Search results for ""macmillan""

Shortlisted for the 2021 Swansea University Dylan Thomas PrizeShortlisted for a 2021 James Tait Black AwardShortlisted for the PEN/Robert W Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection 2021'Sardonic, monstrous, tender' Sunday Times'Startling . . . profound' Daily MailIn Alligator and Other Stories, Dima Alzayat captures luminously how it feels to be ‘other’: as a Syrian, as an Arab, as an immigrant, as a woman. Each one of the nine stories collected here is a snapshot of those moments when unusual circumstances suddenly distinguish us from our neighbours, when our difference is thrown into relief.Here are ‘dangerous’ women transgressing, missing children in 1970s New York, a family who were once Syrian but have now lost their name, and a young woman about to discover the hollowness of the American dream. At its centre lies ‘Alligator’: a remarkable compilation of real and invented sources, which rescues from history the story of a Syrian American couple who were murdered at the hands of the state.Alzayat explores experiences that are startling and real, delivering an emotional punch that lingers long after reading.

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An irresistibly moving, funny and urgent memoir about the reality of caring for your parents, when you can barely care for yourself.‘Hilarious, bitter, poignant and profound, this is the human condition laid brilliantly bare, like an existential soap opera – only with more laughs.‘ - Philip Hoare, author of LeviathanIt was the kind of phone call we all dread. Your elderly father has been admitted to hospital. He’s not well and he needs your help. Your mum is about to be left at home alone. She needs you too. The answer? Drop everything. Go. Help. The reality? Not so straightforward. Suddenly, you’re a kid again, stranded in the overheated house you grew up in. They need you 24/7, that much is obvious. And you want to help, of course you do. But soon your life starts to unravel almost as quickly as their health.In between bouts of washing, feeding, cooking and fighting there are days that test you, days where everything goes wrong and days where everyone, miraculously rises to the occasion. And in between all of that, you learn how to care. But this time with feeling.Irresistibly funny, unflinching and deeply moving, this is a love letter to family and friends, to carers and to anyone who has ever packed a small bag intent on staying for just a few days. This is a true story of what it really means to be a carer, and of the ties that bind even tighter when you least expect it. This is The Reluctant Carer.

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Nothing Ventured is the incredible and thrilling novel by the master storyteller and bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles and Kane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer.This is not a detective story, this is a story about a detectiveWilliam Warwick has always wanted to be a detective, and decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a barrister like his father, Sir Julian Warwick QC, and his sister Grace, he will join London’s Metropolitan Police Force.After graduating from university, William begins a career that will define his life: from his early months on the beat under the watchful eye of his first mentor, Constable Fred Yates, to his first high-stakes case as a fledgling detective in Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques squad. Investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery who he falls hopelessly in love with, even as Beth guards a secret of her own that she’s terrified will come to light.While William follows the trail of the missing masterpiece, he comes up against suave art collector Miles Faulkner and his brilliant lawyer, Booth Watson QC, who are willing to bend the law to breaking point to stay one step ahead of William. Meanwhile, Miles Faulkner’s wife, Christina, befriends William, but whose side is she really on?Nothing Ventured heralds the start of the William Warwick Novels, in the style of Jeffrey Archer’s number one Sunday Times bestselling The Clifton Chronicles: telling the story of the life of William Warwick – as a family man and a detective who will battle throughout his career against a powerful criminal nemesis. Through twists, triumph and tragedy, this series will show that William Warwick is destined to become one of Jeffrey Archer’s most enduring legacies.Continue the gripping series with Hidden in Plain Sight.

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** FEATURED ON BBC TWO'S BETWEEN THE COVERS **'Unlike anything else you'll read this year, Sixteen Horses is a deeply disconcerting ride. Irresistible' - Val McDermid, author of Still Life'Totally gripping from start to finish' - Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient'Original, beautifully written, terrifying and haunting' - Sophie Hannah, author of Haven't They GrownNear the dying English seaside town of Ilmarsh, local police detective Alec Nichols discovers sixteen horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen travels to the scene, the investigators soon uncover evidence of a chain of crimes in the community – disappearances, arson and mutilations – all culminating in the reveal of something deadly lurking in the ground itself.In the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightening and insidious mysteries – no matter the cost.Sixteen Horses is the debut literary thriller from an extraordinary talent, Greg Buchanan. A story of enduring guilt, trauma and punishment, set in a small seaside community the rest of the world has left behind . . .

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The Promise is a unforgettable story about finding love, hope and joy in even the darkest moments, by the Sunday Times bestseller Lucy Diamond, author of The Secrets of Happiness.'This is Lucy Diamond at her very best - a stunning novel that will break your heart into little pieces and then glue it back together again with joy' – Milly JohnsonWhen faced with the sudden death of his brother, Dan’s mission is clear. He puts together a project to help pick up the pieces and support his grieving sister-in-law Zoe, plus her young children. This is Dan’s promise – to ensure his family’s happiness, and to try and live up to the man his brother was. But tying up loose ends brings a shocking secret to light, and calls into question everything Dan knew about his older brother. With more than just his promise on the line, Dan is faced with an ultimatum: Should he tell the truth and risk his family’s fragile happiness, or will his brother’s secrets end up becoming his own?'A bittersweet, big-hearted take on family dynamics, grief, and how to make happiness a priority' – Woman and Home'I loved The Promise' – Libby Page, author of The 24-Hour Café'We couldn't put this down' – Bella'Family drama at its very best with characters that have you reaching out to them' – My WeeklyReal readers love The Promise:'I cried and laughed''It was a beautifully written book from start to finish. Each night I couldn't wait to read the next chapter.''I literally cannot put it down.'

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The #1 Wall Street Journal Business Book Bestseller & Top 10 New York Times Bestseller.Based on the highly acclaimed NPR podcast, How I Built This with Guy Raz, his book offers priceless insights and inspiration from the world’s top entrepreneurs on how to start, launch and build a successful venture.Great ideas often come from a simple spark: a football player on the New Zealand national team notices all the unused wool his country produces and figures out a way to turn them into shoes (Allbirds). A former Buddhist monk decides the very best way to spread his mindfulness teachings is by launching an app (Headspace). A sandwich cart vendor finds a way to reuse leftover pita bread and turns it into a multi-million dollar business (Stacy’s Pita Chips).Award-winning podcast creator Guy Raz has interviewed more than 200 highly successful innovators from across the world, from the founders of Five Guys, Airbnb and Bumble to James Dyson and Reed Hastings of Netflix, to uncover amazing true stories like these. In How I Built This, he shares tips for every entrepreneur’s journey: from the early days of formulating your idea, to raising money and recruiting employees, to finding your market and, finally, to paying yourself a real salary. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting their own business or wondered how trail-blazing go-getters made their own dreams a reality.'A must read for anyone who wants to start a business, grow a business, or be inspired by those who do' – Adam Grant, author of Originals'These stories of founders and their companies are told with the same energy and openness it takes to be an entrepreneur' – Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup'Guy Raz is supremely himself in this guide for aspiring entrepreneurs: brilliantly perceptive, incessantly curious, infectiously energetic and above all, a master storyteller' - Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

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'I adore Duck and Tiny Horse. Funny, silly and totally original' - Josh Widdicombe'It's a hoot.' - The Sunday TimesPerfect for reading aloud, Teapot Trouble is a warm and silly picture book that children (and adults) will find hilarious.Something or someone is living inside Duck's teapot! Who are they? What do they want? How will we get them out? Never fear, for Tiny Horse is here! Tiny Horse has a trampoline. She has a magnificent hat. She has a stick of celery. What more could anyone need to save the day?A laugh-out-loud story with a message about kindness, starring Duck and Tiny Horse, the brave spaghetti hunters from Spaghetti Hunters. Morag Hood is the award-winning creator of Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea, When Grandad Was a Penguin, Aalfred and Aalbert and I Am Bat.

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"It's a hoot." - The Sunday Times.Perfect for reading aloud, Teapot Trouble is a warm and silly picture book that children (and adults) will find hilarious. Something or someone is living inside Duck's teapot! Who are they? What do they want? How will we get them out? Never fear, for Tiny Horse is here! Tiny Horse has a trampoline. She has a magnificent hat. She has a stick of celery. What more could anyone need to save the day?A laugh-out-loud story with a message about kindness, starring Duck and Tiny Horse, the brilliantly funny duo from Spaghetti Hunters, described by the Sunday Times as 'wacky and funny'. Morag Hood is the award-winning creator of When Grandad Was a Penguin, The Steves and I Am Bat.

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'It's like a big hug in a book' - Janice Hallett, author of The AppealSometimes the end is only the beginning . . . Annie is single, unemployed and just a bit stuck when her beloved father dies unexpectedly. Furious at his partner’s plans to scatter his ashes somewhere of no emotional significance, Annie seizes the urn and, on a whim, decides to take it on a tour of the thirty-one sea areas that make up the shipping forecast, which her father loved listening to, despite living in landlocked St Albans. Travelling around the coastline of Britain searching for the perfect place to say goodbye, she starts to wonder if it might be time to rethink some of the relationships in her life – but is it too late for second chances?A novel about love, loss and the importance of living life to the full, Annie Stanley, All at Sea by Sue Teddern is proof that it’s often the most difficult moments in life that show us what really matters.'Witty, wise with wonderful characters. I absolutely loved this book' - Katie Fforde, author of A Springtime Affair

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For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Joanna Nadin's The Talk of Pram Town tells a story about mothers, daughters and second chances . . .'Beautifully written and deliciously clever - the characters will stay with you for a long time and you’ll find joy on every page.' – Matson Taylor, author of Richard and Judy Book Club pick, The Miseducation of Evie EpworthIt’s 1981. Eleven-year-old Sadie adores her beautiful and vibrant mother, Connie, whose dreams of making it big as a singer fill their tiny house in Leeds. It’s always been just the two of them. Until the unthinkable happens.Jean hasn’t seen her good-for-nothing daughter Connie since she ran away from the family home in Harlow – or Pram Town as its inhabitants affectionately call it – aged seventeen and pregnant.But in the wake of the Royal Wedding, Jean gets a life-changing call: could she please come and collect the granddaughter she’s never met?We all know how Charles and Diana turned out, and Jean and Sadie are hardly a match made in heaven – but is there hope of a happy ending for them?

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For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel, comes a story about mothers, daughters and second chances . . . It’s 1981. Eleven-year-old Sadie adores her beautiful and vibrant mother, Connie, whose dreams of making it big as a singer fill their tiny house in Leeds. It’s always been just the two of them. Until the unthinkable happens. Jean hasn’t seen her good-for-nothing daughter Connie since she ran away from the family home in Harlow – or Pram Town as its inhabitants affectionately call it – aged seventeen and pregnant. But in the wake of the Royal Wedding, Jean gets a life-changing call: could she please come and collect the granddaughter she’s never met? We all know how Charles and Diana turned out, and Jean and Sadie are hardly a match made in heaven – but is there hope of a happy ending for them? Written in Joanna Nadin’s trademark dazzling prose, The Talk of Pram Town tells the story of three generations of Earnshaws and asks whether it always has to be like mother, like daughter . . .

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‘A conscience-pricking look at the reality of life on Britain’s streets . . . Illuminating, timely and urgent’ – Sunday Times‘A story that desperately needed to be told’ – Michael SheenTony froze to death in the garden of the house he used to own. Aisha dreams of becoming a nurse, but spends night after night seeking a place to sleep. Jon is an expert at squatting, using his skills to keep others off the street. Jim turned a bus he bought on eBay into a portable shelter. David was a homeless army veteran on the verge of taking his own life when he was saved by Gavin's kindness, now he's a successful artist and activist.Maeve McClenaghan has spent years investigating the crisis on Britain's streets. These are only some of the stories of struggle, loss, survival and courage she has heard. No Fixed Abode will change how you think about homelessness and show you that this crisis is not impossible to solve.This paperback edition includes a new preface covering the impact of Covid-19.‘A much-needed antidote to the apathy that can often surround homelessness. It is movingly told, passionately argued and totally engrossing’ – i

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There Are 101 Things That Go in This Book is perfect for curious preschoolers who are discovering the world around them. Split 'flip-flap' pages encourage spotting and finding skills as little ones match up each set of things that go with the correct scene and learn the vehicle names.With five beautifully illustrated scenes from Neiko Ng, each vehicle is located in the right environment, and with activities on colours, counting and more, there is lots to do and talk about.Discover more in the 101 series: There are 101 Animals in This Book, There are 101 Sea Creatures in This Book, There are 101 Things to Find in London and There are 101 Dinosaurs in this Book.

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In My Favourite Dinosaur, older babies and toddlers can have lots of fun lifting the peekaboo flaps to discover what each dinosaur is doing. There is a rhyme to share, recap questions and a wheel to turn at the end to choose your favourite dinosaur from inside the book. From the stomping spinosaurus to the toothy tyrannosaurus, which dinosaur will your little one pick? With appealing and stylish illustrations from Sarah Andreacchio, My Favourite Dinosaur is sure to focus and engage the youngest of children. Also available in the My Favourite series: My Favourite Owl, My Favourite Puppy, My Favourite Kitten, My Favourite Monkey and My Favourite Bear.

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Perfect for newborns, the high-contrast images in Baby's Very First Cloth Book Faces are designed to help babies focus.This bestselling cuddly cloth book also has crinkly pages for tactile fun, a mirror for stimulating the senses – and a handy velcro strap to attach to a pram!Illustrated by Jo Lodge and packaged in a delightful gift box, it will make the perfect present for new babies.Also available: Baby’s Very First Cloth Book Farm

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'Discovering Eva Ibbotson’s books is one of the nicest things that’s ever happened to me. The most beautiful, delicious, wry read' – Marian KeyesCurl up with a collection of romantic short stories taking you from nineteenth-century Vienna, over the wild moors of Northumberland to the snowy streets of pre-revolutionary St Petersberg. A collection of eighteen romantic short stories from the award-winning and much-loved Eva Ibbotson, A Glove Shop in Vienna will show you the great passions and astute observations of everyday life. Join Great-Uncle Max, torn between his grand and secret love for Susie, the enchanting glove shop assistant, and the devotion of his opera-singing wife. Meet Miss Bennett, drama mistress at the fading Markham Street Primary School, whose search for a baby Jesus for the nativity play yields unexpected and miraculous results. And agonise with Kira, a dancer in Russia's Imperial Ballet school, thrown out onto the streets of St. Petersburg, and found by Edwin, a lonely dreamer. A chocolate-box collection of deliciously romantic, atmospheric and witty stories to lose yourself in this Christmas.'Eva Ibbotson is such a good writer that her characters break the bonds of the romantic novel' Washington Post

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One Good Thing is the heartwarming, hilarious alternative love story, from the internationally bestselling author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up, Alexandra Potter'A joyful, wholly unpredictable love story' - Woman's OwnIn life, nothing is certain. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something can happen to change the course of everything . . .Liv Brooks is still in shock. Newly-divorced and facing an uncertain future, she impulsively swaps her London Life for the sweeping hills of the Yorkshire Dales, determined to make a fresh start. But fresh starts are harder than they look and feeling lost and lonely she decides to adopt Harry, an old dog from the local shelter, to keep her company.But Liv soon discovers she isn’t the only one in need of a new beginning. On their daily walks around the village, they meet Valentine, an old man who suffers from loneliness who sits by the window and Stanley, a little boy who is scared of everyone, hides behind the garden gate and Maya, a teenager who is angry at everyone and everything. But slowly things start to change . . .Utterly relatable, hilarious and heart-breakingly honest, this is a novel about friendship, finding happiness and living the life unexpected. And how when everything falls apart, all you need is one good thing to turn your life around and make it worth living again.

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Push, pull and slide the tabs to take part in the Busy Sports Day! Pass the baton, toss a bean bag and keep your egg on the spoon, before collecting a medal at the end of the day. Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw, which is part of the popular Busy Book series.Little ones can enjoy more adventures in this tactile series with Busy Park, Busy Playtime, and Busy Swimming.

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Happiness is an uplifting novel about the choices we must make to find the life we want, from billion-copy bestselling author Danielle Steel.After a dark and unhappy childhood and two failed marriages where love was rarely felt, bestselling thriller author Sabrina Brooks has finally found the life she’s always craved. Her writing, her close circle of friends, and her beautiful home in the Massachusetts Berkshire Mountains are all that she needs to be happy and at peace.However, Sabrina’s perfect life is disrupted when a mysterious letter informs her that she is now the sole heir to her recently deceased uncle’s title and manor house in Hampshire. Determined to sell, Sabrina is forced to cross the Atlantic and see the property for herself.But Sabrina’s visit to England takes a very different turn. She learns more about her family history – and the secrets her father kept from her. She starts to fall in love with the

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Set in present-day New York, The Whittiers is a heartwarming story about the importance of family, home and being true to yourself, from the world’s favourite author Danielle Steel.Connie and Preston Whittier raised their six children in a once-grand Manhattan mansion. The children are now adults, but the house remains the heart of the family and somewhere they all love to return to, particularly in times of stress. But on Connie and Peter’s annual skiing holiday in Europe, an avalanche hits their resort, resulting in tragedy.In every family, each member has their own personal struggles. The Whittiers are no exception. Lyle is successful but has an unhappy marriage. Gloria is a genius on Wall Street but lonely. Twins Caroline and Charlie work all hours on their growing fashion brand, but have no time to enjoy life and discover who they really are. Benjie has personal challenges and requires additional support. And rebellious Annabelle has fallen in with a bad crowd.The future of the family – and also their home – is now in question. The house is a refuge providing comfort but each of them will learn that, to move forward and face their challenges, they must be true to themselves and come together to support one another.

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Moomintroll and all his family and friends are back in Return to Moominvalley, based on the stunning award-winning 3D animation.Join the Moomins as they journey to a mysterious island, meet the Hobgoblin and his extraordinary hat, and encounter a magical mural. Meanwhile, Snufkin, Mrs Fillyjonk, Mymble and the others gather in the Moominhouse to wait for the family to come back to Moominvalley . . . Illustrated throughout with gorgeous full-colour art from the acclaimed animation, Return to Moominvalley is the third storybook in the collection, based on episodes from Moominvalley series 2. The eight stories introduce beloved characters including Thingumy & Bob, Toffle, and the Lighthouse Keeper, and retell some of Tove Jansson’s most popular Moomin tales including Finn Family Moomintroll, Moominpappa at Sea and the masterfully poignant Moominvalley in November. 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 Secrets at Bletchley Park by Margaret Dickinson, two young women from very different backgrounds meet in the Second World War and are plunged into a life where security and discretion are paramount. But both have secrets of their own to hide . . .In 1929, life for ten-year-old Mattie Price, born and raised in the back streets of Sheffield, is tough. But Mattie’s neighbours and teachers recognize that the girl is clever beyond her years and they are determined that she shall have the opportunity in life she deserves.Victoria Hamilton, living in the opulence of London’s Kensington, has all the material possessions that a young girl could want. But Victoria's mother lives her life in the social whirl of upper-class society, leaving Victoria in the care of her governess and the servants. At eleven years old, Victoria is sent to boarding school where, for the first time in her young life, she is able to make friends of her own age.Mattie and Victoria are both set on a path that will bring them together at Bletchley Park in May 1940. Together they will face the rest of the war keeping the nation’s secrets and helping to win the fight. But keeping secrets is second nature to both of them . . .

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Push, pull and slide the tabs to help the Busy Ambulance on its way! Join the ambulance crew as they hurry to an accident before racing to hospital, with flashing lights and a noisy siren.Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw, which is part of the popular Busy Book series. Discover more of the Busy Book series with titles such as Busy Fire Station, Busy Builders, and Busy Town.

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A brilliantly funny robot adventure from award-winning author and illustrator Chris Riddell, creator of Once Upon a Wild Wood.Wendel is a very clever mouse – but not a very tidy one. If his inventions go wrong, Wendel just throws them away and starts again. So when Clunk, his robot assistant, fills the sock drawer with cups and saucers and makes tea in a Wellington boot, Wendel throws him on the scrapheap and makes himself a new assistant: the Wendelbot. But he gets more than he bargained for, and soon Wendel finds himself on the scrapheap! Can he win back his workshop from the mighty Wendelbot? Let the robot battle commence!With Chris Riddell's characteristic verve and brilliance, Wendel and the Robots is a wonderfully funny, action-packed story full of surprises and extraordinary inventions, and with a subtle environmental message.

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A glorious imaginative adventure from Rebecca Cobb, the award-winning illustrator of The Paper Dolls and The Everywhere Bear.Underneath the cherry tree in our garden there is a little hole. I'm sure there is something down there . . . When a little boy's ball disappears down a mysterious hole in the garden, he can't stop thinking about what could be down there. Could it be a little mouse's house? The lair of a hungry troll? Or maybe even a dragon's den? Whatever the something is, he is determined to find out!The Something is a gorgeous, original story full of warmth and the wonder of childhood from Rebecca Cobb, the award-winning creator of Lunchtime and Aunt Amelia. Also available from Rebecca Cobb: Lunchtime, Aunt Amelia and Hello Friend!

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Wendy Erskine lives in Belfast. Her work has been published in The Stinging Fly, Stinging Fly Stories and Female Lines: New Writing by Women from Northern Ireland. She also features in Being Various: New Irish Short Stories (Faber and Faber), Winter Papers and on BBC Radio 4. Sweet Home is her first collection.

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Join Moomintroll, his family and their friends in beautiful Moominvalley - where everyone is welcome. Surprising things happen every day in Moominvalley - luckily the Moomin family and their friends embrace the unexpected with their characteristic humour, kindness and charm. This lavish gift book contains nine exciting adventure stories - all closely based on the warm and whimsical Moomin world and characters created by the celebrated writer, artist and illustrator Tove Jansson. Presented in chronological order, each story is taken from an animation episode and set in the idyllic and peaceful valley where the round blue Moominhouse stands, and where everyone is welcome. The stories describe the adventures of nine-year-old Moomintroll, his parents, Moominmamma and Moominpappa and their eclectic and happy band of friends – Little My, Snufkin, Snorkmaiden, the hattifatteners and other famous characters from the classic stories. The stories in this collection will delight Moomin fans of all ages. In one story Moomintroll sails to the mysterious Hattifattener island and in another, he finds a tiny dragon. The Moomins temporarily move house, Snufkin composes a new spring tune and Moomintroll encounters the mysterious Groke.

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A Richard and Judy Book Club Pick and a Sunday Times Number One BestsellerFull of her trademark mix of unforgettable characters and heart-breaking secrets, The Butterfly Room is a spellbinding, multi-generational story from Lucinda Riley, bestselling author of the Seven Sisters series.'Captivating . . . poignant yet uplifting' – Woman's OwnPosy Montague is approaching her seventieth birthday. Still living in her beautiful Suffolk family home, Admiral House, she is surrounded by memories of her idyllic childhood catching butterflies with her beloved father, and of raising her own children. But Posy knows she must make an agonizing decision.Despite the memories the house holds, and the exquisite garden she has spent twenty-five years creating, the house is crumbling around her, and Posy knows the time has come to sell it.Then a face appears from the past – Freddie, her first love, who abandoned

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Deeply gripping and darkly atmospheric, The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a tale of long-buried secrets and hidden desires by Jane Healey.Winner of the HWA Debut Crown Award 2020Some secrets are unspoken. Others are unspeakable . . .August 1939. As the Second World War looms, thirty-year-old Hetty Cartwright is tasked with the evacuation and safekeeping of the natural history museum’s famous collection of mammals. But once she and her exhibits arrive at Lockwood Manor, Hetty soon realizes that she’s taken on more than she’d bargained for . . .Protecting her priceless animals from the irascible Lord Lockwood and resentful servants is hard enough, but when a series of mysterious events occur, Hetty begins to suspect someone – or something – is stalking her through the darkened corridors of the gothic mansion.As her fears build, Hetty finds herself falling under the spell of Lucy, Lord Lockwood’s beautiful but haunted daughter. But why is Lucy so traumatized? Does she know something she’s not telling? And is there any truth to local rumours of ghosts and curses?'Atmospheric and disquieting . . . an ideal book club read' – A J Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird

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A hilarious tale about a a boy with a wild imagination and his loving family, from award-winning author, Swapna Haddow and bestselling artist, Dapo Adeola. Is Mum a lioness? She loves her 'cubs', she can run faster than anything, and she can catch you in a single pounce for cuddles and kisses. She always makes sure you can hear her incredibly loud, proud roar when you're playing football. What else could Mum be but a lioness?She's always pawing your hair, along with the rest of the pride of lionesses. But sometimes, especially when her young ones are upset or scared, a lovely, warm, protective lioness embrace is just what is needed.My Mum is a Lioness is the brilliantly funny follow-up to My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Created by Swapna Haddow, author of the Dave Pigeon series, and Dapo Adeola, illustrator of Look Up!

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A Sunday Times bestseller, Where's My Happy Ending? asks the questions you've always wondered: What is ‘happily ever after’? How do you make love last? Is there such a thing as ‘the one’?‘As entertaining as it is instructive . . . Surprisingly funny and touching.’ - Evening StandardMaybe you’ve just had a first date with ‘the one’, maybe you’ve been married for ten years. Either way, it’s hard to know if they’re really meant to be by your side until you both wear dentures. In this book Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson, co-founders of the Mother Pukka website and authors of the Sunday Times bestseller Parenting the Sh*t Out of Life, set out to discover what it takes to make it to forever, by asking our greatest questions about love.They ask a former sex-worker and her ex-gigolo husband, celibate monks and free-loving hippies. They ask people who never wanted kids and people who have loads of them. They speak to couples, throuples and singles; gay, straight and anywhere in-between.And in asking these questions, they are forced to confront their own relationship after a decade of marriage. Join Anna and Matt on a searingly honest, belly-laugh inducing journey through love and relationships, social media and small children, expert advice and everyday exasperation, as they navigate the muddy waters of modern romance.

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From rising star Victoria Cassanell, Penguin Parcel is a sparkling Arctic adventure about friendship, empathy, and a very long journey.When Polar Bear spots a Penguin Coupon in the newspaper, he wastes no time in ordering his very own pet. He's thrilled with his new friend, but Penguin doesn't seem quite as pleased (though it's hard to tell – he's not very chatty). As time goes on, Penguin becomes more and more despondent, and Polar Bear knows he has to do something to fix it. And that something involves a very long journey. . . A warm-hearted, funny and breathtakingly beautiful book about kindness and learning to think about others.

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Join in the fun with Where's Teddy? and help find Teddy on every page in this fun lift-the-flap book from the bestselling creator of preschool classic, Dear Zoo.Buster and Teddy go everywhere together. Buster is busy helping out around the house, from baking in the kitchen to helping with the gardening, but where is Teddy hiding? This search-and-find story from the creator of Dear Zoo is sure to delight young children, with a satisfying lift-the-flap ending and a teddy to spot in every scene.Look out for more novelty books from Rod Campbell including: Oh Dear!, My Presents, and Farm 123.

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There's lots of fun to be had with this collection of first rhymes from the bestselling creator of preschool classic, Dear Zoo – with flaps to lift on every page.Featuring much-loved classic nursery rhymes such as 'Incy Wincy Spider' and 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' as well as a selection of original rhymes from Rod Campbell, First Rhymes is packed full of fun rhymes to share with your toddler. With flaps to lift on every page and lots of things to spot, this chunky board book is perfect for little hands. Look out for more novelty books from Rod Campbell including: Oh Dear!, ABC Zoo and Farm 123.

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Love is in the air . . .The Exiles in Love is the third and final book in the award-winning The Exiles series, with Hilary McKay's trademark wit and warmth.Ruth, Naomi, Rachel and Phoebe Conroy are all struggling to deal with the trials and tribulations of first love(s). Ruth develops a crush on the school bus driver, but finds herself conflicted when she also develops feelings for Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, the temporary English teacher (who Naomi is also smitten with) AND Alan Adair who works in the butcher's shop.Meanwhile, the younger two sisters have other things on their minds – Rachel is plotting to become May Queen at her school and Phoebe is in training to become an international spy. But when Big Grandma arranges for a French boy called Philippe to stay with the Conroy's, it's not long before all the girls fall head over heels for him as well . . .

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A stunning and classic picture book, with a special textured cover, The Invisible Guest in Moominvalley is the perfect gift for Moomin fans of all ages. In Moominvalley everyone is welcome. So when Too-ticky arrives with an unusually invisible guest, Ninny, the Moomins endeavor to make their guest feel at home, armed with remedies to gently draw their new guest into visibility allowing her to regain her once lost voice.This unique retelling of Tove Jansson's touching short story The Invisible Child captures Jansson's wise, perceptive and original voice and includes delicate, painterly illustrations full of character and detail and based on Jansson's original drawings and colour plates.A new generation of readers will enjoy meeting the lovable Moomin family and friends, with their special values of tolerance, kindness and integrity, as they help feel Ninny feel safe and one of the family.

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It's time to visit London – what a noisy city! Watch out for the beeping double-decker buses. Mind the gap on the tube and hear Big Ben chime the hour. Find out who's roaring at the Natural History Museum and listen to the monkeys chitter chatter at ZSL London Zoo. Finish off the day with a royal visit to Buckingham Palace: remember to look out for the naughty crown jewel thief on every page! The London Noisy Book has ten sounds to listen to, including a genuine Big Ben chime and “mind the gap” recording. Young children will love pressing the noises as they discover the sights in this hustling, bustling book about London. With tons of detail and things to spot, this beautifully illustrated sound book by Marion Billet is a must-have for toddlers visiting noisy London Town!Collect more London titles for little tourists: My First London Bus, My First London Taxi, and Hello! London.

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The perfect crime – it's a work of art, in Frank Cottrell Boyce's ingenious story, Framed.Dylan is the only boy living in the tiny Welsh town of Manod. His parents run the Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel garage – and when he's not trying to persuade his sisters to play football, Dylan is in charge of the petrol log. And that means he gets to keep track of everyone coming in and out of Manod – what car they drive, what they're called, even their favourite flavour of crisps. But when a mysterious convoy of lorries trundles up the misty mountainside towards an old, disused mine, even Dylan is confounded. Who are these people – and what have they got to hide?A story inspired by a press cutting describing how, during World War II, the treasured contents of London's National Gallery were stored in Welsh slate mines. Once a month, a morale-boosting masterpiece would be unveiled in the village and then returned to London for viewing. This is a funny and touching exploration of how art – its beauty and its value – touches the life of one little boy and his big family in a very small town.This edition of Framed includes bonus material and discussion questions from Frank Cottrell Boyce, and illustrations by Steven Lenton.

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If the dead could speak, what would they say to the living? From their graves in the field, the oldest part of Paulstadt’s cemetery, the town’s late inhabitants tell stories from their lives. Some recall just a moment, perhaps the one in which they left this world, perhaps the one that they now realize shaped their life for ever. Some remember all the people they’ve been with, or the only person they ever loved. These voices together – young, old, rich, poor – build a picture of a community, as viewed from below ground instead of from above. The streets of the small, sleepy provincial town of Paulstadt are given shape and meaning by those who lived, loved, worked, mourned and died there. From the author of the Booker International-shortlisted A Whole Life, Robert Seethaler’s The Field is about what happens at the end. It is a book of human lives – each one different, yet connected to countless others – that ultimately shows how life, for all its fleetingness, still has meaning.

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A SPECTATOR and PROSPECT Book of the Year'Ceaselessly interesting, knowledgeable and evocative' Spectator'A fresh way to write history' Alan Johnson'A quirky, amused, erudite homage to France . . . ambitious and original' The Times_____France: An Adventure History is a profoundly original and endlessly entertaining history of France, from the first century BC to the present day, based on countless new discoveries and thirty years of exploring France on foot, by bicycle and in the library.Beginning with the Roman army’s first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending with the Gilets Jaunes protests in the era of Emmanuel Macron, each chapter is an adventure in its own right. Along the way, readers will find the usual faces, events and themes of French history – Louis XIV, the French Revolution, the French Résistance, the Tour de France – but all presented in a shining new light.Graham Robb does not offer a standard dry list of facts and dates, but instead a panorama of France, teeming with characters, full of stories, journeys and coincidences, giving readers a thrilling sense of discovery and enlightenment. France: An Adventure History is a vivid, living history of one of the world’s most fascinating nations by a ceaselessly entertaining writer in complete command of subject and style._____'A rich and vibrant narrative . . . clear-eyed but imaginative storytelling' Financial Times'Full of life' Prospect

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Push and pull the tabs and turn the wheel in Busy Friends. Young children will love seeing two best friends share their toys, swap treats, play in the park and give each other a big hug!This bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Samantha Meredith is part of the popular Busy Book series. Keep little ones busy with more books from the series: Busy Playtime, Busy Nursery, and Busy Café.

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‘Peter James is one of the best British crime writers, and therefore one of the best in the world.’ - Lee Child, author of The Jack Reacher seriesA long-lost masterpiece sparks deadly violence – and sets Detective Superintendent Roy Grace on the path of a calculating killer. Discover the darkness that lurks around every corner in Picture You Dead.Now a major ITV drama starring John Simm as Roy Grace.Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did . . .They buy a drab portrait for twenty pounds for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then, studying it back at home, there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants.Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into the unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Picture You Dead is the eighteenth title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Find Them Dead and Left You Dead.‘The master of the craft’ - Daily Express

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Squirty Fish is the perfect waterproof book for baby's bath time!With bright and engaging illustrations of sea creatures from Kay Vincent and an inbuilt squirter, Squirty Fish makes bath time as much fun as possible for carers, parents and babies.Turn the pages together, read the gentle rhyming story about animals in a pond – and squirt some water! The waterproof pages are durable, safe and wipe-clean for hygiene.You can also enjoy bath time with Squirty Duck.

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Split Second is the first in the gripping King and Maxwell series by bestselling author David Baldacci.When something distracts Secret Agent Sean King for a split second, it costs him his career and presidential candidate, Clyde Ritter, his life. But what stole his attention? And why was Ritter shot? Eight years later Michelle Maxwell is on the fast track through the ranks of the Secret Service when her career is stopped short: presidential candidate John Bruno is abducted from a funeral home while under her protection. The similarity between the two cases drives Michelle to re-open investigations into the Ritter fiasco and join forces with attractive ex-agent King. The pair are determined to get to the bottom of what happened in those critical moments. Meanwhile, high-ranking members of the legal system and key witnesses from both cases are going missing. King is losing friends, colleagues and clients fast and his ex-lover, Joan Dillinger, is playing curious games – she wants Sean back, but she also owes him for something . . .Split Second is followed by Hour Game, Simple Genius, First Family, The Sixth Man and King and Maxwell.

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The Simple Truth is a tense courtroom drama with a fast-paced plot from bestselling author, David Baldacci.As a young conscripted soldier, Rufus Harms was jailed for the brutal killing of a schoolgirl. Yet, after twenty-five hard years of incarceration, a stray letter from the US army reveals new facts about the night of the murder – and the evil secret shared by some of Washington's most powerful men. Fearful for his life, Harms seizes his one chance to escape. But within hours the only people who knew about the letter have been hunted down and eliminated. As the unknown assassins close in on Harms, ex-cop turned criminal attorney John Fiske is drawn into the web. His younger brother is already a victim, the woman he loves is under threat. For the truth and the chance of a future, he will never give up the fight. But for both men time is already running out. Their enemy is buried deep within the system and completely ruthless when protecting the truth . . .

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Winner of the Schlegel-Tieck Prize for German Translation'Both a great anti-war novel and a love story, full of tenderness – as around it the world shatters.' – Der Spiegel, 'Novel of the Year'The year is 1944 and Veit Kolbe, a young German soldier, injured fighting in Russia, is recovering at Mondsee, a village and a lake below Drachenwand mountain, close to Salzburg in Austria. Here he meets Margot and Margarete, two young women who share his hope that sometime, sooner or later, life will begin again.The war is lost but how long will it take before it finally comes to its end? In Hinterland, Arno Geiger tells of Veit’s nightmares and the strangely normal life of the small village, of the Brazilian who dreams of returning to Rio de Janeiro, of the landlady and her rallying calls, of Margarete the teacher with whom Veit falls in love, but who doesn't return his affection.But when Veit’s wounds are healed his next call-up orders arrive. The military outlook for Germany and Austria looks increasingly grim and Veit’s luck has run out . . .Translated from the German by Jamie Bulloch

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When sixteen-year-old Chloe replies to a DM from a gorgeous stranger, she has no idea what she's inviting into her life. As her online fan becomes increasingly obsessive, her real life starts to come apart at the seams and Chloe realizes she needs to find a way to stop him before things spiral out of control.Misfit Amber's online obsession with her personal trainer begins to creep into the real world. But when she hears a terrible rumor about him, she drops everything to try and prove his innocence – even if it means compromising her own.In Follow Me, Like Me by Charlotte Seager, Amber and Chloe might find that the truth is much harder to swallow than the lies.

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'Through sharply drawn characters, Rossi achieves a clear-eyed and poignant view of a family in crisis' - Sydney Morning HeraldA fatal car crash. A young boy orphaned. Who should now become his parents?Nicholas and April are driving home from a party when their car crashes on an empty road high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As they lay on the roadside slowly dying, their four-year-old son, Jack, waits for them at home. In the days after their deaths, their grieving relatives begin to descend on the family home. There, they are forced to decide who will care for the child Nicholas and April left behind. Nicholas’s brother Nathaniel and his wife Stefanie aren’t ready to be parents, but Nicholas’s mother and father have issues of their own. And April’s mother Tammy is driving across the country to claim her grandson. Spanning a few traumatic days in the minds of each family member, Mountain Road, Late at Night, is a masterly portrait of grief, the pain of sudden loss and a family in utter crisis. Gripping, affecting and extremely accomplished, Alan Rossi's unforgettable debut asks one crucial question: what do you do when the worst happens?

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