Lady's Slipper
Lady's Slipper is a compilation of prose and poetry that reflects Judy's thoughts and responses to major life events from childhood through adulthood and retirement. As a young teacher of special needs children and preschoolers, she often made up stories and songs for dancing and gym activities to encourage running, jumping, stretching and learning. Later, as a lawyer, Judy's legal and academic writing became more structured and functional, often losing the creative edge. But, as she travelled across Canada over the years between Quebec and Alberta, Alberta and Newfoundland, and Alberta and British Columbia, Judy wrote notes and short poems in her journals to describe Canadian landscapes. Whether her journeys were by car, bus, or train, she tried to vividly describe simple images. More recently, Judy and her elder sister began writing poetry to one another to share stories where memories, family, and friends featured prominently. At its core, Lady's Slipper is about human transformation in a complex, dynamic ecosystem where everything is connected.
Lady's Slipper
Lady's Slipper is a compilation of prose and poetry that reflects Judy's thoughts and responses to major life events from childhood through adulthood and retirement. As a young teacher of special needs children and preschoolers, she often made up stories and songs for dancing and gym activities to encourage running, jumping, stretching and learning. Later, as a lawyer, Judy's legal and academic writing became more structured and functional, often losing the creative edge. But, as she travelled across Canada over the years between Quebec and Alberta, Alberta and Newfoundland, and Alberta and British Columbia, Judy wrote notes and short poems in her journals to describe Canadian landscapes. Whether her journeys were by car, bus, or train, she tried to vividly describe simple images. More recently, Judy and her elder sister began writing poetry to one another to share stories where memories, family, and friends featured prominently. At its core, Lady's Slipper is about human transformation in a complex, dynamic ecosystem where everything is connected.
Flapper and the Captain
In this richly varied anthology, David Lange opens the door to a world of imagination, memory, and emotional truth. Written largely during the COVID-19 pandemic and featuring both newly created and previously published works, the collection showcases a writer rising to the challenge of crafting meaningful stories across genres-each under the pressure of just a few weeks between deadlines.The result is a powerful tapestry of short stories, essays, and poems that span humor and heartbreak, nostalgia and discovery. Whether drawing from personal history or exploring fictional realms, Lange's writing is unified by a voice that is thoughtful, sincere, and deeply human.Fly through a stormy Midwestern night in Twisted Sky, relive the awkward ache of adolescence in Quid Pro Quo - A Cruel Betrayal, and feel the magic of first love in Last Card, First Kiss. Whether reflecting on Three Summers of road-tripping wonder, watching an epic scene of survival unfold at a Medieval monastery in Brotherly Love, or reflecting upon the final farewell of a gentle giant in Silent Sea, Lange's stories blend the personal and the universal with a storyteller's heart and a keen eye for those elements of life that unite usFlapper and the Captain and Other Flights of Fancy is more than an anthology-it is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring magic of storytelling.
Zero Day Bluejay
TARTT FIRST FICTION AWARD: Zero Day Blue Jay is a collection of stories featuring the complexity of human relationships-both in triumph and in chaos-and aims to witness how characters attempt to negotiate the uncontrollable context of their lives. Ranging from fatherhood, to social criticism of the institutionalized racism of the American justice system, to the Jewish subversion of the Nazi War Machine, to a criticism of capitalism and academia; the stories cover a spectrum of human experience and discourse in the vein of exploration and empathy. A "zero day," in backpacking terms, is a day where the hiker does not complete any miles of their trek. For reasons of rest, weather, or unforeseeable hindrances, the hiker will forgo the heavy mileage and heavy pack for a shelter, tent, lodging, or bar. They are days of stillness amidst a journey of movement. They are days for reading, reading that sometimes has an awful squawk, but sometimes has blue feathers.
Leisure's Edge
It's weird. It's dark, and it is weird.The world is under a microscope in Leisure's Edge, a collection of surrealist short stories that interweave elements of parable, modern koan, cyclical nightmare and Vanaprastha.Exploring themes of self-importance, statistical probability, agoraphobia, legacy, cannibalism, infinity, mathematics, and the hypnotic lure of the permanence of art, the collection employs humour, not as a mere device, but as a weapon against itself.Leisure's Edge holds up a mirror to society so that it may stare back and splash cold water in its own face. The stories have complexity and depth, they are thought-provoking with innovative literary structures yet wholly readable.This work will resonate with admirers of Jos矇 Saramago, Donald Barthelme, Jorge Luis Borges, and Dostoyevsky's The Crocodile.
ONE MORE THAN EIGHT, (Short Narratives Exploring 'Navarasa'- the 9 emotions)
'One more than eight' scribbled on a chit of paper stuck in the flowers. A red cloth covers the stems of the roses. She stares at the cloth, looks at her hand...and drops the entire package onto the floor. "Blood..." Discover the vibrant spectrum of human emotions in 'One More Than Eight: Colourful Explorations of Navarasa - The Nine Emotions'. This captivating anthology of short stories inspired by the timeless 'Navarasa' offers a glimpse into lives that seem ordinary but spiral into the unexpected. The author, a psychologist, explores human consciousness, society, and the delicate balance between reality and the surreal. Tango with the following Nine Emotions: Love (Shringara): Fleeting connections; life-changing encounters... from a romantic stranger on a train to the transformative beauty of mindful birthing. Sadness and Pity (Karunam): Heart-rending tales of loss and resilience, including a mother's bittersweet reflections and moments of synchronicity. Wonder (Adbhutam): Mystical stories challenging reality, from unusual patient visions to divine possessions. Disgust (Bibhatsam): Hard-hitting explorations of societal flaws, from extravagant weddings to the prejudices of an orthodox father. Fear (Bhayanakam): Spine-chilling tales of haunted houses, ancestral curses, and mysterious serpents. Humor (Hasya): Light-hearted escapades, from a dog's misadventures to life-changing moments that make you laugh. Heroism (Veeram): Inspiring acts of courage, from three sisters defying odds to a mother's unbreakable spirit. Anger (Raudram): Explosive narratives of injustice and revenge, including a gripping murder mystery. Calmness (Shantam): Stories of inner peace and enlightenment, from embracing infinity to a Buddhist prayer. Why This Book is for You: A rich emotional Tapestry delving into universal experiences of love, loss, fear, and redemption through relatable yet imaginative storytelling. Thought-provoking themes on Indian philosophy and culture. Perfect for fans of short stories and emotional narratives across all age groups. Find out why the title holds more than one secret... Cry, laugh, wonder - feel the Navarasa! Rediscover 'being human'! Order your copy today!
Baron and Other Short Stories
About the BookA captivating collection of short stories that delve into love, betrayal, and the quiet strength of the human spirit. From deep-rooted family bonds to moments tinged with nostalgia, each tale invites you into the intimate corners of everyday life. With characters that feel both familiar and richly layered, these stories celebrate the beauty and vulnerability of human connection. Gracefully told and emotionally resonant, this book offers narratives that will stay with you long after the final page.About the AuthorRashmi Chugh is a journalist, publisher and digital transformation leader who has returned to her first love, which is storytelling. Born and raised in Chandigarh, she grew up surrounded by art, music and nature, which continue to shape her creative voice. Her stories draw from a rich career in journalism and travels across India, Africa and Europe capturing the essence of people, places and the universal threads that connect us all. She currently divides her time between Delhi and Nairobi.
Bad Dirt
A remarkable collection of short stories set in Wyoming from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'The Shipping News' and 'Brokeback Mountain'. 'Bad Dirt' is filled with the vivid and willful characters for which Proulx has become known. Each story occupies a community or landscape described in rich and robust language, with an eye for detail unparalleled in American fiction. In 'The Contest', the men of Elk Tooth, Wyoming, vow to put aside their razors for two seasons and wait to see who has the longest beard come the 4th of July. Deb Sipple, the moving protagonist of 'That Trickle Down Effect', finds that his opportunism - and his smoking habit - lead to a massive destruction. And 'What Kind of Furniture Would Jesus Pick?' is the story of Gilbert Wolfscale, whose rabid devotion to his ranch drives off his wife and sons. Proulx displays her wit in every story of this stunning collection, as well as her knowledge of the West, of history, of ranching and of farming. Her profound sympathy for characters who must use sheer will and courage to make it in tough territory makes this collection extraordinarily compelling.
Unmitigated Chaos
Unmitigated Chaos: The collected short stories of Frog and Esther JonesSpirits! Zombies! Steamships! Dragons! Werewolves! Wizards! Fairies! Vampires! Aliens! Spaceships! .Lots of other stuff!2 Authors18 Short storiesThe title says it all.Enjoy.
Light and Dark and Other Stories
The stories in this book are unified in one sense: the main characters, young to old, experience remarkable moments of light and dark in their lives. An eighty-year-old writer finds his ordered life upended when his long-absent rocker daughter appears with her mentally impaired teenager; an adolescent boy finds out more than he cares to know about darkness from carnival workers; a man in love with a BBC Star Baker from afar attempts to live out his TV fantasies with unhappy results; a brainy autistic child learns compassion from a chickadee; a knife-thrower, a stripper, and a barrel racer alter each other's lives at a 4H fair; a Kansas farm woman finds a way back to the technicolor adventures of her youth, guided by a religious con man. These and other stories, thirteen in all, are newly written, published here for the first time.
Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus Is Alive!
"Powerful short fiction that lingers."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Lozada-Oliva shines in this scintillating collection . . . Readers will be enthralled."--Publishers Weekly "Melissa Lozada-Oliva writes with a perfect blend of intoxicating magic and unflinching humor, illuminating the visceral tensions of yearning and darkness that define our most human moments. A beautiful, sharp-tongued collection that feels like an instant classic with an edge all its own."--Chelsea Bieker, author of Madwoman and Godshot From the author of Dreaming of You and Candelaria comes an ethereal and revelatory short story collection about faith, delusion, and the demons that can't get enough of us. A beheaded body interrupts a quincea簽era. An obsession with her father's bizarre video game shifts a lonely girl's reality. A sentient tail sprouts from a hospital worker's backside, throwing her romantic life into peril. And in the novella "Community Hole," a recently cancelled musician flees New York and finds herself in a haunted punk house in Boston. This collection, at once playful, grisly, and tender, presents a tapestry of women ailing for something to believe in - even if it hurts them. Using body horror, fabulism, and humor, Melissa Lozada-Oliva mines the pain and uncanniness of the modern world. Reveling in the fine line between disgust and desire, Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus is Alive! is for the sinner in us all.
In the Swampyland
Autobiographical fiction from the author of the memoir The Magnolia Code B'rer Rabbit, trickster of the Uncle Remus tales. A chicken's head bobbing in a bowl of soup, its dead eyes accusing the diner. Cockroaches, venomous snakes, biting frogs. These are among the lively characters in Joan Brooks Baker's second book, a collection of stories called In the Swampyland, which spans the author's life from her childhood in New York City to her eye-opening, sometimes-risky world travels. In the Swampyland examines the world in which Baker grew up and aims equally intense scrutiny at the exotic cultures her innate curiosity has motivated her to visit, from the jungles of Colombia to the streets of India and the attractions of the American South, in her search for belonging. We empathize as she confronts the constraints of her world in The Burrito and learns to appreciate its advantages in Beyond the View; we watch her literally close the door on her past in A Lingering Scent. We admire her risk-taking, as a child and as an adult, as she forges a different path than the one she was expected to take. Following on the heels of her award-winning memoir, The Magnolia Code (2020, SF Design/Fresco Books), In the Swampyland reaches even deeper into memory, meaning and desire. In the story after which the book is titled, Baker persuades us to ponder the notion of our own swampylands and discover how we can survive these dark, dangerous, and yet fecund locales in our own minds and hearts--and in the process, if we are lucky, find out where we belong.
Dead Money
A roving gambler accepts an invitation to a private, high-stakes poker game at a mansion in the Carolina mountains. But when he arrives, he discovers the stakes are far higher than expected. is he up for the challenge, or will the game he loves be his downfall?
Bacon the Pig
Bacon the PigPigs are traditionally thought of as nothing more than meat at a barbeque, a dirty animal, with no other worth. This story will hopefully change your opinion of "the other white meat" and see that they are intelligent creatures and can react to what other animals usually can't, except dogs. Pigs really do care?John Jackson was born in Gary Indiana in 1946 and moved to Nunica, Michigan, in 1949 with parents to a farm. He loved farming and raising animals and fishing and hunting in the wooded area on the farm and upper Michigan. Jackson became interested in police work and worked in LaPorte County for two different towns and some extra work on Laporte County Sheriff's Department. He worked many years in safety and safety management in the trucking industryHis fondest memories and passions were raising animals and studying their thought processes He have found in his research that different animals have so much more intelligence than we give them credit for which is why Bacon the Pig story was born His favorite truism is that if you received anything good from him, it came from God, so He gets all the glory.
A Chronicle of the Early Twentieth Century
Carl Sternheim (1878-1942) was Germany's most 'advanced', and certainly most provocative, dramatist in the decade spanning the First World War. While his satirical comedies remain popular and are frequently staged, the fourteen short stories in this collection have remained untouched for over a century - unjustly, but understandably, given their uncompromising literary modernism. They are here translated into English in their entirety for the first time.The neglect of Sternheim's stories is largely due to his use of language. Critics complained that his rebarbative style 'does not fulfil its function as a cognitive instrument', even that 'he never wrote German at all'. Over-abbreviated, under-punctuated, fragmented, and truncated syntax thwarted access to his prose fiction, however 'extremely clever' its psychological depth (Fritz Martini). And so, apart from some Expressionist anthologies (although Sternheim distanced himself from the term, and from most of its young practitioners), it largely disappeared from view.But Sternheim was a master of the short story: his powerful 'antijournalism' and scathing social satire are long overdue a reappraisal. This edition renders his difficult 'Expressionist' writing accessible for the first time, meaning Sternheim can finally attract the readership he deserves.Fred Bridgham's publications include The Friendly German-English Dictionary, a translation of Hans Werner Henze's The Prince of Homburg for English National Opera, and (with Edward Timms) Karl Kraus's The Last Days of Mankind (an MLA prize-winner), as well as Kraus's The Third Walpurgis Night. This is his second volume for MHRA New Translations.
My Collection of Short Stories
This is a collection of 18 short stories and one commentary. The stories have many subject matters. All are fiction except one: 'A Message'. That is a factual story and you will understand when you read it. The commentary is rather controversial and you might consider not reading it. I warn you about it in advance. I thank all those who allowed me to use their pictures to represent certain characters. I hope you enjoy the storylines. You might consider checking out my 13 published novels. They are based on time twists, historic events, gypsy fortune tellers, Ouija boards and one even has murder.
Tales From The Hills
The district of Lahaul-Spiti, west of Tibet and south of Ladakh, presents the most spectacular view to the human eye. Dotted with high snow peaks, glaciers, rivers and vistas of inner Himalayan desert landscapes, it is believed that this regions monasteri
Primal Woman
When the East India Company sells one of its village bungalows to a Bengali aristocrat, the erstwhile manager, Hamilton sahib, finds himself homeless in his adopted country. A mother leaves her house and her notions of chastity in order to feed her childr
Mice In Men
Can the simple act of saving a mouse teach an insecure, ordinary man to rise above his afflictions and his love? An old man contemplates giving up everything, but discovers love while witnessing an extramarital affair. After suffering a lifetime of prejudice and humiliation, a doctor is finally able to confront his own prejudices while attending to a man in the throes of a stroke. Is love a neurosis that the famous psychiatrist unwittingly falls victim to? His patient is an illegal immigrant, desperately poor and fighting for his life. Yet, as death slowly but surely beats him down, a young doctor awakens to the strange beauty of his profession.
Boarding Pass
"Love wasn't on the itinerary. He crashed the trip."I'm in Paris with an offer for a career-making solo photography exhibit.I should be floating on champagne and designer euphoria.Instead, I'm single and alone at a Tom Selleck-themed wine bar, wondering if thirty-two is too young to start over.Then he walks in.Messy hair, leather jacket, a smile I feel in places I haven't for years.One accidental wine spill and soul-shaking kiss later..."I'm about to make the most impulsive decision of my life."I sold my company for freedom, not to get tied down.Working like a fool is all I've ever known.I need a hard reset. No expectations. No itinerary. Just a one-way ticket to Paris and a suitcase full of unresolved baggage..Then I see her.A knockout with wine-stained lips and eyes that could undo a man.Our connection is instant, magical, impossible to ignore.I didn't come here to fall in love.But I'm starting to think Paris had other plans.Boarding Pass is a full-throttle, no-holds-barred romance, perfect if you love dirty talk in French bars, sunrise in five-star suites, and the kind of love that doesn't ask permission.
A Place in the World
Winner of the 2025 Drue Heinz Literature PrizeStories of Ordinary People Experiencing Extraordinary Circumstances The eleven stories in A Place in the World are character-driven portrayals of various lives transformed by random events or twists of fate. A young woman living on the coast of Maine confronts her painful past when her little brother comes to visit after being released from rehab, a hopeless gay hustler, in for the long con, instead finds himself falling in love while vacationing in Denmark, a failed New York City actor afraid of commitment goes on a comic rant and embraces an epiphany while cat-sitting for a friend. In separate, first-person narratives, a struggling husband and wife take turns describing the impact of a scandalous crisis in their marriage, and a settled suburban dad arrives at a beach house for the weekend, only to realize he robbed one of the other houseguests thirty-four years earlier. In this poignant, engaging collection, Gaythwaite offers compassion and surprising optimism while celebrating astonishing resilience in the face of life's persistent challenges.
Murray Ballantyne, The Heir Of Tillingford, And Other Stories
Delve into the world of Murray Ballantyne with this collection of captivating short stories. Featuring "The Heir of Tillingford" and other tales, this volume showcases Ballantyne's storytelling prowess and his ability to create vivid characters and settings. These stories explore themes of inheritance, societal expectations, and the complexities of human relationships. Experience the charm and wit of a bygone era through these timeless narratives, perfect for readers who appreciate classic literary fiction.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
A Night In A Snowstorm, And Other Stories
"A Night In A Snowstorm, And Other Stories" presents a collection of evocative short stories by Charles Bruce, capturing moments of human experience with vivid prose and keen observation. From suspenseful narratives to character-driven pieces, these tales explore themes of resilience, love, and the unpredictable nature of life. Bruce's storytelling prowess shines through in each carefully crafted story, offering readers a glimpse into diverse lives and landscapes. Whether set against the backdrop of a winter storm or within the quiet corners of everyday existence, these stories resonate with emotional depth and timeless appeal.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
A Desert Between Two Seas
Set in the crumbling Spanish missions of nineteenth-century Baja California, this mythic novel in linked stories follows two grief-stricken people as haunted as the desolate chapels around them: a priest who caused the drowning of a native boy by compelling him to fish for pearls, and a deaf woman trying to outrun her murderous reputation as a pistolera. Though the stories span landscapes, villages, characters, and decades, the heart of the novel is Baja California itself--a stark land of cactus and creosote, of russet canyons and splintered wastes of rock--where people living in the shadow of ruined missions seek redemption on an inhospitable peninsula forsaken even by its priests.
A History of Existing Life
"The language in Shelagh Powers Johnson's debut collection strikes the rare and perfect balance between understated and surprising. The characters in these stories span time periods and geographic location but are united by Johnson's astute observation of brutality and heartbreak- but also the beauty and redemption-of the every day." -Amanda Parrish Morgan, author of Stroller, named one of The New Yorker's Best Books of 2022"A History of Existing Life is filled with lush, dark, haunting, and intricate prose and piercing observations. Old lovers briefly reunite. A woman's paintings transform into a living dreamscape. Everyone reckons with their past. Johnson's exquisite stories probe into the inner workings of relationships, of parents who love and who betray and disappoint. Let this collection surprise and envelop you." -Lauren D. Woods, author of The Great Grown-Up Game of Make-Believe, winner of the Autumn House Press 2024 Fiction Prize
Maoriland Stories
Title: Maoriland Stories.Publisher: British Library, Historical Print EditionsThe British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is one of the world's largest research libraries holding over 150 million items in all known languages and formats: books, journals, newspapers, sound recordings, patents, maps, stamps, prints and much more. Its collections include around 14 million books, along with substantial additional collections of manuscripts and historical items dating back as far as 300 BC.The FICTION & PROSE LITERATURE collection includes books from the British Library digitised by Microsoft. The collection provides readers with a perspective of the world from some of the 18th and 19th century's most talented writers. Written for a range of audiences, these works are a treasure for any curious reader looking to see the world through the eyes of ages past. Beyond the main body of works the collection also includes song-books, comedy, and works of satire. ++++The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ British Library Grace, Alfred A.; 1895. 205 p.; 8?簞. 012630.l.17.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Primary Sources, Historical Collections
Dive into the sharp wit and keen observations of Edith Wharton with "Xingu: And Other Stories." This collection showcases Wharton's mastery of the short story form, offering a glimpse into the lives and social dynamics of early 20th-century America. With a foreword by T. S. Wentworth, readers gain additional insight into the context and significance of Wharton's work. From the satirical skewering of intellectual pretensions in the title story, "Xingu," to poignant explorations of love, loss, and societal expectations, Wharton's stories resonate with timeless themes. Her incisive prose and compelling characters make this collection a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and the intricacies of human relationships. Discover why Edith Wharton remains one of the most important voices in American fiction.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Adventures of Ivan
Award-winning Canadian writer Melissa Morelli Lacroix returns with a poignant, music-inspired novella offering rare insight into the most golden decade of one's life: their 90s.Set during the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown, ninety-seven-year-old Ivan Burtney is confined to his Western Canadian retirement home. Amid solitude and uncertainty, his days are suffused with memories, regrets, and the lingering loneliness of widowhood and lost friends. Yet Ivan continues to find joy and purpose by connecting with family, friends, and community-whether masked, by phone, or through a pane of glass. Through moments of memory, window-side encounters with nature, and unexpected inspiration from television and music, Ivan illuminates the bittersweet beauty and enduring hope that can be found in life's final chapter. Told through the tender, authentic voice of a Ukrainian-Canadian grandfather and infused with warmth, wit, and empathy, this novella offers a unique perspective on aging, grief, and the sustaining power of connection. Drawing from her firsthand experience living and working with nonagenarians, Lacroix crafts a lyrical meditation on memory, survival, and the everyday magic found even in lockdown. As a longtime piano teacher, Lacroix weaves music into the fabric of the novella. Each chapter, and the book itself, is named for piano pieces by Aram Khachaturian that animate Ivan's story as he sings long-forgotten Ukrainian songs, recalls youthful adventures, attends an online party, and embarks on fantastic travels with a wise bear, a firebird, and even his departed sister. Ivan's adventures carry him from 2020 back to World War II, through the polio epidemics of the 1950s, and into his childhood as the son of immigrants on the Canadian prairies. What results is an expert literary counterpoint of past and present, reality, and memory. This moving piece of Canadian literature offers a hint of magical realism and is crafted for readers who cherish stories about love, memory, music, and life's profound transitions.Chapters: Ivan SingsIvan Can't Go Out TodayIvan Is IllIvan Goes to a PartyIvan and NatashaIvan's HobbyhorseA Tale of Strange LandsExclusive bonus material: Insightful author's notes, reflections on the real-life inspirations behind Ivan's WWII experiences, and a sneak peek at the forthcoming novel, Song of Songs. This book is entered in the 2025 Kindle Storyteller Award. If you enjoy it, please consider leaving a review.
Short Stories
The genre and style of Derryl G. Berry's "Short Stories" is quite varied. Some are straightforward, first- or third- persons POV. Some are off-the-wall perspectives and musings. Some are "circular" in that they begin and end pretty much at the same point, e.g., "Let's Act Normal." Many of Derryl's short stories began as an idea that came to him while hiking and were fleshed out later, e.g., "Five Shots," and "The Empty Hook." Others were triggered by a passing comment, e.g., "Who in the World Is Jimmy Kent?" A few have a touch of biographical near reality. Others are plain fantasy, e.g., "Misspelled" and "Kong Is Dead." A few are retellings of biblical stories. Others, Derryl doesn't know from where the ideas came.
A West Point Wooing, and Other Stories
A West Point Wooing, and Other Stories is a collection of charming short stories by Clara Louise Burnham, originally published in 1899. These stories offer glimpses into the social life and romantic entanglements of characters in late 19th-century America. The title story, "A West Point Wooing," explores themes of love and duty within the context of the prestigious military academy. Burnham's writing captures the nuances of human relationships with warmth and wit. This collection provides a delightful escape to a bygone era, appealing to readers who enjoy historical fiction and heartwarming narratives. The stories showcase Burnham's talent for creating relatable characters and engaging plots, making this collection a timeless read.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Martha's Daughter
Martha's Daughter is the brilliant and influential author David Haynes's first short story collection and the first time that Haynes's stories have ever been assembled in one volume. Steeped in everyday gossip and lives, this collection ranges from the magically real life of a city's crumbling superhero to a rundown motel whose long-term guests are lucky to call home. In the titular novella the first hours are chronicled after Cynthia finds out her mother has died. What we learn is that Cynthia is a woman who has been bullied by her mother's overbearing opinions, her disdain for difference, her respectability politics, and her outdated beliefs about how men and women should relate to one another. Martha's death is less a catalyst for Cynthia's grief than an opportunity to free herself of a burden too long endured. The sixth in McSweeney's Of the Diaspora series, Martha's Daughter is another record in David's oeuvre, of the people and places he's been recording since the beginning of his career, some thirty years ago. With its full-circle connection to Haynes's previous novels, Martha's Daughter is guaranteed to enthrall longtime fans and new readers alike.
The Butterfly Effect and Other Short Stories
These twenty short stories, set in Ireland, Britain, France, and America, offer eloquent glimpses into joy, frustration, and pain. They explore the many layers of human experience, capturing our flaws, desires, and vulnerabilities with striking clarity. Each story is crafted with precision, emotional depth, and poetic insight. The characters reveal behaviours that range from generous to mean-spirited, reflecting the full spectrum of what it means to be human. This collection shows how often our hopes are derailed by cruel twists of fate. Life, as these stories reveal, can be filled with irony and unexpected outcomes.
The Child Within Me
From the whispers of our souls, Let the inner child come alive, Guiding us to hearts so pure, As we dance through trials and strive. Through generations, we will heal, Ending suffering with each prayer we send, A legacy of love we extend, A bond with God that knows no end. With open hearts, we seek to mend, Passing healing like a gentle breeze, In unity, our spirits blend, For a brighter world, our souls find ease. We ll nurture dreams in starlit skies, Keep joy and hope forever near, For in this life, our spirits rise, Embracing the light, casting out fear. So when we leave this earthly shore, To meet God in that sacred space, We ll stand in love, with hearts of grace, Saying, I came with the same purity You sent me with.
Toad's Tools
Toad's father enjoyed helping the other animals in the forest. He often told Toad, "Nothing feels as good as helping others." His father passed on and now his tools are Toad's tools, and Toad wants to feel good helping others, just like his father. Join Toad on one day in the forest as he tries to live up to his father's example.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
The celebration of Christmas has nothing to do with a fictional character in a red suit, or flying reindeer. It is about the birth and life of Jesus Christ. He is the true reason for the season. Now you can read about His life in an illustrated and poetic form that touches on many of the important aspects of His life. Parents will want to share this story with their children and with their friends.
Read My Shorts
From the winner of the 2025 Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival Flash Fiction Competition (Western Australia) comes an eclectic collection of stories that explore the strange, tender, and often darkly funny aspects of everyday lives.In Read My Shorts, Pete Mitchell, author of Darwin's Wake, offers sharply observed glimpses into the lives of the lost, the hopeful, the disillusioned and the quietly defiant. A timid accountant finds love at a heavy metal concert, mates mull over their simple lives and a future society struggles to exist without plastics. Each story captures a moment where perspectives shift with intriguing consequences.With wit, compassion, and a flair for the unexpected, these stories reflect the beauty and absurdity of being human. Whether you're in the mood to laugh, cringe, or quietly nod in recognition, Read My Shorts will leave you thinking.'A captivating collection of short stories that will take you on a wild ride through the human experience. I laughed and cried from the first page.'
The Tales Of Chekhov
Discover the poignant and insightful world of Anton Chekhov in "The Tales of Chekhov, Volume 3." This collection showcases Chekhov's mastery of the short story form, presenting a series of narratives that explore the complexities of human nature and the nuances of Russian society in the late 19th century. Translated by Constance Black Garnett, these stories capture the essence of Chekhov's distinctive style, blending humor, pathos, and keen observation. From tales of unrequited love and social satire to portraits of everyday life, Chekhov's stories resonate with timeless themes of disillusionment, longing, and the search for meaning. "The Tales of Chekhov" offers a window into the human condition, inviting readers to reflect on the universal experiences that connect us all. This volume is a must-read for lovers of classic literature and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human heart.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
The Prophet and Other Stories
Samuel Rawet (1929-84) was born in a small Polish town near Warsaw that was eventually destroyed during World War II. He emigrated to Brazil at the age of seven and grew up on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro in neighborhoods teeming with Jews and other immigrants. Known as the pioneer of Brazilian-Jewish writing, Rawet represents an artfully sensitive voice of the Jewish Diaspora in Latin America, especially Brazil, a country of more than 150 million inhabitants that today harbors nearly 150,000 Jews whose ancestry is primarily Eastern European.As Nelson Vieira notes, the stories in this collection all relate to the vicissitudes of displaced individuals who are frequently trapped by society's rigid norms. Some, like the Jew with the white beard and the long black overcoat in the title story who steps off the gangplank, are entering a world that is no longer theirs. Old World characters enter a New World where they are not used to the language or the sun or "the frustration of not being able to explain." Other characters can't communicate even with those familiar to them; one woman describes herself and her sister as two strangers in a doctor's waiting room.Rawet's characters eloquently embody exile, alienation, and displacement. His is a prophetic, solitary Brazilian-Jewish voice that Vieira has made available at last to English-speaking audiences. Writing in the 1950s and 1960s, Rawet knew first-hand that we all can be others and strangers, even in our own land.
The Short Stories of Fray Angelico Chavez
This anthology is the first collection of fiction published since 1957 by one of New Mexico's leading men of letters.
The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival and Other Western Stories
Tom Bishop's collection of stories is divided into slices of time and takes place in the northern Rocky Mountains. The earliest story is set during a brutal winter in which the men of a Lakota clan follow a vision of an elk herd to find meat to save their starving family.The next group of tales take place one hundred years later, in the early twentieth century. A country storekeeper uses defanged rattlesnakes to guard his business; dealings with a bootlegger cost a man his friends, his home, and his job; and deer hunters at the height of the Great Depression go out in search of "Hoover Steaks."At the end of World War II, an illegal quail hunt costs the host rancher over a thousand dollars when a hunter is killed and his widow demands restitution. In "The Fragile Commandment" an abusive farmer is killed by his stepdaughter with a pitchfork, and "Someone's Dog" is the story of a trout fisherman who finds a dog by his favorite stream. The title story, "The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival" involves trout fisherman who want to bring in enough money through their festival to pay for a weekend fishing party.Regardless of the time period, the people, situations, dilemmas, and problems found in these stories replicate those of the twenty-first century.
Bull by the Tale
John Duncklee's short stories examine men and women from the Spanish Colonial era to the twentieth-century American West. Men in "The Developers" and "Padre Mirandi" face similar problems, although they live centuries apart. Each suffers from human weaknesses and failings and affairs that end with surprise pregnancies.Three stories involve mining and miners: "The Miner" is a loner convinced he will soon find that rich vein of silver in the Arizona mountains his instincts promise with each round of blasting, "Soul of the Hob-Nailed Boot" is what remains of a Wyoming miner fighting eviction from his claim by the U. S. Forest Service, and a man and wife con artist team ends up on the wrong end of a scheme in "The Mines of Magdalena."Young men travel far from home in "Antonio Sings His Song" and "Two Gold Coins." Antonio, the son of a poor Mexican farmer, assumes responsibility for going north to earn money to support his parents and siblings in Mexico. Leaving everything he cares about, he crosses the border, working from Arizona to Idaho and back through California until it is time to return home, courtesy of U. S. Immigration. Two young Spaniards who go to Nueva Espa簽a, escaping their unwanted futures as fishermen, carry the "Two Gold Coins." They find the adventures they seek and more; one, a wife and the other, death."The Last Breakfast" is served to Wyatt Earp, the James and Clanton gangs, Cole Younger, Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy--numerous western characters that return to Tombstone in the late twentieth century. They discover a world different than they had lived in previously, and when the local newspaper editor takes a group photo, he discovers changes in them also.
The Algarrobos Quartet
The Algarrobos Quartet is a series of four short, enigmatic novels set on the northern pampas of Argentina. In the town of Algarrobos, the rules of the game are mysterious, and terrible events occur without warning. Unexpected deaths remain unexplained. Soldiers attack innocent workers. Pampered doves die brutally as well, and a Biblical flood threatens to wash everything away. Most people in Algarrobos don't know why these things happen, and they don't want to know.Puzzles and multiple meanings abound in Goloboff's writing. A central character is known as El Negro though he isn't black. In three of these Argentine Jewish novels only a few characters identify themselves as Jews. There are assimilated Jews, an old, broken-down Jewish cemetery, and some stories of the Jewish past. The fourth novel deals with Italian-Argentine anarchists.These novels are a transmutation of reality, a veil, a facade. Goloboff's prose takes on multiple meanings, and the translation masterfully captures his use of language to evoke enigmas that challenge us to understand both the stories and how chaos and the unexpected engulf us all.
