Recommended Reads
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Return to Hunterville and the Mānuka Honey Shop
Vulnerability, emotion, passion, lust, kindness, caring, tenderness, commitment, respect and the incredible power of a smile – this is William and Aoife’s love story. William is a quiet and reflective man from Hunterville in New Zealand, escaping rural loneliness. Aoife is a beautiful and trusting woman from Galway in Ireland, escaping an abusive partner.
They fortuitously cross paths for the first time at Nonna Russo’s cooking class in Naples, Italy. Their relationship starts very slowly, but in just 10 short days, total strangers quickly become inseparable lovers as they are intoxicated by ‘la bella vita’ of Naples. William and Aoife embrace the Napoli café culture, go to an opera for the first time, go horse riding on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, experience aperitivo, visit jaw-dropping museums and churches, and swim down at the waterfront. They give kindness, respect and a friendly smile wherever they go. They are gifted the same by the people of Naples.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Seven weeks after a painful and emotionally charged farewell in Naples, Aoife is reunited with William on his farm in New Zealand. William proposes, Aoife is pregnant, there is a wedding and a funeral. As William walks from the Hunterville Cemetery, an old lady beckons him over. What she says has unimaginable consequences for William and Aoife’s journey ahead.£10.99 -
Revolutionary Voices from the Slave Houses
Imagine you were at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You were among the delegates who shaped the founding document of a new nation. You were also among the few who knew the harsh reality of slavery, the system that provided free labor for many of the wealthy planters and merchants in attendance. You saw the contradiction between the ideals of liberty and equality and the practice of owning human beings as property. You heard the voices of the enslaved people who lived in small, dark, windowless slave houses, who were sold on auction blocks, who were whipped and branded and separated from their families. You felt their pain and their longing for freedom.Would you have had the courage and the principle to speak up for them? Would you have challenged your fellow delegates to end the injustice of slavery and to include all people in the vision of “We the People”? Would you have risked your reputation, your fortune, and your life for the sake of humanity?Revolutionary Voices from the Slave Houses explores this hypothetical scenario through historical research and fictional narratives. It gives voice to the enslaved people who were silenced and erased from the official history of the United States of America. It invites you to listen to their stories and to imagine what could have been different if someone had spoken for them at the Convention.
£7.99 -
Rez
Upset, anxious and sad when their Mum dies, Rez learns the importance of being able to talk about how they are feeling during a bedtime conversation with their other parent, Mam. Although she is also feeling very sad and distraught, Mam does her best to comfort Rez and together they realise the need to carry on with and make the most of life, despite experiencing such a devastating loss.
£7.99 -
Rhyme and Reason
Why was a baby in a treetop? Who was Georgie Porgie, the little boy blue, Mary Mary? Little Jack Horner’s family continued to enjoy the plum property he took from those intended for Henry VIII, until the 20th century.
The 20 rhymes in this book show how parliament and king battled over taxation, the authority of kings, religion. Humpty played a part in the English Civil War.
Gain an understanding of history from medieval times through to the 1700s through these rhymes and their stories.
Understand how a nursery rhyme we recite today started life as a political comment and was passed down through the years until now we have forgotten the politics.
Parents, grandparents, and teachers will find the origin of these rhymes fascinating.
£6.99 -
Riddlington
This story begins with Riddlington Rabbit wanting to see other things happening in a world outside the safe boundaries of his insular existence. As a rabbit, his life is spent, primarily, underground during the day, only coming out at night, under the protection of darkness, to find food.His favourite Uncle Otto sparks Riddlington’s imagination of exploring, by telling stories of his own adventures. We follow Riddlington as he navigates his way to finding a perfect location, among people and other strange creatures, all living above ground.We see how he adapts to situations outside his comfort zone; finds a wife who is willing to do likewise; befriends two human sisters; till the land rather than forage; navigate his way up a river; and become disturbed at land damage, urban development, and over population.When he becomes a Father and witnesses an invasion of his territory, his new-found parental status, requires a reassessment of their living arrangements. They have little food, little protection, and little time.Will they make it home? Will they be happy home? Will they be welcomed home? Will the youngsters adapt to underground living as Riddlington did to above ground living?
£22.99 -
Ride The Wind
Set in Western Australia this tale of jealousy and revenge sees teenage sisters embark on a perilous ride through the outback. They must rely on the courage and devotion of their horses, Star, a black Arabian and Galaxy, a white Andalusian stallion to save them. A magic kingdom secretly existing deep in the bush harbours a bitter love triangle. The wicked fairy, Alba, will use all her dark arts to rid herself of her rival and the girls and their horses will be caught up in the crossfire. Only by seeking the help of an ancient Koori shaman can they hope to survive. The plot is exciting and contains almost every element any young girl would love, including fairies, horses, animals of every description, as well as magic, romance, and adventure in a world where girls are the ones who make the difference rather than ubiquitous boy heroes. The stories are a mix of reality and pure imagination, drawing on aboriginal mythology and traditional storytelling. They combine magical fantasy and adventure with historic evidence and theories based on modern-day fact and up-to-date research. In addition, factual details regarding the natural flora and fauna of this beautiful part of the world, make this a truly educational, exciting, and immersive read.
£9.99 -
Robin Hood - The New Evidence
The story of Robin Hood is very well known. Writers and historians have been reading and rewriting it, analysing and altering it since Ritson published his version in 1795, more than 200 years ago. The story has been published in many forms, including books, films, TV and radio programs, articles held in the World Wide Web and probably many others. As far as can be ascertained, they all have two things in common: they all contain many errors and they all fail to explain a number of mysteries.
In his book, Geoff Wilson has corrected many of the errors and has explained many of the mysteries. This he has done by accessing many surprising sources of evidence, including, for example, the British Geological Survey, aerial photography and by following on foot several of Robin Hood’s journeys described in the ballads. Practical tests were also carried out. The author’s sons (both quite young at the time) were encouraged to shout at the top of their voices in one particular location to test if sounds do in fact echo in the valleys. They do.
Among the mysteries solved are the identities of Sir Richard at the Lee and the location of Verysdale and the Village of Lee. The ‘fayre castell’ described in the Gest is also identified, as is the chapel in Barnsdale dedicated to Mary Magdalene and described in stanza 440 of the Gest. One mystery which remains unresolved, however, is the identity of Robin himself. Perhaps he is, after all, just a yeoman named Robin Hood, although the claims of an alternative candidate are seriously considered.
£17.99 -
Romeo & Julio & Friends
25-year-old Julio Clifford, a successful gay black British and South African designer returns to London, Britain, from abroad after seven years. He reunites with childhood friends and through them meets the charming, handsome and disconcertingly confident Romeo Moses. Romeo is a 29-year-old white British and Italian Architect/Model. Julio is the opposite of Romeo, he is gentle, sensible and warm-hearted.
Everything is perfect and sparks are flying but there is a problem. Romeo has a girlfriend, Julio’s older sister’s childhood friend, Poppy, who is also one of Julio’s oldest and dearest friends. Will Romeo act out his yearning for Julio? Will Julio betray his old friend in the name of love falling for Romeo’s charms?
Romeo likes how smart, independent and confident Julio is. He likes the soul within Julio. Julio likes Romeo’s charisma, assertiveness, strength, and how he cares for others.
But then, Julio’s emotionally abusive ex-husband, Hassan, arrives in town and begins to stalk him. Will it tear Julio and Romeo apart?
A story about love and friendship with many twists and turns showing Romeo and Julio’s lives unfold while they, with their friends, deal with the stress of living and working in 21st century City of London. Romeo & Julio & Friends shows the people of multicultural Britain and their queer lives unfolding in the high-pressure modern-day world.
£11.99 -
Rory Never Learns
Zak and Rory continue their travels around the world's oceans and seas. This time Rory convinces Zak against Zak's wishes to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Being friendly and inquisitive, Rory gets too close to humans. He is spotted and, being a rare plesiosaur, hunted along with Zak across the Mediterranean until Rory is captured and carried off. Zak must come up with a plan and needs the assistance of unlikely allies to try to free Rory. Zak's plan amazes everyone, but will it work? Will Rory escape to carry on his travels and adventures with Zak?
£11.99 -
Rose Beanie and the Best Autumn Adventure Ever!
Rose Beanie is going to be a sixth grader. The story begins during the last week of summer before sixth grade. Together, she and her three friends, Molly, Albert and Archer create a project that they call the best autumn adventure ever!
During the autumn season of school, the four friends learn how to build a fort in Molly’s backyard. During the building of the project, there is a surprise mystery that takes place. It is up to them to solve the mystery together.
At the end of the autumn season, they share their project with the town and it is a real hit!
£8.99 -
Rose Beanie and the Best Summer Adventure Ever!
Rose Beanie is a fifth grader in her last week of school. Together, she and her three friends, Molly, Albert and Archer, create a project that they call the best summer adventure ever!
During their summer, the four friends learn how to care for four farm animals: a chicken, a pygmy goat, a cow and a miniature donkey. Also, a couple of things go missing. It is up to them to solve the mystery together.
At the end of the summer, they share their project with the town and it is a big hit!
£7.99 -
Sailing Everest
In the world of adventure, one achievement stands out as the ultimate physical and emotional challenge: sailing non-stop alone around the world. This is the saga of two teenage girls who seek to do this, rounding Cape Horn, Sailing Everest, then challenging the mighty Southern Ocean.
One succeeds and one fails, but a more important event takes place while they are on their journeys. Initially rivals and strangers, they become friends over the radio and in a most exciting climax, one comes out to save the other from death by drowning in a storm-ravaged Indian Ocean. This is a saga of friendship and faith in the most unusual of circumstances.
Set not only on both girls' yachts but also including the sponsors, support teams, media and the politicians who are involved, this is a saga of great adventure and great friendship.
£10.99
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