Addictions to iphones, painkillers, cupcakes, alcohol and sex are taking over our lives.Our most casual daily habits can quickly become obsessions that move beyond our control. Damian Thompson, who has himself struggled with a range of addictions, argues that human desire is in the process of being reshaped. Shunning the concept of addiction as disease, he shows how manufacturers are producing substances like ipads, muffins and computer games that we learn to like too much and supp...

How can people believe that the supernatural end of the world lies just around the corner when, so far, every such prediction has been proved wrong? Some scholars argue that millenarians are psychologically disturbed; others maintain that their dreams of paradise on earth reflect a nascent political awareness. In this book Damian Thompson looks at the members of one religious group with a strong apocalyptic tradition--Kensington Temple, a large Pentecostal church in London--and attempts to...

Collins Shorts – insight in an instant.This is an extract taken from the full version of THE FIX by Damian Thompson.When does your casual habit become an addictive obsession? Damian Thompson, who has himself struggled with a range of addictions, suggests that our increasing use of gadgets and mobiles, painkillers, cupcakes, alcohol and sex are fast becoming addictions taking over our lives.Collins Shorts are a fresh look at the ebook short, with the emphasis on vibr...

The January/February 2025 issue of Hugo Award-winning Uncanny Magazine.Featuring new fiction by Scott Lynch, J.R. Dawson, Tia Tashiro, Tade Thompson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Rati Mehrotra, and AnaMaria Curtis. Essays by Nicholas Whyte, Ai Jiang, A.T. Greenblatt, and Suzanne Walker, poetry by Kaliee Pedersen, Mari Ness, Shankar Narayan, and E. N. Díaz, interviews with Scott Lynch and Rati Mehotra by Caroline M. Yoachim, a cover by Maxine Vee, and an editorial by Lynne M. Thom...

Dangerous Arrangement, a luminous yet sometimes melancholy romance set in an age of splendour—where ancient vows clash with modern dreams, and love dares to challenge a vanishing world.Set against the glittering backdrop of 1930s Bucharest and London, this is a richly woven tale of forbidden love, resilience, and the enduring pull of destiny. It is an era of elegance and ceremony, where royal households still hold sway, and the glimmer of chandeliers conceals the quiet unr...

In a world in which political opportunity and liberation seem far away, the genre of science fiction grows in cultural importance and popularity. The contributors to this collection are political and social theorists from a range of disciplines who use science fiction as inspiration for new theories and examples of speculative politics. In dystopian governments, they find locations and forms of resistance. Representations of Political Resistance and Emancipation in Science Fiction explores...

India Hill Brown meets Sharon Draper in a spooky, poignant, tour-de-force from Shakirah Bourne -- an ode to Black Boy friendships, the richness of Caribbean history, and the power that comes from reclaiming your past.Jermaine is NOT destined to be popular at his new elite school. First, he's the poorest kid in class -- no phone, no cool sneakers, no chance. Second, he loves science and can't keep himself from gushing about geology. But after being bullied ...

The American boxing champ and vocal civil rights activist Muhammad Ali is the 27th hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8, adapted for audio.Muhammad Ali was the leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century and a charismatic, beloved public figure. His objection to the military draft during the Vietnam War made him an icon for a generation, and his impact in sports and the Civil Rights movement is still felt t...

Couples as Parents: Explorations in Couple Therapy explores the complex task of parenting from the perspective of the couple relationship.A book for clinicians and parents alike, it describes problems that can occur during the transition to parenthood and the initial decision to have a child to raising young children and adolescents. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the nature and patterns of intimate partner relationships and how they can be affected by such...