dog with mission

The Thrice-Bound Fool is the epic, rollicking next chapter in the bestselling and "awesome as hell" (Nicholas Eames) fantasy adventure series that began with The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughters' War. Professional thief and inveterate trickster Kinch Na Shannack has always enjoyed a good book. But now his life, and the future of all of Manreach, depends on him deciphering a very bad book indeed; a stolen, sentient tome that tries to kill him every time he opens it-and often when it's closed. Galva, veteran of the goblin wars and death's sworn handmaiden, has vowed to protect Kinch while he mines the book for its dark magic and even darker secrets. She does so not for Kinch's sake-though the cheeky bastard is growing on her-but because the book is the key to stopping the shadowy tyrants out to kill the queen she serves, and loves. The ruthless, all-seeing Taker's Guild dogs their every step, and thief and knight must flee the known world entirely if they hope to succeed in their mission. But trouble finds Kinch wherever he goes, and the pair may have traded the devil they know for horrors far darker and hungrier as they enter lands unknown. Praise for Christopher Buehlman: 'The Blacktongue Thief is fast and fun and filled with crazy magic. I can't wait to see what Christopher Buehlman does next' - Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of the Lightbringer series

The Thrice-Bound Fool is the epic, rollicking next chapter in the bestselling and "awesome as hell" (Nicholas Eames) fantasy adventure series that began with The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughters' War. Professional thief and inveterate trickster Kinch Na Shannack has always enjoyed a good book. But now his life, and the future of all of Manreach, depends on him deciphering a very bad book indeed; a stolen, sentient tome that tries to kill him every time he opens it-and often when it's closed. Galva, veteran of the goblin wars and death's sworn handmaiden, has vowed to protect Kinch while he mines the book for its dark magic and even darker secrets. She does so not for Kinch's sake-though the cheeky bastard is growing on her-but because the book is the key to stopping the shadowy tyrants out to kill the queen she serves, and loves. The ruthless, all-seeing Taker's Guild dogs their every step, and thief and knight must flee the known world entirely if they hope to succeed in their mission. But trouble finds Kinch wherever he goes, and the pair may have traded the devil they know for horrors far darker and hungrier as they enter lands unknown. Praise for Christopher Buehlman: 'The Blacktongue Thief is fast and fun and filled with crazy magic. I can't wait to see what Christopher Buehlman does next' - Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of the Lightbringer series

Like my favourite bookish heroines, I found the love of a lifetime, except I can't remember how... Paisley: My summer plans were simple. Kiss my husband, snuggle my dog, and create an elite reading list for the library. Losing seven years' worth of memories after near-death by window artistry, thanks to my klutzy nature? Absolutely not part of the plan. In one short day, I went from stealing kisses with Greyson to waking up in the hospital to a handsome stranger-the man I forgot I married. Every memory of us is a blank slate, and I'm in the middle of a life I dreamed of but can't remember. But there are three things I'm sure of:I have no intention of letting a man break my heart again For all his grumpiness, Greyson has a heart of gold. Better than any fictional hero And my heart is very much in danger of falling in love again...with my husband Greyson: My time in the Marines didn't prepare me for this kind of campaign-Operation Woo My Wife. Of all the nightmares I've struggled with since my last mission overseas, Paisley forgetting me was never one of them. Competing against old and forgotten memories brings its own kind of challenges, but I'm not giving up. She already has my heart. I just need to win hers back. Because I can't fail her again. I want to be the hero she remembers. In Every Chapter is an amnesia rom-com featuring an already married couple refalling in love, plenty of heartfelt healing, everyday faith, swoony banter, and laugh aloud small town shenanigans-all without the spice.

With over 10 million copies sold, The Expanse has become one of the biggest science fiction phenomenons of the decade. The biggest science fiction series of the decade comes to an incredible conclusion in the ninth and final novel in James S.A. Corey’s Hugo-award winning space opera that inspired the Prime Original series. The Laconian Empire has fallen, setting the thirteen hundred solar systems free from the rule of Winston Duarte. But the ancient enemy that killed the gate builders is awake, and the war against our universe has begun again. In the dead system of Adro, Elvi Okoye leads a desperate scientific mission to understand what the gate builders were and what destroyed them, even if it means compromising herself and the half-alien children who bear the weight of her investigation. Through the wide-flung systems of humanity, Colonel Aliana Tanaka hunts for Duarte’s missing daughter. . . and the shattered emperor himself. And on the Rocinante, James Holden and his crew struggle to build a future for humanity out of the shards and ruins of all that has come before. As nearly unimaginable forces prepare to annihilate all human life, Holden and a group of unlikely allies discover a last, desperate chance to unite all of humanity, with the promise of a vast galactic civilization free from wars, factions, lies, and secrets if they win. But the price of victory may be worse than the cost of defeat. "Interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written." —George R. R. Martin Hugo Award Winner for Best Series The Expanse Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath ​ Leviathan Falls Memory's Legion The Expanse Short Fiction Drive The Butcher of Anderson Station Gods of Risk The Churn The Vital Abyss Strange Dogs Auberon The Sins of Our Fathers​

Masters of Atlantis is a cockeyed journey into an America of misfits and con men, oddballs, and innocents, by one of America's most respected novelists, #1 New York Times bestselling author Charles Portis. "One of the few laugh-out-loud novels I've read." -Conan O'Brien Lamar Jimmerson is the leader of the Gnomon Society, the international fraternal order dedicated to preserving the arcane wisdom of the lost city of Atlantis. Stationed in France in 1917, Jimmerson comes across a little book crammed with Atlantean puzzles, Egyptian riddles, and extended alchemical metaphors. It's the Codex Pappus: the sacred Gnomon text. Soon he is basking in the lore of lost Atlantis, convinced that his mission on Earth is to administer to and extend the ranks of the noble brotherhood. Charles Portis wrote five novels, and this is his penultimate. Portis is often compared to Mark Twain because, like Twain, Portis focuses on and plays with the wide range of expression found in American speech. Every character in this novel has a unique way of expressing himself, and it's clear to the reader that Portis genuinely loves each and every one of these characters and creating for them a unique vernacular. A brilliantly comic novel, this cult classic is a masterwork of American fiction-an unforgettable portrait of idealists chasing secrets that may never have existed. For fans of True Grit or other Charles Portis novels and for readers who have yet to discover his work, a trip with Portis and Lamar Jimmerson will be great fun and full of rewards. "A wonderful talent-original, quirky, exciting." -Larry McMurtry, author of The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment "I've loved his work all my life- The Dog of the South is a family favorite, as is Masters of Atlantis . . . . The books are so funny that they cry to be read aloud." -Donna Tartt, author of The Goldfinch and The Secret History , in the New York Times

A special edition hardcover that celebrates the sixth book in the New York Times bestselling and Hugo award-winning Expanse series - a modern masterwork of science fiction with over 10 million copies sold worldwide. Babylon's Ashes sees the galaxy in all-out revolution. It's up to the crew of the Rocinante to make a desperate mission to the gate network for a thin hope of victory. This special edition hardcover includes: - A striking new cover - Stained edges and illustrated endpapers - A reversible cover that features the full, uncropped artwork of the original cover art HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST SERIES A revolution brewing for generations has begun in fire. It will end in blood. The Free Navy - a violent group of Belters in black-market military ships - has crippled the Earth and begun a campaign of piracy and violence among the outer planets. The colony ships heading for the thousand new worlds on the far side of the alien ring gates are easy prey, and no single navy remains strong enough to protect them. James Holden and his crew know the strengths and weaknesses of this new force better than anyone. Outnumbered and outgunned, the embattled remnants of the old political powers call on the Rocinante for a desperate mission to reach Medina Station at the heart of the gate network. But the new alliances are as flawed as the old, and the struggle for power has only just begun. Babylon's Ashes is a breakneck science fiction adventure following the bestselling Nemesis Games. 'Interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written' George R. R. Martin The Expanse Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath Leviathan Falls Memory's Legion The Expanse Short Fiction Drive The Butcher of Anderson Station Gods of Risk The Churn The Vital Abyss Strange Dogs Auberon The Sins of Our Fathers The Captive's War The Mercy of Gods The Faith of Beasts Livesuit (A Captive's War novella)

Fresh off his success in the New York Times bestselling Countdown to Midnight, Nick Flynn finds himself once again facing a vicious enemy-one determined to destroy the United States. When Nick Flynn left the US Air Force to join the Quartet Directorate, he did so with the full knowledge that no one could ever know. This covert private force-called Four by its members-promised him the chance to lead his own missions and make his own decisions, though the risks are high. When a former senior CIA executive goes dark, Flynn and his team-including the daring Laura Van Horn-are ready to step in. What begins as a quiet check on his home turns into a firefight against a familiar enemy who is more dangerous than ever. Russian oligarch Pavel Voronin and his shadowy Raven Syndicate are back in action, supported by Russia's aging and autocratic president. Voronin intends to unleash a new force of advanced stealth aircraft against the US in order to make Moscow supreme and cement his own rise to power. With millions of lives at stake, Flynn and his team must track Voronin's operatives and mount a risky counterattack deep into hostile territory. If they fail, the consequences will be horrific. But failure isn't an option-not for Nick Flynn. Dale Brown is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, from Flight of the Old Dog (1987) to, most recently, Eagle Station (2020). A former U.S. Air Force captain, he can often be found flying his own plane in the skies of the United States. He lives near Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Fan favorite Ivypool takes center stage in Ivypool's Heart—a thrilling, super-long standalone adventure in Erin Hunter's #1 nationally bestselling Warriors series! It's been many moons since Ivypool lost her daughter, Bristlefrost, to the Dark Forest, yet Ivypool can't bear to move on. Even being named Deputy of ThunderClan feels meaningless in her grief. When Whistlepaw has a disturbing vision—one that could spell disaster for all the Clans—a group of cats is selected to go on an epic quest to investigate. Ivypool is happy to join their mission. Perhaps being away from her daily responsibilities will help her escape the painful memory of Bristlefrost's death. The cats set out on an arduous journey, facing everything from painful hunger to bloodthirsty dogs. But nothing can prepare them for what they find: a disgusting twoleg den that's caging a series of strange animals, including two who may have surprising ties to the Clans and a piece of forgotten Clan history. In this gripping middle grade fantasy, the five Clan cats must help these creatures find their true home. But first, Ivypool must let go of the past, and her grief, if she is to have any hope of ensuring a future for the Clans—and for herself. Can Ivypool overcome her own heart-wrenching loss in time to unravel a mystery that threatens them all? A Perilous Quest: Based on a young cat's frightening vision, Ivypool and her companions must travel into unknown territory where they face hunger, vicious dogs, and a shocking discovery that will test their courage. Grief and Healing: A powerful and moving exploration of Ivypool's struggle to come to terms with the permanent loss of her daughter, Bristlefrost, in the Dark Forest. Secret Clan History: The journey leads to a group of strange caged animals and a secret that uncovers a terrible wrong from generations past, shaking the foundation of the warrior code. Standalone Adventure: Perfect for both longtime Erin Hunter fans and new readers, this super-long, self-contained story is a great entry point into the world of Warriors.

With over 10 million copies sold, The Expanse has become one of the biggest science fiction phenomenons of the decade. The fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Expanse series, Cibola Burn sees the crew of the Rocinante on a new frontier, as the rush to colonize the new planets threatens to outrun law and order and give way to war and chaos. Now a Prime Original series. Enter a new frontier ... "An empty apartment, a missing family, that's creepy. But this is like finding a military base with no one on it. Fighters and tanks idling on the runway with no drivers. This is bad juju. Something wrong happened here. What you should do is tell everyone to leave." The gates have opened the way to a thousand new worlds and the rush to colonize has begun. Settlers looking for a new life stream out from humanity's home planets. Ilus, the first human colony on this vast new frontier, is being born in blood and fire. Independent settlers stand against the overwhelming power of a corporate colony ship with only their determination, courage, and the skills learned in the long wars of home. Innocent scientists are slaughtered as they try to survey a new and alien world. The struggle on Ilus threatens to spread all the way back to Earth. James Holden and the crew of his one small ship are sent to make peace in the midst of war and sense in the midst of chaos. But the more he looks at it, the more Holden thinks the mission was meant to fail. And the whispers of a dead man remind him that the great galactic civilization that once stood on this land is gone. And that something killed it. "Interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written." —George R. R. Martin Hugo Award Winner for Best Series The Expanse Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath ​ Leviathan Falls Memory's Legion The Expanse Short Fiction Drive The Butcher of Anderson Station Gods of Risk The Churn The Vital Abyss Strange Dogs Auberon The Sins of Our Fathers​

'Finally! Art without terror!' Phoebe Waller-Bridge 'A completely joyful book about the joy of art. A cracking, easy read that puts art in our lives, our homes, our hearts' Richard Curtis 'A whole art education in one book. Written in accessible language, communicating the joy that is art, both to make and to look at. It's what the art world needs - fresh air' Philippa Perry 'In this book, you hold in your hand a set of luminous keys to infinite doors in the world of art.' Es Devlin 'The definitive 'how to' guide to not being intimidated by the world of art and artists. It brings joy, which is a powerful thing' Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate What is art, where do I find it, and once I'm in front of it, what am I supposed to think about it? Kate Bryan is a self-confessed art addict who has worked with art for over twenty years. But before she studied art history at university, she'd been into a gallery just twice in her life and had no idea she was entering an elitist world. Now, she's on a mission to help everybody come to art. Like playing or listening to music, or cooking and eating great food, reading or watching films, making art or looking at other people's deserves to be an enriching part of all our lives. So here, in HOW TO ART, is a nifty way to take art on your own terms. From where it is to what it is, to tips on how to actually enjoy really famous artworks like the Mona Lisa, to how to own art and make art at home, through to vital advice for making a career as an artist and even how to make your dog more cultural, How to Art gives art to everyone, and makes it fun. Laced throughout with original artworks by the very down-to-earth artist David Shrigley. --- 'Like food, art has that wonderful ability to bring us joy. Kate is the perfect expert to help us all develop a more meaningful relationship with art.' Jamie Oliver 'After reading this book we guarantee you will look at art and museums in a new way - your OWN way. Love, Guerilla Girls.' 'Art is a fundamental part of being alive and Kate's book helps everybody get involved' Russell Tovey, actor and presenter of TalkArt

THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GLOBAL SENSATION LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY RETURNS Peck & Peck tells the irresistible story of a young man whose life turns upside down when he is hired by the most prestigious, secretive and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck. ›Charming, uplifting, soulful, and original, Peck & Peck is the perfect successor to »Lessons In Chemistry«. If you loved Elizabeth Zott, you will adore Batter Gray.‹ Kristin Hannah It's 1982, New York City. Crime is on the rise, and Batter Gray, recent college graduate with a skill that no one wants – an ›ear‹ for poetry – is worried about his future. But when Batter gets a dream job at Peck & Peck, the most secretive, dysfunctional, and yet prestigious, poetry quarterly in the world, his life moves into the literary fast lane. Soon he's knee-deep in the secret war between the two Editors in Chief, the famous Peck brothers – twins and enemies – as well as being privy to the private affairs of their 39 editors, whose professed mission is the same: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest. Hugely original, brilliantly funny and peopled with unforgettable characters, »Peck & Peck« is both a passionate ode to the written word and a heartwarming exploration of all that makes us human. ›It was an absolute delight to escape into Bonnie Garmus's world of delinquent poets, demented publishers and recherché fonts. Her exuberant comedy and freewheeling imagination reminded me of John Irving in his prime. Many congratulations - no ›difficult second album‹ for Bonnie Garmus - I thought it was even better than her first‹ Clare Chambers, bestselling author of Small Pleasures ›Magnificent. Captivating, funny, wise and wonderful. »Peck and Peck« is the book the literary world has been waiting for, and it delivers on every level. I couldn’t love it more. ‹ Chris Whitaker ›One of the best books I've ever read. Genius level clever. A superbly crafted, intricate story about life, love and standing up for what you believe in. I absolutely loved it‹ Donna Ashworth ›Delightful. Reading it was like living in a world of poetry and words, where a building that captured the feeling of both could exist. Also, where a dog can make a difference. Too real to be fantastical, yet fantastically different. I loved it, from the opening page with the various definitions of ›peck‹. Perfect‹ Anne Youngson, author of Meet Me at the Museum ›Full of humor and heart‹ Meg Mason ›An absolute triumph‹ Jennie Godfrey

Game of Thrones fans will love the New York Times bestselling Abhorsen series. Sabriel, the first installment in the series, launched critically acclaimed author Garth Nix onto the fantasy scene as a rising star. This collection gathers all four titles in the popular series, including the long-awaited prequel, Clariel. Sabriel: Since childhood, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who refuse to stay dead. But now her father, the Abhorsen, is missing, and Sabriel must cross into that world to find him. There she confronts an evil that threatens much more than her life and comes face-to-face with her own hidden destiny. . . . Lirael: Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. She doesn't even have the Sight—the ability to see into possible futures—that is the very birthright of the Clayr. Nevertheless she must undertake a desperate mission under the growing shadow of an ancient evil—one that threatens to break the very boundary between Life and Death itself. With only her faithful companion, the Disreputable Dog, to help her, Lirael must find the courage to seek her own hidden destiny. Abhorsen: The Abhorsen Sabriel and King Touchstone are missing, leaving only Lirael—newly come into her inheritance as the Abhorsen-in-Waiting—to stop the Destroyer. With only a vision from the Clayr to guide her, Lirael must search in both Life and Death for some means to defeat the evil destructor—before it is too late. . . . Clariel: Clariel is the daughter of one of the most notable families in the Old Kingdom, with blood relations to the Abhorsen and, most important, to the King. She dreams of living a simple life but discovers this is hard to achieve when a dangerous creature is loose in the city and there is a plot brewing against the King. When Clariel is drawn into the efforts to find and capture the creature, she finds hidden sorcery within herself, yet it is magic that carries great dangers. This complete four-book collection includes all the signature elements that have made Garth Nix a fantasy legend: A Unique World of Magic: Enter the Old Kingdom, a land where Free Magic runs wild and the Dead refuse to stay dead, separated from the modern world by a formidable Wall. Unforgettable Heroines: Follow Sabriel, Lirael, and Clariel—three young women bound by blood to the Abhorsen line—as they are called to fight ancient evils and embrace their power. The Line of the Abhorsen: Discover the secrets of the Abhorsen, a lineage of necromancers tasked not with raising the Dead, but with laying them back to rest using a unique blend of Charter Magic and mystical bells. Epic Coming-of-Age Adventures: From a girl who must venture into Death to save her father to a royal daughter who wants only a simple life, each story explores the heavy burden of a hidden destiny.

Bloomsbury presents Transitional by Munroe Bergdorf, read by Mia Juul.WATERSTONES' BEST BOOKS OF 2023: POLITICS'A riveting blend of memoir and manifesto ... I found myself dog-earing every page' Elizabeth Day'Profoundly articulate. Entirely wise. Beautifully real.' Attitude'Transitional is a clever, moving book that packs a lot into its 194 pages' GuardianTransitioning is an alignment of the invisible and the physical. It is truth rising to the surface. It is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human condition – a part of our experience as a conscious being, no matter who we are.As time goes on, we all develop as people. We all transition. It's what unites us, not what separates us.In this life-affirming, heartfelt and intimate book, activist and model Munroe Bergdorf shares reflections from her own life to illustrate how transitioning is an essential part of all our lives. Through the story of one woman's extraordinary mission to live with authenticity, Transitional shows us how to heal, how to build a stronger community and how to evolve as a society out of shame and into pride.———PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR:'Bergdorf is proof that speaking up for what you believe in can provoke real change' Vogue'A phenomenon' Owen Jones, Guardian'A powerful and unstoppable new force . . . The world should take notice' Teen Vogue'One of the UK's most committed and outspoken transgender activists' Stylist

'A fine example of the new anti-epic fiction at its best . . . This is one of the more brilliant pieces of writing that you're liable to read for a long time.' - Seattle Post-Intelligencer 'One of the major-league fantasy releases of 2011, the highly awaited The White-Luck Warrior by Scott Bakker . . . Nobody can deny the powerful nature of those books . . . Overall [Bakker's books have] enriched the potential of the fantasy genre quite a lot.' - Fantasy Book Critic A score of years after he first walked into the histories of men, Anasûrimbor Kellhus rules all the three seas, the first true aspect-emperor in a thousand years. As Kellhus and his Great Ordeal march ever farther into the perilous wastes of the Ancient North, Esmenet finds herself at war with not only the Gods, but her own family as well. Achamian, meanwhile, leads his own ragtag expedition to the legendary ruins of Sauglish, and to a truth he can scarce survive, let alone comprehend. Into this tumult walks the White Luck Warrior, assassin and messiah both, executing a mission as old as the World's making . . . The second volume in the ambitious and compelling Aspect-Emperor fantasy series Books by R Scott Baker: Prince of Nothing Trilogy The Darkness That Comes Before The Warrior-Prophet The Thousandfold Thought Aspect-Emperor The Judging Eye The White Luck Warrior The Great Ordeal The Unholy Consult Novels Neuropath Disciple of the Dog Light, Time, and Gravity

THE ONE WHERE GREG SHAPES UP The third laugh-out-loud, fully-illustrated Diary of a Wimpy Kid book from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney ! A global phenomenon with 300 million copies of the series sold worldwide! Greg Heffley 's dad is on a mission! He's decided it's time for this wimpy kid to become, well, less wimpy and has planned lots of "manly" activities for him and his son. Greg somehow manages to find ways to get out of most of them, but when his dad threatens to send him to a military academy , Greg realises he's going to have to somehow shape up ... or get shipped out! WHAT'S IN DIARY OF A WIMPY KID? 50% words, 50% cartoons, 100% hilarious! Stories that all readers can't wait to get their hands on Laughter guaranteed! LOOK OUT FOR: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2 in August 2026! Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight (Book 21) in October 2026! Have you read all the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series? Diary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper

Bloomsbury presents Uncommon Courage by Julia Jones, read by Mark Meadows.An extraordinary account of heroism and sacrifice. An unexpected and important story, rivetingly told. Rip roaring stuff. Get this into the paws of the sea dog in your life.' – Griff Rhys Jones'A book that had to be written' – Let's Talk'People ashore don't realise what a grim war we are waging at sea with the Germans. A cold-blooded war, in a way I think requiring the maximum of bravery from the men of both sides in the long run, as it is so ceaseless and intangible. You just don't know whether the next moment will be your last.' Robert Hichens, RNVSRSeveral years ago, Julia Jones was searching through long-forgotten items stored at her house and discovered some suitcases of old written material, which turned out to be accounts by her father of his experiences in the RNVSR (Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve). She realised that as a child she'd met some of the people mentioned, and although she was too young to truly know them, these youthful impressions spurred her on to rediscovery and understanding.In this absorbing book Julia tells the compelling stories of the yachtsmen. Some were famous (such as Sir Peter Scott), others were wealthy (such as August Courtauld, who returned his pay to help with the war effort) but the majority were just 'ordinary' professionals such as publishers, lawyers and advertising agents, who signed up because they loved sailing. Few could ever have dreamed that they would end up acting in areas that were so far beyond their normal lives, as they found themselves commanding destroyers and submarines, and undertaking covert missions of sabotage. Some undertook the dangerous daily drudgery of minesweeping; others tackled unexploded bombs, engaged the enemy in high-speed attacks or played key roles in Ian Fleming's famous intelligence commandos.This varied crew of men were given tasks vital to the war effort, requiring endurance, extraordinary bravery, resourcefulness and quick thinking. Some died in the process, but for the ones who survived, Julia asks how their experiences changed them. Could their love of sailing and the sea survive the harsh realities of war?

Hugo award-winning author Hines returns to science fiction with the second book of the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse, featuring the unlikely heroes that may just save the galaxy from a zombie plague. Human civilization didn't just fall. It was pushed. The Krakau came to Earth in the year 2104. By 2105, humanity had been reduced to shambling, feral monsters. In the Krakau's defense, it was an accident, and a century later, they did come back and try to fix us. Sort of. It's been four months since Marion "Mops" Adamopoulos learned the truth of that accident. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago. Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who've been escalating their war against everyone who isn't Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full. Mops' mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans … or drown the galaxy in chaos. To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears most: return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn't been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it. Perhaps humanity isn't as dead as the galaxy thought.

The New York Times bestselling author and human performance expert tests his knowledge and theories on his own aging body in a quest to become an expert skier at age fifty-three. Gnar: adjective, short for "gnarly," def: any environment or situation that is high in perceived risk and high in actual risk. Country: noun, def: any defined territory, landscape or terrain, fictitious or real. Cutting-edge discoveries in embodied cognition, flow science, and network neuroscience have revolutionized how we think about peak performance aging. On paper, these discoveries should allow older athletes to progress in supposedly "impossible" activities like park skiing (think: jumps and tricks.) To see if theory worked in practice, Kotler conducted his own ass-on-the-line experiment in applied neuroscience and later-in-life skill acquisition: He tried to teach an old dog some new tricks. Recently, top pros have been performing well past a previously considered prime: World-class athletes such as Kelly Slater, the greatest surfer of all time, is winning competitions in his fifties; Tom Brady can beat players half his age. But what about the rest of us? Steven Kotler has been studying human performance for thirty years, and taught hundreds of thousands of people at all skill levels, age groups, and walks of life, how to achieve peak performance. Could his own advice work for him? Gnar Country is the chronicle of his experience pushing his own aging body past preconceived limits. It’s a book about goals, grit and progression. It’s an antidote for weariness that is inspiring, practical, and, often hilarious. It is about growing old and staying rad. It’s a feverish reading experience that makes you put down the book, get out there, and move. Whether hurtling down a mountain side, running your first 10K race, or taking your career to new heights, Kotler challenges us to test ourselves, surpass our limits, and achieve our own impossible, whatever it might be. Part personal journey, part science experiment, and part how-to guide for applying the latest in neuroscience and aging, Kotler takes us on his punk rock, high-velocity joy-ride for a better life in spite—and often in defiance of—the perceived limitations of the aging human body. Kotler’s ass-on-the-line experiment reveals a new playbook for aging with grit: Actionable Strategies: Learn the science-backed techniques Kotler used to progress from beginner to park skier in his fifties, turning theory into high-stakes practice. Mindset Shifts: Discover how to harness the power of flow and embodied cognition to accelerate learning at any age, breaking through mental and physical barriers. A Personal Journey: Follow Kotler’s often hilarious and always inspiring mission to push his own body past its preconceived limits, proving that it’s never too late to get rad. Evidence-Based Framework: A practical guide that combines network neuroscience with an unfiltered look at what it really takes to achieve your own impossible goals.