M. R. James is widely regarded as the father of the modern ghost story, and his tales have influenced horror writers from H. P. Lovecraft to Stephen King. First published in the early 1900s, they have never been out of print and are recognized as classics of the genre.

This collection contains some of his most chilling tales, including A View from a Hill, Rats, A School Story, The Ash Tree, and The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance. These tales cannot fail to send a shiver down your spine.

The Book of Laughter and Forgetting is described as a dazzling entertainment that is arousing on every level—political, erotic, intellectual, and above all, humorous. It calls itself a novel, although it is part fairy tale, part literary criticism, part political tract, part musicology, and part autobiography. It can call itself whatever it wants to, because the whole is genius.

Rich in its stories, characters, and imaginative range, this novel brought Milan Kundera his first big international success in the late 1970s. Like all his work, it is valuable for far more than just its historical implications. In seven wonderfully integrated parts, different aspects of human existence are magnified and reduced, reordered and emphasized, newly examined, analyzed, and experienced.

A Death in the Family is a classic American novel, re-published for the 100th anniversary of James Agee's birth. Published in 1957, two years after its author's death at the age of forty-five, this novel remains a near-perfect work of art. It is an autobiographical novel that contains one of the most evocative depictions of loss and grief ever written.

As Jay Follet hurries back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, he is killed in a car accident—a tragedy that destroys not only a life but also the domestic happiness and contentment of a young family. This is a novel of great courage, lyric force, and powerful emotion, truly a masterpiece of American literature.

The Mysterious Stranger is a novel by Mark Twain. In 1590, three boys, Theodor, Seppi, and Nikolaus, live relatively happy simple lives in a remote Austrian village called Eseldorf. One day, a handsome teenage boy named Satan appears in the village. He explains that he is an angel and the nephew of the fallen angel whose name he shares. Young Satan performs several magical feats. He claims to be able to foresee the future and informs the group of unfortunate events that will soon befall those they care about. The boys do not believe Satan's claims until one of his predictions comes true.

Nicholas Flamel appeared in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter—but did you know he really lived? And his secrets aren't safe! Discover the truth in book one of the New York Times bestselling series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. The truth: Nicholas Flamel's tomb is empty. The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. Nicholas Flamel is the greatest Alchemyst to ever live. The records show that he died in 1418, but what if he's actually been making the elixir of life for centuries? The secrets to eternal life are hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed, and in the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. And that's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. There is one hope. If the prophecy is true, Sophie and Josh Newman have the power to save everyone. Now they just have to learn to use it.

Malgudi Days is a collection of stories by the acclaimed Indian writer R. K. Narayan. In this collection, Narayan beautifully describes how in India, "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story."

Composed of powerful, magical portraits of all kinds of people, and comprising stories written over almost forty years, Malgudi Days presents Narayan’s imaginary city in full color, revealing the essence of India and of human experience.

This edition includes an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri.

Who can forget our beloved gentleman's personal gentleman, Jeeves, who ever comes to the rescue when the hapless Bertie Wooster falls into trouble. My Man Jeeves is sure to please anyone with a taste for pithy buffoonery, moronic misunderstandings, gaffes, and aristocratic slapstick.

Contents:

• Leave It to Jeeves
• Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest
• Jeeves and the Hard-boiled Egg
• Absent Treatment
• Helping Freddie
• Rallying Round Old George
• Doing Clarence a Bit of Good
• The Aunt and the Sluggard

Peter Pan, the mischievous boy who refuses to grow up, lands in the Darling's proper middle-class home to look for his shadow. He befriends Wendy, John, and Michael and teaches them to fly (with a little help from fairy dust). He and Tinker Bell whisk them off to Never-land where they encounter the Red Indians, the Little Lost Boys, pirates, and the dastardly Captain Hook.

The Prince and the Pauper, a novel by American author Mark Twain, marks Twain's first foray into historical fiction. Set in 1537, it weaves the tale of two young boys, born on the same day and identical in appearance: Tom Canty, a pauper dwelling with his abusive, alcoholic father in the squalid quarters of Offal Court off Pudding Lane in London, and Edward VI of England, the son of Henry VIII.

Fascinated by each other's life and their uncanny resemblance, they decide to switch places "temporarily". This decision leads to a series of adventures that highlight the stark contrasts between their lives. Edward, mistaken for Tom, experiences the brutal reality of a London pauper's life, while Tom, now mistaken for Edward, navigates the intricacies of royal court life, constantly fearing discovery.

Through their experiences, Twain critiques social hypocrisy and injustice, emphasizing the absurdity of basing one's worth on their social status. Edward's firsthand encounters with the harsh realities faced by the lower classes prompt him to vow for a more merciful reign, should he regain his rightful position.

Ultimately, The Prince and the Pauper is not just a story of mistaken identity but a commentary on the human condition, exploring themes of identity, empathy, and social justice.

Verne's classic novel of global voyaging One night in the reform club, Phileas Fogg bets his companions that he can travel across the globe in just eighty days. Breaking the well-established routine of his daily life, he immediately sets off for Dover with his astonished valet Passepartout. Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is at hand - whether train or elephant - overcoming set-backs and always racing against the clock.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

More than a hundred years ago, Oscar Wilde created this moving story for his children. Now shimmering illustrations, as bejeweled and golden as the Prince himself, give glowing life to the many dimensions of his tale.

His story of friendship, love, and a willingness to part with one's own riches may be more important today than ever before. This enchanting story tells the tale of a majestic golden statue, once a prince, who befriends a compassionate swallow. Together, they embark on a poignant journey of selflessness, sacrifice, and love for humanity.

Wilde's eloquent prose and vivid imagination transport readers to a world where kindness and empathy triumph over materialism and indifference. The Happy Prince is a literary gem that continues to inspire readers of all ages, reminding us of the enduring power of compassion and the beauty that lies within the human heart.

The Phantom Tollbooth, first published over fifty years ago, has captivated generations of readers with its enchanting tale. The story begins with Milo, a boy who finds life incredibly dull. That is until a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room. With nothing better to do, Milo drives through it and finds himself in the Lands Beyond.

Milo's journey is filled with fantastical places and characters. He visits the Island of Conclusions (reached by jumping), learns the value of time from a watchdog named Tock, and embarks on a daring quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Along the way, Milo discovers the excitement that life holds, far surpassing anything he could have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Through its clever use of puns and wordplay, The Phantom Tollbooth offers not only an engaging adventure but also imparts wisdom and a newfound appreciation for learning.

The Dunwich Horror and Others is a collection of chilling tales by the master of horror, H.P. Lovecraft. This anthology includes some of Lovecraft's most renowned works, offering a journey into the macabre and the fantastical.

Contents:

• In the Vault - A tale of terror from the depths.
• Pickman's Model - Discover the horrifying inspiration behind a painter's work.
• The Rats in the Walls - A descent into madness and ancestral curses.
• The Outsider - A haunting story of identity and isolation.
• The Colour Out of Space - An eerie account of otherworldly phenomena.
• The Music of Erich Zann - The haunting melodies of a mysterious musician.
• The Haunter of the Dark - Darkness and dread in a forbidden church.
• The Picture in the House - A chilling discovery in a remote dwelling.
• The Call of Cthulhu - Unravel the mysteries of an ancient cosmic entity.
• The Dunwich Horror - A tale of cosmic terror and ancient rituals.
• Cool Air - A chilling story of life and death.
• The Whisperer in Darkness - Secrets from the stars and their earthly consequences.
• The Terrible Old Man - A short, eerie narrative of an enigmatic figure.
• The Thing on the Door-step - A tale of possession and sinister forces.
• The Shadow Over Innsmouth - Delve into a town's dark secrets.
• The Shadow Out of Time - A journey through time and memory.

Immerse yourself in these timeless tales of horror and wonder, where Lovecraft's imagination knows no bounds.