. But even with her fate practically sealed she's somehow able to keep standing! New monster girls join the fray, including a new dragon girl tag-team partner for Chirol!
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 14
Book SynopsisThe cherry blossom–viewing camping trip has ended, and it’s time to ring in the new semester. Nadeshiko and her friends are hard at work trying to recruit members for the Outdoor Exploration Club. Will they be able to find a new student to join them?
£10.44
Little, Brown & Company Yowamushi Pedal, Vol. 13
Book SynopsisThe inter-high takes an unexpected turn as Midousuji and Imaizumi zoom down the biggest slope on the Azami Line!
£16.14
HarperCollins Publishers The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
Book SynopsisFrom the author of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' come stories of hardship and hope in post-war Britain.The title story in this classic collection tells of Smith, a defiant young rebel, inhabiting the no-man''s land of institutionalised Borstal. As his steady jog-trot rhythm transports him over an unrelenting, frost-bitten earth, he wonders why, for whom and for what he is running.A groundbreaking work, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' captured the grim isolation of the working class in the English Midlands when it was first published in 1960s. But Sillitoe's depiction of petty crime and deep-seated anger in industrial and desperate cities remains as potent today as it was almost half a century ago.Trade Review‘I have read nothing to compare with it.’ Penelope Mortimer ‘Sillitoe writes with tremendous energy, and his stories simply tear along.’ Daily Telegraph ‘All the imaginative sympathy in the world can’t fake this kind of thing. It must have been lived in, seen, touched, smelled: and we are lucky to have a writer who has come out of it knowing the truth, and having the skill to turn that truth into art.’ New Statesman ‘Graphic, tough, outspoken, informal.’ The Times ‘A beautiful piece of work, confirming Sillitoe as a writer of unusual spirit and great promise.’ Guardian ‘A major writer.’ Malcolm Bradbury
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Happiest Girl in the World
Book Synopsis “Propulsive, transfixing, and disturbing. I could not set the book down. Harrowing and fearlessly honest, The Happiest Girl in the World is a haunting read because it couldn''t have done justice to its subjects - fictional and real - any other way.” —PopsugarOne of Good Morning America''s Best Books of April! From the acclaimed author of Mercy House comes a gripping new novel about a young woman’s dreams of Olympic gymnastic gold—and what it takes to reach the top For Sera Wheeler, the Olympics is the reason for everything. It’s why she trains thirty hours a week, starves herself to under 100 pounds, and pops Advil like Tic Tacs. For her mother, Charlene, hungry for glory she never had, it’s why she rises before dawn to drive Sera to practice in a different state, and why the family scrimps, saves, and fractures. It’s why, when Sera’s best friend reports the gymnastics doctor to the authority who selects the Olympic Team, Sera denies what she knows about his treatments, thus preserving favor. Their friendship shatters. But Sera protected her dream—didn’t she? Sera doubles down, taping broken toes, numbing torn muscles, and pouring her family’s resources into the sport. Soon she isn’t training for the love of gymnastics. She’s training to make her disloyalty worthwhile. No matter the cost. The Happiest Girl in the World explores the dark history behind an athlete who stands on the world stage, biting gold. It''s about the silence required of the exceptional, a tarnished friendship, and the sacrifices a parent will make for a child, even as a family is torn apart. It’s about the price of greatness.Trade Review"A brilliant and often heartbreaking account of a young girl striving to live a complicated dream, The Happiest Girl In The World probes the tragedy of the at-all-costs mentality that fuels Olympic performances." — Blythe Lawrence, co-author of Aly Raisman’s Fierce: How Competing For Myself Changed Everything "Happiest Girl in the World is a searing look at elite gymnastics and the lengths an athlete will go to reach her goal. Dillon writes a harrowing story about how hope can be saddled with burdens, and sacrifice can wear down the soul. Timely and spirited, I devoured this book." — Elissa R. Sloan, author of The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes "The Happiest Girl in the World is a tender reflection on the importance of second chances, the ways in which both courage and cowardice can break a person, and what it takes to make yourself whole again." — Meghan MacLean Weir, author of The Book of Essie “Propulsive, transfixing, and disturbing. I could not set the book down. Harrowing and fearlessly honest, The Happiest Girl in the World is a haunting read because it couldn't have done justice to its subjects — fictional and real — any other way.” — Popsugar "As she did with the Catholic Church in Mercy House, Dillon lays bare the sins of the U.S. gymnastic world and all those who enable this sport... Dillon sticks the landing with this layered book about abuse, drive, family expectations, and trauma." — Library Journal (starred review) "Whether readers can name every Olympian gymnast from the past 40 years or can't tell a Yurchenko from a Mustafina, Dillon's latest novel will enthrall. A natural next read for fans of Hannah Orenstein's Head over Heels (2020) or the Netflix documentary Athlete A." — Booklist (starred review) "Dillon (Mercy House) explores the dark side of elite gymnastics in her engrossing ripped-from-the-headlines latest... Dillon’s nuanced treatment makes for a stirring and complicated picture... Dillon’s excellent psychological drama will stay with readers." — Publishers Weekly “A life-altering debut featuring fierce, funny, and irreverent women who battle the most powerful institution in the world. This is the book we’ve all been waiting for.” — Amy Schumer "Never underestimate the power of a group of women. Fierce, thoughtful, and dramatic--this is a story of true courage." — Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author “In Mercy House, Alena Dillon gives us one of fiction’s more unlikely lovable heroines: elderly, dynamic Sister Evelyn, whose tale—and that of her housemates—is as unexpected as it is moving. This is a thoughtful, accomplished debut.” — Therese Ann Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of Z, A Well-Behaved Woman, and A Good Neighborhood “[A] stirring, fiery debut...Dillon balances her protagonist’s righteous anger with an earnest exploration of Evie’s faith and devotion to justice and community service. This uncompromising story will light up book clubs.” — Publishers Weekly
£11.04
Kodansha America, Inc Again!! 1
Book SynopsisKinichiro isn't even that bad. It's just that on the first day of high school, his narrow eyes made him look shifty, so people assumed he was trouble. Now it's graduation, and he's looking back on three years with no friends. He never even joined a club. But after a bloody collision and an accidental fall, he wakes up a high school freshman, with the chance to try it all over... Again!!Trade ReviewPraise for Yuri!!! On Ice“Kubo-sensei has done an amazing job of making [Yuri!!! on Ice] accessible and real. It’s not some dramatized, fabulous version of the figure skating world… It’s a very real depiction of the world I come from. have never seen any other skating film or production that was as realistic as Yuri!!! On Ice.” – Johnny Weir, two-time Olympian, 2008 World bronze medalist, two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist “Yuri!!! On Ice [is] a triumph of concise storytelling. The creators pack every moment with layered meanings... Yuri!!! masterfully blends emotion and competition into every episode.” – Buzzfeed“I meant to watch just one episode, [but] I stayed up and watched them all, more and more charmed.” – The New York Times Magazine“Mitsurou Kubo is a storytelling genius.” – Anime Underground
£11.69
Polaris Publishing Limited Tekkers: Turf Wars
Book SynopsisNever give up on what you believe. Redwood Rovers FC are in trouble. The council wants to sell the club's pitches to a property developer. With no money to spare, Redwood’s very future is threatened. Until Zak hears about the YouTube Allstars Cup. It's a football tournament for teams of social media influencers. Best of all, there’s a cash prize of £500,000. Can Zak lead his team to victory and save Redwood Rovers? Tekkers 2: Turf Wars, shows how one simple hashtag can go much further than a single social media post, engaging an entire generation into inspiring change for good.
£8.54
