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Dead Before Tea Time: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
Beloved New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton's cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin--the star of her own hit T.V. series--is back on the case again.
Agatha Raisin's Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub's owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery's mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub. Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha's affection, crossing swords with James--Agatha's other paramour--who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business. After an attempt is made on Agatha's life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time? -
When the Sakura Bloom
WINNER FREEMAN HONOUR AWARD
USSBY'S 2023 OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL BOOK LIST
"An understated ode to an iconic Japanese cultural celebration, mindfulness, and the restorative power of the seasons."Kirkus Reviews"Well suited to reading aloud, the concise text works well with the precise, delicate artwork, subtly encouraging viewers to slow down occasionally and enjoy fleeting moments of natural beauty." Booklist
When the Sakura Bloom by Nariso Togo sheds light on the cultural significance of cherry blossom season in Japan, and an insight into the unique mindset of its people. Through subtle text and gentle imagery readers will see the importance of slowing down to appreciate the moment. That comfort, not despair, can be found in the inevitable cycles of the seasons. How change can usher in opportunities and rejuvenation.
Moreover, When the Sakura Bloom is an understated illustration of the importance of celebrating the fleeting, delicate beauty of nature and the metaphor this represents for life itself.
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Atmospheric Animals in Watercolour: Painting with Spirit & Vitality
The inimitable Jean Haines guides you, step-by-step, through breathing life into your watercolor animal paintings. From domestic cats and dogs to wild lions and giraffes, bestselling artist and author Jean Haines shows the reader how to bring a touch of life to their animal artwork. Known for the vibrant colors and exciting, innovative painting techniques that she brings to her work, Jean's latest book is a course that invites beginners and experts alike to share a journey through painting animals from around the world. Jean shares all the materials and techniques she uses, and provides a wealth of expert tips and advice as the reader progresses through the numerous step-by-step studies and projects. Scattered throughout the book are dozens of Jean's wonderful paintings; showcasing a veritable Noah's ark of different animals - artists of all abilities will find these inspiring and encouraging. Jean uses Daniel Smith materials in this book but other materials can be used to achieve similar results. -
Chase: A Dick Francis Novel
When an art dealer's misfortunes start to look premeditated, Sid Halley is back to investigate in the next Dick Francis novel--perfect for fans of Harlan Coben. Forty-nine-year-old Fabian Tulley is only trying to run his own art gallery in London's Mayfair in peace. But someone seems determined to ruin his life. Accused of selling a fake Alfred Munnings painting, he is unable to prove his innocence because the police are holding the piece as evidence. While running a retail sale at Cheltenham Racecourse, some of his other paintings are vandalised. Then, a couple of men try to run him down in the racecourse parking lot. To make matters even worse, his clients are being threatened to stay away from his gallery, and his landlords are trying to cancel his lease. Everything is against him, but with someone threatening his life's work, Fabian is determined to fight back. With the help of Sid Halley, saving his business will prove to be the fight of his life. -
Food Is a Feeling: Recipes & Stories, with Love
An intimate, story-driven cookbook that explores the idea of cooking and eating as an act of self-care, with 65 time-tested and nourishing recipes from the James Beard Award-winning author of Where Cooking Begins and New York Times bestseller, That Sounds So Good Carla has been writing about food, family, and feelings for many years, and she's always known that her recipes were about more than sustenance. The 65 recipes and 30 essays in Food Is a Feeling are a powerful reminder of the nurturing, fulfilling, and joyful role that food plays in all of our lives, a very human account of beauty and challenges balancing each other like butter and salt. For her, cooking is an expression of love. That core belief was put to the test the year she got divorced. As Carla started figuring out who she was going to be on the other side of a 24-year marriage, she took note of the cravings she was having and the meals she wanted to make, and honored those desires by making herself something to eat: Lemony Chickpea Stew with Rice; Personal Pot of Beans and Greens; Salad Sandwich, to name a few. She was flooded with delicious memories--her mom's Saturday Night Alfredo, the Extremely Floofy Vanilla Pancakes she makes for her children, and the Crispy-Skinned Fish with Olives and Lemons and Burnt Caramel Rhubarb Compote she learned on the line in some of New York City's most demanding restaurant kitchens. Over time, she realizes the creative, transformative work that happens in the kitchen is a potent antidote for the hurdles she has yet to overcome. The food, the passage of time, and the lessons gained--all of it became perfectly intertwined. In writing that is revealing, relatable, and funny, Carla uses rich context from her own life to make the case that food is so much more than just fuel, and yes, we should eat our feelings. After all, they're delicious. -
My Unfamiliar
Perfect for fans of Allison Saft and Sarah Beth Durst, a grumpy mage and a familiar matchmaker navigate their surprising connection in Mara Rutherford's newest cozy fantasy.
Winslow Green is known far and wide for her ability to match mages with the perfect animal familiar. Though she doesn't possess any magic, she has a knack for knowing what her customers need, even if they can't see it themselves. Still grieving the tragic death of his last familiar, Bastian Triplehorn reluctantly seeks Winnie's aid in finding a new partner. She's determined to live up to her reputation, despite Bastian's excessive grumpiness. Until the inexplicable happens: Bastian sparks a familiar bond with Winnie instead. Impossible to deny, the two agree to help each other until they can solve the mystery of their connection. As Bastian and Winnie train for a royal mage competition that could solve all their problems--or ruin their lives forever--Winnie gets a taste of what it's like to have magic herself. And Bastian discovers that all of these unfamiliar feelings are a little like magic, too. -
Sold outLook! It's Summer
A cheerful first look-and-point book about the summer. For toddlers ages 12 months and up, with a focus on the world surrounding the child. Look! The plants are thirsty, butterflies are flying to the flowers, and Noa is playing in the little pool. What else do you see?Sold out -
1968: The Year the World Shook
It has been called the year that changed everything, the postwar watershed in which the forces that shaped public and private life erupted, everywhere and all at once--New York, Paris, Prague, Mexico City. Beginning with the Tet Offensive in Vietnam in January and continuing through the inauguration of Richard Nixon as president the following January, 1968 witnessed the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the Democratic Convention in Chicago, and the irresistible rise of a rebellious spirit that questioned every form of authority. Each month brought a fresh wave of upheaval with shared undercurrents---deep frustrations, bold aspirations, and a growing conviction that change, whether peaceful and violent, was inevitable. Political unrest, civil rights struggles, anti-war protests, generational shifts: the causes were manifold and complex, yet their convergence was unmistakable. Alexander Bloom captures the explosive energy of a world in upheaval, illuminating how the events of 1968 were driven by youth movements, inspired by music and the subversive pull of countercultural ideals, all of which transcended borders. In Prague, young people tuned into Western radio, embracing the same sounds and messages reverberating through London and San Francisco. Styles of dress, personal expression, and radical ideals spread rapidly, fueled by an expanding media. The revolution was in fact being televised, making distant struggles immediate and personal, and turning local movements into global moments. Together, these forces made 1968 a year unlike any before or any since. For many, it felt as if the ground beneath them had shifted. Political and social transformation seemed not just possible but imminent, across the nation and around the world. Not all the promises or expectations of that year bore fruit and the backlash it generated remains with us. Still, it marked an irrevocable turning point in world history. In 1968, the world didn't just change---it shook to its core. -
This Wretched Alchemy: Ruinous Fate Saga: Book One
Preorder now and receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last, featuring a beautiful cover with foil details and colorful, designed edges, with more surprises to come!
* * * BETRAYAL. In a fractured realm ruled by warring noble Houses and the tyrannical Prime, the most coveted power lies in god-shards - divine fragments that grant extraordinary abilities to those who possess them. Revel's brother was murdered in pursuit of one. A DEADLY GAME. For avenging him, Revel's life is on the line. Forced into a treacherous bargain, she must compete in the Call - a bloody contest of heirs vying for the throne - on behalf of her enemies, and assassinate the realm's most formidable alchemist, the Warbringer. Victory means her family's freedom. Failure means death. A MONSTROUS POWER. The Prime sets the heirs on a brutal race to find the god-shard that could shift the balance of the realms. Everyone wants the win, but Revel just wants the kill. Except, the Warbringer isn't the monster she was promised. Bound by secrets of his own, he is as dangerous as he is disarming. With betrayals mounting and desire warring with duty, Revel must decide who to trust in a game where even the gods have their favorites. This Wretched Alchemy by Tina Mars is a dark, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy where love and loyalty become the very weapons that could destroy everything. A LOVE THAT CAN CUT DEEPER THAN ANY BLADE.
"I screamed, I cried, I was left absolutely breathless." - Nisha J. Tuli, USA Today bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen -
Tyrant Lizard Queen: The Love, Life, and Terror of Earth's Greatest Carnivore
From the author of the beloved The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, an imaginative celebration of T. Rex from hatching to adulthood
Tyrannosaurus rex is a prehistoric celebrity. Exceeding 40 feet in length and weighing over 9 tons, the largest individuals of this dinosaurian species were intimidating predators capable of crushing bone and consuming more than a hundred pounds of flesh in a bite. But the last of the tyrant dinosaurs had a life beyond ripping and tearing. More than 66 million years ago, T. rex courted each other, nested, watched over their offspring, slept, drank, and explored ancient floodplains inhabited by a fantastic cast of impressive dinosaurs like the huge long-neck Alamosaurus and burly, three-horned Torosaurus. For the first time, the life story of this impressive, sensitive predator is told as if you were there to watch it unfold. In her latest prehistoric nature walk, bestselling and award-winning author Riley Black follows the life of plucky T. rex Snaggletooth from the time she hatches through her tumultuous adulthood. The prehistoric forest Snag emerges into is full of danger, and yet, as Riley weaves the latest fossil discoveries into the story, the carnivorous dinosaur survives to play, court, fight, sleep, nest, and more as she grows up in Cretaceous North America. She tussles with rival tyrannosaurs, hunts for delectable prey, and finds soft moments of connection in the forest. Even the most die-hard dinosaur fan will come away with a new perspective and appreciation for the Tyrant Lizard Queen. -
Jay to the World: A Meg Langslow Mystery
There's merry mischief aplenty in Donna Andrews' latest avian-themed Christmas mystery!
But all is not going smoothly in Caerphilly. Someone vandalizes the playhouse and sets a dangerous trap that injures and could have killed Mother. She reveals that she has been getting nasty anonymous letters, and it's obvious that someone is targeting her. Meg realizes she has to do something to figure out who could possibly have it in for her mom. Meg juggles holiday preparations and celebrations while investigating these potential enemies - not to mention helping repair the damaged playhouse, taking her turn at nursing the wounded jay, and trying to coax Mother's elderly cousin into a reunion with his long-lost love. When one of Meg's suspects is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the family rejoices that Mother is out of danger. But Meg isn't quite sure they're out of the woods just yet.
The Christmas season is underway in Caerphilly. The members of the Hollingsworth clan, Meg's mother's family, are beginning to arrive in force, and Mother has several special projects underway this year. One is the playhouse she's having built for Brynn, her two-year-old granddaughter. Brynn is a bright, lively child who loves animals, especially a wounded jay that she and Meg are trying to rehabilitate. She's also hoping to play matchmaker and set up her cousin with an old friend of hers who was recently widowed. -
Arkana
DELUXE EDITION: featuring gorgeous sprayed edges, a foil case stamp, beautiful endpapers, a detailed map, and deliciously moody art throughout.
From New York Times bestselling author RuNyx comes the highly anticipated prequel to Gothikana: Arkana--a tale of lush, suspenseful, dark gothic romance. A rumored sorceress. A ruthless lord of science. A cursed castle. What could go wrong? A desperate woman, Lenore Emmeranne comes to the University of Verenmore--an elite institution of scientific learning perched high in the mountains--summoned by a mysterious offer of employment. On the run from misfortune and accusations, Lenore, who has always had a gift for healing, hopes Verenmore will provide her with a clean slate. She plans to keep her head down and blend into the shadows. But upon her arrival, she discovers it is not only the lord of the castle who is in need of help. It is Verenmore itself. Lord Draven Constantine, dean of the university, is a man of science and discipline, revered by his studentsThe last thing he wants is someone like Lenore disturbing his ordered world, and the secrets he must keep buried. But her presence shatters his ennui, sparks a dangerous fascination, and their descent into doom begins. Set in 1872 in a dread castle perched on a dark mountain where death and deceit stalk the unknowing, Lenore and Draven must navigate lies as they surrender to forbidden desire, cling to life, and to each other. Some desires can end in ruin. And so begins a gripping tale of the gothic and the grotesque. An unusual and deeply passionate story about a love that blossoms in the unlikeliest of places. Praise for Gothikana: "An erotic and dark love story." ―Entertainment Tonight "RuNyx immerses her readers in the dark worlds she builds and then injects life into them in the most hauntingly beautiful way. Her work is unique and addictive―she really is one of a kind."―Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Icebreaker "Original, innovative, and unlike anything I've read before."―L. J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author -
Don't Be Evil: Bad Bosses, Fake Promises, and My Escape from Big Tech
"An absolute must-read for anyone interested not just in big tech, but in what it takes to not lose your soul in modern-day America." --Naomi Fry, staff writer at The New Yorker
A whip-smart, darkly funny, and timely memoir of one woman's twelve years inside Google and her transformation from insider to dissenter as the company's ideals begin to unravel from within.
When Claire Stapleton joined Google in 2007, it felt like stepping into a worldview as much as a job. The company offered not just a career, but a moral project. In the heady early years of Big Tech and when Google's in-house slogan was "Don't be evil," it was easy to believe that technology wasn't just changing the world--it was going to fix it.
Stapleton quickly became known as the "Bard of Google," pulled into the rooms where the company narrated itself--writing speeches, blog posts, and executive communications for leaders including Larry Page. As she rose through increasingly rarefied roles, from the storied Creative Lab to YouTube marketing, she helped shape the myth from the inside.
But as the gap between Google's ideals and its reality widened, the dissonance became impossible to ignore. In 2018, amid outrage over the company's handling of sexual harassment, Stapleton helped organize the 20,000-employee Google Walkout--a defining rupture in Silicon Valley's self-image that The New York Times called a "watershed moment in tech." Overnight, she became a public face of employee revolt--and no longer someone the company could neatly fold back into its story.
Sharp, witty, and unsparing, Don't Be Evil is an insider's account of how power actually works--and a deeper reckoning with the stories we tell about work, purpose, and ourselves. In a culture that collapses identity into work, and as tech elites blur the line between private authority and public life, it asks: how much can you change from within--and when is it time to walk away?
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Sold outEverything to the Sea
Part riveting love story, part coming-of-age tale, Everything to the Sea is a breathtaking debut novel spanning years and shores after a sudden tsunami devastates the island of Hawai'i and cuts short a young couple's budding romance--a deeply moving testament to the catastrophes love can endure.
This is how the story goes: Jane will fall in love. And then all of this will vanish.
Home for one final summer, Jane is working and saving cash for her senior year of college before she leaves her island town behind forever. At first, she doesn't remember Kenji, but he quickly becomes someone she can't forget: square jaw, a dimple in his cheek. A Hilo boy. To Kenji, she's Janie, nose perpetually buried in her old high school sketchbooks. Jane tells herself it's only a fling--one perfect, carefree summer, on her way to achieving her dream of becoming an architect and moving to the continent.
Then a tsunami sweeps their families out to sea, and their all-consuming affair breaks with the weight of grief, pulling them in opposite directions. Kenji remains in Hawai'i, bound by duty to rebuild their hometown. Jane, shattered by the loss, follows her best friend to California. For seven years, an ocean lies between them, until Jane and Kenji meet on another coast . . .
In prose that sparkles like sun on the water, Upano's debut novel tells the unforgettable story of two young people as they come of age, fall in love, forge new families, and try to find their way back together, again and again. Everything to the Sea is a moving portrait of our ability to overcome even the most devastating tragedies, when everything else is washed away.
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Sold outWhat I Made for Dinner: A Memoir
From the author of The Natural Mother of the Child, an exquisite memoir about an amateur home cook's hard and fast descent into an obsession with food celebrities, including Dessert Person Claire Saffitz, Smitten Kitchen's Deb Perelman, Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, and Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa When the pandemic sends Krys Malcolm Belc and his young children home to live their lives on laptops, he turns to internet chefs for comfort and inspiration. It begins with Stella Parks and her 46 YouTube videos in which she teaches viewers how to make classic, nostalgic American treats like Cheez-Its, Klondike Bars, and Texas sheet cake. But the recipes aren't enough--Belc needs to watch her showcase each ingredient, explain its importance, and weigh each item on a scale. His fixation on recipe videos, and the women who produce them, start to feel like the only thing that makes sense. Most of life has been put on pause, but food is the one thing that continues to change day to day, season to season. Belc captures the joy and pleasure of cooking for a large family, as well as the mundane reality and occasional frustrations that come with simply getting food on the table. In the midst of it all, he feels a spark of inspiration to carry a second baby, a decision that forces him to confront how he has used both the internet and cooking to cope and distract. Following a trans man whose life is largely structured by keeping the family household running, What I Made for Dinner asks the question we all might ask ourselves while elbow-deep in a roasting chicken: Is having the opportunity to cook meals for your family every day a blessing or a curse?Sold out