Search results for ""author jack"
Pan Macmillan Off The Shelf: A Celebration of Bookshops in Verse
In Off the Shelf: A Celebration of Bookshops in Verse, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy has commissioned a selection of the UK's most loved and lauded poets to each write a poem in celebration of books and bookshops - the worlds they hold, the freedoms they promise, and the memories they evoke. From a basement of forgotten books to the shelves of a cramped Welsh arcade, from the poetry corner of the local bookstore to the last bookshop standing in a post-apocalyptic world, these are poems that pay tribute to all the places that house the stories we treasure.With poems from Carol Ann Duffy, Scottish Makar Jackie Kay, National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke, as well as Clive James, Michael Longley, Don Paterson, Patience Agbabi and many more, this beautiful anthology is a heart-warming reminder of how books nourish us, save us, and inspire us.
£10.00
Johns Hopkins University Press The Chesapeake Book of the Dead: Tombstones, Epitaphs, Histories, Reflections, and Oddments of the Region
"There is a romantic, nostalgic, pleasantly melancholy feeling to old cemeteries that is hard to define but easy to experience. Perhaps it is because we can feel the direct link to our past that no history book, no movie, no historical fantasy can ever convey. These stones and these unkempt grounds are the hard evidence of lives that came before us. Once, these people lived and breathed, loved, worked, fought, hoped and despaired, and experienced their triumphs and failures just as we do today. And, although we seldom care to acknowledge it, we will inevitably go where they have gone."-from the Preface For the many people who enjoy walking through old cemeteries, exploring forgotten and overgrown graveyards, and reading the names, dates, and epitaphs of the dead, the Chesapeake Bay region offers a rich assortment of final resting places, many dating back to the early 1600s. From Williamsburg to Havre de Grace, it is not uncommon to see a number of the living wandering among the markers of the dead. Some are genealogists and historians, others come in search of quietude and a tangible connection to the past. In The Chesapeake Book of the Dead, Helen Chappell and photographer Starke Jett survey this rich legacy, from the vast and imposing Arlington National Cemetery to lone graves so modest as to have been lost almost as soon as they were dug. Chappell and Jett visit graveyards of the famous and the obscure, wander through cemeteries dotted with both elaborate funerary and simple, weather-beaten headstones, and discover epitaphs that range from the literary to the amusing to the poignant. As old grave sites disappear under developers' bulldozers, through neglect, and at the hands of unscrupulous headstone collectors, this remarkable book offers a unique and elegiac look at our past and its tales of love and tragedy. Among the cemeteries explored are Southeast Washington's Congressional Cemetery (posthumous home to composer John Philip Sousa, FBI head J. Edgar Hoover, pioneering feminist and muckraking journalist Anne Royall, and Choctaw chief and notable military tactician Pushmataha); Baltimore's Green Mount Cemetery (built in the 1830s as Baltimore's first sylvan graveyard); and Westminster Burying Ground in downtown Baltimore. At Westminster lies the grave of Edgar Allan Poe, which a mysterious figure visits each year on Poe's birthday to leave roses and a bottle of brandy. The book also describes the final resting places for such celebrities as Dorothy Parker (Chappell located her ashes at the NAACP headquarters in Baltimore), F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald (buried in Rockville at Scott's wish, because, he insisted, "I belong here," in Maryland, "where everything is civilized and gay and rotted and polite"), and cosmopolitan actress Tallulah Bankhead (interred in a plot her sister provided near Chestertown). Included throughout this fascinating book are essays on mourning fashion and deathbed performances, graveyard ghost stories, discussions of efforts to save historic cemeteries, and notes from the diary of a nineteenth-century doctor who today is buried in Rising Sun Cemetery alongside many of his patients. Chappell's lively prose, accompanied by Jett's haunting black-and-white photographs, will delight all those drawn to the seclusion, peacefulness, and melancholy of old graveyards. Jacket illustration: Lower Hooper's Island, Maryland
£36.91
Propolis The Ballad of Syd & Morgan
A beautiful young man dressed in Cuban heels and a crushed-velvet jacket cuts a dash as he strides up Silver Street in his native Cambridge, heading for the ornate splendour of King's College. It is 1968. He is the 22 year old Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, and his destination is home to the great Edwardian novelist, 89 year old E M Forster. What follows is a tender exchange of truths between two men belonging to opposite ends of the 20th century, but who find within each other's company shadows of the same demons, loves and losses as well as the familiar weight of the creative impulse. They become unlikely comrades passing fleetingly through each other's lives. Conjuring the mischievous spirit of Pan, Haydn Middleton has created an exquisite fiction involving two towering figures of English culture. The Ballad of Syd & Morgan is a deeply moving but joyous portrait of the despair and redemption at the heart of artistic endeavour, as well as the essential solace of companionship - wherever it may be found. Exquisite.Brilliantly imagines a meeting between Syd Barrett and EM Forster.Alex Preston, The Observer cultural highlights 2018. A great vision of a meeting that could so easily have happened, making both Morgan and most importantly Syd into real people. Syd has consistently been written off as a simple acid casualty. Brain rotted by the summers of love. This humanises him and for this I'm grateful.Hank Wangford Haydn Middleton's principal challenge, in this engaging novella, is to give the hour-long imaginary encounter between a psychedelic rock god and a veteran novelist a faint sheen of plausibility... Hunkered down on either side of the crackling fire - the one sagacious and intrigued, the other nervous and deferential - novelist and disclaiming rock star soon find they have a great deal in common...The overall effect is surprisingly harmonious. The only surprise, by the end, is that a lost spoken-word collaboration isn't lying somewhere in the vaults at EMI DJ Taylor,TLS Uncannily a very, very good representation of Syd. I felt very close to him reading the book. A gentle conversation between two very interesting minds.Rosemary Breen, sister of Syd Barrett. Beautifully written, brilliant. As poignant as it is playful. Jackie McGlone, Glasgow Herald.
£11.00
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd Make Art with the Greats
What makes good art? Learn the tricks of the trade and tackle the techniques from the greatest artists from around the world with this fun activity-sketch book. Create your very own self-portrait like Picasso, collage like Matisse and understand conceptual art with thought-provoking tasks inspired by great artists. Covering everything from collage to pop art, expressionism to surrealism, this essential activity book will let you step into the shoes of the artists and learn how to master their craft. With helpful hints, tips and step-by-steps, Make Art with the Greats will help you to build your creative confidence as you explore the world’s most famous artists throughout history, from the early Renaissance to the present day. Familiarize yourself with the tricks of the trade by tackling a broad range of creative tasks and get to know the artists with a short biography and low-down on their practice. As Jackson Pollock once said,
£12.99
HarperCollins Publishers Flowerbomb!: 25 beautiful craft projects to blow your blossoms
Bring life into bloom with 25 gorgeous flower-inspired projects to make at home. Florals are a major theme in catwalk and high-street fashion, and leading stylist Hannah Read-Baldrey shows how to add a beautiful botanical touch to home decor, clothing, accessories, gifts, celebrations and more, for unique and enviable results that are very much on-trend. Split into sections Floral Home, Flower Fiesta and Floral Fashionista, Hannah brings her floral themed projects into your home, garden, parties and your wardrobe. With projects created using a combination of real flowers and various different crafting techniques including easy embroidery, simple papercraft, weaving, sugarcraft and embellishment, this is a beautiful celebration of creativity for every skill level. Projects include a pressed floral phone case; sequined bomber jacket; velvet flower crown; daisy chain necklace; tulip folk cushion; cherry blossom vase; floral bath bombs and candles; hula hoop wreath and a giant paper peony!
£13.49
Rowman & Littlefield In a League of Her Own
Some of the most influential women in sports tell their stories of courage, adversity, and triumph to trailblazer Bonnie-Jill Laflin.A half-century after Title IX legislation leveled the playing field for women and girls, the time has come to celebrate the lives and careers of some of the most notable groundbreaking women in sports, while also encouraging future generations to make history of their own. In a League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in the World of Sports shares the stories of nineteen impactful women in sports, including Billie Jean King, Danica Patrick, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Laila Ali, Rachel Luba, and Mary Lou Retton. These iconic women open up to Bonnie-Jill Laflin, herself a trailblazer as a former NBA scout and NFL cheerleader, about the sobering realities females face in the sports world and the many obstacles they had to overcome. But they also celebrate the amazing support they received from colleagues, friends, family, and the women who ca
£17.09
Familius LLC Life Without Blinders . . . Is Beautiful
If you could see without blinders, would the world look different?Thorns hurt, but they come with roses. Strings can tie down, but they keep kites up. People can look different, but their hearts beat more like ours than we’ll ever know. The trouble is, all of us wear blinders that make it hard to see what’s really true.Life Without Blinders . . . Is Beautiful is an inspiring, thought-provoking invitation to step out of the darkness and discover the abundant beauty hidden in this crazy, messy, wonderful world. Each spread features one of over thirty stirring questions accompanied by an image covered with a die-cut blinders window. Flip over the blinders window, and you’ll see what’s really true: Storm clouds are a chance to dance in the rain. Ashes lead to new birth. Strangers can be friends. Kindness comes from unlikely sources. And life can be more beautiful than you ever imagined.Even the jacket is a blinders page that can be removed.
£13.49
Bloodaxe Books Ltd In Person: 30 Poets
Thirty poets from around the world read to you in person. This is a new concept in publishing: your own personal poetry festival brought into your home. Each poet reads to you for about ten minutes - up to half a dozen poems chosen from across the range of their work. "In Person" is a collaboration between Bloodaxe Books and award-winning film-maker Pamela Robertson-Pearce. Her style of filming combines directness and simplicity, sensitivity and warmth - the perfect combination for these intimate readings. It is as if the poet were sitting in the room with you, reading just to you, and sometimes saying a few things about the poems. Apart from one recording taken from a live public performance, all the films present informal, one-to-one readings. They enhance your appreciation of the poetry. You hear how the poems sound; you see how the poets read and present their work. T.S. Eliot once described poetry as 'one person talking to another', while W.H. Auden believed it was essential to hear poetry read aloud, for 'no poem, which when mastered, is not better heard than read is good poetry'. "In Person" presents the oral art of poetry in that spirit. There are four hours of readings on two DVDs pouched inside the back cover, and all the poems are printed in this book. "In Person" celebrates 30 years of poetry from a pioneering press. Founded in 1978, Bloodaxe has published nearly a thousand titles by three hundred writers. Until now you wouldn't be able to see or hear readings by many of Bloodaxe's international range of poets. "In Person" makes that possible for the first time, presenting readings by 30 essential voices from Britain, Ireland, America, Spain, Hungary, Palestine, Pakistan, China, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Four out of the 30 short films present the poets' work bilingually. Menna Elfyn's reading alternates between her Welsh poems and their English translations. Joan Margarit reads in Catalan in tandem with his translator Anna Crowe reading her English translations. Palestinian poet Taha Muhammad Ali reads in Arabic and then re-inhabits each poem as it is read in English by his translator Peter Cole. Yang Lian introduces his work in English, and reads the poems in Chinese. This anthology presents all their poems in both languages in a parallel-text format, enabling you to follow either language as the poems are read on the film. All the other readings are in English only, and in many varieties of English which will add greatly to your enjoyment and appreciation of the poetry: not just poems read in Scottish, Welsh and Irish English by Jackie Kay, W.N. Herbert, Gwyneth Lewis, Brendan Kennelly and Micheal O'Siadhail, but also George Szirtes' Hungarian-inflected English, Benjamin Zephaniah's melding of Jamaican and Birmingham, and the Caribbean lilt of John Agard and James Berry. The musical range of American voices is just as diverse, ranging from urban Detroit (Philip Levine) to the Ozark Mountains (C.D. Wright). There's also a 'bonus track': a short film of Bloodaxe's first poet, Ken Smith, made by Ivor Bowen just before Ken's untimely death.
£12.00
Southern Illinois University Press Vicksburg Besieged
A detailed analysis of the end of the Vicksburg Campaign and the forty-day siege Vicksburg, Mississippi, held strong through a bitter, hard-fought, months-long Civil War campaign, but General Ulysses S. Grant’s forty-day siege ended the stalemate and, on July 4, 1863, destroyed Confederate control of the Mississippi River. In the first anthology to examine the Vicksburg Campaign’s final phase, nine prominent historians and emerging scholars provide in-depth analysis of previously unexamined aspects of the historic siege. Ranging in scope from military to social history, the contributors’ invitingly written essays examine the role of Grant’s staff, the critical contributions of African American troops to the Union Army of the Tennessee, both sides’ use of sharpshooters and soldiers’ opinions about them, unusual nighttime activities between the Union siege lines and Confederate defensive positions, the use of West Point siege theory and the ingenuity of Midwestern soldiers in mining tunnels under the city’s defenses, the horrific experiences of civilians trapped in Vicksburg, the failure of Louisiana soldiers’ defense at the subsequent siege of Jackson, and the effect of the campaign on Confederate soldiers from the Trans-Mississippi region. The contributors explore how the Confederate Army of Mississippi and residents of Vicksburg faced food and supply shortages as well as constant danger from Union cannons and sharpshooters. Rebel troops under the leadership of General John C. Pemberton sought to stave off the Union soldiers, and though their morale plummeted, the besieged soldiers held their ground until starvation set in. Their surrender meant that Grant’s forces succeeded in splitting in half the Confederate States of America. Editors Steven E. Woodworth and Charles D. Grear, along with their contributors—Andrew S. Bledsoe, John J. Gaines, Martin J. Hershock, Richard H. Holloway, Justin S. Solonick, Scott L. Stabler, and Jonathan M. Steplyk—give a rare glimpse into the often overlooked operations at the end of the most important campaign of the Civil War.
£24.95
HarperCollins Publishers The Hobbit Movie Trilogy Colouring Book
Journey with your favourite characters from Middle-earth in this official colouring book based on the epic film trilogy The Hobbit, directed by Peter Jackson.The Hobbit film trilogy brought J.R.R. Tolkien's incredible world of Middle-earth to life for millions of people. Now you can add your own artistic touches and explore this enchanted universe as never before.Bilbo Baggins' unexpected journey from Hobbiton to the lair of the fearsome Smaug in Erebor brought him into contact with colourful wizards, Dwarves, Elves and Men and into conflict with deadly Trolls, Goblins, Orcs and Wargs.From Gandalf, Thorin and Tauriel to the revolting Great Goblin, vicious Azog and slimy Gollum, this official colouring book depicts The Hobbit movie trilogy's heroes and villains drawn from all corners of Middle-earth, with informative descriptions of every character and accurate pictures to colour.First published in 2017, this reissue of the only authorised Hobbit colouring book heralds the coming of a b
£10.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Colouring Book
Experience your favourite characters and enchanting scenes from one of the most famous fantasy worlds ever created Middle-earth in a brilliant new way with this official colouring book based on the epic The Lord of the Rings film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.The Lord of the Rings film trilogy brought J.R.R. Tolkien's incredible world of Middle-earth to life for millions of people. Now you can add your own artistic touches and explore this enchanted universe as never before.Embark on your own colouring adventure through Middle-earth, from the peaceful Hobbit holes of the Shire to the majestic realms of Rivendell and Minas Tirith, and join in the Fellowship's terrifying journey through the mines of Moria to the unforgettable landscape of Mount Doom.As well as breathtaking scenes from the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, you can colour your favourite heroes, including Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Frodo and Sam, the majestic Galadriel and the pitiful Gollum, and iconic creatures such
£10.99
Melcher Media In the Blink of an Eye: An Autobiography
In an autobiography marked by staggering vulnerability, former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf–whose given name was Chris Jackson before converting to Islam and changing it in 1991–recounts the twists, turns, trials, and triumphs of his life. He is perhaps most well-known for being exiled from the league for praying—instead of standing and saluting the flag – during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games throughout the 1995–96 season. Abdul-Rauf’s protest sent shockwaves through the NBA that can still be felt today. With wit and candor, Abdul-Rauf tells the story of how he rose to the top of his game—only to have his career taken away in the blink of an eye when he stood up for his principles. He also recounts his experiences living with Tourette Syndrome, committing his life to the Islamic faith, and growing up estranged from his father.In the Blink of an Eye challenges readers to examine our own lives by asking what we value, how we want to be remembered, and how we can contribute to making the world a better place. Through evocative passages that place the reader in the heat of the moment as well as poignant portraits of the important people in his life, In the Blink of an Eyemust-read for anyone who has faced down adversity by standing up for the integrity of their own life, path, and identity. From his confrontations with racism—including the burning down of his house—to his difficult relationship with some of his closest family members, Adbul-Rauf reveals in intimate detail the important and inspirational, if painful, episodes that shaped his life.
£19.99
Schiffer Publishing Ltd All-Year-Round Knitting for Little Sweethearts: 68 Patterns for Everyday, Parties, and Special Times
Thrill to these 68 patterns for adorable knitted clothing designs from KlompeLompe for babies, girls, boys, men, and women. The now-world-beloved brand and style created by friends Hanne and Torunn, mothers from Norway, brims with nature-inspired and sweetly casual appeal. The patterns are perfect for each season's adventures, whether everyday, parties, or special days like back to school, christenings, Easter, and Christmas. For winter walks in the woods with pockets full of pine cones, the Winter Pine Cone Pants are just the thing. Make the play-perfect Balloon rompers, which are nice with bare feet and suntanned skin but can also be worn with tights and a thin undershirt on colder days. The Winter-Fine Overalls are so comfy for crawling around in. The Summer-Sweet Skirt has a classic silhouette, and mother and daughter can have matching skirts. Or how about stylish matching Easter sweaters for the whole family? These patterns offer sizes for babies through 24 months, for boys and girls all the way up to age 14, and for adults—because what's more fun than matching or coordinating your loved ones' outfits? A handy 1-through-3 difficulty rating is included for the projects, and most patterns are at level 2. If you want to make a quick and easy project, look for level 1. If you have time for something a little more challenging, go to level 3. Your little sweethearts will never look sweeter. Patterns include Accessories, Coverlets, Dresses and Skirts, Caps and Headbands, Mittens, Socks, and Scarves, Pants, Pullovers, Sweater-Jackets, and Cardigans.
£25.19
Stackpole Books Knits for Teens: 16 Contemporary Designs in Cascade Yarns for Junior Sizes 3 to 15
Teens have a unique fashion outlook, prizing both comfort and style, and the 16 pieces in this knitwear collection meet those high standards. The sweaters, jackets, dresses, tops, and skirts are all easy to wear, versatile pieces that will become instant favorites. A size range from Juniors 3 to 15 ensure a great fit for most teens. With lots of photos, the book looks like a magazine fashion spread--let your teen make their selections and then personalize with color choice. All pieces are knit in Cascade Yarns, which have dozens of colors to choose from. Enjoy knitting something your teen will love--or maybe even teach her to knit it herself!
£22.46
WW Norton & Co Mayakovsky's Revolver: Poems
At the center of Mayakovsky’s Revolver is the suicide of Matthew Dickman’s older brother. “Known for poems of universality of feeling, expressive lyricism of reflection, and heartrending allure” (Major Jackson), Dickman is a powerful poet whose new collection explores how to persevere in the wake of grief. from “Mayakovsky’s Revolver” I keep thinking about the way blackberries will make the mouth of an eight year old look like he’s a ghost that’s been shot in the face. In the dark I can see my older brother walking through the tall brush of his brain. I can see him standing in the lobby of the hotel, alone, crying along with the ice machine.
£19.03
Kensington Publishing Scheming For Love
Gloria Parker is the proud mother of two and the wife of a hardworking man. Although her job is a dangerous one, she would never do anything to risk losing her family - until she falls for a man named Raymond Jackson. She was supposed to kill him, but now that she can''t resist him, all that she holds dear will be placed in jeopardy. With the Italian Mob on her heels, Charlotte Police Department out for blood, and a husband who''s willing to do anything to get his wife back, Gloria is thrown yet another curve. Her fate is placed in the hands of the one person she''s most unsure of.
£14.99
Rockpool Publishing Immortals of Australian Rugby Union
Hardcover and jacket gift book which names a best of the best 15-strong line-up of Australian rugby union players. Each Immortal player named is profiled in a dedicated chapter with career stats and multiple action images. There is also a group of honourable mentions and an Immortals Wallaby side. Features 100 photographs and key statistics. The Immortals of Australian Rugby Union celebrates the greatest players to wear the green and gold for the Wallabies. It takes the Immortals concept made famous elsewhere in the sporting world and applies it to the 15-playergame. Gordon Bray, the voice of rugby in Australia, chooses his XV Immortals, telling the remarkable stories behind pioneering and modern-day Wallabies.
£19.80
Cicerone Press The Ridgeway Map Booklet: 1:25,000 OS Route Mapping
A booklet of all the mapping needed to complete the Ridgeway National Trail between Avebury in Wiltshire and Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. Covering 139km (87 miles), this mostly low-level route is suitable for all abilities and takes 6 to 9 days to hike. The full route line is shown on 1:25,000 OS maps The map booklet can be used to walk the trail in either direction Sized to easily fit in a jacket pocket Detours and diversions to nearby historical and archaeological sites are also provided An accompanying Cicerone guidebook – Walking the Ridgeway – is also available, which includes a copy of this map booklet The relevant extract from the OS Explorer map legend is included
£9.16
V & A Publishing 80s Fashion: From Club to Catwalk
This exciting book explores one of the most diverse and innovative periods in British fashion and showcases the work of some of the decade's leading designers - including Betty Jackson, Leigh Bowery, John Galliano, Body Map, Vivienne Westwood and many others. Highlighting the decade's extraordinarily creative interaction between fashion and popular music, the book shows how both catwalk and club fashions were interpreted for a wider audience through the striking photography and innovative graphic designs of key magazines. 80s Fashion includes interviews and original archive material from practitioners such as Wendy Dagworthy and Paul Smith that casts new light on the designs of the decade.
£17.99
Cicerone Press Hadrian's Wall Path Map Booklet: 1:25,000 OS Route Mapping
All the mapping you need to walk the 84 mile (135km) Hadrian's Wall Path from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend, Newcastle. This booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer maps has been designed for convenient use on the trail. It shows the full and up-to-date line of the Hadrian's Wall Path, along with the relevant extract from the OS Explorer map legend. It can be used when walking the trail west-east or east-west, and includes an extension to the east coast at South Shields. It is conveniently sized for slipping into a jacket pocket or top of a rucksack. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail.
£12.95
Transworld The Deceiver
Former RAF pilot and investigative journalist Frederick Forsyth defined the modern thriller when he wrote The Day of the Jackal, described by Lee Child as the book that broke the mould', with its lightning-paced storytelling, effortlessly cool reality and unique insider information. Since then, he has written thirteen novels which have been bestsellers around the world: The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fourth Protocol, The Negotiator, The Deceiver, The Fist of God, Icon, Avenger, The Afghan, The Cobra, The Kill List and The Fox. He has also published an autobiography, The Outsider. He lives in Buckinghamshire, England.
£9.99
Great Plains Publications Ltd Will: Stories
Will is Shane Neilson’s debut collection of short fiction. The book ranges from straightforward East Coast depictions of alcoholism and frustrated farming told in dense, lyric prose, to experimental works that play overtly with language and form. In Will, a boy is beaten by his father; another father cares for his epileptic son; an anesthetist addicted to sevoflurane ponders the works of Michael Jackson; Vladimir Nabokov takes a writer-in-residence position at Memorial University of Newfoundland; and World War I poet John McCrae dies. And yes, there is a hockey story. Individual stories have appeared widely in magazines including Queen’s Quarterly, The Malahat Review, Fiddlehead, Geist, and The Canadian Medical Association Journal, among others.
£17.95
Scholastic x Grammar and Punctuation Practice Ages 7-8
Subject: Grammar and Punctuation Type: Workbook Ages: 7-8 "Love this book. Great help for teaching support for my 8 year old Year 3 child." T. Jackson, Amazon customer This workbook helps to break down the skills children need to master to meet their curriculum objectives in a clear and fuss-free way. It supports children to develop their grammar and punctuation skills through fun and engaging activities Practice activities to use at home or in school Matched to National Curriculum requirements Quickly builds confidence and understanding Includes extra notes and tips to reinforce skills All answers available online Please visit www.scholastic.co.uk/learn-at-home for more information and to see other titles in this series.
£7.21
Vintage Publishing Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging
From Afua Hirsch - co-presenter of Samuel L. Jackson's major BBC TV series Enslaved - the Sunday Times bestseller that reveals the uncomfortable truth about race and identity in Britain today.You're British.Your parents are British.Your partner, your children and most of your friends are British.So why do people keep asking where you're from?We are a nation in denial about our imperial past and the racism that plagues our present. Brit(ish) is Afua Hirsch's personal and provocative exploration of how this came to be - and an urgent call for change.'The book for our divided and dangerous times'David Olusoga
£11.55
Little, Brown Book Group Ashes Reborn
The clock is ticking as Emberly - a phoenix capable of taking human form - races to take revenge against the sadistic and mysterious Rinaldo. The elusive rebel leader threatens to keep killing until he is given all of the research about a plaguelike virus derived from vampire blood.Forced to reach out to the Paranormal Investigations Team for help, Emberly and her partner, Jackson, must decide who to trust as they follow the trail of dead bodies. When classified information is leaked and their safe house is ambushed, Emberly's suspicions are confirmed - someone at PIT has betrayed them. A final battle looms and Emberly will need to command all her powers - or watch the world turn to ash...
£9.04
Penguin Random House Children's UK Wereworld: Shadow of the Hawk (Book 3)
SOON TO BE A MAJOR ANIMATED NETFLIX SERIES!Enslaved by the Goatlord Kesslar, young werewolf Drew Ferran finds himself on the volcanic isle of Scoria, forced to fight in the arena for the Lizardlords. With the help of an unlikely ally, he must find a way to break free from an island no one has ever escaped.Meanwhile, Hector the Wereboar flees the forces of the Catlords on the pirate ship Maelstrom. With the enemy's net closing in and haunted by the spirits of the dead, Hector is left wondering who the true enemy is . . .Discover the page-turning Wereworld series, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Skandar and Artemis Fowl.'Epic' - Guardian'Unpredictable, exciting - hugely recommended' - Bookbag
£8.42
DK Children's Book of Art
Go on an artistic journey around the world in this children’s introduction.Discover the power of art and be inspired by cultures from all over the world with this extensive children’s guide. This book is the perfect introduction for young readers to the world of art and celebrates different styles from every continent!Children aged 9+ can enjoy reading about early art right through to present day, and learn about the fascinating lives and achievements of great artists and sculptors, from Leonardo da Vinci to Tracey Emin and Henry Moore. All the essential information about art is covered, including the major movements, artists from around the world and techniques.This art book for children offers: - Chapters which cover a huge range of artistic styles, from the very first cave paintings to contemporary art installations.- Profiles of influential artists from Katsushika Hokusai to Jackson Pollock.- A focus on key techniques and the famous artists who used them.Fun activities to create frescoes and sculptures for yourself. Children’s Book of Art is full of facts and photos highlighting artistic styles from across the globe, from the very earliest cave paintings through to Renaissance art and surrealism, via China’s terracotta army and African sculptors. Plus, there are fun activities and projects so children can create their own works of art – making it the perfect gift for budding painters and sculptors.More in the seriesThe Children’s Book of series inspires young learners to dive into their favorite topic and immerse themselves in the ins and outs, from fun facts to experts in the field. If you liked Children’s Book of Art, then why not try the guide for budding musicians, Children’s Book of Music?
£24.99
teNeues Publishing UK Ltd Namibia
With a booming economy and stable democracy, things are going well in Namibia. Tourism plays a huge role in the country, with some 1.5 million travellers visiting each year to explore and enjoy the country’s phenomenal landscapes, wildlife, natural history, and its immense sense of space. This breathtaking Namibia book by New York Times-acclaimed photographer Michael Poliza captures some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, from the highest star dunes in the world around Sossusvlei to the NamibRand Nature Reserve, the Kalahari Desert, and the granite peaks of the Spitzkoppe. Taken from both the ground and the air, more than 100 photographs present the country’s nature and wildlife, as well as its indigenous peoples and their ways of life as cattle breeders and smallholder farmers. Poliza’s photographs also reveal the astonishing life of the desert, especially after rare rain fall. Oryx antelopes, jackals and meerkats, ostriches and springboks are there, where incredible plants also sprout up and in turn attract their predators; Namibia is also home to the “Big Five”: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhino, all sharing what little there is to go around in this arid, extraordinary, and delicate ecosystem. Text in English, German and French.
£75.48
Three Rooms Press Nirvana Is Here: A Novel
WINNER, BRONZE MEDAL, FOREWORD REVIEWS 2019 INDIE AWARD For Best LGBTQ+ Fiction For Ari Silverman, the past has never really passed. After 20 years, the trauma from a childhood assault resurfaces as he grapples with the fate of his ex-husband, a colleague accused of sexually harassing a student. To gain perspective, Ari arranges to reconnect with his high school crush, Justin Jackson, a bold step which forces him to reflect on their relationship in the segregated suburbs of Detroit during the 1990s and the secrets they still share. An honest story about recovery and coping with both past and present, framed by the meteoric rise and fall of the band Nirvana and the wide-reaching scope of the #metoo movement, Nirvana is Here explores issues of identity, race, sex, and family with both poignancy and unexpected humor. Deftly told intertwining stories with rich, real characters are reminiscent of the sensuality and haunting nostalgia of André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name blended with the raw emotion of Kurt Cobain’s lyrics. Written by award-winning writer Aaron Hamburger, Nirvana Is Here is “a wonder of a book,” according to acclaimed novelist Lauren Grodstein (Our Short History). “As a Jewish Gen-Xer, the novel reminded me exactly of who I once was—and all that I still want to be. . . . a brilliant accomplishment.”
£14.42
Mercer University Press St. Simons Island: A Stella Bankwell Mystery
Stella Bankwell has suddenly found herself in a ""heap of trouble"" in the words of her mountain people. Ten years ago, the charming redhead was a sports marketing executive when she married unforeseen trouble, Asher Bankwell, who is descended from old Atlanta money and prestige. After public humiliation in front of Atlanta's snootiest at a black-tie gala, Stella is banished from high society. Running away to her childhood mountain home and her Mama's consoling, she soon heads for St. Simons Island where the sea and her best friend, Marlo, offer peace and calm. But there on her beloved island, Stella finds herself embroiled in a mystery that includes murder and money laundering. Simply trying to escape her scandalous embarrassment and an unhappy marriage, she's now facing real trouble: Possible federal indictments leading to a murder and serious danger for Stella. With the help of her best friend, Chatty (Chatham Balsam Colquitt IV, the only good that came from her marriage to Asher), who has followed her to his second home on adjoining Sea Island; former Governor McCager Burnett (Chatty's Sea Island neighbor); and U.S. Marshal Jackson (Pepper) Culpepper, they set out to solve a mystery that, most surely, will send a deep rattling through the columned, brick mansions of Atlanta's exclusive Buckhead.
£24.26
Random House USA Inc What Pet Should I Get?
Pick a pet with Dr. Seuss with this bestselling and silly tail of cats, dogs and more! A dog or a cat? A fish or a bird? Or maybe a crazy creature straight from the mind of Dr. Seuss! Which pet would YOU get? A trip to the pet store turns into a hilarious struggle when two kids must choose one pet to take home... but everytime they think they see an animal they like, they find something even better! Perfect for animal lovers and Seuss lover alike, this book will delight readers young and old. Discovered 22 years after Dr. Seuss's death, the unpublished manuscript and sketches for What Pet Should I Get? were previously published as a 48-page jacketed hardcover with 8 pages of commentary. This unjacketed Beginner Book edition features the story only. The cat? Or the dog? The kitten? The pup? Oh, boy! It is something to make a mind up. Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7.
£17.99
Random House USA Inc What Pet Should I Get?
Pick a pet with Dr. Seuss with this bestselling and silly tail of cats, dogs and more! A dog or a cat? A fish or a bird? Or maybe a crazy creature straight from the mind of Dr. Seuss! Which pet would YOU get? A trip to the pet store turns into a hilarious struggle when two kids must choose one pet to take home... but everytime they think they see an animal they like, they find something even better! Perfect for animal lovers and Seuss lover alike, this book will delight readers young and old. Discovered 22 years after Dr. Seuss's death, the unpublished manuscript and sketches for What Pet Should I Get? were previously published as a 48-page jacketed hardcover with 8 pages of commentary. This unjacketed Beginner Book edition features the story only. The cat? Or the dog? The kitten? The pup? Oh, boy! It is something to make a mind up. Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7.
£9.99
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Playing Politics with Terrorism: A User's Guide
While governments are obliged to protect society and bring terrorists to justice, their effectiveness in tackling terrorism without undermining the support of the population for law and order or jeopardising basic liberties is paramount. In dealing with extremism, governments have found it difficult to balance the imperatives of security and the rights of liberty. That said, neither lethargy nor hysteria is conducive to ensuring national security. Rather, steely determination grounded in facts and sound judgments about the challenges confronting us are required.The exaggeration by governments of a terrorist threat in order to sustain a credible anti-terrorism narrative, to manipulate public opinion, to push through draconian legislation or even to win elections are not novelties of the post-9/11 world, but as the contributors to this book point out, governments in many countries, from Putin's Russia and Fujimori's Peru to Italy in the 1970s, have stumbled towards repressing the very liberty and democratic culture which the terrorists seek to destroy.It includes contributors such as: Paul Wilkinson (St Andrews), Leonard Weinberg (Nevada), John Mueller (Ohio), Richard Drake (Montana), Martin Miller (Duke), Jonathan Stevenson (Naval War College), Jo-Marie Burt (George Mason), Javier Jordan (Granada), Robert Saunders (New York), William Eubank (Nevada), Richard Jackson (Manchester), Chris Michaelsen (OSCE), and Nicola Horsburg (King's College).
£17.99
Peepal Tree Press Ltd The Heart of It
Personal heartbreak and public trauma are united in this haunting new collection from Seni Seneviratne. Her poems are both personal, enchanting lyrics of desire and political portrayals of life that has been marginalised, brutalised and lost. Each poem here catches a sadness, sometimes with the twist of a knife. Yet the sudden twists of anger and tragedy are cradled in compassion, acceptance and transcendence, and the overall effect is both compelling and soothing. The Heart of It is a tender, moving collection, full of passionate intensity and an unswerving faith in the power of reconciliation and love."These tender, moving poems weave a delicate web." – Jackie KaySeni Seneviratne was born and raised in Leeds, of English and Sri Lankan heritage. Her debut collection, Wild Cinnamon and Winter Skin, was published by Peepal Tree Press in 2007, and includes a poem which was Highly Commended by the judges in the Forward Poetry Prize. Her work was showcased in the groundbreaking Bloodaxe anthology Ten: New Poets from Spread the Word in 2010, championed by Carol Ann Duffy. Her poem 'Operation Cast Lead' was shortlisted in the 2010 Arvon International Poetry Competition. She has given readings, performances and workshops in the UK, the US, Canada, South Africa and Egypt.
£8.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Square Peg, Round Ball: Football, TV and Me: Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023 - SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR 'What Ned hasn’t seen on a sports TV channel isn’t worth knowing about.' Gabby Logan 'From falling out with Mourinho to flying with Gerrard, this is a wonderful journey through football.' Henry Winter Square Peg, Round Ball is a candid, insightful reminiscence on a life in football. Although best known as ITV's commentator on the Tour de France, Ned Boulting has spent most of his professional life covering football. Follow Ned's journey from football supporter to reporter – from criss-crossing the country in a banger of a car hoping for a word or two from the latest big signing, to the glamour of the Champions League. Ned really has been there, done that, and got the Sky Sports jacket to prove it. Witnessing the shenanigans, the machinations and the idiocy of football at close quarters Ned shares his best stories with affection. Whether it's treading mud into Steven Gerrard's pristine white carpets, or nearly being pushed into oncoming traffic by a menacing Vinnie Jones, or being chased away from Roman Abramovich's house by some scary looking men on quadbikes – Ned has made a fool of himself to bring us the best tales from his experiences in 90s and 2000s football.
£10.99
Headline Publishing Group Edge Of Danger: Deadly Ops 4 (A series of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat suspense)
Danger. Thrills. Action. Suspense. No holds barred in New York Times bestseller Katie Reus's Deadly Ops series. Fans of Karen Rose, Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner and Julie Garwood - be prepared for Deadly Ops.'Fast-paced romantic suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat' Cynthia EdenIt's been the week from hell for undercover agent Tucker Pankov. With his boss murdered and his elite team stripped of their top-security privileges, it's clear they're targets of an elaborate plot. Tucker has one shot to uncover the truth - so he kidnaps the only woman who can save them.National Security Agent Karen Stafford is at the top of her game. Fiercely independent, she refuses to be told what to do. But when Tucker is framed for a fatal terrorist attack she believes in his innocence and is determined to clear his name.As the investigation heats up, so does Tucker and Karen's powerful chemistry. But this conspiracy runs terrifyingly deep. Their enemies are dangerously close - putting any chance of a life together in lethal jeopardy...Don't stop here - check out Katie Reus's other Deadly Ops novels: Targeted, Bound to Danger, Shattered Duty, Chasing Danger, Edge of Danger and A Covert Affair.
£10.04
Little, Brown & Company Sidelined
Julian Jackson has a short to-do list for his senior year at Crenshaw County High School in Meridien, Texas: football, football, and more football. He knows he's only got one chance to earn a college scholarship and make it out of his small town, and keeping his head down, his grades up, and his cleats on the field is that one chance. And then Elijah Vance walks back into his life, throwing all of his carefully-laid plans into a tailspin.Elijah and Julian used to be best friends, maybe even on their way to something more than just friends. But three years ago, Elijah broke into the school to steal money from the coach's office, and Julian was the one who turned him in. After that, Elijah and his family disappeared without a trace. And now he's back, sitting at Julian's grandmother's kitchen table. But time and distance haven't erased all of their feelings, and Elijah knows that he finally has a chance to prove to Julian that he's not the same person he was three years ago. But with secrets still growing between them and an uncertain future barreling towards them, it may be harder to lean on each other than they thought.
£14.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Austerity Britain, 1945-1951
For the first time, the Sunday Times bestseller Austerity Britain is available in one complete paperback volume. Coursing through Austerity Britain is an astonishing variety of voices - vivid, unselfconscious, and unaware of what the future holds. A Chingford housewife endures the tribulations of rationing; a retired schoolteacher observes during a royal visit how well-fed the Queen looks; a pernickety civil servant in Bristol is oblivious to anyone's troubles but his own. An array of working-class witnesses describe how life in post-war Britain is, with little regard for liberal niceties or the feelings of their 'betters'. Many of these voices will stay with the reader in future volumes, jostling alongside well-known figures like John Arlott (here making his first radio broadcast, still in police uniform), Glenda Jackson (taking the 11+) and Doris Lessing, newly arrived from Africa, struck by the levelling poverty of postwar Britain. David Kynaston weaves a sophisticated narrative of how the victorious 1945 Labour government shaped the political, economic and social landscape for the next three decades.Deeply researched, often amusing and always intensely entertaining and readable, the first volume of David Kynaston's ambitious history offers an entirely fresh perspective on Britain during those six momentous years.
£16.99
John Wiley & Sons Inc Black Stars of the Civil Rights Movement
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY COMES TO LIFE Discover why young people all over the country are reading the Black Stars biographies of African American heroes. Here is what you want to know about the lives of brave black men and women during the Civil Rights Movement: LOUIS "SATCHMO" ARMSTRONG MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE MAJOR GENERAL BENJAMIN O. DAVIS JR. W. E. B. DU BOIS LIEUTENANT HENRY O. FLIPPER MARCUS GARVEY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. THURGOOD MARSHALL ROSA PARKS ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR. PHILIP RANDOLPH PAUL ROBESON JACKIE ROBINSON BOOKER T. WASHINGTON IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT CARTER G. WOODSON WHITNEY M. YOUNG JR. "The books in the Black Stars series are the types of books that would have really captivated me as a kid."—Earl G. Graves, Black Enterprise magazine "Inspiring stories that demonstrate what can happen when ingenuity and tenacity are paired with courage and hard work."—Black Books Galore! Guide to Great African American Children's Books "Haskins has chosen his subjects well . . . catching a sense of the enormous obstacles they had to overcome. . . . Some names are familiar, but most are little-known whom Haskins elevates to their rightful place in history."—Booklist "The broad coverage makes this an unusual resource–a jumping-off point for deeper studies."—Horn Book
£13.99
Yale University Press A Darkly Radiant Vision: The Black Social Gospel in the Shadow of MLK
The third and final volume in the first comprehensive history of Black social Christianity, by the “greatest theological ethicist of the twenty-first century” (Michael Eric Dyson) The Black social gospel is a tradition of unsurpassed and ongoing importance in American life, argues Gary Dorrien in his groundbreaking trilogy on the history of Black social Christianity. This concluding volume, an interpretation of the tradition since the early 1970s, follows Dorrien’s award-winning The New Abolition: W. E. B. Du Bois and the Black Social Gospel and Breaking White Supremacy: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Social Gospel. Beginning in the shadow of Martin Luther King Jr., Dorrien examines the past fifty years of this intellectual and activist tradition, interpreting its politics, theology, ethics, social criticism, and social justice organizing. He argues that Black social Christianity is today an intersectional tradition of discourse and activist religion that interrelates liberation theology, womanist theology, antiracist politics, LGBTQ+ theory, cultural criticism, progressive religion, broad-based interfaith organizing, and global solidarity politics. A Darkly Radiant Vision features in-depth discussions of Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, Samuel DeWitt Proctor, Gayraud Wilmore, James Cone, Cornel West, Katie Geneva Cannon, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Traci Blackmon, William J. Barber II, Raphael G. Warnock, and many others.
£40.00
HarperCollins Publishers Peggy Guggenheim: The Life of an Art Addict
The wayward life (1898–1979) of the voracious art collector and great female patron of world-famous artists. ‘Mrs Guggenheim, how many husbands have you had?’ ‘Do you mean my own, or other people’s?’ Peggy Guggenheim was an American millionairess art collector and legendary lover, whose father died on the Titanic returning from installing the lift machinery in the Eiffel Tower. She lived in Paris in the 1930s and got to know all the major artists – especially the Surrealists. (Later she bullied Max Ernst into marrying her, but was snubbed by Picasso.) When the Second World War broke out, she bought great numbers of paintings from artists fleeing to America; as a Jew she escaped from Vichy France and set up in New York, where in the 1940s and 50s she befriended and encouraged the New York School (Jackson Pollock, Rothko, etc.) Her emotional life was in constant turmoil – a life of booze, bed and bohemia (mostly rich bohemia). Her favourite husband was a drunken English dilettante writer called Lawrence Vail, but she bedded many others, including Samuel Beckett. Later she moved to Venice, where her memory is enshrined in the world-famous palazzo that houses her Guggenheim Collection.
£17.09
Amphorae Publishing Group, LLC Jordan Version 3.2
If you knew a dark secret about the one you love, something they don’ t even know, would you keep it from them? Or would you tell them?When a young man wakes in the middle of the ocean, he has no memory. His ability to read has been erased. The cryptic words “ Anag. Norisis, Inc.” written on his life jacket are beyond his comprehension.He discovers a raft rigged with hidden cameras and survives to reach an island whose inhabitants have formed two tribes. Determined to learn who he is and who put him on the island, he befriends reclusive Aleah who tells him she’ s lived alone for years. He suspects she’ s withholding some deeper truth from him. But why?Drawn together by desire and danger, he and Aleah overthrow the island’ s brutal leader in order to escape. Only once they discover the mainland, everything he’ s learned about himself is turned upside down. The world they’ d hoped to find has become something unimaginable, and in that world, their love will face its ultimate test.An epic love story of truth and survival, Jordan Version 3.2 challenges us to consider the essence of our passions, the power of language in shaping who we are, and the nature of what it means to be human.
£15.95
Quadrille Publishing Ltd Sewing the Curve: Learn How to Sew Clothes to Boost Your Wardrobe and Your Confidence
Learn to sew a wardrobe of confidence-boosting clothes with Sewing the Curve, even if you've never picked up a needle before! When you're curvy or plus size, it can be hard finding clothes that fit well and express your personality – but learning to sew can also be intimidating, especially if you're not in the size range of most beginner sewing patterns. In Sewing the Curve, Jenny Rushmore, the body-positive, plus-size founder of Cashmerette, will have you sewing fantastic clothes – that fit! – in no time, with 6 full-size sewing patterns (UK sizes 16–36/US size 12–32/EUR sizes 44–64) including a wrap skirt, swing dress, quilted jacket and knit pants, to learn with. Start with core skills, from threading a sewing machine, to understanding sewing patterns, and measuring yourself accurately, and then once you've mastered the basic techniques, learn how to put them to the test, and sew your first garment – one you will love to wear, because it's designed for bodies just like yours. By the end of this book, you'll be able to sew clothes with ease and confidence, in any style or fabric, that fit and express your unique style. Sewing the Curve is the perfect companion for Jenny Rushmore's plus size fitting bible, Ahead of the Curve.
£28.80
Nosy Crow Ltd Earth Heroes: Twenty Inspiring Stories of People Saving Our World
Related teaching resource pack available on the Nosy Crow website. When faced with climate change, the biggest threat that our planet has ever confronted, it's easy to feel as if nothing you do can really make a difference . . . but this book proves that individual people can change the world. With twenty inspirational stories celebrating the pioneering work of a selection of Earth Heroes from all around the globe, from Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough to Yin Yuzhen and Isatou Ceesay, each tale is a beacon of hope in the fight for the future of our planet, proving that one person, no matter how small, can make a difference. Featuring striking illustrations by Jackie Lay, Earth Heroes contains twenty stories, including the following: Mohammed Rezwan, architect behind Bangladesh's pioneering floating school scheme; Greta Thunberg, Swedish teen striking to raise awareness of climate change; Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski, Australian inventors of the Seabin; Isatou Ceesay, Gambian innovator turning waste into wealth for her community and Stella McCartney, British designer fighting for sustainable fashion. "If you want to know what to do in the face of the crisis, read this book! It's full of inspiring ideas" - Emma Thompson
£9.99
Quercus Publishing The Hungry Student Vegetarian Cookbook
Get top marks in the kitchen, with over 130 easy, cheap and delicious vegetarian recipes for students.Never mind essays and exams - one of the biggest challenges you'll face at university is fending for yourself in the kitchen, especially if you're vegetarian. The Hungry Student Vegetarian Cookbook will take you from freshers' week to graduation, all on a seriously tight budget. You'll never have to resort to a can of baked beans again! Whether you want a simple dinner, a quick lunch between lectures, exam fuel or a slap-up meal to impress your housemates, these easy-to-follow recipes are designed specially for students and include all your favourites. Enjoy veggie lasagne, bolognese, fajitas and chilli, as well as ideas for soups, casseroles, pasta bakes, jacket potatoes and homemade dips. Plus morning-after breakfasts and simple but knockout desserts and sweet treats, such as chocolate fudge brownies, sticky toffee pudding and lemon cheesecake. With photographs to show what you're aiming at, advice on equipment and stocking your cupboard (even in a tiny shared kitchen!), and essential hints and tips - including how not to poison your friends - you won't want to leave home without The Hungry Student Vegetarian Cookbook.
£12.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC PJ Harvey's Rid of Me: A Story
'Songs are there for the people, to be used by people, in any way they want to use them.' (Polly Jean Harvey, 1993) This book takes Polly Jean at her word. Kate Schatz puts together a collection of stories that is weird, dark, and seductive in its portrayals of women, kidnapping, love, sex, isolation and power. Each story begins and ends with the first and last line of each song, and many of the remaining song lyrics will appear throughout each piece. Rid of Me lends itself easily and readily to a literary interpretation. Musically, apt comparisons have been made to everything from Beefheart and Patti Smith to vintage Delta Blues and Celtic punk. But lyrically and emotionally, Rid of Me deserves other comparisons: there is the gothic horror of Shirley Jackson and Poe, the confessional pain of Plath, the carnality of NiN, and the sardonic wit of Dorothy Parker. Harvey employs specific literary devices: repetition and allusion as well as recurring tropes, themes and images (size/measurements, bleeding, desire, body parts, skin) and a penchant for myth and archetypes (fire, hair, hands, Mary, the moon, queens, kings). Schatz does the same. The 33 1/3 series is acclaimed for experimenting with different ways of writing about music. This book will bolster that reputation further.
£9.99
Faber & Faber Neighbors and Other Stories (Faber Editions): Introduced by Tayari Jones
AS CELEBRATED ON BBC FRONT ROW'This breathtaking collection is a marvel.' Tayari Jones'Astute, brilliantly observed, timeless:' Jackie Kay'Exquisite ... These stories are all gems.' Mendez'You hold your breath, completely at her mercy.' Lucy CaldwellAnd she was becoming frightened too, looking at all those white faces pressed against the windowpanes.One Black family comes under attack as their little boy prepares to start at an all-white school.Friends plan a protest sit-in at the Rose Crest Tea Room, only to be arrested.The first Black student - always the 'Experiment' - retreats into her closet at a newly integrated college.And when a social worker enters a secluded woodland cabin, she meets the fate of all visitors . . .Tragically killed aged twenty-two in 1966, Diane Oliver's masterly stories resonate today with renewed urgency. Steeped in the nightmarish horror of life for the Black community in the Jim Crow-era American South, these chilling tales explore toxic racism and the human toll of activism for 'the cause' with heartbreaking empathy and wisdom. Depicting African American families whole and broken, daily injustices and life-threatening political struggle, Neighbors restores a lost star to the twentieth-century literary canon.
£9.99
Faber & Faber Two Besides: A Pair of Talking Heads
Two brand-new monologues in the Talking Heads series, as seen on BBC1 and iPlayer 'Given the opportunity to revisit the characters from Talking Heads I've added a couple more, both of them ordinary women whom life takes by surprise. They just about end up on top and go on, but without quite knowing how. Still, they're in good company, and at least they've made it into print.' Alan Bennett's twelve Talking Heads are acknowledged masterworks by one of our most highly acclaimed writers. Some thirty years after the original six, Bennett has written Two Besides, a pair of monologues. Each, in its way, is a devastating portrait of grief. In An Ordinary Woman, a mother suffers the inevitable consequences when she makes life intolerable for herself and her family by falling for her own flesh and blood; while The Shrine tells the story behind a makeshift roadside shrine, introducing us to Lorna, bearing witness in her high-vis jacket, the bereft partner of a dedicated biker with a surprising private life. The two new Talking Heads were recorded for the BBC during the exceptional circumstances of coronavirus lockdown in the spring of 2020, directed by Nicholas Hytner and performed by Sarah Lancashire and Monica Dolan.The book contains a substantial preface by Nicholas Hytner and an introduction to each, by Alan Bennett.
£7.99