The new book from Alaa Al Aswany, author of the international bestseller ‘The Yacoubian Building’ and ‘Chicago’. ‘Friendly Fire’ is a novella and collection of short stories from Alaa Al Aswany, author of the bestselling ‘The Yacoubian Building’. As in that novel, Al Aswany dissects modern Egyptian society and, with skill and detachment, reveals the hypocrisy, violence and abuse of power characteristic of a world in moral crisis. Here, though, the focus has shifted from the broad historical canvas to the minute stitches of pain that hold together an individual, a family, a school classroom and the relationship between a man and a woman. Can a man so alienated from his society that he regards all its members as no better than microbes wriggling under a microscope survive within it? Can cynical religiosity triumph over human decency? Can a man put the thought of a delicious dish of beans behind him long enough to mourn his father’s death? Alongside these wry questions, other, less mordant perspectives also have their place: an ageing cabaret dancer bestows the blessing of a vanished world on her lover’s son; a crippled boy wins subjective victory from objective disaster. In ‘Friendly Fire’, readers will find again the vivid, passionate characters of today's Cairo, clamouring to be heard. ‘Friendly Fire’ also features an introduction by Alaa Al Aswany giving the history of the novella, ‘The Isam Abd el-Ati Papers’, which was banned in Egypt for a decade.

A pregnancy pact between three teenaged girls puts their mothers' love to the ultimate test in this explosive novel from Barbara Delinsky When Susan Tate's seventeen-year-old daughter, Lily, announces she is pregnant, Susan is stunned. A single mother, she has struggled to do everything right. She sees the pregnancy as an unimaginable tragedy for both Lily and herself. Then comes word of two more pregnancies among high school juniors who happen to be Lily's best friends-and the town turns to talk of a pact. As fingers start pointing, the most ardent criticism is directed at Susan. As principal of the high school, she has always been held up as a role model of hard work and core values. Now her detractors accuse her of being a lax mother, perhaps not worthy of the job of shepherding impressionable students. As Susan struggles with the implications of her daughter's pregnancy, her job, financial independence, and long-fought-for dreams are all at risk. The emotional ties between mothers and daughters are stretched to breaking in this emotionally wrenching story of love and forgiveness. Once again, Barbara Delinsky has given us a powerful novel, one that asks a central question: What does it take to be a good mother?

The great radio detective lives again in a brand new reading by Anthony Head. Returning from an author tour in America, Paul is met at the dockside by his publisher Scott Reed, who wants him to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Alfred Kelby. Reed had entrusted Kelby with a sensational diary written by Margaret Spender, the mistress of Lord Delamore, containing several clues pointing to the murderer of Delamore. When Kelby is strangled, and the diary stolen, it seems that the two events are connected. But could there be another motive for Kelby's murder? Paul is determined to find out...

Harry, the Wonder Cat, is no ordinary cat! Two centuries ago, he was tasked with caring for the Johnson family, helping them through life's ups and downs. Fast forward to the present. This story begins when Nikki Johnson, accompanied by her close friend Heather Murphy, had planned her annual quiet and relaxing Christmas visit to Harrot Reef to visit her beloved Aunt Lynn. Plans changed when Nikki's aunt summoned her to come earlier because something was terribly wrong. The two friends arrived the next day to a shocking discovery. Loud howling led them to the library where they found Aunt Lynn's crumpled body lying on the floor with her cat, Harry, next to her. The two women landed in the middle of a mystery. The only clues consist of a teacup, a copy of Agatha Christie's "The Mysterious Affair at Styles", and a note on the mantle. This Christmas visit was going to be anything but quiet and relaxing.The Legend of the Pink Diamond is a fantastical story passed down through generations of Johnsons and well known by the townspeople of Harrot Reef. A pink diamond is one of the most precious stones in the world, priceless and treasured for its beauty and rarity. As the story goes, accounts allege that one of these rare pink diamonds, mysteriously tied to crazy Frank Johnson, is still in the possession of the Johnson family. But is it just a story? ?Harry's magical powers help unravel the mystery behind the Legend of The Pink Diamond.

A távoli Nap, rk alkonyatot idéz halvány fényében csillogó tholin részecskék hatására kéken vibráló kdfátyolszeren ritka légkr, varázslatos módon megnyugtatta zaklatott idegeit, amint már-már gyermeki csodálattal szemlélte a látóhatár szélén feltn, megmagyarázhatatlanul magas, helyenként a négy kilométert is elér hegyvonulatokkal szegélyezett, a mostanra már majdhogynem elfeledett Europé bázisának helyet adó Szputnyik síkság viszonylag fiatal, százmillió évesnél nem régebbi keletkezésérl tanúskodó, sima, csak gleccserfolyamok által barázdált látképét, melyet tbbnyire nitrogén és metán alkotott, de a repültéri irányítótoronyhoz hasonlító építmény mszereinek tanúsága szerint nem kevés vízjég is volt az illékonyabb rétegek alatt. Gabriel lassan elfordult a hatalmas üvegfal nyújtotta csodálatos látványtól, és visszasétált az irányítótorony” kzepét betlt vezérlegységhez. Ugyan már minden lényeges beállítást elvégzett az utánuk érkez automata teherhajó fogadásához, de a látszólagos elfoglaltság nyújtotta kiváló lehetség, hogy rendezhesse eléggé zavaros gondolatait, mégis maradásra sztnzte. Rá kellett dbbennie, hogy ez esetben merben ellentmondva az alaptermészetének, bármiféle terv nélkül, szinte vakon ugrott neki a Helen ftisztelend anya által kitalált rgeszmés küldetés” végrehajtásának; pedig soha nem bízott igazán a Szent Magdala fboszorkányában. Még akkor is, ha eleinte elhitte neki, hogy a rend célja tényleg az visszajuttatása a múltba, és csak szép lassan, apránként jtt rá, mindez igazából egy tkéletesen kidolgozott figyelemelterelés, a nagy valószínséggel Dr. Chandra Ghanim által végrehajtandó szabotázsról.

n a Bukovina Kiadó 2015 szén meghirdetett meseillusztrációs rajzpályázatának eredményeként született két meseknyv egyikét tartja a kezében. A Kiadó munkájának célja a bukovinai székely kultúra megrzése és átrkítése a jv nemzedékének. Ennek a trekvésnek a részeként hívtuk életre a rajzpályázatot, melyre számos szebbnél szebb pályam érkezett, nehéz helyzetbe hozva ezzel a szakmai zsri tagjait. A legjobbak helyet kaptak a ktetekben, illetve a borítón. Kellemes idtltést kívánunk a család minden tagjának a knyv olvasásához!

Te kivel találkoznál inkább, egy gyilkossági nyomozóval, vagy egy házassági tanácsadóval? Larkin ?rmesternek sok a gondja. ?j f?n?k?t kap, aki csak feltételekkel hajlandó megbízni benne, a rend?rparancsnok pedig úgy d?nt, miel?tt szolgálatba áll, el kell járnia egy pszichológushoz. S ha mindez nem lenne elég, még a bels? elhárítás is rászáll. Beesik azonban egy kényes ügy: elt?nik a rend?rf?n?k k?zeli barátjának, Shane Connor bankigazgatónak a felesége. Az ügyet a lábadozó Larkin kapja. ?jjelente egy szemk?zti toronyház irodájából kell megfigyelnie Connor lakását. Larkin azonban unatkozik, és amikor felfedezi, hogy egy házassági tanácsadó irodát béreltek ki számára a megfigyelésre, már nincs visszaút: az esténként érkez? párok el?tt házassági tanácsadóként lép fel, és irányba állítja ?ket, pusztán azért, hogy el ne unja magát. Fél szemmel persze a szemk?zti házat is figyeli, és nem is tud sokáig megülni a fenekén... Réti László krimije k?nnyed hangvételével, és a rend?ri munka szakért? bemutatásával lebilincsel? olvasmány, igazi bestseller.

A Fül?plovag, az orvos?l? cím? m? folytatása, befejezése ez a k?nyv, a megismert szerepl?k ismét útra kelnek biztonságos és idillikus országukból, hogy akarva-akaratlanul konfliktusba keveredjenek az orvosok uralta Valóság er?szakszervezeteivel az elesettek védelmében. ?sszecsapásuk végzetesnek bizonyul számukra.Vajon mi az az er?, ami a harmonikus nyugalom világából a durvaság, káosz és boncolás jellemezte küls? dimenzióba kényszeríti azokat, akik odahaza kül?nben méltóságban élhetnének? Erre nem kap egyenes választ az olvasó. Ezúttal nincs ígéret a felemelkedésre sem, a füzetnyi k?nyvecske lapjainak der?b?l szomorúságba vezet? vonala és a pesszimista záróakkord nem nyújt megnyugvást. Nem is igazi regény ez: f?ként párbeszédekb?l felépül?, versikékkel tarkított alkotás, mese, a megismert el?zmény mitologikus befejezése és egy világrend újra hangoztatott apológiája.

A pillangófaA kis vadcseresznye igazán véletlenül, afféle „talált gyerekként” került az erd?be. Élete kezdetén, egy öreg gyümölcsfa alatt lelt rá a nagy étvágyú seregély. A f?ben szanaszéjjel hever?, utolsó, elfonnyadt szemek közül csippentette fel a cs?rébe, s röpült vele a magas égbe, majd leszállt az erd?nek egy bokros részén, hogy avatatlan szemek el?l rejtve, nyugodtan csemegézhessen bel?le. Csipegette, vagdosta a cs?rével, majd amikor már nem talált rajta ennivalót, otthagyta és továbbállt.A következ? napokban a júniusi es? alaposan megáztatta a talajt, s az immár lecsupaszított magocska beágyazódott az erd? földjébe. Telt, múlt az id?, s a borsónyi kis mag megrepedt, apró hajszálgyökerei maguknak utat keresve fúródtak a porhanyós talajba. A gyökerek lefelé törekedtek, mintha látogatást akarnának tenni az anyaföld mélyében, a vékonyka zöld szár pedig fölfelé, a világosság felé húzódzkodott. Eleinte vaskosabbak voltak nála még a gaz, s az erdei gyomok szárai is, azután lassan meger?södött. Törzse el?bb hajlékony botocskához, majd sepr?nyélhez vált hasonlatossá, kés?bb gyermekkar vastagságúra hízott. Sudár, egyenes tartása lett...

Egy novellásk?tetet tart a kezében a Tisztelt Olvasó. Bár a k?tet kifejezés nem pontos, hiszen eme prózai m?vek tematikailag nem teljesen alkotnak egy egész képet. Vannak azonban ?sszefüggések az írások k?z?tt, hiszen mindegyik a hétk?znapi élet világát ábrázolja az író szemsz?géb?l. Szomorú képekkel, néhol gúnyos humorral, iróniát sem nélkül?zve mutatják be az emberi lélek és emberi szellem bárgyúságát.Az író megtalálta a saját hangját, azt a hangot, amivel meg tudja szólítani ?nn?n magát – és a Kedves Olvasót.

ANDERSEN's FAIRY TALES, which have been translated into more than "125 languages", have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "THE EMPEROR's NEW CLOTHEs", "THE LITTLE MERMAID", "THE NIGHTINGALE", "THE SNOW QUEEN", "THE UGLY DUCKLING", "THUMBELINA", and many more. In this book, you will find "ALL STORIES" that writen by the Author Early and Later Stories as Fully Well illustrated "126 STORIEs".. This collection of “126 of the Stories” was translated by Mrs. Susannah Paull in 1872.Fairy tales and poetry: His initial attempts at writing fairy tales were revisions of stories that he heard as a child. Andersen then brought this genre to a new level by writing a vast number of fairy tales that were both bold and original. Initially they were not met with recognition, due partly to the difficulty in translating them and capturing his genius for humor and dark pathos. It was during 1835 that Andersen published the first two installments of his immortal Fairy Tales (Danish: Eventyr; lit. "fantastic tales"). More stories, completing the first volume, were published in 1837. The collection comprises nine tales, including "The Tinderbox", "The Princess and the Pea", "Thumbelina", "The Little Mermaid", and "The Emperor's New Clothes". The quality of these stories was not immediately recognized, and they sold poorly. At the same time, Andersen enjoyed more success with two novels, O.T. (1836) and Only a Fiddler (1837); the latter was reviewed by the young Soren Kierkegaard. STORIES: 1 . A Story2 . By the Almshouse Window3 . The Angel4 . Anne Lisbeth5 . The Conceited Apple-Branch6 . Beauty of Form and Beauty of Mind7 . The Beetle Who Went on His Travels8 . The Bell9 . The Bell-Deep10 . The Bishop of Borglum and His Warriors11 . The Bottle Neck12 . The Buckwheat13 . The Butterfly14 . A Cheerful Temper15 . The Child in the Grave16 . The Farm-Yard Cock and the Weather-Cock17 . The Daisy18 . The Darning-Needle19 . Delaying Is Not Forgetting20 . The Drop of Water21 . The Dryad22 . Jack the Dullard: An Old Story Told Anew23 . The Dumb Book24 . The Elf of the Rose25 . The Elfin Hill26 . The Emperor's New Suit27 . The Fir Tree28 . The Flax29 . The Flying Trunk30 . The Shepherd's Story of the Bond of Friendship31 . The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf32 . The Goblin and the Huckster33 . The Golden Treasure34 . The Goloshes of Fortune35 . She Was Good for Nothing36 . Grandmother37 . A Great Grief38 . The Happy Family39 . A Leaf from Heaven40 . Holger Danske41 . Ib and Little Christina42 . The Ice Maiden43 . The Jewish Maiden44 . The Jumper45 . The Last Dream of the Old Oak46 . The Last Pearl47 . Little Claus and Big Claus48 . The Little Elder-Tree Mother49 . Little Ida's Flowers50 . The Little Match-Seller51 . The Little Mermaid52 . Little Tiny or Thumbelina53 . Little Tuk54 . The Loveliest Rose in the World55 . The Mail-Coach Passengers56 . The Marsh King's Daughter57 . The Metal Pig58 . The Money-Box59 . What the Moon Saw60 . The Neighbouring Families61 . The Nightingale62 . There Is No Doubt About It63 . In the Nursery64 . The Old Bachelor's Nightcap65 . The Old Church Bell66 . The Old Grave-Stone67 . The Old House68 . What the Old Man Does Is Always Right69 . The Old Street Lamp70 . Ole-Luk-Oie, the Dream-God71 . Our Aunt72 . The Philosopher's Stone73 . The Garden of Paradise74 . The Pea Blossom75 . The Pen and the Inkstand76 . The Phoenix Bird77 . The Bird of Popular Song78 . The Portuguese Duck79 . The Porter's Son80 . Poultry Meg's Family81 . Children's Prattle82 . The Princess and the Pea83 . The Psyche84 . The Puppet-Show Man85 . The Races86 . The Red Shoes87 . Everything in the Right Place88 . A Rose from Homer's Grave89 . The Snail and the Rose-Tree90 . The Story of a Mother91 . The Saucy Boy92 . The Shadow93 . The Shepherdess and the Sheep94 . The Silver Shilling95 . The Shirt-Collar96 . The Snow Man97 . The Snow Queen98 . The Snowdrop99 . Something100 . Soup from a Sausage Skewer101 . The Storks102 . The Storm Shakes the Shield103 . A Story from the Sand-Hills104 . The Sunbeam and the Captive105 . The Swan's Nest106 . The Swineherd107 . The Toad108 . The Story of the Wind109 . The Story of the Year110 . The Thistle's Experiences111 . The Thorny Road of Honor112 . In a Thousand Years113 . The Brave Tin Soldier114 . The Tinder-Box115 . The Top and Ball116 . Ole the Tower-Keeper117 . The Travelling Companion118 . Two Brothers119 . Two Maidens120 . The Ugly Duckling121 . Under the Willow-Tree122 . In the Uttermost Parts of the Sea123 . What One Can Invent124 . The Wicked Prince125 . The Wild Swans126 . The Will-o'-the-Wisp Is in the Town, Says the Moor Woman127 . The Windmill

From the author of the New York Times bestselling PRETTY LITTLE LIARS comes a killer series, THE LYING GAME. Sutton Mercer had a life anyone would kill for – and someone did. But thanks to a view from the afterlife and Emma Paxton, her long-lost twin sister, Sutton has a chance to solve her own murder. Emma slips into Sutton’s old life to piece together her disappearance. But can Emma keep up the charade long enough to discover what really happened to Sutton…or will she become the next victim? Let the lying games begin.

A forgotten past hides the key to the future. Meredith Stratton, at forty-four the owner of six elegant international inns, is about to celebrate her daughter’s engagement. At this seemingly happy time in her life she begins to suffer from a strange illness that baffles everyone. Her doctor cannot find a physical cause for her debilitating symptoms, and, desperate for answers, she seeks the help of a psychiatrist. Through therapy Meredith peels back the layers of her life to discover the truth behind her most careful creation – herself. Determined to get well, Meredith traces her roots back to another country where she learns about childhood experiences that dramatically changed her life. What she discovers is not only the key to the past but to her future happiness and fulfilment as a woman. Moving from the Connecticut countryside, the busy streets and suites of London, Paris and New York, to the pastoral beauty of a ch?teau in the Loire, Her Own Rules is an exciting and suspenseful novel about secrets, survival, redemption and love.

A heart-warming and inspirational tale in which Enzo, a loyal family dog, tells the story of his human family, how they nearly fell apart, and what he did to bring them back together. Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: he thinks and feels in nearly human ways. He has educated himself by watching extensive television, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo realizes that racing is a metaphor: that by applying the techniques a driver would apply on the race track, one can successfully navigate the ordeals and travails one encounters in life. Enzo relates the story of his human family, sharing their tragedies and triumphs. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations as a dog, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family. The Art of Racing in the Rain is a testament to a man's life, given by his dog. But it is also a testament to the dog, himself. Though Enzo cannot speak, he understands everything that happens around him as he bears witness to his master's problems. His enforced muteness only refines his listening ability, and allows him to understand many of life's nuances that are lost on most humans. With humour, sharp observation, and a courageous heart, Enzo guides the reader to the bittersweet yet ultimately satisfying conclusion: there are no limitations to what we can achieve, if we truly know where we want to be.

From the author of HER OWN RULES, a romantic saga, which begins in the West Riding of Yorkshire with a small family jewellery shop where a woman struggles to keep her family and her business together in the face of all odds.

A dazzling fantasy adventure for all ages, the first of a quartet. Abarat: an archipelago of amazement and wonder. A land made up of twenty-five islands, each one representing one hour of the day, each one a unique place of adventure and danger (and one mysterious place out of time), all ruled over by the evil Christopher Carrion, Lord of Midnight, and his monstrous grandmother, Mater Motley. Candy Quackenbush, a 16-year old from Chickentown, Minnesota, crosses by accident from our world into Abarat, and discovers she has been there many, many times before. She has friends there and she has enemies. As Candy makes her journey between all the islands of the archipelago, she will discover a plot by Christopher Carrion to block out the Sun, Moon and stars to achieve a condition of Permanent Midnight. In order to prevent this disaster, Candy must find the courage to confront the Lord of Midnight; and in doing so come to know who she really is: a revelation which will transform her own understanding of her place in the epic events. The first book of Abarat is a spellbinding adventure for all ages, combining the heartstopping tension of a thriller with the powerful charm of the most enduring fable. And beneath all, it possesses the quicksilver imagination of one of the finest writers at work today. The four books of Abarat have been rightly called Clive Barker’s Narnia, his Wonderland. A sumptuous treat that will capture the imaginations of adults and children alike.

The queen of the black-hearted soap opera is back! Welcome to the upwardly mobile Prendergast Road… On Prendergast Road, deep in Nappy Valley, among olive trees in terracotta, lower fuel emissions, Lithuanian prostitutes, teenage drug dealers, stalkers and soaring house prices, five desperate women wait… The progeny of the IVF generation is ready to start school and only one of them is destined to get a place in Nappy Valley's most oversubscribed cradle of learning. How far will these women go to get that place? Follow Kate Hunter into the depths of her impeccably honed life, as she struggles to maintain the fa?ade of perfection. When exactly did life become a life class? Is happiness overrated? Is it just possible that beneath the flawless sheen of her friends' and neighbours' amazingly trouble-free lives, beneath the freshly-ironed shirts and home-grown veg, lie the same half-truths, the same uncertainties and the same desperation to keep up with the Joneses…?

Murder, loyalty and vengeance collide in Jessie Keane’s gritty fourth novel. Lily King has spent years behind bars Convicted of murdering her husband, London villain Leo King, she hasn’t been missed. Everyone believes she got what she deserved, but Lily knows she was fitted up. Now she’s out, and she doesn’t do forgiveness. In her absence, things have moved on and the old order has changed. But now she’s ready to reclaim her position as head of the King family. Fuelled by vengeance, Lily King is back, and some people aren’t going to know what’s hit them.

Murder, loyalty and vengeance collide in Jessie Keane's gritty fourth novel. Life is good for Gracie Doyle – running her Manchester casino keeps her busy. Until the police turn up at her door one day and her world is turned upside down. She is given news that her two estranged brothers have been viciously attacked. George is in hospital on a ventilator and worringly, Harry is missing. Gracie has no option but to leave the good life and dip her toe into the murky waters of her East End past. She leaves for London in an attempt to avenge her brothers and in doing so uncovers some unsavoury secrets about the lifestyle they've been leading. Their little games have got them into big trouble with the wrong people… She must keep her wits about her and try to find Harry, or it could prove fatal…

Thelma and Louise for The Empty Nest generation! Get ready for the trip of a lifetime in this endearing new novel from the author of Second Chance. Ever fancied escaping your normal life? Then join three friends as they take the road trip of a lifetime and pick up a few strays along the way … For best friends C.C. Byrd, Meg Bartholomew and Shelly Kostens, middle age is feeling awkwardly familiar: fluctuating hormones, heartbreak and romance and believing no one understands you. CC must cope with widowhood after the sudden death of her husband while Meg rues the day she ever met hers after he ditches her for a younger model. Even the ever-confident Shelly is facing money worries. In a bid to forget their problems, the three woman head south to fix up and sell C.C.'s newly-inherited childhood house. Meeting unsuitable men, stray dogs and a few home truths along the way, the women re-discover their own identities and their friendship and learn that love - in all its forms - can make any address a home. Thelma and Louise for the young at heart, this heart-warming and captivating tale will delight fans of Maeve Binchy, Cathy Kelly and Marley & Me.

When loved ones leave you, it’s time to change your life. A poignant and uplifting new novel about love and loss, for fans of Nora Roberts. Recently widowed March Cantrell must deal with her beloved husband's death while trying to escape the constant interference from her well meaning grown-up children. All her children that is, apart from Molly. March discovers that the new man she's dating, Spider Olsen, is 23 years older than her daughter - and believes the relationship is doomed to failure. However, any attempt to talk to Molly only drives them further apart. Meanwhile, March's sons are fighting for control of the family business. In order to heal the growing rifts between them all, the family decides to spend Christmas at their mountain home in Lake Tahoe. Whilst skiing one day, March finds herself stranded with a young man called Rio and is surprised to discover that she is attracted to him. A few weeks after the holidays, March returns to the mountains. One lonely night, whilst dining alone, March is joined by Rio. What starts as a one-night stand becomes something much more. Her children think March has lost her mind. However, somewhere in this tangled chaos, in the betrayal and competition and the innocence of new love, is the answer for all the Cantrells.