"Meyrink's short stories epitomized the non-plus-ultra of all modern writing. Their magnificent color, their spine-chilling and bizarre inventiveness, their aggression, their succinctness of style, their overwhelming originality of ideas which is so evident in every sentence and phrase that there seem to be no lacunae: all this captivated me, and seemed to me to provide the proper antidote to all the adjectival prose and shallow, false romanticism of the immediate preceding generation." Max Brod. "Gustav Meyrink's stories recall Gogol in their black, humorous vigor." The European

An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic interracial rock duo in the 1970s, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite decades later for one last tour. A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2021 BY BARACK OBAMA * THE WASHINGTON POST * NPR * ESQUIRE * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY * GOODREADS * THE MILLIONS * READER’S DIGEST * PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER * EERIE READER * PUBLIC RADIO TULSA * CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY * KIRKUS REVIEWS “Feels truer and more mesmerizing than some true stories. It’s a packed time capsule that doubles as a stick of dynamite.” —THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Opal is a fiercely independent young woman pushing against the grain in her style and attitude, Afro-punk before that term existed. Coming of age in Detroit, she can’t imagine settling for a 9-to-5 job—despite her unusual looks, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records. In early seventies New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Opal’s bold protest and the violence that ensues set off a chain of events that will not only change the lives of those she loves, but also be a deadly reminder that repercussions are always harsher for women, especially black women, who dare to speak their truth. Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. Sunny thought she knew most of the stories leading up to the cult duo’s most politicized chapter. But as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens to blow up everything. Provocative and chilling, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev features a backup chorus of unforgettable voices, a heroine the likes of which we’ve not seen in storytelling, and a daring structure, and introduces a bold new voice in contemporary fiction.

Booklist starred review Black activist Opal Lee had a vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone. This true story celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday. Join Opal on her historic journey to recognize and celebrate "freedom for all." Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic—a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak's stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865—over two years after the president had declared it! But Opal didn't always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. This wasn't freedom at all. She had to do something! But could one person’s voice make a difference? Could Opal bring about national recognition of Juneteenth? Follow Opal Lee as she fights to improve the future by honoring the past. Through the story of Opal Lee's determination and persistence, children ages 4 to 8 will learn: all people are created equal the power of bravery and using your voice for change the history of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, and what it means today no one is free unless everyone is free fighting for a dream is worth the difficulty experienced along the way Featuring the illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I am Enough), Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan celebrates the life and legacy of a modern-day Black leader while sharing a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.

This book is the latest in the popular Fred Ward Gem Book Series. The full-color photographs give the buyer and enthusiast all the information needed to understand the various types of opals and the ability to buy them wisely.

Reporter Stacy Justice did not expect to be set on fire that night, but being raised by witches prepares one for life's little surprises. In fact, she isn't the least bit shocked when her cousin is accused of arson, or when her divorced grandparents sign up for a marriage retreat, or even when her own boyfriend hauls her off to jail.But when a decades-old corpse is discovered within the walls of her cousin's bar, even Stacy is rattled. Now, someone wants her dead and she finds herself dodging angry motorists, exploding chickens and a very creepy man who lurks around every corner. As she begins to unearth long-buried secrets, Stacy learns that even those closest to her have something to hide- and she's about to discover a destiny she never imagined.

A collection of stories drawn from the author’s long and eventful life (born in 1920). Many are based on the author’s personal experience of life in Central Europe after the First World War. The writing has a sense of mystery and fantasy, but always laced with a wry sense of humour. This is a fascinating and wide ranging collection of stories, many having an almost cinematic quality from the author also being a painter. There are stories drawing on the author’s childhood and youth in Vienna, and visiting the family farm in Moravia in the aftermath of the First World War. Herta’s mother decided to leave home for Vienna as a teenager, and was taken on by a seamstress, who read to her girls while they were sewing, giving her an abiding love of literature that she passed on to her daughter. Herta experienced the rise of Nazism in Austria and Hitler’s Anchluss of the country, and several stories in this section reflect this period vividly. In the title story, The Singing Chair, a prosperous but stressed businessman is transported into a calming universe by a ‘magic’ chair. There follow other poignant and quirky tales of passion between the sexes. By contrast, others draw on Herta’s experience of postwar Germany – her British husband was part of the British Control Commission there. In Demeter, two British officers are rivals for the love of a destitute but beautiful refugee they rescue from a bombed-out street. Many of the stories add the ingredient of mystery and intrigue, but always permeated with the author’s characteristic humanity and wry sense of humour. The Magnolia Gown is set in the cut-throat world of the East London rag trade; Spash is a glorious short burst of fantasy as a woman visitor to Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace during a heatwave is lured into the baroque fountain to become one of Neptune’s mermaids.

The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories by Lord Dunsany: Enter a world of fantastical tales and mythical wonders with "The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories" by Lord Dunsany. This mesmerizing collection transports readers to enchanted realms, where knights, gods, and magical creatures collide in thrilling adventures. Dunsany's poetic prose and imaginative storytelling create a tapestry of unforgettable stories that leave a lasting impression on the imagination. Key Aspects of the Book "The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories": Fantasy and Myth: The collection immerses readers in a realm of fantasy and mythology, weaving enchanting narratives inspired by timeless legends and ancient folklore. Epic Adventures: "The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories" features heroic quests, epic battles, and extraordinary encounters with mystical beings, captivating readers with tales of courage and magic. Ethereal Prose: Dunsany's poetic and evocative prose enhances the otherworldly ambiance of the stories, painting vivid and immersive landscapes that transport readers to distant realms. Lord Dunsany was a prolific Anglo-Irish writer celebrated for his contributions to fantasy literature. Born in the 19th century, Dunsany's works often drew inspiration from his Irish heritage and folklore, infusing his stories with a rich tapestry of mythology and imagination. In "The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories," Dunsany's storytelling brilliance shines, presenting readers with a collection of enchanting tales that leave an indelible mark on the world of fantasy literature. His impact on the genre continues to inspire generations of writers and readers alike.

Girlfriends, Ghosts, and Other Stories brings together eighty-one brief texts spanning Robert Walser’s career, from pieces conceived amid his early triumphs to later works written at a psychiatric clinic in Bern. Many were published in the feuilleton sections of newspapers during Walser’s life; others were jotted down on slips of paper and all but forgotten. Together they string together small nutshells of consciousness, idiosyncratic and vulnerable, genuine in their irony, wistful in their humor. The portraits and landscapes here are observed with tenderness and from a place of great anxiety. Some dwell on childish or transient topics—carousels, the latest hairstyles, an ekphrasis of the illustrations in a picture book—others on the grand themes of nature, art, and love. But they remain conversational, almost lighter than air. Every emotion ventured takes on the weight of a sincerity that is imperiled as soon as it comes into contact with the outside world, which retains all of the novelty it had in childhood—and all of the danger. Walser’s speakers are attuned to the silent music of being; students of the ineffable and neighbors to madness, they are now exhilarated, now paralyzed by frequencies inaudible to less sensitive ears.