This book introduces readers to modern Thai literature through the themes of modernity, nationalism, identity and gender. In the cultural, political and social transformations that occurred in Thailand during the first half of the twentieth century, Thai literature was one of the vehicles that moved the changes. Taking seriously ‘read till it shatters’, a Thai phrase that instructs readers to take apart the text, to break it down, to deconstruct it, Thak Chaloemtiarana challenges the Thai literary canon from the margins and suggests ways of expanding and enriching it. Thai literature is scarce in translation and requires the skills of a scholar fluent in Thai to comprehend it. Thak is a political scientist turned literary scholar who is bilingual in Thai and English and an avid reader of Thai fiction by authors up and down the social scale. Here he offers lively insights into his favourite literary genres with fresh readings of early Thai novels, Sino-Thai biographies and memoirs of the rich and famous. ‘Thak Chaloemtiarana is an inquisitive man. Late in his career he switched from politics to literature. In these chapters, he draws on a lifetime of reading about writers and writing in Thailand over the past century. He nods towards the usual big names—King Vajiravudh, Luang Wichit, Kulap Saipradit, Kukrit Pramoj—but spends more time on those found in the lesser visited stacks of the libraries, the secondhand bookstalls, and the shelf by the supermarket checkout. His themes are familiar—Thailand and the West, Thai nationalism, the Thai-Chinese, and women under patriarchy—but the angles of vision are original. With a cast ranging from motor-racing princes through sexy Egyptian mummies and a feminist serial murderer to starlets touting breast-enhancement techniques, this book educates, enlightens, and entertains.’

What do radicals, religion, race, riots, restaurants and Rufus Thomas all have in common? According to this provocative first novel by veteran music journalist Ira Robbins, they are all defining elements of the 1960s. At times dishearteningly bleak, Kick It Till It Breaks is rich with offbeat characters vividly drawn against a tableau of antiwar violence. Unlike most stories of the time, the author - who nonetheless claims a high regard for its political and cultural achievements - is unsparing in his depiction of dedicated idealists failing to uphold their ideals. The author uses slang, dialect and timely pop culture touchstones to bring the Viet Nam era to life in such disparate locales as Memphis, London, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Fans of Putney Swope, The Young Ones and A Confederacy of Dunces will likely recognize a harmony of tone and perspective with those darkly humorous works.

Based on real experiences of those in the trenches, this book describes a new delivery system of education designed to allow all students to succeed with the help of teachers who are led by their passion to do what is right for students.

Newly minted homicide detective Jackson Cole is thrust into a whirlwind of supernatural terror when three women are found dead, their bodies adorned with mysterious occult symbols. As the media frenzy surrounding the case reaches fever pitch and pressure mounts from city officials, Cole finds himself without leads and facing skepticism from his own department. But when a stranger arrives with a wild theory involving blood magic, Cole's skepticism is put to the test as he grapples with the unimaginable: the existence of demons and dark forces lurking in Charleston. With only his wits, a pistol, and a pair of handcuffs, Cole must confront a supernatural evil that defies the laws of physics and threatens to consume all. Shattered Circle is a pulse-pounding paranormal thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats with its intense action and bone-chilling suspense. Prepare for a riveting ride into the unknown as Cole battles against the forces of darkness to uncover the truth and, if he’s lucky, survive.

I lie in bed fearing the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Footsteps now in the hall. The door opens. The door closes quietly. Then the sound I fear the most, the click of the lock as the signal my nightmare is about to begin again… Adult survivors of abuse and molestation and those with mental illness are often told to remain silent, to discuss their lives in dark corners and in hushed tones. Shatter the Silence seeks to break that cycle as LD Smith candidly and eloquently tells the story of her own journey—and it is not pretty. It is not a fairy tale, and unfortunately it is reality for so many. She invites you to join her and learn what being strong really entails. Know that it is possible to stand proud and speak loudly the story of survival.

Hope Lancaster's world is falling apart-but her career is careening into the fast lane. While she sits at the anchor desk reporting ominous weather her daughter, Jennifer, and husband, Mark, huddle in a closet for protection from a tornado. It gets worse. Earthquakes on the New Madrid fault buckle bridges and drain parts of the Mississippi River. Life grows hectic as the network sends Hope to chase down natural disasters, power blackouts, and suicide bombings. Surely the rapture is near. When her daughter is diagnosed with a virulent strain of leukemia, Hope comes to terms with what the Bible teaches about death. Next assignment: Jerusalem. Meanwhile Hope has been studying Bible teaching on the end times. "Weren't these things supposed to happen after the rapture?" she asks. Slowly she begins to doubt what she was taught. As war breaks out in the Middle East Hope's questions detonate in her father's congregation, provoking a battle between truth and tradition. In this action-packed spiritual thriller you too will discover something new about the second coming of Jesus.

Despite our hurts and disappointments in life, we were created with a purpose. Each scene we lived, regardless of the pain inflicted to our soul; in the end, when all the pieces of the puzzle are put together, we will be able to see the magnificent masterpiece, and then we will be able to understand that there was a reason for every shattered dream. Have you wondered if anyone can relate to your pain? This book will help you to discover the beauty among the thorns; will encourage you to continue the fight you are engaged in, and to never give up, because you are making the difference in the midst of your surroundings. There is no victory without a battle. Some abandon their dreams for different reasons. This book will inspire you to be an overcomer, to be the conqueror you were created and equipped to be; even before you realized that you are in a battlefield. You are not alone. There are others like you, who are warriors, and understand that it doesnt matter the many pieces they have to pick up from the floor, and start all over again; they keep fighting for the prize. It doesnt matter how you feel, or how many barriers you have to run over; you are not alone. Your descendants are your fans and witnesses. One day they will reap the fruit of your efforts. While the breath of life is still in us; there is hope, and the sky is the limit! Every hurt and every disappointment is a stepping-stone to your final destination. You are not alone. Dont give up!

DIVDIVAt a gathering of the nation’s foremost mystery authors, death takes the stage/divDIV Dozens die each year for the sake of the annual Mystery Writers of America banquet. Heiresses are poisoned, captains of industry are stabbed, and private detectives are gunned down in the street. To mystery authors, these fictional murders are nothing but good fun. But at the annual presentation of the MWA’s prestigious Edgar and Raven awards, real-life death is about to intrude./divDIV Ross Craigthorn’s nightly news program has made him one of the most well-respected men in the country, but deep in his past lies a terrible secret—one he shares with only a few others. They have done their best to forget their long-ago crime, but when Craigthorn decides to come clean, his old accomplice knows that the time has come for murder. When a room full of mystery authors witnesses a killing, which of them will have the nerve to play detective?/divDIV/div/div

Happily ever after doesn’t always come easily… Juggling busy careers and family life is hectic. So when Brian’s boss offers a weekend at the company beach house for Brian and Ebony’s fifth anniversary, the couple jumps at the opportunity, inviting their married friends to join them. When the six couples arrive in sunny Miami Beach, they vow to place life troubles on hold and enjoy a child-free weekend. But even paradise can’t wash away problems… The realities of life after saying I do come to light. Unresolved issues from the past surface. The bonds of matrimony shatter. And one couple may never have a chance to make things right. Fans of the Butterfly Memoirs will enjoy seeing where their beloved friends are long after their Happily Ever Afters … and find themselves flipping the pages fast to find out whether their favorite couple comes home together or ends up Shattered.

Life has a way of breaking us into pieces. It can chip away at the soul with each loss, failure, and disappointment. And with every chipped away piece, it can leave us sinking deeper and deeper into a pit of discouragement and despair. Grace in a Shattered Place offers comfort to the weary and discouraged soul as it opens the door to a new perspective on shattered dreams, shattered hopes, and even shattered faith. From the very beginning, Stephanie breaks down the wall of spiritual clichs and comes directly for the readers heart. Through her words, she takes the reader by the hand, looks them in the eyes, and makes a pact to just be real. From the place of real, Stephanie empathizes with the readers brokenness while she gently ushers the reader back to a place of hope by suggesting that grace isnt only found in the getting up, but in the looking up.