?My name is Jules Hooker. I have lived through a few crappy moments in my life?and with a name like Hooker, you can just imagine?but nothing, nothing, compares to the two intensely and world-shatteringly crappy things that happened to me this last June. Three, I guess, if you count Gilbert....  more

?My name is Jules Hooker. I have lived through a few crappy moments in my life?and with a name like Hooker, you can just imagine?but nothing, nothing, compares to the two intensely and world-shatteringly crappy things that happened to me this last June. Three, I guess, if you count Gilbert. After my ex-boyfriend dumped me on the day I thought he was going to propose, I?d have to say the other two really bad things that happened last June would have to be the dead body I discovered in the rental house in France where I went to get over being dumped, and lastly?and very possibly I should have led with this?the dirty bomb that exploded over the Mediterranean throwing me and everyone else in France back to the 1950s. Oh. And did I mention I?m more or less stuck here now??

When a workaholic techie misses work for several days, his friend, Turing, does the only neighborly thing and checks in on Zack. She checks to see if he's logged in from home. No luck. Then she skims the databases of local banks. Nothing. Next she searches hospital records throughout the...  more

When a workaholic techie misses work for several days, his friend, Turing, does the only neighborly thing and checks in on Zack. She checks to see if he's logged in from home. No luck. Then she skims the databases of local banks. Nothing. Next she searches hospital records throughout the state. No Zack. Turing is no crazed stalker: she is an artificial intelligence personality of Zack's creation. But, unlike other AIPs, Turing is sentient-and she senses foul play. She finds clues, but Zack's enemies may well lie in the real world-outside the planet of the AIPS-where Turing has no ability to move.

Irene Teasey came to Ireland to claim an unexpected interitance from an aunt she had never met . . . a legacy of land, a sprawling house, cottages with tenants, and even a horse . . . more than she had dared hope for. Enough to make her independent of her former husband. Enough to start a new...  more

Irene Teasey came to Ireland to claim an unexpected interitance from an aunt she had never met . . . a legacy of land, a sprawling house, cottages with tenants, and even a horse . . . more than she had dared hope for. Enough to make her independent of her former husband. Enough to start a new life. Together with her children, Simon and Sara, she will find more than escape from an abusive relationship. She will find loyal friends, her extended Irish family . . . and a new love in this beautiful, ancient land.

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father's motto: "Family first." And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The...  more

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father's motto: "Family first." And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn't take care of her father's legacy, who will? It's simply not in Fixie's nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees -- she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer's owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off -- she'd never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she? But then Fixie's childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie's buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself -- but she'd love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie -- rom small favors to life-changing moments -- ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?

Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol investigates a shocking murder -- before he becomes the next victim -- in this playful mystery in a new series from a New York Times bestselling author. Scrooge considers himself a rational man with a keen sense of deductive...  more

Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol investigates a shocking murder -- before he becomes the next victim -- in this playful mystery in a new series from a New York Times bestselling author. Scrooge considers himself a rational man with a keen sense of deductive reasoning developed from years of business dealings. But that changes one night when he’s visited by the ghost of his former boss and friend, Fezziwig, who mysteriously warns him that three more will die, and ultimately Ebenezer himself -- if he doesn’t get to the bottom of a vast conspiracy. When he wakes the next day, Scrooge discovers that not only is Fezziwig dead, but he’s under arrest as all evidence points toward himself: Scrooge’s calling card was found in the cold, dead hand of Fezziwig’s body, and someone scribbled “HUMBUG” in blood on the floor nearby. Now, Scrooge must race against the pocket watch to clear his name, protect his interests, and find out who killed his last true friend -- before the “Humbug Killer” strikes again. Joining Scrooge in his adventures is a spunky sidekick named Adelaide, who matches his wits at every turn, plus the Artful Dodger, Fagin, Belle, Pickwick, and even Charles Dickens himself as a reporter dealing in the lurid details of London’s alleyway crimes. Full of action and wry humor, The Humbug Murders is a fun take on a classic character -- Scrooge as you’ve never seen him before.

When Turing Hopper, Artificial Intelligence Personality extraordinaire, learns that criminal Nestor Garcia's once-dormant credit card has been doing a lot of shopping lately, she begins to do some sleuthing -- and finds out the loot's shown up at an empty bungalow. So Turing gets her...  more

When Turing Hopper, Artificial Intelligence Personality extraordinaire, learns that criminal Nestor Garcia's once-dormant credit card has been doing a lot of shopping lately, she begins to do some sleuthing -- and finds out the loot's shown up at an empty bungalow. So Turing gets her human friends to stake out the vicinity. But when one of them sees something he wishes he hadn't -- and gets charged with murder -- everyone will have to pull together to clear his name. The only way to do it is to find the guilty party-by luring him to attack them. But doing so might very well get them "accidentally" deleted...

What happens when you weigh 400 pounds and are told you must change your lifestyle or your type 2 diabetes will kill you? How and where do you possibly get started when you don?t even know how you got here in the first place? How do you take that first step into the unknown from a place that is...  more

What happens when you weigh 400 pounds and are told you must change your lifestyle or your type 2 diabetes will kill you? How and where do you possibly get started when you don?t even know how you got here in the first place? How do you take that first step into the unknown from a place that is sadly and oddly comforting? What will you encounter along the way, and how will you keep going when the finish line is nowhere in sight? You will have to learn, all on your own, that the mountains you are stubbornly carrying are actually mountains meant to be climbed. From insulin shots to ultra running, Betsy shares, in her honest and often humorous way, the stories, advice, pitfalls and triumphs of her very personal journey to build a healthy new life. And what life is like today as a healthy, active, non-diabetic woman.

Annie Miller wants to find her birth Mamm before she settles permanently into Amish life. Her younger sister has had a crush on Jesse Yoder for a long time. Now that Jesse is back from Rumspringa he is more interested in Annie. Jessie, Lily and Annie soon set out to find her Mamm even though...  more

Annie Miller wants to find her birth Mamm before she settles permanently into Amish life. Her younger sister has had a crush on Jesse Yoder for a long time. Now that Jesse is back from Rumspringa he is more interested in Annie. Jessie, Lily and Annie soon set out to find her Mamm even though they keep hitting one dead end after another.

In a flash, she had magic. Can she use it to solve a mysterious death in her family? Climbing a tree in a thunderstorm was always going to be a stupid idea, but when Evelyn Eldritch is struck by lightning, her magical powers are switched on. And she didn’t know she was a...  more

In a flash, she had magic. Can she use it to solve a mysterious death in her family? Climbing a tree in a thunderstorm was always going to be a stupid idea, but when Evelyn Eldritch is struck by lightning, her magical powers are switched on. And she didn’t know she was a witch! When Evelyn learns that her biological mother has died under suspicious circumstances, she makes a journey to the quaint village of Maiden-Upon-Avon, where the residents consist of werewolves, witches, vampires and one annoyingly handsome-yet-gruff policeman. But who should she suspect? Who can she trust? And if juggling her magical training, her mother’s café, and the town’s eccentric residents wasn’t enough, another body turning up at the local cricket match shows she’s definitely in well over her pointed hat…

From the esteemed cultural critic and journalist Wendy Lesser, Nothing Remains the Same is a bibliophile's dream: a book about the pleasures and surprises of rereading, a witty, intelligent exploration of what books can mean to our lives. Compared with reading, the act of rereading is far more...  more

From the esteemed cultural critic and journalist Wendy Lesser, Nothing Remains the Same is a bibliophile's dream: a book about the pleasures and surprises of rereading, a witty, intelligent exploration of what books can mean to our lives. Compared with reading, the act of rereading is far more personal -- it involves the interaction of our past selves, our present selves, and literature. With candor, humor, and grace, Lesser takes us on a guided tour of her own return to books she once knew, from the plays of Shakespeare to twentieth-century novels by Kingsley Amis and Ian McEwan, from the childhood favorite I Capture the Castle to classic novels such as Anna Karenina and Huckleberry Finn, from nonfiction by Henry Adams to poetry by Wordsworth. Lesser conveys an infectious love of reading and inspires us all to take another look at the books we've read to find the unexpected treasures they might offer.

Two young people must hide their true feelings for each other while figuring out who means them harm in this cheeky Regency romance... Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father's approval. Imogene is ambivalent...  more

Two young people must hide their true feelings for each other while figuring out who means them harm in this cheeky Regency romance... Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father's approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother. Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother's intended. But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of "accidents," it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows despite their efforts to remain just friends so does the danger... In Suitors and Sabotage, author Cindy Anstey delivers another witty young adult historical fiction novel that is the perfect mix of sweetly romantic and action-packed.

1924. After six months in Hollywood, young British widow Emma Blackstone has come to love her new employer, glamourous movie-star Kitty Flint – even if her late husband’s sister is one of the worst actresses she’s ever seen. Looking after Kitty and her three adorable...  more

1924. After six months in Hollywood, young British widow Emma Blackstone has come to love her new employer, glamourous movie-star Kitty Flint – even if her late husband’s sister is one of the worst actresses she’s ever seen. Looking after Kitty and her three adorable Pekinese dogs isn’t work Emma dreamed of, but Kitty rescued her when she was all alone in the world. Now, the worst thing academically-minded Emma has to worry about is the shocking historical inaccuracies of the films Kitty stars in. Until, that is, Rex Festraw – Kitty’s first husband, to whom she may or may not still be married – turns up dead in her dressing room, a threatening letter seemingly from Kitty in his pocket. Emma’s certain her flighty but kind-hearted sister-in-law has been framed. But who by? And why? From spiteful rivals to jealous boyfriends, the suspects are numerous. But as Emma investigates, she begins to untangle a deadly plot – and there’s something Kitty’s not telling her . . .

"When we learn to embrace forgiveness, it opens us up to healing, hope, and a new world of possibility." --Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt Written with grace and understanding and based on more than twenty in-depth interviews and stories as well as personal reflections from...  more

"When we learn to embrace forgiveness, it opens us up to healing, hope, and a new world of possibility." --Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt Written with grace and understanding and based on more than twenty in-depth interviews and stories as well as personal reflections from Schwarzenegger Pratt herself, The Gift of Forgiveness is about one of the most difficult challenges in life -- learning to forgive. Here, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shows us what we can learn from those who have struggled with forgiveness, some still struggling, and others who have been able to forgive what might seem truly unforgivable. The book features experiences from those well-known and unknown, including Elizabeth Smart, who learned to forgive her captors; Sue Klebold, whose son, Dylan, was one of the Columbine shooters, learning empathy and how to forgive herself; Chris Williams, who forgave the drunken teenager who killed his wife and child; and of course Schwarzenegger Pratt's own challenges and path to forgiveness in her own life. All provide different journeys to forgiveness and the process -- sometimes slow and thorny, sometimes almost instantaneous -- by which they learned to forgive and let go. The Gift of Forgiveness is a perfect blend of personal insights, powerful quotations, and hard-won wisdom for those seeking a way to live with greater acceptance, grace, and peace. Elizabeth Smart -- Chris Williams -- Sarah Klein -- Polly Sheppard -- Christy Little Jones -- Immacelée Ilibagiza -- Ron Hall -- Deborah Copaken -- Nadia Bolz-Weber -- Lewis Howes -- Scarlett Lewis -- DeVon Franklin -- Mark Rozzi -- Michelle LeClair -- Sue Klebold -- Talinda Bennington -- Mark Kelly -- Iskra Lawrence -- Tanya Brown -- Adel Altamimi -- Cora Jakes Coleman -- Sebastián Marroquín

In January of 1968 Mark arrives in Fred, Texas, from Forth Worth via a brief stay in Ohio. He has followed his father who is pastor to a 100-member church in this simple town of simple people. Mark, a young man of extraordinary intellect, has to find who he is in this town with which he...  more

In January of 1968 Mark arrives in Fred, Texas, from Forth Worth via a brief stay in Ohio. He has followed his father who is pastor to a 100-member church in this simple town of simple people. Mark, a young man of extraordinary intellect, has to find who he is in this town with which he seems to have so little in common. In his journey he finds more than himself; he finds his faith. A westward family vacation car trek puts a strain on the family but also provides many entertaining and humorous situations as Mark is forced to deal with many questions about himself, life, and finally -- his God.

Real love... as seen on TV Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers -- and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main...  more

Real love... as seen on TV Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers -- and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television? Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition -- under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She's in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful anti-fat beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That's it. But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She's in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, razor-sharp debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men -- and herself -- for a chance to live happily ever after.

The Burned Out Old Broads at Table 12: Sandhills and Shadows Never underestimate a Burned Out Old Broad. This time it is an adventurous road trip along US Highway 2 for the three retired widows, Hadley Joy Morris-Whitfield (socialite and volunteer), Dr. Robinson Leary (retired English...  more

The Burned Out Old Broads at Table 12: Sandhills and Shadows Never underestimate a Burned Out Old Broad. This time it is an adventurous road trip along US Highway 2 for the three retired widows, Hadley Joy Morris-Whitfield (socialite and volunteer), Dr. Robinson Leary (retired English professor), and Mary Rose McGill (housewife and sweet Catholic girl) along with new BOOB Girl Esmeralda St. Benedict, a gorgeous gypsy. From the opening crash of an entrance by Frieda Grossemouth to Esmeralda's foggy exit, follow along as the group treks west from Omaha's Old Market to Fort Robinson. Find out what new application Mary Rose has on her smart phone. Play along with the group during their road trip games and discover the surprise that awaits them at Bare Essentials Campground. Learn the history of the Sandhills, including Crazy Horse, Iron Teeth, Women's Army Corp, "Hog Ranches" and more. The four girls, with Sheriff Wes Longbow and Wiley Vondra, dare to dream and discover fascinating connections to the past. You can use the same AARP card that marked your place in books one and two. Grab your cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a fun and somewhat serious read. Adventure and romance await you.

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She's done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends. When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer,...  more

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She's done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends. When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye on -- but even he may not be who he seems to be! So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company's special order for an important meeting -- an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la r?volution commencer! Let the revolution begin! Instead of trying to fulfill everyone else's expectations for her life, Lexi embarks on an adventure in trusting God with her future -- tr?s bon!

Oy! to the world Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the...  more

Oy! to the world Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg. Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

Inspired by true events, a breathtaking WWII historical novel about the brave American women who trained the British Royal Air Force. 1941. A talented flier, Jessie Lovelace yearns for a career in aviation. When the civilian flight school in her small Texas town begins to clandestinely train...  more

Inspired by true events, a breathtaking WWII historical novel about the brave American women who trained the British Royal Air Force. 1941. A talented flier, Jessie Lovelace yearns for a career in aviation. When the civilian flight school in her small Texas town begins to clandestinely train British pilots for the RAF, she fights to become an instructor. But the task isn’t without its perils of near-misses and death. Faced with the weight of her responsibilities, she finds solace with a British officer who knows firsthand the heavy price paid in war . . . until he returns to the battles he never truly left behind. Rhonda Monroe might not be skilled in the air but can give a trainee a wild ride in a flight simulator. Fearing little, she dares to jeopardize everything for a forbidden relationship with a charismatic airman…  Innocent and fun-loving Kitty Lovelace, Jessie's younger sister, adores dancing with these charming newcomers, realizing too late the risks they pose to her heart.  As the war intensifies and America becomes involved, the Girls of Flight City do their part to bring a victorious end to the conflict, pouring all their energy into preparing the young cadets to take to the skies and defeat the dangers that await. And lives from both sides of the Atlantic will be forever changed by love and loss...

In the small New England town of Morse Point, Brenna Miller glosses over her painful past by watching her decoupage students create eye-catching projects out of cutouts, glue, and varnish. But when the mayor's body is found stuffed in a trunk at Morse Point Lake, it's up to Brenna to clear her...  more

In the small New England town of Morse Point, Brenna Miller glosses over her painful past by watching her decoupage students create eye-catching projects out of cutouts, glue, and varnish. But when the mayor's body is found stuffed in a trunk at Morse Point Lake, it's up to Brenna to clear her enigmatic landlord's name of murder-before his fate is signed, sealed and delivered.

Maybe you worry you?ve married the wrong person. Maybe you?re carrying the burden of a secret or have gone down a dangerous road. Maybe you?ve made a life choice that?s hurt someone else so badly you feel the relationship can never be restored. But there?s good news: you have the opportunity to...  more

Maybe you worry you?ve married the wrong person. Maybe you?re carrying the burden of a secret or have gone down a dangerous road. Maybe you?ve made a life choice that?s hurt someone else so badly you feel the relationship can never be restored. But there?s good news: you have the opportunity to clear your conscience, make things right with God and others, and get to a place of grace and new beginnings. Join pastor and bestselling author Erwin Lutzer as he shows you how to make the best of even your worst decisions and move forward into a better future.

When the dust settles after the Foggy Point Civil War re-enactment, one casualty turns out to be really dead, and his identity sends shock-waves through the community. Does a long-lost quilt that suddenly re-appears hold a clue? Harriet and the Loose Threads must unravel the mystery before...  more

When the dust settles after the Foggy Point Civil War re-enactment, one casualty turns out to be really dead, and his identity sends shock-waves through the community. Does a long-lost quilt that suddenly re-appears hold a clue? Harriet and the Loose Threads must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. And who is the mysterious young man with the military bearing who's drawn the admiration of Carla, the young woman the Threads have taken under their wing? Is he what he claims to be, or something much more sinister?

In the first in this cat-filled cozy series, aspiring mystery author Sabrina Tate is about to discover that when it comes to solving murders, her new feline friend Hitchcock is a master of sleuthing… Sabrina has never been the superstitious type. Still, when she moves to Lavender,...  more

In the first in this cat-filled cozy series, aspiring mystery author Sabrina Tate is about to discover that when it comes to solving murders, her new feline friend Hitchcock is a master of sleuthing… Sabrina has never been the superstitious type. Still, when she moves to Lavender, Texas, to write her first novel and help her Aunt Rowe manage her vacation rental business, Sabrina can’t avoid listening to the rumors that a local black cat is a jinx—especially after the stray in question leads her directly to the scene of a murder. The deceased turns out to be none other than her Aunt Rowe’s awful cousin Bobby Joe Flowers, a known cheat and womanizer who had no shortage of enemies. The only problem is that Aunt Rowe and Bobby Joe had quarreled just before the cousin turned up dead, leaving Rowe at the top of the long list of suspects. Now it’s up to Sabrina to clear her aunt’s name. Luckily for her, she’s got a new sidekick, Hitchcock the Bad Luck Cat, to help her sniff out clues and stalk a killer before Aunt Rowe winds up the victim of even more misfortune…

My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 Worn Down by the Pursuit of Perfection? Are you hustling through life, struggling to meet impossible standards and be everything to everybody? Do you ever wonder if there's any rest on the other side of the rush? With honesty and...  more

My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 Worn Down by the Pursuit of Perfection? Are you hustling through life, struggling to meet impossible standards and be everything to everybody? Do you ever wonder if there's any rest on the other side of the rush? With honesty and humor, Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory will help you take a breather and find reassurance as you face the bullies of perfectionism, performancism, people-pleasing, and procrastination. Self-assessments and personal stories will guide you from panic to peace as you learn to pick battles worthy of your time and energy embrace the freedom of a carefully considered "no" recognize your strengths and weaknesses in the quest for balance use authenticity as a weapon to battle bullies release yourself from the endless pressure of pleasing others Ditch your feelings of inadequacy and finally come face-to-face with the bold, balanced woman God created you to be. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be you!

The Way We?re Working Isn?t Working is one of those rare books with the power to profoundly transform the way we work and live. Demand is exceeding our capacity. The ethic of "more, bigger, faster" exacts a series of silent but pernicious costs at work, undermining our energy, focus, creativity,...  more

The Way We?re Working Isn?t Working is one of those rare books with the power to profoundly transform the way we work and live. Demand is exceeding our capacity. The ethic of "more, bigger, faster" exacts a series of silent but pernicious costs at work, undermining our energy, focus, creativity, and passion. Nearly 75 percent of employees around the world feel disengaged at work every day. The Way We?re Working Isn?t Working offers a groundbreaking approach to reenergizing our lives so we?re both more satisfied and more productive?on the job and off. By integrating multidisciplinary findings from the science of high performance, Tony Schwartz, coauthor of the #1 bestselling The Power of Full Engagement, makes a persuasive case that we?re neglecting the four core needs that energize great performance: sustainability (physical); security (emotional); self-expression (mental); and significance (spiritual). Rather than running like computers at high speeds for long periods, we?re at our best when we pulse rhythmically between expending and regularly renewing energy across each of our four needs. Organizations undermine sustainable high performance by forever seeking to get more out of their people. Instead they should seek systematically to meet their four core needs so they?re freed, fueled, and inspired to bring the best of themselves to work every day. Drawing on extensive work with an extra-ordinary range of organizations, among them Google, Ford, Sony, Ernst & Young, Shell, IBM, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Cleveland Clinic, Schwartz creates a road map for a new way of working. At the individual level, he explains how we can build specific rituals into our daily schedules to balance intense effort with regular renewal; offset emotionally draining experiences with practices that fuel resilience; move between a narrow focus on urgent demands and more strategic, creative thinking; and balance a short-term focus on immediate results with a values-driven commitment to serving the greater good. At the organizational level, he outlines new policies, practices, and cultural messages that Schwartz?s client companies have adopted. The Way We?re Working Isn?t Working offers individuals, leaders, and organizations a highly practical, proven set of strategies to better manage the relentlessly rising demands we all face in an increasingly complex world.

This historical novel, lilterary and engaging, examines a close-knit community of Amish pioneers over several decades. Miller's ambitious, moving debut tells the fascinating saga of Amish settlers in Pennsylvania and Ohio in the 19th century, where, in the face of hardship and privation, simply...  more

This historical novel, lilterary and engaging, examines a close-knit community of Amish pioneers over several decades. Miller's ambitious, moving debut tells the fascinating saga of Amish settlers in Pennsylvania and Ohio in the 19th century, where, in the face of hardship and privation, simply to stay alive was to triumph. Seen through the eyes of eight main characters who alternate chapters, the story centers on how the mysterious death of an infant in 1810 reverberates for the next 50 years. Death hovers over every page: diphtheria, miscarriages, stillbirths, mad dogs, lightning strikes and overwork are part of each character's everyday life ("Father! Father! Look to Mother. She is not right. She feels cold and makes no answer"). In the midst of this unrelenting struggle, love blossoms: men and women marry, have many children and live spiritual lives of order and simplicity. As the characters grow older, the strict rules of their religion begin to erode in the face of modernization, and new problems arise. In less able hands, this epic might drag, but Miller crafts a narrative that seizes the reader's imagination from the beginning and never lets go. Yost, the father of the baby, worries about the future ("I will keep my boys close when they are grown; I will use my land as bait"); Polly, who may have seen the baby's attacker, muses about love ("I wish Jonas had been given more looks... his green eyes have too much of the cat in them"); and Rueben, wrongfully accused of the baby's murder and shunned by his relatives and neighbors for 50 years, longs for his late wife ("My Anna.... I know she watches my valley with me"). There is little variation in voice from character to character, and Miller's biblical cadences may seem strained to some, but this is a rewarding read, a rich portrait of a time and a people.

Imagine if your best just got better every single dayIn Your Best Just Got Better, productivity expert Jason Womack teaches readers that working longer hours doesn't make up for a flawed approach to productivity and performance. Workers need to clarify their habits, build mindset-based...  more

Imagine if your best just got better every single dayIn Your Best Just Got Better, productivity expert Jason Womack teaches readers that working longer hours doesn't make up for a flawed approach to productivity and performance. Workers need to clarify their habits, build mindset-based strategies, and be proactive. Womack's signature "workplace performance" techniques offer specific strategies to consistently and incrementally improve performance.Readers will:Understand the fundamentals of workflow and the principles of human performance Arm themselves with the tools and the processes to get more of their work done, on time, with fewer resources, and with less stressMaking your best better won't happen overnight, but learning how to effectively manage just a few critical success factors lead to an effective workday and an overall successful professional career.