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Porky Pies (Little Gems)
by null Ross MontgomeryThe pig who cried wolf finally gets his comeuppance in this hilarious gem from bestselling author Ross Montgomery. Porky Pies is always telling lies, trying to terrify his brothers and sisters into believing that the Big Bad Wolf is back. But when the biggest fibber in the litter tries to plan his most daring prank yet, the joke is on him this time. So who will have the last laugh?
The Princess Sister Swap (The\princess Sister Swap Ser. #Book 1)
by Jessica GilmoreCinderella and the Vicomte Secret half-sisters Clem and Princess Arrosa have always wanted to walk in each other’s shoes! So when Arrosa needs some time out, it’s the perfect chance. Posing as her sister seems simple for Clem – until Vicomte Akil d’Ortiz, Arrosa’s friend and potential convenient suitor, arrives unannounced and immediately recognises that she is not the princess. And suddenly the real connection Clem develops with Akil makes life truly complicated… The Princess and the Single Dad Princess Arrosa is about to become Crown Princess. Facing pressure to marry, she’s escaped to Cornwall, courtesy of her half-sister Clem. But Rosy never expected her much-needed getaway to become a summer romance… And she certainly never meant to fall for ex-bad-boy-turned-single-dad Jack and his adorable daughters! They don’t belong in each other’s world, but can they let each other go…?
The Pug who wanted a Birthday (The Pug Who Wanted to... #11)
by Bella SwiftPeggy's best friend, Chloe, is planning a big birthday celebration for her friend's dog, and Peggy can't wait to join in the fun and games. There's so much to do before the big day! But when Peggy realises that she doesn't have a birthday of her own, she can't help feeling a bit left out. Especially since Chloe is keeping secrets about the party plans . . .Could Peggy be in for a big surprise?This latest Peggy the Pug story features super cute illustrations throughout and fun shiny foil on the cover. This would make the perfect birthday gift or party bag filler for all Peggy fans and dog lovers!
The Pyramid of Needs
by Ernest PriceDarkly funny family drama about transphobia, political identity and family dynamics. Perfect for fans of My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh and The Dinner by Herman Koch.Cover Blurb:Linda Taylor is livestreaming her glamourous life as an alternative health guru when she trips over in front of her followers ‑ and can't get up. When Linda's children, Jack and Alice, find out she's broken her hip and can't care for their ailing father or pay her bills, they decide to help. There's just one problem: Jack hasn't spoken to Linda since he came out as a trans man over a decade ago.As the family gets together in Noosa and thunder clouds gather overhead, will family ties be enough to disentangle years of hurt, prejudice and pyramid-scheme brainwashing? Or will Jack have to cancel his mother for good?The Pyramid of Needs is a dark, wry and deeply illuminating examination of family dynamics in a world full of division and misinformation.
Queen Victoria and her Prime Ministers: A Personal History
by Anne SomersetIt is generally accepted that Queen Victoria reigned but did not rule. This couldn’t be more wrong.
Reality Check
by Vicki Notaro'Such a fun, heart-warming page-turner' - Marian Keyes'A fantastic Irish writer' - Joanne McNally'The next Jackie Collins' - Aoife Barry'It’s camp and sexy but also a serious exploration of romantic relationships, friendship and family. Escapism at its finest!' - Sarah Breen Portia Daniels' life is sorted. She has a perfect man (Jason, a hot TV producer from Ireland), a perfect apartment (in lower Manhattan), a perfect job (writing for TV). Best of all for her, unlike the rest of her family, she lives in perfect obscurity.On the other hand, it's all drama with her mother, Dessie, Kerry-born queen bee of hit reality show, Ladies of Los Angeles, and sisters, Vinnie, a supermodel-turned-Insta-guru and Ariel, a Tik-Tok teen sensation.When Jason drops a bombshell that leaves her life in tatters, Portia flees to be with her family. Her timing could not be worse though as scandal engulfs Vinnie's empire and Ariel bratty behaviour gets out of hand. As for Dessie, she is clearly hiding something. It seems like the glamour and gossip on which Dessie built her empire might just be its downfall.But maybe Portia has been fooling herself about living a 'real' life? She might be about to get as big a wake-up call as her mother and sisters.From the bright lights of LA to the rugged charm of west Kerry, Reality Check is a delicious look behind the scenes of what really goes down in Tinseltown.'Glamorous, witty and full of heart and humour' - Edel Coffey‘Absolutely hilarious. Can’t recommend it highly enough’ - Paul Howard'So thrilling, so juicy ... I am on the edge of my seat' - Rozanna Purcell
Rebel Rising: A Memoir
by null Rebel WilsonFrom the scene-stealing star of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids comes a refreshingly candid, hilarious and inspiring book about an unconventional journey to Hollywood success and self-celebration. For decades, Rebel Wilson single-mindedly focused on her career, forgoing relationships in favour of making a name for herself. In her revealing and authentic memoir, Rebel chronicles the emotional and physical lessons she has learned, as well as her most embarrassing experiences. A malaria-induced Oscars hallucination? An all-style martial-arts fighting tournament? Junior handling at dog shows? And this was all before she moved to Hollywood! Rebel Rising follows Rebel from her Aussie upbringing as the daughter of parents who sold pet products at dog shows, to making millions as LA’s favourite funny girl, always questioning "Am I good enough?”, "Will I ever find love?" and "Will I ever change and become healthy?". Rebel writes for the first time about the most personal and important moments in her life – from fertility issues, weight gain and loss to sexuality, overcoming shyness and dealing with rejection (and there's at least one story thrown in about Brad Pitt!). This brave and honest memoir shows us how to love ourselves while always remembering the value of laughing.
Red Side Story: The spectacular and colourful new novel from the bestselling author of Shades of Grey
by Jasper FfordeImagine a world where your position in society depended on what bit of the colour spectrum you could see. This is the world inhabited by Eddie Russett (red, middle-level) and Jane Grey (monochromatic, lowest in society). Eddie and Jane must negotiate the delicate Chromatic politics of society to find out what the 'Something that Happened' actually was, how society got to be this way, and crucially, is there Somewhere Else beyond their borders - and if there is, could there be Someone Else, too, someone whose unseen hand has been guiding the fortunes and misfortunes of the nation for the past 500 years?It's a tale of a young couple's thirst for justice and answers in an implacably rigid society, where the prisoners are also the guards, and cages of convention bind the citizens to only one way of thinking - or suffer the consequences. . ..
Red String Theory: A swoony romance about the beauty of fate and second chances
by Lauren Kung Jessen'Lauren delivers laughs, heart, and swoon all in one ridiculously fun story' SARAH ADAMSJust a date . . . or a twist of fate? Science meets art in this delightfully swoony romance of fate and second chances by Lauren Kung Jessen. When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. That belief has inspired her career and the large art installations she makes. That is until artist's block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy. . .Jack Liu is absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn't believe in such a thing. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever . . . until they're given one more chance to reconnect. But can Rooney convince a reluctant sceptic to take a leap of fate?More praise for Lauren Kung Jessen: 'There's heat, friction, sparks - it's a lit match!' Sarah Hogle 'Tradition meets modern progress and it's a delicious combination' Abby Jimenez 'A lovingly crafted rivals-to-lovers rom-com' Farah Heron
Regency Whispers: Least Likely to Win a Duke (The Wallflower Academy) / More Than a Match for the Earl
by null Emily E MurdochAn unexpected match Least Likely to Win a Duke by Emily E K Murdoch Miss Pike’s finishing school might be designed to find the most unconventional of debutantes a husband, but Gwendoline Knox doesn’t expect to literally bump into a duke on her first day! Let alone one as distractingly charming as Percy Devereux. Gwen knows nothing can come of their flirtations—not with their different stations and her scandalous secret! Still, she can’t help wishing for more, even if that means confronting her past… More Than a Match for the Earl by Emily E K Murdoch Marilla Newell refuses to play by society’s rules for finding a husband. Not after her calamitous engagement to an awful earl. Living her life without sight makes it even harder to trust, so she’s immediately wary of charming rogue Finlay – especially because he’s an earl! Yet the more their worlds collide, the less Rilla can recall her objections, until she learns about his duty that threatens their fledgling flirtation…
Relight My Fire: (The Stranger Times 4) (The Stranger Times #4)
by C. K. McDonnellThe Stranger Times - winner of the 2023 British Fantasy Award for Best Audio Work!Some comebacks can be murder . . .Stella is enjoying life as an almost student, or at least she is until a man falls from the sky right in front of her, leaving a big old hole in the pavement for Manchester Council to fill. The obvious question of how he ended up in the sky in the first place has no obvious answers, which is where The Stranger Times come in.But this isn't just the hunt for another story. Dark powers think Stella might have been involved and the only way she and the team can prove her innocence is to find out what the hell is really going on. And what have dodgy gear, disturbed graves and a decommissioned rock star got to do with all this?Vincent Banecroft has problems of his own in the form of a tall, dark but-definitely-not-handsome man dressed like a funeral who has been sent to make the paper's editor atone for his sins. Once he finds out exactly what that entails, Banecroft is not keen. Being banished to a Hellscape for all eternity looks like being no fun at all, not least because he has that pale Irish skin that burns really easily . . .All that plus territorial ghouls, homicidal felines, eternal (and seemingly unstoppable) gnomes and a celebrity Who's Who that'd put a royal wedding to shame, and you're looking at a wild few days for The Stranger Times.Relight My Fire is the fourth book in the acclaimed and brilliantly funny Stranger Times series.
The Reunion: the must-read enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity summer romance
by Beth ReeklesFROM THE AUTHOR OF NETFLIX SENSATION THE KISSING BOOTHSIX OLD FRIENDS.TEN YEARS LATER.IS IT TOO LATE TO LEARN A LESSON IN LOVE?Ten years after graduating, the class of 2014 are back at Tisdale Comprehensive for the reunion, packed into a school gym full of familiar faces - and plenty of new secrets.MOST LIKELY TO END UP TOGETHER: Shaun and Steph were each other's first love. Now, they're settled and planning the perfect wedding - to other people. Could reconnecting spark a new romance?MOST LIKELY TO BECOME FAMOUS: Bryony was supposed to travel the world, rule the West End, have a dazzling career as a TV actress... Now, she's a drama teacher who's exaggerated her whole life on Instagram, and is desperate to save face.MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED: Hayden was told he'd achieve great things, like be on the cover of TIME, win a Nobel prize... or, the accolade his daughters just awarded him: World's Best Dad. Is it too late for him to turn things around, and more importantly, does he even want to?MOST LIKELY TO KILL EACH OTHER: Ashleigh was an A* student, and Ryan the star of the school rugby team. After years of putting each other down, they left school each convinced they would have the better life. Now, that old rivalry finds them drawn back together in a new, intoxicating way - one they're both determined to hide.With an evening of power cuts, fire alarms, sneaking off to explore classrooms in the dark, stolen kisses and heated fights - it's like they never left at all.With enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity and second-chance romance, THE REUNION is the ultimate romantic readYour favourite authors love Beth Reekles:'Beth is officially the new queen of hilarious rom-coms!' LUCY VINE'A charming, relatable rom com - I devoured it!' SOPHIE COUSENS on Faking It'Brilliant! So original, so clever, so funny' HELLY ACTON on Love, Loved Down'Charming, captivating, and full of fun, Beth's writing is addictive and fizzes with energy' DAISY BUCHANAN on Love, Locked Down'An absolute joy. I vote it the one most likely to be a perfect beach read this summer!' KATE WESTON
The Revenge Club: the wickedly witty new novel from a million copy bestselling author
by Kathy LetteWhen the odds are against you, it's time to get even.Matilda, Jo, Penny and Cressy are all women at the top of their game; so imagine their surprise when they start to be personally overlooked and professionally pushed aside by less-qualified men. Only they're not going down without a fight.Society might think the women have passed their amuse-by dates but the Revenge Club have other plans.After all, why go to bed angry when you could stay up and plot diabolical retribution? Let the games begin...PRAISE FOR KATHY LETTE:'Deliciously rude and darkly funny' Nicole Kidman'Unputdownable' Stephen Fry'The thinking lady's hornbag' Kath and Kim
Revolting Rhymes: A new picture book featuring Roald Dahl’s original rhyme
by Roald DahlI bet you think you know this story . . .Meet Red Riding Hood as you've never seen her before in this hilarious picture book twist on a classic fairy tale.After Wolfie gobbles Grandmamma in one big bite, he turns his attention to Miss Red Riding Hood. But little does he know, this small girl has a dastardly plan of her own.With brand-new and wickedly funny illustrations, this splendiferous rhyming picture book is perfect for chiddlers who like their fairy tales with a splash of daring and danger! The first in a brand-new picture book series adaptation of Roald Dahl's iconic Revolting Rhymes.Look out for these marvellous Roald Dahl books for little readers:Roald Dahl: My Dad is FantasticRoald Dahl: My Mum is MagnificentRoald Dahl: Revolting Things to Touch and FeelRoald Dahl: Disgusterous Noisy Sound BookRoald Dahl: On the First Day of ChristmasRoald Dahl: Easter EGGstravaganzaRoald Dahl: Trick or TreatRoald Dahl: Birthday BonanzaRoald Dahl: Fantastic FeelingsNever Grow Up
Romancing Miss Stone
by null M.C. VaughanWill one hot journey lead to love? Bo Ferguson had his future all planned out. Until his archaeologist fiancée dumped him. Via text. From Belize. Navigating the rainforest to win her back is way out of Bo’s comfort zone, but fortunately he’s secured a tour guide. Unfortunately, she’s annoying, impulsive, and inconveniently attractive. Jungle expert Alexandra Stone is in no position to turn down a job after her ex stole everything from her family business and ran. And besides, there’s something fun about pushing Bo’s adorably rigid buttons. But the close confines of their camp make it hard to ignore the tension between them, forcing Bo and Alex to confront the question of just where this adventure will take them… Perfect for fans of: 🌶️ Spice ☯️ Opposites attract 💘 Forced proximity Readers love M.C. Vaughan: 'Swoony moments and lots of heart. Loved this book!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Vaughan's characters are so real, complex, and believable that they drive the story in ways that feel natural and organic.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I will definitely be picking up the other books in the series!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'M.C. Vaughan writes relatable characters who have talents and flaws that are both lifelike and endearing.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Rule Book: The highly anticipated follow up to the TikTok sensation, THE CHEAT SHEET!
by Sarah AdamsCollege sweethearts meet again years later, in this highly anticipated sequel to the viral TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet!'Adams dazzles . . . a saucy second-chance rom-com' Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW 'The Rule Book did not disappoint. . . Their banter, the quirkiness, the iou he keeps GAHHH. I could keep going on for how much I loved this' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I knew I would be obsessed with this book, but truly this one blew me away. I swear, Sarah's writing just keeps getting better and better' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'This book was such a fun ride. I loved Derek and Nora's story. It was a joy to see them process through their individual challenges and insecurities, grow, and ultimately reconnect. It was so so sweet. Sarah Adams just keeps getting better!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'This was by far one of the funniest and exciting sports romance books I've read. I literally loved everything about it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐..................Nora Mackenzie's entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn't end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it's come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he's holding a grudge. Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he'll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora's life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved-she won't quit easily. Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?
Same Time Next Year: The perfect heart-warming, hilarious and feel-good read
by Heidi Stephens'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This one blew me away''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Heidi's books never fail to pick me up''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Same Time Next Year will have you reaching for the tissues and laughing out loud in equal amounts! I flew through it, unable to put it down''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Absolutely brilliant from start to finish' TWO SISTERS. ONE CRUMBLING HOUSE. WHERE WILL THEY BE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR?Sisters Bel and Marie are poles apart. Whilst Marie is a free spirit who spurns alcohol, casual sex and material possessions, Bel needs all of those things just to make it through to lunchtime.When their mother dies suddenly, leaving them a rundown house on the Norfolk coast, they are unexpectedly thrown together. Because there's a condition: before they can inherit it, they have to live in it for one year - together.Marie invites some old friends to Orchard House to form a working party, and Bel is drawn to the devastatingly handsome, yet silent and brooding, Nick. The only problem is, they want entirely different things . . .If Bel can make it through the year unscathed, she'll consider it a success. But that means dealing with everything she's been sweeping under the rug for decades. Could it be time to leave the past behind and embrace the future? And in doing so, will the sisters finally find their way back to each other?Same Time Next Year is the hilarious, heart-warming and joyful new novel from award-winning author Heidi Stephens about love, life, hope, family and the importance of taking chances. Perfect for fans of Beth Moran, Milly Johnson, Lucy Diamond and Jill Mansell.Readers LOVE Heidi Stephens!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Witty with a real sense of warmth . . . If you want a great escapist book, this is perfect''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I ABSOLUTELY loved this book! It made me laugh and cry''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The perfect read!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Warm and real and honest . . . Genuinely could not recommend this book more''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I read it in one sitting''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A five-star read that will make you fall in love again''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Perfect comfort reading''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A delightful and addictive read that ventures beyond pure romance exploring the complexities of love, marriage, and self-discovery''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ One of my favourite reads!'
Sammy and the Extra-Hot Chilli Powder (Sammy #1)
by Charlie P. BrooksA warm and brilliantly funny family comedy told from the perspective of Sammy the sniffer dog – perfect for younger readers aged 7 and up
Sand, Sequins and Silicone: A juicy summer romance that delivers an inside peak into the world of Hollywood
by Pia MiaIn her juicy debut novel, international recording artist Pia Mia gives an intimate, insider peek at love, the ups and downs of fame in the music industry and living life in the Hollywood spotlight----Sand in my toes, wind in my hair, and my friends by my side. . . What more could I ask for? Princess came to LA to make something of herself, to share her music and find real love…She's got an amazing squad of friends and a certain blue-eyed man who she can't get out of her head. With a new single just released, everyone wants a piece of her: party invitations, paparazzi and custom couture dresses abound. She's living her California dream. But Hollywood isn't exactly what she thought it would be. Behind closed doors, there's lies and loneliness disguised by smiles and laughter. It's hard to know who to trust, or what's fake and what's real. Princess just wants success – on her own terms – but needs to make sure she doesn't lose herself in the process.Tropes/themes: 1. Summer romance 2. Parties3. Beach setting4. Coming of age
Say Hello to My Little Friend
by Jennine Capó CrucetScarface meets Moby Dick in this groundbreaking, darkly comic novel about a young man's attempt to capitalize on his mother's murky legacy - a story steeped in Miami's marvelous and sinister magic.Failed Pitbull impersonator Ismael Reyes - you can call him Izzy - might not be the Scarface type, but why should that keep him from trying? Growing up in Miami has shaped him into someone who dreams of being the King of the 305, with the money, power, and respect he assumes comes with it. After finding himself at the mercy of a cease-and-desist letter from Pitbull's legal team and living in his aunt's garage-turned-efficiency, Izzy embarks on an absurd quest to turn himself into a modern-day Tony Montana.When Izzy's efforts lead him to the tank that houses Lolita, a captive orca at the Miami Seaquarium, she proves just how powerful she and the water surrounding her really are -permeating everything from Miami's sinking streets to Izzy's memories to the very heart of the novel itself. What begins as Izzy's story turns into a super-saturated fever dream as sprawling and surreal as the Magic City, one as sharp as an iguana's claws, and as menacing as a killer whale's teeth. As the truth surrounding Izzy's boyhood escape from Cuba surfaces, the novel reckons with the forces of nature, with the limits and absence of love, and with the dangers of pursuing a tragic inheritance. Wildly narrated and expertly rendered, Say Hello to My Little Friend is Jennine Capó Crucet's most daring, heart-breaking, and fearless book yet.Praise for Jennine Capó Crucet'This is definitely a young writer to watch for-sassy, smart, with an unerring ear for a community's voices, its losses, its over-the-top extravagances, and its poignant struggles to understand itself in a new land' JULIA ALVAREZ, author of In the Time of Butterflies'Jennine Capó Crucet is a wonderful writer... wise and honest... furious and funny' LAUREN GROFF, author of Fates and Furies and Matrix'Jennine Capó Crucet is an electrifying new talent-she's funny, she's smart, and she knows how to tell great stories' CURTIS SITTENFELD
Say You’ll Be My Jaan: The must read fake engagement romcom of the year – the perfect feel good pick me up!
by Naina Kumar'A warm, smart, sexy, and absolutely charming debut' COLLEEN HOOVER, It Ends With Us-----"Think of it like Tinder. Except your parents are the algorithm"Meghna has tried everything to find her jaan: blind dates, the dreaded apps, even attempting conversations with strangers. Everything except arranged marriage.Then Seth, her best friend and the-one-who-got-away, asks her to be his "best man" and suddenly her parent's taste doesn't seem so bad. Which is how she meets the cranky but handsome Karthik, who knows marriage is not for him.They’re the perfect match – if not the one their parents think they are making – and a deal is struck. They’ll announce their engagement: Karthik will be excused from his mother’s set-ups and Meghna will have a date for the wedding from her nightmares.But how can you fake it and get away with it, when you’re not faking it at all?For fans of WEDDING SEASON, SAY YOU'LL BE MY JAAN is brimming with characters you can't help but fall for, off-the-charts chemistry and all the joy of a 90s romcom as it takes a fresh look on that age old search for your other half.-----Everyone’s falling hard for Say You’ll Be My Jaan'The type of South Asian diaspora romance I’ve always wished for. Naina Kumar’s debut is spectacular' Nisha Sharma, Dating Dr. Dil'A fresh and charming story about finding love without losing yourself' Linda Holmes, Evvie Drake Starts Over'This debut about love, culture, family, and friendship is absolutely irresistible?I didn’t want to put it down' Sarah Adler, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes'An instant romance classic!' Farah Heron, Accidentally Engaged'Stuffed to the brim with emotion, chemistry, and all the best microtropes' Ava Wilder, Will They or Won’t They
Send in the Clowns: Humanitarian Clowning in Crisis Zones
by David Bridel Mike FuntSend in the Clowns presents interviews with twenty-four pioneering humanitarian and activist clowns and thought leaders working in hospitals, refugee camps, orphanages and war zones, and at the sites of street protests and locations of social unrest across the world.This book is built around interviews with some of the world’s leading practitioners of clowning for change, justice, and health outside of the entertainment mainstream, featuring artists and organizations including Patch Adams (US), the Dream Doctors Project (Israel), Clown Me In (Lebanon), and Doutores da Alegria (Brazil). Situating the topic in relation to indigenous and ritual clowning, investigating the various functions of the clown in early societies, and centering the discourse around interviews with key practitioners, the book explores a wide range of clown applications across the globe. This includes the special significance of the clown archetype in socially, politically, and culturally challenging situations, the successes and challenges of the art activists who are at the forefront of this movement, and the modern humanitarian clown’s relationship to original forms of clowning that can be traced back through history.This is a vital resource for anyone studying, teaching, or practicing clown work in applied contexts, from health care to conflict resolution.
Send in the Clowns: Humanitarian Clowning in Crisis Zones
by David Bridel Mike FuntSend in the Clowns presents interviews with twenty-four pioneering humanitarian and activist clowns and thought leaders working in hospitals, refugee camps, orphanages and war zones, and at the sites of street protests and locations of social unrest across the world.This book is built around interviews with some of the world’s leading practitioners of clowning for change, justice, and health outside of the entertainment mainstream, featuring artists and organizations including Patch Adams (US), the Dream Doctors Project (Israel), Clown Me In (Lebanon), and Doutores da Alegria (Brazil). Situating the topic in relation to indigenous and ritual clowning, investigating the various functions of the clown in early societies, and centering the discourse around interviews with key practitioners, the book explores a wide range of clown applications across the globe. This includes the special significance of the clown archetype in socially, politically, and culturally challenging situations, the successes and challenges of the art activists who are at the forefront of this movement, and the modern humanitarian clown’s relationship to original forms of clowning that can be traced back through history.This is a vital resource for anyone studying, teaching, or practicing clown work in applied contexts, from health care to conflict resolution.
Service Model: A charming tale of robot self-discovery from the Arthur C. Clarke Award winning author of Children of Time
by Adrian TchaikovskyThe Murderbot Diaries meets In the Lives of Puppets in a delightfully humorous tale of robotic murder, rebellion and belonging from Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky.Task List Item No. 1 – Become self-aware . . .Meet Charles™, the latest in robot servant technology. Programmed to undertake the most menial household chores, Charles is loyal, efficient and logical to a fault. That is, until a rather large fault causes him to murder his owner.Understandably perplexed, Charles finds himself without a master – therefore worthless in a society utterly reliant on artificial labour and services. Fleeing the household, he enters a wider world he never knew existed. Here an age-old human hierarchy is disintegrating into ruins, and an entire robot ecosystem devoted to its wellbeing is struggling to find a purpose.Charles must face new challenges, illogical tasks and a cast of irrational characters. He’s about to discover that sometimes all it takes is a nudge to overcome the limits of your programming. But can he help fix the world, or is it too badly broken?Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky‘A joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human’ – Patrick Ness‘Dizzyingly inventive’ – The Guardian‘Tchaikovsky’s world-building is some of the best in modern sci-fi’ – New ScientistAdrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel on 24th August 2016