Recommended Reads
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The Dolphin's Message
This short story tells a fantasy tale which just might have an element of truth.Dan and Sally set off on a holiday adventure which will completely change their lives.Why not join them to see if it could change your life too.Could the dolphins really be trying to tell us something?This book finds a unique way of looking at the dilemma of modern life and sustaining our planet.
£6.99 -
Pathetic and Poetic
Is it okay to be pathetic and poetic?Pathetic & Poetic is an exclusive collection of fifty-five poems exploring what it means to be an adult. The collection tries blending the immature nature of still being young and trying hard to be cool with the harsh reality that it is maybe time to stop being pathetic and start to grow up. The poems pose some interesting and philosophical questions whilst still being utterly ridiculous.Each poem tells a thought-provoking story each blurring those two behaviours of still wanting to be silly and childlike but also acknowledging that being an adult comes with important consequences and responsibilities. Is it ok to still be a silly adult? Do we have to grow up?Some of the themes explored include mental health, childhood, curious questions, helpful advice, inspiring tales, quotes, silly songs, vivid memories, grumpy grumps, rants and raves, moans, dislikes, likes, odes, and dedications.Cover original artwork by Edith Harry.
£6.99 -
Empire Close
Empire Close unfolds in a quaint cul-de-sac of six 1950s detached houses in a mid-sized English commuter town, where Ted has always felt part of a close-knit community.As 1997 dawns, Ted, now retired and wheelchair-bound, reflects on the past 45 years in Empire Close. He fondly remembers a time when a strong British identity was the hallmark of the neighbourhood, a trait he held dear. However, he’s witnessed a gradual transformation that leaves him feeling isolated and nostalgic.With the death of the last original neighbour, Ted grapples with the reality that he may be the last ‘true’ Brit left. His internal struggle is profound, as he wrestles with his beliefs and identity, yet never fully confronting their deeper implications.An unexpected turn of events dramatically upsets Ted’s world, challenging him to confront both his past and his future. This journey of self-discovery brings Ted to a pivotal crossroads, where he must reconcile his past actions with their unforeseen impact on his life.The story navigates the complexities of identity, community, and change, leaving readers to ponder André Malraux’s notion: ‘When man faces destiny, destiny ends and man comes into his own.’ As the narrative unfolds, Ted’s journey towards understanding his destiny and himself takes intriguing turns, leading to a thought-provoking conclusion.
£7.99 -
You Never Walk Alone
Today, numerous individuals find themselves adrift, seeking meaning in a world where various ideologies have faltered: Communism, Capitalism, Nationalism, Materialism. Amidst this ideological void, one ponders: What is the essence of life? Who or what can genuinely satisfy human yearnings?Each year, hundreds of thousands embark on the Camino, or segments of it, in a quest for purpose. In 2018, I joined this pursuit, starting my journey on the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port in France and concluding in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This 800 km trek, spanning forty days, was a solo venture, but as this book reveals, I was never truly alone. Along the way, I encountered numerous individuals, sharing not only the physical path but also profound connections.I wholeheartedly recommend this pilgrimage – far more than a mere walk – to anyone earnestly seeking meaning in life.
£16.99 -
Byron and the Kindness of Strangers
In 1938, at the tender age of eighteen months, Byron Stratford Davis, the author of this memoir, first set foot on British soil. Remarkably, from that moment, his memories crystallized with exceptional clarity, etching themselves permanently in his mind.His mother, with a German lover back in Hamburg, may or may not have come to England as a German spy. The decision of her true intent is left to the reader’s judgment. Raised in Scotland, his mother was far from the endearing or conventional figure one might wish for. By the age of eighteen months, Byron had already developed a deep mistrust of her, and by two, he had resolved to distance himself from her entirely. Hard to believe? That’s for you to judge! This tale unfolds in a modern Dickensian fashion, revealing its truths along the way.More than just a World War II story, this narrative is unique in its exploration of friendship and the profound impact of the City of Brighton. It’s not only a recounting of survival and self-discovery but also a love story and a heartfelt tribute to the city and its remarkable inhabitants who played a pivotal role in shaping and rescuing him.
£9.99 -
Maelstrom
In the tense atmosphere of the Cold War, John Fisher, a laid-back Australian, lands a job with a shipping line in Rotterdam, blissfully unaware of the concealed financial and political schemes harboured by some of his new friends and colleagues. He soon finds himself entangled in an international scandal involving influential entities, facing relentless pressure from various quarters.Navigating the challenges of dealing with intoxicated ship captains, irritable harbour masters, and antagonistic customs officers in Rotterdam and Antwerp seems trivial compared to the daunting task of untangling an accounting debacle for his London headquarters. This ordeal culminates in his role as a witness in a fraud trial in Southampton. Amidst this turmoil, a silver lining emerges as he meets and falls for Nina.However, the stakes escalate dramatically with a murder, thrusting Fisher into a maelstrom of political intrigue
£10.99 -
Clone
For perfect couple Jen and Liam, there was only ever one option for their child: the perfect insurance policy. The ultimate safety net should anything happen to their son Josh, provided by Future Medical Advancements Ltd., gave them both peace of mind.The cloning, or ‘twinning’ process, offered by the cutting-edge medical company seemed the ideal solution… until Josh’s behaviour started taking a turn for the worse.Josh insists his imaginary friend is behind it all, but is there a more sinister connection with his twin than meets the eye? As Josh’s behaviour spirals out of control, Jen and Liam struggle to find a way to stop the horrifying events unfolding before their eyes and devastating their lives.
£11.99 -
I Found Him on the Internet
What brings a respected 65-year-old Professor of musicology to look for a partner on the internet site? What awakens love between her, a woman whose family came to the country from Romania, and a younger-than-her Kurdish television technician? What constructs this love and what destroys it? Not what you would expect. The first story, an internet site prize winner, tells about it.And how does a Jewish religious Professor of Slavic Studies get involved in a mad love affair with an English Brigadier of aristocratic family, a race driver, who comes to a conference of Slavic Studies in Bath as a spy? How much she is ready to sacrifice for this love, and why does it melt away? This is the contents of the second story.
£9.99 -
The Unloving Household
In the poignant tale of Madiya and Dalim’s offspring, we witness the profound impact of a loveless childhood on the fragile fabric of adult life. The narrative spotlights the children, now bearing the scars of emotional neglect, navigating a world where they grapple with understanding love and safety. The story underscores a universal truth: the formative years of parenting indelibly shape a child’s conception of affection and security in life’s unpredictable dance.
£10.99 -
The House Is Burning
It’s the 1950s and mounting political unrest consumes Rwanda. With fading monarchy, intensifying colonial rule and whispers of rebellion, countless native families find age-old traditions under attack.
For Abel A. Nkunda’s family, the shifting climate grows increasingly hostile. As powers vie for control around them, they face a painful choice: take flight to save all they cherish or stay to watch it burn.
Venturing into remote wilds in search of refuge, grandparents lead young Abel towards an uncertain future. With each step into the unknown, doubts arise. Can a foreign haven truly preserve their sacred cattle herding heritage from extinction?
Follow the Nkundas’ quest across a changing landscape where long-held customs blink at the brink. Will new mountains shelter this household from escalating threats? Or will the life they knew go up in smoke? Immerse yourself in one family’s struggle to find safe harbour for endangered livelihoods and identity before the house left behind is reduced to ashes.
£8.99 -
Colony of Clones
Colony of Clones, the second book in an evocative sci-fi trilogy, explores the perilous politics bubbling up in an experimental community of human clones.
Rex and Dago, cloned from iconic historical figures, grapple for control over their fledgling settlement isolated from the outside world. Brilliant outcast Ator, cloned from Galileo, challenges the colony’s questionable doctrine before being banished by its authoritarian leader.
The clones, copied from the bone shards of ‘genetically superior’ personages, grow up ingrained with a heightened sense of superiority, entitlement and independence. But as clones based on long-dead people struggle to find identity and purpose, fissures split wide open and they find themselves navigating a world that is anything but certain.
When visitor Jake is brought to the secretive colony by the increasingly paranoid Dago, he bears uneasy witness to the psychological distress catalysed by experimental human cloning devoid of ethics. Dago’s own sister Mary grapples to break free from the trauma of being a clone caught out of time.
Probing the devastating ramifications of playing god in a lab, Colony of Clones examines human cloning through an absorbing character-driven narrative full of intrigue, thought experiments, and moral complexity.
£12.99 -
Jamaica
On the emerald green island of Jamaica, an unpredictable adventure awaits twins Ana and Nicky who travel there to celebrate their coming of age. Under the Caribbean sun, they anticipate a holiday filled with fun, freedom, and excitement. But the idyllic island harbours hidden dangers beyond their expectations.
As the twins revel amid the natural tropical beauty, the thin veneer of paradise soon peels away. Their riveting journey quickly becomes a rollercoaster of suspense and action, where lust masquerades as love, morality wears ambiguous shades of gray, innocence hangs in the balance, and ruin looms one impulsive misstep away.
Ultimately, Ana and Nicky’s suspenseful odyssey of twists and turns, romantic encounters, and narrow escapes will redefine their limits of self-preservation. On an island where peril and pleasure intertwine, the twins’ quest for discovery threatens any chance of returning home the same. Their choices will determine if this final fling is merely the end of their adventurous holiday or the end of innocence itself.
£11.99
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