Olibro

'Can I explain why I wanted to jump off the top of a tower block?' For disgraced TV presenter Martin Sharp the answer's pretty simple: he has, in his own words, pissed his life away'. And on New Year's Eve, he's going to end it all. But not, as it happens, alone. Because first single-mum Maureen, then eighteen-year-old Jess and lastly American rock-god JJ turn up and crash Martin's private party. They've stolen his idea, but brought their own reasons. Yet it's hard to jump when you've got an audience queuing impatiently behind you. A few heated words and some slices of cold pizza later, and these four strangers are suddenly allies. But is their unlikely friendship a good enough reason to carry on living?

This novel in verse tells the story of Will's determination to avenge his brother's gang-war demise, derailed by a series of spectacles that make Will reconsider his own perceptions. Gritty, haunting and lyrical.

Nick Hornby is the author of six bestselling novels: High Fidelity; About a Boy; How to be Good; A Long Way Down; Juliet, Naked; and Funny Girl; as well as a novel for young adults, Slam. His non-fiction includes Fever Pitch, 31 Songs, The Complete Polysyllabic Spree and Stuff I've Been Reading. He has written numerous screenplays including the Oscar-nominated An Education and Brooklyn.

First published in 1937 in the US by Lee Furman, Inc. This edition based on original cover and text. A Jamaican-born writer describes his experiences traveling throughout the world following World War I, and recalls his friendships with celebrities of the Twenties and Thirties.

In the #1 New York Times bestseller, A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. My new friends have begun to suspect I haven't told them the full story of my life."Why did you leave Sierra Leone?""Because there is a war.""You mean, you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other?""Yes, all the time.""Cool."I smile a little."You should tell us about it sometime.""Yes, sometime."This is how wars are fought now: by children, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become soldiers of choice. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them.What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived.This is a rare and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty.

First it was a media sensation. Then it became the New York Times bestseller and #1 international bestseller A Long Way Home. Now it's Lion, the major motion picture starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and Rooney Mara-nominated for six Academy Awards!This is the miraculous and triumphant story of Saroo Brierley, a young man who used Google Earth to rediscover his childhood life and home in an incredible journey from India to Australia and back again...At only five years old, Saroo Brierley got lost on a train in India. Unable to read or write or recall the name of his hometown or even his own last name, he survived alone for weeks on the rough streets of Calcutta before ultimately being transferred to an agency and adopted by a couple in Australia.Despite his gratitude, Brierley always wondered about his origins. Eventually, with the advent of Google Earth, he had the opportunity to look for the needle in a haystack he once called home, and pore over satellite images for landmarks he might recognize or mathematical equations that might further narrow down the labyrinthine map of India. One day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for and set off to find his family.A Long Way Home is a moving, poignant, and inspirational true story of survival and triumph against incredible odds. It celebrates the importance of never letting go of what drives the human spirit: hope.

From award-winning creator Felicita Sala comes a whimsical adventure about a child who’s determined to recover all his misplaced belongings, wherever they may beA baseball cap. A special sweater covered in dogs. A marble collection. The baseball cap, again. Pablo just can’t stop losing his things: at the bus stop, in the park, on a plane, everywhere! When his exasperated parents give him the responsibility of keeping track of everything, Pablo tries—he really does. But his room has become a frightful mess, and with show-and-tell just around the corner, Pablo needs to find his things now more than ever. Where have they gone to? And who can help him now? Relatably told from a child’s point of view, this playful tale from internationally beloved author-illustrator Felicita Sala explores the secret lives of the countless little things that go missing every day.

A moonlit Scottish moor, the air thick with the scent of heather and the thunder of distant hooves-here, in the shadow of the Jacobite rising of 1745, a young man's fate is shaped by the shifting tides of loyalty and betrayal. Amidst the wild beauty and political tumult of eighteenth-century Scotland, Francis Birkenshaw's journey unfolds: a tale of adventure, ambition, and the perilous allure of rebellion. Woven with the intricate detail and psychological depth that define the finest Scottish historical fiction novels, this work captures not only the drama of the Jacobite rebellion but the inner conflicts of those swept up in its wake. Set against the backdrop of a nation divided, the novel immerses readers in the passions and uncertainties of a time when every choice could mean the difference between honour and ruin. The adventures of Francis Birkenshaw are rendered with a vividness that brings the landscape and its people to life, offering a window into the soul of Scottish literature and the enduring themes that echo through its pages. For those who cherish Scottish adventure novels and historical novels about Scotland, this narrative stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the complexities of history and the human heart. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations, ensuring that a pivotal work among Scottish historical novels remains accessible to all. More than just a reprint, this edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, meticulously presented for both casual readers and classic-collection buyers. Rich in atmosphere and alive with the spirit of the Jacobite rebellion, it invites a new generation to rediscover the enduring allure of novels set in 1745 Scotland and the timeless questions of loyalty, identity, and courage that define the genre.

Conspiracy theories are as old as politics. But conspiracists today have introduced something new--conspiracy without theory. And the new conspiracism has moved from the fringes to the heart of government with the election of Donald Trump. In A Lot of People Are Saying, Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum show how the new conspiracism differs from classic conspiracy theory, why so few officials speak truth to conspiracy, and what needs to be done to resist it. The new conspiracism targets democratic foundations--political parties and knowledge-producing institutions. It makes it more difficult to argue, persuade, negotiate, compromise, and even to disagree. Ultimately, it delegitimates democracy.

Create a heartfelt keepsake for your partner with this guided journalEvery significant other deserves to know how much they're loved. 100 Things I Love About You makes it easy to show affection and appreciation thanks to compelling prompts that are laid out in a fun journal format.What sets this love journal apart: 100 engaging prompts—From fill-in-the-blanks to top 5 lists, 100 Things I Love About You features thoughtful prompts help you recount important milestones and capture everything that makes your relationship and partner unique. Extra love—Spread throughout the journal, you'll find additional pages that offer open-ended space for longer reflections, loving notes, pictures, and mementos. A heartfelt gift—A cheerful design and whimsical illustrations make this journal the perfect sentimental gift for anniversaries, Valentine's Day, birthdays, and more.Give the gift of love with this unique, personalized present that your partner will treasure forever.

From USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes a new edition of this #BestofBookTok favorite - an angsty and powerful story of lovers continually fighting the curse of bad timing. Preorder now and receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last, featuring gorgeous sprayed edges, exclusive special design features, and never before seen bonus content.

A spellbinding modern fairytale, sexy and warm and full of hope and the power of love' BOLU BABALOLA'Funny, sexy and breathtakingly romantic' EMILY HENRYOne florist. One pianist. One love story . . . One hundred years in the making.Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn't one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she's the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a more exciting life awaits her.So, when she is invited to rent the bottom floor of a Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh start. She leaves behind her wealth and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. Then one evening in February, as the heady scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York.'Magical and steamy . . . their love story is literally written in the stars' RED'Williams never ceases to surprise and delight!' ROBINNE LEE'It's a showstopper' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'Punchy and poignant, sweeping and yet so intimate' KENNEDY RYAN'Quirky, suspenseful, and unforgettable' BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW'Reads like the best kind of love song: tender, smart and sexy' LEAH JOHNSONEVERYONE'S FALLING FOR TIA WILLIAMS'A sexy, modern love story to start the summer off right' Reese Witherspoon'A smart, sexy testament to Black joy' Jodi Picoult'Tia Williams conjures a seductive fantasy' Rumaan Alam'Hilarious, romantic and incredibly sexy' Hello!READERS LOVE SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE'This is a MUST-READ!' 5* reader review'Such a beautiful love story' 5* reader review'Modern, beautiful, emotional, sexy and funny!' 5* reader review"I literally couldn't put it down' 5* reader review

A fascinating study in sexual psychology and sexual politics, the novel focuses on Hélène Grandjean, a widow, and her shifting emotional states. This is the eighth novel in Zola's Rougon-Macquart series, and the first modern translation for more than fifty years.

'A fragmentary meditation on the nature of love' GuardianA Chinese woman comes to post-Brexit London to start over - just as the Brexit campaign reaches a fever pitch.Isolated and lonely in a Britain increasingly hostile to foreigners, she meets a landscape architect and the two begin to build their future together.Playing with language and the cultural differences that our narrator encounters as she settles into her new life, the lovers must navigate their differences and their romance, whether on their unmoored houseboat or in a cramped apartment in east London. Suffused with a wonderful sense of humour, this intimate novel asks what it means to make a home and a family in a new land.

A Lover's Discourse, at its 1978 publication, was revolutionary: Roland Barthes made unprecedented use of the tools of structuralism to explore the whimsical phenomenon of love. Rich with references ranging from Goethe's Werther to Winnicott, from Plato to Proust, from Baudelaire to Schubert, A Lover's Discourse artfully draws a portrait in which every reader will find echoes of themselves.

The language we use when we are in love is not a language we speak, for it is addressed to ourselves and to our imaginary beloved. It is a language of solitude, of mythology, of what Barthes calls an 'image repertoire'.This book revives - beyond the psychological or clinical enterprises which have characterised such researches in our culture - the notion of the amorous subject. It will be enjoyed and understood by two groups of readers: those who have been in love (or think they have, which is the same thing), and those who have never been in love (or think they have not, which is the same thing). This book might be considered, in its restless search for authorities and examples, which range from Nietzsche to Zen, from Ruysbroek to Debussy, an encyclopaedia of that affirmative discourse which is the lover's.

A new edition of this honest and heartfelt memoir of one boy's extraordinary journey from the horrors of life in Auschwitz to judge at the International Court in The Hague. Now includes a new postscript in which Thomas tells the moving story of his mother's search for him after the war.

The Java programming language provides safety and security guarantees such as type safety and its security architecture. They distinguish it from other mainstream programming languages like C and C++. In this work, we develop a machine-checked model of concurrent Java and the Java memory model and investigate the impact of concurrency on these guarantees. From the formal model, we automatically obtain an executable verified compiler to bytecode and a validated virtual machine.

Who would think that an exciting book can be written about a musical instrument? Yet it can be done. Nora Mercz guides us along the harp¿s adventurous development among the tempests of human civilization starting from the prehistoric age through the Middle Ages up to these days. First, the author tells us how the instrument was used by mythic heroes, ancient gods, mediaeval and modern monarchs or commoners gifted by musical talent, then she describes the harp¿s magic influence on the human soul. In the meantime we can keep track of how the harp was shaped from a bow of one string into an instrumental masterwork.

A #1 New York Times Bestseller!Judy I. Lin's sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother."For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her-the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi-masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making-she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life. But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:A USA Today BestsellerA Publishers Weekly BestsellerAn ABA Indie BestsellerAn ABA Indies Introduce SelectionAn ABA Indies Next Pick"Beautifully written, from the setting to the magic system, A Magic Steeped in Poison is sure to enchant both fantasy lovers and cdrama aficionados. I'll be inhaling whatever Judy I. Lin brews up next." -Joan He, New York Times-bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find"Ning's unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. ... Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner." -Booklist, starred review

Before you settle in your bed, a wild adventure lies ahead. Quitly we creep through the trees, which animals do you think we see?

A millennial turned magical girl must combat climate change and credit card debt in this delightful, witty, and wildly imaginative ode to magical girl manga.Twenty-nine, depressed, and drowning in credit card debt after losing her job during the pandemic, a millennial woman decides to end her troubles by jumping off Seoul’s Mapo Bridge.But her suicide attempt is interrupted by a girl dressed all in white—her guardian angel. Ah Roa is a clairvoyant magical girl on a mission to find the greatest magical girl of all time. And our protagonist just may be that special someone.But the young woman’s initial excitement turns to frustration when she learns being a magical girl in real life is much different than how it’s portrayed in stories. It isn’t just destiny—it’s work. Magical girls go to job fairs, join trade unions, attend classes. And for this magical girl there are no special powers and no great perks, and despite being magical, she still battles with low self-esteem. Her magic wand . . . is a credit card—which she must use to defeat a terrifying threat that isn’t a monster or an intergalactic war. It’s global climate change. Because magical girls need to think about sustainability, too.Park Seolyeon reimagines classic fantasy tropes in a novel that explores real-world challenges that are both deeply personal and universal: the search for meaning and the desire to do good in a world that feels like it’s ending. A fun, fast-paced, and enchanting narrative that sparkles thanks to award-nominated translator Anton Hur, A Magical Girl Retires reminds us that we are all magical girls—that fighting evil by moonlight and winning love by daylight can be anyone's game.Translated from the Korean by Anton Hur

Carlos Castaneda burst onto the academic and cultural scene in 1968 when he published the first of four books detailing his supposed apprenticeship with a Yaqui Indian sorcerer named Don Juan. While academic critics contend Castaneda invented Don Juan, believers say the fog surrounding his existence express the very ideals that Castaneda attributed to his apprenticeship.Little is known of the Peruvian claiming to be Don Juan's apprentice, but in addition to leading a generation into a mystical otherworld, Carlos Castaneda was also a man. Married to him for thirteen years was Margaret Runyan Castaneda.A Magical Journey with Carlos Castaneda reads partly like a love story, partly like a tell-all account of a celebrity writer. Margaret Castaneda concentrates on the years leading up to her marriage in 1960. It was then Margaret and Carlos explored many of the ideas -- from controlling dreams to using hallucinogenic mushrooms -- that he claims to have learned from Don Juan.Nevertheless, Margaret Castenada believes her husband was indeed a sorcerer, and she still loves him. She insists Castaneda's academic critics miss the point. "I'm willing to accept Don Juan as a spiritual teacher, and it really doesn't matter if he's not real." But the role she claims -- in developing the ideas Carlos purports to be Don Juan's -- ought to be recognized, she says, so she wrote this book.

“A writer as comfortable with reality as with fiction, with passion as with reason.” —John Le CarréIn this delightful holiday-themed collection of nine short stories, Inspector Maigret must solve a series of little mysteries—just in time for Christmas morningChristmas mysteries abound in this light-hearted holiday collection of Jules Maigret’s exploits: In one, an otherwise sensible little girl insists that she has seen Father Christmas, a statement alarming to her neighbors, Monsieur and Madame Maigret. Then, a choirboy helps the inspector solve a crime while he lies in bed with a cold; another boy, pursued by a criminal, ingeniously leaves a trail to help Maigret track him. Many of these stories feature observant and resourceful children, frightened yet resolute, who bring out a paternal streak in the childless Maigret.The rapport between the inspector and these youthful heroes imparts a delightful freshness to this holiday collection. A Maigret Christmas is a cornucopia for fans of Maigret and mysteries alike.

Man-about-town and NYC men's style fixture Matt Hranek is back with his second book, A Man & His Car. Here is a beautiful homage to an object of men's obsession, told in firsthand and original interviews. Jay Leno, a major car collector and the host of Jay Leno's Garage, shares the story of his oldest car, a 1955 Buick Roadmaster that he bought for $350, which he literally slept in before getting his break in L.A. Kevin Costner reveals that he got so attached to the iconic Shelby Mustang he drove in the movie Bull Durham, he bought it for his own personal collection. Franz von Holzhausen, chief designer at Tesla, who worked hand in hand with Elon Musk to design the Tesla Model S prototype, says that his love of cars started when he was two (as evidenced by a picture of him sitting in a high chair drawing a car). And as for Snoop Dogg and his 1965 Cadillac "Snoop DeVille" convertible--do we even need to explain?A Man & His Car includes visits to some of the most exclusive collections in the world--from that of the Petersen Automotive Museum to those of car manufacturers from Fiat to Ford--giving us access to Steve McQueen's favorite car, a 1956 Jaguar XKSS; the 1971 DeTomaso Pantera that Elvis purchased for his then-girlfriend Linda Thompson (and which has two bullet holes in the steering wheel and one in the driver's-side floorpan from when, after an altercation with Thompson, Presley fired three rounds into the interior when the car wouldn't start); and a super-rare, 24-karat-gold-plated 1980 DeLorean DMC-12, a model that was sold exclusively to American Express Gold Card members through the 1980 American Express catalog, for an astronomical $85,000 (equivalent to more than $250,000 today). Exquisite photos of each car accompany each story, and since cars naturally hold more detail than watches, there will be more photos in this book--of the cars head-on, of their hood ornaments and wheels, and of course full-body shots. With Hranek's storytelling, the cars become more than just vehicles for transportation and status symbols; they represent pop-culture moments, pioneering achievements, heirlooms, friendships, and more.

In this best-selling, heartwarming tale, a lonely older man takes home a pet-shop kitten that no one else wants. It doesn’t take long for the pair to warm up to each other, and soon, they’re inseparable. Told through the eyes of both the man and his cat, this sweet and hilarious story is a balm for the soul!Though he still can't perform on stage, Kanda challenges himself with street piano. He never imagined his audience would include his former teacher, Margarethe Dressel. The ever-present Fukumaru is ready to win new hearts—luckily, Kanda's mentor is a fellow cat lover! Then, Geoffroy becomes Kuju's piano teacher, but the lesson gets off to a rocky start.

In this best-selling, heartwarming tale, a lonely older man takes home a pet-shop kitten that no one else wants. It doesn’t take long for the pair to warm up to each other, and soon, they’re inseparable. Told through the eyes of both the man and his cat, this sweet and hilarious story is a balm for the soul!Fukumaru knows the scarred-up cat he saw outside is his big brother. Despite his crying and wailing to stay, the other cat wanders away in total disregard. But Kanda's fluffy feline refuses to give up! He ventures with Daddy into the great outdoors in search of his long-lost sibling. A canine acquantaince may hold the key to the stray cat's whereabouts! Can Fukumaru find him?!

The top manga launch in Japan in the first half of 2018, A Man and His Cat was also voted one of the top ten manga of 2018 by Japanese bookstore employees nationwide. Having won hearts and topped charts in Japan, this hotly anticipated series about an older gentleman and his unique, adorable cat is available in English for the first time!His days as an unwanted, overlooked piece of merchandise a distant memory, Fukumaru is now well and truly Mr. Kanda's cat. He's gained a lot in the process, not least of which is his very own name! But Fukumaru isn't the only one getting something out of this relationship. First-time pet owner Mr. Kanda is finding his new life with Fukumaru to be full of surprises and delights. And Fukumaru's influence makes time, which had come to a standstill for Mr. Kanda, move again...

Paul Newman wore his Daytona Rolex every single day for 35 years until his death in 2008. The iconic timepiece, probably the single most sought-after watch in the world, is now in the possession of his daughter Clea, who wears it every day in his memory. Franklin Roosevelt wore an elegant gold Tiffany watch, gifted to him by a friend on his birthday, to the famous Yalta Conference where he shook the hands of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. JFK's Omega worn to his presidential inauguration, Ralph Lauren's watch purchased from Andy Warhol's personal collection, Sir Edmund Hillary's Rolex worn during the first-ever summit of Mt. Everest . . . these and many more compose the stories of the world's most coveted watches captured in A Man and His Watch. Matthew Hranek, a watch collector and NYC men's style fixture, has traveled the world conducting firsthand interviews and diving into exclusive collections to gather the never-before-told stories of 76 watches, completed with stunning original photography of every single piece. Through these intimate accounts and Hranek's storytelling, the watches become more than just timepieces and status symbols; they represent historical moments, pioneering achievements, heirlooms, family mementos, gifts of affection, and lifelong friendships.

Now a major motion picture A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks! #1 New York Times bestseller—more than 3 million copies sold! Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time? Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations. Fredrik Backman’s beloved first novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).

A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.