Christmas is coming! In a church tower, three bells practice ringing for Christmas Eve. But the newest and smallest bell in the tower is silent. What could be wrong? The dove, the wise crow, and all the other animals find good words to try to encourage the little bell to ring. But nothing works . . . until Christmas Eve when they find the words that inspire the little bell to ring out—“Peace on earth.” An inventive story about the meaning of Christmas, with ethereal illustrations by Maja Dusíková.
The Bell That Wouldnat Ring is about a little boyas curiosity as to why the town bell doesnat ring one night like it usually does. He then finds out the problem and learns how he can help to fix that problem.
"Mark Mayer writes with a humorous, wistful elegance. His stories are singular, as detached and intimate as dreaming." --Marilynne Robinson Welcome to the sublime circus of Mark Mayer's Michener-Copernicus-winning debut, Aerialists, a fiercely inventive collection of nine stories in which classic carnival characters become ordinary misfits seeking grandeur in a lonely world. Under the luminous tent of Mayer's prose, we see P.T. Barnum's caravan remade: A young misogynist finds a confidante in a cable-TV strongwoman. A realtor for the one percent invokes his inner murder clown. A skin-and-bones mathematician and his bearded wife plot revolution. A friendless peach farmer holds a funeral for a beloved elephant. And a model-train hobbyist prepares to throw his miniature world in the trash. The circus has always been a collection of American exaggerations-the bold, the beautiful, the freakish, the big. Aerialists finds these myths living in the everyday. Mayer's deftly drawn characters illuminate these small-scale spectaculars, and their attempted acts of daring and feats of strength are rendered with humor, generosity, and uncommon grace.
A musical scholar is challenged to find and explore an area different from his colleagues. During the summer of 1972, Dr. Otto Henry, a musicologist in his third year at East Carolina University, accepts an invitation on the spur of the moment to accompany some old anthropologist friends from Tulane University, to the amazing little Mediterranean island of Malta. His friends have just completed a definitive study of Maltese folk music. However, he is encouraged to find an area of his own. And to stay out of the library! After a few false starts, Henry accidently discovers the significance of the ubiquitous church bells that ring from their stone towers all day long and part of the night. Bells that celebrate the time of day, the season, religious services, and occasions; bells that, with their individual tones, rhythms, and colors, musically mark off and enhance the times, the days, and the seasons of Maltese life. And then, as it turns out, their passing as well. Henrys daily field notes capture the wonder and majesty of these huge bronze implements, some of which have been melted and recast as cannons and then back into bells. Then there are those who ring the bells, a special lot, sometimes a little apart and distant from ordinary folk, but people who are always glad to help explain their lives and duties to a strange Inglese with a beard.
Harlequin Medical Romance – January ‘22 – Box Set 1 of 2 Harlequin Medical Romance brings you a collection of three new titles, available now! Enjoy these stories packed with pulse-racing romance and heart-racing medical drama. This Harlequin Medical Romance box set includes: NEW YEAR KISS WITH HIS CINDERELLA Nashville ER By Annie O’Neil When Dr Carter shares a kiss with a captivating stranger, he doesn’t expect a reunion. Until he walks into Saint Dolores’ ER the next day...and discovers that she’s his new colleague! THEIR REUNION TO REMEMBER Nashville ER By Tina Beckett Dr Micah was surgeon Lia’s first love… and the man she thought she would never see again. Is Lia ready to remember the powerful love that she had tried so hard to forget? FROM FLORIDA FLING TO FOREVER By Susan Carlisle Transplant surgeon Lily is always cool under pressure. So, why does the idea of working with ex-fling Max James have her so hot under the collar?
The 'Big Book of Christmas Tales' is a captivating anthology that traverses the vivacious literary landscape of Christmas narratives. Encompassing a wide range of literary styles, from the whimsical to the solemn, this collection presents an unparalleled amalgamation of stories that both illuminate and celebrate the myriad facets of the holiday season. Its significance is bolstered by the inclusion of seminal works from a pantheon of authors renowned for their contributions to literature, narratively weaving through the themes of hope, generosity, redemption, and the human condition. The diversity of tales, from Dickenss evocative portrayals of Victorian Christmases to Andersens timeless fairy tales, showcases the universal and enduring appeal of Christmas storytelling. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology bring together a veritable tapestry of cultural, historical, and literary backgrounds, united by the theme of Christmas. Their collective works resonate with various movements and epochs in literature, from Victorian sentimentalism to the poignant realism of Dostoevsky, reflecting the profound ways in which Christmas has been celebrated, challenged, and depicted throughout literary history. The anthology stands as a testament to the rich interplay of cultural narratives and individual creativity, offering a holistic exploration of Christmas through the lenses of some of the greatest writers in history. 'Readers seeking a comprehensive exploration of the Christmas spirit through literature need look no further than the Big Book of Christmas Tales. This anthology not only offers a unique opportunity to engage with the holiday season through a multitude of perspectives, styles, and themes but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in capturing the essence of human experiences connected to Christmas. It invites readers to delve into a literary feast, promising both enlightenment and entertainment, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the ways in which Christmas has been immortalized in literature.
