Bringing together novelist Osamu Dazai's best autobiographical shorts in a single, slim volume, Self-Portraits shows the legendary writer at his best—and worst"Art dies the moment it acquires authority." So said Japan's quintessential rebel writer Osamu Dazai, who, disgusted with the hypocrisy of every kind of establishment, from the nation's obsolete aristocracy to its posturing, warmongering generals, went his own way, even when that meant his death—and the death of others. Faced with pressure to conform, he declared his individuality to the world—in all its self-involved, self-conscious, and self-hating glory. "Art," he wrote, "is 'I.'"In these short stories, collected and translated by Ralph McCarthy, we can see just how closely Dazai's life mirrored his art, and vice versa, as the writer/narrator falls from grace, rises to fame, and falls again. Addiction, debt, shame, and despair dogged Dazai until his self-inflicted...

Undercover at Brewster Academy to investigate a grade-changing scheme, Nancy must find out who has penetrated the school's computer and is extorting money from students in exchange for upgrading their records.

From the World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Bards of Bone Plain.The Wayfolk are a dark-haired, wandering people who shun doors and walls. Corleu is Wayfolk, albeit with hair the color of the moon. But when his companions and his own true love become trapped in an unearthly swamp beyond the reach of time, he dares to cross a forbidden and forbidding threshold, to enter a dark house that should not exist, to meet with a tinker who is also a king, and to embark on a quest for the one long-lost treasure that may free his people: the heart of the Cygnet.The Cygnet is a figure of myth and legend, like the Gold King, the Blind Lady, the Dancer, and the Warlock. Once Corleu had thought these beings to live only in the stars and in children's rhymes. Now he knows that they are as real as himself, and that it is the Cygnet that holds the others at bay.To find the heart, he must walk paths he never imagined: apprentice himself to a beautiful sorceress of...

Immerse yourself in the gripping tale of "Spark of the Everflame," a captivating journey through a world where old secrets ignite new flames of adventure. Join Diem Bellator, a determined heroine yearning to break free from the confines of her humble village, as she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about her mother's mysterious disappearance. Delve into a world where mortals are ruled by the descendants of gods, a realm teetering on the brink of chaos and upheaval. As Diem navigates the treacherous landscape of Descended royalty and mortal alliances, she must grapple with the unwritten rules of love, power, and politics to save her family and all of mortalkind. Experience the thrill of Diem's journey as she confronts betrayal, forges unexpected alliances, and navigates the tumultuous waters of civil war. From the dying king's court to the shadows of rebellion, each chapter unfolds with heart-pounding action and spine-tingling intrigue. But amidst the...

Orchard Classics is a collectible hardcover line of award-winning titles from the Orchard backlist with fresh, beautiful new designs and new author prefaces and discussion guides. Ninth grader Philip Malloy is forbidden to join the track team because of his failing grades in English class. Convinced that the teacher just doesn't like him, Philip concocts a plan to get transferred into a different homeroom. Instead of standing silently during the national anthem, he hums along. And ends up on trial.

Writings on the South, Catholicism, and more from the National Book Award winner: "His nonfiction is always entertaining and enlightening" (Library Journal). Published just after Walker Percy's death, Signposts in a Strange Land takes readers through the philosophical, religious, and literary ideas of one of the South's most profound and unique thinkers. Each essay is laced with wit and insight into the human condition. From race relations and the mysteries of existence, to Catholicism and the joys of drinking bourbon, this collection offers a window into the underpinnings of Percy's celebrated novels and brings to light the stirring thoughts and voice of a giant of twentieth century literature.

Read this classic romance novella by New York Times bestselling author Penny Jordan, now available for the first time in e-book! Tempted by the millionaire...Jessica Collingwood launched herself on a new career. She firmly believed that she had put the traumas of the past successfully behind her. Yet some shadows still lingered and she feared that even now her parents would somehow try to manipulate her and force her to return to the life-style she'd rejected. That's why it was surprising when she fell head over heels in love with Daniel Hayward. Rich, attractive and successful, just the sort of man her parents would have chosen for her. He told her he loved her, but could Jessica trust him?Originally published in 1991

It's been ten years since Spencer Wyatt jilted Drew Haviland for another man. Now she is free--and Drew will do anything to get vengeance and take what's been promised to him. But closer inspection tells him that Spencer is in dire straits--and in desperate need of his help.

When Rhion the banker\'s son met the Master Wizard Jaldis, Jaldis said, "Come." Rhion came, leaving everything behind to answer the call in his blood. And through long years of drudgery and persecution, he had no regrets. Thus he became a wizard. A noble burned out Jaldis\' eyes to please some god; Rhion made magic glasses so he could see. Together, they opened the dark well to the Abyss between universes, and a cry for help came from a world that had lost all magic. Could that happen to their world? Though forced to flee again, Jaldis was determined to reach that world through the Abyss, to help and to find how the magic was lost. Rhion had nightmares over that. Jaldis was blind without magic. Rhion could not let him go alone. Yet the Abyss terrorized Rhion. Guided only by a voice without magic, they might land on the wrong world or drift forever in the hell of the void. And how could they ever return? The idea made Rhion shudder to the depths of his soul. Yet he was sure that someday the nightmare must come true!

Romance with Curves is a collection of short stories filled with love and curves. 15 authors come together to bring you new curvy romances. Killian's Quest - Maggie Adams Penny and Pryce - Phoebe Alexander His Curvy Forever - Joann Baker and Patricia Mason Love Transcendence - Ollie Dupree Sins and Silk - Jasmine Grant Must Love Curves - RJ Gray Forbidden Love for Mr. Christensen - Stephanie Harrell The Rookie - Delta James The Alpha's Curvy Obsession - Marie Mason Whisky Curves - KD Michaels Carry You - M. Leigh Morhaime A Noble's Eternal Heart - Yvonne Nicolas Talk Me Out Of It - Shannon O'Connor Entanglements - Jade Royal The Doctor's Mate - Morganna Williams

The Hanging at LeadvilleWelcome to Leadville—a melting pot of Irish and Swedes, steelworkers and scam artists. Brady Kenton is America's foremost traveling reporter, and he's come to this violent, whiskey-stained, mining town to sniff out a story for Gunnison's Illustrated American. Alex Gunnison, son of the famous publisher, is along for the ride to help keep the trouble-seeking Kenton out of harm's way. But with a dead body found and lost, and an innocent boy running for his life, the two men already have more than enough headlines. Now they're on the hunt for a Civil War criminal who may at-large in Leadville—and up to his killing ways again...FirefallMontana Territory, 1884. A huge fire has consumed the sin-soaked town of Gomorrah, just as crazy "Parson" Peabody, a drunken, broken-down preacher, had foretold. With the town in ruins, con man Gib Rankin sees a chance for profit...Meanwhile, young Alex Gunnison passes through...

A MYSTERIOUS MAN WITH A STRANGE TALENT... A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WITH A DARK SECRET... AND A LOVE FATED TO BREAK ALL THE RULES His name was Cyrus Fortune. As enigmatic and elusive as the mysterious forces that had brought him to Richmond, he was secretly desired by a score of women and openly envied by dozens of men. But only the ravishing Julia Drummond ignited his restless soul. She was the beguiling society beauty who had never known the thrill of true passion. A strange and wonderful fate had led him to her door. Now Fortune would win her tender heart. Something about the mesmerizing, black-eyed stranger aroused Julia as no man had ever done. Powerfully drawn to him, she would defy convention and scandalize society by breaking her most sacred vows. But dangerous forces beyond her control soon threatened her newly won happiness.... Lady Luck had smiled on her once. Would she now lose the only man she could ever love -- before they'd fulfilled their rapturous destiny?

Stars—they're just like us! Except much, much worse.Rose Aslani is mid-bikini wax when her phone lights up with a notification: Famed scam artist Poppy Hastings will be released from prison today.It's been two years since Rose—a first-generation Middle Eastern American, functional trainwreck, and reporter for online journal The Shred—wrote the investigative article that exposed Poppy as a socialite grifter. Normally, one of her articles going viral would be cause for celebration, but the highly publicized trial that followed turned Poppy into the internet's favorite celebrity. And Rose has been reeling from the aftermath ever since. Although Poppy served her time for defrauding some of the richest, most powerful men in the world, Rose knows this is only the tip of the iceberg for Poppy's crimes. She just can't prove it yet... At least not without the help of a devilishly handsome FBI agent gone rogue.As Poppy's star rises as an influencer...