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My Fishing Life: A Story of the Sea
by Ashley Mullenger'A beautiful, heartfelt love letter to the sea, and a cherished industry. Ash is a force of nature, she's a testament to working hard and dreaming big' Dermot O'LearyAshley Mullenger had never planned to become a fisherman. A chance fishing trip - catching mackerel off the Norfolk coast - was the start of an obsession. One that resulted in a transformation from clean-cut office worker to commercial 'Fisherman of the Year', and proud working owner of two boats, Fairlass and Saoirse, alongside skipper Nigel.This is a memoir of that journey, a life swept up in tides and elements, strength of mind and body, of old ways and new struggles. It's about the bravery of crews, early mornings, weather-beaten characters and those that can sink pints as fast as they can haul pots. These coastal communities and age-old livelihoods are built on trust, courage and skill - but they are also fraying against politics, poverty and climate change. The reality of commercial fishing is rarely seen, but Ashley carries us across the waves and around the UK's waters in vivid detail to show what is really happening at sea to land the fish on our plates.My Fishing Life is both a rallying cry and a love letter, rinsed down with salty humour, to an industry often misunderstood. One woman's unique story of boat, skipper, sea and catch ultimately becomes a transformative view of a world that impacts deeply on us all.
Birding
by Rose RuaneIn a small seaside town, autumn is edging into winter, gulls ride winds over the waves, and two women pass each other on the promenade, as yet unaware of each other's existence.In the nineties Lydia was a teen pop star, posed half naked on billboards everywhere with a lollipop between her lips and no idea how to live, letting the world happen to her. Now, three decades later, Lydia is less and less sure that what happened to her was in the least bit okay. The news cycle runs hot with #MeToo stories, and a famous former lover has emerged with a self-serving apology, asking her to forgive him. Suddenly, the past is full of trapdoors she is desperately trying not to fall through.Joyce, in middle age, has never left home. She still lives with her mother Betty. With their matching dresses, identical hairdos and makeup, they are the local oddballs. Theirs is a life of unerring routine: the shops, biscuits served on bone china plates, dressing up for a gin and tonic on Saturday. Nice things. One misstep from Joyce can ruin Betty's day; so Joyce treads carefully. She has never let herself think about a different kind of life. But recently, along with the hot flushes, something like anger is asserting itself, like a caged thing realising it should probably try and escape.Amid the grey skies, amusement parks and beauty parlours of a gentrifying run-down seaside resort, these two women might never meet. But as they both try to untangle the damaging details of their past in the hope of a better future, their lives are set on an unlikely collision course.With mordant wit and lyrical prose, Birding asks if we can ever see ourselves clearly or if we are always the unreliable narrators of our own experiences. It is a story about the difference between responsibility and obligation, unhealthy relationships and abusive ones, third acts and last chances, and two women trying to take flight on clipped wings.
The Nightingale's Castle: A thrillingly evocative and page-turning gothic historical novel for fans of Stacey Halls and Susan Stokes-Chapman
by Sonia Velton'I was blown away by this dark, enchanting story of witchcraft, power and injustice. ..nothing short of brilliant' Mary ChamberlainErzsébet Báthory, whose infamous place in history characterises her as the 'Blood Countess', was accused of the murder of over 600 peasant girls in Hungary, 1610. The Nightingale's Castle tells the story of a woman fighting for her survival and the complicated, often cruel, household over which she presides.Praise for The Nightingale's Castle'Moving, fascinating and haunting.. A mesmerising combination of gothic horror and elegant restraint' Francesca De Tores, author of Saltblood'Gripping... a fascinating exploration of women's struggle to have their truth heard' Louise O'NeillIn 1573, Countess Erzsébet Báthory gave birth to an illegitimate child. The infant, a girl, was swiftly bundled up and handed to a local peasant family to be brought up in one of the hamlets surrounding the Castle. Many years later, 15-year-old Boróka reluctantly leaves the safety of the only home she has ever known in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Trusted members of the countess's household have been sent out to gather new serving girls, and the kindly old man who has taken care of Boróka for almost all her life knows that it is dangerous to turn them away.Boróka struggles to find her place at Cachtice Castle: she is frightened of the countess's reputation as an alleged murderer of young girls, and the women who run the castle are terrifyingly cruel. When plague comes into the heart of the castle, a tentative bond begins to form between Boróka and the Countess Báthory. But powerful forces are moving against a woman whose wealth poses such a threat to the king: can the countess really trust the women who are so close to her? And when the show trial begins against the infamous 'Blood Countess' where will Boróka's loyalties lie?
The Principle of Rapid Peering
by Sylvia LegrisSelf-seeding windis a wind of ever-replenishing breath.-from 'The Walk, or The Principle of Rapid Peering'The title of Sylvia Legris' melopoeic collection The Principle of Rapid Peering comes from a phrase the nineteenth-century ornithologist and field biologist Joseph Grinnell used to describe the feeding behaviour of certain birds. Rather than waiting passively for food to approach them, these birds live in a continuous mode of 'rapid peering'. Legris explores this rich theme of active observation through a spray of poems that together form a kind of almanac or naturalist's notebook in verse. Here is 'where nature converges with words,' as the poet walks through prairie habitats near her home in Saskatchewan, through lawless chronologies and mellifluous strophes of strobili and solstice. Moths appear frequently, as do birds and plants and larvae, all meticulously observed and documented with an oblique sense of the pandemic marking the seasons. Elements of weather, ornithology, entomology, and anatomy feed her condensed, inflective lines, making the heart bloom and the intellect dance.Features drawings by the poet.
The Italian Garden: The perfect historical fiction to fall in love with this spring!
by Charlotte BettsLake Como, 1919.The garden of Villa Marchese was once a sight to behold. Now, overgrown and unloved, the flowers that once bloomed are nothing but a reminder of the tragic events of Flora Marchese's death.When horticulturist Violet Honeywell is commissioned to restore the once exquisite garden, she immediately accepts and sets off on a life-changing adventure.Violet instantly becomes enchanted by the Italian way of life, and under the beguiling warmth of the Bellagio sun, she falls in love with a man who can never truly be hers - Flora's grandson.But when a discovery at the Lake uncovers buried truths that have haunted the family for decades, Violet starts to delve deeper into the dark secrets of their past, and she quickly begins to realise that not everything in the Marchese family is what it seems . . .----Why readers love Charlotte Betts:'Lush, romantic and full of intrigue' Tracy Rees, Richard & Judy bestselling author'A deeply romantic novel whose vivid characters will linger in your mind' Margaret Kaine'Romantic, poignant and gripping . . . a fabulous holiday read' Deborah Swift'A stunning and captivating read . . . full of drama, love, loss and life' Book Literati'Lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned . . . a must read for anyone who wants to be absorbed as well as utterly enchanted' Carol McGrath'A compelling story, beautifully written and brought alive with rich historical detail' Liz Harris
This Book Won't Burn
by Samira Ahmed'Blazes with searing honesty and unflinching emotional truth' Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDAFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Internment comes a timely and gripping social-suspense novel about book banning, activism, and standing up for what you believe in.'Reading is dangerous because it shows us the truth. Words give us power; that's why some adults want to silence us'Noor Khan is the new girl at school. Moving to the tiny town of Bayberry with her mother and sister after their family life is upended, she's determined to keep her head down and make it through her final year, unnoticed.While hiding out in her school library, Noor notices that hundreds of books are being removed from the shelves and boxed up: a new school policy banning books that parents object to. Worse, almost all the books being targeted are by queer and BIPOC authors. Outraged, Noor and her new friends decide to read some of the banned books out loud to their classmates, to protest this new policy at school. But in Bayberry, trouble is never far behind. Can Noor effect change by speaking up, while navigating the politics of small-town life? And can she trust the son of the school board president, who she finds herself falling for?'Rings with truth and hope' Joanna Ho, bestselling author of THE SILENCE THAT BINDS US
New Uzbekistan: The Third Renaissance (Europa Perspectives: Emerging Economies)
by Bakhrom Mirkasimov Richard PomfretThis book reviews and analyses the comprehensive socioeconomic reforms undertaken in Uzbekistan since 2016 by the government led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The volume takes the reader through the different sectors of the economy and the effects of reforms on the country’s citizens. The various developments are detailed, examining the gains and the gaps in terms of policy and implementation. Using the broad tools of economics and, in particular, of development economics, the authors present evidence to drive their conclusions and recommendations, and also draw on comparative cases from policy and practice to illustrate alternative approaches and results from measures in other transition countries.Implementing Uzbekistan’s ambitious economic transformation into a market economy is a challenging process that takes time. This book provides the first systematic and comprehensive discussion of the government’s reform areas, including the macroeconomic fundamentals, business and investment climate, the energy, transport, health, education, social protection, financial, banking and agriculture sectors, regional trade, tourism and transport connectivity, reform of state-owned enterprises, as well as public services, citizen engagement and gender equality.
Early Modern Genres of History (Early Modern Themes)
by Emil Nicklas Johnsen Ina Louise StovnerBringing together an international group of literary scholars, intellectual historians, and cultural historians, this book discusses history in its various forms, either as texts or images in the early modern period (1500–1800).Early Modern Genres of History explores different genres and representational modes regarded as history before history became a scientific discipline during the nineteenth century. It does not seek to show how the modern discipline of history as an academic study developed, but rather to examine the ways in which historical texts and images became part of a wider field of early modern knowledge formations. This volume demonstrates how history was connected to the developments in the public sphere, how antiquarian historians used genres in their work, how history evolved and functioned in the visual field, and how historical genres travelled across different contexts. Overall, Early Modern Genres of History reveals how the diversity of historical representations in the early modern period has contributed to the broader foundations of history as it is understood in the twenty-first century.This volume is of great use to upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars interested in early modern Europe and the history of knowledge across both the history and literature disciplines.
Teenage Boys, Musical Identities, and Music Education: An Australian Narrative Inquiry (ISSN)
by Jason GoopyMusic is a powerful process and resource that can shape and support who we are and wish to be. The interaction between musical identities and learning music highlights school music education’s potential contributions and responsibilities, especially in supporting young people’s mental health and well-being. Through the distinctive stories and drawings of Aaron, Blake, Conor, Elijah, Michael, and Tyler, this book reveals the musical identities of teenage boys in their final year of study at an Australian boys’ school.This text serves as an interface between music, education, and psychology using narrative inquiry. Previous research in music education often seeks to generalise boys, whereas this study recognises and celebrates the diverse individual voices of students where music plays a significant role in their lives. Adolescent boys’ musical identities are examined using the theories of identity work and possible selves, and their underlying music values and uses are considered important guiding principles and motivating goals in their identity construction. A teaching and learning framework to shape and support multiple musical identities in senior secondary class music is presented.The relatable and personal stories in this book will appeal to a broad readership, including music teachers, teacher educators, researchers, and readers interested in the role of music in our lives. Creative and arts-based research methods, including narrative inquiry and innovative draw and tell interviews, will be particularly relevant for research method courses and postgraduate research students.
Principles of Psychological Assessment: With Applied Examples in R (Chapman & Hall/CRC Statistics in the Social and Behavioral Sciences)
by Isaac T. PetersenThis book highlights the principles of psychological assessment to help researchers and clinicians better develop, evaluate, administer, score, integrate, and interpret psychological assessments. It discusses psychometrics (reliability and validity), the assessment of various psychological domains (behavior, personality, intellectual functioning), various measurement methods (e.g., questionnaires, observations, interviews, biopsychological assessments, performance-based assessments), and emerging analytical frameworks to evaluate and improve assessment including: generalizability theory, structural equation modeling, item response theory, and signal detection theory. The text also discusses ethics, test bias, and cultural and individual diversity.Key Features Gives analysis examples using free software Helps readers apply principles to research and practice Provides text, analysis code/syntax, R output, figures, and interpretations integrated to guide readers Uses the freely available petersenlab package for R Principles of Psychological Assessment: With Applied Examples in R is intended for use by graduate students, faculty, researchers, and practicing psychologists.
Sociology of Mental Disorder
by William C. CockerhamThe twelfth edition of the Sociology of Mental Disorder presents the major issues and research findings on the influence of race, social class, gender, and age on the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders. The text also examines the institutions that help those with mental disorders, mental health law, and public policy. Many important updates are new to this edition: The mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are examined. Aging and mental health is discussed in more detail. Updated review of gender differences in mental disorder. A revised and more in-depth discussion of mental health and race. Problems in the community care of the mentally ill are covered. Updates of research and citations throughout. Blending foundational concepts and sociological perspectives on mental health issues with newer studies and accounts in an accessible and authoritative survey of the field, the new edition of Sociology of Mental Disorder remains an essential text and an invaluable resource for students and scholars.
Mindsets in the Classroom: Building a Growth Mindset Learning Community
by Mary Cay RicciThe latest edition of Mindsets in the Classroom provides educators with ideas and strategies to build a growth mindset school culture, wherein students are challenged to change their thinking about their abilities and potential through resilience, perseverance, and a variety of strategies.This updated edition contains content from the first and second edition, eliminates content that is no longer relevant, and adds a layer of learning that has occurred since the original publication: lessons learned through more recent brain research, implementation of the concept by educators across the world, as well as the author’s own observations and reflections after working in schools, coaching educators, and talking with teachers, administrators, parents, and students about their own mindsets.With this book’s easy-to-follow advice, tasks, and strategies, teachers can grow a love of learning while facilitating the development of resilient, successful students.
Healthcare Services in the Metaverse: Game Theory, AI, IoT, and Blockchain (Emerging Trends in Biomedical Technologies and Health informatics)
by Saurav Mallik Anjan Bandyopadhyay Ruifeng Hu Pawan Kumar Singh Soumadip Ghosh Sujata SwainThis book focuses on game theory approaches utilized on various domains viz., IoT, blockchain and their applications to biomedical and healthcare services. The book bridges the gap between radiologists and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven automated systems by investigating various techniques such as game theoretic approach, blockchain technology basically utilized for security, and IoT applied on metaverse. Healthcare Services in the Metaverse: Game Theory, AI, IoT, and Blockchain, identifies the potential areas where game theory and block chain techniques can be harnessed in the metaverse. The book discusses the integration of virtual reality (VR) with augmented reality to identify the new emerging techniques in healthcare to metaverse, where doctors and/or patients can see any kind of operation in the VR metaverse. The authors use game theoretical and blockchain approaches to understand healthcare issues, with the aim of utilizing different technologies of metaverse platform for health informatics. This book is written to help healthcare practitioners and individuals across academia and research, as well as for those who work in biomedical, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), metaverse, VR, blockchain, and related technologies.
Robert Southey Essays Moral and Political 1832
by Tim FulfordRobert Southey's Essays Moral and Political, originally published in 1832, brings together many of Southey’s most influential journal pieces, providing important evidence for students of the political and literary culture of the Romantic period. Edited by Tim Fulford, this volume features a full introduction and detailed editorial notes setting the Essays in their contexts. The volume sets the Essays in the context of the political and social issues and controversies on which they comment, and will be of great interest to students and scholars of Literary and Political History.
Reliable and Intelligent Optimization in Multi-Layered Cloud Computing Architectures
by Madhusudhan H. S. Satish Kumar T. Punit Gupta Dinesh Kumar Saini Kashif ZiaOne of the major developments in the computing field has been cloud computing, which enables users to do complicated computations that local devices are unable to handle. The computing power and flexibility that have made the cloud so popular do not come without challenges. It is particularly challenging to decide which resources to use, even when they have the same configuration but different levels of performance because of the variable structure of the available resources. Cloud data centers can host millions of virtual machines, and where to locate these machines in the cloud is a difficult problem. Additionally, fulfilling optimization needs is a complex problem.Reliable and Intelligent Optimization in Multi-Layered Cloud Computing Architectures examines ways to meet these challenges. It discusses virtual machine placement techniques and task scheduling techniques that optimize resource utilization and minimize energy consumption of cloud data centers. Placement techniques presented can provide an optimal solution to the optimization problem using multiple objectives. The book focuses on basic design principles and analysis of virtual machine placement techniques and task allocation techniques. It also looks at virtual machine placement techniques that can improve quality-of-service (QoS) in service-oriented architecture (SOA) computing. The aims of virtual machine placement include minimizing energy usage, network traffic, economical cost, maximizing performance, and maximizing resource utilization. Other highlights of the book include: Improving QoS and resource efficiency Fault-tolerant and reliable resource optimization models A reactive fault tolerance method using checkpointing restart Cost and network-aware metaheuristics. Virtual machine scheduling and placement Electricity consumption in cloud data centers Written by leading experts and researchers, this book provides insights and techniques to those dedicated to improving cloud computing and its services.
Modern Medicine: Biomedical Devices, Medical Gases, Radiopharmaceuticals, New Drug Discovery, Volume 2
by Pronobesh Chattopadhyay Danswrang GoyaryModern Medicine: Biomedical Devices, Medical Gases, Radiopharmaceuticals, New Drug Discovery, Volume 2 discusses the procedures of drug approval and regulatory requirements that must be met according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medical Agency (EMA), and the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern medicine, groundbreaking innovations have emerged that are reshaping the way we approach healthcare. Modern Medicine delves into the cutting-edge realms of medical devices, medical gases, radiopharmaceuticals, and new drug discovery, offering a comprehensive exploration of these transformative fields that are revolutionizing patient care and medical practices. Discover the future of healthcare technology, and uncover the intricate world of biomedical engineering, where state-of-the-art devices seamlessly merge with the human body to monitor, diagnose, and treat ailments Dive deep into the utilization of medical gases for respiratory conditions, pain management, and even novel applications in regenerative medicine Unravel the mysteries of radiopharmaceuticals, a fusion of molecular imaging and therapy that offers unprecedented insights into the inner workings of the human body Embark on a journey through the intricate processes of drug discovery, where groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technologies are yielding therapies that were once deemed impossible Modern Medicine is a must-read for medical professionals, researchers, students, and anyone intrigued by the remarkable intersection of science, technology, and patient well-being. Join us on a journey to the forefront of medical innovation, where the unimaginable becomes reality, and the future of healthcare takes shape before our eyes. The chapter on regulatory implications for the approval process in this book will be the most useful resource for researchers and students, particularly those with backgrounds in pharma, forensic medicine, regulatory affairs, or those who aspire to succeed in drug research. Additionally, the information contained in this volume of the book could be of great interest to researchers working in the pharmaceutical and health industries.
My Family and Other Seedlings: A Year on a Dorset Allotment
by Lalage SnowA few years ago Lally Snow moved to a Dorset village with her husband and three small children, having spent over a decade as a war photographer, foreign correspondent and film maker living in Kabul. She covered the conflict there as well as other wars from Gaza to Eastern Ukraine, and Iraq.In the late winter of 2021-22, Lally decided to rent an allotment, despite having only a rudimentary knowledge of gardening. She was starting from scratch and setting herself the dual challenge of growing an allotment at the same time as growing a family.This is a heart-warming, wry and at times tearful account of Lally's travails as a mother and novice allotment holder, counterpointing horticultural progress with the perils of parenting. Along the way she reflects on the drudgery of English rural domesticity after a professional life chasing war and adventure, the history of the allotment since Saxon times, and the wonderful moment when gardening becomes fun rather than just feeding a family.
The Book of Words
by Jenny ErpenbeckA searing novella about coming of age in a land of tyranny, by one of Germany's most brilliant young authors. In The Book of Words, Jenny Erpenbeck captures with amazing virtuosity the inner life of a young girl who survives the totalitarian regime of a curiously unnamed South American country (most likely Argentina during its "dirty war"). Raised by parents whose real identity ends up shocking her, the girl comes of age in a country where gunshots are mistaken for blown tires, innocent citizens are dragged off buses, and tortured and disappeared friends and family return to visit her from the dead.
A Nest of Vipers: A Bangalore Detectives Club Mystery (The Bangalore Detectives Club Series)
by Harini Nagendra'Deliciously exotic' Sunday Post'A beautifully painted picture of a woman's life in 1920s India' M W CRAVEN----Death stalks the streets of Bangalore when the Circus comes to town . . .January 1922.The Bangalore Constabulary is on high alert as The Prince of Wales is scheduled to visit the city to redeem his reputation after disastrous visits marked by violent anti-British riots.Kaveri has none of these concerns on her mind, not when she has just been given VIP tickets to the famous Bangalore circus. But when a celebrity magician, shackled in an iron cage filled with deadly snakes, disappears into thin air, she is stunned to discover her friend and favourite policeman, Inspector Ismail, is telling her to leave the case well alone.After solving two murder cases, Kaveri Murthy thought she had cemented her reputation as Bangalore's favourite lady detective. But when death threats are left at her doorstep, former friends become foes, and the bodies start to pile up, Kaveri realises she has never been in this much danger . . .PRAISE FOR HARINI NAGENDRA'A gorgeous debut mystery with a charming and fearless sleuth . . . spellbinding' SUJATA MASSEY'Told with real warmth and wit. . . A perfect read for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Vaseem Khan' - ABIR MUKHERJEE'A cosy mystery that warmly illuminates a time and place not often examined in fiction' VASEEM KHAN'A beautifully painted picture of a woman's life in 1920s India' M W CRAVEN'A delight' CATRIONA MCPHERSON'The classic whodunnit with the added appeal of a female sleuth in Colonial India. . . fascinating' RHYS BOWEN'Riveting . . . A fine start to a promising series' BOOKLIST Starred Review'I couldn't put it down' VICTORIA THOMPSON, USA Today bestselling author of Murder on Madison Square'Absolutely charming . . . this one is a winner!' CONNIE BERRY, USA Today best-selling and Agatha-nominated author of The Kate Hamilton Mysteries.'An enjoyable trip back in time with a spunky young woman for company.' R V RAMAN, author of Fraudster and A Will to Kill'This lush mystery will transport you to heady 1920s Bangalore . . . Mouth-watering fashion and food set against simmering colonial intrigue in this delicious whodunit can be devoured in one sitting.' SUMI HAHN, author of The Mermaid from Jeju'I loved The Bangalore Detectives Club . . . Kaveri especially is charming.' OVIDIA YU, author of The Cannonball Tree Mystery'Nagendra makes her fiction debut with an exceptional series launch. . . rich, edifying, and authentic' Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
My Fishing Life: A Story of the Sea
by Ashley Mullenger'A beautiful, heartfelt love letter to the sea, and a cherished industry. Ash is a force of nature, she's a testament to working hard and dreaming big' Dermot O'LearyAshley Mullenger had never planned to become a fisherman. A chance fishing trip - catching mackerel off the Norfolk coast - was the start of an obsession. One that resulted in a transformation from clean-cut office worker to commercial 'Fisherman of the Year', and proud working owner of two boats, Fairlass and Saoirse, alongside skipper Nigel.This is a memoir of that journey, a life swept up in tides and elements, strength of mind and body, of old ways and new struggles. It's about the bravery of crews, early mornings, weather-beaten characters and those that can sink pints as fast as they can haul pots. These coastal communities and age-old livelihoods are built on trust, courage and skill - but they are also fraying against politics, poverty and climate change. The reality of commercial fishing is rarely seen, but Ashley carries us across the waves and around the UK's waters in vivid detail to show what is really happening at sea to land the fish on our plates.My Fishing Life is both a rallying cry and a love letter, rinsed down with salty humour, to an industry often misunderstood. One woman's unique story of boat, skipper, sea and catch ultimately becomes a transformative view of a world that impacts deeply on us all.
The Italian Garden: The perfect historical fiction to fall in love with this spring!
by Charlotte BettsLake Como, 1919.The garden of Villa Marchese was once a sight to behold. Now, overgrown and unloved, the flowers that once bloomed are nothing but a reminder of the tragic events of Flora Marchese's death.When horticulturist Violet Honeywell is commissioned to restore the once exquisite garden, she immediately accepts and sets off on a life-changing adventure.Violet instantly becomes enchanted by the Italian way of life, and under the beguiling warmth of the Bellagio sun, she falls in love with a man who can never truly be hers - Flora's grandson.But when a discovery at the Lake uncovers buried truths that have haunted the family for decades, Violet starts to delve deeper into the dark secrets of their past, and she quickly begins to realise that not everything in the Marchese family is what it seems . . .----Why readers love Charlotte Betts:'Lush, romantic and full of intrigue' Tracy Rees, Richard & Judy bestselling author'A deeply romantic novel whose vivid characters will linger in your mind' Margaret Kaine'Romantic, poignant and gripping . . . a fabulous holiday read' Deborah Swift'A stunning and captivating read . . . full of drama, love, loss and life' Book Literati'Lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned . . . a must read for anyone who wants to be absorbed as well as utterly enchanted' Carol McGrath'A compelling story, beautifully written and brought alive with rich historical detail' Liz Harris
The Witching Hour: A thrilling new Dandy Gilver mystery to enjoy this summer (Dandy Gilver #17)
by Catriona McPherson♥️ ' . . . an absolute delight . . . these are the perfect reads for a night by the fire' ♥️ ScotsmanWar is hovering on the horizon, and Dandy Gilver wants nothing more than to keep her friends and family close. But then a call in the night places her oldest friend Daisy at the centre of a murder investigation. With her friend's future on the line, Dandy and her fellow sleuth Alec Osbourne must race to prove her innocence. But when they reach the idyllic Scottish village of Dirleton, residents confirm a woman was seen at the crime scene - an ancient stone called the louping stane, still spattered with the victim's blood. And the longer the detectives spend in the village the more they question Daisy's involvement. They're not getting the answers they need, but are they asking the right questions? . . .
My Family and Other Seedlings: A Year on a Dorset Allotment
by Lalage SnowA few years ago Lally Snow moved to a Dorset village with her husband and three small children, having spent over a decade as a war photographer, foreign correspondent and film maker living in Kabul. She covered the conflict there as well as other wars from Gaza to Eastern Ukraine, and Iraq.In the late winter of 2021-22, Lally decided to rent an allotment, despite having only a rudimentary knowledge of gardening. She was starting from scratch and setting herself the dual challenge of growing an allotment at the same time as growing a family.This is a heart-warming, wry and at times tearful account of Lally's travails as a mother and novice allotment holder, counterpointing horticultural progress with the perils of parenting. Along the way she reflects on the drudgery of English rural domesticity after a professional life chasing war and adventure, the history of the allotment since Saxon times, and the wonderful moment when gardening becomes fun rather than just feeding a family.
Unseen Universe: New Secrets of the Cosmos Revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope
by Dr Caroline HarperThis is the universe as you've never seen it before. Discover how the awe-inspiring images from Webb are rapidly changing our understanding of our solar system and beyond.From the towering dust cliffs of the Carina Nebula to Jupiter glowing like an iridescent disco ball in the sky, these stunning new images have captured the imagination of millions all over the world. Launched on 25th December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope is the most powerful and complex space telescope ever built, capturing a glimpse of deep space billions of years in the past. Now, Dr Caroline Harper and contributing astrophysicists from across Europe and the USA use Webb's photography to answer 10 of the biggest questions humankind has about the universe, including:· How are stars born?· How do galaxies form and evolve?· What are the origins of black holes?· Where do planets get their water?· Are we alone in the universe?· Is the universe expanding or infinite?Discover the science behind these beautiful images, which are revealing hidden details of the universe and clues to how it all began, and what awaits us in the future.
The Brass Age
by Slobodan Šnajder'Like Olga Tokarczuk, Šnajder has written a novel about a Europe that has lost its diversity and has beendestroyed by fascism, communism and, in recent times, nationalism ... a modern epic' Le Monde'A masterpiece' La RepubblicaThe very next day processions of young men, some still children, began to move around the little town of Nuštar, with drums providing a steady rhythm ... These young men came from German families, Germans living outside the Reich, Volksdeutsche. Some stayed in their houses, some were shut up in the storeroom by their mothers, but as time went on more and more of them followed the drumming ...1769. A hungry year in Germany. Kempf the ancestor departs his homeland with his compatriots in search of a brighter future. Years pass and generations of Germans make Slavonia their home. But in 1940, when Europe is at war once more, this minority, the Volksdeutsch, are called to fight for the Reich, for a land now foreign to them.Among their ranks is Georg Kempf, the narrator's father. Forcibly conscripted into the Waffen SS, he deserts, aware of the danger that this involves. At the end of the war, he falls in love with a committed partisan called Vera despite the unimaginable: if they had met earlier, each one would have had to kill the other.The Brass Age, Slobodan Šnajder's masterpiece, is both a family saga and a powerful historical novel about the destiny of those shackled by history, and the generations doomed to inherit the contradictory fates of their forebears. Šnajder looks to his own biography to capture two hundred years of conflict and dividing ideology. In the process, he reconstructs a world that fell apart.