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Confessions of an English Opium-Eater

by Thomas De Quincey

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY HOWARD MARKSOnce upon a time, opium (the main ingredient of heroin) was easily available over the chemist's counter. The secret of happiness, about which philosophers have disputed for so many ages, could be bought for a penny, and carried in the waistcoat pocket: portable ecstasies could be corked up in a pint bottle. Paradise? So thought Thomas de Quincey, but he soon discovered that 'nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium'.

Conquering Demons: The Kirishitan, Japan, and the World in Early Modern Japanese Literature (Michigan Monograph Series In Japanese Studies)

by Jan C. Leuchtenberger

These sensational fictional accounts of a near conquest of Japan by a kind of mythical Kirishitan, who used money and magic to gain converts in their attempt to take over Japan, are studied in the context of the publication trends of the time they were produced, as well as of the cultural and political attitudes toward Christianity that prevailed when they were written. Leuchtenberger also analyzes the representations of Japan and the Kirishitan that appear in these texts in the context of contemporary discourses on the world and Japan's place in it. New maps and information brought by the missionaries and traders to Japan reflected a world that looked very different from the traditional Sino-centric one. These anti-Kirishitan popular narratives meet the challenge of this new world by expelling it and reasserting the conventional three-realms world order, in which Japan plays an influential role. This is done most obviously in the expulsion of the Kirishitan that is narrated in the texts, but it is also achieved on another level by the representation of the Kirishitan as uncouth and very common villains. Conquering Demons features a new look at anti-Kirishitan works from a literary perspective, examining them in the context of developments in the publishing industry and in the broader discourses on Japan and many Others in the world. It is of interest most broadly to scholars and teachers of Japanese history and literature, but also to those dealing with questions of identity and Othering, issues of "mapping" Japan and the world, and the role of manuscript culture in Edo-period literature. The translations provide an entertaining and relatively rare look at some Japanese representations of Westerners and would be useful in undergraduate classes on Japanese history, culture, and literature.

The Conversations: 66 Reasons to Start Talking

by Olivia Fane

We've all known the heady thrill of a conversation that goes on all night. Once we had opinions on everything but as life becomes more humdrum we often lose that passion. Sometimes we can't remember what we really think at all.This brilliant book encourages us all to think anew. Olivia Fane provides the starting points for 66 conversations to be had with a partner, friend, stranger or simply with ourselves. These thought-provoking and stimulating short discussions on happiness, vanity, infidelity, education and more, ask you the questions that will help you get to know those with whom you share your life.Whether you agree or vehemently disagree, The Conversations provides endless food for thought and a surprising window onto some of the big subjects that define who we are and how we live.

Countess Dracula

by Guy Adams

You can do anything in Hollywood and be forgiven, anything except grow old...It’s the 1930s and cinema stands at the dawn of a new age, the silent era is all but dead, talkies are here and Technicolor is on its way. The whole world loves movie icons Frank Nayland and Elizabeth Sasdy, lapping up each new picture and following their romantic life story both on and off the screen. But all is not as perfect as it appears. Not only has the advent of talkies meant torturous sessions with a vocal coach to try and remove Sasdy’s Hungarian accent but she’s starting to spot the first few grey hairs, and the lines on her face get deeper every day. If she loses her looks she’ll lose everything, but even a woman as powerful as Elizabeth Sasdy can’t fight nature. Can she?A chance accident reveals the solution. But just how far is the Queen of Hollywood prepared to go to stay beautiful forever?

Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy #1)

by Kevin Kwan

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The international sensation and blockbuster Hollywood rom com. • "A Pride and Prejudice-like send-up about an heir bringing his Chinese-American girlfriend home to meet his ancestor-obsessed family.&” —People &“Deliciously decadent.... This 48-karat beach read is crazy fun.&” —Entertainment WeeklyWhen New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country&’s most eligible bachelor. On Nick&’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

Crooked Numbers: A Raymond Donne Mystery (The Raymond Donne Mysteries #2)

by Tim O'Mara

When one of Raymond Donne's former students is found stabbed to death under the Williamsburg Bridge, Ray draws on his past as a cop to find the truth in Tim O'Mara's second New York City mystery.Raymond Donne's former student Douglas Lee had everything going for him thanks to a scholarship to an exclusive private school in Manhattan, but all of that falls apart when his body is found below the Williamsburg Bridge with a dozen knife wounds in it. That kind of violence would normally get some serious attention from the police and media except when it's accompanied by signs that it could be gang related. When that's the case, the story dies and the police are happy to settle for the straightforward explanation. Dougie's mom isn't having any of that and asks Ray, who had been a cop before an accident cut his career short, to look into it, unofficially. He does what he can, asking questions, doling out information to the press, and filling in some holes in the investigation, but he doesn't get far before one of Dougie's private school friends is killed and another is put in the hospital.What kind of trouble could a couple of sheltered kids get into that would end like that? And what does is have to do with Dougie's death? None of it adds up, but there's no way Ray can just wait around for something to happen. Following on the heels of his acclaimed debut, Tim O'Mara's Crooked Numbers is another outstanding mystery that brings the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan to life and further solidifies O'Mara's place among the most talented new crime fiction writers working today.

Crossing the Line: Losing Your Mind as an Undercover Cop

by Christian Plowman

As he rose through the ranks of various departments of the Metropolitan Police, Christian Plowman dreamt of being an undercover cop. When he finally achieved his ambition, becoming one an elite group of officers, the reality of covert work turned his life into a nightmare.To catch criminals, Christian bought and sold drugs with taxpayers’ money, been beaten up, arrested at gunpoint and barricaded in a pub by a gang of marauding gypsies – all in a day’s work. At one stage, he was running almost a dozen mobile phones to keep track of his different identities and had so many aliases that he nearly forgot who he was. He put his life on the line for the job but was to find that being the ‘best of the best’ wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. The pressure became so intense that he even contemplated suicide.Crossing the Line is a visceral, gripping account of what it really takes to be an undercover cop. It exposes how the Met conducts its business behind the scenes and reveals the harsh realities of modern covert police work.

Crush: Includes Crash, Clash And Crush (Crash #3)

by Nicole Williams

The conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Crash trilogy, never before published in any format!A football fantasy. A giant diamond. The modern-day Romeo and Juliet are taking their relationship to the next level. . . . Jude and Lucy are happily engaged, but that doesn't mean life's a bed of roses.Once again, the hottest couple around is torn apart, this time by football training and a summer job. Now it's Jude with the trust issues.Will Lucy's life-changing news bring them back together or end their relationship for good? Can love triumph forever?Find out in the best installment yet in Nicole Williams's racy and romantic Crash trilogy!

Curious George Dance Party (Curious George Ser.)

by H. A. Rey H. A. Rey

George is thrilled when he gets an invitation to Allie’s dance party: “He danced while he brushed his teeth. Sometimes he even danced while he slept.” His friend Bill, however, is worried he’ll be the only one who can’t dance. The two of them quickly learn the box step with the help of a color-coded map—and it’s a hit! This colorful early reader—based on the Emmy Awardwinning Curious George PBS TV show—includes a simple pattern activity and instructions on how to make a dance map. For more monkey fun, investigate www.curiousgeorge.com and discover all the latest on Curious George books, promotions, games, activities, and more!

The Cycling Anthology: Volume Three (3/5) (The Cycling Anthology #3)

by Ned Boulting Jeremy Whittle Richard Moore

Professional cycling is a rich, dynamic and often controversial sport that lends itself to great writing. Some of the most famous and illustrious races were founded by newspapermen and The Cycling Anthology continues this tradition by bringing together the best in the business. Volume Three features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers. Ned Boulting goes behind the scenes at the 2013 Tour de France to get to know the second British winner in two years, Chris Froome; Richard Moore tells the story of Marianne Martin, winner of the first women's Tour de France; Lionel Birnie recounts the story of the Tour of Britian through the prism of the 2013 edition; Jeremy Whittle assess how the aftermath of Lance Armstrong's sensational confession affected Team Sky; and many more. Between them, they’ve covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour. Here, their work is showcased together.

The Cycling Anthology: Volume Two (2/5) (The Cycling Anthology #2)

by William Fotheringham Daniel Friebe Ned Boulting Jeremy Whittle

Professional cycling is a rich, dynamic and often controversial sport that lends itself to great writing. Some of the most famous and illustrious races were founded by newspapermen and The Cycling Anthology continues this tradition by bringing together the best in the business. Volume Two is a Tour de France special edition and features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers. ITV reporter Ned Boulting looks at how the Tour made it to our living rooms and into our hearts; pro rider Daniel Lloyd lifts the lid on actually riding a Tour in 'A Domestique's Tale'; Jeremy Whittle examines why, despite drug scandal and infamy, the Tour still intoxicates us; and many more. Between them, they’ve covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour. Here, their work is showcased together.

Daisy and the Trouble with Burglars (A Daisy Story #8)

by Kes Gray

No matter the occasion, Daisy just can't help getting into trouble! When three actual burglaries happen in Daisy’s town, Daisy is beside herself with excitement. Two houses and the fish and chip shop have been broken into (and lots of cods and haddocks have been stolen). Anyone could be next!Daisy wants to help. Together with Gabby and Dylan, she forms her own detective agency. Armed with a notebook, a magnifying glass, a camera and a box of icing sugar, she sets out on the burglars' trail.Trouble is, detective work is hard when you're not allowed to go further than the end of the road . . .

Damn You, Autocorrect!

by Lyndsey Saul

Dance Dreams

by Malaika Rose Stanley

When she receives a call-back from the amazing Birchwood School for Dance, thirteen-year-old Keisha is over the moon. She’s one pirouette closer to becoming a superstar ballerina!But getting a place at Birchwood would mean moving schools and leaving behind her BFFs – and the swoon-worthy Joel Daley-Clarke. Until she knows the outcome, Keisha must keep the biggest news of her life a secret from her best friends.Can she hold it together, or will her dance dreams turn into a nightmare?

David Jason: My Life

by David Jason

Winner of the National Book Awards Autobiography of the YearThe long-awaited autobiography of one of Britain's best-loved actors*As seen in David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed on BBC Two*Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason spent his early life dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing. Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making people laugh, found himself working with the leading lights of British comedy in the 1960s and '70s: Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Barker. Barker would become a mentor to David, leading to hugely successful stints in Porridge and Open All Hours.It wasn't until 1981, kitted out with a sheepskin jacket, a flat cap, and a clapped-out Reliant Regal, that David found the part that would capture the nation's hearts: the beloved Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in Only Fools and Horses. Never a one-trick pony, he had an award-winning spell as TV's favourite detective Jack Frost, took a country jaunt as Pop Larkin in the Darling Buds of May, and even voiced a crime-fighting cartoon rodent in the much-loved children's show Danger Mouse.But life hasn't all been so easy: from missing out on a key role in Dad's Army to nearly drowning in a freak diving accident, David has had his fair share of ups and downs, and has lost some of his nearest and dearest along the way.David's is a touching, funny and warm-hearted story, which charts the course of his incredible five decades at the top of the entertainment business. He's been a shopkeeper and a detective inspector, a crime-fighter and a market trader, and he ain't finished yet. As Del Boy would say, it's all cushty.

Day By Day

by Stanislaus Kennedy

Sister Stan's new book, Day By Day offers words of wisdom that will inspire and comfort you on your journey through life. Thoughtful and reflective, it draws upon some of the most enlightened figures from both the past and the present as it gently guides you through your day. Also included here are thought-provoking contributions on a range of subjects, including gratitude, belonging, friendship, courage and daring, from influential figures such as Abbott Mark Patrick Hederman, leading psychologist and founder of Headstrong, Dr Tony Bates, poet Brendan Kennelly, and producer/director Lelia Doolan – each helping Sister Stan to create an invaluable treasury for our times.

Deadly Virtues: A Mystery (Gabriel Ash & Hazel Best #1)

by Jo Bannister

In this fast-paced thriller, Deadly Virtues, acclaimed writer Jo Bannister proves once again why she is considered "one of the genre's best" (Booklist)The town of Norbold, England is famous for its low crime rate, thanks to the zero-tolerance policy of Chief Superintendent John Fountain. And Norbold's newest police recruit, Hazel Best, is happy to help keep it that way. But numbers never tell the whole story, do they?Jerome Cardy knew he was going to die. He also knew that it would be made to appear like an accident. He might not be able to prevent it, but Jerome was determined to make sure that someone knew what was going to happen—even if that someone was a man with a concussion lying with his dog in a jail cell next to him.After Jerome is found beaten to death by a fellow inmate in another cell, Ash is unable to forget Jerome's last awkward words to him: "I had a dog once. Othello. That was its name. Othello." Certain there is a hidden message in these words, Ash is determined to discover the truth. But it won't be easy—no one believes his account of that night. And Hazel Best must decide whether pursuing the truth is worth her career.

Dear Teacher

by Jack Sheffield

It's 1979: Dallas is enthralling the nation on TV, Mrs Thatcher has just become prime minister, Abba is top of the pops, and in the small Yorkshire village of Ragley-on-the-Forest, Jack Sheffield returns for his third year as headmaster of the village school.Jack and his staff struggle to keep a semblance of normality throughout the turbulence of the school terms, as once again the official School Log fails to record what is really going on beneath the seemingly quiet routine. Ruby the caretaker discovers her Prince Charming; Vera the school secretary gets to meet her hero, Nicholas Parsons; and Jack, to his astonishment, finds himself having to stand in as a curiously skinny Father Christmas. Jack also finds himself, at last, having to choose between the vivacious sisters Beth and Laura Henderson ...Praise for Jack Sheffield'Wry observation and heartwarming humour in equal measure' Alan Titchmarsh'Overflowing with amusing anecdotes' Daily Express'Amusing adventures at the North Yorkshire village school' Choice'Jack Sheffield's in a class of his own' York Press

Death of a Dyer: A Mystery (Will Rees Mysteries #2)

by Eleanor Kuhns

Will Rees feels at home. It's been a long time since he last felt this way—not since before his wife died years ago and he took to the road as a traveling weaver. Now, in 1796, Rees is back on his Maine farm, living with his teenaged son, David, and his housekeeper, Lydia—whose presence contributes more towards his happiness than he's ready to admit. But his domestic bliss is shattered the morning a visitor brings news of an old friend's murder.Nate Bowditch and Rees hadn't spoken in many long years, but as children they were closer than brothers, and Rees feels his loss acutely. Asked to look into the circumstances surrounding Nate's death, Rees simply can't refuse. At the Bowditch farmstead, Rees quickly discovers that everyone—from Nate's frosty wife to his missing son to the shy serving girl—is hiding something. But are any of them actually capable of murder? Or does the answer lie elsewhere, behind stones no one even knew needed unturning?Death of a Dyer once again proves Eleanor Kuhns's remarkable ability to spin a captivating story of a fascinating era and capture the light and darker sides of human nature on the page.

A December Bride (A Year of Weddings Novella)

by Denise Hunter

A year&’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the façade in Chapel Springs this holiday season—for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy—the best friend of Layla O&’Reilly&’s ex-fiancé—would be the last person she&’d marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency—a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map.Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she&’ll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she&’s landed her client.For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.&“Denise Hunter knows how to warm up an inspirational romance with sizzling chemistry. You&’ll fall in love with this December wedding story!&” —Kristin Billerbeck, bestselling author of What a Girl Wants

Delirium (Parallon Trilogy)

by Dee Shulman

Delirium is the gripping second instalment in the thrilling Parallon Trilogy that began with Fever - by award-winning author and illustrator Dee Shulman.Two worlds. Two millennia. One love . . . A fearless Roman gladiator. A reckless twenty-first-century girl. A mysterious virus unites them . . .Seth and Eva have survived the virus that brought them together, but when Eva's health deteriorates,they must find the source before it's too late. As more and more people succumb to the lethal fever, Seth must begin the perilous journey across time to try and stop its spread. But even he can't predict the devastating chain of events the virus has unleashed.A raging fever. A consuming passion. A love worth dying for.www.feverbook.co.uk'Full of twists, immaculately researched, it is very exciting and unpredictable' Independent on Sunday 'It's a great ride with evocative settings and intense emotion' SFX (4 stars)'WOW ... that rare gem of a book that I can't stop thinking about and will read again and again...Outstanding! It's 10 times better than Twilight' Waterstones, Cardiff.'Vivid . . . captivating and passionate' London and South East Libraries'It's a page-turning intellectual teen read that ANY adult would enjoy. Open the page, open your mind and go with the flow. TIP TOP TERRIFIC!' Waterstones, Thanett'Completely addictive and if I could have read it in one sitting I would have done . . . an excellent and compulsive read which has left me wanting more **** ' goodreads.com (4 stars)'Oh my god! What a book . . . This is one of the best love stories I have read' Best Books (5 stars)'I had my socks blown off by this book - it was so addictive and just so much fun! I stormed through it, loving every second . . .' The Book Addicted GirlAbout the author:Dee Shulman writes in a studio overlooking a school quadrangle that bears a striking resemblance to the one at St Magdalene's. She has a degree in English from York University and went on to study Illustration at Harrow School of Art.She has written and /or illustrated about 50 books, including the popular, highly original My Totally Secret Diary series. She has been translated into many languages, including Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Welsh, Dutch, and Finnish. Her books have frequently been highly recommended in the press and on radio and she's been shortlisted for numerous awards. The Parallon Trilogy are her first books for teenagers.Dee is based in London and is available for school, bookshop, online and festival events in the UK.

Dementia Essentials: How to Guide a Loved One Through Alzheimer's or Dementia and Provide the Best Care

by Jan Hall

When a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia you might step into the new role of carer, helping your relative to remain safe, happy and as independent as possible.In this fully updated and revised edition, Dementia Essentials offers a realistic and reassuring guide to help you and the person affected navigate the complexities of dementia and Alzheimer’s, and face anything that these conditions might place your way. Written by real carers with first-hand experience, this book is now updated with the latest research coupled with essential advice, personal insights and helpful strategies, including:· Advice on medication and getting support from local health professionals · Ideas for encouraging independence, confidence and activity while reducing anxiety, aggression and confusion· Strategies for coping as a carer, helping you understand your emotions and feel more empowered· Guidance on how to prepare for the future, including revised legal and financial advice and tips on choosing a care homePositive and practical, Dementia Essentials will give you with everything you need to provide the best possible care for the person you are supporting.

The Devil in Her Way: A Novel (Maureen Coughlin Series #2)

by Bill Loehfelm

When Maureen Coughlin first appeared in The Devil She Knows (2011), the New Orleans Times-Picayune called her "unforgettable" and "the character of the year." Booklist named The Devil She Knows one of 2011's ten best thrillers and declared Maureen "as compelling a character as this reviewer expects to see this year."Now she's back in Bill Loehfelm's new thriller, The Devil in Her Way, and her life has changed in more ways than one: She's starting over in New Orleans as a newly minted member of the police force.Kicking off her final week of field training, Maureen takes a punch from a panicked suspect bursting out of an apartment. Her training officer laughs it off, and the incident even yields a small victory: the cops recover a stash of pot and guns. But out on the street, on the fringes of the action, Maureen sees something sinister transpire between two neighborhood boys that leaves her shaken, and she knows there's more to the story than she's seen. As we follow Maureen's dangerous hunt for answers, Loehfelm leads us around New Orleans's most hidden corners and into its darkest outposts.Bill Loehfelm is the real deal—a lauded thriller writer in the modern tradition of Dennis Lehane, Richard Price, and Michael Connelly. He knows the voices of his city. Like Lehane's Boston, Price's New York City, or Connelly's Los Angeles, Loehfelm's New Orleans leaps off the page, as vibrant, flawed, and unruly as his reborn, fire-hearted protagonist. In The Devil in Her Way, Loehfelm's talents flourish, and the result is a ruthless and propulsive thriller.

The Devonshires: The Story of a Family and a Nation

by Roy Hattersley

William Cavendish, the father of the first Earl, dissolved monasteries for Henry VIII. Bess, his second wife, was gaoler-companion to Mary Queen of Scots during her long imprisonment in England. Arbella Stuart, their granddaughter, was a heartbeat away from the throne of England and their grandson, the Lord General of the North, fought to save the crown for Charles I.With the help of previously unpublished material from the Chatsworth archives, The Devonshires reveals how the dynasty made and lost fortunes, fought and fornicated, built great houses, patronised the arts and pioneered the railways, made great scientific discoveries, and, in the end, came to terms with changing times.

Diamond (Hetty Feather #4)

by Jacqueline Wilson

Diamond wasn't always a star. Born to penniless parents who longed for a strong, healthy son, she was a dainty, delicate daughter - and a bitter disappointment.Discovering an extraordinary gift for acrobatics, Diamond uses her talent to earn a few pennies, but brings shame on her family. When a mysterious, cruel-eyed stranger spots her performing, Diamond is sold - and is taken to become an acrobat at Tanglefield's Travelling Circus.The crowds adore Diamond, but life behind the velvet curtains is far from glamorous. Her wicked master forces Diamond to attempt ever more daring tricks, until she is terrified to step into the ring. But there are true friends to be found, too: the gentle Mister Marvel; the kindly Madame Adeline; and the glorious Emerald Star, Tanglefield's brand-new ringmaster, and Diamond's heroine.When life at the circus becomes too dangerous to bear any longer, what will the future hold for Diamond? And will her beloved Emerald be a part of it?Enter the amazing world of Hetty Feather and follow her adventures throughout the series:1. Hetty Feather2. Sapphire Battersea3. Emerald Star4. Diamond

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