"The toymaker who wants to create the perfect wife; the princess whose heart is won by words, not actions; the tiny dog whose confidence far outweighs his size; and the sinister Lacewing King who rules over the Silken Folk. These are just a few of the weird and wonderful creatures who populate Joanne Harris's first collection of fairy tales"--

"How lovely to discover a book on the craft of writing that is also fun to read . . . Alison asserts that the best stories follow patterns in nature, and by defining these new styles she offers writers the freedom to explore but with enough guidance to thrive." ―Maris Kreizman, Vulture A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019 | A Poets & Writers Best Books for Writers As Jane Alison writes in the introduction to her insightful and appealing book about the craft of writing: “For centuries there’s been one path through fiction we’re most likely to travel― one we’re actually told to follow―and that’s the dramatic arc: a situation arises, grows tense, reaches a peak, subsides . . . But something that swells and tautens until climax, then collapses? Bit masculosexual, no? So many other patterns run through nature, tracing other deep motions in life. Why not draw on them, too?" W. G. Sebald’s Emigrants was the first novel to show Alison how forward momentum can be created by way of pattern, rather than the traditional arc--or, in nature, wave. Other writers of nonlinear prose considered in her “museum of specimens” include Nicholson Baker, Anne Carson, Marguerite Duras, Gabriel García Márquez, Jamaica Kincaid, Clarice Lispector, Susan Minot, David Mitchell, Caryl Phillips, and Mary Robison. Meander, Spiral, Explode is a singular and brilliant elucidation of literary strategies that also brings high spirits and wit to its original conclusions. It is a liberating manifesto that says, Let’s leave the outdated modes behind and, in thinking of new modes, bring feeling back to experimentation. It will appeal to serious readers and writers alike.

A 2022 Firecracker Award for Fiction Finalist • A CBC Books and Quill & Quire Anticipated Fall Book • A Lambda Literary Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+ Title • A 49th Shelf Book of the Year 2021 Linked short stories about families, nascent queers, and self-deluded utopians explore the moral ordinary strangeness in their characters’ overlapping lives. A woman impersonates a nun online, with unexpected consequences. In a rapidly changing neighborhood, tensions escalate around two events planned for the same day. The barista girlfriend of a tech billionaire survives a zombie apocalypse only to face spending her life with the paranoid super-rich. The linked stories in Householders move effortlessly from the commonplace to the fantastic, from west-end Toronto to a trailer in the middle of nowhere, from a university campus to a state-of-the-art underground bunker; from a commune in the woods to a city and back again. Exploring the ordinary strangeness in the lives of recurring characters and overlapping dramas, Householders combines the intimacy, precision, and clarity of short fiction with the depth and reach of a novel and mines the moral hazards inherent in all the ways we try and fail to save one another and ourselves.

I am as brown as brown can be, And my eyes as black as sloe; I am as brisk as brisk can be, And wild as forest doe. (The Child Ballads, 295) So begins a beautiful tale of love, loss and revenge. Following the seasons, A Pocketful of Crows balances youth and age, wisdom and passion and draws on nature and folklore to weave a stunning modern mythology around a nameless wild girl. Only love could draw her into the world of named, tamed things. And it seems only revenge will be powerful enough to let her escape. Beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Helen Hawkins, this is a stunning and original modern fairytale.

A songwriter. A family past. And a deadline. In Honeycomb Beach, the Surf Kings led by Larry Wilcox, rock the show. Now Larry's daughter Sarra, a struggling songwriter from LA, comes back to town. When father and daughter clash about Sarra's unsuccessful songwriting career, Sarra vows to win a lyric contest to redeem herself, even if it means cheating to do it. A moving story about family relationships and how overcoming doubt is difficult at any age. If you enjoy contemporary women's fiction and character driven novels set in small beach towns, plus love reading stories told through the eyes of the main character, you'll enjoy My Blue Agave.

Rudyard Kipling's 'Complete Short Stories of Rudyard Kipling: 25 Illustrated Collections' is a comprehensive compilation of short stories that showcase Kipling's literary prowess and diverse storytelling abilities. This collection reflects the author's keen observations of the British Empire and the complexities of human nature, blending elements of adventure, imperialism, and morality in his narratives. Kipling's masterful use of language, vivid imagery, and well-developed characters make this collection a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers of all ages. Each story is accompanied by stunning illustrations that enhance the reading experience and bring Kipling's vivid world to life. Kipling's writing style is characterized by its rich detail, deep symbolism, and moral complexity, making each story a thought-provoking and engaging read. As a prolific writer who drew inspiration from his own experiences in colonial India, Kipling's stories offer valuable insights into the cultural and social issues of his time. 'Complete Short Stories of Rudyard Kipling' is a must-read for lovers of classic literature and historical fiction, offering a captivating journey through the intricacies of human nature and the lasting impact of imperialism on society.

This book contains 25 short stories from 5 classic, prize-winning and noteworthy authors. The stories were carefully selected by the critic August Nemo, in a collection that will please the literature lovers. The theme of this edition is: Russia. For more exciting titles, be sure to check out our 7 Best Short Stories and Essential Novelists collections. This book contains: - Leonid Andreyev: - Lazarus - On The Day of Crucifixion - The Crushed Flower - The Serpent's Story - JUdas Iscariot - The Little Angel - A Story Wich Will Never Be Finished - Daniil Kharms: - Symphony no. 2 - On phenomena and existences - No. 1 - The thing - Andrey Semyonovich - An unexpected drinking bout - The destiny of a professor's wife - The memoirs of a wise old man - Alexander Pushkin: - The Queen of Spades - The Shot - The Snowstorm - The Postmaster - The Coffin-maker - Kirdjali - Peter, The Great's Negro - Ivan Turgenev: - A Desperate Character - Knock, Knock, Knock - A Strange Story - The Dog - The District Doctor - The Inn - Mumu - Maxim Gorky: - Her Lover - One Autumn Night - Twenty Six Men and a Girl - The Dead Man - Waiting for the Ferry - The Billionaire - The Birth of a Man

This carefully crafted ebook: "Rudyard Kipling Ultimate Short Story Collection: 440+ Short Stories in One Volume (Complete Illustrated Edition)" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. Short Story Collections: The City of Dreadful Night Plain Tales from the Hills The Story of the Gadsbys Soldier's Three The Phantom 'Rickshaw and Other Ghost Stories Under the Deodars Wee Willie Winkie Life's Handicap Many Inventions The Jungle Book The Second Jungle Book The Day's Work Stalky and Co. Just So Stories Traffics and Discoveries Puck of Pook's Hill Actions and Reactions Abaft the Funnel Rewards and Fairies The Eyes of Asia A Diversity of Creatures Land and Sea Tales Debits and Credits Thy Servant a Dog Limits and Renewals Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He wrote tales and poems of British soldiers in India and stories for children. He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

This carefully crafted ebook: "LEO TOLSTOY – The Ultimate Short Stories Collection: 120+ Titles in One Volume (World Classics Series)" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. Table of Contents Introduction Leo Tolstoy: A Short Biography "Tolstoy the Artist" and "Tolstoy the Preacher" by Ivan Panin "Count Tolstoi and the Public Censor" by Isabel Hapgood Short Stories & Collections The Kreutzer Sonata The Forged Coupon Hadji Murad The Dekabrists: A Romance A Morning of a Landed Proprietor After the Dance Alyosha the Pot My Dream There Are No Guilty People The Young Tsar A Lost Opportunity "Polikushka" The Candle Twenty-Three Tales Sevastopol Sketches Master and Man Father Sergius A Russian Proprietor and Other Stories An Old Acquaintance Fables and Stories for Children Stories from Physics Stories from Zoology Stories from Botany Texts for Chapbook Illustrations Stories from the New Speller Diary of a Lunatic Recollections of a Billiard-Marker Three Parables The Cutting of a Forest Yermak, the Conqueror of Siberia Two Hussars Albert The Cossacks: A Tale of 1852 Nikolai Palkin and Other Stories Scenes from Common Life Meeting a Moscow Acquaintance at the Front Memoirs of a Marker From the Memoirs of Prince D. Nekhlyudov Domestic Happiness My Husband and I Who Should Learn Writing of Whom? Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy or Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. Born to an aristocratic Russian family in 1828, he is best known for the novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877) which are often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction.

Rudyard Kipling's 'Ultimate Short Story Collection' is a literary masterpiece that compiles over 440 short stories in one volume, showcasing the author's versatility and mastery of the short story genre. Kipling's stories are known for their vivid imagery, compelling characters, and profound themes that explore the complexities of human nature and society. His concise yet evocative prose transports readers to exotic locales and allows them to delve into the rich tapestry of Kipling's imagination. This collection is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts and scholars alike, providing a comprehensive overview of Kipling's storytelling prowess and enduring legacy in the world of literature. From tales of adventure and exploration to poignant reflections on colonialism and identity, Kipling's short stories continue to captivate readers with their timeless relevance and thought-provoking narratives. Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel Prize-winning author, drew inspiration from his experiences in British India and his deep fascination with global culture and history. His unique perspective as a writer and traveler informs the vivid depictions and diverse themes found in his short stories, making them essential reading for anyone interested in classic literature and the art of storytelling. I highly recommend Rudyard Kipling's 'Ultimate Short Story Collection' to readers seeking a diverse and enriching literary experience that transcends time and space, offering a glimpse into the brilliant mind of one of the greatest storytellers of the 19th century.