- Table View
- List View
The Balcony
by Jane Delury<P> A century-spanning portrait of the inhabitants of a French village, revealing the deception, despair, love, and longing beneath the calm surface of ordinary lives. What if our homes could tell the stories of others who lived there before us? <P>Set in a small village near Paris, The Balcony follows the inhabitants of a single estate-including a manor and a servants' cottage-over the course of several generations, from the Belle Époque to the present day, introducing us to a fascinating cast of characters. <P>A young American au pair develops a crush on her brilliant employer. An ex-courtesan shocks the servants, a Jewish couple in hiding from the Gestapo attract the curiosity of the neighbors, and a housewife begins an affair while renovating her downstairs. <P>Rich and poor, young and old, powerful and persecuted, all of these people are seeking something: meaning, love, a new beginning, or merely survival. <P>Throughout, cross-generational connections and troubled legacies haunt the same spaces, so that the rose garden, the forest pond, and the balcony off the manor's third floor bedroom become silent witnesses to a century of human drama. <P>In her debut, Jane Delury writes with masterful economy and profound wisdom about growing up, growing old, marriage, infidelity, motherhood - in other words, about life - weaving a gorgeous tapestry of relationships, life-altering choices, and fleeting moments across the frame of the twentieth century. <P> A sumptuous narrative of place that burrows deep into individual lives to reveal hidden regrets, resentments, and desires, The Balcony is brimming with compassion, natural beauty, and unmistakable humanity.
The Ballad And The Source: A Novel (Virago Modern Classics #247)
by Rosamond LehmannThe tale of the unlikely friendship between and an old woman and a young girl, this is one of Rosamond Lehmann's finest novels Ten year old Rebecca is living in the country with her family when Sibyl Jardine, an enigmatic and powerful old woman, returns to her property in the neighbourhood. The two families, once linked in the past, meet again, with the result that Rebecca becomes drawn into the strange complications of the old lady's life - with her husband, her errant daughter and her grandchildren. Through the spellbound eyes of the young Rebecca we enter into an intricate and scandalous family history and slowly the story of the passionate, stormy life of Mrs. Jardine unfolds.
The Ballad And The Source: A Novel (Vmc Ser. #57)
by Rosamond LehmannThe tale of the unlikely friendship between and an old woman and a young girl, this is one of Rosamond Lehmann's finest novels Ten year old Rebecca is living in the country with her family when Sibyl Jardine, an enigmatic and powerful old woman, returns to her property in the neighbourhood. The two families, once linked in the past, meet again, with the result that Rebecca becomes drawn into the strange complications of the old lady's life - with her husband, her errant daughter and her grandchildren. Through the spellbound eyes of the young Rebecca we enter into an intricate and scandalous family history and slowly the story of the passionate, stormy life of Mrs. Jardine unfolds.
The Ballad and the Source: A Novel (The Rebecca Landon Novels #1)
by Rosamond LehmannA young girl befriends an elderly woman during the First World War in this remarkable novel by one of Britain's best-loved authors Sibyl Jardine, the former best friend of Rebecca Landon's grandmother, has recently returned to the Priory, her home at the top of a hill. Rebecca is instantly drawn in by Sibyl's magnetic personality and blunt, shocking manner. Decades earlier, Sibyl had left her husband Charles for another man and, as a result, lost her daughter Ianthe. Now she is finally about to meet her three grandchildren, who will become an integral part of Rebecca's life as she journeys into adolescence. At the heart of this extraordinary novel is the enigma that is Sibyl Jardine: Is she a saint or a sinner? Is she a duplicitous lover or a woman who has been unjustly punished? Played out in a series of conversations between Rebecca, Sibyl Jardine, Jardine's granddaughter Maisie, and a Cockney maid named Tilly, The Ballad and the Source is a tale of perception and memory, passion and betrayal, and the fearsome power of a mother's love.
The Ballad of Darcy and Russell
by Morgan MatsonFrom New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a &“strongly plotted romantic comedy with plenty of…pitch-perfect drama to dig into&” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.Darcy believes in love at first sight. Even though it&’s never happened to her, she&’s spent her whole life waiting for that perfect, magical moment. But right now, her life is anything but perfect. In the aftermath of a music festival, she&’s stranded at a bus station until morning—the day before she leaves for college. Her phone is dead, she has no cash, and she&’s convinced nothing good can come of this night…but then she meets Russell. Russell. Cute and nice, funny and kind. She knows this is the moment—and the guy—she&’s been waiting for. And they have until sunrise to walk and talk and connect. Over the course of this one fateful night—filled with football field picnics, night swimming, and escape-artist dogs—Darcy and Russell&’s lives will change forever. They&’ll discover things they never imagined about each other…and about themselves. But can you really know someone after only a handful of hours? Is it possible to fall in love in just one day? And is it worth saying hello…when you know you&’re destined for a goodbye?
The Ballad of Emma O'Toole
by Elizabeth LaneWhen a game of cards turns deadly, a gambler is sentenced to life in wedlock in this Western historical romance.Utah Territory, 1886. Logan Devereaux is a gambler, not a killer. But after shooting a man for cheating at cards, the stakes have never been higher. On trial for his life, he’s offered a shocking alternate form of restitution . . . marriage to his victim’s pregnant sweetheart!Beautiful Emma O’Toole has sworn vengeance against him—and when a newspaper man puts her tragic story to song, the whole nation waits to see what she’ll do. Their marriage is the riskiest gamble Logan’s ever taken. But he’ll put everything he’s got on the line for a chance at winning Emma’s heart.
The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw (Orca Young Readers)
by Lois PetersonAfter eight-year-old Kevin Mason's mother abandons him, he takes refuge in his fantasy of becoming Knuckles McGraw, a tough cowboy roaming the plains on his legendary horse, Burlington Northern. But instead of riding the range, Kevin is stuck in a foster home with a pierced and tattooed teenager named Ice and a mute girl named Breezy. While he waits to be claimed by the father he barely remembers or the mother who left him a good-bye note in his lunchbox, Kevin (aka Knuckles McGraw) tries to communicate with Breezy, learns to get along with his bunkhouse-mate Ice, and discovers that memories can be as deceptive as family secrets.
The Ballad of a Broken Nose
by Kari Dickson Arne SvingenFrom award-winning Norwegian author Arne Svingen comes "an unusually exciting and funny story" (Dagbladet) about a relentlessly positive teenager who uses his love of opera to cope with his less-than-perfect home life.Bart is an eternal optimist. At thirteen years old, he's had a hard life. But Bart knows that things won't get any better if you have a negative attitude. His mother has pushed him into boxing lessons so that Bart can protect himself, but Bart already has defense mechanisms: he is relentlessly positive...and he loves opera. Listening to--and singing--opera is Bart's greatest escape, but he's too shy to share this with anyone. Then popular Ada befriends him and encourages him to perform at the school talent show. Ada can't keep a secret to save her life, but Bart bonds with her anyway, and her openness helps him realize that his troubles are not burdens that he must bear alone. The Ballad of a Broken Nose is a sweet story about bravery, fear, bullying, sports, and music. But most of all it is about the important days of your life, days when everything seems to happen at once and nothing ever will be the same again.
The Ballerina's Stand
by Angel SmitsLove reaches far beyond words When she was growing up, a deaf child in foster care, dancing gave Lauren Ramsey a sense of belonging. Now she's a prima ballerina with her own dance studio; everything's finally going right. And then lawyer Jason Hawkins turns up and drops a bombshell: Lauren's unknown father has left her a fortune. Well, Jason can take that money and shove it. Except...he can't. Once he sees Lauren dancing, he can't stay away...
The Baltimore Boys
by Joël DickerNOVEMBER 24, 2004The day of the tragedy. The end of a brotherhood.The Baltimore Boys. The Goldman Gang. That was what they called Marcus Goldman and his cousins Woody and Hillel. Three brilliant young men with dazzling futures ahead of them, before their kingdom crumbled beneath the weight of lies, jealousy and betrayal. For years, Marcus has struggled with the burdens of his past, but now he must attempt to banish his demons and tell the true and astonishing story of the Baltimore Boys.The stunning new novel from the author of the global bestseller, The Truth about the Harry Quebert AffairTranslated from the French by Alison Anderson
The Baltimore Boys
by Joël DickerFresh from the staggering success of The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair, Marcus Goldman is struggling to write his third novel. A chance encounter in Florida throws him some inspiration from a surprising source: Alexandra Neville, the beautiful, phenomenally successful singer and Marcus's first love. All at once, memories of his childhood come flooding back. Memories of a family torn apart by tragedy, and a once glorious legacy reduced to shame and ruin.The Baltimore Boys. The Goldman Gang. That was what they called Marcus, and his cousins Hillel and Woody. Three brilliant young men with their whole lives ahead of them, before their kingdom crumbled beneath the weight of lies, jealousy and betrayal. For years, Marcus has struggled with the burdens of his past, but now, he must attempt to banish his demons and tell the real story of the Baltimore Boys.Translated from the French by Alison Anderson(P)2017 Quercus Editions Limited
The Bamboo Cradle
by Avraham SchwartzbaumAn American professor on a Fulbright Fellowship to Taiwan finds a newborn baby girl abandoned in a railroad station. In China, with overpopulation and where, traditionally, little value is placed on female offspring, this almost commonplace occurrence could hardly be considered noteworthy. But for Allan Schwartzbaum, it was an event that would alter his life irrevocably. <p><p> The Schwartzbaums, married for nine years and unable to have children of their own, adopt the foundling and bring her back to America with them. Because they are Jewish, although not observant, they want to provide their new daughter with a basic Jewish education, but this turns out to be far from simple. In order to qualify for enrollment in the local Jewish Day School, the child has to first be converted to Judaism. And in order to qualify for a legitimate conversion, she has to first be guaranteed an Orthodox upbringing. <p> This heartwarming, true story, filled with humor and pathos, joy, frustration, and ultimately, fulfillment, describes the providential chain of events that lead the Schwartzbaums from the discovery of a Chinese infant to the discovery of their Jewish heritage. Along the way, they also discover that the burdens and obligations of authentic Judaism are outweighed by its myriad benefits.
The Bandit Queens: A Novel
by Parini ShroffGOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK • A young Indian woman finds the false rumors that she killed her husband surprisingly useful—until other women in the village start asking for her help getting rid of their own husbands—in this razor-sharp debut. "A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women.&”—The New York Times Book ReviewLonglisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal • A She Reads and CrimeReads Best Book of the YearFive years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband. As in, she actually lost him—he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. And it&’s a rumor that just won&’t die. It turns out that being known as a &“self-made&” widow comes with some perks. No one messes with her, harasses her, or tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It&’s even been good for business; no one dares to not buy her jewelry. Freedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her &“expertise,&” making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal. And not all of them are asking nicely. With Geeta&’s dangerous reputation becoming a double-edged sword, she has to find a way to protect the life she&’s built—but even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go awry. What happens next sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything, not just for Geeta, but for all the women in their village. Filled with clever criminals, second chances, and wry and witty women, Parini Shroff&’s The Bandit Queens is a razor-sharp debut of humor and heart that readers won&’t soon forget.
The Banishment (The Daughters of Mannerling Series #1)
by M. C. BeatonIn this Regency romance series opener by the bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries, a family&’s future rests on a daughter&’s engagement.Isabella Beverley is blessed with unparalleled beauty but, unfortunately, has been raised in the most snobbish and haughtiest of families. And when her father gambles away their fortune—including Mannerling, the exquisite family mansion—Isabella discovers there is very little sympathy for her plight. As the eldest, Isabella is chosen to court Mr. Judd, the roguish bachelor who won Mannerling. Surely no sacrifice is too great to regain their home? But tempting her away from Mr. Judd is Lord Fitzpatrick, an Irish rake who fears Isabella can never love a man as she does her home—but is nonetheless determined to convince her to choose man over manse!&“Another easy entertainment from a veteran romancer.&”—Kirkus Reviews
The Banker's Wife
by Cristina Alger"Immersive, satisfying, tense--and timely: This is probably happening for real right now."--Lee ChildOn an early morning in November, a couple boards a private plane bound for Geneva, flying into a storm. Soon after, it simply drops off the radar, and its wreckage is later uncovered in the Alps. Among the disappeared is Matthew Werner, a banking insider at Swiss United, a powerful offshore bank. His young widow, Annabel, is left grappling with the secrets he left behind, including an encrypted laptop and a shady client list. As she begins a desperate search for answers, she determines that Matthew's death was no accident, and that she is now in the crosshairs of his powerful enemies. Meanwhile, ambitious society journalist Marina Tourneau has finally landed at the top. Now that she's engaged to Grant Ellis, she will stop writing about powerful families and finally be a part of one. Her entry into the upper echelons of New York's social scene is more appealing than any article could ever be, but, after the death of her mentor, she agrees to dig into one more story. While looking into Swiss United, Marina uncovers information that implicates some of the most powerful men in the financial world, including a few who are too close to home. The story could also be the answer to Annabel's heartbreaking search--if Marina chooses to publish it. The Banker's Wife is both a high-stakes thriller and an inside look at the personal lives in the intriguing world of finance, introducing Cristina Alger as a powerful new voice in the genre.
The Banksia House Breakout
by James RoxburghWhen Ruth Morris is moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son Michael, she is eighty-one years young, mourning her loss of independence, and missing her best friend Gladys terribly. So when she learns Gladys is dying a state over in Brisbane, Ruth is determined to say goodbye. Enlisting the help of her fellow residents, Ruth makes a daring departure from Banksia House alongside renowned escape-artist Keith, and her formidable new friend Beryl. The journey from Sydney is far from straightforward, featuring grimy hostels, hitchhiking, and a mild case of grand theft. This unlikely trio finds themselves on the trip of a lifetime, where new connections blossom amidst the chaos. But the clock is ticking and Gladys awaits - will they make it across the border in time? In this joyous and captivating read, debut author James Roxburgh delivers a heartwarming tale that will have you cheering for Ruth from beginning to end.
The Banned Books Club: A Novel
by Brenda Novak&“A sharply plotted, emotionally intense novel of family secrets, fresh starts and community&” —Jayne Ann KrentzShe left her hometown following a scandal—but family loyalty is dragging her back…Despite their strained relationship, when Gia Rossi&’s sister, Margot, begs her to come home to Wakefield, Iowa, to help with their ailing mother, Gia knows she has no choice. After her rebellious and at-times-tumultuous teen years, Gia left town with little reason to look back. But she knows Margot&’s borne the brunt of their mother&’s care and now it&’s Gia&’s turn to help, even if it means opening old wounds.As expected, Gia&’s homecoming is far from welcome. There&’s the Banned Books Club she started after the PTA overzealously slashed the high school reading list, which is right where she left it. But there is also Mr. Hart, her former favorite teacher. The one who was fired after Gia publicly and painfully accused him of sexual misconduct. The one who prompted Gia to leave behind a very conflicted town the minute she turned eighteen. The one person she hoped never to see again.When Margot leaves town without explanation, Gia sees the cracks in her sister&’s &“perfect&” life for the first time and plans to offer support. But as the town, including members of the book club, takes sides between Gia and Mr. Hart, everything gets harder. Fortunately, she learns that there are people she can depend on. And by standing up for the truth, she finds love and a future in the town she thought had rejected her.
The Barbarian Nurseries: A shocking and unforgettable novel about class differences in modern-day America
by Héctor TobarBY THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AND PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE 33'A book of extraordinary scope and power' Los Angeles TimesAraceli is the live-in maid in the Torres-Thompson household, just outside Los Angeles. One morning, after an argument between the parents which turned physical, she wakes to an empty house - except for the two sons she's never had to interact with before. Not knowing what else to do, she decides to track down their grandfather. When Scott and Maureen return to find the children gone, they do what any right-minded middle-class parents would: they panic. Caught in a spiral of guilt, they say things that aren't quite true - and when Araceli is accused of abduction, a national media circus explodes, causing the Torres-Thompson's carefully constructed lives to begin to fall apart . . .'As pacy and informative about the states of America as you would expect from a journalist who won a Pulitzer for coverage of the LA riots . . . Tobar is in total control of his material' Guardian'A virtuosic and hard-hitting novel . . . Exposes disturbing and enlightening ironies about the perpetuation of both privilege and social disadvantage' TLSTobar's hard-hitting novel drills deep into LA's hidden social and racial strata, and explores what happens when these carefully constructed lives implode Independent
The Bare Facts: 39 Questions Your Parents Hope You Never Ask About Sex
by Josh McDowellSex is everywhere. And misunderstandings about it are even more pervasive. Whether you have questions of your own and don&’t know who to ask, or you are being asked questions and don&’t know where to turn—this small book has the answers.Bestselling author and speaker, Josh McDowell believes that no question is off limits and that knowledge, not ignorance, is the key to youthful purity and a fulfilling marriage and family. This book builds on that approach with relevant, pertinent statistics, entertaining anecdotes, and real stories.This little book will be a very practical tool in the hands of anyone who is struggling, anyone who is curious, anyone who is nervous about asking a "dumb question," and most importantly, anyone who desires to learn how to honor God with his or her body. The Bible is clear on a lot of these issues and Josh's candor (and respect for young people) shines through as he shares these truths about sex.Much like Josh's apologetics books, this book will help equip a skeptical generation with the facts they are sorely missing.
The Bare Facts: 39 Questions Your Parents Hope You Never Ask About Sex
by Josh McDowellSex is everywhere. And misunderstandings about it are even more pervasive. Whether you have questions of your own and don&’t know who to ask, or you are being asked questions and don&’t know where to turn—this small book has the answers.Bestselling author and speaker, Josh McDowell believes that no question is off limits and that knowledge, not ignorance, is the key to youthful purity and a fulfilling marriage and family. This book builds on that approach with relevant, pertinent statistics, entertaining anecdotes, and real stories.This little book will be a very practical tool in the hands of anyone who is struggling, anyone who is curious, anyone who is nervous about asking a "dumb question," and most importantly, anyone who desires to learn how to honor God with his or her body. The Bible is clear on a lot of these issues and Josh's candor (and respect for young people) shines through as he shares these truths about sex.Much like Josh's apologetics books, this book will help equip a skeptical generation with the facts they are sorely missing.
The Barn
by AviThis moving story historical novel from master storyteller Avi will reach the wide audience it deserves with its beautiful and compelling new cover treatment.Ben is away at school when his father mysteriously falls ill in the spring of 1855. With no adults to help, he and his brother and sister must take over the family farm in Oregon Territory's rugged Willamette Valley. Despite his siblings' doubts, Ben is determined to build the barn Father had planned, in the hope of waking him from his silent, frozen state. But will it be enough?
The Barracks Thief
by Tobias WolffThe Barracks Thief is the story of three young paratroopers waiting to be shipped out to Vietnam. Brought together one sweltering afternoon to stand guard over an ammunition dump threatened by a forest fire, they discover in each other an unexpected capacity for recklessness and violence. Far from being alarmed by this discovery, they are exhilarated by it; they emerge from their common danger full of confidence in their own manhood and in the bond of friendship they have formed.This confidence is shaken when a series of thefts occur. The author embraces the perspectives of both the betrayer and the betrayed, forcing us to participate in lives that we might otherwise condemn, and to recognize the kinship of those lives to our own.
The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One (The Misewa Saga #1)
by David A. RobertsonNarnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.
The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One (The Misewa Saga)
by David A. RobertsonNarnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.
The Barrenness
by Sonja LewisBy the time Lil Lee is 39, she has everything. Or so she thinks, until her childless aunt offers cryptic advice: "have children otherwise your womanhood will fade with your childbearing years." Worse yet, Aunt Mamie dies without fleshing out the matter. So what is Lil to do? She sets out to have a child. But before long she runs into one road block after another--a messy divorce, problems at work, health trouble and a love interest who is unwilling to have more children, maybe even unable. Nonetheless, Congressman Danny Hatcher is so intrigued with her as she is with him. Something has to give. Meanwhile, she faces an unyielding battle for her aunt's house with Will Owens, Aunt Mamie's difficult stepson. And somehow her fight for the Lee legacy becomes entwined with her personal campaign to become a mother. Lil's struggle to win back her inheritance is more than just a hunger for a material possession. It is a poignant undertaking to secure her future.