For most people, the reasons for the sudden collapse of our economy still remain obscure. I.O.U. is the story of how we came to experience such a complete financial disaster, starting with the magical proliferation of credit that led to an explosion of lending on the global and local landscapes of banking and finance. Viewing the crisis through the lens of politics, culture, and contemporary history—from the invention and widespread misuse of financial instruments to the culpability of subprime mortgages—Lanchester deftly draws conclusions on the limitations of financial and governmental regulation, capitalism’s deepest flaw, and most important, on the plain and simple facts of human nature where cash is concerned. With newly updated, superbly written reportage, Lanchester delivers a shrewd perspective and a digestible, comprehensive analysis that connects the dots for expert and casual reader alike. Part economic primer, part fiscal and historical analysis, I.O.U. is an eye-opener of a book.
"You will never mention me or my favors, nor will you disclose what favors we trade. I am a ghost to you." Or a genie. I think a genie is way less scary, don't you? Kristy Marie brings you a laugh out loud comedy about what happens when a hot mess of a girl takes down the resident bad boy. It's official. I, Ainsley James, am crazy. Desperate and crazy. It's the only explanation as to why I'm nauseous, standing outside Maverick Lexington's door. I mean, it's possible the stories about his deck of playing cards-with the words IOU scrawled across the back-are just rumors of the ruthless quid pro quo deals he barters. But the flutters in my stomach know better. Maverick is as cold as they come. But, I need one of those cards. I NEED to owe Maverick Lexington a favor... Reviews I devoured this book!!! The tension! The alphaness! The banter! The sexiness! The laugh out loud moments! The secondary characters are EVERYTHING! Serena's Must Have Book Boyfriends IOU deserves well over 5 stars!! I could not fault it!!This book was EVERYTHING!!!! Holy Mac and cheese. This is making it high on my favourite books of 2020 because I absolutely LOVED this book!! Book Obsession This story delivered a fresh and original storyline with laughter and feels that I have come to expect from the author. Keri, Goodreads Reviewer Best romantic comedy I have read in 2020. No question. Bailey, Goodreads Reviewer Yes yes yes! IOU is a nonstop page turner that had me laughing nonstop and adoring these characters. Tre, Goodreads Reviewer I have just found myself a new author to obsess over. This book was so far beyond exceptional. Sharon, Goodreads Reviewer
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * "A gem of a novel."--Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things From the author of Surprise Me comes an irresistible story of love and empowerment about a young woman with a complicated family, a handsome man who might be "the one," and an IOU that changes everything. Fixie Farr has always lived by her father's motto: "Family first." And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn't take care of her father's legacy, who will? It's simply not in Fixie's nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees--she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer's owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off--she'd never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she? But then Fixie's childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie's buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself--but she'd love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie--from small favors to life-changing moments--ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants? Praise for I Owe You One "This book is a shot of pure joy!"--Jenny Colgan, author of The Bookshop on the Corner "A humorous exploration of family life, finding love and the difficulties of coming into one's own as a young professional woman . . . The entertaining cast of characters . . . will certainly remind readers why nineteen years after her first hit Kinsella remains one of the reigning queens of women's fiction."--The Washington Post "I Owe You One is another impossibly delightful story by Sophie Kinsella, a must-read for her die-hard fans and new readers alike."--PopSugar
Amy has enjoyed a charmed life, shopping and lunching while the nanny looks after her children. Until her world is thrown into disarray when husband Ben's business collapses overnight, taking their house and savings with it. Suddenly Amy finds herself the breadwinner. Can she rise to the challenge? Will her marriage survive such an upheaval? Or is it a case of 'Till Debt Do Us Part'? Kate has always had to struggle by, juggling her job with two children and a husband, though she wouldn't have it any other way. But her safe little world is rocked when she meets enigmatic Jack in a chance encounter. Feeling increasingly estranged from husband Miles, Kate wonders if Jack can offer her a fresh start. But there's something about Jack that Kate doesn't know. . . Jennifer is only just beginning to recover from the death of her own husband. When Jennifer makes contact with old flame Hugh she unlocks a dangerous Pandora's box. She is desperate to find the answer to a question that has tormented her for decades. But will she be able to cope with the truth?
Admit it. College would have been more fun if you were allowed to blow up the instructors. And you really would have liked to major in Military Biology, Anti-Social Sciences, Double-Entendre Bookkeeping, or Computer Wizardry. Too bad you didn't know about IOU. Illuminati University is THE best place to learn Things Man Was Not Meant To Know. With departments like Weird and Unusual Science and Engineering, Inapplicable Mathematics, Misanthropology, and Zen Surrealism . . . not to mention extracurricular activities like Democrats for Cthulhu, Moopsball, and food fights that set off nuclear alerts . . . this is college as it should have been. And gadgets? Everything from the Crockpot of the Gods to the Enigmatic Alien Device Button-Pushing Table. Illustrated by the one and only (two and only?) Phil and Kaja Foglio, this book supports three different campaign styles . . . Silly, Weird, and Darkly Illuminated. GURPS IOU takes you from creating a character to enrolling in classes, to study, finals, and the occasional academic blood feud, all the way to graduation. If you survive.
Winner of the Agatha Award and finalist for the Edgar Award. Jenny explores her own family’s unsettling, mysterious past, beginning with her mother’s death in the seventh book in the award-winning Jenny Cain mystery series that was called “excellent” by Publishers Weekly. The layered plot of the latest in the excellent Jenny Cain series finds the Port Frederick, Mass., sleuth probing the cause of her recently deceased mother's insanity. Cain discovers that her mother's mental collapse many years before coincided with the bankruptcy of the family business. The closing of Cain Clams created considerable unemployment locally and countless enemies for the Cains--one such foe may now be trying to prevent the amateur detective from delving further into her family's past and the town's secrets. As she tracks down public mysteries, Cain unearths painful personal issues; an attempt on her life, construed as an effort at suicide, forces her to deal with the legacy of her mother's madness. Pickard masterfully resolves both plot lines in this affecting, provocative novel centering around the mystery at the heart of mother-daughter relationships.
In 2000, the total GDP of Earth was $36 trillion. At the start of 2007 it was $70 trillion. Today that growth has gone suddenly and sharply into decline. John Lanchester travels with a cast of characters - including reckless bankers, snoozing regulators, complacent politicians, predatory lenders, credit-drunk spendthrifts, and innocent bystanders to understand deeply and genuinely what is happening and why we feel the way we do.
Who says money can’t buy you love? Issued by the “World Bank of Savings and Love” these playful checks offer a diverse portfolio of options for the shy and adventurous alike, with fill-in-the-blanks and check-box prompts. The checkbook includes 30 IOUs and 30 UOMEs, making it easy for you to get back what you give. Best of all, these checks are guaranteed not to bounce (unless you’re into that)!
