Recommended Reads
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Waking Up in Africa
“Today was the most wonderful day of my life,” he says. “Today, my life stopped being hard.” That’s it. I hang up and cry.
When Gila Svirsky moves to Uganda to follow her wife’s new job, she is drawn into the lives of a group of mostly parentless teens—hungry to stay in school, desperate to carve out a future. As her plan to provide them with support takes shape, they slowly become her extended family, opening their hearts and lives to her. But she carries a dangerous secret: she is married to the woman posing as her sister. In Uganda, being gay is a felony, and even knowing but failing to report a gay person carries a harsh prison sentence.
From the front lines of peace activism in Israel to the uncertain paths of Uganda’s rural teenagers, this is a memoir of reinvention by PEN Prize winner Gila Svirsky. It’s a story of seeking purpose in unfamiliar places, of risking the consequences of discovery, and of the unexpected ways resilience, trust, and quiet determination reshape all their lives.
“Svirsky’s story is a testament to the grace of lives lived with commitment, empathy, and purpose. Thanks to her engaging literary voice and endearing humor, this inspiring memoir comes to vibrant life on the page.”
– Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author and founding editor of Ms. Magazine
“This brilliant memoir is a tribute to what is possible, to the idea that all of us—regardless of faith, race, nationality, gender, economics, or sexual orientation—can participate in the much-needed work of making this a better world.”
– Ruth Messinger, former Manhattan Borough President
and past president of the American Jewish World Service“This is an engaging and powerful memoir—a travelogue equal parts hilarious and inspiring. It is the account of a woman who, while changing the lives of a group of Ugandan teenagers, transforms her own. A testament to the power of quiet activism and enduring connection.”
– Jessie Montell, former Executive Director, Hamoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual,
and recipient of France’s National Order of Merit.The Book Contains 39 full‑colour photographs
£13.64 -
Whispers of the Veil
Raised in the human world under the quiet watch of trusted guardians, she’s kept her heritage – and her powers – carefully hidden. As the daughter of a respected family from the ancient kingdom of Verdalen, Faelan has always known her life was never truly her own.
On the day she turns eighteen, the truth can no longer be contained.
Summoned to Ethereon Academy, Faelan enters a realm ruled by elemental magic, powerful shifter Orders, and kingdoms teetering on the edge of war. As she trains among heirs and warriors, scholars and spies, she finds herself entangled in secrets older than the realm itself – and watched by forces that have waited far too long to rise again.
Her brother is preparing to pledge his soul to the royal line. His allies—loyal, deadly, and far more complicated than they appear—draw Faelan into their tangled world of legacy and loyalty. Among them are twin blood-sworn candidates and a royal adversary who seems to know more than he should.
But in a realm where power is inherited and loyalty is tested, Faelan’s greatest threat may not lie in the war around her...
But in the whispers stirring within.
Some truths are buried for a reason.
£11.69 -
Vive la Différence!
Everybody knows that the histories of England, and then Britain, and of France have, one way or another, been closely connected since at least the time of the Norman Conquest. And yet, this long-standing warm, and sometimes not so warm, relationship has been accompanied by different ways in which everyday things are done and said in our two countries. In a well-researched, factual, highly entertaining and easily readable account, Richard Symington examines the differences in traditions and contemporary customs in France and Britain and the way our languages differ and, indeed, in some respects are the same. His account is interspersed with his comments, sometimes sarcastic, amusing anecdotes, humour, and much relevant and interesting history.
The book is a must for anyone wishing to be reminded of the rich Norman French heritage of the English language, to discover interesting facts about French life generally, to navigate curiosities and oddities and, dare it be said, some anomalies and idiosyncrasies of the French language and of the French way of doing things, to learn some relevant snippets from history, or simply to improve their French, both spoken and written, and anyone who plans to visit France, on holiday or business, and wants some good topics with which to open up conversations.
£6.49 -
Infantrymen
Infantrymen is a book the reader won’t want to put down as they accompany the author on a journey through the lives of four young Sheffield brothers: three lives that terminated on the battlefields of France and Flanders and for one, the War Hospital in Bradford.
With an all-embracing level of detail, Mick Drewry has created a moving picture of a turn-of-the-century working-class family that had moved from the idyllic Lincolnshire countryside to the dark and dismal east end of Sheffield, capturing the personal stories of four young men’s transition from infants to infantrymen.
Whilst this is a must-read for anyone of Pridmore pedigree, this is a riveting book that those interested in local history, social history, military history, or genealogy will find fascinating. It grips the readers’ emotions like no work of fiction could do because it is a real story—a story of love, of fear, of courage, of great personal loss and of grief.
Infantrymen is an intensely moving piece of biography meticulously researched and skilfully written by a great-grandson of one of the Pridmore brothers; lest we forget!
£6.49 -
Astro & B.O.B in the Sticky Mystery
Hello, Earthlings!!
Why do some things slide, stick, or stop? Join Astro, the curious space explorer, and his trusty robot buddy B.O.B. as they return to Earth and land straight into a muddy, slippery, and totally puzzling adventure!
When Astro’s feet get stuck in the mud and he slides down a hill like a rocket, one thing becomes clear: Earth is full of invisible forces! From sticky ground to speedy slopes, from clever geckos to floating feathers, Astro and B.O.B. are on a mission to discover the truth about friction and force.
Packed with laughs, facts, home experiments, and the basics of the scientific method, this first adventure in the Astro & B.O.B. series makes science fun, funny, and full of wonder.
Perfect for curious minds aged 7–11. Aligned with early science curriculum Includes hands-on activities to try at home. Encourages kids to ask questions and think like scientists. Designed to be read aloud and acted out between parent and child.
Join Astro & B.O.B in their next adventure:
Ripples and Echoes: Discovering Sound Waves
Written for my daughter, Emily
£6.49 -
You Are My Yellow
Let’s take a trip to a land where everything is green! There we meet Tony, a yellow monster who always stands out, despite his quirky attempts to blend in.
His unusual colour leaves him feeling lonely and out of place. That is, until one day, he crosses paths with Penny, a small red dragon who is also a unique case. Penny is unlike any other dragon and finds that hard to face.
The unexpected friends see themselves through each other’s eyes, and something clicks! They can be happy together, they realise; there is nothing a good friendship cannot fix!
Together, Tony and Penny begin a journey of self-acceptance, courage, and the magic of finding someone who truly understands.
Join them as they prove that standing out or fitting in doesn’t really matter in life… It’s simply magic to be you!
£6.49 -
Haunted Past
I have loved Lance Mongomery for as long as I can remember.
But one night, when I was nine, he broke me; he broke my whole concept of love.
So I ran away; I ran far and hard.
I tried so hard to find myself, to find my inner peace.
But now I am twenty-six, and I am called back home, back to the pits of my nightmares.
Coming face to face with the hauntings of my past.
Seeing Lance Mongomery was harder than I thought, and he knew exactly how to get under my skin.
And by gosh did he.
He changed my life once again, FOREVER.
But what do I do now? How do I continue to be in Seattle with him?
Lance may be one of my biggest known reasons for leaving, but I have far more demons in my closet.
There are far more reasons to not be here.
I just hope they never come out.
I hope no one ever learns the haunting details of my upbringing, because if they did, it would ruin everything.
It would destroy my entire family.
Like a bomb, it would blow us all to pieces.
And how do you pick up pieces when they have been blown too far apart?
I guess only time will tell; only time will allow us to learn and to heal.
I just hope it’s not too late.
£7.14 -
Time Lingers Not
SHOOTING AT BALMORAL
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF TEENAGE WAIFS OF NORTH
LONDON STREETS
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS
SUPER PARTY AT OXFORD
The story follows the exotic events with which Gordon wrestles. He is studying for his degree in Oxford, and he runs a 20,000-acre estate and various associated companies. He is the Queen’s bodyguard as a member of the Royal Protection squad. He is also her private advisor. He plays cricket and is getting into the international hotel business.
Having obtained his degree, the Queen gives him a job as Head of MI9, a role she previously inherited from her father but has to give up due to the pressure of royal duties. Before even entering his new office, he is involved with Interpol in investigating the disappearance of teenagers from London streets and traces the carnage caused by the gang selling body parts. As a continuation of this, he uncovers a sex orgy club in Soho and arrests many famous people and film stars.
In reward for all his activities, Her Majesty throws a party for him in Oxford, where an assassination attempt on him is foiled.
This is an exciting read, especially as much of it is from real life.
£9.74 -
Tring and the Trolls
Tring is a very special tiny little man who has had many adventures during his long life; he is also friends with Itty Bitty Me and Katarina. But in this story, he has been tasked with the job of not only finding where the trolls are but also finding out what they have done with Queen Marigold and why she has been kidnapped.
Maya, who is Queen Marigold’s handmaiden, has arrived in his garden quite dishevelled and at a loss of what to do to find her queen. Dif the giant has told her the best person to ensure that Queen Marigold is found and safely returned would be Tring, as he had helped Dif many years ago finding his Fayette, who the trolls had also kidnapped.
Tring would need help to return Queen Marigold where she belonged, so he decided he would contact all his friends who had helped him before.
An exciting and sometimes dangerous adventure begins with Tring and his many friends only too happy to lend a hand as they did before.
Does he succeed? Who will help him? Only time will tell.
£7.79 -
The Hereafter
Justin Ebberson lived and worked on Roa Island, near Barrow-in-Furness, and he had spent the last two years grieving over the death of the love of his life, Jean Baxter. Joining the Territorial Army was meant to help him get over his loss, but eventually he yearned for a new partner, which led to a love triangle, or was it lust? Would he find his way out of this?In another northern community, namely Workington, John Seeton had a marriage that he wanted to protect, and his connection with a brass band wasn’t helping. As if that wasn’t enough, John found himself on the fringe of another love triangle that involved his ex-wife. Could his marriage survive?Whilst these two northern communities played out their own dramas, they were interconnected, and a link between Justin and John influenced their individual fortunes.
£7.14 -
Faith by Reflection II
A Christian conversion is an experience like no other. It is a journey, often a long one, which takes a person from a state of indifference and distraction to a state of submission and adoration. The question is, how can this experience be conveyed to the public? In the heart of man, every beat is a note in the melody of life.
As the chords are touched, notes sound, and melodies are made. In a rare moment, the right chord is touched in the F key, and Faith echoes. From then on, the melody will remain in the F key with Jesus conducting.
The melody reaches a climax with the last note played in the E key, Eternity. Melodies played in the F key, ending in the E key, wrapped in meaning, and harmonised by Christ for a better sound, please the Lord. It is hoped that the poems and the proverbs written in this book will touch the hearts of the readers to generate a response which is worthy of a true inner faith in God.
£3.89 -
Johnny, The Inventor – Book 3
The school science fair is fast approaching. Johnny is determined to not only win the grand prize of ‘The Young Inventor’s Award’, but he is also going to show everyone just what an ‘awesome inventor’ he really is by creating something so mind-blowing that it will change the world as we know it. Johnny’s secret inventor’s tools, his ‘big inventor’s armchair’ and his ‘red inventor’s thinking cap’, provide him with the most brilliant, futuristic vision ever – ‘extraordinary flying shoes’ that will follow your every command and take you wherever you need to go fast, fearless and fuss-free.
A lot of skill and expertise help create Johnny’s flying shoes; Mr Giovanni, Johnny’s Italian neighbour and his dad make sure of this. So, what can possibly go wrong? Are Johnny’s futuristic flying shoes really that ‘extraordinary’, or are they just fancy feet flying fast?
Join Johnny on his life-changing, hilarious and extraordinary journey of creation, calamity and ultimately, celebration!
£5.19
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