Download or read book The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet written by Jake Maia Arlow and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2024-05-28 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A hilariously honest book about surviving middle school while navigating a chronic illness from the Stonewall Honor-winning author of Almost Flying. Twelve-year-old Al Schneider is too scared to talk about the two biggest things in her life: 1. Her stomach hurts all the time and she has no idea why. 2. She’s almost definitely 100% sure she likes girls. So she holds it in…until she can’t. After nearly having an accident of the lavatorial variety in gym class, Al finds herself getting a colonoscopy and an answer—she has Crohn’s disease. But rather than solving all her problems, Al's diagnosis just makes everything worse. It’s scary and embarrassing. And worst of all, everyone wants her to talk about it—her overprotective mom, her best friend, and most annoyingly her gastroenterologist, who keeps trying to get her to go to a support group for kids with similar chronic illnesses. But, who wants to talk about what you do in the bathroom? The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet is a wildly funny and honest story about finding community, telling the truth even when it’s hard, and the many indignities of middle school life.

Download or read book I Know This Much Is True written by Wally Lamb and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1998-06-03 with total page 884 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With his stunning debut novel, She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb won the adulation of critics and readers with his mesmerizing tale of one woman's painful yet triumphant journey of self-discovery. Now, this brilliantly talented writer returns with I Know This Much Is True, a heartbreaking and poignant multigenerational saga of the reproductive bonds of destruction and the powerful force of forgiveness. A masterpiece that breathtakingly tells a story of alienation and connection, power and abuse, devastation and renewal--this novel is a contemporary retelling of an ancient Hindu myth. A proud king must confront his demons to achieve salvation. Change yourself, the myth instructs, and you will inhabit a renovated world. When you're the same brother of a schizophrenic identical twin, the tricky thing about saving yourself is the blood it leaves on your bands--the little inconvenience of the look-alike corpse at your feet. And if you're into both survival of the fittest and being your brother's keeper--if you've promised your dying mother--then say so long to sleep and hello to the middle of the night. Grab a book or a beer. Get used to Letterman's gap-toothed smile of the absurd, or the view of the bedroom ceiling, or the influence of random selection. Take it from a godless insomniac. Take it from the uncrazy twin--the guy who beat the biochemical rap. Dominick Birdsey's entire life has been compromised and constricted by anger and fear, by the paranoid schizophrenic twin brother he both deeply loves and resents, and by the past they shared with their adoptive father, Ray, a spit-and-polish ex-Navy man (the five-foot-six-inch sleeping giant who snoozed upstairs weekdays in the spare room and built submarines at night), and their long-suffering mother, Concettina, a timid woman with a harelip that made her shy and self-conscious: She holds a loose fist to her face to cover her defective mouth--her perpetual apology to the world for a birth defect over which she'd had no control. Born in the waning moments of 1949 and the opening minutes of 1950, the twins are physical mirror images who grow into separate yet connected entities: the seemingly strong and protective yet fearful Dominick, his mother's watchful "monkey"; and the seemingly weak and sweet yet noble Thomas, his mother's gentle "bunny." From childhood, Dominick fights for both separation and wholeness--and ultimately self-protection--in a house of fear dominated by Ray, a bully who abuses his power over these stepsons whose biological father is a mystery. I was still afraid of his anger but saw how he punished weakness--pounced on it. Out of self-preservation I hid my fear, Dominick confesses. As for Thomas, he just never knew how to play defense. He just didn't get it. But Dominick's talent for survival comes at an enormous cost, including the breakup of his marriage to the warm, beautiful Dessa, whom he still loves. And it will be put to the ultimate test when Thomas, a Bible-spouting zealot, commits an unthinkable act that threatens the tenuous balance of both his and Dominick's lives. To save himself, Dominick must confront not only the pain of his past but the dark secrets he has locked deep within himself, and the sins of his ancestors--a quest that will lead him beyond the confines of his blue-collar New England town to the volcanic foothills of Sicily 's Mount Etna, where his ambitious and vengefully proud grandfather and a namesake Domenico Tempesta, the sostegno del famiglia, was born. Each of the stories Ma told us about Papa reinforced the message that he was the boss, that he ruled the roost, that what he said went. Searching for answers, Dominick turns to the whispers of the dead, to the pages of his grandfather's handwritten memoir, The History of Domenico Onofrio Tempesta, a Great Man from Humble Beginnings. Rendered with touches of magic realism, Domenico's fablelike tale--in which monkeys enchant and religious statues weep--becomes the old man's confession--an unwitting legacy of contrition that reveals the truth's of Domenico's life, Dominick learns that power, wrongly used, defeats the oppressor as well as the oppressed, and now, picking through the humble shards of his deconstructed life, he will search for the courage and love to forgive, to expiate his and his ancestors' transgressions, and finally to rebuild himself beyond the haunted shadow of his twin. Set against the vivid panoply of twentieth-century America and filled with richly drawn, memorable characters, this deeply moving and thoroughly satisfying novel brings to light humanity's deepest needs and fears, our aloneness, our desire for love and acceptance, our struggle to survive at all costs. Joyous, mystical, and exquisitely written, I Know This Much Is True is an extraordinary reading experience that will leave no reader untouched.

Download or read book The Art of Being Emily written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2016-08-06 with total page 554 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This collection of three previously published books contains the full text of THE YEAR MY LIFE WENT DOWN THE LOO, THEY WEAR WHAT UNDER THEIR KILTS? and WHAT'S FRENCH FOR "EW!"? THE YEAR MY LIFE WENT DOWN THE LOO When sixteen-year-old Emily’s family uproots her from Seattle to England right before her junior year, she has to adjust to a whole new lingo, new friends, and a serious lack of malls. Luckily, hunkalicious British boys do exist! THEY WEAR WHAT UNDER THEIR KILTS? Emily spends her month of work experience on a Scottish sheep farm, complete with wild sheep, her best friend Holly , and Ruaraidh the shepherd, AKA the Scottish God of Love who just happens to have eleven fingers. Kilt-watching, disastrous castle tours, graffiti spray-painted sheep, and tanning lotions gone horribly awry—it’s just another month in the life of Emily. WHAT'S FRENCH FOR "EW!"? Spring break arrives, and Emily is in Paris to learn French. With her trusty friend Holly at her side, an anti-pregnancy doll named Jack, and snogariffic boyfriend Devon arriving for a visit, Emily's habit of getting into the most hilarious situations ever results in her storming more than just the Bastille. Will Paris survive her visit?

Download or read book Motel of the Mysteries written by David Macaulay and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This book was released on 1979-10-11 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is the year 4022; all of the ancient country of Usa has been buried under many feet of detritus from a catastrophe that occurred back in 1985. Imagine, then, the excitement that Howard Carson, an amateur archeologist at best, experienced when in crossing the perimeter of an abandoned excavation site he felt the ground give way beneath him and found himself at the bottom of a shaft, which, judging from the DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging from an archaic doorknob, was clearly the entrance to a still-sealed burial chamber. Carson's incredible discoveries, including the remains of two bodies, one of then on a ceremonial bed facing an altar that appeared to be a means of communicating with the Gods and the other lying in a porcelain sarcophagus in the Inner Chamber, permitted him to piece together the whole fabric of that extraordinary civilization.

Download or read book In the Company of Vampires written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2019-05-27 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If only a broken heart were all she had to deal with… …but there are Viking ghosts, gods, werebeings, and one sexy as sin vampire on Francesca’s case. And her biggest trouble is Loki, the trickster god. When Fran arrives at Goth-Faire to deal with him, things go from bad to worse, for her immortal ex, Benedikt, is there…with a new girlfriend. Shapesifters, Vikings, and a town filled with deranged opera fans…it’s a good thing Fran’s no ordinary mortal…

Download or read book The Big Book of Teen Reading Lists written by Nancy J. Keane and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2006-08-30 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Use these 100 handy reproducible book lists to instantly create handouts for teen readers and teachers, add to your newsletter, or post on your web site or bulletin board. Based on the most common needs of educators and librarians who work with teen readers, these lists focus on new titles and classics that are still in print and readily available for purchase. Fiction and nonfiction titles for ages 13-18 are covered. Bibliographic information and a brief description are given for each title. A dozen bookmarks are also included. This is a great time-saving tool and a good source for finding extended reading lists and read-alikes! Looking for humorous novels for teen readers? A fast-paced sports novel for a reluctant reader? Biographies to use in history class? You'll find these lists and more in this treasury of great reading lists. This versatile guide provides one-page reproducible book lists and bookmarks for: books about self (e.g., coming-of-age, perfectionism, gangs; genre literature (e.g., fantasy, romance, historical fiction); themes (e.g., extreme sports, vampires, peace; settings (e.g., Ellis Island, Dust Bowl, WWII); character studies (e.g., adventure with female protagonist, boy bonding books, fantasy heroes); and read-alikes (for bookmarks). More than 100 reproducible lists of books for ages 13-18 (junior/senior high) focus on new titles and classics that are still in print and readily available for purchase. Bibliographic information and a brief description are given for each title.

Download or read book Daring in a Blue Dress written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2019-06-04 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stranded in England without money or a ticket home, Mercy Starling takes a job working for a medieval reenactment company. After all, who wouldn’t want to pretend to live in the past, wield swords and longbows, and dress up in armor? And the best part of her summer job is Bestwood Hall…or rather, its intriguing new owner. Painfully shy Alden Ainslie is overwhelmed by the medieval reenactors who invade the Tudor house he’s renovating, but he’s drawn to the bubbly Mercy. And he valiantly joins in the fun, dodging not jsut arrows, lances, and the odd sword thrust, but also some pretty suspicious–and potentially deadly — attacks on himself. Someone wants him to give up on the house. But Alden is desperate to prove himself–and win the heart of his lady fair…

Download or read book Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid written by Yvonne Collins and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2005-05 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fifteen-year-old is less than thrilled to be reunited for a summer in Ireland with the mother who left for fame and fortune in Los Angeles when she was three.

Download or read book It s All Greek to Me written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2018-02-19 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Greek god is about to meet his goddess… When Eglantine “Harry” Knight sets off to Greece at the last minute to step in as manager of a friend’s touring band, the last thing she expects is to meet a billionaire Greek playboy. Iakovos Papaioannou is perfection on every level, except for his unpronounceable name. And Harry can’t stop herself from falling hard and fast for him. Iakovos knew his sister hired her favorite band to perform at her birthday party, he’s just not sure where this six-foot-tall, wild-haired, tempestuous woman fits in, or how she’s already ended up in his bed—and in his heart. Harry is so not his type. She’s as infuriating as she is intriguing, and she can’t keep her hands off his butt. But she just may be the woman who knocks him off the world’s most eligible bachelor list for good…

Download or read book Will Write for Shoes written by Cathy Yardley and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2013-07-23 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: * What is Chick Lit exactly? * How do I write a Chick Lit novel? * What are the steps I need to take to get published? Once dismissed as a fad by the popular press and literary community, the women's fiction genre called Chick Lit is now one of the hottest growing markets for new writers. In Will Write for Shoes, veteran Chick Lit and romance author Cathy Yardley addresses the common questions (and misconceptions) about the genre. Based on years of teaching about commercial women's fiction, this definitive guide provides invaluable tips and step-by-step methods for writing and selling a successful Chick Lit novel. Features include: * The history of Chick Lit * A blueprint for writing a Chick Lit novel * New trends in the genre * Tips and tools for breaking into the market * FAQs and miscellanea A directory of agents and publishers who acquire Chick Lit, sample submission materials, and online resources make this fun and comprehensive manual a must-have for all women who want to write a Chick Lit novel.

Download or read book Time Crossed Time Thief 1 5 written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2018-08-09 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stealing time. Cheating death. Breaking hearts. Gregory Faa is an Otherworldly man on a mission in the new Time Thief short story from New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister. Gwenhwyfar Byron Owens is a Wiccan on the edge—of the law. With two mothers who excel on breaking the rules of the Otherworld’s Watch, Gwen is used to dealing with their troublesome situations. But when she’s snatched from the jaws of death itself, it’s not her moms who give her grief, it’s the drop-dead gorgeous man who saved her life. Traveller Gregory Faa may be many things—time stealer, outlier, troublemaker—but there’s one thing he isn’t: hip to the fact that death has very little patience with people who don’t die when they’re supposed to… Includes previews of Time Thief and The Art of Stealing Time.

Download or read book Book Crush written by Nancy Pearl and published by Sasquatch Books. This book was released on 2009-09-29 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you remember your first book crush? You know, the first time a book completely captured your imagination, transported you to a magical place, or introduced you to a lifelong friend you will never forget? In Book Crush, popular librarian and reading enthusiast Nancy Pearl reminds us why we fell for reading in the first place—how completely consuming and life-changing a good book can be. Pearl offers more than 1,000 crush-worthy books organized into over 100 recommended reading lists aimed at youngest, middle-grade, and teen readers. From picture books to chapter books, YA fiction and nonfiction, Pearl has developed more smart and interesting thematic lists of books to enjoy. Parents, teachers, and librarians are often puzzled by the unending choices for reading material for young people. It starts when the kids are toddler and doesn’t end until high-school graduation. What’s good, what’s not, and what’s going to hold their interest? Popular librarian Nancy Pearl points the way in Book Crush.

Download or read book Ain t Myth Behaving written by Katie MacAlister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2021-03-26 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A modern woman and a god from ancient legend? Surely an epic love mismatch…or maybe it’s the “myth match” of the century? The irrepressible Katie MacAlister brings us heroes who are more than mere mortals in two sparkling new novellas of the Otherworld. STAG PARTY Dane Hearne—also known as the Irish fertility god Cernunnos—must choose a bride quickly. His long-time goddess has run off with a salsa dancer, and Dane must be married by Beltane, just a week away, or become a mortal—and die. When he meets American travel writer Megan St. Clair, he knows he’s found his soul mate. But while Dane is a sexy Irish hunk with his fair share of blarney, can he convince Megan to marry him in just one week? NORSE TRULY Alrik Sigurdsson is cursed to sail his Viking ship along the same stretch of Scandinavian coastline forever. So when lovely American Brynna Lund skids her car off the road into the ocean, he and his men are happy for the diversion of rescuing her. Then Alrik discovers that Brynna is the only woman who can break the curse. Is it any wonder that he’s determined to keep her…forever?

Download or read book Kliatt Young Adult Paperback Book Guide written by and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Dragonblight written by Katie MacAlister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2021-04-16 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seven wyverns, six dragon mates, and a mouthy demon named Jim… When word comes that a demon lord plans to curse all of dragonkin, Aisling, Drake, and the rest of the weyr take immediate action. But before they can find out just who is behind the threat, and why the curse is being cast, the red dragons disappear, leaving behind oddly familiar–but deadly–new foes. The weyr bands together to repel the attacks and save the future of all dragons, but not before they lose one of their own. With demon-dragon hybrids trying to kill them, a demon lord weaving the biggest curse ever created, and the destruction of an entire sept, the wyverns unleash their collective wrath against the Dragonblight that could obliterate them all. Note to new readers: this book details events that happen between two existing dragon novels, Sparks Fly and Dragon Fall.

Download or read book Last of the Red Hot Vampires written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2019-05-27 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The bestselling author of Even Vampires Get the Blues delivers a diabolical tale of a vampire who’s sexy as hell… Physicist Portia Harding’s life is grounded in facts. There’s nothing that can’t be explained by logic and science. Until she travels with her best friend to England—and accidentally summons an ethereal Virtue who bequeaths her gift of weather control to Portia… Now Portia’s walking around with a literal cloud over her head—and a heartstoppingly handsome maniac trying to kidnap her. But Theondre North is no run-of-the-mill maniac. He’s a nephilim—the son of a fallen angel—who needs Portia’s help to change his fate. Problem is, Portia’s down-to-earth attitude frustrates beings from both heavenly and hellish realms—and gets Theo turned into a vampire. But at least he has Portia to satisfy his newfound hungers—and possibly save his soul…

Download or read book A Midsummer Night s Romp written by Katie Macalister and published by Keeper Shelf Books. This book was released on 2019-06-04 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lorina Liddel is terrified of embarrassing herself on national TV as the face of Dig Britain!, a new archeological reality show. Lorina would much rather keep her head down and her hands in the dirt underneath Ainslie Castle, but her on-screen partner is proving to be a major distraction. Brother to the castle’s current lord, privileged, perfectly sculpted Gunner Ainslie is a sure bet to keep viewers glued to their screens. Lorina intends to keep the ladies’ man focused on the job at hand, but Gunner is confident he’ll soon have the beauty falling into his bed. When an unexpected find turns the academic dig into an all-out treasure hunt, Lorina and Gunner get swept up in the excitement. But when their steamy tryst is caught on camera, it’ll take more than an award-winning performance to get them out of the hole they’re in…