Deborah Smith is a New York Times bestselling author celebrated for her acclaimed romantic novels set in the modern Appalachian South. Her work, which has sold millions worldwide, delves into the intricacies of life and love with a unique sensibility for the region's atmosphere. A former newspaper editor, Smith brings a keen eye and a deep understanding of human relationships to her writing. Her ability to craft vivid characters and compelling narratives has cemented her as a significant voice in the genre.
A hidden truth holds the potential to rescue a life, intertwining the fates of two characters. As they navigate a web of secrets and revelations, the stakes rise, leading to a gripping exploration of trust, sacrifice, and the power of love. The narrative delves into the complexities of their relationship, highlighting how vulnerability can lead to unexpected strength in the face of danger.
Compulsively readable and deeply resonant, this novel lacerates, haunts, dreams, and mourns, striking a balance between beauty and urgency. It uniquely captures the intensity of brutality, detailing a bloody history that was deliberately forgotten. The narrative speaks the unspeakable, revealing the long wake of killings through the testimonies of both survivors and the deceased, blending gorily real scenarios with beautifully surreal elements. The prose, translated by Deborah Smith, is spare yet dreamy, filled with haunting imagery that compels readers to confront the horrors of the Gwangju uprising. Han Kang's ambition parallels Milton's struggle, aiming to reconcile humanity with itself through an engrossing, relentless portrait of death and agony. The novel is not just a record of suffering during a contentious period in Korean history but also a testament to the willingness to risk discomfort for a cause. Kang excels in unflinching descriptions of death, creating a vivid portrayal of physical decay that is both admirable and challenging. Her storytelling brings historical struggles into the intimate realm of individual experience, exploring the trauma of political brutality with emotional truth. This jarring depiction of the Gwangju demonstrations raises profound questions about humanity, making it a gripping read. With her previous work awarded the Man Booker International Prize, this follow-up is poised to attract signi
The MacBrides return home for good, bringing with them a mixture of nostalgia and unresolved issues. As they settle back into their familiar surroundings, family dynamics are tested, and old rivalries resurface. The narrative explores themes of belonging, reconciliation, and the challenges of adapting to change, all while highlighting the warmth and complexities of family life. Throughout their journey, the characters confront their pasts and strive to forge a new future together.
A toolbox of positive principles, tips and techniques for the ultimate self-care.Science tells us that happiness is 50% genetic, 10% circumstantial and 40% how we think and act. Which means that it is possible to increase our happiness by up to 40%.For anyone wanting to increase their wellbeing, Grow Your Own Happiness shows how positive psychology - the science of happiness- can be used every day. With key principles explained to provide the foundation for change, tests for measuring wellbeing and simple techniques that can easily be applied to a busy lifestyle, as well as case studies, anecdotes and tips, this book provides everything you need to shine.
Set in the charming town of Mossy Creek, this book invites readers to explore the lives of its residents, each with their own unique stories and connections. The narrative weaves together themes of community, friendship, and personal growth, showcasing how the characters navigate life's challenges and joys. Through heartwarming interactions and relatable experiences, the book paints a vivid picture of small-town life, emphasizing the bonds that tie people together and the sense of belonging that comes from home.
After a devastating car accident leaves a once-glamorous movie star scarred and reeling, she retreats to her grandmother's mountain home in North Carolina. Struggling with her shattered self-esteem, she faces the challenge of isolation until her determined cousin intervenes. Complications arise as a charming neighbor, who harbors his own troubles, becomes involved, leading to unexpected connections and the possibility of healing. The story explores themes of resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of relationships in overcoming personal struggles.
When a mysterious woman in emerald silk crashes his penthouse party, lures him to the roof, and kidnaps him, billionaire Douglas Kincaid finds his anger melting into desire for his lovely jailer
Haunted by a past filled with poverty and abuse, Amy Miracle finds escape and release in the vineyards of Georgia--and in Sebastian de Savin, a brilliant and arrogant surgeon whose own past has hardened his heart. Amy finally breaks through de Savin's shell and teaches him to love and laugh again, and Sebastian helps Amy blossom into a magnificent woman.
Set against the backdrop of a warm, inviting porch, this narrative invites readers to pause and reflect on the simple joys of life. It explores themes of community, connection, and the beauty of everyday moments, encouraging a slower pace and deeper appreciation for relationships. Through engaging storytelling, it captures the essence of shared experiences and the wisdom gleaned from conversations that unfold in a cozy, familiar setting.
Yeong-hye and her husband are ordinary people. He is an office worker with moderate ambitions and mild manners; she is an uninspired but dutiful wife. The acceptable flatline of their marriage is interrupted when Yeong-hye, seeking a more 'plant-like' existence, decides to become a vegetarian, prompted by grotesque recurring nightmares. In South Korea, where vegetarianism is almost unheard-of and societal mores are strictly obeyed, Yeong-hye's decision is a shocking act of subversion. Her passive rebellion manifests in ever more bizarre and frightening forms, leading her bland husband to self-justified acts of sexual sadism. His cruelties drive her towards attempted suicide and hospitalisation. She unknowingly captivates her sister's husband, a video artist. She becomes the focus of his increasingly erotic and unhinged artworks, while spiralling further and further into her fantasies of abandoning her fleshly prison and becoming - impossibly, ecstatically - a tree.Fraught, disturbing and beautiful, The Vegetarian is a novel about modern day South Korea, but also a novel about shame, desire and our faltering attempts to understand others, from one imprisoned body to another.
