In her second volume of short stories, which follows the hugely successful 'Encounters', Barbara Erskine has created a compelling world of love, betrayal, suspense and grief.A biographer investigating a tragic death hears voices from the past drawing her towards the truth…A nineteenth century parson’s daughter is caught up in the excitement and romance of a smuggling intrigue…A young boy from a deprived background finds his own haven in the wastelands of the inner c...

Bloomsbury presents Pub by Philip Howell, read by Tim Frances"Erudite, quirky, and amusing." Sebastian FaulksObject Lessons is a series of short books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.The pub is an English institution. Yet its history has been obscured by myth and nostalgia. In this unique book, Philip Howell takes the public house as an object, or rather as a series of objects: he takes the pub apart and examines its constituent e...

SELECTED FOR THE RUSA 2023 LISTEN LIST FOR OUTSTANDING AUDIOBOOK NARRATION!The self-appointed mayor of a tiny Italian village is determined to save his hometown no matter the cost in this “charming farce that highlights the triumph of hope and community” (People).Vacuum repairman and self-appointed mayor of Prometto, Italy (population 212) Signor Speranza has a problem: unless he can come up with 70,000 euros to fix the town’s pipe...

A New York Times bestseller.From bestselling author and historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series The Crown, an unparalleled insider account of tumult, secrecy and schism in the Royal family.The world has watched Prince William and Prince Harry since they were born. Raised by Princess Diana to be the closest of brothers, how have the boy princes grown into very different, now distanced men?From roya...

An entertaining and openhearted tale of a naïf eventually getting to understand a complex, glittering, beautiful and often cruel society - at least a little.When Simon Kuper left London for Paris in his early thirties, he wasn't planning to make a permanent move. Paris, however, had otherplans. Kuper has grown middle-aged there, eaten the croissants, seen his American wife through life-threatening cancer, taken his children to countless football matches on f...

THE FEEL GOOD NOVEL OF THE YEAR'I loved this funny, heartwarming read' Libby PageThe Patron Saint of Plumbing is not answering Nino Speranza's prayers.Without expensive repairs to the pipes, the water board will cut off Speranza's crumbling Italian village. All 212 inhabitants will be forced to leave.In a desperate bid to find the money to save his hometown, he starts a rumour that Italian heart-throb Dante Rinaldi is coming...

In 2018 the RAF is one hundred years old. In his new book, destined to be a classic, Patrick Bishop examines the high point of its existence – the Second World War, when the Air Force saved the nation from defeat then led the advance to victory.A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERAir warfare was a terrible novelty of the modern age, requiring a new military outlook. From the beginning, the RAF’s identity set it apart from the traditional services. It was inno...

Read by the author.NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe American Dream isn’t a thing of the past, but a miracle of the present.Now more than ever, it’s easy to focus on the divisions that plague our nation. It may seem as if our best days are behind us, but bestselling author and senator Tim Scott believes we have yet to realize the fullness of our identity. We are in the midst of a story that’s still unfolding. An...

With vibrant artwork and an affecting poetic text narrated by the Earth, this magnificent ode to our planet serves as a call to action.I am the Earth.All yours to share.The mountains and the Arctic air. . . .And now you’re here, so small and new—a tiny little dream come true.Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.Will you take care of me?Told from the perspective of ...

The ultimate, full-cast dramatisations of Homer’s two epic Greek masterpieces, with exceptional casts including Derek Jacobi, Christopher Eccleston, Tim McInnerny and Benedict CumberbatchREDISCOVER THE EPIC MYTHS BEFORE YOU SEE CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S MAJOR MOTION PICTUREAttributed to the Greek poet Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey are among the greatest and most influential works of the past 3000 years, often claimed as the cornerstones of We...

BBC Radio dramatisations and readings of Browning’s most famous poems, performed by stars including Anton Lesser, Roger Allam and David Tennant, plus two bonus playsVictorian poet Robert Browning was renowned for his evocative dramatic monologues peopled with vivid, morally ambiguous characters. In 1846, he eloped with fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett, and they rapidly became Britain’s most famous literary power couple. This collection brings together four of Browning...

Step into a world of festive cheer with "A Christmas Miscellany 2017," a delightful collection of stories, poems, and essays that capture the magic of the holiday season. From Anatole France's poignant tale of a humble Christmas Eve to the whimsical adventures of Santa Claus in "The Night Before Christmas," this anthology offers a heartwarming and nostalgic journey through the traditions and spirit of Christmas. Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of these literary gems and let the spir...