Recommended Reads
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The Other Side of the Flag
A small group clustered on the outer deck of the ship, watching the dock and shoreline slowly recede. On one side of me stood the next King of England; on the other, ‘The Best Prime Minister Britain Never Had.’ Beers in hand, we listened as the familiar strains of Rule, Britannia! rose from the crowds ashore and from the countless small craft dotting the harbour. The Royal Yacht of the same name slowly departed from the last vestige of the British Empire, mere minutes after Hong Kong was handed back to Chinese rule, marking the end of 150 years of British governance.
Those standing on the deck were lost in their own thoughts. For me, it was the conclusion of my 17-year odyssey in this most vibrant of city-states. What began as a quest for adventure – a stark contrast to my comfortable but unexciting life in England – ended with my intimate involvement in a pivotal moment in history.
My career in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force had unfolded like a Hollywood script: from the riot squad to bodyguard duty, to a decade in counterterrorism, and finally as the last Aide-de-camp to the last Governor of Hong Kong. Along the way, I experienced countless headline-making incidents – and some that never made it to the press. It was a career rich in exhilaration and variety, far beyond anything I could have imagined when my journey began.
£11.99 -
Jane and the Beanstalk
Think you know the story? Think again. Jane is nothing like Jack. She is bold, brave, polite, and definitely not a thief. Forget golden harps or chickens that lay golden eggs – this is a fresh twist on the tale.
When a giant beanstalk mysteriously appears in her back garden, Jane and her mother are faced with a dilemma. Should they chop it down, or should Jane climb to the top?
Get ready to laugh, be amazed, and be completely enthralled as Jane makes her choice and discovers what lies beyond the clouds in this quirky and humorous adventure.
£8.99 -
Fredrick Frog
Fredrick Frog may be small, but he’s bursting with curiosity and a big, brave heart. He lives snug and safe in the front of his best friend Ella’s pyjamas, where every day feels cosy and complete. But when Ella heads off to school, Fredrick starts to wonder if he’s missing something more.
With a hop and a leap, he sets out on an unexpected adventure, only to find himself face-to-face with a very hungry bird! After a day filled with narrow escapes and surprising discoveries, Fredrick learns that what he was searching for was never far away.
This charming story celebrates the magic of friendship, the thrill of adventure, and the comfort of knowing you’re always right where you belong.
£8.99 -
The Mozhaisk Road
The time is 1978 and Moscow is still the capital of a Communist country. The political police continues to suppress the protests of dissident leader Alexander Razumovsky and his tiny group of supporters. Western observers Howard Wilde and Gels Maybey face an uncertain Christmas after a public rally is roughly broken up in the city’s Pushkin Square.
But when the elderly Razumovsky suddenly steps down in the New Year and a new young leader emerges, the whole world sees a sign of hope. Can this sluggish, downtrodden Russia, despised by its own leaders, suddenly change, inspired by the courage of one Boris Marlinsky? As the Kremlin responds behind the scenes, how close can Western reporters come to grasping the hidden ways of power which seem to seal Russia’s troubled fate?
This forcefully imagined prequel to the real events of 1991 changes the lives of Howard Wilde and Gels Maybey, and their American friends Arthur and Harriet. But what then of their Russian friends? Is it only Western hearts and minds that long for freedom along the Mozhaisk Road?
£14.99 -
Love Big Enough for Two
Mum is expecting a new baby, but what does this mean?
Experience the world through the eyes of Sammy.
Follow Sammy as, overheard snippets of mum’s conversations, result in some hilarious mixed-up thoughts of what a new baby is.
However, when Sammy is finally introduced to the new baby, it is a light bulb moment: ‘Oh, a baby!’
But the big questions are:
What will happen to me when mummy has a new baby? Will mummy still have enough love for me?
Love Big Enough for Two approaches a sensitive subject with humour and warmth. Sammy’s experience will support young children to understand that the arrival of a new baby does not mean they will be loved any less.
£7.99 -
A Lifetime Journey of Trust & Adventure
A Lifetime Journey of Trust & Adventure is a classic, warm, and inspiring recollection from Richard’s childhood, during wartime, to the heights of management in government and business development. Read this personal and reflective real-time life account. This is an intriguing book for everyone who has a progressive personal interest in a challenging lifetime journey.
£17.99 -
Mr Polly's Bonfire Party
Augustus John Polly is a restless academic, uncomfortable in the colonial environment of 1950s Hong Kong. Prompted by sexual fantasies, he is drawn into a conspiracy that unfolds disastrously.“Amidst the decline of empire, a restless colonialist in Hong Kong debates the meaning of history. By turns funny and philosophical, this story of one man’s whimsy – but also courage – in taking a side challenges our own complacencies with political notions of right and wrong, as well as the inequalities of our own time.”– Cyril Wong, poet and fictionalist.“Mr. Polly’s world is a rich tapestry. The reader is transported to a world already gone, but not forgotten. It’s a cornucopia of themes, impressions, and moods. Like preparing a magical potion in a sorcerer’s cauldron, Malcolm Jack’s prose effectively uses a number of fascinating ingredients: The blend is sensuous, lascivious, delicious, funny, witty, ironic, intellectual, philosophical, political, historical, and human – a true cornucopia of life.”– João Mendonça, translator and author.“Malcolm Jack’s latest is a page-turner, a taut political thriller that never loses its momentum. The text has a cinematic quality, the protagonist a quiet Briton who contemplates the end of history and the fragility of empire. Hong Kong is lovingly and nostalgically depicted in glorious Technicolour as a city on the brink of change, at once beguiling and inscrutable.”– Kennie Ting, historian and curator.
£8.99 -
The Whimsical Tale of Silly Goozy
Goozy loved his friends Glitter and Gobble, but not as much as he loved adventure. Have you ever thought about swimming in the skies? How about living in a Christmas tree? Well, that was Goozy. He wanted to see it all and experience everything about life. So, one day, when his circle of friends was no longer enough for him to play and hang out with, he packed his bag and wandered off after taking his inheritance. Hmm… What did he do? Where did he go? How did he feel? Who did he meet? Did he ever come back? Find out in this beautiful story of friendship, belonging, adventure, bravery, and fun.
£9.99 -
All That Love Is
Have you ever been in love? Ever wanted to be in love? Or thought, ‘I’ve had enough of love – it’s so overrated’. Perhaps you’ve sat on the bus or the train going to work and every day the same guy sits opposite you and gives that nod and a smile that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck and you think, ‘Yes, he is the one’. Or maybe you’ve already met the man of your dreams and knew instantly you would spend the rest of your life with him. Lucky you! Or had your heart broken so many times that when the right guy did come along, you turned and ran a mile.
How about the guy you went to school with, the tough sporty type who always had the girls fawning over him, but you bump into him one day, chat and arrange to meet up for drinks, only to find out that he was in love with you all the time. Relationships in the straight world can be fickle at the best of times, but hey, in the ‘Gay’ arena of life, there are normally no rules except when cupid, that little devil, pokes you both with that pink fluffy arrow, and then… nothing else matters except LOVE.
£8.99 -
Jitz, an Unlikely Dwarven Warrior
Jitz was raised in Mount Thorus as a dwarf, but his unique nature set him apart, leaving him never truly accepted by his Clan. As King Olaff’s personal spy and assassin, Jitz undertook numerous secret missions across the Three Kingdoms of the Alliance. This novel focuses on Jitz’s exploits in the northern Iceland’s, detailing the liberation of both the Dwarven and Elven Kingdoms from the Nosphorom, the darkest of elves, long believed banished and deceased.
The story also chronicles Jitz’s coming of age, revealing his lineage and connections to Queen Siobhan, ruler of the Kingdom of Men, and his ties to the Prince and Princess of Amethystine, leaders of the Order of Drakontos Kavalaris, the Dragon Riders of the southern realm. Furthermore, it delves into his relationship with the most beautiful of elves, Lady Endoween. Dive into a tale of adventure, lineage, and love as Jitz navigates his complex identity and pivotal role in a world on the brink of change.
£10.99 -
The Little White Cat and His Pirate Hat
Embark on a swashbuckling adventure with The Little White Cat and His Pirate Hat, a heartwarming children’s tale that captures imaginations and warms hearts alike.
Meet a kind but timid little kitten who feels lost among his more confident siblings and family members. But when our lovable little white cat dons his pirate’s hat, he is transformed into a fearless adventurer. Along the way, he discovers that courage doesn’t come from the hat – it comes from the bravery that lies within himself.
Join the little white cat on a journey of self-discovery as he learns to harness self-belief and confidence. Perfect for young readers craving adventure and reassurance, this story will inspire children to embrace their unique qualities and sail bravely through life’s challenges.
A tale as timeless as buried treasure, this story is truly heartwarming and endearing.
£8.99 -
Notes from Solitude
In Notes from Solitude: Childhood, Dreams and Reflections, Ernest Chetachukwu Anudu lays bare the raw emotions of experiences and provides profound insights into understanding life’s events in a way that transcends emotional conviction.
The detailed curative narration of his childhood offers a window into the formative years shaping his worldview. Vivid descriptions of familial relationships, moments of joy, and instances of hardship provide a rich avenue for his readers to connect with him.
Each memory is painted with a delicate brush, capturing not only the events, but also the complex emotions and lessons entwined within them. The author’s reflections on these moments, his personal growth, and the lessons he learned revealed a person marked by resilience and a quest for meaning.
£9.99
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