Download or read book The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson written by Ellen Baker and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2024-02-20 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A family secret, a DNA test, a journey as rich and colorful as the early-day circus itself. Through Cecily Larson’s hidden life, Ellen Baker tenderly examines personal determination, lost love, family ties, and our innate need to discover our own truth.” — Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and Before and After Orphan Train meets Before We Were Yours meets Water for Elephants in this compelling multigenerational novel of survival, love, and the families we make. In 1924, four-year-old Cecily Larson’s mother reluctantly drops her off at an orphanage in Chicago, promising to be back once she’s made enough money to support both Cecily and herself. But she never returns, and shortly after high-spirited Cecily turns seven, she is sold to a traveling circus to perform as the “little sister” to glamorous bareback rider Isabelle DuMonde. With Isabelle and the rest of the circus, Cecily finally feels she’s found the family she craves. But as the years go by, the cracks in her little world begin to show. And when teenage Cecily meets and falls in love with a young roustabout named Lucky, she finds her life thrown onto an entirely unexpected—and dangerous—course. In 2015, Cecily is now 94 and living a quiet life in Minnesota, with her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson. But when her family decides to surprise her with an at-home DNA test, the unexpected results not only bring to light the tragic love story that Cecily has kept hidden for decades but also throw into question everything about the family she’s raised and claimed as her own for nearly seventy years. Cecily and everyone in her life must now decide who they really are and what family—and forgiveness—really mean. Sweeping through a long period of contemporary history, The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson is an immersive, compelling, and entertaining family drama centered around one remarkable woman and her determination to survive.
Download or read book Keeping the House written by Ellen Baker and published by Random House. This book was released on 2007-07-10 with total page 546 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Set in the conformist 1950s and reaching back to span two world wars, Ellen Baker’ s superb novel is the story of a newlywed who falls in love with a grand abandoned house and begins to unravel dark secrets woven through the generations of a family. Like Whitney Otto’s How to Make an American Quilt in its intimate portrayal of women’ s lives, and reminiscent of novels by Elizabeth Berg and Anne Tyler, Keeping the House is a rich tapestry of a novel that introduces a wonderful new fiction writer. When Dolly Magnuson moves to Pine Rapids, Wisconsin, in 1950, she discovers all too soon that making marriage work is harder than it looks in the pages of the Ladies’ Home Journal. Dolly tries to adapt to her new life by keeping the house, supporting her husband’s career, and fretting about dinner menus. She even gives up her dream of flying an airplane, trying instead to fit in at the stuffy Ladies Aid quilting circle. Soon, though, her loneliness and restless imagination are seized by the vacant house on the hill. As Dolly’s life and marriage become increasingly difficult, she begins to lose herself in piecing together the story of three generations of Mickelson men and women: Wilma Mickelson, who came to Pine Rapids as a new bride in 1896 and fell in love with a man who was not her husband; her oldest son, Jack, who fought as a Marine in the trenches of World War I; and Jack’s son, JJ, a troubled veteran of World War II, who returns home to discover Dolly in his grandparents’ house. As the crisis in Dolly’s marriage escalates, she not only escapes into JJ’s stories of his family’s past but finds in them parallels to her own life. As Keeping the House moves back and forth in time, it eloquently explores themes of wartime heroism and passionate love, of the struggles of men’s struggles with fatherhood and war and of women’s conflicts with issues of conformity, identity, forbidden dreams, and love. Beautifully written and atmospheric, Keeping the House illuminates the courage it takes to shape and reshape a life, and the difficulty of ever knowing the truth about another person’s desires. Keeping the House is an unforgettable novel about small-town life and big matters of the heart.
Download or read book I Gave My Heart to Know this written by Ellen Baker and published by Random House Incorporated. This book was released on 2011 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Decades after the women in her family and their friend are shattered by the losses of two beloved men during World War II, Julia is approached by her long-lost great-grandmother and untangles a dark secret. By the award-winning author of Keeping the House.
Download or read book The Maine Standard Vol 1 written by Liza Gardner Walsh and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2024-07-01 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Maine has always been steeped in ingenuity and boldness. Perhaps it is the mix of granite coast and balsam breezes that gives rise to this inspiration, but whatever it is, the state has long held an abundance of world-class writers and artists. Honoring this deep tradition of great writing, The Maine Standard is an annual journal celebrating the uniqueness of Maine, the unusual and the unexpected. Perhaps our founder Duane Doolittle said it best: “We don’t pretend that we can define this evocative term, Down East . . . All that we can honestly say is that we are tuned to this particular parcel of land, and that we like its music.” The Maine Standard publishes stand-out writing that captures the true character of Maine, writing that sings!
Download or read book Fire and Hemlock written by Diana Wynne Jones and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2012-04-12 with total page 430 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fantastic tale by the legendary Diana Wynne Jones—with an introduction by Garth Nix. Polly Whittacker has two sets of memories. In the first, things are boringly normal; in the second, her life is entangled with the mysterious, complicated cellist Thomas Lynn. One day, the second set of memories overpowers the first, and Polly knows something is very wrong. Someone has been trying to make her forget Tom - whose life, she realizes, is at supernatural risk. Fire and Hemlock is a fantasy filled with sorcery and intrigue, magic and mystery - and a most unusual and satisfying love story. Widely considered to be one of Diana Wynne Jones's best novels, the Firebird edition of Fire and Hemlock features an introduction by the acclaimed Garth Nix - and an essay about the writing of the book by Jones herself.
Download or read book Beyond the Blank Page Design Limitless Worlds with AI written by John Nunez and published by John Nunez. This book was released on 2024-04-01 with total page 91 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the Power of AI in World-Building with "Beyond the Blank Page: Design Limitless Worlds with AI" Are you a storyteller, a game developer, or a creative mind eager to push the boundaries of your imagination? "Beyond the Blank Page: Design Limitless Worlds with AI" is your gateway to mastering the art of creating vast, intricate universes powered by the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. Whether you're crafting the next bestselling novel, developing a groundbreaking video game, or simply exploring the limits of your creativity, this book is an essential tool in your creative arsenal. Unlock Your Creative Potential:: Dive into the heart of AI universe-building with practical examples, step-by-step guides, and insightful case studies that bring your most ambitious ideas to life. From generating landscapes and environments to creating characters with unique personalities, "Beyond the Blank Page" empowers you to design personalized realities that captivate and inspire. Explore the Ethical and Philosophical Dimensions:: Embark on a thought-provoking journey through the ethical and philosophical implications of AI in creative processes. "Beyond the Blank Page" challenges you to consider the responsibilities of creating virtual realities, ensuring your creations are not just innovative but also conscious and ethical. Best Way to Learn The author draws his own journey, as a consequence this book distills research, experimentation, and creative practice into accessible and engaging content. Their expertise, combined with real-world applications of AI in world-building, provides you with the knowledge and tools to excel in your creative endeavors. Who is "Beyond the Blank Page..." For?:: - Aspiring and Seasoned Authors -- Elevate your storytelling with AI-driven insights into character development, plot dynamics, and immersive world-building. - Game Developers and Designers -- Harness AI to generate unique game environments, character traits, and story arcs, enhancing player engagement and experience. - Creative Professionals-- Expand your creative toolkit with AI applications in art, design, and multimedia projects, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Why Choose "Beyond the Blank Page"?:: - Comprehensive Coverage-- From basics to advanced techniques, this book covers all you need to know about AI in creative world-building. - Innovative Techniques-- Learn about the latest AI tools and technologies that are revolutionizing creativity in various fields. - Interactive Learning-- Engage with interactive examples, exercises, and challenges that encourage you to apply what you've learned. - Future-Proof Skills::: Stay ahead in your creative career by mastering AI-based tools that are becoming integral to the creative industries. Embrace the Future of Creativity With "Beyond the Blank Page: Design Limitless Worlds with AI," you're not just reading a book; you're stepping into a world of endless possibilities. Order your copy today and start building the unimaginable with AI!
Download or read book Recommended for You written by Laura Silverman and published by Margaret K. McElderry Books. This book was released on 2020-09-01 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets You’ve Got Mail in this charming and hilarious rom-com following two teen booksellers whose rivalry is taken to the next level as they compete for the top bookseller bonus. Shoshanna Greenberg loves working at Once Upon, her favorite local bookstore. And with her moms fighting at home and her beloved car teetering on the brink of death, the store has become a welcome escape. When her boss announces a holiday bonus to the person who sells the most books, Shoshanna sees an opportunity to at least fix her car, if none of her other problems. The only person standing in her way? New hire Jake Kaplan. Jake is an affront to everything Shoshanna stands for. He doesn’t even read! But somehow his sales start to rival hers. Jake may be cute (really cute), and he may be an eligible Jewish single (hard to find south of Atlanta), but he’s also the enemy, and Shoshanna is ready to take him down. But as the competition intensifies, Jake and Shoshanna grow closer and realize they might be more on the same page than either expects…
Download or read book I Know I Saw Her written by E.D. Thompson and published by Hachette UK. This book was released on 2021-07-01 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Taut and spine-tingling, I Know I Saw Her journeys through the apparent normality of suburban lives to expose the hidden terrors behind closed doors - a riveting read.' LAURA ELLIOT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GUILTY Parnell Park is an ordinary suburban street. Alice from number 25 has a quiet life but she craves more. So she watches the street's inhabitants -- taking a special interest in Kevin and Kim, the beautiful, charming couple from across the road -- wondering what goes on behind closed doors. One day, on a visit to London, Alice sees Kim on a passing train. But when she later mentions this to Kevin, he tells her she has made a mistake, insisting that his wife is on holiday in the West of Ireland. But Alice knows what she saw. So who is lying? Kevin, or his wife? Alice feels compelled to investigate, and her concern for Kim quickly intensifies. And as she enters a high-stakes game with shadowy rules and hidden dangers, Alice is soon to find out that the thing you crave can be the most dangerous thing of all. Set over the course of a sultry summer, I Know I Saw Her is a masterfully told suspense novel about desire, appearances and deception, as compelling as it is creepy, full of unexpected turns.
Download or read book A Better Man written by Michael Ian Black and published by Algonquin Books. This book was released on 2022-05-10 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Raw, intimate, and true . . . A Better Man cracked me wide open, and it's a template for the conversation we need to be having with our boys." --Peggy Orenstein, bestselling author of Boys & Sex A poignant look at boyhood, in the form of a heartfelt letter from comedian Michael Ian Black to his teenage son before he leaves for college, and a radical plea for rethinking masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love. In a world in which the word masculinity now often goes hand in hand with toxic, comedian, actor, and father Michael Ian Black offers up a way forward for boys, men, and anyone who loves them. Part memoir, part advice book, and written as a heartfelt letter to his college-bound son, A Better Man reveals Black's own complicated relationship with his father, explores the damage and rising violence caused by the expectations placed on boys to "man up," and searches for the best way to help young men be part of the solution, not the problem. "If we cannot allow ourselves vulnerability," he writes, "how are we supposed to experience wonder, fear, tenderness?" Honest, funny, and hopeful, Black skillfully navigates the complex gender issues of our time and delivers a poignant answer to an urgent question: How can we be, and raise, better men?
Download or read book Shark Summer written by Ira Marcks and published by Little, Brown Ink. This book was released on 2021-05-25 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Shark Summer is bursting with vibrant, expressive art....The characters are distinct and relatable...It’s a lovely read!”—Molly Knox Ostertag, author of the Witch Boy series "Eloquently chronicled in Marcks’s cinematic panels, friendships are formed and repaired, parental relationships articulated, and inner conflicts expressed and resolved. A winning production." --Kirkus When a Hollywood film crew arrives on Martha's Vineyard with a mechanical shark and a youth film contest boasting a huge cash prize, disgraced pitcher Gayle "Blue Streak" Briar sees a chance to turn a bad season into the best summer ever. After recruiting aspiring cinematographer Elijah Jones and moody director Maddie Grey, Gayle and her crew set out to uncover the truth of the island's own phantom shark and win the prize money. But these unlikely friends are about to discover what happens when you turn your camera toward the bad things lurking below the surface.
Download or read book Mixed Feelings written by Avan Jogia and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. This book was released on 2019-09-17 with total page 165 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Mixed Feelings, Avan Jogia explores his complicated emotions around race, identity, religion, and family through poetry and imagery. Drawing on the author's own life story as well as interviews he's conducted with friends and strangers, Mixed Feelings serves as a dialogue starter for difficult topics that now, more than ever, need to be discussed.
Download or read book Fishbowl written by Bradley Somer and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2015-08-04 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A goldfish named Ian is falling from the 27th-floor balcony on which his fishbowl sits. He's longed for adventure, so when the opportunity arises, he escapes from his bowl, clears the balcony railing and finds himself airborne. Plummeting toward the street below, Ian witnesses the lives of the Seville on Roxy residents. There's the handsome grad student, his girlfriend, and the other woman; the construction worker who feels trapped by a secret; the building's super who feels invisible and alone; the pregnant woman on bed rest who craves a forbidden ice cream sandwich; the shut-in for whom dirty talk, and quiche, are a way of life; and home-schooled Herman, a boy who thinks he can travel through time. Though they share time and space, they have something even more important in common: each faces a decision that will affect the course of their lives. Within the walls of the Seville are stories of love, new life, and death, of facing the ugly truth of who one has been and the beautiful truth of who one can become. Sometimes taking a risk is the only way to move forward with our lives. As Ian the goldfish knows, "An entire life devoted to a fishbowl will make one die an old fish with not one adventure had." Bradley Somer's Fishbowl is at turns funny and heartbreaking and you will, no doubt, fall in love with his unforgettable characters.
Download or read book Lost and Wanted written by Nell Freudenberger and published by Vintage. This book was released on 2020-03-31 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NATIONAL BESTSELLER ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: VOGUE • FRESH AIR As a professor of physics at MIT, Helen Clapp disdains notions of the supernatural in favor of rational thought and proven ideas. So it’s perhaps especially vexing when, on an otherwise unremarkable Wednesday in June, she gets a phone call from a friend who has just died. That friend was Charlotte Boyce, Helen’s roommate at Harvard. The two women once confided in each other about everything: Helen’s struggles as a young woman in science, Charlie’s as a black screenwriter in Hollywood, their shared challenges as parents. But as the years passed, they gradually grew apart. And now Charlie is permanently, tragically gone. Drawn back into her friend’s orbit, Helen is forced to question the laws of the universe that have always steadied her mind and heart. Suspenseful, perceptive, deeply affecting, Lost and Wanted is a story of friends and lovers, lost and found, at the most defining moments of their lives.
Download or read book Beneath Her Skin written by C. S. Porter and published by Nimbus Publishing Limited. This book was released on 2021-10-06 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A literary crime thriller from a mysterious new voice in Atlantic fiction
Download or read book Death at Greenway written by Lori Rader-Day and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2021-10-12 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Irresistible... a Golden Age homage, an elegantly constructed mystery that on every page reinforces the message that everyone counts." –New York Times Book Review AGATHA AWARD WINNER! Recommended by New York Times Book Review • Wall Street Journal • Parade • Country Living • Chicago Tribune • South Florida Sun-Sentinel • The Free-Lance Star • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • CrimeReads • Nerd Daily • Red Carpet Crash • and many more! From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One, a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery. Bridey Kelly has come to Greenway House—the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie—in disgrace. A terrible mistake at St. Prisca’s Hospital in London has led to her dismissal as a nurse trainee, and her only chance for redemption is a position in the countryside caring for children evacuated to safety from the Blitz. Greenway is a beautiful home full of riddles: wondrous curios not to be touched, restrictions on rooms not to be entered, and a generous library, filled with books about murder. The biggest mystery might be the other nurse, Gigi, who is like no one Bridey has ever met. Chasing ten young children through the winding paths of the estate grounds might have soothed Bridey’s anxieties and grief—if Greenway were not situated so near the English Channel and the rising aggressions of the war. When a body washes ashore near the estate, Bridey is horrified to realize this is not a victim of war, but of a brutal killing. As the local villagers look among themselves, Bridey and Gigi discover they each harbor dangerous secrets about what has led them to Greenway. With a mystery writer’s home as their unsettling backdrop, the young women must unravel the truth before their safe haven becomes a place of death . . .
Download or read book The Waiting Room written by Laura Markovitch and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-03-13 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Waiting Room is an adult-YA crossover about a woman coming of age in high school, college, and young adulthood, then coming of age again at thirty, when hitting rock bottom prompts her to revisit the choices that shaped her life.Taylor Collier has never faced her past-the distant past or the recent past. As a result, she's spiraled into a life fueled by alcohol and drugs. After her worried mother and best friend confront her, Taylor is given a choice-rehab or therapy. And so, intent on only a single session with Dr. Modos Marks, she enters his waiting room, planning to get in and get out. After all, she has successfully kept her most terrifying secret for fifteen years, so getting through one session with a shrink should be a piece of cake. But she's not prepared for what the doctor has in store for her. Session after session, he peels away the layers of her life, revealing that all is not as it seems-and unraveling a series of surprises that will leave both Taylor and the reader breathless.
Download or read book Serial Wives written by Yvonne Walus and published by . This book was released on 2018-03-20 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why would a rich girl become a prostitute?Three years ago Joy refused to sleep with an ex boyfriend. When he committed suicide, her guilt was enormous. To punish herself she opted to serve as a prostitute for three years.¿How far would you go to protect your child?Cora loves her convict husband despite - or because of - his bad boy ways. But now that he's back in her life, she has their daughter to consider. Is a faulty father better than no father at all? A serial killer¿ A serial killer who murders women and displays their bodies dressed in a white sheet with a fencing mask covering the face. Who will be next?
