The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the century, Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a poignant and moving tale filled with compassion and cruelty, laughter and heartache, crowded with life and people and incident.

The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with family connectedness -- in a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as incredibly rich moments of universal experience.

Format Paperback 496 pages | Publication date Sep 1992 | Publisher Cornerstone | Language English | ISBN13 9780099427575

It's summer of 1969, and Kensuke Yazaki is seventeen and interested in everything: the Rolling Stones, Rimbaud, the Velvet Underground, French New Wave, Jimi Hendrix, political protest and Janis Joplin, all of which is happening in a long way away. But Kensuke and his friends are going to bring 1969 to their provincial Japanese city, start a dissident movement, barricade their school, make a film, stage a festival. Not for the sake of art or politics, for a much better reason, for the only real reason. To impress girls.

Murakami's uncharacteristically sweet, semi-autobiographical account of an exciting time to be an exciting age, Sixty-Nine is funny and affectionate, brimful of passion, and as irrepressible as the brilliant brazen smartass Kensuke himself.

Format Paperback 192 pages | Publication date May 2013 Publisher PUSHKIN PRESS | Language English | ISBN13 9781908968463

With effortless grace, celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illuminates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in southeastern Nigeria during the late 1960s. We experience this tumultuous decade alongside five unforgettable characters: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old houseboy who works for Odenigbo, a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the professor’s beautiful young mistress who has abandoned her life in Lagos for a dusty town and her lover’s charm; and Richard, a shy young Englishman infatuated with Olanna’s willful twin sister Kainene. Half of a Yellow Sun is a tremendously evocative novel of the promise, hope, and disappointment of the Biafran war.

Format Paperback 448 pages | Publication date Jan 2007 | Publisher HarperCollins Publishers | Language English | ISBN13 9780007200283

It's just before New Year, and Frank, an overweight American tourist, has hired Kenji to take him on a guided tour of Tokyo's nightlife. But, Frank's behaviour is so odd that Kenji begins to entertain a horrible suspicion: his client may in fact have murderous desires. Although Kenji is far from innocent himself, he unwillingly descends with Frank into an inferno of evil, from which only his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Jun, can possibly save him. 

Format Paperback 192 pages | Publication date Feb 2006 | Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing | Language English | ISBN13 9780747578888

Once upon a time there was a tiny kingdom called Cornucopia, as rich in happiness as it was in gold, and famous for its food. From the delicate cream cheeses of Kurdsburg to the Hopes-of-Heaven pastries of Chouxville, each was so delicious that people wept with joy as they ate them.

But even in this happy kingdom, a monster lurks. Legend tells of a fearsome creature living far to the north in the Marshlands... the Ickabog. Some say it breathes fire, spits poison, and roars through the mist as it carries off wayward sheep and children alike. Some say it's just a myth...

And when that myth takes on a life of its own, casting a shadow over the kingdom, two children — best friends Bert and Daisy — embark on a great adventure to untangle the truth and find out where the real monster lies, bringing hope and happiness to Cornucopia once more.

Features full-colour illustrations by the young winners of The Ickabog competition.

Pies & Prejudice is the fourth installment in the beloved Mother-Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick. This charming young adult novel follows the journey of four middle school friends—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate life, friendship, and classic literature. In this chapter, the girls tackle Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice while facing the challenge of Emma moving to England. To bring her back, they start a thriving bake sale business, proving that friendship can overcome any distance.

Features

• Compelling Narrative: A heartwarming story that balances personal growth with the enduring power of friendship.
• Literary Connections: Integrates themes from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, making classic literature accessible and relatable for modern readers.
• Diverse Perspectives: Features a cast of characters with distinct personalities, allowing readers to find someone they can identify with.
• Relatable Themes: Explores common middle school experiences such as moving away, secret crushes, and navigating social dynamics. 

Benefits

• Encourages Reading: Inspires young readers to explore classic literature through a fun and modern lens.
• Promotes Empathy: Helps readers understand and navigate complex emotions and social situations common in adolescence.
• Inspires Entrepreneurship: The girls' successful bake sale business provides a positive example of teamwork and initiative.
• Educational Value: Ideal for school book clubs or classroom discussions about friendship, literature, and growing up.

Product Details
Title: Pies & Prejudice (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, Book 4)
Author: Heather Vogel Frederick
ISBN-13: 9781442420199
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Now a major motion picture from Clint Eastwood, starring Tom Hanks—the inspirational autobiography by one of the most captivating American heroes of our time, Capt. ‘Sully’ Sullenberger—the pilot who miraculously landed a crippled US Airways Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew.

On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed a remarkable emergency landing when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger skillfully glided US Airways Flight 1549 onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew. His cool actions not only averted tragedy but made him a hero and an inspiration worldwide. His story is now a major motion picture from director / producer Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks, Laura Linney and Aaron Eckhart.

Sully's story is one of dedication, hope, and preparedness, revealing the important lessons he learned through his life, in his military service, and in his work as an airline pilot. It reminds us all that, even in these days of conflict, tragedy and uncertainty, there are values still worth fighting for—that life's challenges can be met if we're ready for them.

Format Paperback 368 pages | Publication date Aug 2016 | Publisher William Morrow & Company | Language English | ISBN13 9780062564320

Qu’est-ce qui est plus grand ? – translated as ‘What is bigger?’ is Heartwrite's first book, authored by Huwaida Ishaaq in French and illustrated by Christina Nance Yong. 

As her grandfather drives to Tasek Merimbun, little Nina can see the vast green scenery of her home country. 

The tall trees, the long green grass, and even a hornbill or two. The little girl looks on with wonder at how diverse and beautiful her surroundings are.

“What is bigger?” Nina asks her grandfather as the sight of towering forest canopy greets them as they arrive.

She's curious to learn what's bigger than her and what is even bigger than that. It's a very serious question for this little girl and at the end of the day she discovers a remarkable answer! 9789991796505

Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: She must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming.

Format Paperback 416 pages | Publication  Mar 2015 | Publisher Crown Publishing Group (NY) | Language English Edition | ISBN13 9780804138321

Dark secrets and forbidden love threaten the very survival of the Shadowhunters in Cassandra Clare’s Queen of Air and Darkness, the final novel in the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling The Dark Artifices trilogy.

What if damnation is the price of true love?

Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks.

Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love.

Format Paperback 912 pages | Publication Dec 2018 | Publisher SIMON & SCHUSTER | Language English | ISBN13 9781534431324

Older, wiser, and more deadly than ever, master assassin Ezio Auditore embarks on an epic journey to find the lost library of Altair—a library that may hold the key to defeating the templars. However, a shocking discovery awaits him....

The library holds not only hidden knowledge but also the most unsettling secret the world has ever known, a secret the Templars hope to use to control humankind's destiny. Five keys are needed to access the library—to find them, Ezio must travel to the troubled city of Constantinople, where a growing army of Templars threatens to destabilize the Ottoman Empire.

Walking in the footsteps of his predecessor, Altair, Ezio must defeat the Templars for the final time. The stakes have never been higher, and what started as a pilgrimage has become a race against time....

Format Paperback 528 pages | Publication  Nov 2011 | Publisher Penguin Books | Language English | ISBN13 9781405943000

Insidious is the twentieth thriller in #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter's FBI series. FBI agents Savich and Sherlock must discover who is trying to murder Venus Rasmussen, a powerful, wealthy society icon. They soon find out that the danger may be closer than expected.

Venus Rasmussen, a powerful woman who runs the international conglomerate Rasmussen Industries, believes someone is poisoning her. After Savich and Sherlock visit with her, someone attempts to shoot her in broad daylight. Who’s trying to kill her and why? A member of her rapacious family, or her grandson who’s been missing for ten years and suddenly reappears? Savich and Sherlock must peel away the layers to uncover the incredible truth about who would target Venus.

Meanwhile, Special Agent Cam Wittier leaves Washington for Los Angeles to work with local Detective Daniel Montoya to lead the hunt for the Starlet Slasher, a serial killer who has cut the throats of five young actresses. When a sixth young actress is murdered, Cam comes to realize the truth might be closer than she’d ever want to believe.

With breakneck speed and unexpected twists and turns, Coulter’s Insidious will leave you breathless until the shocking conclusion.

Award Winning author Alexis Daria brings readers an unforgettable, hilarious rom-com set in the drama-filled world of telenovelas—perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin and The Kiss Quotient.

Leading Ladies do not end up on tabloid covers. 

After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez finds her face splashed across the tabloids. When she returns to her hometown of New York City to film the starring role in a bilingual romantic comedy for the number one streaming service in the country, Jasmine figures her new “Leading Lady Plan” should be easy enough to follow—until a casting shake-up pairs her with telenovela hunk Ashton Suárez. 

Leading Ladies don’t need a man to be happy. 

After his last telenovela character was killed off, Ashton is worried his career is dead as well. Joining this new cast as a last-minute addition will give him the chance to show off his acting chops to American audiences and ping the radar of Hollywood casting agents. To make it work, he’ll need to generate smoking-hot on-screen chemistry with Jasmine. Easier said than done, especially when a disastrous first impression smothers the embers of whatever sexual heat they might have had. 

Format Paperback 384 pages | Publication  Sep 2020 | Publisher HarperCollins Publishers | Language English | ISBN13 9780062959928

The landmark publishing event of 2015 -- a full-colour illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with breathtaking illustrations by Jim Kay, winner of the Kate Greenaway medal.

For the first time, J.K. Rowling's beloved Harry Potter books will be presented in lavishly illustrated full-color editions. Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay's dazzling depiction of the wizarding world and much loved characters in this full-colour illustrated hardback edition of the nation's favourite children's book -- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Jim Kay has created over 100 stunning illustrations, making this deluxe format a perfect gift as much for a child being introduced to the series, as for the dedicated fan. Brimming with rich detail and humour that perfectly complements J.K. Rowling's timeless classic, Jim Kay's glorious illustrations will captivate fans and new readers alike.

When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he's the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord's curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three-headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers, which could be valuable, dangerous -- or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Format Hardback 256 pages | Publication Oct 2015 | Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing | Language English | ISBN13 9781408845646

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now. The Nine had to separate and go into hiding.

The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

From a debut author of rare, haunting power, a stunning novel about a young African-American woman coming of age—a deeply felt meditation on race, sex, family, and country.

Raised in Pennsylvania, Zinzi Clemmons’s heroine Thandi views the world of her mother’s childhood in Johannesburg as both impossibly distant and ever present. She is an outsider wherever she goes, caught between being black and white, American and not. She tries to connect these dislocated pieces of her life, and as her mother succumbs to cancer, Thandi searches for an anchor - someone, or something, to love.

In arresting and unsettling prose, we watch Thandi’s life unfold, from losing her mother and learning to live without the person who has most profoundly shaped her existence, to her own encounters with romance and unexpected motherhood. Through exquisite and emotional vignettes, Clemmons creates a stunning portrayal of what it means to choose to live, after loss. An elegiac distillation, at once intellectual and visceral, of a young woman’s understanding of absence and identity that spans continents and decades, What We Lose heralds the arrival of a virtuosic new voice in fiction.

Format Paperback 224 pages | Publication  Feb 2018 | Publisher HarperCollins | Language English | ISBN13 9780008245979

Discover the Bold Wit of Borneo Bull’s Eye Cartoon’s Collection 2000 – A Must-Have for Every Brunei Culture Enthusiast! Dive into the sharp, witty world of Borneo Bulletin Bull’s Eye, a legendary collection of editorial cartoons that have entertained and enlightened Bruneians since 2000. This unique book serves up local issues with a generous dash of humor and insight, challenging minds and encouraging us to laugh at ourselves — a true mark of societal maturity.

Why You’ll Love This Collection:

• Iconic Local Commentary: Explore decades-old cartoons that spotlight Brunei’s social and political landscape with clever satire.

• Cultural Flavor: Just like sambal belacan, the cartoons come in varying degrees of “hotness” — from mild chuckles to fiery truths!

• Thought-Provoking & Entertaining: Perfect for readers who appreciate humor that opens minds and broadens perspectives.

• Collector’s Treasure: Published by Brunei Press and authored by Rhyme, this 224-page hardcover is a rare gem for fans of Bruneian culture and history.

• Perfect Gift: Ideal for locals, expatriates, students, and anyone curious about Brunei’s unique social commentary.

Book Details:

• Title: Borneo Bull’s Eye Cartoon’s Collection 2000

• Author: Rhyme

• Publisher: Brunei Press

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9991732063

• Pages: 224

• Country of Origin: Brunei

Editorial cartoons can be compared with Sambal Belacan, people either love it or hate it completely! And, if they like it, they like it in varying degrees of hotness! Borneo Bulletin Bull's Eye is a serving of local issues to open the mind. It is tossed with wit and humour to broaden the borders of our knowledge. Learning to laugh at ourselves is a sign of maturity in society. Since their publication in the premier newspaper, Borneo Bulletin, Borneo Bulletin Bull's Eye has raised awareness of society to the point here it has become a much anticipated feature.

In The Mystery Guest, Nita Prose not only delivers an engaging whodunit but also invites us to reflect on how our experiences shape who we are. So, as you dive into this book, remember: sometimes, the greatest mysteries lie within ourselves.

At the heart of this gripping narrative is Molly Gray, the head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. As an esteemed employee with a flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, Molly's world is turned upside down when renowned author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead during a high-profile event. The chaos that ensues reveals a tangled web of suspects, including his secretary and even a new maid-in-training.

ISBN: 9780008435813

Published: 4th September 2024

Format: Paperback

Language: English

Number of Pages: 336

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Jules Verne's most famous adventure, now in a beautiful clothbound edition

One night in the reform club, Phileas Fogg bets his companions that he can travel across the globe in just eighty days. Breaking the well-established routine of his daily life, he immediately sets off for Dover with his astonished valet Passepartout. Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is at hand - whether train or elephant - overcoming set-backs and always racing against the clock.

Format Paperback 288 pages | Publication Nov 2020 | Publisher Penguin Books | Language English | ISBN13 9789670062402

*New special film edition - includes photos of the film, an introduction from director Kenneth Branagh and a note from Eoin Colfer himself*

Join the world of Artemis Fowl, the number one bestseller by Eoin Colfer. Rumour has it Artemis Fowl is responsible for every major crime of the new century. Just twelve years old and already he's a criminal genius, plotting to restore his family's fortune with a spot of corruption and kidnapping. Kidnapping a fairy for ransom, to be precise. Artemis Fowl has discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous - and extremely high-tech - fairies. But he may have underestimated their powers. They will fight back. Is the boy about to trigger a cross-species war? Let the misadventure begin. 'Fast-paced, tongue in cheek . . . laugh-out-loud' - Sunday Times 'A huge hit' - The Guardian 'Artemis is a brilliant creation' - Anthony Horowitz ***Winner of the WHSmith Children's Book of the Year Award and Children's Book of the Year at the Children's Book Awards. Shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Award.***

Paperback 320 pages | Publication  May 2020 | Publisher Penguin Random House | Language English | ISBN13 9780241387177