'I think anyone who doesn't believe there is life out there will eventually end up looking as ignorant as those people who used to think that the earth was flat and if you went too far out to sea in your boat you'd fall off the end of the world. Ridiculous.' Shaun Ryder goes in search of his secret passion: extra-terrestrials. Travelling the world over to discover the truth about UFOs, and whether there really is life out there, Shaun encounters ancient tribes, fellow believers and leading specialists, all the while attempting to detect fact from fiction.Ever since he saw a UFO at the age of fifteen, Ryder has been a fervent believer. He begins with the spike in paranormal activity which Manchester experienced during his childhood in the late 70s. From his hometown Shaun travels to the top secret Area 51, to the Mayan ruins of Peru and Chile and to aboriginal caves in Australia, exploring the UFO capitals of the world. He also speaks to experts like Professor Steven Hawking, and famous UFO enthusiasts like Robbie Williams and Dan Ackroyd.A deeply funny, revelatory travelogue, Shaun Ryder on UFOs is a unique personal insight into a fantastic journey of discovery.Praise for Twisting My Melon:'Intoxicating: swaggering, cringing, furious, vulnerable, chaotic, bilious, funny, mad. A seamless, authentic, exhilarating read, without a single slack paragraph.' Sunday Times.'At once poignant and hilarious.' Word Magazine.'Highly entertaining.'Independent on Sunday.'A welcome contrast to the current trend of macho post-rehab confessions by tedious hard-rock narcissists.' Guardian.
Globally bestselling Divergent author Veronica Roth delivers a breathtaking fantasy featuring an unusual friendship, an epic love story, and a galaxy-sweeping adventure. #1 New York Times bestseller * Wall Street Journal bestseller * USA Today bestseller * #1 IndieBound bestseller Praise for Carve the Mark: “Roth skillfully weaves the careful world-building and intricate web of characters that distinguished Divergent.” —VOYA (starred review) “Roth offers a richly imagined, often brutal world of political intrigue and adventure, with a slow-burning romance at its core.” —ALA Booklist Cyra Noavek and Akos Kereseth have grown up in enemy countries locked in a long-standing fight for dominance over their shared planet. When Akos and his brother are kidnapped by the ruling Noavek family, Akos is forced to serve Cyra, the sister of a dictator who governs with violence and fear. Cyra is known for her deadly power of transferring extraordinary pain unto others with simple touch, and her tyrant brother uses her as a weapon against those who challenge him. But as Akos fights for his own survival, he recognizes that Cyra is also fighting for hers, and that her true gift—resilience—might be what saves them both. When Akos and Cyra are caught in the middle of a raging rebellion, everything they’ve been led to believe about their world and themselves must be called into question. But fighting for what’s right might mean betraying their countries, their families, and each other. When the time comes, will they choose loyalty or love? And don't miss The Fates Divide, Veronica Roth's powerful follow-up novel!
Presents an introduction to the Solar System and the physical features of the eight planets that revolve around the Sun, in a text that includes learning activities.
"Tender and illuminating. A beautiful debut." --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me A heartrending and hopeful story about a nonverbal girl and her passion for space exploration, for fans of See You in the Cosmos, Mockingbird, and The Thing About Jellyfish. Twelve-year-old Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger--it's the first time a teacher is going into space, and kids across America will watch the event on live TV in their classrooms. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, share a love of astronomy and the space program. They planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has disappeared, and Nova is in a new foster home. While foster families and teachers dismiss Nova as severely autistic and nonverbal, Bridget understands how intelligent and special Nova is, and all that she can't express. As the liftoff draws closer, Nova's new foster family and teachers begin to see her potential, and for the first time, she is making friends without Bridget. But every day, she's counting down to the launch, and to the moment when she'll see Bridget again. Because as Bridget said, "No matter what, I'll be there. I promise."
When I approached the Golden Egg and I was about 5 feet from the egg I was told to stop, and stand still. Looking around me I was surprised to see, all the other Dragons had made a circle around me, at a distance of about 30 feet away from where I stood. I looked at the Golden Egg that was in soft warm sand, in front of me. Then I could see that it was gently rocking from side to side, and then I noted that tiny cracks appeared, they gradually got bigger as the Golden Egg continued to rock. I heard a tapping sound coming from the Golden Egg, there was no other sound in the warm still air, I could hear my heart beating in my breast, I thought that it sounded quite loud to me and I hope that I was the only one who could hear my heart beating. I then realized that my heart beat and the tapping sound that came from the Golden egg were the same rhythm. With breathless anticipation I watched the Golden Eggs cracks become a small hole at first, and then much bigger, soon a tiny Golden Dragon was nearly fully exposed. With one final push a Beautiful Golden Little Dragon cast her eyes on me. She looked intently at me for what seemed to be a life time, but it was really only one minute, she took her first step then the second towards me on wobbly legs. Step by shaky unsteady step this little baby dragon came to me, when she was close to me she lifted her Golden head and glared at me intently, with her big brown eyes. Pleading for me to accept her, and to pat her on her Golden Head. I looked at her and my heart melted; I knew that I would love her and protect her until my life ended. I stroked her head very gently then I held her close to me in a gentle hug as a mother would her new born child.
Perfect job. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. But the universe had other ideas... The funniest book you'll read all year! Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Lucy Vine. 'Utterly swoon worthy' 'Just great fun' 'Fresh, funny and fascinating' 'A stunning debut' The stars are not in position - and Krystal Baker is determined to make them fall in line. It's Krystal's 29th birthday. This year: · Her boyfriend finally proposed after six years of dating (only for her to find out he cheated on her for five and a half of them) · She landed her dream job as a writer at Craze magazine (which swiftly fell into administration) · She moved into her dream flat overlooking the city (just for the pipes to explode making the place unliveable) As she mourns everything wrong in her life, her best friend mutters the dreaded words: Saturn Return. The time in a woman's life where Saturn returns to the position it was in on the day of their birth, 29.5 years ago, and, according to legend, everything falls apart. Krystal has never bought into astrology but maybe it's time to re-evaluate - because if the stars got her into this mess, they can get her out of it. And she only has six months to make things right. Loaded with crystals, horoscopes, tarot cards and a carefully aligned chakra or two, Krystal's determined to have her life back on track by the time Saturn returns. No longer shall she brand herself a 'human disaster' because this time it's not her fault, it's written in the treacherous stars. But can Krystal learn to follow her heart, not her horoscope? Praise for Ellie Pilcher: 'Laugh-out-loud funny, brilliantly written and utterly swoon worthy, What Planet Can I Blame This On? is the book we all need right now. Such a fun read!' - Holly Martin, author of Autumn Skies over Ruby Falls 'Perfect reading for twenty and thirty-somethings, written in the language of failed relationships and the hope for something better. Wry, witty, insightful, fast-paced and just great fun, this is a fabulous debut. It represents so much of what people go through on the pathway to finding out what they really want. It's going to be a hugely popular read.' - Helen Fields, author of the DI Callanach thrillers 'It's rare that a book really makes me laugh out loud, but this one did. Krystal's sassy, authentic narration carries the reader effortlessly as she prepares for her 'Saturn Return' and delves into its meaning. I felt as if I were living her problematic life with her! I think I fell in love with Ryan a little before she did . . .' - Sue Moorcroft, author of One Summer in Italy 'A joyous romp into the highs and pitfalls of following your stars.' - Beth Corby, author of Leave It To Fate 'What a stunning debut this is! I loved the cast of Krystal and her friends. Throw in a new interest in horoscopes and an episode of Hoarders (I've watched the whole series during lockdown) then this is the perfect read, even if it isn't always written in the stars! An author to look out for!' - Catherine Miller, author of Waiting For You 'Fresh, fun and fascinating from an exciting new talent.' - Bella Osborne, author of Meet Me at Pebble Beach 'It's fresh, wise and hugely funny and real - a celebration of that tricky late twenties stage when you reckon you should have it all figured out - but definitely haven't. When neither your horoscopes - nor even your very best friends - have all the answers. I loved it!' - Fiona Gibson, author of The Dog Share 'Delightful, fun and full of laugh-out-loud moments' - Gillian Harvey, author of Perfect On Paper
Are we alone in the universe? How did life arise on our planet? How do we search for life beyond Earth? These profound questions excite and intrigue broad cross sections of science and society. Answering these questions is the province of the emerging, strongly interdisciplinary field of astrobiology. Life is inextricably tied to the formation, chemistry, and evolution of its host world, and multidisciplinary studies of solar system worlds can provide key insights into processes that govern planetary habitability, informing the search for life in our solar system and beyond. Planetary Astrobiology brings together current knowledge across astronomy, biology, geology, physics, chemistry, and related fields, and considers the synergies between studies of solar systems and exoplanets to identify the path needed to advance the exploration of these profound questions. Planetary Astrobiology represents the combined efforts of more than seventy-five international experts consolidated into twenty chapters and provides an accessible, interdisciplinary gateway for new students and seasoned researchers who wish to learn more about this expanding field. Readers are brought to the frontiers of knowledge in astrobiology via results from the exploration of our own solar system and exoplanetary systems. The overarching goal of Planetary Astrobiology is to enhance and broaden the development of an interdisciplinary approach across the astrobiology, planetary science, and exoplanet communities, enabling a new era of comparative planetology that encompasses conditions and processes for the emergence, evolution, and detection of life.
The Farmers Almanac is an annual publication published every year since 1818. It is the only publication of its kind which generations of American families have come to trust. Its longevity speaks volumes about its content which informs, delights, and educates. Best known for its long-range weather predictions, the Farmers Almanac provides valuable information on gardening, cooking, fishing, and more.
Advance praise for Philip Plait s Bad Astronomy "Bad Astronomy is just plain good! Philip Plait clears up everymisconception on astronomy and space you never knew you sufferedfrom." --Stephen Maran, Author of Astronomy for Dummies and editorof The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia "Thank the cosmos for the bundle of star stuff named Philip Plait,who is the world s leading consumer advocate for quality science inspace and on Earth. This important contribution to science willrest firmly on my reference library shelf, ready for easy accessthe next time an astrologer calls." --Dr. Michael Shermer,Publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for ScientificAmerican, and author of The Borderlands of Science "Philip Plait has given us a readable, erudite, informative,useful, and entertaining book. Bad Astronomy is Good Science. Verygood science..." --James "The Amazing" Randi, President, JamesRandi Educational Foundation, and author of An Encyclopedia ofClaims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural "Bad Astronomy is a fun read. Plait is wonderfully witty andeducational as he debunks the myths, legends, and 'conspiraciesthat abound in our society. 'The Truth Is Out There' and it's inthis book. I loved it!" --Mike Mullane, Space Shuttle astronaut andauthor of Do Your Ears Pop in Space?