"Struggling to raise her little brother Donal, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible adult around. Obsessed with the constellations, she finds peace in the starry night sky above the fields behind her house, until one night her star-gazing causes an accident. After witnessing his motorcycle wreck, she forms an unusual friendship with one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold. By the time Wavy is a teenager, her relationship with Kellen is the only tender thing in a brutal world of addicts and debauchery"--
A funny, moving, and true story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face that's perfect for fans of Wonder—now available in the U.S. When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes. Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same. Strangers stared at him. Kids called him names, and adults could be cruel, too. Everybody seemed to agree that he was “ugly.” But Robert refused to let his face define him. He played pranks, got into trouble, had adventures with his big family, and finally found a sport that was perfect for him to play. And Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart. This poignant memoir about overcoming bullying and thriving with disabilities shows that what makes us “ugly” also makes us who we are. It features a reflective foil cover and black-and-white illustrations throughout.
If I were dead, I wouldn't be able to see. If I were dead, I wouldn't be able to feel. If I were dead, he'd never raise his hand to me again. If I were dead, his words wouldn't cut as deep as they do. If I were dead, I'd be beautiful and I wouldn't be so...ugly. I'm not dead...but I wish I was.
One night changed everything. In a single breath my entire future was ripped away. Now I’m left simply trying to pick up the pieces. Endless nights waiting tables in hopes of keeping a single piece of the dream I left behind. He came for pie with dark eyes and a cocky smile. But those eyes saw more than they should. Past my walls to all those secrets I’d long buried. That should’ve been my first warning. I should’ve said no when he offered me a job too good to be true. But I said yes. Slowly friendship sparked to something more. Stolen moments became an obsession neither of us could kick. Hudson gave me more than I’d ever dreamed. So much of what I had lost. A home. A family. I should’ve known it was all a beautiful lie. I should’ve known he’d only leave me with all the ugly things...
Four old friends confront their darkest secrets in this fantasy steeped in nostalgia, folklore, religion, and the seductive landscape of Southern Italy—by the Italian Neil Gaiman. “A tale of adventure, mystery, friendship and heart-wrenching beauty that will make you re-examine what is holy, what is true, and what is beyond the realm of possibility.” —BookPage Four old school friends have a pact: to meet up every year in the small town in Puglia they grew up in. Art, the charismatic leader of the group and creator of the pact, insists that the agreement must remain unshakable and enduring. But this year, he never shows up. A visit to his house increases the friends’ worry: Art is farming marijuana. In Southern Italy doing that kind of thing can be very dangerous. They can’t go to the Carabinieri so must make enquiries of their own. This is how they come across the rumors about Art—bizarre and unbelievable rumors that he miraculously cured the local mafia boss’ daughter of terminal leukemia. And among the chaos of his house, they find a document written by Art, “The Book of Hidden Things”, that promises to reveal dark secrets and wonders beyond anything previously known. Set in the beguiling and seductive world of Southern Italy, Francesco Dimitri’s first novel in English is a story friendship, landscape, love, betrayal, and mystery that will entrance fans of Elena Ferrante, Neil Gaiman, and Donna Tartt.
Gabe has always identified as a boy, but he was born with a girl’s body. With his new public access radio show gaining popularity, Gabe struggles with romance, friendships, and parents. His entire future is threatened when several violent guys find out that Gabe the DJ is also Elizabeth from school.
Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Auschwitz. Jakób Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks. As World War II draws to a close, Jakób fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia. They intend to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl’s unscheduled train reaches the bomb first. Gretl is the only survivor. Though spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people. When Jakób discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her in. For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family. But she can’t stay with him forever. Jakób sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families—so long as Gretl’s Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered. Separated by continents, politics, religion, language, and years, Jakób and Gretl will likely never see each other again. But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome. Praise for The Girl from the Train: “A riveting read with an endearing, courageous protagonist . . . takes us from war-torn Poland to the veldt of South Africa in a story rich in love, loss, and the survival of the human spirit.” —Anne Easter Smith, author of A Rose for the Crown Full-length World War II historical novel International bestseller Includes a glossary
Real Ugly (Hard Rock Roots #1) - A Gritty Rock Star Romantic Suspense WARNING: You are about to dive into a dark, gritty world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Don't start reading unless you're into true love, hot sex, music that touches the soul, and tall as f*ck roller coasters. This series will make you laugh, cry, sweat, hate, love, think, and wonder. You will be torn in two and sewn back together, and you'll want it to happen all the h*ll over again. The characters in this book will drive you crazy, and they'll curse like sailors. We all love the word f*ck. A lot. Don't turn the page unless you're ready to get torn apart like the world's hardest rock riff. "These are real people with real problems. This is real life, and it's real f*cked up." Turner Campbell is an a**hole. I f*cking hate him. But I can't get enough either. He sings like an angel and f*cks like a devil. If I could, I'd run away and never look back because to tell you the truth, I think this man might be the death of me. & & & Naomi Knox is a b*tch. I can't f*cking stand her. But I can't stop thinking about her either. She looks like an angel and plays like a devil. If I could, I'd f*ck her good and forget all about her, but to tell you the truth, I think this woman might be my last saving grace.
UGLY... It's a word we recoil from, the thing we don't want to be. But what if liberation, peace, and forgiveness could be found when you Embrace Your UGLY? In a world of picture-perfect lives that are just a scroll away, perfection has taken on importance like never before. As women, we’re told success is found in a flawless body, career, family, and home. But we all know the truth. None of us are perfect. Most of us survive while carrying around past pain and trauma. L. L. Anderson knows this struggle. She’s wrestled with a negative body image, a learning disability and the pain of abuse within her family. Damage that could have easily put a roadblock between her and success. But Anderson, now a successful certified life coach, found ways to break through that baggage. Here she shares her strategies for living your best life long-term. If you’ve suffered trauma, are trying to push through the pain, but feel stuck in a loop without progress, Anderson’s approach is designed for you. You can’t live the life you were meant to live if you don’t face your trauma and embrace the ugly. Sounds scary? Have no fear! Anderson, an experienced workshop leader deliberately designed the process to be fun, empowering, and approachable. Motivation can lag and habits can fail, which is why these tangible solutions are always here, when you need them, keeping you on the right track. Ready to Embrace Your UGLY: Unique, Genuine, Love, and simply You? YES! Let’s do this.
In today's world of supplements, celebrity diets and social media, it's very easy to be hard on ourselves about the way we look. With all this pressure to strive for 'perfection' aesthetically, it is easy to forget how damaging this can be psychologically. Michelle Elman is a leading part of the body positivity movement that has been gathering momentum to liberate people from these unrealistic standards, recognise that all bodies are equally valuable and broaden the billboard definitions of beauty. Am I Ugly? is this inspiring woman's compelling and deeply personal memoir that describes her childhood experiences of life-threatening health problems, long stays in hospital and fifteen complex surgeries that left her scarred, both mentally and physically. The narrative follows Michelle's journey from illness to health, and from childhood to adulthood as she deals with her body-confidence issues to embrace both her scars and her body - and help others to do the same. This remarkable book grapples with the wider implications of Michelle's experiences and the complex interplay between beauty and illness. 'Michelle Elman is Bo-Po personified. She shows that we should never hide the things that make us who we are' Curvy Kate. 'A 21-year-old life coach in London has become an Instagram star and viral inspiration after sharing her bikini photos and an inspiring video' Fox News. 'Michelle's post has certainly made an impact on so many people who needed a pick-me-up, and we just hope that anyone else feeling insecure due to clothes sizes somehow find themselves scrolling onto her post, too' Metro.
