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The Ethics of Ambiguity: The Second Sex And The Ethics Of Ambiguity
by Simone de BeauvoirFrom the groundbreaking author of The Second Sex comes a radical argument for ethical responsibility and freedom. In this classic introduction to existentialist thought, French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir&’s The Ethics of Ambiguity simultaneously pays homage to and grapples with her French contemporaries, philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, by arguing that the freedoms in existentialism carry with them certain ethical responsibilities. De Beauvoir outlines a series of &“ways of being&” (the adventurer, the passionate person, the lover, the artist, and the intellectual), each of which overcomes the former&’s deficiencies, and therefore can live up to the responsibilities of freedom. Ultimately, de Beauvoir argues that in order to achieve true freedom, one must battle against the choices and activities of those who suppress it. The Ethics of Ambiguity is the book that launched Simone de Beauvoir&’s feminist and existential philosophy. It remains a concise yet thorough examination of existence and what it means to be human.
Owls Don't Blink (The Bertha Cool and Donald Lam Mysteries)
by Erle Stanley GardnerAn odd couple of detectives descends on New Orleans to search for a missing heiress in this hard-boiled mystery by the creator of Perry Mason. Bertha Cool is a bulldog of a woman with an attitude to match. Donald Lam is a handsome ex-lawyer who makes up for in brains what he lacks in brawn. Together, they&’re an unlikely pair of private detectives on a mission to find Roberta Fenn, a missing model and heiress in New Orleans. It&’s a seemingly simple case of lost and found . . . Except, Donald can&’t help but wonder why someone would hire a firm out of Los Angeles instead of one based in the Big Easy. Also, locating Roberta proves surprisingly effortless. Keeping track of her is not. She disappears, leaving a body behind in her apartment. Now Cool and Lam must find Roberta and a killer, before someone makes them disappear as well . . . &“Cool and Lam are an amusing and endearing pair—perfect foils for one another.&” —Monica Muller, 1001 Nights: The Aficionado&’s Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction &“No one has ever matched Gardner for swift, sure exposition.&” —Kirkus Reviews
Reckoning (The Ty Dawson Mysteries #3)
by Baron BirtcherTy Dawson is a small-town sheriff with big-city problems, in this riveting crime thriller from the award-winning author of Fistful of Rain. As lawman, rancher, and Korean War veteran, Ty Dawson has his share of problems in the southern Oregon county he calls home. Despite how rural it is, Meriwether can&’t keep modernity at bay. The 1970s have changed the United States—and Meriwether won&’t be spared. A standoff looms when the US Fish & Wildlife Service seeks to separate longtime cattleman KC Sheridan from his water supply—ensuring the death of his livestock. If that&’s not enough trouble, a Portland detective is found dead in a fly-fishing resort cabin. Though the Portland police, including the victim&’s own partner, are eager to write off the tragedy as a suicide, Ty has his own thoughts on the matter—as well as evidence that points to murder. His suspicions soon mire him in a swamp of corruption that threatens nearly everyone around him. Turns out that greed and evil are contagious—and they take down men both great and small . . .Praise for the Ty Dawson Mysteries &“Combines the mystery and honesty of Craig Johnson&’s Longmire with the first-person narration of a fiercely independent Oregon character.&” —Sheila Deeth, author of John&’s Joy &“A masterful work of a time gone by . . . Ty Dawson is a cowboy, lawman, father and philosopher like none other.&” —Neal Griffin, Los Angeles Times–bestselling author of The Burden of Proof
Rain Down: A Crime Novella
by Steve AndersonA man with no name is out to find a labor activist friend who disappeared on the streets of Portland in this noir crime novella. It&’s 2009, and the economy&’s falling apart. Formerly homeless, our nameless hero owes what little he has to his friend Oscar. As a fellow day laborer, Oscar always stood up for their rights, even if it meant trouble. But now the cops are looking for Oscar—but he&’s nowhere to be found. The man with no name needs to find Oscar and soon, or he just might take the rap himself. He dodges the cops, tries to save his drug-addicted ex, and discovers a criminal coverup protecting some of Portland&’s richest and most powerful. To get at the whole truth, he&’ll have to finally face his past, and accept who his friend Oscar really was. Only then can he reclaim his name and place in a harsh world.
The Other Oregon: A Thriller
by Steve AndersonA Portland activist ventures into rural militia country to face a threat from his past in this crime thriller by the author of the Kaspar Brothers series. Greg Simmons is an idealist. From his home in Portland, he&’s a major proponent of the Cascadia independence movement. All of which makes him an unlikely informant for the FBI. But when the Bureau calls on Greg to investigate a dangerous militia group in rural Oregon, he knows exactly why: his old friend Donny Wilkie is likely involved. Greg and Donny have been estranged for years. But if Donny&’s involved in something dangerous, Greg intends to pursue the threat on his own—because he needs to make sure Donny never unearths the dark secrets they buried years ago. In the remote town of Pineburg, Greg is a fish out of water. As he grapples with dangers both old and new, he and Donny must come to a new understanding . . . or face the deadly truth of their shared past.
Knife River (The Ty Dawson Mysteries)
by Baron BirtcherA sheriff fighting to keep the peace in 1970s Oregon faces a shocking secret from his town&’s past, in this crime thriller from the author of Reckoning. There are rules in the West no matter what era you were born in, and it&’s up to lawman Ty Dawson to make sure they&’re followed in the valley he calls home. The people living on this unforgiving land keep to themselves and are wary of the modern world&’s encroachment into their quiet lives. So it&’s not without some suspicion that Dawson confronts a newcomer to the region: a record producer who has built a music studio in an isolated compound. His latest project is a collaboration with a famous young rock star named Ian Swann, recording and filming his sessions for a movie. An amphitheater for a live show is being built on the land, giving Dawson flashbacks to the violent Altamont concert. Not on his watch. But even beefed up security can&’t stop a disaster that&’s been over a decade in the making. All it takes is one horrific case bleeding its way into the present to prove that the good ol&’ days spawned a brand of evil no one wants to revisit . . .Praise for the Ty Dawson Mysteries &“The novel combines the mystery and honesty of Craig Johnson&’s Longmire with the first-person narration of a fiercely independent Oregon character.&” —Sheila Deeth, author of John&’s Joy &“A masterful work of a time gone by. . . . Ty Dawson is a cowboy, lawman, father and philosopher like none other.&” —Neal Griffin, Los Angeles Times–bestselling author of The Burden of Proof
Treasure of Gor (Gorean Saga #38)
by John NormanA brilliant woman&’s dangerous discovery on Earth leads to her enslavement on the planet Gor in this long-running sci-fi fantasy series. In a remote corner of the American southwest, there is a small, private observatory. To most of the staff, it is just another stargazing facility. But a select few know its true function as a liaison point between two alien worlds: the decimated planet of the warlike Kurii, and the planet Gor, which the Kurii now covet. When the young scientist Agnes Morrison Atherton comes across an unintelligible file containing mysterious coordinates, she decides to decode them—and discovers two large, spherical, seemingly artificial objects in the asteroid belt. But it seems that Atherton&’s remarkable discovery is less than welcome. Abducted and drugged, she awakens to find herself on the planet Gor—being sold as a Gorean slave girl.
And Here's the Kicker: 21 Top Comedy Writers on Boosting Your Craft to the Highest Level
by Mike SacksInterviews with David Sedaris, Dave Barry, Jack Handey, Bob Odenkirk, and other humor-writing pros: &“Sure to captivate anyone who loves a good comedy.&” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) If you aspire to write sitcoms, standup, screenplays, or satirical essays—or are just a connoisseur of comedy—you should learn from the professionals. With interviews from twenty-one top humor writers whose credits include everything from Marx Brothers movies to Borat and The Office, readers will score not only professional advice but personal details about their processes, influences, and experiences in the industry—and, of course, more than a few amusing stories. Discover what Paul Feig thinks would have happened to Freaks and Geeks if the show had had another season; what the writers&’ room at SNL is really like; how the Onion editorial staff dealt with the aftermath of 9/11; and much, much more. These humor writers are among the best in the business, ranging from veterans to newcomers, and have collectively been involved with many of the pop culture touchstones of the last half-century.Interviewees include: Stephen Merchant (The Office) · Harold Ramis (Animal House, Groundhog Day) · Dan Mazer (Da Ali G Show, Borat) · Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks) · Bob Odenkirk (The Ben Stiller Show) · Todd Hanson (The Onion) · Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development) · David Sedaris (Me Talk Pretty One Day) · Al Jaffee (Mad) · Allison Silverman (The Colbert Report) · Robert Smigel (Late Night with Conan O&’Brien) · Dave Barry (Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up) · Larry Wilmore (In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Show) · Jack Handey (Saturday Night Live) · Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H, Tootsie) · Buck Henry · Merrill Markoe · Irving Brecher · Marshall Brickman · George Meyer · Dick Cavett &“Remarkably frank interviews . . . reads like a secret history of popular culture.&” —Time &“Loaded with information for people interested in comedy, not just those who want to work in the business.&” —PopMatters
Murder at the Petroglyphs (Harrie McKinsey Mysteries #Vol. 4)
by Patricia Smith WoodWhen the police and FBI are baffled by a corpse found at a national park, they must rely on a psychic amateur sleuth to solve the mystery. The spirits of Native American ancestors are said to inhabit the sacred rocks at Petroglyph National Monument. So when an unidentified body is found there, everyone from the local police to the FBI are up in arms. But no one can figure out who the victim is until the CIA steps in, claiming that there is one person who might have answers: Harrie McKinsey. Now it seems everyone is keeping an eye on the infamous sleuth Harrie, even her FBI agent husband, DJ, who is mystified by his wife&’s connection to the dead man. It&’s going to be up to Harrie to use her psychic intuition and savvy sleuthing skills to find the killer—unless, of course, he gets her first . . . &“Readers will slip right into this engaging tale of murder, camaraderie, complications and clever crime solving.&” —Anne Hillerman, New York Times–bestselling author of the Leaphorn, Chee, Manuelito mystery series.
The Dead Husband: A brand new gripping crime suspense full of mystery
by Gillian JacksonA mysterious disappearance escalates into a murder case, in this riveting new thriller by the author of The Accident. Not long after receiving a devastating medical diagnosis, Amy Cooper is at the police station—reporting the disappearance of her husband, Callum. A few miles away, a mother and her children are outdoors enjoying a day in the snow when they discover a dead man in a ditch nearby. The mother calls the police, whose initial investigation indicates the body belongs to the missing husband, killed in a hit-and-run. But the autopsy results reveal to DI Samantha Freeman and DS Jenny Newcombe that the man didn&’t die in a car accident. And a murder investigation is inititated. Now they must work their way through a web of secrets and lies to learn what really happened—and to whom . . .
The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna BradyA young mother is left alone to tend a lighthouse in nineteenth-century Key West, until an unexpected beacon of hope arrives, in this &“compelling&” novel (Daphne Kalotay, author of Russian Winter). On the rugged, remote Florida island known as Wreckers&’ Cay, Emily Lowry&’s husband handles the demanding job of tending the lighthouse while Emily cares for their children—and waits for the birth of her youngest. But when he vanishes, and months pass with no word, Emily has no choice but to take over his responsibilities. Then Andrew, a runaway slave, washes up on the beach. He is instantly likable, but Emily is wary. Soon, though, he&’s won her family over, and becomes someone they can depend on as they work together to survive, far from the rules and judgments of society. But when Emily&’s life is shattered once again, her love, strength, and determination will be sorely tested . . . &“In her richly nuanced novel, Brady has created a heroine readers are unlikely to ever forget . . . Absolutely fantastic and unputdownable.&” —Michelle Moran, national bestselling author of Nefertiti &“Forbidden love, passion, greed, revenge, and murder . . . [Brady] knows how to stop your heart on one page and pull your heartstrings on the next.&” —John Viele, author of The Wreckers
Remembering Ellie
by Gillian JacksonA woman wakes with no memory of the past ten years, in this twisting tale of mystery and mistrust by the bestselling author of The Charcoal House. When Ellie Graham wakes from a coma, she thinks she&’s eighteen years old. In reality, Ellie is twenty-eight, married, and has a baby son. She just doesn&’t remember any of it. Fearful of returning to a man she doesn&’t recognize, Ellie chooses to stay with her parents to recuperate and await the recovery of her memory. As she starts to spend time with her husband, Phil, and their son, she feels stirrings of love for her baby—and hope for renewing her attachment to her husband. But that hope is threatened when an old school friend alludes to Phil&’s controlling behavior, leaving her with dread that her marriage was far from perfect. Worse, a neighbor indicates that he wants to resume their affair—and is willing to tell Phil all about it if she refuses. Trapped and confused, can Ellie ever fully become a part of her forgotten family? Or is she stepping back into a nightmare she can&’t recall?
Burying Ben (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries #1)
by Ellen Kirschman&“A deftly crafted novel of compelling complexity,&” this first book in the mystery series featuring cop therapist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is &“absorbing&” (Midwest Book Review). As her police department&’s newest hire, police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff has a lot to prove. Especially since everyone on a small-town force doesn&’t see any reason for a shrink on staff. So when the rookie cop commits suicide, everyone&’s looking to blame Dot—even Dot herself. Dot knew Ben Gomez was struggling to adjust to police work, but how had she missed the signs that he was at the end of his rope? Now, with Ben&’s and her reputation on the line, Dot goes looking for answers. What she discovers is the dark underbelly of a town—and a police force—who have very little patience with a woman who asks too many questions. Dot is determined to get to the truth behind the young officer&’s death—even at the risk of losing her job. Or her life. . . . Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops&’ shop procedure.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.com
The Right Wrong Thing (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries #2)
by Ellen Kirschman&“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops&’ shop procedure.&” —Publishers Weekly Officer Randy Spelling has always wanted to be a cop. The eager rookie comes from a law enforcement family and, at least as far as police department psychologist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is concerned, the young woman is up to the challenge. But when Officer Spelling mistakenly shoots and kills a pregnant teen, the community is outraged, and the family of the victim demands justice. Feeling protective of the traumatized cop in her care, Dot tries to stop Officer Spelling from her desperate attempts to apologize to the girl&’s family. But Dot&’s efforts fail, with catastrophic results. Now Dot is taking this into her own hands, despite the police chief demanding that she back off. For Dot, this case feels all too personal for her to walk away, even if it means being in the line of danger herself. Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“An inherently absorbing read from beginning to end and marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent.&” —Midwest Book Review &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.com
The Fifth Reflection (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries)
by Ellen KirschmanDot Meyerhoff is called to help with an abducted child case that is destroying the investigating officer's own family. Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is known for putting her personal life aside in the name of duty. But when she&’s brought in on a kidnapping case, she finds herself drawn into a harrowing crime that cuts deep. A toddler is missing. Her mother is a noted local photographer whose work contains photography of nude children. She's also a family friend. Dot is worried that the cop assigned to the case isn't up to the job. She's going to take this one on herself, come hell or high water. The stakes are too high for the missing toddler, her distraught family, and for Dot, who is ready to risk everything including her relationship with the best man she's ever met. Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“An inherently absorbing read from beginning to end and marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent.&” —Midwest Book Review &“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops&’ shop procedure.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.com
The Answer to His Prayers (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries #4)
by Ellen KirschmanIn this mystery series featuring cop therapist Dot Meyerhoff, Dot&’s sleuthing after a tragic fire leads her to a former client–turned–criminal mastermind. When a trailer park fire takes the life of a lonely, wheelchair-bound man, police psychologist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is doing double duty counseling the first responders involved, especially the traumatized dispatcher. But talking with the distraught young 9-1-1 operator about the dying man&’s last words leads Dot to wonder if there&’s more to this fire than meets the eye. Soon the department is looking for an arsonist and Dot is doing some investigating on her own. But when she discovers a former patient is orchestrating crimes from behind bars, Dot is suddenly in over her head. Not that a challenge has ever stopped her before. Only this time, she may put her own mental health—and her mother&’s life—on the line. . . . Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“An inherently absorbing read from beginning to end and marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent.&” —Midwest Book Review &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.com
Double Wedding: A Regency Romance
by Alix MelbourneIn this Regency-era romance, twins separated as babies and reunited as ladies secretly trade lives, only to fall for men they never imagined marrying. Mariotta Abingdon is shocked at the letter she receives, revealing that she has a twin sister from whom she was separated when her parents divorced. Eager to escape the strict household her mother keeps—and her limited social circle—Mariotta would like nothing more than to know the sister she always dreamed of having. Even more so after she meets Diana, and discovers the stylish, well-connected life she lives with their father, who seems quite affable despite his reputation as a notorious rake. As for Diana, she would happily trade life on the social circuit for a chance to escape her role as the dutiful daughter who must keep her extravagant father in check. So, the twins devise a devious plan to switch places. Diana and Mariotta soon become surprised by the shenanigans that ensue. For the sisters suddenly find themselves falling in love with the most unthinkable men—and neither will be able to return to the lives they once knew.
The Car Share: A brand new utterly delicious romantic comedy
by Lucy MitchellEmbark on a heart-warming romantic journey in this delightful comedy that proves it doesn&’t matter where you&’re going—it&’s who you have beside you on the way . . . After Lia&’s old car breathes its last, the single mom must reluctantly take the bus to work . . . and face unwarranted attention from a troublesome teenager. It&’s all too much to take—she&’s been depressed since her fiancé&’s death and even quit her beloved women&’s football team. But it&’s Happy Car Sharers to the rescue after her friends get her set up on the app. Mateo, meanwhile, has recently moved to town, and his long walk to the train station is a literal pain due to an ankle injury. Soon he and Lia are riding each morning with a charmingly bossy driver and a rotation of colorful fellow passengers. It&’s not love at first sight. Technically it&’s not even first sight: they&’ve seen each other before at the nursing home where both their fathers live and Mateo plays piano for the residents. But with each trip they get to know each other better . . . and the more they know, the more they find to like. With both of them consumed by personal losses and pressing family responsibilities—and another man getting in the way—can romance lie on the road ahead for these commuting companions?The Car Share is a humorous exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected detours that lead us to where we truly belong.Praise for Lucy Mitchell &“[Mitchell&’s] writing is deliciously funny and has so much heart.&” —Sandy Barker, author of One Summer in Santorini
For the Children: A heart-wrenching World War Two novel of bravery and resistance
by David LawsA young British war widow embarks on a dangerous journey that will change her life, and those of countless others, in this gripping, emotional novel by the author of The Fuhrer&’s Orphans. Helen Fairfax is a ferry pilot and the mother of Peter, aged six. From Monday to Friday she flies from factories to airfields, then returns to the family farmhouse where her parents look after the boy. She feels torn being away from her son so much, but after her husband died in the Battle of Britain she vowed to live up to his example of courage and strike back at the enemy. Now the Germans are about to launch the V-2 against London, and MI6 is desperate to get its hands on an undamaged prototype of the rocket to discover how it might be defeated. One has fallen in Poland—and Helen must pilot a secret flight into enemy territory to obtain it, accompanied by Leo Beck who, ashamed of his part in building the rocket, volunteers to assist her. But after a successful landing, they find themselves pulled into another mission. Parents beg her to fly their kids to safety, far from Nazi squads that have begun kidnapping children. It will mean defying military regulations—but that is far from the only risk she will take when she agrees to this unofficial rescue operation . . .</
The Last App: A brand new psychological family drama
by Tom AlanMick wants to know when he&’s going to die. Luckily—or unluckily—there&’s an app for that . . . Dr. Mick Strong has bought himself something unusual for his seventy-fifth birthday: a LifeTime projection. This new tech crunches data including your medical history, diet, and lifestyle to predict how much—or little—time you&’ve got left. That&’s all well and good, but he&’s also bought them for his daughter, his grandchildren, and even his eleven-year-old great-grandson. He wants them each to wait until their next birthday to use the app. But whether they scoff at it, sneak an early look, desperately turn into a health nut, or die before their appointed time, the gift is wreaking havoc on the whole family. This dark, insightful novel about hope, fear, and stubborn curiosity reminds us that we never quite know what lies ahead—and that when it comes to love and family, there&’s no time like the present.
April's Glow: An emotional and feel good women's fiction novel (Tarrin’s Bay)
by Juliet MadisonIn the seaside town of Tarrin&’s Bay, two neighbors form a bond—but can they truly open the doors and let each other in? Distracting herself from a streak of bad luck and a disastrous love life, bubbly April Vedora throws herself into her new business—April&’s Glow, a candle store in Tarrin&’s Bay. The enchanting scents and colorful atmosphere provide a safe haven—but outside of business hours, she&’s still clueless about what the next step in her life should be. When a mysterious loner moves in next door, she can&’t help feeling intrigued, and ex-soldier Zac Masterson is equally fascinated by April. But both have sworn off relationships, and while April avoids her emotions by keeping busy and sociable, Zac hides away from the world—and his past . . . As the pair chip away at each other&’s facades and secrets are revealed, April fears that the man she&’s unwillingly falling for is everything she&’s worked so hard to avoid. Or could they each be just what the other needs?
Ask Laura: An unforgettable and moving womens fiction novel
by Gillian JacksonAn advice columnist&’s own problems reach crisis level, in this compelling blend of suspense, romance, and family drama by the author of The Dead Husband. Laura Green dispenses life advice to readers of a London magazine, but now she could use some help herself. Her teenage daughter will barely speak to her and is hiding birth control pills in her room. Her elderly mother is in a home suffering from Alzheimer&’s. And her ex is about to become a father again—while paying minimal attention to the three children he already has with Laura. When the magazine starts getting threatening letters demanding that Laura&’s column be dropped, she is helped by a young police officer but personal problems refuse to disappear. Juggling several responsibilities isn&’t easy for any divorced mom. But doing so while living in fear is much worse. Just ask Laura . . .
Flesh
by Philip José FarmerA starship crew returns to a primitive, post-apocalyptic—and deadly—Earth in this classic adventure by a Science Fiction Grand Master. After eight centuries of exploring the stars, Space Capt. Peter Stagg and his starship crew return to Earth to find a scorched planet with little plant life remaining. Civilization has changed drastically with technology reverted to the Stone Age and culture centered on a pagan fertility cult. Stagg soon finds himself initiated into the Elk fraternity. They graft antlers to his head, crowning him the new &“Sunhero.&” He is then sent on a six-month tour to repopulate the world with the help of every willing virgin. Now the crew must find a way to escape, because while the captain&’s journey might sound pleasurable, it will only end in pain . . . &“A bawdy but good yarn.&” —Analog Science Fiction and Fact&“Farmer must have had lots of fun writing this because I had quite a bit reading it.&” —Locu
Venus on the Half-Shell
by Philip José FarmerDisaster sends a man across the universe in search of answers to life&’s big questions in this humorous classic adventure by a Science Fiction Grand Master. When a massive flood wipes out Earth and spoils his date, lone survivor Simon Wagstaff finds refuge in an abandoned Chinese spaceship, the Hwang Ho. Accompanied by three new companions—a dog, an owl, and a beautiful robot—and his electric banjo, Wagstaff sets off on an extraterrestrial adventure. He travels from planet to planet, seeking the definitive answer to the ultimate question: Why are we created if only to suffer and die? Of course, after he drinks an elixir granting him eternal life, the real question is what to do for the rest of eternity after he answers his first question . . . &“Lively and inventive and goes by faster than a holiday weekend.&” —The Washington Post &“A comedy of sexual mores, an investigative search for Love, a lampoon of people who require answers to imponderable questions.&” —Science Fiction Review&“Not only a science-fiction epic of the most incredible proportions, but it is also a satiric-fantasy, a clever parody of its own genre.&” —The Daily Eastern News
Cloud Nine
by James M. CainA twisted tale of heinous crimes and hidden motives by the legendary author of Double Indemnity.Graham meets Sonya outside of his real estate office. She is sixteen, beautiful, and drops a bombshell—she’s there because Graham’s half-brother, Burl, raped her, leaving her frightened, pregnant, and very much alone.All she wants is the $1,111 it will cost to hide out for the next few months in a convalescent home before she gives the baby up for adoption, but Burl won’t give her the money. Sonya’s vengeful father, meanwhile, wants far more from Burl—he is determined to make the scoundrel pay for harming his daughter. Graham offers Sonya a better choice: He’ll marry her so that she can get a legal abortion. The plan will save the family, and the business, from scandal. But Graham has no idea that, as he asks for Sonya’s hand, he will be risking much more than just local gossip . . . Praise for James M. Cain’s fiction“Swift and absorbing.” —The Wall Street Journal“Lean, racing . . . stripped of inessentials.” —The New York Times“Nobody has quite pulled it off the way Cain does . . . not even Raymond Chandler.” —Tom Wolfe