Recommended Reads
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A Strange Awakening
This is the story of a young boy growing up and how, although he is not aware of it at the time, he is destined for something beyond his wildest dreams. Since he was young, strange and unusual things have often seemed to happen to him: strangers who appear to know him; dreams and fantasies that merge with reality; and strange coincidences in which the events of his life draw in and interweave with the lives of many around him.
Torn between Australia and England, it seems as though the map of his life has already been laid out for him. But life has so much more in store for him than he ever imagined. Even if it lies beyond his understanding, he has no choice but to go along for the ride.
£6.99 -
A Stroke of Luck
The book I present to you has the working title of A Stroke of Luck or a Beginner's Guide to Being Hospitalised as a More-Mature Person and What You Can Reasonably Expect. I believe that it represents a piece of innovative non-fiction, in that it is written with a positive, yet realistic, message about being a 'hospital virgin' at a more mature age. The project has been developed through my own experience of hospitalisation recently, for treatment on a stroke. The concept is conceived via passages of digressions, examples of humour coupled with sharp intakes of inter-active discussions based on the everyday activities of a hospital ward that the reader may not be aware of, let alone expect. It is in this respect that the book is unique: whilst acknowledging that such institutions are full of medics and other professionals by definition, there is also a whole spectrum of 'bit-part' players and 'events' too, which can have either a detrimental or positive impact on the patient's recovery. Their role is examined through character development and astute observation of what actually occurs during a 'confinement': Victor Meldrew can and does 'believe it' he has too! The story itself is chronological: from pre-admission, admission, the period of the stay when time becomes meaningless and thoughts begin to wander to level of absurdity never truly thought possible, to discharge (which in itself seems a 'nasty' word to use along with 'release', terms which come in for a wry comment or two!) and after-care. Primarily, this book is written with the 'over fifties' market in mind specifically, but I would envisage it being an informative read to anyone who is new to the 'hospital game' or is simply filled with trepidation at the possibility of it.
£9.99 -
A Suitcase Full of Boomerangs
A Suitcase Full of Boomerangs is essentially a romp around the Republic of Ireland. Tiny boomerangs are bequeathed to colourful characters encountered throughout the three-week round trip.
Narrated in the first person, the protagonist and two of her sisters manage to have a ball as they traverse the width and breadth of Ireland in a big black jeep filled with suitcases full of boomerangs. This book of travel laughs, mishaps and adventures is a light-hearted, feel-good read, intended to whisk the armchair traveller far away to another time and place – the magic that will always be Ireland.
£12.99 -
A Suitcase Full of Koalas
A Suitcase Full of Koalas is a modern, edgy travel book set to test your wits and memory for detail. Gallivanting around London and somewhere distinctly south of the great capital in a sleepy seaside village, the author finds herself handing out tiny furry koalas to the English, to the Polish, to the Italians, in fact to anyone who cares to accept the little fellas as a gift from Australia. In her moochings over a month, she manages to meet a myriad of characters from all walks of life who practically jump off the pavements, à la Mary Poppins and Bert, and into the book.
This is a book about life and living – about the human condition and quest for feathering one’s own nest. As John Donne observed, ‘No man is an island’, but sometimes we yearn to embrace solitude and sit with ourselves and a good book. A Suitcase Full of Koalas will inevitably tickle your fancy and have you laughing on every other page. But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?
£11.99 -
A Suitcase Full of Olive Branches
Would it really be out of the question for the coach to make a slight diversion? We heard that this tour was headed for the Northern Lights. That’s why we took it, but now we can’t seem to find those Northern Lights anywhere on the itinerary. Any idea why that would be the case? Now you are curious about this book, right? Let me enlighten you. This is a book about Italy and her beautiful northern lakes.
While travelling on a tour coach on a round trip from Milan, tiny olive branches are handed out to perfect strangers in an effort to let the Italians know that their country is not considered number one in the world in terms of World Heritage and Culture for nothing.
£11.99 -
A Summer's Tale
An adventure about the various animal characters in A Summer’s Tale in the beautiful setting of Snowdrop Hall, home to Lord and Lady Badger and their children. The adventure is full of fun, full of imagination, loveable animal characters with lots of magic, suspense and intrigue, as well as music, a memorable experience for all, but above all, a beautiful story that will draw the readers both young and old to be part of the amazing adventure and to join in, especially with the songs.
As always, the book has a strong conservation theme, this book is interlinked to the author’s other books. But the main message is that the book gives enjoyment, hope and happiness to all. After all, we are all children at heart.
£8.99 -
A Tale of Two Pixies
A story of, how at times, people shoot themselves in the foot, metaphorically speaking, only to wonder who inflicted the wound.
Then, wouldn’t you know it, along comes help from an unusual quarter...
But, of course, many things can happen in a quasi-world.
You never know who your neighbours are these days, but you always know when there’s something odd about them.
Funny that...
£8.99 -
A Taste of Home: An Indian Bengali Cookbook
This is a recipe book with a difference! This cookbook is a collaborative project between the author and her children so it has a special, personal touch. The author and her family are from Calcutta, West Bengal and the range of mouth-watering recipes in this book are unique because they are only found in Indian Bengali Hindu home cooking. These recipes cannot be found in any ordinary Indian restaurant anywhere in the world and once you and your friends try them, you’ll know why these recipes are different and will want to come back for more!
£11.99 -
A Tiger Called Luger
Luger was a handsome young tiger who, for some reason only known to him, just wasn’t happy with the way he looked! He tried everything he could to change the way he looked! He tried rubbing his stripes off, washing them off, covering them up with mud…because he wanted to look like someone else, like a lion.
Find out what happens next. Does Luger manage to hide his stripes?
Join Luger to learn about being yourself.£9.99 -
A Time of Flames – Book One
‘There is a void within me; a darkness that no amount of booze, sex or drugs, can heal. Each morning, I wake with a name on my lips. Always a girl’s name. Always the wrong name.’
An abducted boy and an imprisoned girl, separated by space and time, are destined to be lovers and saviours of a broken world.
Sebastian is privileged, handsome and lost. He struggles with depression and substance abuse as he desperately tries to come to terms with a world he doesn’t understand.
Sebastian paints to quell the darkness. His work depicts a sombre world full of decaying gothic buildings. One night, as if guided by another’s hand, he paints the portrait of a beautiful woman. He gazes into the jade green eyes that mirror his own, and there he finds a reason to live. With every quickening beat of his heart, he knows he has painted a living, breathing woman. The woman who will heal the void within him. The woman he must find. The woman whose name is on his lips at the break of each new day.
As he begins his search, the path Sebastian treads is more mysterious and dangerous than he could have ever imagined. It leads him to a strange house where he discovers horrifying secrets and learns the truth about the woman he seeks and her link to the ruthless man who called himself his father.
£10.99 -
A Traveller in China
For Greg McEnnally a traveller should be a pilgrim and not just a tourist, and the journey itself is just as important as the destination. With this appreciation of life the writer takes us into China - a place many of us may never visit - and provides us with a developing picture of this strident and yet enigmatic country.
Having taught English for ten years in China the writer can depend on the hospitality of many of his former students and acquaintances as he takes advantage of the national holidays and tours the country. It is a country of contrasts; the wonderful companionship offered by ordinary Chinese set against the predatory taxi drivers; the brilliant architecture standing proud above the sea of rubbish that can be found alongside it.
It is a growing country, young in geology and yet old in culture. Greg McEnnally suffers the rigours of overcrowded buses and trains to bring the reader - China.£13.99 -
A Wild Life: The Edwin Wiek Story
Edwin Wiek is a true wildlife warrior. A rebel from childhood, this Dutchman is the founder of Asia's largest multispecies wildlife rescue centre, a fearless interrupter of illicit wildlife trafficking and an advisor to the Thai government on animal law reform. This was not always his life. A serious car accident led him to turn his back on a 'perfect', easy living in the fashion business in the search for meaning. He has been raided, arrested several times, injured and threatened, but his focus is unwavering. Edwin has been featured liberally on Bondi Vet, Animal Planet and National Geographic and ABC's Foreign Correspondent. He is rude, rebellious and recalcitrant, but no one has done more in Asia to give so many rescued animals as close to a wild life as possible. No holds are barred in this thorough biography of a remarkable game-changer.
£9.99
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