When motherless Alice turns thirteen she feels in-between, no longer a child but not yet a woman, and discovers that growing up can be both frustrating and wonderful. Views: 496
Do you believe that knowing about someone's childhood will help you to understand them? John Verry has become a very precise man, comfortable within his perfectly timed and arranged little world. But what led him to this? And as an author, do I really have any control over him?'John Very' is a short story playing with and enjoying the relationship between author and character.These two short stories examine the hidden lives of outsiders from society - people who are put on the outside because of mental illness. Their remarkable stoicism and the valuable contributions they can make are put on display here, for the reader to consider.We all know by now that the mentally ill suffer from cruel and crude stereotypes and stigmas of being "defective," "crazy," and "weak", as well as a still-pervasive belief that they are generally prone to committing crimes. Here are two portraits of mentally ill people that show how they often do stand aside from mainstream society, yet inject that mainstream with important insights and inspiration.In the first story, "The Exalted Mortals," Lester, a young man with schizophrenia, finds through the darkness his niche in the world of art - he makes as his subjects the mentally ill and other people with disabilities, conveying to his audiences what contributions the disabled make, and how they strive to love be loved just as others do. He finds in the efforts of the disabled remarkable examples of what the human spirit is capable of, and there is the implication that even more could be accomplished if the seen and unseen barriers to the disabled were lowered.The second story, "Strange Jill," shines a light on the unique perspective of a mentally ill school girl, who knows what "cool" really is, and tries to teach a curious schoolmate what knowing is all about in this world.Neither story contains adult or otherwise explicit content, though the themes might best be discussed with the younger reader. Views: 496
Perri is an artist w/an odd sketchbook full of awkward childhood sketches--a spectacled princess, a candy loving troll, & a graceless fairy--for there's no better way to hide from bullying than to create a world of your own. At 19, Peregrine leaves her home & her sketches behind. But what happens when something goes wrong in Awkward, leaving her trapped w/the bully she thought to leave behind?If you are looking for a happy book about beautiful people, this is the wrong story. If you are looking for a narrative without emotion, without regrets, and without mistakes, this is definitely the wrong story. This is by no means an uncomplicated tale about uncomplicated people. It is by no means sweet or light. This story is ugly. This story is complicated.This story is emotional.This story is tragic.In short, this story is about being awkward. Peregrine Storke is an artist with an odd sketchbook full of pictures she’s drawn since she was a child. It is a book full of strange sketches and awkward characters, for there is no better way to hide from bullying and life than to create a world of your own. With a stroke of her pencil, she has given life to a spectacled princess, a freckle-nosed king, a candy loving troll, a two-horned unicorn, and a graceless fairy. At nineteen, Peregrine leaves her home, her sketchbook, and awkwardness behind. But what happens when something goes wrong in the world of Awkward? Trapped inside of her complex realm with the bully she thought to leave behind, Peregrine discovers there is nothing worse than falling for your own villain. Views: 496
‘I was completely blown away by The Wife Upstairs. This is a compulsive, irresistible retelling of Jane Eyre with a modern, noir twist – and wow, does it work’ Samantha Downing, bestselling author of My Lovely Wife
A girl looking for love…When Jane, a broke dog-walker newly arrived in town, meets Eddie Rochester, she can’t believe her luck. Eddie is handsome, rich and lives alone in a beautiful mansion since the tragic death of his beloved wife a year ago.
A man who seems perfect…Eddie can give Jane everything she’s always wanted: stability, acceptance, and a picture-perfect life.
A wife who just won’t stay buried…But what Jane doesn’t know is that Eddie is keeping a secret – a big secret. And when the truth comes out, the consequences are far more deadly than anyone could ever have imagined…
A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs is perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware and Shari Lapena.
‘A sharp, fresh twist on a classic in this darkly funny, suspenseful story of murder, ambition, and love. Creepy and fast-paced…kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the very last’ bestselling author Megan Miranda
‘The Wife Upstairs is everything I’d hoped—sharp, smart, tricky and fast-paced’ Kelly Harms, author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler Views: 496
While trying to launch her newest invention, a cheerful pixie named Pudding inadvertently plays a role in one of history’s greatest myths.On an obscure island in the North Atlantic Ocean, a cheerful pixie named Pudding is about to make history by launching the world's first submarine. Unfortunately, the maiden voyage, which should be an easy cruise around the ocean for the young inventor and her three friends, quickly turns into an unexpected adventure. With events of mythological proportions happening all around her, Pudding soon realizes that her newest invention may land her in the history books for an entirely different reason. Views: 496
"Will get Buffy fans up in their feels." —Entertainment Weekly on Slayer Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Now that Nina has turned the Watcher's Castle into a utopia for hurt and lonely demons, she's still waiting for the utopia part to kick in. With her sister Artemis gone and only a few people remaining at the castle—including her still-distant mother—Nina has her hands full. Plus, though she gained back her Slayer powers from Leo, they're not feeling quite right after being held by the seriously evil succubus Eve, a.k.a. fake Watcher's Council member and Leo's mom. And while Nina is dealing with the darkness inside, there's also a new threat on the outside, portended by an odd triangle symbol that seems to be popping up... Views: 496
The second adventure in the Bartimaeus trilogy finds Nathaniel working his way up the ranks of the government, when crisis hits. A seemingly invulnerable clay golem is making random attacks on London. Nathaniel and Bartimaeus must travel to Prague to discover the source of the golem's power.
In their continuing adventures, magician's apprentice Nathaniel, now fourteen years old, and the djinni Bartimaeus travel to Prague to locate the source of a golem's power before it destroys London. Views: 496
Noah has a fierce crush on a hot jock on the high school football team whose locker is fifteen down from Noah's in the hall. When Melissa Bradshaw, only the most popular girl in school, suddenly shows an interest in Noah, he suspects he's being set up for a cruel joke.Noah Lipinski has a fierce crush on Doug Hathaway, a hot jock on the high school football team whose locker is fifteen down from Noah's in the hall. When Melissa Bradshaw, only the most popular girl in school, suddenly shows an interest in Noah, he suspects he's being set up for a cruel joke. She asks him to Homecoming and he refuses to go.After school, the doorbell rings and Noah's sure she's back to pester him about the dance. But when he opens the door, he finds Doug there instead, with an explanation and a much better offer than Melissa's. Views: 496
Lyric Scott has always had a good life. Outgoing, spunky, and musically talented, she’s constantly surrounded by family and friends, yet she still feels there’s something missing.
Then she meets her new next-door neighbor Ayden Gregory. Mysterious, sweet, and sad, Ayden is the exact opposite of Lyric and exactly what she needs to fill the void in her life.
Ayden has been through more than most people and believes his life is always going to be rocky, so when he’s suddenly adopted by the Gregorys, he’s thrown for a turn. But even with a new, loving family, he still finds himself haunted by the memories of his old life. The only true breath of fresh air is when he’s with his best friend, Lyric Scott.
As Lyric and Ayden grow closer, the lines of their friendship start to blur. But when Ayden's past unexpectedly pushes its way into his new life, their friendship and newfound attraction will be tested.
A novel about Ella and Micha's daughter and Lila and Ethan's son from The Secret Series. However, this series can be read on its own. Views: 496
Dani always did want a fairytale and now she's living one, only childhood bedtime stories were never so dark and nefarious and the Princess isn't drawn to two captivating men at the same time. The decision should be easy, because one is spoken for, but the heart rarely concerns itself with such trivial details.Everything was good. I was senior and I was dating the guy I'd been crazy about for, well, forever basically. Things were right on track and going just the way I wanted them too. We'd go off to college and get degrees and killer careers and get married and have 2.5 children and live out a suburban fairy tale.One night changed all that...along with everything I ever thought I knew.I know they say you can't go home again. I'm not really sure who 'they' are, but they're wrong. Like, wrong to the power of infinity. The thing of it is though, I thought I was home. As it turns out, I was also wrong to the power of infinity. I mean, imagine my surprise when an overly dramatic moment results in me falling through the worm hole, or a black hole, or a bunny hole...well, suffice it to say I fell into some kind of hole and ended up somewhere I never expected. I mean a wholly different place, and not metaphorically. Literally, another place. This would all be really awesome except that some...things...are after me. And there is this guy. Okay, there are two guys and I'm not sure which way is up anymore. One is perfect for me, everything you'd want in a guy.So why is it that I feel like someone is pulling me by a rope toward the other one?Only one thing is for sure. Everything I was ever certain of just went up in smoke. Views: 496
