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  The Philadelphia State Hospital...

  John Paul Webster

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  This account of the infamous asylum is “an excellent record of greed and corruption, but it is also a powerful testimonial to compassion and kindness” (Hidden City). 
   
  The Quaker City and its hospitals were pioneers in the field of mental health. Yet by the end of the nineteenth century, its institutions were crowded and patients lived in shocking conditions. The mentally ill were quartered with the dangerously criminal. By 1906, the city had purchased a vast acreage of farmland incorporated into the city, and the Philadelphia Hospital dubbed its new venture Byberry City Farms. From the start, its history was riddled with corruption and committees, investigations and inquests, appropriations and abuse. Yet it is also a story of reform and redemption, of heroes and human dignity—many dedicated staff members did their best to help patients whose mental illnesses were little understood and were stigmatized by society. 
   
  “The closed hospital’s almost forgotten story intrigued him immediately and then became his passion . . . Webster tells the hospital’s 100-year story in a brisk, easy-to-read style, and the book is illustrated with 75 photographs from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Temple University Urban Archives, the Pennsylvania State Archives, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, PhillyHistory.org and friends.” —Northeast Times 
   
   
   
  “Webster . . . wrote his book because of his fascination with an abandoned building he discovered in 2002. He wanted to tell the story of Byberry, one he believes many people do not fully understand.” —Philadelphia Neighborhoods

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  Celebrity Shopper - A feel-good...

  Carmen Reid

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  She’s hit the big time…hasn’t she? 
  Personal shopper, Annie Valentine, is presenting her own popular TV fashion series. But despite this being Annie’s dream job, success isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and suddenly Annie is feeling the pressure! Especially as boyfriend Ed is left at home looking after their brand-new twin babies, whilst Annie comes to terms with fame. And as Annie gets more and more sucked into the celebrity showbiz world, she feels like she’s losing more and more of who she really is. Could the big break she’s always wanted, actually be a big mistake?Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon will love this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Carmen Reid.What readers are saying!"If you love shopping as much as you love a great read, try this. Wonderful." Bestselling author, Katie Fforde"Annie Valentine is a wonderful character - I want her to burst into my life and sort out my wardrobe for me!" Bestselling author, Jill Mansell"You will enjoy getting to know Annie Valentine; laughing with her and crying with her. You may even fall in love with her . . . I have! A fantastic read!"⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader review"Fantastic read, couldn't put it down" ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader review"Can't wait to read the next one!"⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader review

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  The World Made New

  Marc Aronson

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  Imagine your shock at waking up one morning to a fleet of enormous, otherworldly craft looming over you. And when bizarre aliens begin to emerge-speaking strange gibberish-your heart races even faster. Similar fears may have gripped New World inhabitants when diverse civilizations-separated by a vast ocean-first met. American natives once knew nothing of towering ships, galloping horses, thundering guns, or smallpox. From 1492 onward, however, waves of adventurers would give them a cruel introduction. And yet, ultimately, New World dwellers-together with their Old World counterparts-would become transformed by these global connections. Historian and author Marc Aronson-a Library Journal Best Book honoree and a Robert F. Sibert Award winner for excellence in nonfiction-teams up with John W. Glenn to give kids and their parents a fresh perspective on New World exploration.

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  Hawai'i One Summer

  Maxine Hong Kingston

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  Essays on the island and its history and traditions from the National Book Award–winning author of The Woman Warrior.   In these eleven thought-provoking pieces, acclaimed writer and feminist Maxine Hong Kingston tells stories of Hawai’i filled with both personal experience and wider perspective.   From a recipient of the National Medal of Arts and numerous other honors, the essays in this collection provide readers with a generous sampling of Kingston’s exquisite angle of vision, her balanced and clear-sighted prose, and her stunning insight that awakens one to a wealth of knowledge.

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  Scottish Island Bagging - The...

  Helen Webster, Paul Webster

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  Scottish Island Bagging by Helen and Paul Webster, founders of Walkhighlands, is a guide to the magical islands of Scotland.
  Focusing on the ninety-nine islands that have regular trips or means of access for visitors, plus fifty-five other islands which have no regular transport but are still of significant size or interest, the authors have described the best ways to experience each one. Of the islands featured, many are household names – Skye, Lewis, Bute – while some, such as the isolated St Kilda archipelago and the remote Sula Sgeir, will be unknown to all but a hardcore few.
  When it comes to things to see and do, the islands of Scotland have it all. Wildlife enthusiasts can watch out for otters, orcas and basking sharks, while birdwatchers in particular are spoilt: look out for the rare corncrake on Islay, sea eagles on Mull, or sight puffins, gannets, storm petrels and many other seabirds on any number of islands – although beware the divebombing bonxies.
  Foodies can sample Arran or Westray cheese, the many islands' world-renowned seafood or learn about the whisky making process and sample a wee dram on a distillery tour.
  
  While the human history may not stretch back in time as far as the geology of these ancient lands, it is rich and varied: visit the 5,000-year-old Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney, or Mackinnon's Cave on Mull, following in the footsteps of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. You can even stay in the house on Jura where George Orwell wrote
  Nineteen Eighty-Four.
  
  
  Hillwalkers can bag a Munro, walk the wild clifftops or take in the sights, or you could just escape from it all on one of the dozens of beautiful and deserted beaches – before joining the locals for a ceilidh into the wee hours.
  
  
  Well served by ferries and other transport links, getting around is easy. You could even take the world's shortest scheduled flight. In Scottish Island Bagging, let Helen and Paul Webster be your guides to these enchanting isles.

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  Live a Little

  Madeleine Reiss

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  Two sisters. Two different lives. One hell of a ride . . .Lottie has always followed the rules, her life is comfortable and she is - finally, finally - marrying her long-term, reliable, boyfriend Dean. Tina is carefree, wild and, maybe, just a little bit careless. She doesn't understand Lottie's obsession with settling down with 'dull Dean', there's so much to explore in the world. The two sisters have drifted apart, living in different countries until the death of their older sister, Mia. Mia was the glue that held them together, made them a family and without her Lottie and Tina realise how little they know each other.Desperate to remedy this, Tina convinces Lottie to cancel her hen do, fly halfway around the world and set out on a road trip across the US, just the two of them. But Tina has one more thing up her sleeve to shake up Lottie's life - she must say yes to everything Tina suggests, no matter what.Praise for Madeleine Reiss's previous work:'Gorgeous and Emotional' Fern Britton'I found it deeply moving and couldn't stop reading' Susan Lewis'An emotional, romantic and gentle read about love and family; I'm glad I got the chance to be introduced to author Madeleine Reiss' A Spoonful of Happy Endings

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