Fiction & Literature - Books

Typewriter in the Sky

Fiction & Literature

It’s not easy living in someone else’s world, trapped in a reality over which you have no control. But that is the story of Mike de Wolf’s life … literally.The whole thing started at his friend Horace’s Greenwich Village apartment. Horace is a writer and he’s decided to model one of his villains after Mike. Sounds crazy … until Mike reaches to turn on a light and gets the shock of his life.Knocked unconscious, Mike wakes up to find himself tossing in a violent ocean surf and getting slammed against the rocks. That wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the bullets flying over his head, followed by the swordfight, certain to end in death … if not for the wild, beautiful woman on horseback who comes to his rescue.This isn’t the West Village anymore. Apparently it’s the West Indies, some three hundred years ago, and Mike de Wolf is now Miguel Saint Raoul de Lobo, pursued across the Spanish Main by pirates, Englishman, and worse.He doesn’t know how he got here or why, but he does know he has to get out fast. Two problems: first off, the bad guys in Horace’s stories never get out alive, and second, Mike’s not all that sure he wants to leave after all. Seems he’s fallen for that wild woman on horseback… What’s a guy to do? The answer’s written in the sky—in a wildly original, wickedly amusing novel in which, if you’re not careful, you might just find yourself getting lost.“An adventure story written in the great style adventures should be written in.” —Clive Cussler

Signal to Noise

Fiction & Literature

Mexico City, 1988. Long before iTunes or MP3s, you said "I love you" with a mixtape. Meche, awkward and fifteen, discovers how to cast spells using music, and with her friends Sebastian and Daniela will piece together their broken families, and even find love... Two decades after abandoning the metropolis, Meche returns for her estranged father's funeral, reviving memories from her childhood she thought she buried a long time ago. What really happened back then? Is there any magic left?

Bendigo Shafter (Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures)

Fiction & Literature

At what point does a group of strangers become a community? When young Bendigo Shafter and a ragtag bunch of travelers settle in the rugged Wyoming mountains, they quickly come to depend on a toughness and wisdom many of them never knew they possessed. Led by the beautiful and resourceful widow Ruth Macken, the settlers battle harsh winters, renegade opportunists, and the destructive lure of gold. Through these brutally demanding experiences, young Bendigo is forged into a man. But when he travels to New York to reclaim the love of Ninon, his childhood sweetheart, Bendigo is faced with new challenges. Will hard-edged instincts, honed from years in the mountains, serve him in the big city? Does Ninon’s heart belong to the lights and glamour of the theater? And if his destiny deems it so, will he be willing to leave the community he toiled so long and hard to build? Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures is a project created to release some of the author’s more unconventional manuscripts from the family archives.In Louis L’Amour’s Lost Treasures: Volumes 1 and 2, Beau L’Amour takes the reader on a guided tour through many of the finished and unfinished short stories, novels, and treatments that his father was never able to publish during his lifetime. L’Amour’s never-before-seen first novel, No Traveller Returns, faithfully completed for this program, is a voyage into danger and violence on the high seas.Additionally, many beloved classics are being rereleased with an exclusive Lost Treasures postscript featuring previously unpublished material, including outlines, plot notes, and alternate drafts. These postscripts tell the story behind the stories that millions of readers have come to know and cherish.

Ethan Frome

Fiction & Literature

An entrancing but sad story of a poverty-stricken Massachusetts farmer caught in a loveless marriage. The main characters are Ethan Frome, his wife Zenobia, called Zeena, and her young cousin Mattie Silver. Frome and Zeena marry after she nurses his mother in her last illness. Although Frome seems ambitious and intelligent, Zeena holds him back. When her young cousin Mattie comes to stay on their New England farm, Frome falls in love with her. But the social conventions of the day doom their love and their hopes. Ethan’s love for his young cousin leads to one day of explosive emotions with tragic consequences. The story forcefully conveys Wharton’s abhorrence of society’s unbending standards of loyalty.

VENUS IN FURS

Fiction & Literature

The framing story concerns a man who dreams of speaking to Venus about love while she wears furs. The unnamed narrator tells his dreams to a friend, Severin, who tells him how to break him of his fascination with cruel women by reading a manuscript, Memoirs of a Suprasensual Man.This manuscript tells of a man, Severin von Kusiemski, who is so infatuated with a woman, Wanda von Dunajew, that he asks to be her slave, and encourages her to treat him in progressively more degrading ways. At first Wanda does not understand or accede to the request, but after humouring Severin a bit she finds the advantages of the method to be interesting and enthusiastically embraces the idea, although at the same time she disdains Severin for allowing her to do so.Severin describes his feelings during these experiences as suprasensuality. Severin and Wanda travel to Florence. Along the way, Severin takes the generic Russian servant's name of "Gregor" and the role of Wanda's servant. In Florence, Wanda treats him brutally as a servant, and recruits a trio of African women to dominate him.The relationship arrives at a crisis when Wanda herself meets a man to whom she would like to submit, a Byronic hero known as Alexis Papadopolis. At the end of the book, Severin, humiliated by Wanda's new lover, loses the desire to submit. He says of Wanda:That woman, as nature has created her, and man at present is educating her, is man's enemy. She can only be his slave or his despot, but never his companion. This she can become only when she has the same rights as he and is his equal in education and work.

The Unseen World and Other Essays

Fiction & Literature

John Fiske (1842-1901), born Edmund Fisk Green, was an American philosopher and historian, born at Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Harvard College in 1863 and at the Harvard Law School in 1865. He practiced as a lawyer for a brief interval, before dedicating himself to popularisation and philosophical interpretation of Darwin's work and producing many books and essays on this subject. In books such as Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy, Fiske aimed to show that "in reality there has never been any conflict between religion and science, nor is any reconciliation called for where harmony has always existed.

The Darkness of Castle Otranto

Fiction & Literature

"The Castle of Otranto" tells the story of Manfred, lord of the castle, and his family. On the wedding-day of his sickly son Conrad and princess Isabella, Conrad is crushed to death by a gigantic helmet that falls on him from above. This inexplicable event is particularly ominous in light of an ancient prophecy. Manfred, terrified that Conrad's death signals the beginning of the end for his line, resolves to avert destruction by marrying Isabella himself while divorcing his current wife Hippolita, whom he feels has failed to bear him a proper heir. "The Old English Baron" is the literary offspring of The Castle of Otranto. The story follows the adventures of Sir Philip Harclay, who returns to medieval England to find that Arthur Lord Lovel, the friend of his youth, is dead. His cousin Walter Lord Lovel had succeeded to the estate, and sold the family castle to the baron, Fitz-Owen. Among the baron's household were his two sons and daughter Emma, several young gentlemen relations being educated with the sons, and Edmund Twyford, the son of a peasant, who had been brought to live with them. When Sir Philip saw him, he took an immediate liking to him, being struck by his resemblance to his lost friend. The Knight proposing to take him into his own family, being childless, Edmund preferred to remain with the baron, receiving however an assurance that if ever he was in need of it, Sir Philip would renew his offer.

La Source

Fiction & Literature

" James A. Michener possède quelque chose de rare et précieux : l'art de rendre l'histoire concrète, tangible. "The Boston Globe. Un groupe d'archéologues américains entreprend des fouilles en Israël, à Makor. À chaque niveau, ils mettent au jour des objets évoquant la vie de ceux qui ont vécu sur ces terres depuis la nuit des temps. À partir de cet épisode fictionnel, James A. Michener recrée, d'une manière extraordinairement vivante, avec toute sa maestria de romancier amateur d'histoire, la vie à Makor sous la domination successive des Cananéens, des Hébreux, des Égyptiens, des Babyloniens, des Turcs et des Anglais. Et c'est ainsi que sous nos yeux se déroule la passionnante histoire de la Palestine : Terre promise, Terre sainte. La Sourceest unanimement considéré comme le chef-d'œuvre du grand écrivain américain, qui nous livre ici tout à la fois un grand divertissement et une belle leçon d'histoire.

The Life and Works of Robert Burns. Edited by Robert Chambers. Vol. II

Fiction & Literature

The FICTION & PROSE LITERATURE collection includes books from the British Library digitised by Microsoft. The collection provides readers with a perspective of the world from some of the 18th and 19th century’s most talented writers. Written for a range of audiences, these works are a treasure for any curious reader looking to see the world through the eyes of ages past. Beyond the main body of works the collection also includes song-books, comedy, and works of satire.

My Sister, My Love

Fiction & Literature

New York Times bestselling author of The Falls, Blonde, and We Were the Mulvaneys, Joyce Carol Oates returns with a dark, wry, satirical tale—inspired by an unsolved American true-crime mystery."Dysfunctional families are all alike. Ditto 'survivors.'"So begins the unexpurgated first-person narrative of nineteen-year-old Skyler Rampike, the only surviving child of an "infamous" American family. A decade ago the Rampikes were destroyed by the murder of Skyler's six-year-old ice-skating champion sister, Bliss, and the media scrutiny that followed. Part investigation into the unsolved murder; part elegy for the lost Bliss and for Skyler's own lost childhood; and part corrosively funny exposé of the pretensions of upper-middle-class American suburbia, this captivating novel explores with unexpected sympathy and subtlety the intimate lives of those who dwell in Tabloid Hell.Likely to be Joyce Carol Oates's most controversial novel to date, as well as her most boldly satirical, this unconventional work of fiction is sure to be recognized as a classic exploration of the tragic interface between private life and the perilous life of "celebrity." In My Sister, My Love: The Intimate Story of Skyler Rampike, the incomparable Oates once again mines the depths of the sinister yet comic malaise at the heart of our contemporary culture.

Les Lumières de Cape Cod

Fiction & Literature

Avec pour toile de fond la bonne société de l'Amérique des sixties, Beatriz Williams livre le magnifique et troublant portrait d'une femme prise au piège de la passion, du pouvoir et du mensonge. 1966, Cape Cod." Tiny " c'est Christina, la troisième sœur de la famille Schuyler, la plus élégante, la plus douce, la plus parfaite. Mariée à Frank Hardcastle, homme politique très influent, Tiny mène une vie de gala et de cocktails dans les jardins cossus de Cape Cod, où les Hardcastle ont établi leur bastion. Mais alors que Frank est donné favori pour les élections présidentielles, deux événements viennent troubler la vie a priori idyllique de sa belle épouse : c'est d'abord les courriers menaçants d'un maître chanteur ; puis, les retrouvailles inattendues et déstabilisantes avec le vétéran Caspian Harrison, de retour de la guerre du Vietnam. Avec ce premier amour qui réapparaît, c'est tout le passé de Tiny qui ressurgit. Un passé bien moins lisse qu'il n'y paraît, fait de passion, de mensonges, de drames. Et dont l'écho, s'il venait à gronder, pourrait nuire à la réputation irréprochable de toute la famille Hardcastle...Les sentiments ont-ils une place dans la course au pouvoir suprême ?

Revolution

Fiction & Literature

Some forty years critics of the U. S. S. R. have been desiring, predicting, not to mention praying for, its collapse", says Mack Reynolds in this story's preface. "For twenty of these years the author of this story has vaguely wondered what would replace the collapsed Soviet system.

Tales from the Lake: Volume 5

Fiction & Literature

The Legend Continues…In the spirit of popular Dark Fiction and Horror anthologies such as Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories and Behold: Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders, and the best of Stephen King's short fiction, comes the Tales from The Lake anthologies.This 5th and final volume includes:"Always After Three" by Gemma Files - A young couple discovers that in a downtown condo you almost never know who your neighbours are, or what they might be doing."In the Family" by Lucy A. Snyder - A former child actress reveals dark family secrets to her long-lost niece."Voices Like Barbed Wire" by Tim Waggoner - Sometimes forgetting is more painful than remembering."The Flutter of Silent Wings" by Gene O'Neill - A heartbreaking tribute to a Shirley Jackson classic."Guardian" by Paul Michael Anderson - Even creatures beyond time and space need friendship."Farewell Valencia" by Craig Wallwork - When you've got no reason to live, there's a hotel that can give you every reason to die. So book in, unpack, and prepare to be checked out, forever."A Dream Most Ancient and Alone" by Allison Pang - A lake mermaid with a penchant for eating children forms a tenuous friendship with an abused girl trying to escape her past."The Monster Told Me To" by Stephanie M. Wytovich - In order for Bria to deal with her past, she must confront the ghosts of her present."Dead Bodies Don't Scream" by Michelle Ann King - If the universe won't give her a miracle, Allie will make one for herself. But dark magic has a price."The Boy" by Cory Cone - Grief-stricken from the loss of her husband, a young woman fears she may lose her son as well, if she hasn't already."Starve a Fever" by Jonah Buck - Fleeing down a bayou highway with a sick criminal in the backseat, a getaway driver must sate his passenger's horrifying needs while evading the police.And much more.Edited by Kenneth W. Cain and represented by Crystal Lake Publishing – Tales from The Darkest Depths.

30 Days of Night: Light of Day

Fiction & Literature

A terrifying species of legend that exists in shadow and thrives in night, preying on and intriguing an unsuspecting modern worldÉ An amoral, clandestine government operation that uses whatever means necessary to inflict maximum damage upon one of the most frightening and demonized forces humanity has ever encounteredÉ And all of mankind is threatened by the chain of events set in motion by this unrestrained conflict, and the ripple effects of a new element to the hostilities will forever alter the rules of engagement....

Reunited for the Holidays

Fiction & Literature

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Brian Wallace and Belle Colby were married with two sets of twins—toddler boys and infant girls. Then the young family was torn apart. Each took a girl and boy and went their separate ways—never to see one another again. Brian is stunned to return home from a mission to find all the siblings reunited at their mother's Texas ranch. He has never forgotten Belle or how much he loved her. Will unanswered questions stand in the way of this family finding their long-awaited second chance?

Country Midwife, Christmas Bride

Fiction & Literature

Midwife Lizzie Carmichael loves caring for the pregnant moms in the pretty village of Willowmere. Every time she holds a newborn baby she forgets about her own lonely life for a moment.... But what she can't stop thinking about is her new boss, Dr. James Bartlett!Single dad James has always put his adorable twins--and his medical practice--first. But this Christmas, as his little family hangs up their stockings, James realizes that it's not only his children who love Lizzie to pieces.... She might just be the perfect present for them all!

The Dragon's Hoard

Fiction & Literature

Dragons are well known for their hoards—but not all hoards are created equal.A young dragon starts his hoard with some very precious gifts.One dragon shares her complaints about taxes with a friend as they wait for a lunch delivery.Another dragon defends her most precious treasures against a group of greedy goblins.And yet another may hold the solution to saving the Earth after a devastating apocalypse in his collection of bottled treasures.In addition to the normal gold, silver and jewels here you will find dragons who collect many different treasures. 25 storytellers invite you to enter The Dragon’s Hoard and share the treasures within.Featuring stories by: Joseph Macolino, P. Irene Radford, John Lance, Deby Fredericks, Sheryl Normandeau, Chris Barili, H. Holt, Sarina Dorie, Lyn McConchie, V. Hartman DiSanto, CHM Singerie, Carol Hightshoe, Alexis Glynn Latner, Gregg Chamberlain, Rebecca McFarland Kyle, Kelly A Harmon, T. J. O’Hare, Mary E. Lowd, Gerri Leen, Lance Schonberg, Shenoa Carroll-Bradd, Violet Addison and David N. Smith, Matthew Harrison, Harding McFadden, Kathleen Townsend

The Classic Humor Megapack

Fiction & Literature

From Mark Twain to O. Henry, from Saki to Washington Irving—The Classic Humor Megapack reels in no less than 45 classic short stories and poems sure to amuse. Read and laugh! Included are: THE STRIKE OF ONE, by Elliott Flower THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY, by Mark Twain A DOUBLE-DYED DECEIVER, by O. Henry LAURA, by Saki TEETH IS TEETH, by Ellis Parker Butler ARAMINTA AND THE AUTOMOBILE, by Charles Battell Loomis THE RHYME OF THE CHIVALROUS SHARK, by Wallace Irwin (poem) ESPECIALLY MEN, by George Randolph Chester THE ANGEL OF THE ODD, by Edgar Allan Poe THE SIEGE OF DJKLXPRWBZ, by Ironquill (poem) THE SCHOOLMASTER’S PROGRESS, by Caroline M.S. Kirkland THE WATKINSON EVENING, by Eliza Leslie THE MILLIONAIRES, by Max Adeler THE WICKED ZEBRA, by Frank Roe Batchelder (poem) TITBOTTOM’S SPECTACLES, by George William Curtis MY DOUBLE; AND HOW HE UNDID ME, by Edward Everett Hale A VISIT TO THE ASYLUM FOR AGED AND DECAYED PUNSTERS, by Oliver Wendell Holmes AS GOOD AS A PLAY, by Horace E. Scudder THE CRIMSON CORD, by Ellis Parker Butler WANTED—A COOK, by Alan Dale MRS. JOHNSON, by William Dean Howells COLONEL STERETT’S PANTHER HUNT, by Alfred Henry Lewis UNSATISFIED YEARNING, by R. K. Munkittrick (poem) WOUTER VAN TWILLER, by Washington Irving THE EXPERIENCES OF THE A.C., by Bayard Taylor THE CHAMPION CHECKER-PLAYER OF AMERIKY, by James Whitcomb Riley ELDER BROWN’S BACKSLIDE, by Harry Stillwell Edwards THE HOTEL EXPERIENCE OF MR. PINK FLUKER, by Richard Malcolm Johnston THE NICE PEOPLE, by Henry Cuyler Bunner THE BULLER-PODINGTON COMPACT, by Frank R. Stockton COLONEL STARBOTTLE FOR THE PLAINTIFF, by Bret Harte THE DUPLICITY OF HARGRAVES, by O. Henry AN EVENING MUSICALE, by May Isabel Fisk BARGAIN DAY AT TUTT HOUSE, by George Randolph Chester THE LITTLE FRENCHMAN AND HIS WATER LOTS, by George Pope Morris THE GRAMMATICAL BOY, by Bill Nye A CALL, by Grace MacGowan Cooke HOW THE WIDOW WON THE DEACON, by William James...

Mademoiselle de Maupin

Fiction & Literature

Une des choses les plus burlesques de la glorieuse époque où nous avons le bonheur de vivre est incontestablement la réhabilitation de la vertu entreprise par tous les journaux, de quelque couleur qu’ils soient, rouges, verts ou tricolores.

Typee

Fiction & Literature

This book was "in fact, neither literal autobiography nor pure fiction. Melville drew his material from his experiences, from his imagination, and from a variety of travel books when the memory of his experiences were inadequate. The three-week stay on which This book is based takes place over the course of four months in the narrative. Melville drew extensively on contemporary accounts by Pacific explorers to add cultural detail to what might otherwise have been a straightforward story of escape, capture, and re-escape. Most American reviewers accepted the authenticity of the narrative, though it provoked disbelief among some British readers.

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