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Herbal Medicine for Modern Life: Traditional Folk Remedies for Everyday Health and Well-Being
by Ruth BlandingProtect, heal, and revitalize your health with herbal remedies crafted to treat ailments from modern livingIn today&’s busy world, our disconnection from the earth has led to an overreliance on health interventions that don&’t always work. With Herbal Medicine for Modern Life, you&’ll discover the enduring wisdom of plant medicine with an herbalist who draws on her connection to the ancestors and nature to support health and wellness. With her expert advice, you&’ll learn how to benefit from the folkloric use of plants: how to use them to heal the root causes of many modern ailments and bring you back to feeling balanced, healthy, and whole again. Ancient Remedies for Modern Needs. Learn to tap into traditional medicine for modern health issues like anxiety, allergies, hormone imbalances, and more.Approachable, Affordable Herbalism. Make safe and powerful herbal medicine in the comfort of your home with easy-to-source medicinal plants and everyday tools.Profiles of Powerful Medicinal Plants. Discover more than 35 medicinal herbs with photos and details about therapeutic actions, contraindications, and healing qualities. Wide Range of Herbal Remedies. Follow step-by-step recipes to craft infusions, tinctures, syrups, balms, powders, and other common herbal preparations.
Big Breath In
by John StraleyA retired marine biologist turned amateur sleuth has an ax to grind—and a child to save—in this new standalone mystery from the author of the acclaimed Cecil Younger series.Diagnosed with terminal cancer, retired marine biologist Delphine is on the brink of throwing in the towel. She has outlived her PI husband and worries she&’s become a burden to her son and his growing family. One night, while contemplating how to go on, Delphine witnesses a violent argument between a man and his girlfriend. When Delphine discovers the woman has gone missing along with her young child, Delphine embarks on a quest to find them.What begins as a chance encounter balloons into a rescue mission across the Pacific Northwest. Along the way, Delphine encounters the dregs of humanity—grappling with schemers, kidnappers, and murderers—as well as its joys. With the help of a few friends, a retired PI, and a queer biker gang, Delphine is determined to see her mission through . . . knowing full well it may be her last.While Big Breath In stands alone, longtime Straley fans will recognize the characteristic wit, heart, and contemplation of life that threads through every one of his books—and discover a new heroine to fall in love with.
Time Expansion Experiences: The Psychology of Time Perception and the Illusion of Linear Time
by Steve TaylorHave you ever been in an accident and felt that time slowed down? Have you felt time stretch radically, or even apparently disappear, in a state of deep meditation? Psychologist Dr Steve Taylor calls these Time Expansion Experiences, and in this book he shares his years of research into this life-changing phenomenon.Most of us will have experienced a TEE, an experience of time slowing down in an extreme situation, and yet it is a phenomenon that has never been fully explored or explained - until now.Psychologist Dr. Steve Taylor has spent several years analysing &“time expansion experiences&” (or TEEs), after collecting hundreds of reports. He has also found many examples of "time cessation experiences" (or TCEs), in which time appears to disappear altogether. In this book he shares the fascinating psychology and shared features behind all of these case studies, coming to an incredible conclusion: TEEs are a real altered state of consciousness, rather than a trick of recollection. Not only this, but TEEs and TCEs are almost always positive, with a sense of calm well-being, clarity and heightened awareness. In this ground-breaking book, discover profound implications: What do unusual states of consciousness such as mystical experiences, psychedelic experiences, and near-death experiences tell us about time and consciousness?What can the countless reports of &“life review&” - when people view a whole lifetime of events and experiences within a few seconds - tell about the past, present and the future?What does modern physics have to say about the idea that linear time is illusory?If our perception of time is an illusion, is it possible to speed up and slow down time at will, including inducing TEEs?
Open Sesame: 45 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Tahini & All Things Sesame
by Rachel BelleGet creative with these 45 globally inspired recipes—each with a unique sesame twist—in this stylish, palate-pleasing cookbook.Like a little black dress, tahini can seamlessly transition from day to night, from savory to sweet. Reimagine how tahini can fit into your everyday repertoire with all the style and whimsy from the host of the James Beard-nominated Your Last Meal podcast Rachel Belle. This creamy, nutty ingredient is more than just a cult condiment du jour: It's an allergy-friendly nut substitute!Replaces dairy in vegan dishes! Full of heart-healthy fats, plant-based protein, and chock-full of essential vitamins!Adds a roasty-toasty, elevated flavor to many desserts!Sprinkle some sesame sparkle into your life with recipes that Isaac Mizrahi calls "slightly insane" but "irresistible," including:Everything-Including-the-Bagel SaladFalafel-Spiced Tahini Deviled Eggs with Crispy ChickpeasChocolate Miso Whoopie Pies with Tahini Creamand, of course, Ethereally Creamy Israeli-Style Hummus (now available in traditional, golden, and hot pink!)These forty-five inventive recipes each have a global flair and a sesame twist—plus a robust (and surprising) dessert section to hit that sweet spot to please even the most jaded tahiniphile.
The Final Orchard
by CJ RiveraFrom debut-author CJ Rivera, comes a harrowing tale of a parent risking it all for her child. The Final Orchard is perfect for those looking for a novel that captures them like television shows Silo and Black Mirror.In a society where bionic enhancements are the epitome of wealth and power, scientific researcher Dr Rosio Arata threatens to topple the status quo with her pioneering organic enhancements. Yet when a horrific accident kills her daughter, Ro's quest for answers leads her to becoming trapped in a twisted version of her life's work.In a bleak underground colony, sixteen year-old Ever is primed to rise through the ranks, gain selection and become a Saviour. It's her dream to journey to the Surface and fight the army of Forms overwhelming the globe, catching up with the boy she loves in the process. Yet nothing in this world is what it seems and soon the secrets buried in her bunker begin to unravel, threatening the future of everything.
"They Just Need to Get a Job": 15 Myths on Homelessness (Myths Made in America #10)
by Mary Brosnahan&“Readers will come away infuriated, with a greater understanding of the systemic causes of homelessness, and with more compassion for their homeless neighbors. Essential reading for any community affected by homelessness (which is all of them).&” —Booklist, Starred ReviewFor readers of Andrea Elliott and Matthew Desmond, the former CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless breaks through the highly destructive misinformation surrounding our homeless neighborsConservative think tanks like the Manhattan Institute disseminate anti-homeless myths in the media, legislatures, and the larger culture, claiming that our homeless neighbors cause their own predicament and that the best we can do is manage the problem.Drawing on her deep legal knowledge, policy expertise, and decades of frontline service, Mary Brosnahan cuts through the misinformation to deliver two important messages: that homelessness ultimately stems from a lack of investment in affordable housing; and that the greatest myth of all is that we should have no hope. In fact, the proven solutions are well documented, and the ability to enact them depends on us all.Brosnahan takes a nationwide look from New York to Detroit, Philly to L.A., and from rural areas such as Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to debunk 15 widespread misconceptions, including:that the problem is inevitable (in fact, Housing First approaches have shown great success)that &“handouts&” cause homelessness (in fact, the primary causes are flat wages and high rent)that homeless people need to prove that they&’re &“ready&” to receive aid (in fact, enforcing hurdles is far more expensive and less effective than Housing First).With brilliant insight, Brosnahan showcases how by dispelling these pervasive myths rooted in fear, we can embrace the affordable, housing-based solutions that will bring our impoverished neighbors home.
Confronting the School Dropout Crisis: Insights and Interventions From a Former Dropout
by Susan BowmanReach out before they drop out Student dropout rates continue to soar, despite decades of funding, research, programs, and professional development initiatives. This is a wakeup call. Written by a former school dropout, Confronting the School Dropout Crisis encourages educators and related professionals to discover and explore the sometimes unnoticed reasons that youth drop out of school. With fresh strategies for prevention and intervention, this critical resource includes: How to reach and recover students who are at risk of dropping out or who already have Clear, impactful strategies that better engage and positively impact students who are at risk Moving personal stories from teens and the author Confronting the School Dropout Crisis invites you to rethink how you address real dropout issues with young people and how to incorporate fresh approaches to better reach and positively impact these students and their caregivers—before it’s too late.
Confronting the School Dropout Crisis: Insights and Interventions From a Former Dropout
by Susan BowmanReach out before they drop out Student dropout rates continue to soar, despite decades of funding, research, programs, and professional development initiatives. This is a wakeup call. Written by a former school dropout, Confronting the School Dropout Crisis encourages educators and related professionals to discover and explore the sometimes unnoticed reasons that youth drop out of school. With fresh strategies for prevention and intervention, this critical resource includes: How to reach and recover students who are at risk of dropping out or who already have Clear, impactful strategies that better engage and positively impact students who are at risk Moving personal stories from teens and the author Confronting the School Dropout Crisis invites you to rethink how you address real dropout issues with young people and how to incorporate fresh approaches to better reach and positively impact these students and their caregivers—before it’s too late.
Interweaving Equitable Participation and Deep Mathematics: Building Community in the Elementary Classroom (Corwin Mathematics Series)
by Susan Jo Russell Deborah SchifterCreating mathematical community in elementary classrooms to support equitable engagement in deep mathematical content What does a mathematical community look like in an elementary classroom? How do teachers engage young mathematicians in deep and challenging mathematical content? How do we ensure that every student contributes their voice to this community? Interweaving Equitable Participation and Deep Mathematics: Building Community in the Elementary Classroom focuses on a dual commitment: to teaching deep and challenging mathematics and to equitable participation for all students in the classroom community. With practical strategies and real-life examples, Susan Jo Russell and Deborah Schifter offer a design for building community organized around four key aspects: every voice matters; collaboration supports student agency; student-created representations offer anchors, openings, and depth; and students become initiators and advocates for their own learning. Each chapter examines how teachers implement these ideas through video examples from six public elementary-school classrooms. A powerful resource for any educator interested in a mathematics education that fosters a true sense of community, this book Provides a window into a learning community of educators applying their understanding of mathematics to develop a teaching practice that fosters students’ curiosity, meaning-making, and mathematical agency Presents vivid examples of teachers and students in diverse classrooms engaged in rich mathematical tasks and deep collaborative conversations, inviting readers to reflect on their practices and students′ learning Engages readers in math investigations to help them understand student thinking, provides reflection questions about the classroom video, and offers suggestions for taking next steps in one′s own practice Includes commentaries on the videos by a group of "critical friends"—educators with deep experience in mathematics and equity—and by the teachers of the classrooms in the videos Offers free online tools for professional development and book study groups, including a Facilitator’s Guide and a Notes Organizer, and suggests resources for continued learning. This book is a must-read for anyone passionate about creating positive change in the mathematics education system and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in their mathematical journey.
Am I Trans Enough?: How to Overcome Your Doubts and Find Your Authentic Self
by Alo JohnstonAm I Trans Enough? The answer is undoubtably yes. You are.Alo Johnston has been where you are. From watching every transition story on YouTube and navigating online message boards for answers to finally starting testosterone and transitioning himself, he now walks alongside you every step of the way to guide you towards acceptance of who you truly are.Born out of thousands of hours of research and conversations with hundreds of trans people, Am I Trans Enough? digs deep into internalized transphobia and the historical narratives that fuel it. It unveils what happens after you come out, or begin questioning living as a trans person, in a world that works against you.Use this book as a space to engage with your fears and explore your doubts without the pressure of needing to be a perfect trans representative. If you are just beginning your trans journey, are twenty years into transition or have no idea if you are even trans at all, this book will help you to become your most authentic self.
Reel (Hollywood Renaissance)
by Kennedy RyanUSA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan's Audie award-winning novel launches a passionate series exploring the wild ambition, artistic obsession, and unrelenting love in Hollywood.One moment in the spotlight . . .For months I stood by, an understudy waiting in the wings, preparing for my time to shine.I never imagined he would watch in the audience that night.Canon Holt.Famous film director. Fascinating. Talented. FineBefore I could catch my breath, everything changed. I went from backstage Broadway to center stage Hollywood.From being unknown, to my name, Neevah Saint, on everyone's lips.Canon casts me in a star-studded Harlem Renaissance biopic, catapulting me into another stratosphere.But stars shine brightest in the dead of night.Forbidden attraction, scandal and circumstances beyond my control jeopardize my dream.Could this one shot - the role of a lifetime, the love of a lifetime - cost me everything?This beautiful new edition includes a never-before-published bonus epilogue! WHY READERS LOVE KENNEDY RYAN . . . 'Real, raw, magnificent' COLLEEN HOOVER'Breathtaking, gut-wrenching, viscerally romantic' TALIA HIBBERT'SPECTACULAR!'' CHRISTINA LAUREN'A gorgeously poignant story of healing, family and love' HELEN HOANG'Every page is perfection' FARRAH ROCHON
The Lotus Empire
by Tasha SuriMalini has claimed her rightful throne as the empress of Parijatdvipa, just as the nameless gods prophesied. Now, in order to gain the support of the priesthood who remain loyal to the fallen emperor, she must consider a terrible bargain: Claim her throne and burn in order to seal her legacy-or find another willing to take her place on the pyre. Priya has survived the deathless waters and now their magic runs in her veins. But a mysterious yaksa with flowering eyes and a mouth of thorns lies beneath the waters. The yaksa promises protection for Ahiranya. But in exchange, she needs a sacrifice. And she's chosen Priya as the one to offer it. Two women once entwined by fate now stand against each other for the sake of their respective homes. But when a new enemy rises, they will once again find themselves fighting together to prevent their kingdoms, and their futures, from burning to ash.The Lotus Empire brings Tasha Suri's acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy to a heart-stopping close. As an ancient magic returns to Ahiranya and threatens its very foundations, Empress Malini and priestess Priya will stop at nothing to save their kingdom-even if it means they must destroy each other.'Tasha Suri will go down in history as one of the great fantasy authors of this era. The Burning Kingdoms trilogy takes her extraordinary imagination, her lyrical style, and her gift for crafting intricate characters, then fires them in a furnace of war and ancient magic and sapphic yearning, giving us an epic like no other. Malini and Priya will carve themselves into your memory'Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
The Little Book of Parenting: How to Nurture Your Child to Their Full Potential
by Chinyelu KunzChinyelu Kunz is a childhood educational mentor and a leading parenting coach. Her expertise has supported thousands of families in their mission to nurture and encourage content, kind and thriving children, who continue to blossom into adulthood - and she distils it here into a must-buy book for parents seeking to raise emotionally healthy children. The Little Book of Parenting covers everything you need to raise happy, resilient children from preschool to adult. Focusing on your emotional wellbeing as a starting point, it enables you to support your child with a healthy foundation, the ability to self-regulate, your dynamics as a family and the importance of clear but lovingly-set boundaries and solid routines. Implementing the practical and emotional advice in this book will help parents unlock their child's unique potential so they can thrive, grow into their best and unique self, and emerge into adulthood with a rock-solid foundation as a confident, happy and content being. There are special tips and advice and a plethora of actionable bite-sized takeaways which make the reader's experience relaxing, digestible and relatable.
The Navigator's Children: The epic conclusion to the groundbreaking Last King of Osten Ard series (Last King of Osten Ard)
by Tad WilliamsTHE EPIC CONCLUSION TO THE GROUNDBREAKING AND RENOWNED LAST KING OF OSTEN ARD SERIES.'Inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy. It's one of my favourite fantasy series' GEORGE R. R. MARTIN'A master storyteller, and the Osten Ard books are his masterpiece' BRANDON SANDERSON 'Paved the way for so much modern fantasy. Including mine' PATRICK ROTHFUSS'One of the great fantasy epics of all time' CHRISTOPHER PAOLINIThe Hayholt is besieged by the Norns. Once the home of their immortal brethren, the Sithi, now capital of the kingdom of men, the fabled castle is under attack. And as the world is distracted by this strike against humankind, the Norns' deathless witch-queen Utuk'ku turns towards the mysterious fateful valley called Tanakirú - the Vale of Mists.Meanwhile, Queen Miriamele hurries to save the Hayholt and capture the treacherous noble Pasevalles, but arrives to discover the traitor has escaped.And inside Tanakirú, Vale of Mists, the bond between Prince Morgan and Nezeru, a renegade Norn, has become something deeper and stranger than either of them could have anticipated. They journey ever deeper to the heart of the valley's mystery, encountering wonder and horror, and come face to face at last with the ancient secret that has kindled the Norn Queen's war - a secret that will destroy immortals and humans alike.
Barroco and Other Writings (Cultural Memory in the Present)
by Severo SarduySevero Sarduy was among the most important figures in twentieth-century Latin American fiction and a major representative of the literary tendency to which he gave the name Neobaroque. While most of Sarduy's literary work is available in English, his theoretical writings have largely remained untranslated. This volume—presenting Sarduy's central theoretical contribution, Barroco (1974), alongside other related works—remedies that oversight. Barroco marks a watershed in postwar thought on the Baroque, both in French post-structuralism and in the Latin American context. Sarduy traces a double history, reading events in the history of science alongside developments in the history of art, architecture, and literature. What emerges is a theory of the Baroque as decentering and displacement, as supplement and excess, a theory capacious enough to account for the old European Baroque as well as its queer, Latin American and global futures. In addition to Barroco, this volume includes texts spanning Sarduy's career, from 1960s essays published originally in Tel Quel to late works from the 1980s and '90s. It thus offers a complete picture of Sarduy's thinking on the Baroque.
Reading the Archival Revolution: Declassified Stories and Their Challenges (Square One: First-Order Questions in the Humanities)
by Cristina VatulescuThe opening of classified documents from the Soviet era has been dubbed the "archival revolution" due to its unprecedented scale, drama, and impact. With a storyteller's sensibility, Cristina Vatulescu identifies and takes on the main challenges of reading in these archives. This transnational study foregrounds peripheral Eastern European perspectives and the ethical stakes of archival research. In so doing, it contributes to the urgent task of decolonizing the field of Eastern European and Russian studies at this critical moment in the region's history. Drawing on diverse work ranging from Mikhail Bakhtin to Tina Campt, the book enters into broader conversations about the limits and potential of reading documents, fictions, and one another. Pairing one key reading challenge with a particularly arresting story, Vatulescu in turn investigates Michel Foucault's traces in Polish secret police archives; tackles the files, reenactment film, and photo albums of a socialist bank heist; pits autofiction against disinformation in the secret police files of Nobel Prize laureate Herta Müller; and takes on the digital remediation of Soviet-era archives by analyzing contested translations of the Iron Curtain trope from its 1946 origins to the current war in Ukraine. The result is a bona fide reader's guide to Eastern Europe's ongoing archival revolution.
Changing on the Job, Second Edition: How Leaders Become Courageous, Wise, and Steady in an Anxious World
by Jennifer Garvey Berger"Brilliantly captures the essence of adult development, offering leaders a roadmap to growth amidst complexity. A must-read for anyone committed to evolving their consciousness and leadership practice." —Robert Kegan, Harvard University Graduate School of Education, co-author of Immunity to Change and An Everyone Culture An advanced guide to leadership development and intentional evolution—your own or others The leaders we need to solve our complex, unprecedented problems can only be developed in the workplace, and they require personal transformation, not just some new leadership skills. The second edition of Jennifer Garvey Berger's influential Changing on the Job explains the advanced perspective, maturity, and personal evolution leaders need to make a powerful difference in their organizations and in the world. The book offers practical tools and deep insights based on adult development theory to help leaders turn their greatest challenges into growth and personal transformation. Berger explains the four predictable stages of leadership maturity and wisdom, and how to accelerate growth toward the third and fourth stages. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an emerging coach, Changing on the Job is a roadmap to cultivating courageous, wise, and steady leadership in an uncertain world.
War-Making as Worldmaking: Kenya, the United States, and the War on Terror
by Samar Al-BulushiSince Kenya's invasion of Somalia in 2011, the Kenyan state has been engaged in direct combat with the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, conducting airstrikes in southern Somalia and deploying heavy-handed police tactics at home. As the hunt for suspects has expanded within Kenya, Kenyan Muslims have been subject to disappearances and extrajudicial killings at the hands of U.S.-trained Kenyan police. War-Making as Worldmaking explores the entanglement of militarism, imperialism, and liberal-democratic governance in East Africa today. Samar Al-Bulushi argues that Kenya's emergence as a key player in the "War on Terror" is closely linked—but not reducible to—the U.S. military's growing proclivity to outsource the labor of war. Attending to the cultural politics of security, Al-Bulushi illustrates that the war against Al-Shabaab has become a means to produce new fantasies, emotions, and subjectivities about Kenya's place in the world. Meanwhile, Kenya's alignment with the U.S. provides cover for the criminalization and policing of the country's Muslim minority population. How is life lived in a place that is not understood to be a site of war, yet is often experienced as such by its targets? This book weaves together multiple scales of analysis, asking what a view from East Africa can tell us about the shifting configurations and expansive geographies of post-9/11 imperial warfare.
Play Games with Me (A Playdate Book)
by Kat ChenPlay a bunch of different games in this playdate-in-a-book with small learnings and tender moments.This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. In this third book, the indoor playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar activities.
The Davenports: More Than This
by Krystal MarquisThe anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller featuring escapist romance and a wealthy Black family in 1910s ChicagoLike the blazing Chicago sun, the drama is heating up for the Davenports and their social set. Before the summer of 1910 drops its last petal, the lives—and loves—of these four young women will change in ways they never could have imagined:Newly engaged Ruby Tremaine is eagerly planning her wedding to the love of her life when a nasty rumor threatens her reputation and her marriage. Olivia Davenport has committed to the social justice cause and secretly hopes she&’ll be reunited with dashing lawyer Washington DeWight—until her parents decide she&’s to marry someone else. Amy-Rose Shepherd is making her lifelong wish of owning a salon come true, but when an incident forces her to return to Freeport Manor, she&’s back in the path of John Davenport, who still holds her heart. Helen Davenport is determined to get over her own heartbreak and bring the Davenport Carriage Company into the new century, even if it means teaming up with a thrill-seeking racecar driver who just loves to get under her skin.Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, More Than This is the second book in critically adored Davenports series, following four empowered and passionate young Black women as they navigate a rapidly changing society and discover the courage to steer their own paths in life—and love.&“The Davenport universe has history, humor, and heart baked into it . . . Breezy and fluid prose supports the love-filled merry-go-round of will-they-won&’t-they storylines.&” —Kirkus
Happy Birthday, Little One (Tiny Moments)
by J. D. ForesterThis charming board book is the perfect gift for celebrating a baby's first birthday.Pig&’s barnyard friends have thrown the best party for Pig&’s first year around the sun. Little ones will love the gentle, rhyming text and adorable art in this delightful read-aloud.Commemorate some of life&’s biggest milestones and occasions with the Tiny Moments series!
Clive Cussler Desolation Code (The NUMA Files #21)
by Graham BrownKurt Austin and the NUMA crew face swarms of deadly bio-hacked sea locusts, a runaway AI system, and a sinister cult in the latest novel in the #1 New York Times-bestselling series created by the &“grand master of adventure&” Clive Cussler. When Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala investigate a mass stranding of aquatic life in the Indian Ocean, they accidentally uncover a much deeper mystery. A strange figure soon steals NUMA&’s findings, forcing a high-speed chase—someone really didn’t want them examining those dead whales. But who, and why? A cryptic text through the NUMA satellite network makes things still stranger: these odd phrases and numbers look like NUMA codes. But who could be tantalizing the crew with such specific knowledge of their tech? Are they being helped by an old friend, or lured into a trap by a traitor who knows a little too much about NUMA&’s inner workings? Kurt, Joe, and even Max, the agency’s supercomputer, will have to investigate like never before as they decrypt data, infiltrate a cult of cloned men, and prepare for a battle on two very different planes: one physical; one digital. The aquatic stranding was just the beginning of a sinister plan concocted by a mind more brilliant than any they’ve ever faced—the mind of a machine. A new, terrifying world order is being plotted. First marine ecosystems will be devastated, then the entire globe’s…Unless the NUMA crew can stop this code of desolation. <b>New York Times Bestseller</b>
Her Knight at the Museum
by Bryn DonovanA centuries-long curse is no match for rom-com shenanigans when a medieval knight is brought to life in modern-day Chicago. Forgotten by time and abandoned by hope, Sir Griffin de Beauford&’s existence stretches out before him. Cursed by a ruthless enchanter to see, hear, and think, but never to move or speak, Griffin suffers the long, lonely centuries trapped in stone…until an unexpected kiss from a fair maiden breathes new life into his soul—and his body. Emily Porter, a recently divorced conservator at the Art Institute of Chicago, is charged with the restoration of a statue of a medieval English knight. Breaking curses was not part of the job description. And yet, here he is, the man of her dreams come to life, resplendent in shining armor as he joyously barrels into priceless antiquities...and goes on to dismantle her defenses, wreak havoc on her senses, and tempt her to believe once more in happy-ever-afters. But the modern age tries Griffin&’s patience and pride, and Emily is a prime suspect in the investigation of the missing sculpture. In a complicated world, can they find their way to a fairy-tale ending?
Toto
by A. J. HackwithThe true hero of The Wizard of Oz takes center stage in this brilliant, delightfully snarky reimagining from the author of The Library of the Unwritten.I was mostly a Good Dog until they sold me out to animal control, okay?But if it&’s a choice between Oz, with its creepy little singing dudes, and being behind bars in gray old Kansas, I&’ll choose the place where animals talk and run the show for now, thanks.It&’s not my fault that the kid is stuck here too, or that she stumbled into a tug-of-war over a pair of slippers that don&’t even taste good. Now one witch in good eyeliner calls her pretty and we&’re off on a quest? Teenagers.I try to tell her she&’s falling in with the wrong crowd when she befriends a freaking hedge wizard made of straw, that blue jay with revolutionary aspirations, and the walking tin can. Still, I&’m not one to judge when there&’s the small matter of a coup in the Forest Kingdom.... Look, something really stinks in Oz, and this Wizard guy and the witches positively reek of it. As usual, it&’s going to be up to a sensible little dog to do a big dog&’s job and get to the bottom of it.And trust me: Little dogs can get away with anything.
Servant of Earth (The Shards of Magic #1)
by Sarah HawleyIn the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say half feral—but she&’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.Trapped as a servant in the faeries&’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of magic: Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn&’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion&’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she&’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness.Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will... but even that may not be enough.