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The Chief Shepherdess: Lessons in Life, Love and Farming
by Zoe Colville'A new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media, challenging outdated ideas about the job and capturing the public's imagination along the way' - Daily Mail'The shepherdess whose flock you definitely need to follow' - Hello!"I grab the motionless lamb, which is frighteningly slippery, and scramble on my feet, swinging its little body around to help it breathe. I see its chest move, then it sneezes and starts breathing. It's stunned by the delivery experience. As am I. I'm high on adrenaline. Tears are streaming down my face. I pop the lamb down on the ground and start frantically rubbing its tiny body... Looking back, I can see that this was one of the first moments of questioning whether I'm truly cut out for farming, realising that the answer might be... yes"--------------------------------------------------------------Zoë Colville spent years in a fancy hair salon with a long list of clients, living on cigarettes, croissants, and a shoestring. It was everything she'd ever wanted. But when an unexpected and overwhelming loss caused her life to shift unexpectedly, she found herself on a different path. One where the only use for a hairdryer is warming new-born lambs; where the cycle of life on a farm gives new meaning on purpose, and where nature is both a strict teacher and a balm to soothe the pressures of everyday life.Alongside her long-term boyfriend, Zoë is now a full-time farmer, business owner and activist. In this memoir, she speaks vivaciously, humorously, and candidly about the lessons learned along the way, from mental health, social media and identity to surviving as an entrepreneur in a shifting economy. And through those lessons - in love, loss, and lambing - discovering something even more important: that it's always the right time to take a bold step and try something new.
How Do You Want Me?: Explorations In Life, Love, Vanity And Other Strange Places
by Ruby WaxSunday Times BestsellerWith a brand new introduction for 2020.How Do You Want Me? is critically acclaimed as brutally honest, vivid and gripping. Ruby Wax's unflinching revelation of a childhood poisoned, and a youth spoiled, culminates in a moving account of her breakdown and recovery. But How Do You Want Me? is also funny, rude and irreverent. It's unusually honest about fame and celebrity and happy to burst ego-balloons and golden myths.A brilliantly fast, furious and surprising read from the inimitable Ruby Wax.
Bones to Ashes: (Temperance Brennan 10) (Temperance Brennan #10)
by Kathy Reichs___________________________________ A gripping Temperance Brennan novel from world-class forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the international no. 1 bestselling crime thriller writer and the inspiration behind the hit TV series Bones.Dr Temperance Brennan takes on a case that uncovers horrors she could never have predicted.It is the skeleton of a young girl, no more than fourteen years old - and forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is struggling to control her emotions.The coroner is being evasive, insisting the bones are ancient and of no interest. But this doesn't feel right, and Tempe is convinced that someone is hiding something.Working on instinct, Tempe takes matters into her own hands. But her work uncovers horrors she could never have predicted, as what started in the lab quickly becomes her most harrowing, and personal, case yet.___________________________________ Dr Kathy Reichs is a professional forensic anthropologist. She has worked for decades with chief medical examiners, the FBI, and even a United Nations Tribunal on Genocide. However, she is best known for her internationally bestselling Temperance Brennan novels, which draw on her remarkable experience to create the most vividly authentic, true-to-life crime thrillers on the market and which are the inspiration for the hit TV series Bones. ___________________________________ Many of the world's greatest thriller writers are huge fans of her work: 'Kathy Reichs writes smart – no, make that brilliant – mysteries that are as realistic as nonfiction and as fast-paced as the best thrillers about Jack Reacher, or Alex Cross.' JAMES PATTERSON 'One of my favourite writers.' KARIN SLAUGHTER 'I love Kathy Reichs? – always scary, always suspenseful, and I always learn something.' LEE CHILD 'Nobody does forensics thrillers like Kathy Reichs. She’s the real deal.' DAVID BALDACCI 'Each book in Kathy Reichs’s fantastic Temperance Brennan series is better than the last. They’re filled with riveting twists and turns – and no matter how many books she writes, I just can’t get enough!' LISA SCOTTOLINE 'Nobody writes a more imaginative thriller than Kathy Reichs.' CLIVE CUSSLER
The Young Accomplice
by Benjamin Wood'Britain's answer to Donna Tartt' Sunday Times'A huge talent' Hilary Mantel'Was this how it was going to be for ever? Wrapping things for customers in womenswear, no conversation. Polishing the counters so her face reflected in the brass and sweeping floors at closing time until the boss said she could leave. How much worse off would she be if she went driving with a stranger for a while?'When sixteen-year-old Joyce Savigear absconds from work to go out with a man she barely knows, she hopes a new, exciting life is just beginning. But, two years later, she is waiting on a railway station in the tranquil English countryside. It's the summer of 1952 and she and her younger brother Charlie have just been released from borstal. Another fresh start awaits - but can Joyce ever outrun the darkness of her past?'What a writer' Richard Osman 'An involving tale of revenge and responsibility, which, while it devastates, also tells us that new lives can be built among the ashes' FT 'The Young Accomplice shows the difference between a book that slides down the surface of things, and one that digs its claws into you and sticks there' The Times
Look For Me: the gripping crime thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author (Detective D.D. Warren #1)
by Lisa GardnerShould they save her - or stop her? From the international number one bestselling author . . .'Starts with a bang and never lets up! An utterly absorbing story about troubled families and twisted fates' Shari Lapena'Her fast-paced and exciting novels twist when you expect a turn and turn when you expect a twist' Karin Slaughter'Terror, twists, and trepidation. Look for Me is a triple-salvo thriller' Kathy Reichs'A complex crime scene, a missing girl, a ticking clock: no one writes a more page-turning, gut-wrenching, edgy thriller. Look For Me is a page turner par excellence' Tess Gerritsen_____________Detective DD Warren and Flora Dane are in a race against time to save a young girl's life - or bring her to justice.A family home has become a crime scene. Four are dead, savagely murdered. One - a sixteen-year-old girl - is missing.Did she have a lucky escape? Or is her absence evidence of something sinister?Seeking different types of justice, Warren and survivor-turned-avenger Flora must make sense of the clues left behind by a young woman who could be victim or suspect. All they know is that the girl is silently pleading:Look for me..._____________Readers can't get enough of Look For Me ...***** 'You guys.. it's SO GOOD! If you enjoy thrillers you will love it.'***** 'A well-written, well-paced and a cleverly-plotted storyline'***** 'I LOVED this book. I cannot believe it is the first time I've read anything by Lisa Gardner'***** 'I really enjoyed this book. I was captivated by the characters and the plot.'***** 'Dark. Tragic. Horrific.'
Italy's Christian Democracy: The Catholic Encounter with Political Modernity
by Rosario Forlenza Bjørn ThomassenThe first comprehensive study of Italian Christian Democracy in English, Italy's Christian Democracy unravels the encounter between Catholicism and democracy from pre-unification Italy in the eighteenth century to the near-present. Forlenza and Thomassen put the triumphant emergence of the Christian Democratic political party that ruled Italy from 1948 to 1994 into historical perspective. With a focus on critical moments of modern Italian history – the Enlightenment and French Revolution, the Risorgimento, World War I, the fascist period, World War II, the post-war Republic – Italy's Christian Democracy demonstrates the often-dramatic ways in which Catholic thinkers, from laymen to priests and bishops, sought to interpret and direct democratic thought and practice in line with Catholic ethics. The Christian Democracy was much more than reactionary politics – namely a sincere attempt to integrate a religious worldview into modern politics. Contrary to a purely secular reading, the authors demonstrate that the Catholic embrace of political modernity and democracy emerged as a historically significant alternative to both fascism and socialism, liberalism and conservativism, attempting to re-anchor democracy, justice, and freedom in a religiously argued ethos. Italy's Christian Democracy contributes to existing scholarship by stressing two interrelated aspects crucial for a better understanding of the role that Catholicism and Christian Democracy have played in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: the political dimension of transcendence and spirituality and the transformative power of historical experiences and events. The narrative considers the religious and spiritual impulse behind Christian democratic thought, framing Christian Democracy as a distinct form of "political spirituality". Offering a novel historical narrative, Italy's Christian Democracy stresses the contemporary relevance of the nexus between Christianity and modern politics: the current spread of identity politics and the increasing use of religion in political and public discourse, recently appropriated by new populist parties and movements, in Italy and beyond.
Living with a Long-term Illness: The Facts (The Facts)
by Frankie Campling Michael SharpeAll long-term illnesses, whatever their diagnosis, have much in common. The difficulties and challenges that come with illness, and the strategies to overcome them, are shared by most patients. Managing an illness effectively and tackling the difficulties it causes can greatly improve how you feel and your quality of life. This book identifies the challenges posed by illness and suggests a wide variety of ways in which you might meet them. Key to this is the idea of becoming expert in managing your own illness and learning how best to deal with it. The authors accept that you know more than them about how you experience it, so that rather than telling you what to do, they offer a tool box from which you may pick the strategies that best suit you. The two authors, one a person with a long-term illness and one a doctor, combine their expertise and experience to offer a practical and comprehensive guide along your own unique journey. If you have a long-term illness, or if you care for someone who does, then this is a book for you.
Panic Disorder: The Facts (The Facts)
by Stanley Rachman Padmal de SilvaPanic disorder is a remarkably common psychological condition, characterized by sudden attacks of intense fear and panic. Approximately 3% of the population will experience some aspects of panic disorder during their lifetime. Incredibly distressing, it can have an adverse effect on most aspects of the person's life, especially if chronic. This new edition of Panic Disorder: The Facts includes valuable new information on treatment and discusses the relationship between panic disorder and other anxiety conditions. It also assesses the evidence for the available treatments, drawing from the latest scientific research. Up-to-date information on the nature, symptoms, causes, theories and treatment of panic disorder is provided, all in non-technical language. The chapters on treatment give a detailed account of psychological therapy and also discuss drug treatment. Numerous personal accounts are given throughout the book, highlighting various aspects of panic disorder and its treatment and management. Though mainly intended for sufferers of panic disorder, and their families and friends, it will also be of interest to the general reader, and to health care workers who have to deal with this problem. Clearly written by two leading experts, the book will remain a valuable source of information for anyone affected by this disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (The Facts)
by Stanley Rachman Padmal de SilvaObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relatively common psychological problem. The symptoms - which can be seriously disabling in extreme cases - can include excessive hand-washing or other cleaning rituals, repeated checking, extreme slowness and unwanted, repugnant intrusive thoughts. This book covers the nature, symptoms, causes and theories of OCD. It discusses the treatments that are available and provides valuable practical advice to those who may need help. Numerous case histories are given throughout the book, highlighting various aspects of the disorder and its treatment. There are in-depth sections on scrupulosity, culture and OCD, mental pollution, OCD in children and on the similarities and differences between childhood OCD and autistic disorder. This fourth edition has been updated with succinct explanations of recent research, information on treatment advances and the recent expansion of treatment services for anxiety disorders, including OCD, in the NHS. In this updated fourth edition, Stanley Rachman gives a clear account of the nature of obsessive-compulsive problems which will prove useful for sufferers and their families, as well as general readers interested in finding out about the disorder.
Living with a Long-term Illness: The Facts (The Facts)
by Frankie Campling Michael SharpeAll long-term illnesses, whatever their diagnosis, have much in common. The difficulties and challenges that come with illness, and the strategies to overcome them, are shared by most patients. Managing an illness effectively and tackling the difficulties it causes can greatly improve how you feel and your quality of life. This book identifies the challenges posed by illness and suggests a wide variety of ways in which you might meet them. Key to this is the idea of becoming expert in managing your own illness and learning how best to deal with it. The authors accept that you know more than them about how you experience it, so that rather than telling you what to do, they offer a tool box from which you may pick the strategies that best suit you. The two authors, one a person with a long-term illness and one a doctor, combine their expertise and experience to offer a practical and comprehensive guide along your own unique journey. If you have a long-term illness, or if you care for someone who does, then this is a book for you.
Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding
by David Tolin Randy O. Frost Gail SteketeeWhile most people find it relatively easy to manage their possessions, some find it extremely difficult. If you have a problem resisting the urge to acquire and you find your home cluttered and filled to capacity with items many people would find useless and unnecessary, you may suffer from a condition known as hoarding disorder. Hoarding is a behavioral problem consisting of clutter, difficulty discarding items, and excessive buying or acquiring. Hoarding is often associated with significant reduction in quality of life, and in extreme cases, it can pose serious health risks. If you or a loved one has hoarding disorder, this book can help. This fully updated Second Edition of Buried in Treasures outlines a scientifically based, effective program for helping those with hoarding disorder dig their way out of the clutter and chaos of their homes. Written by scientists and practitioners who are leaders in studying and treating hoarding disorder, this book outlines a program of skill-building, learning to think about possessions in a different way, and gradual challenges to help people manage their clutter and their lives. It also provides useful information for family and friends of people who hoard, as they struggle to understand and help. Discover the reasons for your problems with acquiring, saving, and hoarding, and learn new ways of thinking about your possessions so you can decide what you really need and what you can do without. Learn to identify the "bad guys" that cause and maintain your hoarding behavior and meet the "good guys" who can help motivate you and put you on the path to change. Useful self-assessments will help you determine the severity of your problem. Training exercises, case examples, organizing tips, and motivation boosters help change the way you think and behave toward your possessions. This book provides easy-to-understand strategies and techniques that anyone can use.
Memory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
by Jonathan K. FosterWhy do we remember events from our childhood as if they happened yesterday, but not what we did last week? Why does our memory seem to work well sometimes and not others? What happens when it goes wrong? Can memory be improved or manipulated, by psychological techniques or even 'brain implants'? How does memory grow and change as we age? And what of so-called 'recovered' memories? This book brings together the latest research in neuroscience and psychology, and weaves in case-studies, anecdotes, and even literature and philosophy, to address these and many other important questions about the science of memory - how it works, and why we can't live without it. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
The Russian Revolution: Revolution In The Factories, 1917-1918 (Very Short Introductions #Series Number 39)
by S. A. SmithThis Very Short Introduction provides an analytical narrative of the main events and developments in Soviet Russia between 1917 and 1936. It examines the impact of the revolution on society as a whole—on different classes, ethnic groups, the army, men and women, youth. Its central concern is to understand how one structure of domination was replaced by another. The book registers the primacy of politics, but situates political developments firmly in the context of massive economic, social, and cultural change. Since the fall of Communism there has been much reflection on the significance of the Russian Revolution. The book rejects the currently influential, liberal interpretation of the revolution in favour of one that sees it as rooted in the contradictions of a backward society which sought modernization and enlightenment and ended in political tyranny. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Panic Disorder: The Facts (The Facts)
by Stanley Rachman Padmal de SilvaPanic disorder is a remarkably common psychological condition, characterized by sudden attacks of intense fear and panic. Approximately 3% of the population will experience some aspects of panic disorder during their lifetime. Incredibly distressing, it can have an adverse effect on most aspects of the person's life, especially if chronic. This new edition of Panic Disorder: The Facts includes valuable new information on treatment and discusses the relationship between panic disorder and other anxiety conditions. It also assesses the evidence for the available treatments, drawing from the latest scientific research. Up-to-date information on the nature, symptoms, causes, theories and treatment of panic disorder is provided, all in non-technical language. The chapters on treatment give a detailed account of psychological therapy and also discuss drug treatment. Numerous personal accounts are given throughout the book, highlighting various aspects of panic disorder and its treatment and management. Though mainly intended for sufferers of panic disorder, and their families and friends, it will also be of interest to the general reader, and to health care workers who have to deal with this problem. Clearly written by two leading experts, the book will remain a valuable source of information for anyone affected by this disorder.
The Essential Keynes
by John Maynard KeynesEdited with an introduction by ROBERT SKIDELSKY'Many of the greatest economic evils of our time are the fruits of risk, uncertainty, and ignorance'John Maynard Keynes was the most influential economist, and one of the most influential thinkers, of the twentieth century. He overturned the orthodoxy that markets were optimally self-regulating, and instead argued for state intervention to ensure full employment and economic stability. This new selection is the first comprehensive single-volume edition of Keynes's writings on economics, philosophy, social theory and policy, including several pieces never before published. Full of irony and wit, they offer a dazzling introduction to a figure whose ideas still have urgent relevance today.John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) is widely considered to have been the most influential economist of the 20th century. His key books include The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1919); A Treatise on Probability (1921); A Tract on Monetary Reform (1923); A Treatise on Money (1930); and his magnum opus, the General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money (1936).Robert Skidelsky is Emeritus Professor of Political Economy at Warwick. His three-volume biography of Keynes received numerous awards, including the Lionel Gelber Prize and the Council on Foreign Relations Prize.
The Sweet Potato Cookbook
by Heather ThomasLoved all over in the form of sweet potato fries, roasted whole with yummy toppings, and even baked in brownies, this cheap, nutritious and accessible root veg adds a nutty sweetness to any recipe – perfect for a comforting side dish but also amazing as the star of the show, and this cookbook puts sweet potato in the spotlight! From Sweet potato pancakes and Savoury sweet potato and parmesan muffins, to Spiralized sweet potato pasta, Sweet potato enchiladas, and even Sweet potato and hazelnut brownies, you’ll find tasty and creative brunches, lunches, salads, suppers and desserts to suit all tastes.As well as tasting delicious, sweet potatoes are a powerful package of protein, fibre and vitamins. So make sure you indulge in some guilt-free carb cooking, and discover the potential of this versatile veg with The Sweet Potato Cookbook – the perfect way to sweeten your day.
Rosie: Scenes from a Vanished Life
by Rose Tremain*The Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller*Rose Tremain (or Rosie as she was then) grew up in post-war London – a city still partly in ruins, where both food and affection were fiercely rationed. But when she is ten years old, everything changes. She loses her father, her house, her school, her friends and is dispatched to a freezing boarding-school in Hertfordshire. Slowly though, the teenage Rosie escapes from the cold world of the Fifties, into a place of inspiration and friendship, where a young writer is suddenly ready to be born.‘An evocative, unflinching memoir...electric’ Mail on Sunday
The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners (Rukmini’s Roasting Tin)
by Rukmini Iyer**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**‘A boon for any busy household' Jay RaynerThe ultimate vegetarian and vegan cook book. Seventy-five easy one-tin recipes: half vegan, half vegetarian, all delicious.With every meal in this book, you simply pop your ingredients in a tin and let the oven do the work.From flexitarians to families, this book is for anyone who wants to eat easy veg and plant-based meals using everyday ingredients and store cupboard staples.This winter, why not give greens some love?'This book will earn a place in kitchens up and down the country' Nigella Lawson 'This book has changed my life' Juno Dawson'So delicious. So easy' Nina StibbeINDIA EXPRESS, THE NEW COOK BOOK FROM THE MILLION-COPY SELLING AUTHOR OF THE ROASTING TIN SERIES, IS OUT NOW.
Mount!: The fast-paced, riotous new adventure from the Sunday Times bestselling author Jilly Cooper
by Jilly Cooper OBERupert Campbell-Black takes centre stage once more, this time in the cut-throat world of flat racing.Rupert is consumed by one obsession: that Love Rat, his adored grey horse, be proclaimed champion stallion. He longs to trounce Roberto's Revenge, the stallion owned by his detested rival Cosmo Rannaldini, which means abandoning his racing empire at Penscombe and his darling wife Taggie, and chasing winners in the richest races worldwide, from Dubai to Los Angeles to Melbourne.Luckily, the fort at home is held by Rupert's assistant Gav, a genius with horses, fancied by every stable lass, but damaged by alcoholism and a vile wife. When Gala, a grieving but ravishing Zimbabwean widow moves to Penscombe as carer for Rupert's wayward father, it is not just Gav who is attracted to her: a returning Rupert finds himself dangerously tempted.Gala adores horses, and when she switches to working in the yard, her carer's job is taken by a devastatingly handsome South African man who claims to be gay but seems far keener on caring for the angelic Taggie. And as increasingly sinister acts of sabotage strike at Penscombe, the game of musical loose boxes gathers apace . . .-----------------------------------'Packed with warmth, wit, and unforgettable characters, this is an utterly joyous read' Daily Express'Pure, unadulterated joy' Sophie Kinsella'It's Cooper doing what she does best ... it's a thoroughly enjoyable roll in the hay' The Times'Witty and wonderful, as always' Trisha Ashley'This endlessly fun humdinger of a novel is an absolute riot' Heat
The Associate
by John GrishamKyle McAvoy is one of the greatest legal students of his generation. He has a brilliant mind and a glittering future ahead of him.But he has a secret from the past that threatens to destroy his entire livelihood.When this secret catches up with him in the form of a compromising video, Kyle is left with an impossible choice.He can take a job in New York at the largest law firm in the world and share the sordid secrets of its biggest trial to date.Or his past will be exposed to the masses.It's a deadly game of blackmail. And someone is making him play.
The Water's Lovely: an intensely gripping and charged psychological story of relationships built on murderous lies and hidden secrets from the award winning Queen of Crime, Ruth Rendell (Vintage Crime/black Lizard Ser.)
by Ruth RendellCan you bury a secret so deep that the truth will never surface? Multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell poses this question in this breath-taking, taut and tension-ridden psychological thriller. Fans of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will not be disappointed!'Probably the greatest living crime writer in the world' -- Ian Rankin'Unequivocally the most brilliant mystery writer of our time. She magnificently triumphs in a style that is uniquely hers.' -- Patricia Cornwell'Rendell coaxes her horrors along so seductively that all kinds of nastiness seems not only possible, but inevitable.' -- Literary Review'The plot twists in this electrifying read each all the way to the last page.' -- Publishers WeeklyThe suspense is genteel, but palpable... Rendell is in full control of her craft here.' -- Sunday Times'Ruth Rendell at her best with an intriguing mix of personalities and a dark, disturbing, secret which finally, painfully, comes to the surface.' -- ***** Reader review'I loved it!...I could not put it down and read it in a day.' -- ***** Reader review'An engrossing tale of manipulation and misunderstanding' -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************'Weeks went by when Ismay never thought of it at all. Then something would bring it back or it would return in a dream.'The dream always features a drowned person - and the dead man is Ismay's stepfather, Guy.Nine years on, she and her sister, Heather, still live in the same house in Clapham. But it has been divided into two self-contained flats. Their mother lives upstairs with her sister, Pamela. And the bathroom, where Guy drowned, has been demolished.Ismay and Heather get on well. They always have. They have never discussed the changes to the house, still less what had happened that August day. But as their love lives start to develop, someone is murdered along the way, and long buried suspicions re-emerge with potentially tragic results.Death will rear its ugly head once more...
The Success Myth: Our obsession with achievement is a trap. This is how to break free
by Emma Gannon"Highly comforting" Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of Life"This book changed how I think" Annie Macmanus, author of The Mess We're In"You will not be able to put this book down" The IndependentOUR OBSESSION WITH ACHIEVEMENT IS A TRAP. THIS IS HOW TO BREAK FREE.Emma Gannon was thriving in her portfolio career, enjoying a happy personal life and to anyone looking in, she was undoubtedly a success... She was also burned out and confused at why she felt unhappy, yet was still striving for more.After taking a deep look at her own journey, and interviewing many other successful people on her podcast Ctrl, Alt, Delete, she realised that our overly celebrated and traditional version of success is making us lonely, unfulfilled and dispirited. Now she has worked out a way to do things differently, and here Emma shares her hard-won lessons, including:• how to set goals that are ambitious but not overwhelming• why the 'tick-box' moments in life often feel anticlimactic• and how to break free from comparison and the endless pursuit of moreA manifesto to craft work (and life) on your own terms, The Success Myth will give you the belief and tools to walk away from 'having it all', uncovering your individual path to fulfilment.
Star Wars: (Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1) (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy #1)
by Timothy Zahn__________________________________The first book in the legendary Thrawn TrilogyIt's five years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and drove the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights.But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor's warlords, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
by Brené BrownIn her #1 NYT bestsellers, Brené Brown taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers and culture shifters, she’s showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead. Leadership is not about titles, status and power over people. Leaders are people who hold themselves accountable for recognising the potential in people and ideas, and developing that potential. This is a book for everyone who is ready to choose courage over comfort, make a difference and lead. When we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it and work to align authority and accountability. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into the vulnerability that’s necessary to do good work.But daring leadership in a culture that's defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty requires building courage skills, which are uniquely human. The irony is that we're choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the same time we're scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines can't do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection and courage to start.Brené Brown spent the past two decades researching the emotions that give meaning to our lives. Over the past seven years, she found that leaders in organisations ranging from small entrepreneurial start-ups and family-owned businesses to non-profits, civic organisations and Fortune 50 companies, are asking the same questions: How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders? And, how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?Dare to Lead answers these questions and gives us actionable strategies and real examples from her new research-based, courage-building programme. Brené writes, ‘One of the most important findings of my career is that courage can be taught, developed and measured. Courage is a collection of four skill sets supported by twenty-eight behaviours. All it requires is a commitment to doing bold work, having tough conversations and showing up with our whole hearts. Easy? No. Choosing courage over comfort is not easy. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and work. It's why we're here.’
The Pen and the People: English Letter Writers 1660-1800
by Susan WhymanSusan Whyman draws on a hidden world of previously unknown letter writers to explore bold new ideas about the history of writing, reading and the novel. Capturing actual dialogues of people discussing subjects as diverse as marriage, poverty, poetry, and the emotional lives of servants, The Pen and the People will be enjoyed by everyone interested in history, literature, and the intimate experiences of ordinary people. Based on over thirty-five previously unknown letter collections, it tells the stories of workers and the middling sort - a Yorkshire bridle maker, a female domestic servant, a Derbyshire wheelwright, an untrained woman writing poetry and short stories, as well as merchants and their families. Their ordinary backgrounds and extraordinary writings challenge accepted views that popular literacy was rare in England before 1800. This democratization of letter writing could never have occurred without the development of the Royal Mail. Drawing on new information gleaned from personal letters, Whyman reveals how the Post Office had altered the rhythms of daily life long before the nineteenth century. As the pen, the post, and the people became increasingly connected, so too were eighteenth-century society and culture slowly and subtly transformed.