Anita Brookner is justly famous for her elegant, almost Jamesian character studies of women poised on the threshold of life. But in Lewis Percy, she performs a remarkable leap of imaginative empathy in her portrayal of a man torn between the reassuring cloister of the library and the alluring but terrifying world of the senses, a world populated by women who persist in bewildering him. Views: 26
In one of her most delicate and suspenseful novels to date, Anita Brookner brings us an exquisite story of friendship and duty. Rachel Kennedy and Oscar Livingston were not precisely friends or family. Rachel had been acquanted with Oscar for some time, first as her father's accountant, and then as her own. Part owner of a London bookshop, Rachel is thoroughly independent and somewhat distant, determinedly restrained in her feelings for others, but above all responsible. And it is this trait that leads Oscar and his wife Dorrie to seek out Rachel as a mentor for their twenty-seven-year-old daughter, Heather. Yet when Heather seems poised to make an unsuitable romantic decision, Rachel decides to speak out and intervene, causing an unwitting and devastating insight. Views: 26
With this novel, Booker Prize-winning author Anita Brookner confirms her reputation as an unparalleled observer of social nuance and deeply felt longings. Brief Lives chronicles an unlikely friendship: that between the flamboyant, monstrously egocentric Julia and the modest, self-effacing Fay, who is at once fascinated and appalled by Julia's excesses. Thrust together by their husbands' business partnership -- and by a guilty secret -- Julia and Fay develop an intense bond that is nonetheless something less than intimacy, a relationship in which we see our own uneasy compromises, not only with other people, but with life itself. Views: 26
This remarkable true story about the co-founder of Jet Propulsion Laboratory. By day, Parsons' unorthodox genius created a solid rocket fuel that helped the Allies win World War II. By night, Parsons called himself The Antichrist. "One of the best books of the year."—The Anomalist Views: 25
By popular demand. A novel length “Ferret” book. Sandra Mitchell is back. Rogue agent with death in her hands. The city is in the grip of a highly professional gang, threatening to blow up buildings worth millions, if the owners don't pay up. They need the Ferret, but he's missing. Sandra is on her own mission. Is the Ferret involved? It's all on the line and they could be going out with a bang! Views: 25
The chief of police of Jarrett Creek, Texas, doubles as the town drunk. So when Dora Lee Parjeter is murdered, her old friend and former police chief Samuel Craddock steps in. He discovers that a lot of people had it in for Dora Lee. The conniving rascals on the farm next door want her land for nefarious purposes; her estranged daughter could be seeking vengeance; her grandson wants money for art school; and then there's that stranger Dora Lee claimed was spying on her. Does Craddock still have what it takes to find the killer? In this debut novel, the strong, compelling voice of Samuel Craddock illuminates the grandeur and loneliness of the central Texas landscape and reveals the human foibles of the residents in a small Texas town-their pettiness and generosity, their secret vices and true virtues. Views: 23
At the heart of Anita Brookner's new novel lies a double mystery: What has happened to Anna Durrant, a solitary woman of a certain age who has disappeared from her London flat? And why has it taken four months for anyone to notice?As Brookner reconstructs Anna's life and character through the eyes of her acquaintances, she gives us a witty yet ultimately devastating study of self-annihilating virtue while exposing the social, fiscal, and moral frauds that are the underpinnings of terrifying rectitude. Views: 23
20% OF ALL SALES FROM THIS BOOK GO TO THE BRAIN TUMOUR CHARITY!!! They had it all. The life they could both ever want. They had someone to love, a beautiful child to cherish and a home full of friends and family. But what happens when something, the most extreme of betrayals, rips your heart out? Do you fight or do you give in and surrender to defeat? What happens when the past rears it's head and throws a curve ball your way? Follow Abigail and Leighton as they struggle to deal with the aftermath of the deception and heartache thrown upon them. Will they fight or will they fall? WARNING CONTAINS: DRUG ABUSE, VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, BDSM THEMES AND STRONG M/M, M/F/M, M/F SEXUAL CONTENT. Views: 23
Seraphin Shedd can't seem to escape the murky vision of her father's death. She's always felt like his death was a result of her defiant actions. When she meets Joseph Merrick, the nephew of her beloved teacher, her life begins to unravel. When Joseph opens her eyes to the impossible, her trust begins to waver. Is his interest in her purely for personal gain or will he prove to be a loyal friend? Follow along as Seraphin uncovers her true identity as well as discovers the evil surrounding her father's death. If you love mermaids, this is the young adult fantasy novel for you. See the raging sea through Seraphin's eyes and struggle to make sense of the impossible. This isn't an ordinary mermaid story, the mystery is as deep as the ocean. You'll find intrigue and romance, as well as a dash of humor and action.Caution: Memoir of a Mermaid has been known to cause 'up all night reading' and 'can't put down syndrome'. You may find yourself addicted to the tension between Joseph and Seraphin. Due to the fact that this book is all you'll be able to think about, do not begin reading the night before an important meeting or a final exam. The story will literally be swimming around in your head. Views: 22
"Babitz's talent for the brilliant line, honed to a point, never interferes with her feel for languid pleasures." —The New York Times Book Review A new reissue of Babitz's collection of nine stories that look back on the 1980s and early 1990s—decades of dreams, drink, and glimpses of a changing world. Black Swans further celebrates the phenomenon of Eve Babitz, cementing her reputation as the voice of a generation. "On the page, Babitz is pure pleasure—a perpetual-motion machine of no-stakes elation and champagne fizz." —The New Yorker "[A] true original." —The Boston Globe "She's a natural. Or gives every appearance of being one, her writing elevated yet slangy, bright, bouncy, cheerfully hedonistic—L.A. in it purest, most idealized form." —Vanity Fair "Babitz's writing is also like the jacaranda tree in glorious bloom—bewitching an entire city, but all too... Views: 22
(Previous title: Portrait of a Murder)Dr. Dulcinea (Dulcie) Chambers has a lot on her mind. She's just opened a new exhibit of Winslow Homer watercolors at the Maine Museum of Art where she's the chief curator. The exhibit will be complete when the museum's director, the urbane Joshua Harriman, buys the final piece at auction. But when Dulcie discovers a body where the painting should have been, she's one of the primary suspects. Portland Police Detective Nicholas Black is on the case but finds he is less than objective when it comes to the attractive Dr. Chambers.As a native, Dulcie is firmly rooted in Maine but has risen to the top of the museum world quickly. She's confident in her work but not in her skills at a cocktail party. She'd rather be at home with a good glass of wine and a book, not to mention a hearty portion of chicken fried rice. Nick grew up in the socialite-filled and privileged world of Boston's elite, groomed for a career in law. He jumped ship, much to his... Views: 21
Just when Jade has found pony heaven for her old horse Pip, a ruthless developer promises to destroy the idyllic seaside riding school. Ages: 8-12 Jade's summer is not looking too good. She needs to find a new home for Pip, her beautiful old mare, and is resigned to schooling troublesome taniwha. then she gets some good news. Becca's Aunt Flora, who has a riding school by the beach at Ocean Bay, is looking for a bombproof beginner's mount - namely, Pip! Better still, would Jade like to spend a few weeks helping out around the school and learning about endurance riding? Of course. to Jade, Samudra Riding School is heaven. Unfortunately, a property developer thinks so, too, and is determined to build luxury beach houses on the horses' land. Jade must find a way to save perfect Pip's new home. Ages: 8-12 Views: 21
PI Alan Swansea teams up with Amanda Linville to investigate the murder of Jodi Wilburn, ex-wife of Amanda's childhood friend. As evidence mounts against Nick Wilburn, Sheriff Jim Foley will do whatever it takes to see that Nick is arrested and convicted, pushing the partners into a race to find the real killer.As the case heats up, Alan gets an urgent call to bring down a sex trafficking ring exploiting young children in Columbus. With no time to lose he accepts the case, forcing his new partner to work the Wilburn case on her own. Can Alan and Amanda both come through in time, or will time run out? Views: 21
