A journalist and blogger takes us on a colorful and spicy gastronomic tour through Viet Nam in this entertaining, offbeat travel memoir, with a foreword by Anthony Bourdain. Growing up in a small town in northern England, Graham Holliday wasn’t keen on travel. But in his early twenties, a picture of Hanoi sparked a curiosity that propelled him halfway across the globe. Graham didn’t want to be a tourist in an alien land, though; he was determined to live it. An ordinary guy who liked trying interesting food, he moved to the capital city and embarked on a quest to find real Vietnamese food. In Eating Viet Nam, he chronicles his odyssey in this strange, enticing land infused with sublime smells and tastes. Traveling through the back alleys and across the boulevards of Hanoi—where home cooks set up grills and stripped-down stands serving sumptuous fare on blue plastic furniture—he risked dysentery, giardia, and diarrhea to discover a culinary treasure-load that was truly foreign and unique. Holliday shares every bite of the extraordinary fresh dishes, pungent and bursting with flavor, which he came to love in Hanoi, Saigon, and the countryside. Here, too, are the remarkable people who became a part of his new life, including his wife, Sophie. A feast for the senses, funny, charming, and always delicious, Eating Viet Nam will inspire armchair travelers, curious palates, and everyone itching for a taste of adventure.

Cleary Wolters was going about her everyday life when she saw a commercial for a new TV show that stopped her in her tracks. The scene showed a young blond woman hopping out of a van, wearing an orange prison uniform. A blur of words and images followed, including allusions to lesbian lovers, drug smuggling, and life behind bars. Then Cleary saw a woman wearing her signature black-rimmed glasses and she dropped the remote. In that moment, Cleary knew that her private past had been brought to light in the most public way imaginable. Nothing would ever be the same again.Orange Is the New Black went on to become an Emmy-winning cultural phenomenon streamed onto laptops and into living rooms around the world. The series, and the number one New York Times bestselling book of the same name, follows Piper, a privileged white woman who spent thirteen months in prison for her involvement in an international drug-smuggling ring. Cleary binge-watched the show along with the rest of the universe, though what was fun for everyone else was a weirdly personal, strangely unnerving interpretation of events that had shaped her own life.Now speaking out for the first time to share her story including how she introduced Piper to the criminal activities that would ultimately send both of them to prison Cleary tells a brutally honest, emotional tale of the bold decisions and epic mistakes she made and the struggle to keep them from defining the rest of her life.

Published to strong reviews and major media attention, this heartfelt and inspirational rags-to-riches memoir by the highly regarded CEO of Parade Publications tells the emotional story of how he came to terms with an identity and a family that he never knew he had until he reached middle age.Meant To Be begins when Anderson, a 21-year-old Marine returns from service to say goodbye to his dying father and tries to find the answer to a question that has inexplicably haunted him from his earliest years: Was the alcoholic, abusive man who has so tormented him in his childhood his real fatherShockingly, the answer turns out to be "No." Unbeknown to him, at least until that point, his mother, a German Protestant, fell in love during World War II with a Russian Jew and bore his child. Anderson learns this information as a young man but he and his mother keep this secret for another 35 years, until the day Anderson now an unusually successful publishing executive meets an unknown brother who, it turns out, has lived a nearly parallel life. Meant To Be is a love story, a journey of self-discovery and spirituality, and a provocative challenge to common notions about the role of heredity in our lives.

Dad SaidOlestad, we can do i t all. . . .Why do you make me do thisBecause it's beautiful when it all comes together.I don't think it's ever beautiful.One day.Never.We'll see, my father said. Vamanos.From the age of three, Norman Ollestad was thrust into the world of surfing and competitive downhill skiing by the intense, charismatic father he both idolized and resented. While his friends were riding bikes, playing ball, and going to birthday parties, young Norman was whisked away in pursuit of wild and demanding adventures. Yet it were these exhilarating tests of skill that prepared "Boy Wonder," as his father called him, to become a fearless champion and ultimately saved his life.Flying to a ski championship ceremony in February 1979, the chartered Cessna carrying Norman, his father, his father's girlfriend, and the pilot crashed into the San Gabriel Mountains and was suspended at 8,200 feet, engulfed in a blizzard. "Dad and I were a team, and he was Superman," Ollestad writes. But now Norman's father was dead, and the devastated eleven-year-old had to descend the treacherous, icy mountain alone.Set amid the spontaneous, uninhibited surf culture of Malibu and Mexico in the late 1970s, this riveting memoir, written in crisp Hemingwayesque prose, recalls Ollestad's childhood and the magnetic man whose determination and love infuriated and inspired him and also taught him to overcome the indomitable. As it illuminates the complicated bond between an extraordinary father and his son, Ollestad's powerful and unforgettable true story offers remarkable insight for us all.

Her mother was a brainy knockout with the sultry beauty of Marilyn Monroe, a raconteur whose fierce wit could shock an audience into hilarity or silence. Her father was a distinguished figure in American letters, the National Book Award–winning author of four of the greatest novels of World War II ever written. A daughter of privilege with a seemingly fairy-tale-like life, Kaylie Jones was raised in the Hamptons via France in the 1960s and '70s, surrounded by the glitterati who orbited her famous father, James Jones. Legendary for their hospitality, her handsome, celebrated parents held court in their home around an antique bar an eighteenth-century wooden pulpit taken from a French village church playing host to writers, actors, movie stars, film directors, socialites, diplomats, an emperor, and even the occasional spy. Kaylie grew up amid such family friends as William Styron, Irwin Shaw, James Baldwin, and Willie Morris, and socialized with the likes of Truman Capote, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, and Kurt Vonnegut.Her beloved father showed young Kaylie the value of humility, hard work, and education, with its power to overcome ignorance, intolerance, and narrow-mindedness, and instilled in her a love of books and knowledge. From her mother, Gloria, she learned perfect posture, the twist, the fear of abandonment, and soul-shattering cruelty. Two constants defined Kaylie's childhood: literature and alcohol. "Only one word was whispered in the house, as if it were the worst insult you could call someone," she writes, "alcoholic was a word my parents reserved for the most appalling and shameful cases drunks who made public scenes or tried to kill themselves or ended up in the street or in an institution. If you could hold your liquor and go to work, you were definitely not an alcoholic." When her father died from heart failure complicated by years of drinking, sixteen-year-old Kaylie was broken and lost. For solace she turned to his work, looking beyond the man she worshipped to discover the artist and his craft, determined that she too would write. Her loss also left her powerless to withstand her mother's withering barbs and shattering criticism, or halt Gloria's further descent into a bottle one of the few things mother and daughter shared. From adolescence, Kaylie too used drink as a refuge, a way to anesthetize her sadness, anger, and terror. For years after her father's death, she denied the blackouts, the hangovers, the lost days, the rage, the depression. Broken and bereft, she began reading her father's novels and those writers who came before and after him and also pursued her own writing. With this, she found the courage to open the door on the truth of her own addiction.Lies My Mother Never Told Me is the mesmerizing and luminously told story of Kaylie's battle with alcoholism and her struggle to flourish despite the looming shadow of a famous father and an emotionally abusive and damaged mother. Deeply intimate, brutally honest, yet limned by humor and grace, it is a beautifully written tale of personal evolution, family secrets, second chances, and one determined woman's journey to find her own voice and the courage to embrace a life filled with possibility, strength, and love.

150 of the World's Funniest and Most Delightful Christmas CardsKaren Robert has spent the last several years tracking down the wonderful and wacky Christmas cards represented in this book the best out of tens of thousands she has reviewed. Featuring everything from young couples in love, classic kids-'n'-dogs, and quirky workplace situations to every incarnation of Santa fat, thin, young, old, canine these cards will surprise you with their irrepressible creativity. Some are heartwarming, some are hilarious, some are simply strange but every single one was actually sent out as a Christmas card. So whether you're one of the millions of people who love all things Christmas, looking for inspiration for your own holiday card, or just a desperate Scrooge on the hunt for the perfect stocking stuffer, pick up Merry Christmas from . . . for a holiday pick-me-up.

One Person Can Make a Difference In search of adventure, twenty-nine-year-old Conor Grennan traded his day job for a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month stint volunteering at the Little Princes Children's Home, an orphanage in war-torn Nepal. Conor was initially reluctant to volunteer, unsure whether he had the proper skill, or enough passion, to get involved in a developing country in the middle of a civil war. But he was soon overcome by the herd of rambunctious, resilient children who would challenge and reward him in a way that he had never imagined. When Conor learned the unthinkable truth about their situation, he was stunned: The children were not orphans at all. Child traffickers were promising families in remote villages to protect their children from the civil war for a huge fee by taking them to safety. They would then abandon the children far from home, in the chaos of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.For Conor, what began as a footloose adventure becomes a commitment to reunite the children he had grown to love with their families, but this would be no small task. He would risk his life on a journey through the legendary mountains of Nepal, facing the dangers of a bloody civil war and a debilitating injury. Waiting for Conor back in Kathmandu, and hopeful he would make it out before being trapped in by snow, was the woman who would eventually become his wife and share his life's work. Little Princes is a true story of families and children, and what one person is capable of when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. At turns tragic, joyful, and hilarious, Little Princes is a testament to the power of faith and the ability of love to carry us beyond our wildest expectations.

Uniquely fusing practical advice on writing with his own insights into the craft, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes constructs beautiful prose about the issues would-be writers are most afraid to articulate: How do I dare writeWhere do I beginWhat do I do with this story I have to tell that fills and breaks my heartRich with personal vignettes about Rhode's sources of inspiration, How to Write is also a memoir of one of the most original and celebrated writers of our day.

RACE AGAINST TIME The last thing Krista Curry expected to find in a soccer stadium was a time bomb. When she alerts explosives expert Cash Dixon, she becomes a local hero. But the attention could expose her real name–and the infamous past she fought to escape. Cash promises Krista protection from the bomber's retaliation. Yet she hesitates to trust him as she sees his suspicion about her grow with every question she dodges. She can't expect Cash to continue to safeguard her unless she tells him the truth. Now Cash must decide if she's an innocent woman or guilty accomplice. But the clock is ticking down–and the real bomber is still on the loose… First Responders: Brave men and women alert and ready for danger and love.

A Father for Her Baby? Katie Bloom’s ex may have left her pregnant, jobless and alone, but she has a plan: find a new career; plan the best Pumpkin Festival the people of Peach Leaf, Texas have ever seen; and create a happy environment for her child-to-be. The only thing Katie desperately wants, but isn’t sure she can get, is Ryan Ford, her childhood best friend and first love, who’s back in town. Their chemistry is off the charts and Katie knows letting Ryan go again isn’t an option... but can she really build a new family in time for her baby?

Wanted: Royal Wife and Mother For five years Kelly has been separated from her son, the heir to the Alp de Ciel throne. With her estranged husband’s death, they can finally be reunited – but first she must return to the palace and meet the dangerously tempting Prince Regent, Rafael de Boutaine. Cinderella: Hired by the Prince When gorgeous stranger Ramón offers sensible chef Jenny a job on his yacht, she can’t refuse his offer of adventure. But nothing could have prepared her for Ramón’s revelation once they’re at sea: that he’s not a humble yachtsman, but a secret prince! A Royal Marriage of Convenience International lawyer Nikolai de Montez has discovered that he’s heir to the throne of Alp de Montez – yet, to claim his title, he must marry Rose McCray. And after a sumptuous ceremony a match of duty begins to evolve into a marriage of desire…

A promise made has to be a promise kept This small town in rural Georgia is where Kimberly Singleton hopes to find the answers that can save her adopted daughter's life. Daniel Monroe is the key: the charismatic firefighter is the one who helped bring her child into the world. He's a good man from a loving family who makes Kimberly feel like she's finally found a safe haven. But he won't give up his secret. For almost twelve years, Daniel has kept his promise to a terrified young mother. Now Kimberly and her daughter deserve the truth. But how can he break that long-ago vow and stay true to who he is, a man Kimberly can trust…and love?

A MAN RETURNS TO HIS HOMETOWN TO SOLVE A COLD CASE IN NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER CARLA CASSIDY’S NEW SCENE OF THE CRIME BOOK. A family tragedy brings Bo McBride back to his Mississippi town two years after a devastating loss made him leave. Now he's back and only Claire Silver is ready to welcome him home. The sassy blond teacher wants his help in finding a killer that has plagued the town…. Although she could only admire him from afar, Claire was always drawn to Bo. Their unofficial investigation is complicated by the passion igniting between them. And by the obsessed stalker who has targeted Claire. With the threat escalating, Bo vows he'll do whatever it takes to protect her. And Claire vows to put her faith in the man ready to risk everything to safeguard her future.

Back in her husband’s arms! Jessica Brennan couldn’t wait to marry gorgeous Kade and fill their rickety house with children. Not being able to live that dream tore them apart. CEO Kade may not have been able to fix their marriage, but he can finally fix up the house. Except working together only rekindles their love… One night with her husband can't hurt can it…? Unless it has dramatic, life-changing consequences!

SERENADING HIS SON The Circle P has always been home to the Judds. That’s why Garrett Judd came back—to take over as temporary ranch manager and to shelter his infant son in the warmth and love of his sprawling family. Bluegrass singer Lisa Rose isn’t part of his long-term plans. But ever since she hit town, the single father has been fighting his attraction to the willowy blonde. Lisa gave up her life on the road to open a music store, but if business doesn't pick up she may not last. Watching the rugged widowed rancher serenade his baby boy plucks at her heartstrings, making her long for something she’ll never have. But as long as Garrett keeps one cowboy boot in the past, they don’t stand a chance of building a future together. Do they?

SAVING HIS SON Why is a dead woman's phone–evidence in a murder investigation–in Jonas Parker's son's bedroom? Dangerous thugs are after that phone and his terrified teenager, so the single father turns to Capitol K-9 Unit officer Brooke Clark. Years ago, Brooke broke Jonas's heart without explanation. But he has to trust her and her highly-trained golden retriever to keep his son safe. When the boy goes missing, Jonas and Brooke must make peace with their past to find the teen–before increasingly desperate criminals get to him first. Capitol K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

Dr. Abby Curtis starts her new job in a busy A&E department with trepidation. Her consultant boss is notorious for his critical nature and she's had enough of overbearing men Her fears are borne out as Dr. Jordan Blakesley seems intent on faulting everything she does–but he's just so attractive that she cannot keep her eyes off him! And when dramatic events in Abby's life result in Jordan paying her very personal attention, she has to decide whether his protection is something she wants to depend upon for ever…

Dr. Brady McNeal just hopes and prays he's made the right decision. A new life for him and his tiny baby son is what he needs, and the Mount Pryde Country Practice seems like a small slice of heaven… especially when he finds he's working with GP Jo Rutherford. Jo and Brady have met once before. Now, as they work side by side, the attraction between them is still undeniable. Brady can't get too close–he's vowed to put his son's happiness first. But soon he begins to wish that Jo had a more permanent role in his life… as the mother of his child.

A trip to Paradise… Short-term, Nurse Sarah Mitchell wants to relax on her Fijian holiday. Long-term, she'd love to foster a child. The last things she wants in a fling with a playboy doctor on a Pacific island. Until she discovers she's got Dr. Ben Dawson all wrong… After a cyclone hits the tropics, Sarah sees the true Ben and incredibly talented surgeon with a big heart, a past, and a daughter in need of Sarah's special TLC. But Ben's attempts at love have hurt his daughter before how can he trust his own instincts again? Can this beautiful woman really be the right mother for his child?

Dr. Declan Haversham hasn't seen Lila Bailey since she left him standing at a bus stop in his boxer shorts eight years ago! When once he had laughed at the idea, now he discovers that is scatty, impulsive Lila has become a successful emergency nurse. Declan knows that Lila is still angry with him for letting her down all those years ago, but his instincts tell him that their unexpected reunion means as much to her as it does to him. He just has to persuade Lila to give him one last chance to make their dreams come true…

An injured doctor… and his determined nurse! Dr. Ross Turnball and Nurse Wendy Watson fell in love on an Urban Search and Rescue course. It ending explosively, with a dramatic mission to rescue people from a bombed shopping mall—and an accident that nearly claimed Ross's life. Now Ross struggles to regain her health—and he's terrified he'll lose Wendy's love. Wendy knows that as long as she's with Ross nothing else matters. But can she persuade him of that?