Recommended Reads
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I Did It My Way
The 19th century was an exciting period for women. I Did It My Way: Extraordinary Women and Their Stories is a compilation of biographies celebrating little-known women from all walks of life who lived remarkable lives of invention, ambition, survival, and strength in a male-dominated world.
Each biography places the reader at the heart of her world before recounting how she overcame struggle and adversity. A broad range of women is covered, representing diverse nationalities and circumstances. The book also explores the geographical and cultural forces of the 19th century that shaped and limited women’s opportunities.
Their achievements span fields from medicine and exploration to social reform and life-saving innovation. Whether through necessity or ambition, each woman found a way to express herself and accomplish extraordinary things at a time when women were often undervalued. They battled sexism, slavery, abuse, and poverty to realise their dreams and to be the very best they could be.
There must have been thousands more across the world who were barely recognised. Each one was a heroine in her own right, and it is important that their stories are told – to surprise, inspire, and embolden the young women of today.
£8.99 -
Billy Brigson Shines
Can a small lump of coal really be magic?
Billy’s dad, a miner, gives him a piece of coal, but it turns out to be much more than just a keepsake. When trouble strikes, the coal might be the very thing that comes to Billy’s rescue…
Each day on the way to school, Billy and his friends pass the War House: an overgrown, crumbling place, dark and forbidding. No one dares go near it.
But when Billy rescues Maisy, a little dog caught on the garden fence, he returns her to the kindly old caretaker, Mr Parker, and ends up late for school, with Sandra Blagstock, the dreaded late monitor, waiting to pounce.
That evening, Mr Parker comes with worrying news: Maisy has vanished. Billy and his friends search high and low, but she’s nowhere to be found. Then, on the way home, Billy hears barking… from inside the War House.
He creeps towards the gate.
Is his adventure about to begin?
He knows he must help the little dog…
But will he dare enter the terrifying building alone?
£8.99 -
Atlas and the Secrets of the Moon
Atlas and the Secrets of the Moon by Charlotte Leimer, with illustrations by Valerio Forleo, follows the enchanting journey of Atlas, a curious boy who dreams beyond the stars. One night, driven by wonder, he discovers a silver ladder leading to the Moon. On the Moon’s shimmering surface, he encounters delicate life and meets the wise Moon Keeper, who entrusts him with the knowledge of the Moon’s fragility and the importance of protecting it. Upon returning, Atlas carries a newfound responsibility to safeguard the beauty of both the Moon and Earth, embodying a spirit of exploration, courage, and guardianship.
£7.99 -
Memorable Moments
This book shares humorous incidents from the life of someone who had five different careers. Alongside the laughs, it offers thoughtful reflections on medicine and medical teaching, capturing the unique journey of a varied and eventful professional life.
£6.99 -
My Dream with Bear: At the Fair
Have you ever been to a fair… with a bear?
In the second book of ‘My Dream with Bear’, Boy goes off to sleep and he again spends the day with Bear in his dreams.
This time Boy and Bear go to a country fair.
All Bear wants is his favourite treat...
FAIRY FLOSS!
Unfortunately, Bear gets a little carried away…
And learns a very important lesson about self-control.
£9.99 -
Ruckus Raccoon Aims for the Moon
Ruckus Raccoon loves gazing up at the night sky, dreaming about one day visiting the moon.
Determined to make his dream come true, he begins planning his journey to land among the stars.
With the help of his friends, Ruckus sets out on an exciting adventure. But will he reach the moon, or will a different adventure be waiting for him instead?
£8.99 -
Beneath the Surface
Appearances can be deceptive. The lives of others may look very different from the reality you may find if you just scratch beneath the surface. Kira is the picture of physical perfection. Carolyn had the idyllic family life others dream of. Ruby is high-flying in her career as a lawyer. And yet.
£10.99 -
Painting Paris
The art of love and loss
Paris, 1908. In Montmartre, painters are creating works that will change the way we see life. Some do it better than others; some fall victim to the pursuit of love as well as art. But it’s a time to live deeply and take risks with whatever you care about the most.
Painting Paris tells the story of the intertwined lives of an artist, a would-be artist and a collector. The artist, Berthe, is destined by her mixed race to be always on the brink of exclusion, but she takes in the Italian Paolo, who arrives as a painter with more ambition than talent; and they are both drawn to an uncomfortable reliance on the financier Henri, who is struggling with his sexual identity.
In three parts, each viewed from different perspectives of character, time and place, the story of aching love and loss unfolds towards a resolution in the 1930s. Another era, another secret to confront, another reconciliation to strive for – this is a novel of courage and hope, of yearning and fragility, with a tone of self-reflection that will haunt readers.
“Assured, exquisitely written, wise in its judgements and insights with a feel for character and the complex relationships between life and art. And Berthe is just a wonderful character.”
– John Mitchinson, founder of Unbound, host of Backlisted podcast.
Cover image by Mark Noad.
£9.99 -
Poetry for the Hungry
Poetry for the Hungry by Denise Le’Anne is a poignant and powerful poetry anthology that gives voice to the silenced and strength to the broken. Centred around the raw and often unspoken realities of domestic violence, mental health struggles, and the challenges of personal empowerment, this collection is both a personal testament and a universal call for awareness, healing, and resilience. Through evocative language and unflinching honesty, Le’Anne crafts poems that explore the painful yet transformative journey from trauma to empowerment. Her words offer solace, stir empathy, and ignite hope, capturing the complexity of healing and the strength found in reclaiming one’s voice. This is a vital read for anyone seeking understanding, empowerment, or a voice that speaks truth to pain and personal growth.
£6.99 -
Thy Black Wings
Life, we say, is a grand theatrical production. But this performance feels more like a chaotic dress rehearsal gone awry. The script is a jumble of clichés, borrowing from tired tropes, leaving the audience yawning. And the actors? A stumbling crew, delivering lines with all the grace of a newborn giraffe on roller skates. The audience, ever critical, demands perfection yet contributes nothing. And so, the play stumbles on, performed by inept actors for an unappreciative crowd.
£6.99 -
The Crayon that Lost its Color
In a lively box of crayons, one little crayon feels different: his color has vanished! Determined to find it, he asked Red, Blue, Green, and others for help. Each friend reassured him that his color wasn’t missing but uniquely his own. Despite their kind words, doubt crept in. But as he searches high and low, he begins to wonder: what if his color is gone forever?
Join this heartfelt adventure of self-discovery, friendship, and the magic of embracing what makes us unique. Will the little crayon find what he’s looking for, or is there something even more special waiting to be uncovered? His journey of self-discovery taught him that true value isn’t about blending in but embracing one’s uniqueness.
A charming tale that reminds us all: sometimes, what makes us stand out is exactly what makes us shine.
£8.99 -
The Rainbow Race
Join a brave little car on an electrifying journey through a towering rainbow of challenges! From the deep blue waves of the Bubble Level to the sticky pink paths of the Marshmallow Road, each color brings a thrilling test. Can the little car outsmart the creeping spiders in the Black Level? Will it leap past rivers of fire in the Red Level?
With every twist and turn, speed and strategy lead the way as the car zips through glowing clouds, glittering gems, and rolling orange fields, each level more exciting than the last!
A vibrant tale of courage, quick thinking, and perseverance, The Rainbow Race is a high-speed adventure that teaches kids the power of determination and problem-solving, all wrapped in a world bursting with color. Buckle up for a race like no other, where every color is a new adventure waiting to be explored!
£8.99
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