A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and The Cricket on the Hearth, by Charles Dickens, is a collection of enchanting stories that have captivated generations. Within these pages, readers will find the most cheerful ghost story ever written and the unforgettable tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s moral regeneration.

Written in just a few weeks, A Christmas Carol recounts the plight of Bob Cratchit, whose family finds joy even in poverty, and the transformation of his miserly boss, Scrooge, as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.

From Scrooge’s exclamations of “Bah!” and “Humbug!” to Tiny Tim’s heartwarming “God bless us every one!”, the story shines with warmth, decency, kindness, humility, and the true value of the holidays. Beneath its sentimental surface, A Christmas Carol offers a sharply critical portrait of a brutal society, and an inspiring celebration of the possibility of spiritual, psychological, and social change.

This volume also includes The Chimes, a New Year’s tale, and The Cricket on the Hearth, a story where the cricket remains silent during sorrow and chirps amid happiness.

Meet the Saving Graces, four of the best friends a woman could ever have. For ten years, Emma, Rudy, Lee, and Isabel have shared a deep affection that has helped them deal with the ebb and flow of expectations and disappointments common to us all. Calling themselves the Saving Graces, the quartet is united by understanding, honesty, and acceptance — a connection that has grown stronger as the years go by.

Though these sisters of the heart and soul have seen it all and talked through it all, they are not prepared for a crisis of astounding proportions that will put their love and courage to the ultimate test.

Buntschatten und Fledermäuse, so unterscheidet Axel Brauns die Menschen in seiner Umgebung. Buntschatten verhalten sich ruhiger und lassen ihm die Chance, Kontakt mit ihnen aufzunehmen. Fledermäuse hingegen flattern wild um ihn herum, und in ihrer Gegenwart fühlt er sich nicht wohl.

Axel ist Autist und lebt in einer anderen Welt. Sein Buch gewährt uns einen tiefen Einblick in diese abgegrenzte, auf einer eigenen Ordnung beruhenden Welt, in der sich Axel wohl fühlt, die er aber gezwungenermaßen verlassen muss, um in unserer Gesellschaft nicht unter die Räder zu kommen.

Im Alter von zwei Jahren bricht die Krankheit aus: Axels Wahrnehmung verblasst, er verliert die Fähigkeit, seine Mitmenschen zu erkennen und zu verstehen, sein Sprachvermögen versiegt. Doch die Eltern kämpfen unermüdlich dagegen an, dass ihr Sohn in der sozialen Isolation versinkt. Mit viel Mühe, Geduld sowie einigen Tricksereien gelingt es, Axel so "normal" wie möglich aufwachsen zu lassen.

Er kommt in den Kindergarten, wird eingeschult und wechselt später sogar auf das "Geräusch" -- das Wort "Gymnasium" hat für Axel keinen Klang, und klanglose Worte sind für ihn nur "Geräusche". Doch trotz der vermittelten Normalität verbringt er die meiste Zeit in seiner Welt, weil dort vieles einfacher ist.

Axel besteht das Abitur und beginnt ein BWL-Studium. Er hat dem System ein Schnippchen geschlagen: "Die einen bleiben sitzen, die anderen werden versetzt. Ich gehörte zu keiner der beiden Arten, ich hatte es geschafft, bereits vor der ersten Klasse sitzen zu bleiben, ohne dass es ein Lehrer gemerkt hatte."

Trotz seines Arrangements mit der Normalität bleibt eine gewisse Tragik spürbar, denn die Gefühlswelt der Buntschatten bleibt Axel verschlossen. Die Bedeutung von Liebe, Tod, Mitleid und Humor erschließt sich ihm nur ansatzweise. Und dieses Unvermögen macht Axel wohl am meisten zu schaffen, wenn er am Ende bekennt: "Alle Jugendlichen spazierten mit Siebenmeilenstiefeln in das Leben hinaus. Niemals würde ich ihnen folgen können."

Vielleicht gelingt es uns Buntschatten mithilfe dieses bewegenden Buches, Axel Brauns Welt ein bisschen besser zu verstehen.

Seth Quinn is finally home. It's been a long journey. After a harrowing boyhood with his drug-addicted mother, Seth had been taken in by the Quinn family, growing up with three older brothers who'd watched over him with love.

Now a grown man returning from Europe as a successful painter, Seth is settling down on Maryland's Eastern Shore, surrounded once again by Cam, Ethan, and Phil, their wives and children, and all the blessed chaos of the extended Quinn clan. Finally, he's back in the little blue-and-white house where there's always a boat at the dock, a rocker on the porch, and a dog in the yard.

Still, a lot has changed in St. Christopher's since he's been gone—and the most intriguing change of all is the presence of Dru Whitcomb Banks. A city girl who has opened a florist shop in this seaside town, she craves independence and the challenge of establishing herself without the influence of her wealthy connections. In Seth, she sees another kind of challenge—a challenge that she can't resist.

But storms are brewing that are about to put their relationship to the test. Dru's past has made her sensitive to deception and slow to trust. And Seth's past has made him a target of blackmail—as a secret he's kept hidden for years threatens to explode, destroying his new life and his new love.

Carly Adams feels as if she's been given a new lease on life. Born with a rare eye disease, she was blind until a recent operation restored her sight. Now, she's eager to experience everything the world has to offer—including the sweet talk of a handsome cowboy who rouses her with desire.

But she isn't prepared for the consequences, especially when a night of searing passion results in a pregnancy that threatens her eyesight—and all her dreams for the future...

Hank Coulter has no plans to settle down—until he discovers that Carly Adams is carrying his child. Obsessed with making things right, he bullies the blue-eyed beauty into marrying him. With her radiant smile and remarkable goodness, Carly is exactly the kind of wife he's always imagined by his side.

But if Hank wants their practical arrangement to become permanent, he's going to have to convince Carly that one moment of risk can bring about a lifetime of joy...

Sullivan's Island is set in the steamy, stormy landscape of South Carolina, telling the unforgettable story of one woman's courageous journey toward truth. Born and raised on idyllic Sullivan's Island, Susan Hayes navigated her turbulent childhood with humor, spunk, and characteristic Southern sass.

Years later, Susan is a conflicted woman dealing with an unfaithful husband, a sometimes resentful teenage daughter, and a heart that aches with painful, poignant memories. As Susan faces her uncertain future, she realizes that she must go back to her past. To the beachfront house where her sister welcomes her with open arms. To the only place she can truly call home.

Fruits Basket: The Complete Collection is an extraordinary manga series that captivates readers with its heartfelt and whimsical storytelling. This collection brings together all 23 volumes of the beloved series, offering a comprehensive journey through the lives of its unforgettable characters.

The story revolves around Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted high school girl who finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family. As she becomes entwined in their lives, Tohru discovers the Sohmas' secret: they are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex.

Experience the magic, the humor, and the poignant moments as Tohru's presence begins to heal the Sohma family's broken hearts. This collection is a must-read for fans of manga and those who cherish tales of friendship, love, and self-discovery.

Katie, the daughter of a plantation owner, and Mayme, the daughter of a slave, find themselves with only each other after the Civil War. They devise a scheme to keep Katie's plantation going, disguising the fact they are all alone.

Now, in book three, the girls face new threats to their security. A long-lost uncle appears and then disappears suddenly, taking their secret with him. Then a flood threatens to destroy the remaining cotton crop they need to save the plantation from foreclosure.

Filled with fascinating period details, challenging questions of faith, and heartwarming friendship, this series has all the elements historical fiction fans love.

Big Fish is the story of Edward Bloom, a man who, in his prime, was nothing short of extraordinary. He could outrun anybody, never missed a day of school, saved lives, and tamed giants. Animals loved him. People loved him. Women loved him (and he loved them back). He knew more jokes than any man alive.

Now, as he lies dying, Edward Bloom continues to share his jokes and tall tales, stories that have made him larger-than-life in the eyes of his son, William. This narrative unfolds through a series of legends and myths, inspired by the few facts William knows about his father. Through these tales—hilarious and wrenching, tender and outrageous—William begins to understand his elusive father's great feats and his great failings.

Big Fish is a tale of mythical proportions, offering a heartfelt journey through the life stories of an extraordinary man. It is a blend of humor and mythical adventures, making it a truly unique read.

"Take my camel, dear," said my aunt Dot, as she climbed down from this animal on her return from High Mass. So begins The Towers of Trebizond, the greatest novel by Rose Macaulay, one of the eccentric geniuses of English literature.

In this fine and funny adventure set in the backlands of modern Turkey, a group of highly unusual travel companions makes its way from Istanbul to legendary Trebizond. Along the way, they encounter potion-dealing sorcerers, recalcitrant policemen, and Billy Graham on tour with a busload of Southern evangelists.

But though the dominant note of the novel is humorous, its pages are shadowed by heartbreak as the narrator confronts the specters of ancient empires, religious turmoil, and painful memories of lost love.

Stijn en Carmen behoren tot de hip, healthy and wealthy. Ze hebben beiden een eigen bedrijf en zijn de trotse ouders van de eenjarige Luna. Aan geld en vrienden geen gebrek. Ze leven als God in Amsterdam.

Totdat bij de mooie en optimistische Carmen borstkanker wordt geconstateerd. Op slag verandert hun wereld in een rollercoaster-rit langs artsen en ziekenhuizen.

De hedonistische Stijn gaat trouw mee naar Carmen's chemokuren en bestralingen, maar stort zich ’s avonds in het nachtleven en op de vrouwen van Amsterdam, Miami en Breda.

José Saramago is a master at pacing. Readers unfamiliar with the work of this Portuguese Nobel Prize winner would do well to begin with The Cave, a novel of ideas, shaded with suspense. Spare and pensive, The Cave follows the fortunes of an aging potter, Cipriano Algor, beginning with his weekly delivery of plates to the Center, a high-walled, windowless shopping complex, residential community, and nerve center that dominates the region.

What sells at the Center will sell everywhere else, and what the Center rejects can barely be given away in the surrounding towns and villages. The news for Cipriano that morning isn't good. Half of his regular pottery shipment is rejected, and he is told that the consumers now prefer plastic tableware. Over the next week, he and his grown daughter Marta grieve for their lost craft, but they gradually open their eyes to the strange bounty of their new condition: a stray dog adopts them, and a lovely widow enters Cipriano's life.

When they are invited to live at the Center, it seems ungracious to refuse, but there are some strange developments under the complex, and a troubling increase in security, and Cipriano changes all their fates by deciding to investigate. In Saramago's able hands, what might have become a dry social allegory is a delicately elaborated story of individualism and unexpected love.

Set in Kerrville, Kansas, The Center of Everything is narrated by Evelyn Bucknow, an endearing character with a wholly refreshing way of looking at the world. Living with her single mother in a small apartment, Evelyn Bucknow is a young girl navigating her way through adolescence.

With a voice that is as charming as it is recognizable, Evelyn immerses the reader in the dramas of an entire community. The people of Kerrville, stuck at once in the middle of nowhere but also at the center of everything, are the source from which Moriarty draws universal dilemmas of love and belief to render a story that grows in emotional intensity.

This novel takes the reader on an emotional journey, lifting them to heights achieved only by the finest of fiction.

Every year, Ceyala "Lala" Reyes' family—aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, and Lala's six older brothers—packs up three cars and, in a wild ride, drive from Chicago to the Little Grandfather and Awful Grandmother's house in Mexico City for the summer.

Struggling to find a voice above the boom of her brothers and to understand her place on this side of the border and that, Lala is a shrewd observer of family life. But when she starts telling the Awful Grandmother's life story, seeking clues to how she got to be so awful, grandmother accuses Lala of exaggerating.

Soon, a multigenerational family narrative turns into a whirlwind exploration of storytelling, lies, and life. Like the cherished rebozo, or shawl, that has been passed down through generations of Reyes women, Caramelo is alive with the vibrations of history, family, and love.

Dicey's Song follows the journey of the four abandoned Tillerman children as they settle in with their grandmother. Dicey discovers that their new beginnings require a lot of love, trust, humor, and courage.

The story unfolds with Dicey navigating her new role, finding her own identity after being the caretaker, navigator, and decision maker for her siblings. Letting go of some responsibilities becomes a necessary and painful part of her growth.

Amidst new friends, a growing relationship with her grandmother, and the satisfaction of refinishing an old boat, Dicey experiences the trials and pleasures of making a new life. But, as the past comes back with devastating force, she learns just how crucial and challenging letting go can be.

An elderly artist and her six-year-old granddaughter spend a summer together on a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. As they navigate each other's fears, whims, and yearnings for independence, a fierce yet understated love emerges—one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the island itself, with its mossy rocks, windswept firs, and unpredictable seas.

Full of brusque humour and wisdom, The Summer Book is a profoundly life-affirming story. Tove Jansson captured much of her own experience and spirit in the book, which was her favourite of the novels she wrote for adults. This edition brings back a European literary gem—fresh, authentic, and deeply humane.

When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight—and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers who drinks too much and has a gun—and abuses his dogs.

So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger.

How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his?

Ever since legwarmers were cool, best friends Tara, Katherine, and Fintan have survived small-town ennui, big-city heartbreak, and endless giddy nights out on the town. But now that they've graduated to their slightly more serious thirties, only Fintan has what can honestly be called a "love life."

With Tara struggling daily with her eternal diet—and her dreadful, penny-pinching boyfriend—and Katherine keeping her single existence as organized as her drawer full of matching bra and panty sets, it seems they'll never locate the exit door out of the "last chance saloon."

But it's always when you are least ready for change that fate insists on one. And when catastrophe inevitably follows crisis, the lives of three best friends are sure to change in unexpected ways... and not necessarily for the worse.

"Coming Home" is a powerful and emotional journey that follows Amy Fleming through the tumultuous aftermath of losing her beloved mother. She faces the daunting challenge of continuing her mother's cherished work at Heartland—a sanctuary dedicated to the healing of abused and abandoned horses.

After a tragic accident on a stormy night claims her mother's life, Amy must find the strength and courage to keep her mother's dream alive. With her innate skill and deep love for horses, Amy embarks on a path of healing and hope, both for herself and the horses that come to Heartland.

Join Amy as she navigates the complexities of grief, love, and renewal in this heartwarming story of resilience and passion.

The women of Freesia Court are convinced that there is nothing that good coffee, delectable desserts, and a strong shoulder can’t fix. Laughter is the glue that holds them together—the foundation of a book group they call AHEB (Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons), an unofficial “club” that becomes much more. It becomes a lifeline.

Holding on through forty eventful years, there’s Faith, a lonely mother of twins who harbors a terrible secret that has condemned her to living a lie; big, beautiful Audrey, the resident sex queen who knows that with good posture and an attitude you can get away with anything; Merit, the shy doctor’s wife with the face of an angel and the private hell of an abusive husband; Kari, a wise woman with a wonderful laugh who knows the greatest gifts appear after life’s fiercest storms; and finally, Slip, a tiny spitfire of a woman who isn’t afraid to look trouble straight in the eye.

This stalwart group of friends depicts a special slice of American life, of stay-at-home days and new careers, of children and grandchildren, of bold beginnings and second chances, in which the power of forgiveness, understanding, and the perfectly timed giggle fit is the CPR that mends broken hearts and shattered dreams.

Tree-ear, an orphan, lives under a bridge in Ch’ulp’o, a potters’ village famed for delicate celadon ware. He has become fascinated with the potter’s craft; he wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday.

When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated – until he finds obstacles in his path: the backbreaking labor of digging and hauling clay, Min’s irascible temper, and his own ignorance. But Tree-ear is determined to prove himself – even if it means taking a long, solitary journey on foot to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission... even if it means arriving at the royal court with nothing to show but a single celadon shard.

This is a tale of courage, honor, and perseverance set in 12th-century Korea, beautifully bringing to life the world of ceramics and the indomitable spirit of a young boy.

Up a Road Slowly is the Newbery Award-winning novel from the beloved author of Across Five Aprils and No Promises in the Wind. It is a beautifully crafted story that follows a young girl's journey of coming of age.

After the tragic death of her mother, Julie goes to live with her Aunt Cordelia, a spinster schoolteacher. In this new environment, she experiences a whirlwind of emotions and changes as she grows from the tender age of seven to eighteen.

Julie fondly remembers the happy days at Aunt Cordelia’s, running through spacious rooms and singing on rainy nights by the fireplace. However, she also faces sad times—the painful jealousy after her sister's marriage, the tragic death of a schoolmate, and the bitter disappointment of her first love.

Through these experiences, Julie learns significant life lessons, understanding the importance of fairness and self-discovery. Hunt's writing offers readers an emotional rollercoaster that adds a new dimension to their lives, capturing the essence of growth, change, and the pursuit of new beginnings.

"Oscar et la dame rose" presents the letters sent to God by a ten-year-old child. These letters were discovered by Mamie Rose, the "dame rose" who visits him at the children's hospital. They describe twelve days in the life of Oscar, twelve days that are quirky and poetic, filled with funny and moving characters. These twelve days might be his last twelve. However, thanks to the strong bond of love formed with Mamie Rose, these twelve days will become legendary.

How did pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux find herself in this fix? She can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Alex Markov, however, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. As humorless as he is deadly handsome, he drags the irrepressible Daisy away from her uptown life and sets out to tame her. Except it won't be as easy as he thinks.

This man without a soul has met a woman who's nothing but heart. Will vows spoken in haste shatter... or offer the promise of love everlasting?

Roses for Mama is a captivating story of a young girl who must assume responsibility for raising her younger siblings. Instead of the new life she and her family expected to forge out west, seventeen-year-old Angela is thrust into the role of caring for her three younger siblings after the tragic death of their parents.

With the help of her older brother and a steadfast trust in God, Angela is determined to raise the children as her mother would have wanted. As the youngsters grow, the questions and challenges intensify, leaving Angela feeling trapped and overwhelmed.

Surely no man will ever want a woman who comes with three children in tow. Is this the plan God has for her life? Will she ever find a way to balance her own dreams with the promises she made to her mama?

This heartwarming tale explores themes of family, faith, and the courage to face life's unexpected challenges.

In a heartwarming novel that is destined to become a Christmas classic, acclaimed author Elvira Woodruff tells the story of two orphaned sisters whose lives are forever changed by a magical doll.

Lucy and Glory are orphaned sisters with no real place to call home. Only their memories of a beautiful doll named Morning Glory brighten their bleak lives. When a deadly fever sweeps through the workhouse where the girls live, Lucy and Glory flee to the mean streets of London.

One day, the girls find an old battered doll that Glory senses is their beloved Morning Glory. But Morning Glory is no ordinary doll — the girls learn that she has magical powers that will change their lives in amazing ways.

With the help of the doll, the sisters discover the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.

Rohinton Mistry’s enthralling novel is at once a domestic drama and an intently observed portrait of present-day Bombay in all its vitality and corruption. At the age of seventy-nine, Nariman Vakeel, already suffering from Parkinson’s disease, breaks an ankle and finds himself wholly dependent on his family. His step-children, Coomy and Jal, have a spacious apartment (in the inaptly named Chateau Felicity), but are too squeamish and resentful to tend to his physical needs.

Nariman must now turn to his younger daughter, Roxana, her husband, Yezad, and their two sons, who share a small, crowded home. Their decision will test not only their material resources but, in surprising ways, all their tolerance, compassion, integrity, and faith. Sweeping and intimate, tragic and mirthful, Family Matters is a work of enormous emotional power.

Swift as Desire is an enchanting and bittersweet story touched with graphic earthiness and wit. Laura Esquivel explores the profound theme that keeping secrets will always lead to unhappiness, while communication is the key to love.

Júbilo was born with a smile on his face, possessing a unique gift for hearing what was in people's hearts. As a young boy, he acted as an interpreter, transforming words of spite into words of respect, turning mutual hatred into love.

Growing up to be a humble telegraph operator, Júbilo used his gift to bring happiness to others. However, as the telegraph becomes obsolete, he finds himself on his deathbed, estranged from his beloved wife, Lucha. A tragic event has driven a wedge between them, leading to a seemingly irreparable rift.

Their daughter endeavors to reconcile her parents, acting as an interpreter, just as Júbilo did, hoping to mend the rift before it's too late. Swift as Desire is a loving tribute to Esquivel's father and a poignant tale of love, secrets, and the power of communication.

When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone. Everyone said she was a fraud, that she was just making it up. I'd really like to know why the hell a person would make up a thing like that.

Written with the snap, glitter, and wit of The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, God-Shaped Hole is a memorable, poignant love story that will leave you weeping with laughter.

It is told in the wry, vulnerable voice of Beatrice "Trixie" Jordan who replies to a personal ad, "If your intentions are pure I am seeking a friend for the end of the world." In doing so, she meets Jacob Grace, a charming, effervescent thirty-something writer, a free spirit who is a passionate seeker of life.

He possesses his own turn of phrase and ways of thinking and feeling that dissonantly harmonize with Trixie's off-center vision as they roller coaster through the joys and furies of their wrenching romance. Along the way, they try to come to terms with the hurt brought about by their distant fathers who, in different ways, forsook them.

This story will prove so touching you will rush to share it with a friend or loved one or even a stranger.

Sharla Cody is only five, but has already lived a troubled life — only to find herself dumped on an elderly neighbor's doorstep when her mother takes off for the summer. Although Sharla is not the angelic child Addy Shadd had pictured when she agreed to look after her, the two soon forge a deep bond.

To Addy's surprise, Sharla's presence brings back memories of her own childhood in Rusholme, a town settled by fugitive slaves in the mid-1800s. She reminisces about her family, her first love, and the painful experience that drove her away from home.

Heartbreaking and wise, Rush Home Road tells the life story of Adelaide Shadd, who finds redemption in old age, and Sharla, a five-year-old mixed race girl abandoned to Addy’s care by her white mother. Born in the first decade of the 20th century in Rusholme (inspired by the real town of Buxton), in southwestern Ontario, an all-black community settled by fugitive slaves, Addy Shadd is raped as a teenager and forced to flee the family home. She makes her way on foot to Detroit, where she becomes the housekeeper for an elderly man and his grown son, both of whom develop a crush on her. When misfortune strikes again, she sets off to make a new life for herself in Canada.

Thrown off the train at Keating, not far from her birthplace, she meets and eventually marries the train porter, the wonderful Mose, with whom she has a daughter. But when tragedy strikes, Addy is left alone. Now an old woman, she lives a quiet existence in a trailer park near Chatham. Her whole world changes when a young mother asks her to babysit her daughter, as it soon becomes clear that the mother is never coming back. Addy is glad of the company, but not sure if she’s up to the job of mothering this sweet, awkward five-year-old. Nor is she sure how much longer she’ll be around to do so.

Written with verve, grace, and unflinching emotional acuity, Rush Home Road is an epic story that explodes our notions of identity, justice, and heroism, penetrating one of our darkest periods with profound insight and humanity. Addy Shadd is a protagonist like no other — full of quiet, steely bravery and tenderness of heart. This spellbinding novel will leave no reader untouched.

In a small neighborhood, atop a hill in Pittsburgh, thrives a world where neighbors don't move away, where friends become family, and where community takes on a deeper meaning. Welcome to the inviting and intriguing neighborhood of Troy Hill. Unlike nearby towns, the families of Troy Hill have lived in the same neighborhood for generations, providing continuity in these women's lives and depth in their relationships. They christened babies, raised children, and even buried their loved ones together. Now in their seventies and eighties, the women of Troy Hill form a community of independent souls, who find joy in each other and solace in service.

Troy Hill and these women resonate beyond this hilltop, providing insight into bonds between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, sisters and friends. From them we learn to shape our lives with love and humor.

Veteran reporter Clare Ansberry brings to life these vibrant women, and offers some invaluable lessons about acceptance, faith, and family. A portrait of American life and a hymn to the durability of the human spirit, The Women of Troy Hill is an inspiration for us all.

Briar Rose is a powerful retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, woven with elements of history and mystery.

Rebecca has always been captivated by her grandmother Gemma's enchanting stories of Briar Rose. However, upon making a promise to her dying grandmother, Rebecca embarks on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth behind Gemma's astonishing claim: I am Briar Rose.

This journey leads Rebecca through a tapestry of unspeakable brutality and horror, but also guides her towards redemption and hope. The story beautifully intertwines the magical fairy tale with the harsh realities of history, creating a narrative that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Crow Lake is that rare find, a first novel so quietly assured, so emotionally pitch perfect, you know from the opening page that this is the real thing—a literary experience in which to lose yourself, by an author of immense talent.

Here is a gorgeous, slow-burning story set in the rural “badlands” of northern Ontario, where heartbreak and hardship are mirrored in the landscape. For the farming Pye family, life is a Greek tragedy where the sins of the fathers are visited on the sons, and terrible events occur—offstage. Centerstage are the Morrisons, whose tragedy looks more immediate if less brutal, but is, in reality, insidious and divisive.

Orphaned young, Kate Morrison was her older brother Matt’s protegee, her fascination for pond life fed by his passionate interest in the natural world. Now a zoologist, she can identify organisms under a microscope but seems blind to the state of her own emotional life. And she thinks she’s outgrown her siblings—Luke, Matt, and Bo—who were once her entire world.

In this universal drama of family love and misunderstandings, of resentments harbored and driven underground, Lawson ratchets up the tension with heartbreaking humor and consummate control, continually overturning one’s expectations right to the very end.

Tragic, funny, unforgettable, this deceptively simple masterpiece about the perils of hero worship is a quiet tour de force that will catapult Mary Lawson to the forefront of fiction writers today.

Cannery Row is a book without much of a plot. Rather, it is an attempt to capture the feeling and people of a place, the cannery district of Monterey, California, which is populated by a mix of those down on their luck and those who choose for other reasons not to live "up the hill" in the more respectable area of town. The flow of the main plot is frequently interrupted by short vignettes that introduce us to various denizens of the Row, most of whom are not directly connected with the central story. These vignettes are often characterized by direct or indirect reference to extreme violence: suicides, corpses, and the cruelty of the natural world.

The "story" of Cannery Row follows the adventures of Mack and the boys, a group of unemployed yet resourceful men who inhabit a converted fish-meal shack on the edge of a vacant lot down on the Row. Sweet Thursday is the sequel to Cannery Row.

Cão Como Nós tells the story of a very special dog. This was not just any dog; he was a rebellious, capricious, and disobedient creature, yet he was one of us. He was our dog, or more than that, a dog who did not want to be a dog, and was a dog like us.

In this heartwarming tale, you will meet Kurika, a dog who is as much a part of the family as any human. With brown spots and a kind of white star on his head, Kurika knows about friendship (after all, a dog is man's best friend), solidarity, and even how to console and protect. He can sense danger and even 'cry' at loss, yet he remains proud and restless, sometimes disobedient and showy. This book is a joyful and moving tribute to a beloved pet.

Finding Fish is the remarkable memoir of Antwone Fisher's journey from abandonment and abuse to liberation, manhood, and extraordinary success.

Baby Boy Fisher was raised in institutions from birth, facing emotional abandonment and physical abuse. Despite these challenges, he refused to let his spirit be broken, nurturing a romantic heart and a wondrous imagination.

Fate brought him to the United States Navy, where he found a new family and became a man of the world. His journey continued as he worked as a federal correctional officer and a security guard at Sony Pictures, ultimately becoming one of Hollywood's most sought-after screenwriters.

In a tumultuous and gratifying tale of self-discovery, Antwone's story concludes with a return to Cleveland to unravel the mystery of his identity, connecting with his family.

Written in Fisher's gritty yet melodic literary voice, Finding Fish is an unforgettable reading experience.

At the Back of the North Wind is a timeless Victorian fairy tale that has enchanted readers for more than a hundred years. George MacDonald weaves a magical story of Diamond, the son of a poor coachman, who is swept away by the North Wind—a radiant, maternal spirit with long, flowing hair. Diamond's life is transformed by a brief glimpse of the beautiful country “at the back of the north wind.”

This novel combines a Dickensian regard for the working class of mid-19th-century England with the invention of an ethereal landscape. It is a journey of love, sacrifice, and the interplay between reality and imagination. The narrative follows young Diamond, whose adventures with the mystical North Wind reveal profound truths about human existence and the abstract concept of wonder.

Accompanied by Arthur Hughes’s handsome illustrations from the original 1871 edition, this beautifully presented edition invites readers to contemplate the nature of dreams and the essence of hope within the context of Victorian society. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of what lies 'at the back' of our own perceptions.

Miles Ryan's life seemed to end the day his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. As deputy sheriff of New Bern, North Carolina, he not only grieves for her and worries about their young son Jonah but longs to bring the unknown driver to justice. Then Miles meets Sarah Andrews, Jonah's second-grade teacher. A young woman recovering from a difficult divorce, Sarah moved to New Bern hoping to start over. Tentatively, Miles and Sarah reach out to each other...soon they are falling in love. But what neither realizes is that they are also bound together by a shocking secret, one that will force them to reexamine everything they believe in—including their love.

With the startling emotional immediacy of a fractured family photo album, Jennifer Lauck's incandescent memoir is the story of an ordinary girl growing up at the turn of the 1970s and the truly extraordinary circumstances of a childhood lost.

Wrenching and unforgettable, Blackbird will carry your heart away.

To young Jenny, the house on Mary Street was home — the place where she was loved, a blue-sky world of Barbies, Bewitched, and the Beatles. Even her mother's pain from her mysterious illness could be patted away with powder and a kiss on the cheek.

But when everything that Jenny had come to rely on begins to crumble, an odyssey of loss, loneliness, and a child's will to survive takes flight...

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Anderson presents the beloved Coulter family in a novel that's romantic through and through.

One glance. That's all it takes. Wealthy rancher Ryan Kendrick falls hard and fast for the lovely Bethany Coulter. A beguiling mix of sass and shyness, naivete and maturity, she shares his passion for horses, has a great sense of humor, and can light up a room with her beautiful smile. She's absolutely perfect—in every way but one...

A long-ago barrel-racing accident has left Bethany confined to a wheelchair. In the years since, she has known both betrayal and heartbreak—and vowed never to open her heart to a man again. She has even accepted the possibility that she'll never be able to enjoy a healthy intimate relationship—or have children of her own. But there's something about handsome Ryan Kendrick. Something that makes her believe she can overcome every obstacle. Something that makes her believe in lifelong, lasting love...

Like father, like son. Intelligent, popular, handsome, and wealthy, sixteen-year-old Nick Andreas is pretty much perfect—on the outside, at least. What no one knows—not even his best friend—is the terror that Nick faces every time he is alone with his father.

Then he and Caitlin fall in love, and Nick thinks his problems are over. Caitlin is the one person who he can confide in. But when things start to spiral out of control, Nick must face the fact that he's gotten more from his father than green eyes and money.

"How about a story? Spin us a yarn."Instantly, Phoebe Winterbottom came to mind. "I could tell you an extensively strange story," I warned."Oh, good!" Gram said. "Delicious!"And that is how I happened to tell them about Phoebe, her disappearing mother, and the lunatic.As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe's outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold — the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her missing mother.In her own award-winning style, Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, and utterly moving story of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion.

Love That Dog is a delightful and heartwarming tale about a young boy named Jack who initially hates poetry. "Only girls write it," he thinks, and every time he tries to write, his mind feels blank. However, his persistent teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, continues to assign poetry tasks, and Jack can't escape them.

But then, something amazing happens. As Jack writes more, he discovers he actually has something to say. The story unfolds in a series of poetic entries, revealing Jack's emotional journey and newfound love for poetry. It's a joyful and at times heartbreaking exploration of a young boy's feelings and thoughts.

John and Abby Reynolds are the perfect couple—envied by their friends, cherished by their children, admired by their peers. But John and Abby know they're just pretending to be happy. In fact, they're waiting for the right time to tell the kids they're going to divorce.

At the family meeting where they plan to tell their children, their daughter Nicole shares a surprise of her own: she's getting married. How can they spoil her joy with their announcement? They can pretend a little longer—until after the wedding. But questions begin to haunt them as the date draws nearer.

What happened to the love and commitment that held them together for so long? Is it still there somewhere under all the pain and misunderstanding? And is it still possible, alone in the moonlight on an old wooden pier, to once more find . . . a time to dance?

This is the first novel in Karen Kingsbury's celebrated series about the power of commitment and the amazing faithfulness of God.

Have you ever wanted to rewrite your past?

Three best friends, all with the same birthday, are about to turn forty. Celebrating at a summerhouse in Maine, Leslie Headrick, Madison Appleby, and Ellie Abbott are taking stock of their lives and loves, their wishes and choices. But none of them expect the gift that awaits them at the summerhouse: the chance for each of them to turn their “what-might-have-beens” into reality…

Leslie, a suburban wife and mother, follows the career of a boy who pursued her in college and wonders: what if she had chosen differently? Madison dropped a modeling career to help her high school boyfriend recover from an accident, even though he’d jilted her. But what if she had said “no” when her old boyfriend had called? Ellie became a famous novelist, but a bitter divorce wiped out her earnings—and shattered her belief in herself. Why had the “justice” system failed her? And could she prevent its happening the second time around?

Now, a mysterious “Madame Zoya,” offers each of them a chance to relive any three weeks from the past. Will the road not taken prove a better path? Each woman will have to decide for herself as she follows the dream that got away…and each must choose the life that will truly satisfy the heart’s deepest longings.

روی ماه خداوند را ببوس is a captivating novel by Mostafa Mastoor, a renowned Iranian author.

This story delves into the depths of human emotions and spirituality, exploring the intricate relationship between man and the divine.

Through its pages, readers are invited to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflection, as the characters navigate their personal struggles and aspirations.

Rich in cultural context and philosophical insights, this novel offers a unique perspective on life's profound questions.

Eddie's Bastard is William Amos Mann IV, known as Billy — the son of a heroic pilot killed in Vietnam and an unknown woman. The last in a line of proud, individualistic Irish-American men, Billy is discovered in a basket at the door of the dilapidated mansion where his bitter, hard-drinking grandfather, Thomas Mann, has exiled himself.

Astonished and moved by the arrival of his unexpected progeny, Thomas sets out to raise the boy himself — on a diet of love, fried baloney, and the fascinating lore of their shared heritage. Listening to his grandfather's tales, Billy sets out to capture the stories on paper.

He is a Mann, Grandpa reminds him daily, and thus destined for greatness. Through the tales of his ancestors, his own experiences, and the unforgettable characters who enhance and enliven his adolescence, Billy learns of bravery and cowardice, of life and death, of the heart's capacity for love and for unremitting hatred, eventually grasping the meaning of family and history and their power to shape destiny.

Steeped in imagery and threaded with lyricism, Eddie's Bastard is a novel of discovery, of a young man's emergence into the world, and the endless possibilities it offers.

When confronted by raging fires or deadly accidents, volunteer fireman Taylor McAden feels compelled to take terrifying risks to save lives. But there is one leap of faith Taylor can't bring himself to make: He can't fall in love. For all his adult years, Taylor has sought out women who need to be rescued, women he leaves as soon as their crisis is over, as soon as the relationship starts to become truly intimate.

Then, one day, a raging, record-breaking storm hits his small Southern town. Denise Holton, a young single mother, is driving through it when her car skids off the road. With her is her four-year-old son, Kyle, a boy with severe learning disabilities and for whom she has sacrificed everything. Unconscious and bleeding, she—but not Kyle—will be found by Taylor McAden. And when she wakes, the chilling truth becomes clear to both of them: Kyle is gone.

During the search for Kyle, the connection, the lifeline, between Taylor and Denise takes root. Taylor doesn't know that this rescue will be different from all the others, demanding far more than raw physical courage. That it will lead him to the possibility of his own rescue from a life lived without love. That it will require him to open doors to his past that were slammed shut by pain. That it will dare him to live life to the fullest by daring to love.

In The Rescue, Nicholas Sparks weaves his inimitable spell, immersing us in the passions and the surprising complexities of modern relationships—and in doing so, teaching us something about our own.