Download or read book Modern Manners For Your Inner Demons written by Tara Laskowski and published by Santa Fe Writers Project. This book was released on 2017-01-01 with total page 94 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The best-selling indie hit returns! This revised, expanded edition of Modern Manners for Your Inner Demons brings the darker side of social behavior back to the shelves. Tara Laskowski's demonically clever stories break the rules of a "decent" society, providing a definitive guide on the etiquette of obesity, dementia, infertility, homicide, arson, and more. Blending humor with a sharp social commentary, Laskowski introduces us to cynical yet sympathetic characters as each story unfolds. Snarky but optimistic, these characters are the folks you want sitting next to you at your next dinner party...or in your prison cell.
Download or read book Magic for Unlucky Girls written by A.A. Balaskovits and published by Santa Fe Writers Project. This book was released on 2017-04-01 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The fourteen fantastical stories in Magic For Unlucky Girls take the familiar tropes of fairytales and twist them into new and surprising shapes. These unlucky girls, struggling against a society that all too often oppresses them, are forced to navigate strange worlds as they try to survive. From carnivorous husbands to a bath of lemons to whirling basements that drive people mad, these stories are about the demons that lurk in the corners and the women who refuse to submit to them, instead fighting back—sometimes with their wit, sometimes with their beauty, and sometimes with shotguns in the dead of night.
Download or read book The Swamp Killers written by Hilary Davidson and published by Down & Out Books. This book was released on 2020-03-16 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Here’s what we know is true. Timmy Milici, a low-level hitter with the infamous Atlanta-based Duplass crime family, ran off with Melody Duplass to Jacksonville, Florida. Olivia Duplass, her mother and head of the Duplass family, was incensed, and put a price on Timmy—a hundred thousand for his corpse, but with explicit instructions that her daughter not be harmed. We know that’s true. Or, at least, we think we do. Sixteen writers tell their versions of what happened those fateful days in this gripping novel-in-stories, brought to you from the team behind The Night of the Flood. Contributors: E.A. Aymar, Sarah M. Chen, Hilary Davidson, Alex Dolan, Rebecca Drake, Gwen Florio, Elizabeth Heiter, J.J. Hensley, Susi Holliday, Shannon Kirk, Tara Laskowski, Jenny Milchman, Alan Orloff, Tom Sweterlitsch, Art Taylor, and Wendy Tyson.
Download or read book Flash Fiction International Very Short Stories from Around the World written by James Thomas and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2015-04-13 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A dazzling new anthology of the very best very short fiction from around the world. What is a flash fiction called in other countries? In Latin America it is a micro, in Denmark kortprosa, in Bulgaria mikro razkaz. These short shorts, usually no more than 750 words, range from linear narratives to the more unusual: stories based on mathematical forms, a paragraph-length novel, a scientific report on volcanic fireflies that proliferate in nightclubs. Flash has always—and everywhere—been a form of experiment, of possibility. A new entry in the lauded Flash and Sudden Fiction anthologies, this collection includes 86 of the most beautiful, provocative, and moving narratives by authors from six continents, including best-selling writer Etgar Keret, Zimbabwean writer Petina Gappah, Korean screenwriter Kim Young-ha, Nobel Prize winner Czeslaw Milosz, and Argentinian “Queen of the Microstory” Ana María Shua, among many others. These brilliantly chosen stories challenge readers to widen their vision and celebrate both the local and the universal.
Download or read book The Mother Next Door written by Tara Laskowski and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2021-10-12 with total page 339 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A polished and entertaining homage to Big Little Lies and Desperate Housewives… The denouement is bonkers, but satisfying.” —The New York Times Book Review “A witty, wicked thriller packed with hidden agendas, juicy secrets, and pitch-perfect satire of the suburban dream.” —Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here GOOD MOTHERS… Never show their feelings. Never spill their secrets. Never admit to murder. The annual Halloween block party is the pinnacle of the year on idyllic suburban cul-de-sac Ivy Woods Drive. An influential group of neighborhood moms—known as the Ivy Five—plans the event for months. Except the Ivy Five has been four for a long time. When a new mother moves to town, eager to fit in, the moms see it as an opportunity to make the group whole again. This year’s block party should be the best yet... until the women start receiving anonymous messages threatening to expose the quiet neighborhood’s dark past—and the lengths they’ve gone to hide it. As secrets seep out and the threats intensify, the Ivy Five must sort the loyal from the disloyal, the good from the bad. They’ll do anything to protect their families. But when a twisted plot is revealed, with dangerous consequences, their steady foundation begins to crumble, leaving only one certainty: after this year’s block party, Ivy Woods Drive will never be the same. From award-winning author Tara Laskowski, The Mother Next Door is an atmospheric novel of domestic suspense in which the strive for perfection ends in murder… “Suspenseful, compulsively readable… Extremely fun to read." —ShelfAwareness *Don't miss The Weekend Retreat, Tara Laskowski's next novel of suspense. Available now for preorder!
Download or read book The Weekend Retreat written by Tara Laskowski and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2023-12-26 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A wealthy family's vacation at their lush winery estate becomes a weekend to kill for in this deliciously twisted novel of suspense “Absolutely captivating! A riveting and immersive puzzle for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.” —Hank Phillippi Ryan WINNER OF THE AGATHA AWARD Every year, the illustrious Van Ness siblings, heirs to a copper fortune, gather at their secluded winery estate for a joint birthday celebration. It's a tradition they've followed nearly all their lives, and now they are back with their significant others for a much-needed weekend of rest and relaxation, away from the public spotlight. With lavish comforts, gorgeous scenery, and indulgent drinking, the trip should be the perfect escape. But it soon becomes clear that even a remote idyllic getaway can’t keep out the problems simmering in each of their lives. As old tensions are reignited, the three couples are pushed to the edge. Will their secrets destroy them, or will they destroy each other first? And who’s been watching them from beyond the vineyard gates? When a torrential rainstorm hits, plunging them into darkness, the answers prove all too deadly… “Clever… [A] satisfying mash-up of Succession and Agatha Christie.” —Publishers Weekly
Download or read book Rattle of Want written by Gay Degani and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2015-10-20 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rattle of Want ranges from brilliant brief experiments (such as Abbreviated Glossary and Appendages) to a novella-in-flash (The Old Road) for the canon in that new genre. Altogether these stories mine the wants and desires in the breakups of families, rebellions of youth, and occasional ascents of the spirit. Often they beautifully, and simply, nail a place, as in Small Town (a perfect evocation of the title), report an impending explosion, as in Kindling (a quintessential flash), or capture a character (if you haven't met Blusterfuck ... do so at your own peril). Few writers can do all that Gay Degani does. Robert Shapard, editor of Flash Fiction International: Very Short Stories from Around the World
Download or read book What Came Before written by Gay Degani and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2016-06-02 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "What Came Before is a remarkable achievement a smart, fast-paced mystery that asks important questions about identity, family, and race. And, like the best of its genre, itOs loaded with puzzles: What really happened on the day Abbie PalmerOs mother killed herself? Who is the mysterious woman who shows up on AbbieOs doorstep, and why would anyone want her dead? Gay DeganiOs prose is at all times lucid and compelling, and her exciting story will keep you glued to your chair." Clifford Garstang, winner of the 2013 Library of Virginia Award for Fiction for 'What the Zhang Boys Know' "With engaging characters and a compelling mystery, Gay DeganiOs What Came Before draws you in and doesnOt let go. If this had been a movie, I wouldnOt have left the cinema for more popcorn. A brilliant and complex whodunit with a memorable, imperfect character at its helm." Christopher Allen, author of 'Conversations with S. Teri OOType (a Satire)'
Download or read book One Night Gone written by Tara Laskowski and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2019-10-01 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the Agatha Award, Macavity Award, and Anthony Award: “A subtly but relentlessly unsettling novel” (Tana French, New York Times–bestselling author). It was the perfect place to disappear . . . One sultry summer, Maureen Haddaway arrives in the wealthy town of Opal Beach to start her life anew—to achieve her destiny. There, she finds herself lured by the promise of friendship, love, starry skies, and wild parties. But Maureen’s new life just might be too good to be true, and before the summer is up, she vanishes. Decades later, when Allison Simpson is offered the opportunity to house-sit in Opal Beach during the off-season, it seems like the perfect chance to begin fresh after a messy divorce. But when she becomes drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a girl thirty years before, Allison realizes the gorgeous homes of Opal Beach hide dark secrets. And the truth of that long-ago summer is not even the most shocking part of all . . . “A heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel of betrayal and revenge. A stunning debut!” —Carol Goodman, New York Times–bestselling author of The Disinvited Guest “Featuring a brilliantly executed dual timeline with two unforgettable narrators, One Night Gone is a timely and timeless mystery that will keep you obsessively reading well past your bedtime.” —Paul Tremblay, national bestselling author of The Cabin at the End of the World “An evocative and beautifully crafted tale of suspense.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Download or read book Modern Manners written by Philip Howard and published by Biteback Publishing. This book was released on 2013-11-14 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For many years Philip Howard has delighted Times readers with his wildly popular 'Modern Times' column, answering questions on contemporary etiquette and acting as confidant and gleeful guide to those attempting to avoid the pitfalls and perils of modern life. Now, drawing on that wealth of wisdom, he offers solutions to modern-day mysteries and solves all manner of social dilemmas. From sartorial suggestions to gastronomic guidance, and with tips on how best to deal with noisy neighbours, irritating in-laws and pesky pets, Philip Howard will prevent you from ever putting a foot wrong. Witty, informative and often hilarious, and with delightful cartoons by Jonathan Pugh, Modern Manners is the perfect companion piece to life in the twenty-first century, and the quintessential gift book.
Download or read book Bystanders written by Tara Laskowski and published by Santa Fe Writers Project. This book was released on 2016-05-01 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Legacies of violence and tragedy haunt these thirteen stunning stories from Tara Laskowski, author of Modern Manners for Your Inner Demons. A woman becomes obsessed with her co-worker's murderer; an investigative reporter with a nose for scandal finds his own life suddenly unraveling; eerie sights in a video baby monitor haunt a new mother. When the unexpected happens, these bystanders—who are not always innocent—come face to face with their own choices and fates. Bound together by danger, fear, paranoia, and the bumps we all hear in the night, these potent stories illuminate the darker side of the human condition. From a vicious newspaper strike that rocks a small Pennsylvania community to an unpredictable road trip in the vast desert of the American West, Bystanders explores the ways in which terror and uncertainty both consume and invigorate us—and yet reveal our strengths, hopes, and passions. Selected as the Grand Prize Winner for the SFWP Literary Awards Program, 2010, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Olen Butler.
Download or read book One Night Gone written by Tara Laskowski and published by HQN Books. This book was released on 2022-10-25 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel of betrayal and revenge. Stunning!" --Carol Goodman, award-winning author of The Stranger Behind You One sultry summer, Maureen Haddaway arrives in the wealthy town of Opal Beach to start her life anew--to achieve her destiny. There, she finds herself lured by the promise of friendship, love, starry skies and wild parties. But Maureen's new life just might be too good to be true, and before the summer is up, she vanishes. Decades later, when Allison Simpson is offered the opportunity to house-sit in Opal Beach during the off-season, it seems like the perfect chance to begin fresh after a messy divorce. But when she becomes drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a girl thirty years before, Allison realizes the gorgeous homes of Opal Beach hide dark secrets. And the truth of that long-ago summer is not even the most shocking part of all... "This multi-layered and gorgeously structured tale will haunt you long after the book is over." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, bestselling author of Her Perfect Life
Download or read book The Better Angels of Our Nature written by Steven Pinker and published by Penguin Books. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 834 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Faced with the ceaseless stream of news about war, crime, and terrorism, one could easily think this is the most violent age ever seen. Yet as bestselling author Pinker shows in this startling and engaging new work, just the opposite is true.
Download or read book The Mother Next Door written by Tara Laskowski and published by Graydon House Books. This book was released on 2024-04-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A polished and entertaining homage to Big Little Lies and Desperate Housewives... The denouement is bonkers, but satisfying." --The New York Times Book Review "A witty, wicked thriller packed with hidden agendas, juicy secrets, and pitch-perfect satire of the suburban dream." --Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here GOOD MOTHERS... Never show their feelings. Never spill their secrets. Never admit to murder. The annual Halloween block party is the pinnacle of the year on idyllic suburban cul-de-sac Ivy Woods Drive. An influential group of neighborhood moms--known as the Ivy Five--plans the event for months. Except the Ivy Five has been four for a long time. When a new mother moves to town, eager to fit in, the moms see it as an opportunity to make the group whole again. This year's block party should be the best yet... until the women start receiving anonymous messages threatening to expose the quiet neighborhood's dark past--and the lengths they've gone to hide it. As secrets seep out and the threats intensify, the Ivy Five must sort the loyal from the disloyal, the good from the bad. They'll do anything to protect their families. But when a twisted plot is revealed, with dangerous consequences, their steady foundation begins to crumble, leaving only one certainty: after this year's block party, Ivy Woods Drive will never be the same. From award-winning author Tara Laskowski, The Mother Next Door is an atmospheric novel of domestic suspense in which the strive for perfection ends in murder... "Suspenseful, compulsively readable... Extremely fun to read." --ShelfAwareness *Don't miss The Weekend Retreat, Tara Laskowski's next novel of suspense. Available now for preorder!
Download or read book Ordination written by Daniel M Ford and published by Santa Fe Writers Project. This book was released on 2016-06-01 with total page 560 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Country Shattered by War -- For generations, warlords fought bitterly for dominance in a land without a king, leaving a fractured, war-torn country plagued by thieves, slavers, and the servants of dark gods and darker magic... A Fallen Knight -- Allystaire Coldbourne, former castellan of Wind's Jaw Keep, walks away from his privileged position and into self-imposed exile amidst the ruins he's spent a lifetime creating. In the smoking remains of a destitute village, he finds an improbable survivor, a young girl named Mol. Reluctantly, he pursues the marauders who leveled Mol's village and sold the villagers into slavery. He follows their trail to a town of pirates and fugitives and exacts a bitter and violent justice. This sudden act of bravery and righteousness draws the attention of jealous and angry gods, embittered warlords, a downtrodden populace, and awakens a very ancient power, a long-absent goddess of mercy. A Legendary Journey -- Allystaire travels a treacherous path toward his Ordination as a holy knight of legend, a Paladin, a savior of the people. But to fulfill this role, he -- and the unexpected allies he finds along the way -- must face the demonic, sorcerous evil that stalks the land, the wrath of gods and men, and his own dark past.
Download or read book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind written by Julian Jaynes and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This book was released on 2000-08-15 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: National Book Award Finalist: “This man’s ideas may be the most influential, not to say controversial, of the second half of the twentieth century.”—Columbus Dispatch At the heart of this classic, seminal book is Julian Jaynes's still-controversial thesis that human consciousness did not begin far back in animal evolution but instead is a learned process that came about only three thousand years ago and is still developing. The implications of this revolutionary scientific paradigm extend into virtually every aspect of our psychology, our history and culture, our religion—and indeed our future. “Don’t be put off by the academic title of Julian Jaynes’s The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. Its prose is always lucid and often lyrical…he unfolds his case with the utmost intellectual rigor.”—The New York Times “When Julian Jaynes . . . speculates that until late in the twentieth millennium BC men had no consciousness but were automatically obeying the voices of the gods, we are astounded but compelled to follow this remarkable thesis.”—John Updike, The New Yorker “He is as startling as Freud was in The Interpretation of Dreams, and Jaynes is equally as adept at forcing a new view of known human behavior.”—American Journal of Psychiatry
Download or read book Chivalry and Courtesy Medieval Manners for a Modern World written by Danièle Cybulskie and published by WW Norton. This book was released on 2023-10-24 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve our lives today, from the author of the popular How to Live Like a Monk Medieval people are often portrayed as having poor hygiene and table manners—licking their knives or throwing chicken bones on the floor. In the Middle Ages, however, such behavior was not tolerated. Medieval society cherished order in nearly every facet of life, from regular handwashing to daily prayer. There were consequences if you didn’t adhere to the rules of good behavior: you wouldn’t be invited to the lord’s next dinner, you wouldn’t win the battle, and you wouldn’t win the lady. Author Daniele Cybulskie explores the world of medieval etiquette, encompassing table manners and interpersonal relationships as well as running a household and ruling a kingdom. With wit and insight, Cybulskie draws on a wide variety of primary sources, from handbooks for young knights to romantic poems. Though we may no longer need best practices for things like dueling or ordering about our servants, the principles of generosity, kindness, and respect still apply today. After all, it’s a good reminder to “not talk when you have food in your mouth” and “anything you say should be entertaining, polite, and sophisticated.” Illustrated with original drawings by Anna Lobanova as well as eighty medieval artworks, Chivalry and Courtesy is full of good advice for everyone, whether you are a peasant or a knight, a student or a CEO, a king or a queen.
