In this inspiring memoir of faith and perseverance, Bob Massie recounts how a childhood illness laid the foundation for a life filled with compassion and activism.Bob Massie was born with classical hemophilia, a painful disorder that caused repeated bleeding in his joints and slowly robbed him of the ability to walk. Though bound to leg braces and wheelchairs as a child, his curiosity and enthusiasm pulled him relentlessly outward toward knowledge and people. Gradually he fought back and eventually succeeded not only in walking again but in traveling widely through a life of passion and commitment. He graduated in history from Princeton, where he organized the opening up of the university's exclusive club system, and later was ordained as an Episcopal minister. After several years teaching children and working with the homeless in New York City, he moved to the challenging halls of Harvard Business School, where he earned a doctorate while tending to a devoted... Views: 36
From National Book Award–winning author William Alexander comes a wryly humorous story about two kids who try to save their town by bringing back its ghosts.Rosa Ramona Díaz has just moved to the small, un-haunted town of Ingot—the only ghost-free town in the world. She doesn't want to be there. She doesn't understand how her mother—a librarian who specializes in ghost-appeasement—could possibly want to live in a place with no ghosts. Frankly, she doesn't understand why anyone would. Jasper Chevalier has always lived in Ingot. His father plays a knight at the local Renaissance Festival, and his mother plays the queen. Jasper has never seen a ghost, and can't imagine his un-haunted town any other way. Then an apparition thunders into the festival grounds and turns the quiet town upside down. Something otherworldly is about to be unleashed, and Rosa will need all her ghost appeasement tools—and a little help from Jasper—to... Views: 36
The high-spirited correspondence between New York Times bestselling author Paul Auster and Nobel laureate J. M. CoetzeeAlthough Paul Auster and J. M. Coetzee had been reading each other’s books for years, the two writers did not meet until February 2008. Not long after, Auster received a letter from Coetzee, suggesting they begin exchanging letters on a regular basis and, “God willing, strike sparks off each other.”Here and Now is the result of that proposal: the epistolary dialogue between two great writers who became great friends. Over three years their letters touched on nearly every subject, from sports to fatherhood, film festivals to incest, philosophy to politics, from the financial crisis to art, death, family, marriage, friendship, and love.Their correspondence offers an intimate and often amusing portrait of these two men as they explore the complexities of the here and now and is a reflection of two sharp intellects whose pleasure in each other’s friendship is apparent on every page.About the AuthorPaul Auster is the bestselling author of The New York Trilogy and many other critically acclaimed novels. He was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize in 2006. His work has been translated into more than forty languages. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.J. M. Coetzee is the author of twenty books, which have been translated into many languages. He is the first author to be awarded the Booker Prize twice: first for Life & Times of Michael K and then for Disgrace. In 2003 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. A native of South Africa, he now lives in Australia. Views: 36
Charlotte and Sally Maynard grew up in a rambling Connecticut country house that belonged to their stepfather, Whit Whitman. Perry and Spin, Whit's sons from his unhappy first marriage, were welcomed as weekend guests. All of the children received Whit's love and attention, but they were also influenced, for better and for worse, by his often misguided ideals and wildly narcissistic personality. When Whit dies, he leaves the estate in the care of his wife, Charlotte and Sally's mother, with the understanding that the home will revert to Perry and Spin when she passes away. But Joan, a stalwart sixty-something, isn't going anywhere soon. She's enjoying the house, which she shares with Charlotte, an agoraphobic mommy blogger, who doesn't actually have any children. She and her sister have a good relationship, and they're close, too, with their step brothers. But when Spin, the youngest, brings his beautiful fiancé Laurel Atwood home for the summer, she manages to subtly crack the... Views: 36
After tracking down a series of murders involving a sorcerous homunculi, Hawk and Fisher are assigned to "The God Squad", a team that polices the strangeness that exists on the Street of the Gods. Someone or something has killed three of the gods, or Beings, as they are often called. The squad is not used to murder investigations but they are also not used to working with the Guard. While the rest of the squad work to keep hell from breaking loose (literally), Hawk and Fisher follow the meager clues to its startling, but inevitable, conclusion. Another good tale with plenty of action as well much to make one think. The mystery is well done as is the additions to Haven's history and make-up. Not just simply Swords & Sorcery (although there is plenty of that). Views: 36
Irene Adler is enjoying a quiet, undisturbed life in Sussex when the mysterious disappearance of a local farmer named James Phillimore throws her world into turmoil and forces her to enlist the aid of her friend and former enemy Sherlock Holmes. Irritated by his flatmate John Watson's romantic inclinations, Holmes journeys to Fulworth to assist The Woman in her investigation. Along the way, the two uncover the darkness, intrigue, scandal, and unexpected loyalty that lie at the heart of a seemingly-innocent village and a case filled with diabolical deception. Views: 36
The highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller Children of Eden.Two girls, one destiny. Yarrow is an elite: rich, regal, destined for greatness. She's the daughter of one of the most powerful women in Eden. At the exclusive Oaks boarding school, she makes life miserable for anyone foolish enough to cross her. Her life is one wild party after another...until she meets a fascinating, lilac-haired girl named Lark. Meanwhile, there is Rowan, who has been either hiding or running all her life. As an illegal second child in a strictly regulated world, her very existence is a threat to society, punishable by death...or worse. After her father betrayed his family, and after her mother was killed by the government, Rowan discovered a whole city of people like herself. Safe in an underground sanctuary that also protected the last living tree on Earth, Rowan found friendship, and maybe more, in a fearless hero named Lachlan.... Views: 36
From reviews of previous novels:"...a knack for quirky characters." (Kirkus)"...sparkles with sharp, clear, and occasionally earthy humor." (Booklist)"...A most entertaining microcosm, featuring standout characters, witty dialogue, and a clever story." (Library Journal)For single women, of "a certain age," on the dating scene and more ---Rose, living in a lopsided cottage in Cambridge, Massachusetts, two-and-a-half years into celibacy (but who’s counting?), decides to quit the writing biz and become a bartender. In a flash, celibacy is a memory as she begins an affair with the gorgeous instructor of her bar tending course, lands her first gig, and finds herself in a dangerous and seductive e-mail relationship with a man hiding behind the moniker Rabbitfish, whom she first spotted on an internet dating site. Not only is he handsome and witty, but he also seems to have the uncanny ability to read her mind. Is it surprising, then, that her hapless angel, Ralph, pops up, trying to warn her of....what exactly? Despite the fact that her most recent ex-husband has decided to become a Buddhist monk, Rose is dubious that angels even exist. Plus, she’s downright insulted that her angel is so, well, unattractive. Is she crazy or -- finally -- growing up? An unexpected event (let’s not call it a miracle) might bring Rose an answer to her prayers, the prayers of a skeptic, no less. Views: 35
Thirteen year-old Hattie Moore doesn't actually know who her dad is – but that's the least of her problems. Trying to embark on a mission to become a TOTAL HOTNESS GODDESS isn't easy when Miss Gorgeous Knickers at school hates her and NO ONE FANCIES HER. Things aren't helped by her family. Her unbelievably annoying older brother is threatening to reveal to the world everything embarrassing that has ever happened to her. She has a mum who just doesn't get her or why she might want to find out about her real dad and a gran who is a TOTAL mental and who may be texting rude jokes to just about EVERYONE in in the world EVER. Including dentists. Hattie's diary of this tumultuous year is an absolutely hilarious account of the ups and downs of teenage life, including a dating bogey phobia, near death from biscotti and a home-made breast-growing machine. Views: 35
