- Table View
- List View
The Cheese Experiment (Geronimo Stilton #63)
by Geronimo StiltonWhen you're with Geronimo Stilton, it's always a fabumouse adventure!New Mouse City was in a panic. A strange epidemic had broken out -- mice everywhere were covered in weird blue spots! Mouse Island's most famouse doctor immediately set to work with his team to try to find the cure... but someone was trying to stop him. Could I figure out who before I ended up blue myself?
The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel in Two Semesters
by Chip KiddA hilarious debut novel that could only be described as a portrait of the designer as a young man. "Um...so what exactly is a Cheese Monkey?" Good question. But strictly off-limits. We can tell you that The Cheese Monkeys is a witty and effervescent coming-of-age novel about headless waterfowl, fake plastic babies, and the basic tenets of graphic design. It's 1957, long before computers have replaced the trained eye and skillful hand. Our narrator at State U is determined to major in Art, and after several risible false starts, he ends up by accident in a new class called "Introduction to Graphic Design." Art 127 is taught by the enigmatic Winter Sorbeck, professor and guru (think Gary Cooper crossed with Darth Vader) -- equal parts genius, seducer, and sadist. Sorbeck is a bitter yet fascinating man whose assignments hurl his charges through a gauntlet of humiliation and heartache, shame and triumph, ego-bashing and enlightenment. Along the way, friendships are made and undone, jealousies simmer, the sexual tango weaves and dips. As readers, we too are under Sorbeck's bizarre spell, spurred on by his demand: "Show me something I've never seen before and will never be able to forget-if you can do that, you can do anything." By the end of The Cheese Monkeys, the members of Art 127 will never see the world the same way again. And, thanks to Chip Kidd's insights into the secrets of graphic design, neither will you. "Not only has Chip Kidd altered the face of publishing with his revolutionary book jackets, he has also written a really good debut novel (the bastard), and the big surprise is that the edgy, postmodern graphic designer who radicalized the way we look at the front of books is a pleasing, elegant traditionalist between covers. The Cheese Monkeys is a touching throwback: The story of an innocent young man's education, it has suspense, likable and vivid characters, a romantic, pitch-perfect re-creation of late '50s behavior and slang, and an effortlessly sustained comic charm throughout (and without curdling into cuteness -- not a simple achievement). I also can't remember the last time I read what is ostensibly a 'college' novel that actually taught me something." -- Bret Easton Ellis
The Chelsea Girl Murders (The Robin Hudson Mysteries #5)
by Sparkle HayterReporter-turned–television executive Robin Hudson is living it up at New York&’s legendary Chelsea Hotel—until murder gets her down in award-winning author Sparkle Hayter&’s dazzling comic mystery After a neighbor&’s electric wall-hanging short-circuits and sets Robin Hudson&’s East Village apartment building on fire, the TV newswoman and her cat are forced to temporarily relocate. Their new digs are in the Chelsea Hotel, home to bohemian artists both famous and infamous. But people have a habit of dying on Robin—this time literally. Who shot controversial bad-boy art dealer Gerald Woznik? His wife tells the world he was a great connoisseur and a real bastard. The heiress he was living with calls him a misunderstood genius. With suspects coming out of the woodwork, Robin is drawn into a homicide investigation that forces her to brave the downtown scene: guerrilla performance artists, fiery revolutionaries, handcuffed nuns, and the ex-lover of her current beau. She must scramble to find a missing woman and track the last stops of a modern-day underground railroad before she loses her life—and her last chance for romance. The Robin Hudson Mystery series is a winner of the Sherlock Award for Best Comic Detective.The Chelsea Girl Murders is the 5th book in the Robin Hudson Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Cherry Pages: A Novel
by Gary RuffinA small-town Florida cop finds big trouble when he becomes a seductive movie star&’s bodyguard in this clever mystery from the author of Hot Shot. Det. Samuel Cooper, known as &“Coop&” to his friends, is the chief of police in Gulf Front, Florida, a sleepy little beach town that doesn&’t see many outsiders. Indeed, &“chief of police&” is a grand title, considering Coop&’s the only officer on the &“force.&” Then, out of the blue, he gets offered an intriguing side gig as bodyguard to the movie star Cherry Page. Cherry will be shooting on location in Atlanta, and someone&’s been sending twisted threats to her personal email. Coop is surprised when his girlfriend Penny encourages him to take the job with the famous femme fatale. But he gets more drama than he bargained for when the celebrity stalker turns out to be a serial killer who follows Coop and Cherry back to Gulf Front.
The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure (The Chicken Squad #1)
by Doreen CroninNow an animated series on Disney Junior! They might be chicks, but they sure aren&’t chicken, and they&’re on a mission. And on this, their first (mis)adventure &“in this delightful spinoff of the J.J. Tully series&” (Kirkus Reviews), the Chicken Squad launches a galactic backyard expedition.Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie. These chicks are not your typical barnyard puffs of fluff, and they are not about to spend their days pecking chicken feed and chasing bugs. No sir, they’re too busy solving mysteries and fighting crime. So when Squirrel comes barreling into the chicken coop, the chicks know they’re about to get a case. But with his poor knowledge of shapes (“Big” is not a shape, Squirrel!) and utter fear of whatever it is that’s out there, the panicky Squirrel is NO HELP. Good thing these chicks are professionals. But even professionals get worried. Especially once they see that round, shiny, green, BIG thing in the yard. What if it’s a UFO full of aliens who want chickens as pets, or worse, dinner? It’s up to the Chicken Squad to crack a case that just might be out of this world.
The Chickens of Atlantis and Other Foul and Filthy Fiends
by Robert RankinRobert Rankin, the master of far-fetched fiction, presents, for the first time, a book written in 'the first monkey'. Sure to be taken up as the newest of literary fads, Darwin, the Educated Ape here tells his life story to his legions of fans.Featuring: Chickens! Martians! Doodlebugs! The Far Future! The Distant Past! Sherlock Holmes! Winston Churchill! Dynamite! More Monkeys than you can shake a stick at! Barmen! Pubs! The End of the World and more!The fourth in Robert Rankin's series of steampunk-tinged Victoriana novels featuring the master detective Cameron Bell (who has an unfortunate fondness for blowing up major landmarks) and his companion, Darwin, the Educated Ape, this is another masterpiece of comic fiction and SF.
The Chief of Rally Tree: A Novel
by Jennifer BoydenDina’s gone. She left a note, she left her plants, and she left what her husband, Roal, thought was her entire world. Nothing remained but some frozen dinners and the mysterious last line of her final message: I do love you ever Dina. Professor Roal Bowman, best known in the sleepy college town of Braddock as a fake Zen master who used to pretend to be Native American and never lived up to his potential, by no means saw it coming. How could he have guessed that his wife would run away to help the famous Winter Patent, a man who had literally lived with wolves, on a grand project to embrace the consciousness of trees? He thought Dina had been happy. But the more Roal digs, the more he realizes that he never truly knew or understood his wife, that he never really listened, and that now that Dina has disappeared, he must become something more—something real—if he hopes to get her back. And he’ll have to do it quickly: he’s not the only one who wants to find Dina and Winter. The Chief of Rally Tree unfolds around Roal’s fumbling, poignant, darkly hilarious awakening to adventure and loss as he watches his life gain focus only once he understands how it might look on the evening news. Jennifer Boyden explores in poetic prose the essential questions about what identity is when it is open for collective definition, the effects of looking to media for structure and meaning, the pull toward eco-consciousness, and what our grand moment of action reveals about who we hope to become, even as we remain open to the surprise of how.
The Chikorita Challenge (Pokémon Chapter Books)
by Tracey WestCatch this action-packed adventure about Ash, Pikachu, and their friends! This chapter book features classic characters featured on Netflix and in Pokémon Go.Ash thinks it's cool that Chikorita has joined his Pokémon team. But the newest member of his Pokémon squad is jealous of Pikachu! So Chikorita takes off -- on a journey way beyond the Poké Ball. And that could be very dangerous! Will Pikachu and Ash find Chikorita before Team Rocket gets their paws on the Grass-type Pokémon? This chapter book is based on a thrilling storyline from the top-rated animated series now on Netflix. Black-and-white illustrations throughout.
The Child Buyer: A Novel
by John HerseyAn imaginary, utterly absorbing record of the investigations of the Committee on Education, Welfare, and Public Morality of an unnamed state senate into the activities of Mr. Wissey Jones, who has come to the town of Pequot on what he says is urgent defense business. The hearings develop the suspense of a bizarre trial. It soon becomes clear that Mr. Jones buys for his corporation children of a certain sort, and that he is eager to acquire a ten-year-old named Barry Rudd, who manifests the breathtaking, prickly, sometimes obnoxious, but also deeply moving precocity of a potential genius. The dramatic conflicts exposed during the hearing revolve around the questions of exactly why Mr. Jones’s company buys children, and whether he will succeed in buying Barry. The Child Buyeris a biting commentary on some aspects of American education, on the uses of high intelligence, and on the means of defending democracy. Mr. Hersey makes fine use of the classical weapons of satire—humor and high spirits, sweet dream and nightmare, grotesqueness in the heart of normalcy—to attack not any single theory of education, but the notions that education can be an exact science; that superior minds can be set free by a national crash program; that children can be regarded as weapons; and that talent can be processed and stored for profit and defense. Although these extraordinary hearings end in a kind of horror, involving the slide into corruption or rascality or apathy of almost everyone connected with them, nevertheless the book leaves in the reader’s mind a powerful affirmation—a case for individuality, freedom of thought, integrity, faith in the young, and, above all, a better understanding of human needs in a darkling world.
The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas (The Chocolate Lovers' #3)
by Carole MatthewsChristmas is just around the corner but the women of The Chocolate Lovers' Club have more to worry about than present shopping… <p><p>Lucy loves running Chocolate Heaven but she hasn't spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated. <p>Nadia hasn't let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can't help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending? <p>Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana—but she's not sure that's enough to base a marriage on. <p>Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn't get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort? <p><p>Can friendship overcome all in—The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas.
The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas: the feel-good, romantic, fan-favourite series from the Sunday Times bestseller (The Chocolate Lovers' #3)
by Carole MatthewsTHE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSCan friendship overcome all for The Chocolate Lovers' Club this Christmas?Christmas is just around the corner, but the women of The Chocolate Lovers' Club have more to worry about than shopping for presents. . .Lucy loves running the cafe, Chocolate Heaven, but she hasn't spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated.Nadia hasn't let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can't help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending?Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana - but she's not sure that's enough to base a marriage on.Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn't get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort?The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas is the third novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'Full of heart and fun' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE*Don't forget to pick up the final book in the series: The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding*font>
The Chocolate Lovers' Club: the feel-good, romantic, fan-favourite series from the Sunday Times bestseller (The Chocolate Lovers' #1)
by Carole MatthewsTHE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSFor Lucy Lombard, there's nothing that chocolate can't cure. From heartache to headache, it's the one thing she can rely on - and she's not alone. Fellow chocolate addicts Autumn, Nadia and Chantal share her passion, and together they form a select group known as The Chocolate Lovers' Club. Whenever there's a crisis, they meet in their sanctuary: a cafe called Chocolate Heaven. And with a cheating boyfriend, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband and a loveless marriage, there's always plenty to discuss . . .The Chocolate Lovers' Club is the first novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'A sun-filled, fun-filled wonderful escapist adventure' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE*Don't forget to pick up the rest in the series: The Chocolate Lovers' Diet, The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas and The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding*
The Chocolate Lovers' Diet
by Carole MatthewsSurvival tips for times of stress:1. Take deep breaths2. Count to ten3. Eat chocolateLucy thought she had got her happily ever after with the gorgeous Aidan but things aren't turning out the way she had hoped they would. But she's not the only one with problems - Autumn's new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia's husband has sworn he's given up gambling but she's finding that hard to believe, and Chantal is doing all she can to save her marriage. It's clear that these girls are going to need a lot of chocolate.
The Chocolate Lovers' Diet: the feel-good, romantic, fan-favourite series from the Sunday Times bestseller (The Chocolate Lovers' #2)
by Carole MatthewsTHE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSSurvival tips for times of stress:1. Take deep breaths2. Count to ten3. Eat chocolateLucy thought she had got her happily ever after with the gorgeous Aidan, but things aren't turning out the way she had hoped they would. But she's not the only one with problems . . .Autumn's new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia's husband has sworn he's given up gambling - but she's finding that hard to believe - and Chantal is doing all she can to save her marriage. It's clear that the four members of The Chocolate Lovers' Club are going to need each other to get through their problems - a whole lot of chocolate . . .The Chocolate Lovers' Diet is the second novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'A sun-filled, fun-filled wonderful escapist adventure' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE*Don't forget to pick up the rest in the series: The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas and The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding*font>
The Chocolate Lovers' Diet: the feel-good, romantic, fan-favourite series from the Sunday Times bestseller (The Chocolate Lovers' #2)
by Carole MatthewsTHE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSSurvival tips for times of stress:1. Take deep breaths2. Count to ten3. Eat chocolateLucy thought she had got her happily ever after with the gorgeous Aidan, but things aren't turning out the way she had hoped they would. But she's not the only one with problems . . .Autumn's new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia's husband has sworn he's given up gambling - but she's finding that hard to believe - and Chantal is doing all she can to save her marriage. It's clear that the four members of The Chocolate Lovers' Club are going to need each other to get through their problems - a whole lot of chocolate . . .The Chocolate Lovers' Diet is the second novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'A sun-filled, fun-filled wonderful escapist adventure' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE*Don't forget to pick up the rest in the series: The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas and The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding*font>
The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding: the feel-good, romantic, fan-favourite series from the Sunday Times bestseller (The Chocolate Lovers' #4)
by Carole MatthewsTHE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSThe ladies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club should be gearing up for the wedding of the year but life keeps getting in the way . . .Lucy is worried about her financial situation and it keeps distracting her. Should she accept an offer of help from an untrustworthy source?Nadia may have a real chance at finding love, but other areas of her life aren't so rosy. Something needs to change - but what?Autumn can't wait to meet someone she hasn't seen in a very long time. She's full of hope for the future, but then things don't exactly go to plan . . .Chantal has been through so much and she's finally starting to feel settled. The last thing she needs is the kind of bad news that could change her life all over again.And yet, despite all the ups and downs, the Chocolate Lovers' ladies know they can get through it all as long as they have each other. They're not going to let anything get in the way of their happy-ever-afters . . .The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding is the final novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'Full of heart and fun' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE
The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding: the feel-good, romantic, fan-favourite series from the Sunday Times bestseller (The Chocolate Lovers' #4)
by Carole MatthewsThe ladies of The Chocolate Lovers' Club should be gearing up for the wedding of the year but life keeps getting in the way . . . Lucy is worried about her financial situation and it keeps distracting her. Should she accept an offer of help from an untrustworthy source?Nadia may have a real chance at finding love but other areas of her life aren't so rosy. Something needs to change - but what?Autumn can't wait to meet someone she hasn't seen in a very long time. She's full of hope for the future but then things don't exactly go to plan . . . Chantal has been through so much and she's finally starting to feel settled. The last thing she needs is the kind of bad news that could change her life all over again.And yet, despite all the ups and downs, the Chocolate Lovers' ladies know they can get through it all as long as they have each other. They're not going to let anything get in the way of their happy-ever-afters in . . . The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding.
The Chocolate Run
by Dorothy Koomson'I didn't mean to, honest to goodness I didn't. It just happened.'Amber Salpone doesn't mean to keep ending up in bed with her friend Greg Walterson, but she can't help herself. And after every time it 'just happens' their secret affair moves closer to being a real relationship, which is big problem when he's a womaniser and she's a commitment-phobe.While Amber struggles to accept her new feelings for Greg, she also realises that her closeness to Jen, her best friend, is slipping away and the tow of them are becoming virtual strangers. Slowly but surely, as the stark truths of all their lives are revealed, Amber has to confront the fact that chocolate can't cure everything and sometimes running away isn't an option...
The Chocolate Run
by Dorothy KoomsonA funny and uplifting romantic comedy with plenty of love, lust and chocolate!'I didn't mean to, honest to goodness I didn't. It just happened.'Amber Salpone doesn't mean to keep ending up in bed with her friend Greg Walterson, but she can't help herself. And after every time it 'just happens' their secret affair moves closer to being a real relationship, which is a big problem when he's a womaniser and she's a commitment-phobe.While Amber struggles to accept her new feelings for Greg, she also realises that her closeness to Jen, her best friend, is slipping away and the two of them are becoming virtual strangers. Slowly but surely, as the stark truths of all their lives are revealed, Amber has to confront the fact that chocolate can't cure everything and sometimes running away isn't an option...(P)2023 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
The Chocolate Thief (Amour et Chocolat #1)
by Laura FlorandParisBreathtakingly beautiful, the City of Light seduces the senses, its cobbled streets thrumming with possibility. For American Cade Corey, it's a dream come true, if only she can get one infuriating French chocolatier to sign on the dotted line. . .ChocolateMelting, yielding yet firm, exotic, its secrets are intimately known to Sylvain Marquis. But turn them over to a brash American waving a fistful of dollars? Jamais. Not unless there's something much more delectable on the table. . .Stolen PleasureWhether confections taken from a locked shop or kisses in the dark, is there anything sweeter? Praise for Laura Florand and her novels"Charming and laugh-out-loud funny."--New York Times bestselling author Deborah Smith"Readers will be happy to live vicariously in Laura's French fairytale."–Booklist"Frothy, French confection of a novel."--Publishers Weekly"Both sensual and sweet. . .a story that melts in your mouth!" –USA Today bestselling author Christie Ridgway
The Chocolate Touch (Mammoth Read Ser.)
by Patrick Skene CatlingIt all started when John found the funny old coin. The man at the candy store was more than glad to trade John a box of chocolates for it. And John loved chocolate more than anything in the world. Or so he thought. . . . At first John was disappointed because inside that big box was just one piece of chocolate. But after he ate it, everything tasted like chocolate! That was when John discovered that his chocolate touch was more-much more-than he'd bargained for!
The Chocopocalypse
by Chris CallaghanFans of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and readers of Chris Grabenstein and Wendy Mass will love is an action-packed mystery about what happens if the world is about to run out of chocolate! Life for Jelly Welly—or Jennifer Wellington—is totally and utterly normal in Chompton-on-de-Lyte. She lives with her mum and dad and gran, has nosy neighbors who like to gossip, and really needs to think of a science project that will get her a good grade. But when news breaks of an impending chocopocalypse, her whole world—and the world at large—is thrown into utter chaos. With only six days left until no more chocolate, Jelly has a sneaking suspicion that something isn’t right. She and her gran investigate, picking up on a mysterious trail of clues. Is it really the dreaded chocopocalypse, or is there a mastermind behind the madness?"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans and mystery enthusiasts will also enjoy this chocolatey adventure."-School Library Journal"[The Chocopocalypse] will likely find a place among readers who enjoy [Roald] Dahl's humor."-Kirkus Reviews
The Choice
by Michael ArdittiA rich and powerful exploration of desire, sin and redemption, by one of our best chroniclers of faith in the 21st century."I enjoyed it enormously. The story is so interesting, the theme so important and pertinent, and the fluency and lightness of touch so engaging to read" PHILIP PULLMAN"[Arditti] has given us a novel very much for our time, good enough to be for all time, too" The Scotsman"An engrossing, three-dimensional, grown-up narrative" ROWAN WILLIAMS"Bursting with intellectual richness and joyously acidic dialogue" The Spectator"A compelling read" Observer" I loved this book for its lightness of touch about serious subjects and for dialogue that glitters like clashing rapiers" MIRANDA SEYMOUR"An intelligent and entertaining novel that handles lightly problems of great moral weight" GuardianAs a woman in the early 1980s, Clarissa Phipps is unable to pursue her priestly vocation. Instead, she joins the BBC, where she is sent to interview the artist Seward Wemlock about the panels he is painting for an ancient Cheshire church."A serious and important writer" ROSE TREMAINThirty years on, now rector of that same church, she chances upon Brian, the chief bell-ringer and husband of her closest friend, fondling fifteen-year-old David. David claims they are in love, but Clarissa is obliged to act. Will she choose friendship or conscience, sympathy or her duty of care?The fallout from that choice forces her to reflect on past concerns over Wemlock's relationship with his teenage models. Had she heeded the whispers at the time, how many lives - her own included - would have turned out differently?The Choice is a rich and powerful exploration of desire, sin and redemption, questioning whether it's possible, let alone prudent, to separate the art from the artist, which reaches to the heart of the contemporary culture wars. Richly comic and deeply compassionate, it is a remarkable synthesis of the sacred and profane."At a time when British fiction has never been more timorous about tackling novels of ideas, Michael Arditti has produced one worthy of Iris Murdoch and Graham Greene. Brilliantly ambiguous, waspishly witty and thoroughly enjoyable, this is Michael Arditti's own masterpiece to date" AMANDA CRAIG
The Choir that Couldn't Sing
by Bob ReedThe stories in Bob Reed's delightful book are surefire spirit lifters that celebrate life and enrich the soul. Reed's seven tales not only come alive with hilarity and warmth, they show how God works through even the most bumbling and misdirected human efforts. Reed's humor is laced with insight, his descriptions with inspiration, and his characters with God's own love. In the lead story, "The Choir That Couldn't Sing," Reed's description of a hopelessly off-key church choir assembled from eccentrics and misfits will trigger gales of laughter. But tears are sure to flow when readers feel the impact of the choir's humble but grand, accomplishment. The book's other stories come equally alive with humor, insight, and inspiration that demonstrate how the least in the kingdom of heaven can touch the heart of God.
The Choke Artist: Confessions of a Chronic Underachiever
by David YooIn this brutally honest collection of often cringe-inducing episodes, David Yoo perfectly captures the cycle of failure and fear from childhood through adulthood. Whether he's wearing four layers of clothing to artificially beef up his slim frame, routinely testing highlighters against his forearm to see if he indeed has yellow skin, or preemptively sabotaging promising relationships to avoid being compared to former boyfriends, Yoo celebrates and skewers the insecurities of anxious people everywhere.