Other books that might interest you

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  Russia - What Everyone Needs to...

  Timothy J. Colton

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  Today's Russia, also known as the Russian Federation, is often viewed as less powerful than the Soviet Union of the past. When stacked against other major nations in the present, however, the new Russia is a formidable if flawed player. 
   
   
   
  Russia: What Everyone Needs to Know provides fundamental information about the origins, evolution, and current affairs of the Russian state and society. The story begins with Russia's geographic endowment, proceeds through its experiences as a kingdom and empire, and continues through the USSR's three-quarters of a century, and finally the shocking breakup of that regime a generation ago. Chapters on the failed attempt to reform Communism under Mikhail Gorbachev, the halting steps toward democratization under Boris Yeltsin, and the entrenchment of central controls under Vladimir Putin bring the listener into the contemporary scene and to headline-grabbing events such as Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and its military intervention in Syria. Drawing on trends within Russia and on ratings and rankings compiled by international organizations, Colton discusses the challenges facing the country—ranging from economic recession to demographic stress, political stagnation, and overextension in foreign policy—and to the realistic options for coping with them.

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  Asphyxia - The Story of a Life...

  Thomas Tomazo Pagonis

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  This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice.   
  Asphyxia is a hauntingly lyrical novel that unfolds like a cinematic screenplay in parenthetical time and conditional mood. Told through the voice of Nefeli—a young woman observing her life on a mental screen—this work blurs the boundaries between memory, myth, narration, and madness. Set in a literary universe where authors are tyrants, muses are merciless, and reality is often just a rumour, the story follows Nefeli’s metaphysical descent into guilt, obsession, and poetic hallucination. 
  Through the echo of voices—narrators, poets, and ghosts—the book explores the invisible lives of the mentally fragile, those who vanish quietly between diagnoses and metaphors. With a cast of characters both archetypal and painfully human, Asphyxia is not a love story, nor a murder mystery, though it flirts with both. It is a philosophical narrative about stories themselves: who writes them, who performs them, and who suffers them. 
  Written by Tomazo Pagonis and originally crafted in Greek, this audiobook has been translated into rich British English by Marilu Pagoni. It is recommended for lovers of experimental fiction, metafictional narrative, and those who sense their own lives unfolding in parentheses.

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  7 Life Habits for Thriving in a...

  Maria Angeles

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  Are You Thriving or Just Surviving in the Digital Jungle? 
  Let’s be real—your phone gets more attention than your houseplants; between endless notifications, doom-scrolling at 2 a.m., and emails that multiply like rabbits, it’s no wonder modern life feels like a never-ending treadmill. But what if you could step off the chaos carousel and take back control? This book is your witty, no-nonsense survival guide for the digital age—where resilience is your superpower and balance is the name of the game. Forget complicated self-help jargon; here, you’ll get eight refreshingly simple, science-backed habits designed to help you stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in charge.Inside, you’ll learn how to: Break free from digital overload – Spot sneaky tech traps that drain your energy and reclaim your time.Master the art of adaptability – Embrace change like a pro without spiraling into existential dread.Strengthen real relationships – Because “likes” aren’t hugs, and emojis won’t replace meaningful connections.Manage stress without losing your mind – Practical, easy-to-apply techniques to keep your cool in an “always-on” world.Make self-care a non-negotiable – No, you don’t need a luxury spa retreat. Simple, powerful routines will do the trick. 
  If the digital world is running your life, it’s time to flip the script.  
  With relatable advice, fun exercises, and a dose of humor, you’ll learn how to set boundaries, focus on what actually matters, and build resilience so strong that even the next social media trend can’t shake you. 
  Grab this book now, take a deep breath, and start thriving—without unplugging completely!

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  The Rebel Romanov - Julie of...

  Helen Rappaport

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  In 1795, Catherine the Great of Russia was in search of a bride for her grandson Constantine, who stood third in line to her throne. In an eerie echo of her own story, Catherine selected an innocent young German princess, Julie of Saxe-Coburg, aunt of the future Queen Victoria. Though Julie had everything a young bride could wish for, she was alone in a court dominated by an aging empress and riven with rivalries, plotting, and gossip—not to mention her brute of a husband. She longed to leave Russia and her disastrous marriage, but her family in Germany refused to allow her to do so. 
   
   
   
  Finally, Tsar Alexander granted her permission to leave in 1801, even though her husband was now heir to the throne. Rootless in Europe, Julie gave birth to two—possibly three—illegitimate children, all of whom she was forced to give up for adoption. Despite entreaties from Constantine to return and provide an heir, she refused, eventually finding love with her own married physician. 
   
   
   
  At a time when many royal brides meekly submitted to disastrous marriages, Julie proved to be a woman ahead of her time, sacrificing her reputation and a life of luxury in exchange for the freedom to live as she wished. The Rebel Romanov is the inspiring tale of a bold woman who, until now, has been ignored by history.

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  No Son of Mine - A Memoir

  Jonathan Corcoran

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  Jonathan Corcoran was the youngest and only son of three siblings in a family balanced on the precipice of poverty. His mother, a traditional, evangelical, and insular woman who had survived abuse and abandonment, was often his only ally. Together they navigated a strained homelife dominated by his distant, gambling-addicted father and shared a seemingly unbreakable bond. 
   
   
   
  When Corcoran left home to attend Brown University, a chasm between his upbringing and his reality began to open. As his horizons and experiences expanded, he met the upper-middle-class Jewish man who would become his husband. But this authentic life would not be easy, and Corcoran was forever changed when his mother disowned him after discovering his truth. In the ensuing fifteen years, the two would come together only to violently spring apart. As the COVID-19 pandemic raged in 2020, the cycle finally ended when he received the news that his mother had died. 
   
   
   
  In No Son of Mine, Corcoran traces his messy estrangement from his mother through lost geographies as well as the lost relationships with friends and family and the sense of home that were stripped away when she said he was no longer her son. Through grief, anger, questioning, and growth, Corcoran explores the entwined yet separate histories and identities of his mother and himself.

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  Mirage of Victory

  Martin Hicks

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  It is May of 1863 and the Civil War in North America has entered its third year. Facing a range of enemy threats, southern commander General Robert E. Lee proposes an invasion of the northern states to supply his army, relieve pressure on other imperilled fronts and to seek decisive victory on enemy territory that could end the war. Irish immigrant Daniel Ryan serves with his comrades of a Georgian regiment as the campaign unfolds, with Lee's army manoeuvring northwards through Virginia and across the Potomac River into Maryland and Pennsylvania, moving towards a fateful encounter with the Union army around the market town of Gettysburg.Martin Hicks lives in Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He began writing after a career in education and "Mirage of Victory" is his sixth book, based on the experiences of Daniel Ryan in the American Civil War of 1861-65.Other novels by the same author:A Gathering of SoldiersHard Passage NorthThe Rappahannock LineA Season for KillingA Deepening Twilight

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