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From evil stepsisters and big bad wolves to anthropomorphic cats and murderous noblemen, this collection offers a selection of the best fairy tales by the iconic french author Charles Perrault.Enter into Perrault's magical world in this wondrous collection which includes the five following tales: ´Little Red Riding Hood´, ´Cinderella´, ´Puss in Boots´, ´Sleeping Beauty´, and ´Bluebeard´.Relive some of your favourite fairy tales with this timeless collection that will delight fans of H.C. Andersen and the Brothers Grimm.Charles Perrault (1628-1703) was a famous and influential French author and one of the most well-known authors of fairy tales. Perrault is often credited as one of the early adopters of the literary genre, even setting the stage for authors such as the Brothers Grimm a century later.Famous fairy tales written by Charles Perrault include ´Cinderella´, ´The Little Red Riding Hood´, ´Bluebeard´, ´Puss in Boots´, and ´The Sleeping Beauty´. Igniting the imagination of children from all over the world, Perrault's tales continue to entertain people today.

‘100 Quotes by Adam Smith’ is a selection of thoughts and observations from one of the finest philosophical minds of the 18th century.Smith’s views on religion, morality, and human nature are presented front and centre. However, he wasn’t short of a few witticisms, and there are plenty of one-liners worth committing to memory.A superb book for leisurely browsing, this is a welcome addition to any book collection.Born in Kirkcaldy, Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) became known as one of the most important philosophers and political economists of the 18th century. The son of a solicitor, he was educated at the Burgh School of Kirkaldy, before enrolling at the University of Glasgow to study moral philosophy. Subsequently, he became a student at Oxford.After leaving, he embarked on a teaching career, eventually becoming a lecturer at Glasgow University. During this time, he published his first work, ‘The Theory of Moral Sentiments.’ As part of his job, Smith toured Europe with his stepson, Scott. These travels laid the foundations for what is considered to be his most important venture, ‘The Wealth of Nations.’ This work was adapted for television, starring Gordon Jackson of ‘The Professionals’ fame.

While Lee is best known as a peerless martial artist, ‘100 Quotes by Bruce Lee’ demonstrates an extraordinary intelligence behind the flying fists.With a deep interest in philosophy and drama, this book contains thoughts and observations that are profound, thoughtful, and often funny.A superb read for those who want a peek into the mind of the ‘Little Dragon,’ this book is a must for Lee fans of all ages.Li Jun Fan (1940 – 1973) is better known as Bruce Lee. Born in San Francisco, but raised in Hong Kong, he was the son of an actor and opera singer. As a result of his father’s jobs, the young Lee found himself a regular on film sets.After being sent to America, Lee graduated in drama from the University of Washington and, shortly after, set up his own martial arts school. After a karate display in Los Angeles, he was offered the role of Kato in the TV series, ‘The Green Hornet.’After finding success on the small screen, Lee went on to write, direct, choreograph, and star in a number of movies, including ‘Fists of Fury,’ ‘Enter the Dragon,’ and ‘Game of Death.’ He is credited with launching the careers of other martial art movie stars, including Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan.

‘The Escape of Arsène Lupin, the Adventures of Arsène Lupin the Gentleman Burglar’ are classic crime stories by the French writer Maurice Leblanc, featuring his famous gentleman-thief turned detective, Arsène Lupin.Full of murder, intrigue, and daring escapes, the bold and charismatic detective finds himself on the wrong side of the law yet again as he seeks justice in his own unique way.The inspiration behind the Netflix TV series ‘Lupin’, these stories are perfect for fans of the show and Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’ series.Maurice Leblanc (1864 - 1941) was a French author and journalist, whose literary legacy consists of novels and short stories. Although he wrote two well-received science fiction books, he was most famous for his gentleman thief adventure series, ‘Arsène Lupin’ who was considered a French counterpart to Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective ‘Sherlock Holmes’.A whip-smart, witty, and roguishly handsome master of disguise, Lupin became an international success and saw Leblanc write over 60 crime novels and short stories featuring his French detective. The books inspired the hit Netflix TV series ‘Lupin’ starring Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, and Clotilde Hesme.He was awarded the Légion d'Honneur for his services to literature.

Revisit this classic tale from ´One Thousand and One Nights´!Trapped by a magician, Aladdin discovers the mysterious powers of a lamp which leads him into the craziest of adventures.Who would have thought that the son of the poor tailor, this charming, obstinate, and disobedient scoundrel, would meet such an extraordinary fate?This famous tale was adapted many times, most notably by Disney studios in 1992 and more recently in a live-action remake directed by Guy Ritchie in 2019.Packed with helpful genies and evil sorcerers, ´Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp, a 1001 Nights Fairy Tale´ is perfect for fans of ´The City of Brass´ by S. A. Chakraborty.Antoine Galland (1646-1715) was a French orientalist and archaeologist, born in a family of farmers. He is most famous for being the first European translator of ´One Thousand and One Nights´ and ´Beowulf´.

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1991) was a Lebanese artist, poet and writer best known in the western world for his book ‘The Prophet’ (1923). Regarded as a literary and political rebel, his romantic style was part of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, breaking away from the classical school.Gibran is famed for his inspiring and enlightening writings and sayings which include, "You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts." and "If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."This collection contains 100 of Khalil Gibran’s most celebrated quotes.Kahlil Gibran (1883-1991) was a Lebanese artist, poet and writer best known in the western world for his book ‘The Prophet’ (1923). Regarded as a literary and political rebel, his romantic style was part of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, breaking away from the classical school.He is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind only Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu, and despite emigrating to America, he is still celebrated as a literary hero in Lebanon.

The Adventures of Pinocchio is an Italian novel for children, by Carlo Collodi. A poor carpenter, Geppetto, wants to build a marionette from a piece of wood. But it begins to talk and whine; soon, the marionette runs away, and begins a life of mischievous adventures. The adventures of Pinocchio are considered a canonical piece of children's literature; they have inspired countless adaptations, such as Walt Disney's classic animation. It is one of the most translated and widely read works of literature ever written, and gave birth to popular pieces of wisdom such as a liar's long nose.

Little children need tales and stories, for they play an essential part in their development by awakening their imagination, introducing them to symbolic imagery, and bringing forth emotions in a healthy, constructive way. Our audiobook collection brings together the fairy tales, stories, myths and legends which have fed the children of many generations in the years when the imagination is awakening and craving stimulus and material to work upon. This compilation is specially designed for small children and includes classic tales narrated in a warm and lively way: The Fox and the Cat; The Mouse and the Sausage; The Three Bears; The Little Shepherd Boy; The Sweet Soup; The Three Little Pigs; The Wren and the Bear; The Three Brothers; Why the Bear has a Stumpy Tail; The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean; The Rats and their Son-in-law; The Story of Pretty Goldilocks.

Hans in Luck is a fairytale of German origin, recorded by the brothers Grimm. It is an ironic tale which inverts the normal "rags to riches" story format: in it, Hans gradually loses more and more while persuading himself of his good luck, thus warning children about the dangers of denial and bad business sense. This charming and ancient tale is told by Katie Haigh.

7 classic fairytales short stories by Brothers Grimm : Rumpelstiltskin, Clever Gretel, The Old Man and his Grandson, The Little Peasant, Snowdrop, Sweetheart Roland, Frederick and Catherine. The imagery in fairy tales (such as personified animals, adults represented as giants and allegorical magic vegetables) allows the child to explore their fears in remote and symbolic terms. Fairy tales allow the reader to explore each virtue and path of action through the different characters' fates. The child decides their own personal stance after deliberating each consequence. Fairy tales provide answers to what the world is really like and the child's place within it.

Hurlingham House school is a high-achiever’s heaven, full of happy, hard-working pupils. There’s just the small matter of the dead body on the field... Sounds like a case for Epiphany Bloom!When Epiphany Bloom’s best friend’s sister Claire is accused of trading exam papers for money, Epiphany agrees to see Ms Peters, the headteacher of Claire’s fiercely competitive school, to provide moral support. Claire has always been a model student and is loudly protesting her innocence: surely it’s all just a misunderstanding.But when Ms Peters hears about Epiphany’s previous sleuthing exploits, she enlists her help to track down the true culprit!Taking a job as a PE teacher, Epiphany soon realises she has plenty of suspects for the exam scam mastermind. The broke young teacher with a shady past? The father willing to buy his daughter anything – including grades? The school governor desperate to keep Hurlingham House at the top of the ranks?Then Epiphany finds one of them dead at the school fair, and it becomes clear someone is taking the cut-throat culture of the school too literally – and when mysterious accidents start happening around her too, it seems the killer knows she’s onto them.Can Epiphany solve the murder as well as clearing Claire’s name, before she becomes the next victim? This is one test she can’t afford to fail...A charming and totally addictive cozy mystery with a hilarious and warm-hearted heroine. A must-read for fans of M.C. Beaton, Richard Osman, and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.See what readers are saying about the Epiphany Bloom Mysteries:‘Wow! I need to get my breath back after that... A lie down in a darkened room is also definitely required to recover from the whirlwind that is amateur sleuth Epiphany Bloom, a real force of nature by anyone’s standards!... Moves along at a break-neck pace.’ Fiction Books Blog‘Katie Gayle never fails to keep me laughing, entertained, and trying to figure out the mystery till the very end. I absolutely adore this book... 10/10... This book is absolutely perfect!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘You’ll be hard pushed to find a fictional sleuth who’s more of a delight; she truly is a tonic...oozing quirkiness and charisma and I absolutely love her!... Undoubtedly rollicking good fun. If the need to escape reality for a few hours presents itself, I can highly recommend this hilarious hullabaloo of a read.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars .Author sold just under 1000 copies in less than 1 month of publishing their previous titleFor fans of M.C. Beaton, Joanne Fluke and Janet EvanovitchKatie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.

A widow spends weeks haunting a cemetery, desperate to track down an unknown woman who keeps leaving flowers on her husband’s grave; A daughter searches a foreign city for her father, trying to understand why he disappeared forty-five years ago; A former gay lover of Roger Casement stands among the crowds at his state funeral in 1965, paying silent homage to the closeted world they were forced to inhabit at the dawning of the Irish State. A writer at a book launch comes face to face with the person secretly responsible for his success.Lyrical, haunting and irresistible, Dermot Bolger peers under the veneer of our lives, exploring the secrets that bind families together or tear them apart.Perfect for fans of Claire Keegan, John MaGahern, and Sef Hughes.Born in Finglas, North Dublin, in 1959, Dermot Bolger is one of Ireland’s best-known writers across a range of genres. His fourteen novels include "The Journey Home", "The Family on Paradise Pier", "New Town Soul2, "Tanglewood" and "The Lonely Sea and Sky." He is also an accomplished playwright and poet, with his most recent play, "Last Orders At The Dockside", having a hugely successful, sold-out run at the Abbey Theatre.

Almost everyone is doing it. Aimlessly scrolling through their social media feeds. From presidents to the postmen, most people you know and probably even yourself. Mindlessly, your fingers move across the screen, and content, from selfies to memes, flickers by at a blistering pace. Why is it that the screen sometimes seems more important than looking up and being present in real life? And what does it mean that more and more people are turning into so-called "Scroll Zombies"?Sven Rollenhagen thoughtfully discusses social media use and how it affects us both psychologically and physically. How the rise of social media has created an onslaught of mental health problems in young people. And how withdrawal can lead to symptoms, not unlike those caused by more familiar dependencies such as drugs and alcohol. But, are we really addicted? And if so, how can we be cured?Rollenhagen does not advocate for throwing away your phone or logging off Instagram forever, he acknowledges the powerful connection that social media has in connecting friends, family and strangers across the globe. Instead, this book contains practical tips and solutions for kicking dependency and finding true digital balance. Sven Rollenhagen is a social worker specialising in the digital ad-diction of video games, social media and mobile phones. He works as a councellor, lecturer and writer in these fields. Sven’s strength as an expert in digital issues is that he is in touch with reality – as a councellor and lecturer for families and schools. He is also a friend of technology, plays online and is a frequent user of social media.Sven is based in Sweden but has clients all over the world

Goethe’s ‘Faust’ is considered to be his Magnum Opus and one of the best works of German literature ever completed. It is a universal tale of belonging, love, despair and finding ones purpose. Faust is a man in anguish; having dedicated his life to the sciences, to understanding the world around him he now sees that he has learnt all that he can. He is distraught by the notion that he cannot be at one with the cosmic universe and attain the highest form of knowledge. Seeing this, The Devil wagers with God that he can turn his most favourite and loyal follower to sin. What follows is a wondrous, vivid, violent, romantic and supernatural thrill. Goethe’s incredible ability to build emotion, characters and the world is in full effect here, creating a heart wrenching tale that will fully absorb you. With a strong underlying moral theme, this tale is not one you’ll soon forget. This blend of the alluring supernatural, the desperate humanity and the hopelessly intriguing is perfect for any readers who loved Dan Browns 'Angels and Demons', just with less Tom hanks, unfortunately.Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German, poet, playwright novelist and scientist, he is to this day considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern age. He was an early leader in the ‘Sturm and Drang’ literary movement, which emphasised individual subjectivity and the freedom to express extremes of emotion, seemingly repressed by the Enlightenment. He is a figure held by philosophers and essayists as being in league with Plato, Napoleon and Shakespeare. His most notable works such as ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’ , ‘Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship’ and ‘Faust’ are to this day referred to as some of the best literary work, ever completed.

Summer sun, chilled, white wine, and a gorgeous fiancé. Nothing could upset pure bliss ... Right?Emmy Jamieson loves her new life in the gentle hills and sunflowers of the lush French countryside, managing La Cour des Roses, a beautiful, white stone guesthouse. With marriage to caramel-eyed Alain just round the corner, things couldn’t be more perfect.The odd glass (gallon) of wine dulls the sound of Emmy’s mum in full motherzilla-of-the-bride mode, and the faint tinkling of alarm bells coming from Alain’s ex are definitely nothing to worry about. Guesthouse owner Rupert and a whole host of old and new friends are there to make sure nothing gets in the way of Emmy’s happiness.But as Emmy gets close to the big day, a secret from the past throws everything decidedly off track. Will her idyllic French wedding go ahead as planned, or will Emmy run back home to England with a broken heart?This summer, escape to the rolling vineyards of France for an utterly uplifting read. Fans of Jenny Colgan, Debbie Johnson and Nick Alexander will want to join Emmy for a pain au chocolat in the sun-drenched garden at La Cour des Roses.What everyone’s saying about Summer at the Little French Guesthouse:‘I'm utterly bereft that this fantastic book has come to an end ... I have been hooked on from the start ... grips my heart and won't let go ... I could potentially wax lyrical for far longer about various aspects of the book, but really I may start spoiling it for you ... a wonderful way to escape your own life, while devouring a great story that should have you grinning!’ Rachel’s Random Reads 5 stars‘Love this book! ... I barely got the first one done and I grabbed the next two to continue ... Fun characters, fun story, and makes me want to pack a bag and head to the Loire Valley in France.’ Goodreads Reviewer‘It's like meeting old friends ... the series is a perfect summer read. It's about family, friendship and helping them ... a twist I didn't see coming ... It caught me by surprise.’ Flying ThoughtsSummer at the Little French Guesthouse has been published in 5 languages and the series has sold over 230,000 copies in the English language.As a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading (long past her bedtime!) so she started to create her own stories in a notebook. She still prefers fictional worlds to real life and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart. Helen lives in Yorkshire with her husband, two grown-up (in theory) kids and a Jekyll and Hyde cat. She enjoys reading, coffee with friends and indulging her nostalgia by watching old seventies and eighties TV shows.

A social introvert, Lady Dorinda Burne has always felt uncomfortable around lots of people due to a skin condition which has always marked her as the ‘ugly sister’. She is forced on a trip to Singapore to chaperone her sister Lettice, who is set to marry the intelligent and charming Maximus Kirby.However, Dorinda soon finds herself head over heels for Maximus. lost for words when he’s around. Having to overcome drastic hurdles and more challenges than she could have anticipated, Dorinda is forced to face her fears to find a new life, better than she could ever have hoped for.Perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Julia Quinn, and Jenny Hambly.In her lifetime, British author Barbara Cartland wrote over 700 novels and was most famous for her contemporary and historical romances. A prominent figure in London society, the young Cartland began her writing career as a gossip columnist for the Daily Express. It was partying in 1920's London that gave her inspiration for her first book, "Jigsaw", a racy society thriller.After marrying into the McCorquodale family, she began writing romance and holds a Guinness World Record for the most number of books published in one year: 191. Her books have been translated into many different languages, as well as adapted for stage and screen. She is beloved the world over and even counts the young Princess Diana as one of her many fans.

Love, true Love! For the lovely, widowed Lady Sherington, it bloomed in her thirty-sixth year, when she was still ravishing enough to pass as the twin of her daughter Trina.But her gentle heart is racked with doubt--for if she were to remarry, her inheritance would be lost, and the handsome Comte she wishes to wed needs a rich wife.Thankfully, she's blessed with a daughter who is both beautiful and smart and fight to solve all their problems. But will she save her late father's estate and her mother's heart... or must one be lost for the sake of the other?A cross-generation regency romance, perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Julia Quinn, and Daphne Du Maurier.In her lifetime, British author Barbara Cartland wrote over 700 novels and was most famous for her contemporary and historical romances. A prominent figure in London society, the young Cartland began her writing career as a gossip columnist for the Daily Express. It was partying in 1920's London that gave her inspiration for her first book, "Jigsaw", a racy society thriller.After marrying into the McCorquodale family, she began writing romance and holds a Guinness World Record for the most number of books published in one year: 191. Her books have been translated into many different languages, as well as adapted for stage and screen. She is beloved the world over and even counts the young Princess Diana as one of her many fans.

A sequel ‘The Wolf Hunters’, ‘The Gold Hunters’ re-joins Wabigoon and Mukoki as they chase down their friend Roderick, who is on his way home following their previous adventures. Roderick hasn’t got very far, however, when his companions catch up with him and the reason for their desperate chase becomes clear - Wabigoon’s sister Minnetaki has been kidnapped, and they need all the help they can get to find her. A desperate rescue mission ensues, involving secret maps, gold mines and romance. ‘The Gold Hunters’ is a classic adventure story from the much-loved author James Oliver Curwood.James Oliver Curwood (1878-1927) was an American author and conservationist. Predominantly, a writer of adventure stories, his imaginative tales were the source of much inspiration for Hollywood and over 150 movies have been produced based on his works. Born in Michigan, Curwood began his writing career as a reporter before being hired by the Canadian government to write travel accounts to promote tourism to the area. His Canadian travels provided the setting for many of his adventure stories, and he often used animals as the main characters in his tales. One of the highest paid authors in the world at the time of his death, some of Curwood’s best-loved novels include ‘The River’s End’, ‘The Wolf Hunters’ and ‘The Danger Trail’.

When your life’s path seems set in stone, who wouldn’t long for a bit of adventure?In 1910s England, everyone knew their place. But 13-year-old Bealby isn’t content to become a servant in a big country house. So he goes on the run from his duties. Over the course of a week, he joins up with a ragtag band of wanderers, and gets ensnared in a burglary plot.A satirical look at class and duty, "Bealby - A Holiday" is a comic gem from H.G. Wells. It was inspired by his own childhood, when he spent time as a draper’s apprentice. It makes for a fun read for Wells fans of all ages.H.G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English author often called the "father of science fiction". His work popularised some of the genre’s most abiding concepts, such as time travel and parallel universes, while also exploring social issues of the day. Among his most famous books are "The Time Machine", "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "The First Men in the Moon".Wells was also one of the first writers to imagine an alien invasion. In "The War of the Worlds" he depicts a devastating attack by Martians, who stalk the earth in huge metal tripods. Orson Welles famously created an American radio version in the 1930s, panicking some listeners who thought it was a real news bulletin. The book has been adapted for the screen many times, including a movie starring Tom Cruise and a BBC television series.

Freedom. A quality valued by many, and which is never restricted without consequence. Can a mother’s guidance ever be too much?One beautiful suit could be all it takes to break a family apart. Protection becomes a shell, a place to hide from reality, but also a prison. There is always a breaking point, and this breaking point takes the form of one piece of tissue paper. Is freedom the danger, or was the danger created by mother’s constraint?‘The Beautiful Suit’ is an exploration of society’s norms, and whether people’s behaviour determine them, or the norms determine people’s behaviour. Though it was first published in 1909, its themes and questions still ring true in today’s society.H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a writer most well-known for science fiction titles such as 'War of the Worlds' and 'The Time Machine.' In many ways he is often considered to be a pioneer in the science fiction genre, though he also wrote short fiction, satire, social commentaries, biography and autobiography. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on four occasions. In addition to writing, he was a teacher, historian and artist.

Poetry can inspire, evoke, provoke and transport the reader. But this collection of 39 poems did even more - it broke barriers. This collection was written by Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American woman whose poetry writings were published.Seized from West Africa as a young girl, Phillis lived in Boston as a slave to the prominent Wheatley family where she learned to read and write, as well as undertaking lessons in the Bible, astronomy, geography, history and British, Greek and Latin Literature. By the age of 18, Phillis had amassed a decent quantity of poems and together with the Wheatley family, sought out a publisher. However, based on racial prejudices, Phillis was received with disdain in the United States. Attention was turned to London instead, where Phillis posted one of her poems, 'On the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield', to Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon and a well-off supporter of the abolitionist cause, who connected her with a bookseller although Wheatley still had to go through interrogation to prove that she was the author of her own work.This collection of poems shows the breadth and depth of her reading, and includes poems reflecting her Christian faith, her interest in Greek mythology and her admiration for well-known figures including Alexander Pope.'Poems on Various Subjects' is perfect for people who have read 'The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano'.Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) was an American poet who was the first African-American writer to be published. She was born in West Africa, sold into slavery aged seven or eight, then bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. They encouraged her to pursue her poetry as her talent became clear. But Wheatley had to go to London to find patrons to help her get her work published. When 'Poems on Various Subjects' was published in 1773, she gained fame in England and the African colonies - even receiving praise from George Washington and Voltaire. After being emancipated, she married the grocer John Peters. But they slipped into poverty and Phillis died in obscurity at the age of 31.

A man is awoken in his grave by the sound of trumpets on judgment day.As the first souls come before God and Archangel Gabriel for the last judgment, the man soon discovers that judgement day is not quite how he imagined. God and Archangel Gabriel laugh at saints and sinners alike until they are so embarrassed that they flee "up the sleeve of God" where they are enlightened, given new bodies and a second chance. When God shakes them from his sleeve they land on a foreign planet and humanity is instructed to "try again" with their newfound understanding.This science-fiction fantasy take on a religious parable is written by the author of the science fiction classic 'The War of the Worlds', H.G. Wells. 'A Vision of Judgment' is a satirical short story that could easily be a precursor to comedy-drama 'The Good Place' or animated film 'Soul'.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’

Swept out to sea in a boating accident, Henry Adams is penniless and in rags ashore in London. Whilst roaming the streets, his luck changes; two brothers hand him an envelope with no explanation. Inside lies a banknote worth one million pounds. But how can a penniless man prove that he legally possesses such a banknote? What urged Adams to sail away? Why did the two brothers give away their fortune?Combining wit, humour and humility, Mark Twain’s 19th century short story provides a social commentary ideal for fans of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’. Made into a BBC Radio 4 adaptation, ‘The Million Pound Bank Note’ remains a funny and poignant tale of power and greed.Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910) was an American humorist, lecturer, journalist and novelist. Celebrated today as the father of American literature, his work spans epic stories of boyhood such as ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, as well as travel narratives, such as ‘The Innocents Abroad’, ‘Roughing It’, and ‘Life on the Mississippi’. A friend to presidents, artists and royalty, he is remembered today as a popular public figure. Continuing his influence, Twain inspires Disney attractions, singer Tom Petty’s ‘Down South’ and was portrayed by Nathan Osgood in the 2018 comedy ‘Holmes and Watson’.

‘Erewhon Revisited’ the sequel to ‘Erewhon’, Samuel Butler’s acclaimed first novel, finds adventurer Higgs returning to the mysterious, distant land of Erewhon. There he discovers its people ruled by a religious cult inspired by his hot-air balloon escape thirty years earlier.Devious professors Hanky and Panky have invented a new religion called ‘Sunchildism’ and Higgs, the unwitting ‘Sun Child,’ is not welcome. The professors are determined to preserve their grip on Erewhonians leaving Higgs in mortal danger. With the help of his newfound son, Higgs must once again escape Erewhon if he is to survive.Butler’s humorous, perceptive book is a penetrating satire of Christianity in Victorian England and is still as relevant and fresh today. ‘Erewhon Revisited’ is Samuel Butler’s last novel.Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was a revolutionary English novelist and critic. He is best known for the utopian novel ‘Erewhon’ (1872) and the posthumous, semi-autobiographical novel ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (1903). Both of which have remained in print ever since. ‘Erewhon’ is renowned as one of the first books to explore the idea of machine evolution. The English writer Aldous Huxley acknowledged the book's influence on his novel ‘Brave New World’, while George Bernard Shaw deemed Butler ‘the greatest English writer of the latter half of the nineteenth century.’

Written by the "father of science fiction", H.G. Wells, 'Men Like Gods' is a science fiction, dystopian novel that transports readers to another world - an advanced version of Earth. Mr. Barnstaple is a journalist for 'The Liberal', a London based newspaper, living but has grown tired of his job.Determinedly resolving to take a holiday he quits - not only his job - but his wife and family too. His holiday plans are soon altered however when, in a twist reminiscent of TV's 'Black Mirror', his vehicle, alongside two others, is suddenly transported to another world.The passengers find themselves in a place "the earthlings" call Utopia, and this intriguing new world is thousands of years ahead of humanity in its development.This science fantasy story is perfect for fans of Andy Weir and Antony Doeer.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’

Eustacia Vye despises her boring country village of Egdon Heath. Beautiful, headstrong, and passionate, Eustacia longs to escape her home and lead a life of romance and adventure. And when Clym Yeobright, the eponymous native, returns from Paris, Eustacia decides that she will make him fall in love with her. Soon, their lives are intertwined in an endless labyrinth of passion, tragedy, and misfortune.One of Thomas Hardy’s most famous novels, ‘The Return of the Native’ caused outcry for its unapologetically bold female characters and illicit sexual content. Eustacia Vye is a heroine to rival the likes of ‘Vanity Fair's Becky Sharp or even ‘Bridgerton's' Daphne.Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English writer of poetry, novels, and short stories. He belonged to the victorian realist tradition and was influenced by the writings of Romanticism. His novels strongly criticise Victorian society for constraining individuals regarding marriage, education, and religion: shunning happiness in the name of social propriety. Hardy’s works explore themes of love, class, and poverty with a painstaking devotion to realism. His best-known works include ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’, ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’, ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’, and ‘Jude the Obscure’.

This Polish 'Gone with the Wind’ is set in 17th century Poland during the Cossack-Polish War as the Kingdom of Poland struggles to maintain unity. It is a historical epic, in the same vein as Dumas or Walter Scott, where a stunning plot is weaved through actual history to create compelling and brilliantly grounded characters.An epic story with a stunning ensemble of real and fictitious characters, whose passion and vitriol leap off the page. It is a novel of Polish identity and belonging, written in a time of Polish partition, which brought immense patriotic pride to the embattled nation. It is a novel that has rightly earned its place as an epic. If you loved the BBCs ‘War and Peace’ you will love this classic tale.Henryk Sienkiewicz (1846-1916) was a Polish fiction writer who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905, for his outstanding merits as a writer of epic fiction. He became one of the most famous authors in Poland at the end of the 19th century before translations of his work catapulted him to international renown. Many of his works remain in print today with his most famous novels being ‘With Fire and Sword, ‘Quo Vadis’ and ‘Sir Michael’.

‘Letters from a Cat’ by Helen Hunt Jackson is an adorable, sweet and funny children’s book of fictional letters written by a cat to her owner. A young girl, named Helen goes away on a long trip with her father, and while she’s away, she receives this collection of letters written to her by her beloved pet, a cat.Helen Hunt Jackson was an American poet and writer. She also became an activist on behalf of Native Americans, pushing to improve the treatment of Native Americans by the government of the United States of America. Jackson wrote about the impact of government actions on Native Americans in her history book, ‘A Century of Dishonour’. While her novel, ‘Romona’ was a fictionalised account of the federal government's mistreatment of Native American people in Southern California following the Mexican-American War, and the work successfully attracted attention to Jackson’s cause.

A witty short story about popularity and revenge, 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' is about a mixed-race girl with Native American heritage, trying to fit in with those around her. Like a mix between 'Gossip Girl' and 'The Great Gatsby', the story shows the benefits and downfalls of rising up the social ladder. Written by Scott F. Fitzgerald, the great mind behind 'The Great Gatsby'. 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' is a coming-of-age tale set amid the roaring twenties.F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) is one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century and author of the classics ‘Tender is the Night’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’. His writing helped illustrate the 1920s Jazz Age that he and wife Zelda Fitzgerald were in the centre of.

Canterbury Pieces is a classic collection of essays, newspaper articles and letters by the English novelist and critic, Samuel Butler. It includes correspondence between the author and the renowned English naturalist Charles Darwin.The book also features the essay ‘Darwin among the Machines’ (1863). In it, Samuel’s urges the destruction of all machines as he raises the pioneering idea that they will one day replace humans as the dominant species. This and the later article ‘Lucubratio Ebria’ (1865), became part of his widely acclaimed first novel ‘Erewhon’.Butler wrote several other novels, including a sequel, ‘Erewhon Revisited’ and the highly acclaimed ‘The Way of all Flesh’, widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century.Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was a revolutionary English novelist and critic. He is best known for the utopian novel ‘Erewhon’ (1872) and the posthumous, semi-autobiographical novel ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (1903). Both of which have remained in print ever since. ‘Erewhon’ is renowned as one of the first books to explore the idea of machine evolution. The English writer Aldous Huxley acknowledged the book's influence on his novel ‘Brave New World’, while George Bernard Shaw deemed Butler ‘the greatest English writer of the latter half of the nineteenth century.’