Search results for ""MACMILLAN""

Crack the case with the InvestiGators! Join Mango and Brash in InvestiGators Heist and Seek for another wacky adventure in the laugh-out-loud full colour comic book series by John Patrick Green, perfect for fans of Bunny vs Monkey. **Don't miss Mango and Brash in their World Book Day adventure - High Rise Hijinks!**'Fast, fabulous, and fantastically funny, the InvestiGators books are instant classics!' - Jamie Smart, creator of Bunny vs Monkey.When rare paintings go missing, the InvestiGators are called to the scene . . . the ART SCENE! Mango and Brash have to go undercover as famous painters to expose a crook who has truly mastered the art of crime!Can they recover the missing masterpieces and save the art museum’s fundraising gala before it's too late. . . and they run out of appetizers?The InvestiGators series is a hit with readers of all ages and covers positive themes like:- Fun teamwork- Never giving up- Pesky problem-solvingCollect all the books in the hilarious series of graphic novels for kids! InvestiGators, InvestiGators: Take the Plunge, InvestiGators: Off the Hook and tons more – and don't miss Agents of S.U.I.T., the spin off series featuring Mango and Brash's colourful coworkers!

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Dorian Lynskey writes about music, film, books and politics for publications including The Guardian, The Observer, the New Statesman, GQ, Billboard, Empire, and Mojo. His first book was 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs. A study of thirty-three pivotal songs with a political message, it was NME's Book of the Year and a 'Music Book of the Year' in The Daily Telegraph. His second book, The Ministry of Truth: A Biography of George Orwell's 1984, was longlisted for both the Baillie Gifford Prize and the Orwell Prize. He hosts the podcasts 'Origin Story' and 'Oh God, What Now?'.

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From Arree Chung, the creator of the award-winning Mixed, this second title about Mixed City takes the Colours in a new direction . . .When Colours of different kinds fall in love they mix, creating families that come in every possible combination of colour, shape, and size. But sometimes their feelings change, and change in a family isn't always easy. It can be especially hard for young ones to accept and get used to, and it might make them feel worried, anxious or sad.An inspiring, uplifting story Remixed celebrates the strength of remixed families and the beauty of chosen families, while reassuring young children that while change is scary, everything usually turns out just as ok as it was before, and sometimes even better.

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'A surprising, thoughtful and deeply personal exploration of what it means to be a sociopath.' – Pandora Sykes'A fascinating memoir' - Stylist magazine'Addictively page-turning' - The TelegraphSociopath: A Memoir is at once a jaw-dropping tale of a life lived on the edge of the law, and a moving account of one woman's battle to gain a deeper understanding of people who, like her, are sociopaths.'Your friends would probably describe me as nice. But guess what? I can't stand your friends. I'm a liar. I'm a thief. I'm highly manipulative. I don't care what other people think. I'm capable of almost anything.'Ever since she was a small child, Patric Gagne knew she was different. Although she felt intense love for her family and her best friend, David, these connections were never enough to make her be 'good', or to reduce her f

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Inspired by the true story of Bethnall Green Library.When the Blitz threatens the heart of a London neighbourhood, three young women must use their fighting spirit to keep their community together in this heartwarming novel from the author of The Kitchen Front and The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle.On the day Juliet Lansdown reports to work for the first time at Bethnal Green Library, it isn’t the bustling hub she’s been expecting. But, in the face of German attacks, she’s intent on making it a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library, too, though she’s only there until she heads off to university in autumn. But, after the death of her sweetheart on the front line and some unexpected family strife, she’s more in need of support herself.Sofie Baumann, a Jewish refugee without any family to lean on, finds comfort and friendship in Bethnal Green&rsquo

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The Forgotten Tower is a mesmerising gothic mystery about a castle full of dark secrets and buried history, from Sunday Times top ten bestselling author Lulu Taylor.Georgie is reluctant to move when her husband inherits Wakefield Castle, but he is determined to restore its fortunes. When exploring her new home she finds an old handwritten recipe book which leads her to suspect that the castle hides secrets as troubling as her own . . .In 1939, as war is declared, the Wakefield family open the castle to shelter unusual guests. As the Wakefield children learn to cope with the loss of their missing parents and the presence of newcomers, the castle becomes a refuge and a keeper of secrets.As Georgie’s fascination for the castle grows, it becomes a place for her own escape. But when unravelling the mysteries of its past, she realises that in order to be truly free, she must confront what she most dreads.'Don’t you just want to grab this, switch off the phone and curl up on the sofa? Winter bliss from Lulu Taylor' - Veronica Henry, author of The Foreign Exchange5 Star Reader Reviews:'A mesmerising gothic novel, written to perfection''I have loved everything this author has written and this was no exception'

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Bucky Wunderlick is a rock and roll star. Dissatisfied with a life that has brought fame and fortune, he suddenly decides he no longer wants to be a commodity.He leaves his band mid-tour and holes up in a dingy, unfurnished apartment in Great Jones Street. Unfortunately, his disappearing act only succeeds in inflaming interest . . .Great Jones Street, Don DeLillo's third novel, is more than a musical satire: it probes the rights of the individual, foreshadows the struggle of the artist within a capitalist world and delivers a scathing portrait of our culture's obsession with the lives of the few.Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.

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'Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a literary treasure, and her books will continue to delight for many years to come.' - Philip PullmanDelphie Carteret is forced into a dangerous marriage of convenience in Joan Aiken’s stunning regency romance, The Five Minute Marriage. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton, the major romantic drama series from Netlix.Delphie has been disinherited from her family’s life of luxury and wealth, but, as her mother’s health and wits deteriorate, she has no choice but to seek help from distant relatives. However, when she arrives at the family’s grand house, she discovers part of their fortune is rightfully hers, and the only way to obtain her inheritance is through a sham marriage to her cousin.Unknowingly, Delphie has tangled herself in a web of family rivalry and deceit that goes back gener

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The first book in the breathtaking Paget Family Saga, a Gothic regency romance from the legendary Joan Aiken. Perfect for fans of Netflix's Bridgerton and Julia Quinn.When danger forces expatriate English gentlewoman Juliana Paget to flee her home in Italy, she embarks on a journey full of thrilling adventure. Nothing could have prepared her for outwitting a French mob, crossing the Channel in a hot air balloon, or fending off the advances of the fascinating Count Welcker.Arriving in London just in time for her very first Season, Juliana is going to find all her ideals challenged – and the truth of her heart finally revealed . . .Full of romance and adventure, The Smile of the Stranger is the first book in The Paget Family Saga. Continue the series with The Weeping Ash.'Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a liter

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A darkly funny, harrowing and heartbreaking look at the reality of prison life, with first-hand accounts from men who found themselves on the wrong side of the cell doors. Including a preface powerfully read by the author, Neil Samworth.Neil ‘Sam’ Samworth spent eleven years as a prison officer at HMP Manchester, better known as Strangeways. He has seen it all: from notorious criminals, dangerous gangsters and repeat offenders to those who simply made the wrong decisions. In this shocking page-turner, he tracks down former prisoners and staff, and uncovers the inside story of what life is really like in one of the UK’s most infamous high-security prisons.We’ll see a prisoner whose unwanted feud with an inmate ends in a fight and the loss of his eye, another who is convicted for theft but leaves addicted to spice, and many who become victims of the IPP system where they find themselves serving indefinite sentences for petty crimes. We’ll see the dark underworld of the prison system, where riots can occur at any time, where the worlds of gangbangers suddenly collide, where class A drugs and contrabands roam. On the other side, we’ll see staff grappling with a failing prison system, while dealing with an inmate who records the highest ever psychopath rating and caring fully for men with mental health issues.In brutally raw and gripping detail, Strangeways Unlocked gives voice to the people behind the bars and exposes a prison system that is failing them, providing an unforgettable account of a life that many can only imagine.

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Kate Morton’s heartbreaking novel, The Secret Keeper, is a spellbinding story of mysteries and secrets, murder and enduring love, moving between the 1930s, the 1960s and the 2010s.1961: On a sweltering summer’s day, while her family picnics by the stream on their Suffolk farm, sixteen-year-old Laurel hides out in her childhood tree-house dreaming of a boy called Billy, a move to London, and the bright future she can’t wait to seize. But before the idyllic afternoon is over, Laurel will have witnessed a shocking crime that changes everything.2011: Now a much-loved actress, Laurel finds herself overwhelmed by shades of the past. Haunted by memories, and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to her family home and begins to piece together a secret history. A tale of three strangers from vastly different worlds – Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy – who are brought together by chance in war-time London and whose lives become fiercely and fatefully entwined.

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A Sunday Times Book of the Year'A stunning work of historical imagination . . . masterful in its portrayal of love, sex and friendship' - The Observer'Sparrow [is] truly unforgettable' – Daily MailMeet Jacob – aka Sparrow – a boy slave in the Spanish city of New Carthage in the last years of pagan Rome. Raised in a brothel at the edge of a dying empire, a boy of no known origin creates his own identity. He is Sparrow, who sings without reason and can fly from trouble. His world is a kitchen, a herb-scented garden, a loud and dangerous tavern, and the mysterious upstairs where the ‘wolves’ – prostitutes and slaves from every corner of the empire – conduct their business.He spends his days listening to stories told by his beloved ‘mother’ Euterpe, running errands for her lover the cook, and dodging the blows of their brutal overseer and the machinations of the chief wolf, Melpomene. A hard fate awaits Sparrow, one that involves suffering, murder, mayhem, and the scattering of the women who have been his whole world . . .In Sparrow, James Hynes brings the entirety of the Roman city of Carthago Nova – its markets, temples, taverns of the lowly and mansions of the rich – to vivid, brutal life.'Hynes renders this hidden world so powerfully and vividly.' – The Guardian

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The Lake House by Kate Morton is the mysterious and enchanting fifth novel from the number one bestselling author of The House at Riverton and The Secret Keeper.June 1933, and the Edevane family’s country house, Loeanneth, is polished and gleaming, ready for the much-anticipated Midsummer Eve party. Alice Edevane, sixteen years old and a budding writer, is especially excited. Not only has she worked out the perfect twist for her novel, she’s also fallen helplessly in love with someone she shouldn’t. But by the time midnight strikes and fireworks light up the night skies, the Edevane family will have suffered a loss so great that they leave Loeanneth forever.Seventy years later, after a particularly troubling case, DC Sadie Sparrow is sent on an enforced break from her job with the Metropolitan Police. She retreats to her beloved grandfather’s cottage in Cornwall, but soon finds herself at a loose end. Until one day, Sadie stumbles upon an abandoned house surrounded by overgrown gardens and dense woods, and learns the story of a baby boy who disappeared without a trace.Meanwhile, in the attic writing room of her elegant Hampstead home, the formidable Alice Edevane, now an old lady, leads a life as neatly plotted as the bestselling detective novels she writes. That is, until a young police detective starts asking questions about her family’s past, seeking to resurrect the complex tangle of secrets Alice has spent her life trying to escape . . .

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'An author you need to check out' - Harlan Coben'One of the best psychological thriller writers' - The SunSometimes bad things happen to good people, so good people have to do bad things . . .Twenty years after a baby is stolen from her push-chair, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning up mess and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door . . . and their intentions aren’t good.With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If t

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Get ready to meet the goddesses, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Stone Blind and Pandora’s Jar, Natalie Haynes.These are the stories of the Greek goddesses. As fearsome, powerful and beloved as their male counterparts, it’s time to look beyond the columns of a ruined temple to the awesome power within . . .We meet Hera, who, whilst most often known for enacting vicious, creative revenge on the women – mortal or otherwise – who catch the wandering eye of her husband Zeus, turns out not to be such a villain after all.We meet Demeter, a mother who will go to any lengths, no matter the cost, to retrieve her daughter Persephone from Hades’ clutches.We’ll be introduced to The Furies, three women who will literally go to the ends of the earth to enact bloody vengeance but who, surprisingly, are the goddesses who can teach

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'Not Alone kept me breathless with tension' - Emma Donoghue, bestselling author of Room'Intensely moving, genuinely gripping' - Charlotte Mendelson, author of The ExhibitionistFive years ago a toxic storm made the world unrecognizable. Now the air outside could be deadly. Katie has done everything in her power to create a haven for her little boy, Harry. But now their home is no longer safe. And so they begin an impossible journey in search of the man Katie was meant to marry. It will take them across a devastated Britain and through terrible danger, but hope and love drive them on . . . Sarah K. Jackson's astonishing debut is a story of love and hope against all the odds.

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Annie Murray was born in Berkshire and read English at St John's College, Oxford. Her first Birmingham novel, Birmingham Rose, hit the Sunday Times bestseller list when it was published in 1995. She has subsequently written many other successful novels, including War Babies and Girls in Tin Hats and the bestselling novels Chocolate Girls, Sisters of Gold and Black Country Orphan. Annie has four children, all Birmingham-born; she lives near Oxford.

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An international bestseller, the joys and challenges of a life dedicated to conservation are vividly described in The Elephants of Thula Thula by Françoise Malby-Anthony, owner of the Thula Thula reserve.'Enthralling' - Daily Mail‘Somehow, the elephants got into my soul, and it became my life’s work to see them safe and happy. There was no giving up on that vision, no matter how hard the road was at times.’Françoise Malby-Anthony is the owner of a game reserve in South Africa with a remarkable family of elephants whose adventures have touched hearts around the world.The herd’s feisty matriarch Frankie knows who’s in charge at Thula Thula, and it’s not Francoise. But when Frankie becomes ill, and the authorities threaten to remove or cull some of the herd if the reserve doesn’t expand, Françoise is in a race against time to save her beloved elephants . . .The search is on to get a girlfriend for orphaned rhino Thabo – and then, as his behaviour becomes increasingly boisterous, a big brother to teach him manners.Françoise realizes a dream with the arrival of Savannah the cheetah – an endangered species not seen in the area since the 1940s – and finds herself rescuing meerkats kept as pets. But will Thula Thula survive the pandemic, an invasion from poachers and the threat from a mining company wanting access to its land?As Françoise faces her toughest years yet, she realizes once again that with their wisdom, resilience and communal bonds, the elephants have much to teach us.

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The Ministry of Quizzes is the must-buy gift book for quiz solvers and puzzlers, from David Gentle, author of On the Tip of My Tongue. Perfect for fans of the GCHQ Puzzle Book, Bletchley Park Brainteasers, and The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book.Deep in the heart of Whitehall, up a quiet side road, is an office block. Unremarkable on the outside, inside it buzzes and bustles with activity. Civil servants are hard at work, researching, compiling, cross-checking. Facts and trivia, questions and puzzles. This is the Ministry of Quizzes. This small but essential government department serves the nation’s needs on all matters relating to quizzes, puzzles and general knowledge trivia. Now, for the first time, their work can be revealed.The Ministry of Quizzes features an ingenious and irresistible mixture of over 200 quizzes and puzzles to be played solo or with family and friends. Not everyone is convinced this government department actually exists. But how else could we explain such a copious and comprehensive collection of diverse, devious and distracting questions and brainteasers?'I find it impossible to believe you will not love this book' - Daniel Radcliffe

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'I find it impossible to believe you will not love this book' - Daniel RadcliffeThe Ministry of Quizzes is the must-buy gift book for quiz solvers and puzzlers, from David Gentle, author of On the Tip of My Tongue. Perfect for fans of the GCHQ Puzzle Book, Bletchley Park Brainteasers, and The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book.Deep in the heart of Whitehall, up an unnoticeable side road, is an office block. Unremarkable on the outside, inside it buzzes and bustles with activity. Civil servants are hard at work, researching, compiling, cross-checking. Facts and trivia, questions and puzzles. This is the Ministry of Quizzes. This small but essential government department serves the nation’s needs on all matters relating to quizzes, puzzles and general knowledge trivia. Now, for the first time, their work can be revealed.The Ministry of Quizzes features an ingenious and irresistible mixture of over 200 quizzes and puzzles to be played solo or with family and friends. Not everyone is convinced this government department actually exists. But how else could we explain such a copious and comprehensive collection of diverse, devious and distracting questions and brainteasers?

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‘The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I’m wrong’ - Stephen KingFrom the master of police procedural and bestselling author of Standing in the Shadows comes Gallows View, the first book in Peter Robinson’s the Inspector Banks series.New Town. New Cases. New Danger . . .Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks has recently relocated with his family from stressful London to the Yorkshire Dales, but soon finds that life in the countryside is not quite as idyllic as he had imagined.Three cases come to the fore: a voyeur is terrorizing the women of Eastvale; two thugs are breaking into homes; and an old woman is dead, possibly murdered. As the tension mounts, Banks must also deal with his attraction to a young psychologist, Jenny Fuller – and when both Jenny and Banks’s wife are drawn deeper into events, Banks realizes that his cases are weaving closer and closer together . . .Gallows View is followed by A Dedicated Man in the DCI Banks series.'If you haven’t encountered Chief Inspector Alan Banks before, prepare for a crash course in taut, clean writing and subtle psychology. And watch for those twists – they’ll get you every time' - Ian Rankin, author of A Game Called Malice

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Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with a billion copies of her novels sold. Her international bestsellers include Upside Down, The Ball at Versailles and Second Act. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood. Danielle divides her time between Paris and her home in northern California.

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An ideal gift for fans of Marie Kondo, star of the Netflix hit show Sparking Joy. Kurashi at Home is her first full-colour, beautifully photographed guide.Over a decade on from the launch of her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo is back with new wisdom on how to transform your life and home into spaces of calm.This guide introduces the concept of kurashi – meaning way of life – and encourages readers to spend every day in the pursuit of joy.Now the mother of three young children, Marie moves her focus from the physical act of tidying towards an even more holistic and personal approach to curating our environments. Kurashi at Home gives us a personal glimpse of everything from favourite recipes to images of Marie with her family.Inspiring stories from Marie and her clients bring her concepts alive, illustrating how kurashi can be applied to all areas of our own lives.

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Follow ten little dinosaurs as they dress up, explore and more in this fun preschool counting book based on the classic nursery rhyme This Little Piggy. This little dinosaur stamps and stompsThis little dinosaur swoops and soars . . .It's dress-up time! In their colourful costumes ten excited children become noisy, roaring dinosaurs and an ordinary preschool classroom becomes a fantastical prehistorical world where anything is possible! Go along with the little dinosaurs as they stomp, swoop and roar before running all the way home!With ten children to find and count as you turn the pages, loads to spot along the way, and a special surprise fold-out ending, this picture book is specially developed for imaginative little preschool dinosaurs everywhere. There is a bonus section at the end with reading tips for parents and carers, giving ideas for discussion and extra things for children to spot.This Little Dinosaur is a riotous read-aloud preschool adventure – come and join in the fun!

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Push, pull and slide the tabs to learn about looking after Busy Pets! Feed the dog some treats, watch the hamster turn in its wheel and visit the bunny in the garden.Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with a gentle rhyme and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw, which is part of the Busy Book series. Busy Pets has been endorsed and recommended by Dr Amanda Gummer's Good Toy Guide.Discover more in the Busy Book series: Busy Farm, Busy Party and Busy Zoo.

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Push, pull and slide the scenes to celebrate Father's Day in I Love My Daddy! From making up silly games to learning to ride a bike, every day's an adventure with Dad by your side!Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw. Part of the popular Busy Book series, I Love My Daddy is the perfect gift to share on Father's Day, and is endorsed and recommended by Dr Amanda Gummer's Good Play Guide.Listen along to an audio recording of this story by scanning the QR code on the back cover. Discover more of the Busy Book series with titles such as Busy Party, Busy Bikes and I Love My Mummy.

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"You must go on a long journey before you can really find out how wonderful home is."The Moomins have been off on an adventure, and now they're back home in wonderful Moominvalley! Join in as they meet new friends Snork and Stinky, get invaded by electric Hattifatteners, throw a surprise party, and pull off a daring heist. Illustrated throughout with gorgeous full-colour art from the acclaimed animation, Wonderful Moominvalley is the fourth storybook in the Adventures in Moominvalley series, based on episodes from Moominvalley series 3.Bursting with adventure and full of the Moomins’ trademark humour, kindness and tolerance, this beautiful collection of stories captures all the wit and whimsy of Tove Jansson’s original Moomin stories and is sure to be treasured by Moomin fans old and new.

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In Braintenance, neuroscientist and science communicator Dr Julia Ravey explains how you can take charge of your brain with methods based on science to change habits, achieve your goals and lead the life you want.Your brain likes to keep you safely in your comfort zone. And that is what holds you back.We have no trouble imagining the goals we would like to achieve – a healthier lifestyle, passing exams or embarking on a new career ­– but turning them into reality is far harder. Dr Julia Ravey explains the practical methods that will enable you to transform your life for the better.By using the latest developments in science and psychology you will learn how to direct your focus, boost belief, beat procrastination – and why you should forget motivation. Using our current understanding about the brain and the way we behave, Ravey has developed techniques that enabled her to pursue her goals – and they will work for you, too.The more you understand about your thinking, the more control you can have over your life. Change is good. Your brain just needs some convincing.

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From Rumer Godden, the acclaimed author of Black Narcissus returns again to her beloved India win Coromandel Sea Change, a novel brimming with heart, wit, unforgettable characters, and ‘a sense of timelessness reminiscent of E. M. Forster’ (The Times).Hotel owner Auntie Sanni has entertained all manner of guests during her many years as hostess at Patna Hall, a popular vacation spot on the lush Coromandel coast. Now, with an election coming, business is especially brisk, and her hotel is packed with Indian politicians, British diplomats, journalists, American tourists – even an elephant, and a woman of mystery or two.Among the vacationers are Mary and Blaise, a young English couple on their honeymoon. But where Mary is enchanted by the colours, sounds and vibrant Indian life, prim and priggish Blaise sees only squalor, sordidness and a Coromandel Sea teeming with sharks.Matters are only made worse when Mary becomes interested in local Indian politics – particularly the handsome, exquisitely spoken candidate Krishnan, whose kindness and wisdom are like a balm for her spirit . . .

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The Woolworth Girl’s Promise is the eighth heart-warming novel in Elaine Everest’s bestselling Woolworths series that follows the turbulent life of a much-loved girl working in the iconic shop.'A warm, tender tale of friendship and love' – Milly Johnson on The Woolworth GirlsSeventeen-year-old Elizabeth Billington faces a lonely future. Her beloved fiancé lost at Ypres in 1917, she is now estranged from her upper-class parents due to her association with Charlie Sayers and his working-class family.Spotting an advertisement for a nearby job at Woolworths, Betty starts on a new and thrilling journey – starting at the bottom of the employment ladder in the well-known store.Her work journey leads her to Ramsgate in Kent to work in a newly-built store – and with this comes the chance of marriage. But can she ever forget Charlie and the promise she made to him?Read this exciting early chapter in the life of well-known Betty Billington and follow her journey before she arrives at the Erith store – and meets fellow Woolworths Girls in 1938, as war is again on the horizon . . .'Another uplifting read from the master storyteller' – Lancaster Post

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Bridgerton meets Groundhog Day in The Redemption of Philip Thane, a rip-roaring regency rom-com for fans of Julia Quinn, Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.‘One of the most exciting historical fiction writers in a long time’ – Julia Quinn, author of the Netflix series Bridgerton, on Lisa Berne.How many times can a rake get it wrong . . . before he becomes Mr Right?Philip Thane – rogue, rake, and scoundrel extraordinaire – hadn’t wanted to show up in the little town of Whittlesey to give a speech. He also didn’t expect to somehow find himself stuck in time, waking up every morning to live exactly the same day over, and over, and over again.On the plus side, it’s giving him time to further his acquaintance with the delightful Miss Margaret Allen, in town to research the book she’s writing. And Philip has no doubt she’ll fall starry-eyed into his arms, just like so many other ladies of the ton have done before.Yet Miss Allen stands firm against his wiles, day after day. How is it even possible? Why won’t she change her mind? What must he do to win her heart?Maybe, just maybe, it isn’t Margaret who needs to change. Rather, perhaps change needs to come for a certain rogue. One who – if only he knew it – is head over heels in love . . . and badly in need of redemption.

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Celebrating Fifty Years of Picador Books Winner of the National Book Award 1990 The Apocalypse would definitely put a crimp in my career plans. Rutherford Calhoun, a puckish rogue and newly freed slave, spends his days loitering around the docks of New Orleans, dodging debt collectors, gangsters, and Isadora Bailey, a prim and frugal woman who seeks to marry him and curb his mischievous instincts. When the heat from these respective pursuers becomes too much to bear, he cons his way on to the next ship leaving the dock: the Republic. Upon boarding, to his horror he discovers that he is on an illegal slave ship embarking on the Middle Passage, the portion of the triangular trade route that saw slaves transported from Africa to the US. Staffed by a crew of criminals and degenerates, the Republic is on a mission to enslave members of the legendary Allmuseri tribe, while the sadistic yet philosophical Captain Falcon has a secondary objective: securing a mysterious cargo that possesses a terrifying and otherworldly power. What follows is a story of Rutherford’s battle for survival, as he finds himself juggling loyalties between the ship’s crew and the enslaved passengers, and is forced to use every ounce of the charm and cunning that he possesses to endure the desperate conditions and battle the myriad deadly forces on the high seas. A masterful blend of allegory, black comedy, naval adventure and supernatural horror, Charles Johnson's wildly inventive Middle Passage is a true modern classic.Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.

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Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV's Vera, BBC One's Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of Murder Squad', working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in Northumberland where the Vera books are set.

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Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing.Jack lives with his Ma in Room, which has a locked door and a skylight, and measures 11 feet by 11 feet. He loves watching TV, and the cartoon characters he calls friends, but he knows that nothing he sees on screen is truly real – only him, Ma and the things in Room. Until the day Ma admits that there’s a world outside . . .Told in Jack’s voice, Room is the story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible . . .Unsentimental and sometimes funny, devastating yet uplifting, Room by Emma Donoghue is a story of boundless maternal love.A major film starring Brie Larson.Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.Shortlisted for the Orange Prize.Part of the Picador Collection, a series celebrating fifty years of Picador books and showcasing the best of modern literature.

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At the Bottom of the River is Jamaica Kincaid’s first published work, a selection of inter-connected prose poems told from the perspective of a young Afro-Caribbean girl.Collecting pieces written for the New Yorker and the Paris Review between 1978 and 1982, including the seminal ‘Girl’, these stunning works announced a fully-formed, generational talent and firmly established the themes that Kincaid would continue to return to in her later work: the loss of childhood, the fractious nature of mother–daughter relationships, the intangible beauty of the natural world, and the striving for independence in a colonial landscape.Powerful and lyrical, this is an unforgettable collection from a unique and necessary literary voice.Part of the Picador Collection, a new series showcasing the best of modern literature.

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The instant New York Times BestsellerIn Platonic, psychologist and friendship expert Dr Marisa G. Franco unpacks why undervaluing friendship in our culture has led to an epidemic of isolation, and what we can do about it.'Wise, concrete and effective - my friendships are better for it' – Glennon Doyle, author of UntamedWhen was the last time you put yourself out there to make a new friend?How do we keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships?This book offers a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong and lasting connections with others – and becoming our happiest selves in the process.Using the groundbreaking framework behind attachment theory, this book teaches us to identify and understand our individual style – secure, anxious or avoidant – and recognize that how we behave in relationships is the key to unlocking what we’re doing right (and what we could do better) in our friendships.Weaving together cutting-edge research in psychology with interviews, personal stories and practical advice, this book gives us the tools we need to be better friends, and better humans.'A timely, unique guide to approaching friendship with the love (and self-reflection) it deserves' – Francesca Specter, author of Alonement

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'The most explosive, mind-blowing business book I've ever read' – Bradley Hope, New York Times bestselling author of Billion Dollar Whale'Jaw-dropping . . . well-told, well-structured and exquisitely reported' – Financial Times book reviewDiscover the unauthorized, unvarnished story of famed Wall Street hedge-fund manager Ray Dalio.When Ray Dalio, billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, announced in October 2022 that he was stepping down from the company he founded forty-seven years ago, the news made headlines around the world. Dalio achieved worldwide fame thanks to a mystique of success cultivated in frequent media appearances, celebrity hobnobbing, and his bestselling book, Principles. In The Fund, Rob Copeland draws on hundreds of interviews with those inside and around the firm to reveal what really goes on with Dalio and his cohorts behind closed doors.Tracing more than fifty years of Dalio's leadership, The Fund peels back the curtain to reveal a rarefied world of wealth and power, where former FBI director Jim Comey kisses Dalio's ring, recent Pennsylvania Senate candidate David McCormick sells out, and countless Bridgewater acolytes describe what it's like to work at this fascinating firm.Dalio has stepped down from Bridgewater before; will the legacy of his Principles continue to chart the course of the firm? The Fund provides unique insight into the story of Dalio and Bridgewater, past, present and future.'A taut, nonfiction thriller' – Bryan Burrough, bestselling author of Barbarians at the Gate'Manages to both shock and entertain at the same time' – Philipp Meyer, bestselling author of American Rust and The Son

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'A star-filled story of courage, belonging and the particular magic of feline friends. A treasure of a tale, beautifully told.' - A.F. Steadman, NYT-bestselling author of the Skandar seriesFrom the Costa Award-winning author of The Skylarks' War, comes the story of a young girl looking for magic in the world, and the feline family who help her to find it. With gorgeous black and white illustrations by Keith Robinson.Rosa lives in a world where she discovers there is magic. It arrives with Balthazar, a large black cat, just when she needs it most. Even so, it takes all her courage to stay hopeful and adventurous when her dreadful aunt and uncle move into her life.And when she finds herself abandoned in the ancient city of Venice, can magic help her then? Perhaps it can.The stars are watching, and there are lots of cats in Venice . . .'Beautiful, captivating, such a joy to read I didn't want it to end!

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‘Could there be a more relevant book for our times? Vengoechea implores us to truly hear other people (maybe for the first time) and is the perfect author of a book on why we should listen like we mean it’ - Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and IndistractableHear me out. Does this sound like you?You end a team meeting and can’t recall a single thing that was said.You leave a conversation with a friend feeling disconnected and unfulfilled.You think you and your boss are on the same page, only to find out you haven’t been meeting expectations.Fortunately, listening, like any communication skill, can be improved, and Ximena Vengoechea can show you how. As a user researcher, she has spent nearly a decade facilitating hundreds of conversations at LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest. It’s her job to uncover the truth behind how people use, and really think about, her company’s products. In Listen Like You Mean It, she reveals the tips and tricks of the trade, including:– How to quickly build rapport with strangers– Which questions help people unlock what they need to say– When it’s time to throw out the script entirely– How to recover from listener’s drain

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A gorgeous picture book that weaves mindfulness actions into a magical story, helping young children to feel calm and relaxed.From the creators of The Fire Fox, Alexandra Page and Stef Murphy, shortlisted for Oscar's Book Prize 2022.It's show-and-tell tomorrow and Rory is anxious – he doesn't have anything special to share with the class. But everything changes when Rory meets his very own worry tiger."Try this," said the tiger. "See how quiet you can be. Tiptoe like a tiger and tell me what you see."Breathe deep to smell the jungle scents.Stretch to join the monkeys high up in the trees.Listen carefully to the creatures all around.This enchanting story is full of mindfulness actions that anyone can use to feel calm and beat anxiety.The Worry Tiger is a colourfully illustrated book with a gentle rhyme that's a joy to read aloud and will help children relax and share their thoughts and worries.Includes a set of fun and easy mindfulness activities at the back of the book to encourage calm, happiness and creativity for young children.

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The Sunday Times bestselling, twenty-eighth and final novel in the thrilling, wickedly funny Inspector Montalbano Mysteries series by Andrea Camilleri.‘Contrary to what you think, I’m carrying out this investigation as best I can. But let’s do this: if I get stuck, if I find I can’t go forward or back, then I’ll let you know, and you can step in. And offer me a way out. You’ve gained a bit of detective work through me, haven’t you? What do you say?’‘I’m game,’ said the Author . . .When Inspector Montalbano receives an early-morning phone call it proves to be the start of a very trying day. For the caller expects Montalbano to arrive imminently at a rendezvous with some friends. But before he can reply the caller announces himself as someone called Riccardino and hangs up.Later that day news comes in of a brutal slaying in broad daylight by an unknown assassin who makes his getaway on a motorbike. And when the Inspector learns of the victim’s identity – a man called Riccardino – his troubles are only just beginning. For soon he must contend with the involvement of a local bishop and a fortune teller who reports some strange goings-on in her neighbourhood.All roads soon lead to a local salt mine but the case proves stubbornly intractable until Montalbano receives another unexpected call . . .'Camilleri has contrived a fitting goodbye to a dear old friend who operates, to the very last, on his own terms' - Guardian

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From Julia Donaldson, the bestselling author of The Gruffalo, comes Princess Mirror-Belle, the exciting adventures of a mischievous princess.Full of black-and-white illustrations by Lydia Monks, Princess Mirror-Belle is perfect for fans of this bestselling picture-book team and who are beginning to read on their own. It contains six delightful stories that children will come back to again and again.Ellen's life is turned upside down by the hilarious Mirror-belle, a spirited princess who claims to be from somewhere mysterious and far away. She appears out of mirrors to tell Ellen magical stories and take her on exciting escapades. From battling with Dragon Pox to helping out with the local pantomime, celebrating birthdays, having fun at the fair and starting at a new school, there are always adventures to be had!This book contains the following stories:Dragon PoxEllen's CastleSnow White and the Eight DwarfsParty HoppersWobblesdayLove-Potion Crisps

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Push, pull and slide the scenes to meet Triceratops, the tough three-horned dinosaur! Join him as he wakes up early and noisily munches his breakfast, disturbing all the other sleeping dinos, before he finally finds someone to play a game with.Bright, bold illustrations by David Partington bring Triceratops and his dinosaur friends to life. With lots to talk about on every page and fun facts to share too, this is the perfect introduction for inquisitive toddlers to a much-loved dinosaur.Discover more incredible dinosaurs in this series with Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus and Stegosaurus.

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A Robot Squashed My Teacher is the laugh-out-loud, wacky adventure by Pooja Puri brilliantly illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan, the sequel to the Marcus Rashford Book Club Selected book A Dinosaur Ate My Sister. Before you start reading, there are a few things you should know:1. I, Esha Verma, am a genius inventor extraordinaire.2. I like lists.3. I did not mean to turn my teacher into a pigeon. Some things just can't be helped.Esha Verma, her snotty apprentice Broccoli and his secretly cunning pet tortoise have a dream. They are going to win the legendary Brain Trophy – the ultimate inventing prize. This year's entry: The RoarEasy – a gadget that lets the user speak to animals.But when Esha's arch-nemesis, fellow inventor Ernie, lands her in detention, the RoarEasy malfunctions and suddenly Monsieur Crépeau is TRANSFORMED INTO A PIGEON.Luckily for Esha, she knows exactly what she needs to repair her invention and where to find it: locked away in the mysterious Central Research Laboratories.She, Broccoli, Archibald and Monsieur Crépeau will have to go undercover and break into the labs before the competition to return Monsieur Crépeau to his human form. And with Ernie following them, determined to foil their plans as they face giant robots, killer plants, shrinking machines, robo-spiders, clouds that make you float and terrifying twisters, they're going to need all the help they can get to get out of this wacky pickle.

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An amazing true animal story about a brave little penguin.Hoppy the emperor penguin loves swimming in the sea with his friends. But one day Hoppy swims too far, and loses his way . . . ending up on a strange beach, all alone and far from home.How will poor Hoppy get back to his family?Inspired by the incredible true story of a lost little penguin, and the vets who saved his life, The Penguin Who Lost His Way is perfect for young animal lovers. From John Hay, and bestselling illustrator Garry Parsons.Includes a non-fiction spread with information about the real animal and the events behind the story.

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‘This book is not just about life, but about discovery itself. It is about error and hubris, but also about wonder and the reach of science. And it is bookended with the ultimate question: How do we define the thing that defines us?’ – Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of The Gene We all assume we know what life is, but the more scientists learn about the living world – from protocells to brains, from zygotes to pandemic viruses – the harder they find it to locate the edges of life, where it begins and ends. What exactly does it mean to be alive? Is a virus alive? Is a foetus? Carl Zimmer investigates one of the biggest questions of all: What is life? The answer seems obvious until you try to seriously answer it. Is the apple sitting on your kitchen counter alive, or is only the apple tree it came from deserving of the word? If we can’t answer that question here on earth, how will we know when and if we discover alien life on other worlds? The question hangs over some of society’s most charged conflicts – whether a fertilized egg is a living person, for example, and when we ought to declare a person legally dead. Life’s Edge is an utterly fascinating investigation by one of the most celebrated science writers of our time. Zimmer journeys through the strange experiments that have attempted to recreate life. Literally hundreds of definitions of what that should look like now exist, but none has yet emerged as an obvious winner. Lists of what living things have in common do not add up to a theory of life. It’s never clear why some items on the list are essential and others not. Coronaviruses have altered the course of history, and yet many scientists maintain they are not alive. Chemists are creating droplets that can swarm, sense their environment, and multiply – have they made life in the lab? Whether he is handling pythons in Alabama or searching for hibernating bats in the Adirondacks, Zimmer revels in astounding examples of life at its most bizarre. He tries his own hand at evolving life in a test tube with unnerving results. Charting the obsession with Dr Frankenstein’s monster and how Coleridge came to believe the whole universe was alive, Zimmer leads us all the way into the labs and minds of researchers working on engineering life from the ground up.

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Lift-the-Flap Fairy Tales: The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a fresh, modern and wonderfully witty take on the much-loved story, retold in a playful rhyme and accompanied by bright and funny illustrations. Flaps to lift on every page bring to life the classic story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff and their perilous journey across the river. Take a peek under the bridge to see who's hiding there, see the troll jump out at the goats, and watch him go tumbling down into the river - SPLASH!Featuring a free audio reading, complete with music and sound effects! Just scan the QR code on the book with your smart device to hear the story. With this bonus audio feature, you can listen to the story wherever you are, and follow along with the book by turning the pages when you hear the chime.

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