Drummer Richard Bentinck of the 23rd of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers) was a rarity: he survived many sanguinary experiences and recorded his adventures. His writings provide an evocative portrait of an ordinary soldier’s perception of living with one of the most experienced Napoleonic infantry battalions. He was discharged in 1823 for ill health, but lived a full life, dying in 1878 as an old man. Jonathan Crook has meticulously researched his ancestor’s life, finding unpublished first-hand accounts from Bentinck of desperate conflict across the globe, from Copenhagen to Martinique, throughout the Peninsular Campaign and culminating at the battle of Waterloo. These accounts are drawn from interviews that Bentinck conducted with a journalist just before his death. The title of the book is taken from the Battle of Aldea de Ponte: Wellington identified a tactical vulnerability and called for infantry to conduct an immediate manoeuvre. On being informed that the 23rd of Foot was best disposed, he smiled and said, ‘Ah, the very thing,’ demonstrative of his hard-earned confidence.

Ridgeville High is officially back in session after the summer. Fifteen-year-old Stella, who has been misunderstood, bullied, and ostracized because of her severe food allergies, is mostly a loner who is fine with being ignored by the entire student body. She is perfectly happy being a party of two with her best friend, Izzy. Unfortunately, Izzy has other ideas and is trying her best to fit in with the ever-popular, Emma, and her gaggle of minions. As Izzy slowly morphs into her new role as Emma’s sidekick, Stella retreats into her books where she always finds peace. While she deflects attacks from Emma, Stella can’t wait for the day she gets to leave this small town knowing she just doesn’t fit in. Meanwhile, Stella’s dad suggests that she volunteer at the local animal shelter, and although not necessarily in her nature to embrace new adventures, Stella decides to give it a try. As she makes new friends, in both human and dog form, will Stella finally see the light at the end of the high school tunnel? In this inspiring story, a teen who has been misunderstood and bullied for life-threatening food allergies finds the courage to trust herself after gaining strength from some heartwarming rescue dogs. Jen Winans’ debut novel addresses a number of young adult issues of today and effectively weaves in constructive guidance for her readers that they can apply to challenges in their own lives. It was a fast and entertaining read with fun, engaging and complex characters and a compelling story. ~Victoria L I couldn’t put this book down. The book captures the ups and downs of the teenage years while also navigating a severe allergy. I feel that any age can resonate with this book and learn to empathize with the struggles that others possess. I can’t wait for her next book. ~ Tiffany E

Do you sometimes wonder if you're living within God's will? Sometimes we're not sure what following Christ looks like from where we are. Maybe we think we're unworthy or not ready. Maybe we think he is preparing us for some epic future endeavor. Many of us are left asking the same question: Exactly what does following Jesus look like? The answer to that question is simple yet life-changing, God wants to use you right now. The mission field is where your feet are at the moment. He's put you right where you are for a reason. You were created for such a time as this. You were created for the very next thing.

The King and Queen want what's best for the Prince, but what is "the one and only very best thing?" A survey of everyone in the castle leads to some interesting ideas, but none seems quite right, until the cook's daughter makes a brilliant suggestion--ask the Prince! Full color.

Max is sent to bed without supper and imagines sailing away to the land of Wild Things,where he is made king.

A big novel about a small town... When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity, and unexpected revelations? A big novel about a small town, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults. It is the work of a storyteller like no other.

The National Book Critics Circle Award–winning author delivers a collection of essays that serve as the perfect “antidote to mansplaining” (The Stranger). In her comic, scathing essay “Men Explain Things to Me,” Rebecca Solnit took on what often goes wrong in conversations between men and women. She wrote about men who wrongly assume they know things and wrongly assume women don’t, about why this arises, and how this aspect of the gender wars works, airing some of her own hilariously awful encounters. She ends on a serious note— because the ultimate problem is the silencing of women who have something to say, including those saying things like, “He’s trying to kill me!” This book features that now-classic essay with six perfect complements, including an examination of the great feminist writer Virginia Woolf’s embrace of mystery, of not knowing, of doubt and ambiguity, a highly original inquiry into marriage equality, and a terrifying survey of the scope of contemporary violence against women. “In this series of personal but unsentimental essays, Solnit gives succinct shorthand to a familiar female experience that before had gone unarticulated, perhaps even unrecognized.” —The New York Times “Essential feminist reading.” —The New Republic “This slim book hums with power and wit.” —Boston Globe “Solnit tackles big themes of gender and power in these accessible essays. Honest and full of wit, this is an integral read that furthers the conversation on feminism and contemporary society.” —San Francisco Chronicle “Essential.” —Marketplace “Feminist, frequently funny, unflinchingly honest and often scathing in its conclusions.” —Salon

“We’ve all had situations in our lives where we just couldn’t see how we’d make it through another day. With this book, you’ll be encouraged and lifted up by Rachel, a friend who understands how to seek God’s strength and healing in the midst of the pain!” —Lysa TerKeurst, author of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Learn to overcome obstacles—one step at a time through your faith in God. Life often sends hard things our way: illness, financial struggles, broken relationships, and so many kinds of loss. Sometimes we can’t imagine a way forward. So how do we keep going when everything is going wrong? Rachel Wojo has learned that hope rises to greet us when we find the strength to take One. More. Step. Like you, Rachel has faced experiences that crushed her dreams of the perfect life: a failing marriage, a daughter’s heartbreaking diagnosis, and more. In this book she transparently shares her pain and empathizes with yours, then points you to the path of God’s Word, where you’ll find hope to carry you forward. One More Step gives you permission to ache freely—and helps you believe that life won’t always be this hard. No matter the circumstances you face, through these pages you’ll learn to: · run to God’s Word when discouragement strikes · replace feelings of despair with the truth of Scripture · persevere through out-of-control circumstances and gain a more intimate relationship with Jesus Rachel identifies the reasons you may tempted to quit and shows you where to find the courage to keep going, one step at a time. You’re not alone. So don’t give up. God won’t let you down. That’s a promise.

DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF AND AN UNFORGETTABLE AND SWEEPING FAMILY SAGA. From the author of the extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger is an acclaimed novel filled with laughter, fists, and love. A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK FIVE STARRED REVIEWS Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?