Other books that might interest you

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  Beyond the Door

  Philip K. Dick

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  "Beyond the Door" is a short story by Philip K. Dick, first published in the January 1954 issue of *Fantastic Universe*. The narrative centers on Larry Thomas, who purchases a German-made cuckoo clock for his wife, Doris, reminiscent of one her mother owned. Doris becomes enamored with the clock, believing the cuckoo favors her while disliking Larry. Unbeknownst to Larry, Doris is involved with Bob Chambers, an antique enthusiast. One day, Larry unexpectedly discovers Doris and Bob together at their home, leading him to expel them both but retain the clock, asserting his ownership. In the ensuing solitude, Larry becomes fixated on the clock, particularly irritated by the cuckoo's inconsistent appearances. His frustration culminates in a confrontation where, upon threatening the clock with a hammer, the cuckoo emerges, striking him in the eye. This causes Larry to fall and break his neck, resulting in his death. While a doctor rules the death accidental, Bob suspects there might be more to the story. 
  This tale delves into themes of jealousy, infidelity, and the uncanny, illustrating how an ordinary object can become central to human emotions and relationships. Dick's narrative invites readers to ponder the boundaries between the animate and inanimate, as well as the unforeseen consequences of personal actions.

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  The Green light - From their...

  Barry Pain

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  Barry Eric Odell Pain was born at 3 Sydney Street in Cambridge on 28th September 1864. He was one of 4 children. 
  He was educated at Sedbergh School and then Corpus Christi College, Cambridge where he read classics and contributed to and edited Granta. 
  Four years of service as an Army coach followed before he moved to London. In 1889, Cornhill Magazine published his short story ‘The Hundred Gates’.  This opened the way for Pain to advance his literary career on several fronts. He became a contributor to Punch and The Speaker, as well as joining the staff of both the Daily Chronicle and Black and White.  
  In 1897 he succeeded Jerome K Jerome as editor of To-Day but still contributed regularly, until 1928, to the Windsor Magazine. 
  It is often said that Pain was discovered by Robert Louis Stevenson, who compared his work to that of Guy de Maupassant.  It’s an apt comparison. Pain was also a master of disturbing prose but able to inject parody and light comedy into many of his works.  A simple premise could in his hands suddenly expand into a world very real but somehow emotionally fraught and on the very edge of darkness as many of these short stories demonstrate.   
  Despite applying his talents to several genres and forms today Pain is more readily thought of, especially during the first decade of the 20th Century, as perhaps the leading British humorist of his day.  These stories reveal a darker side and beg to differ. 
  Barry Pain died on 5th May 1928 in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

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  ASMR Bedtime Stories for...

  Jodie Crawford

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  Drift into deep sleep with low stakes stories crafted to quiet a racing mind and ease anxiety.
   
  Escape the chaos of burnout and invite tranquility into your nightly routine. This collection creates a safe, cozy atmosphere specifically engineered to signal your nervous system that it is time to rest. Whether you are battling insomnia or simply seeking a gentle wind-down, these narratives prioritize sensory details over high-drama plots to lower cortisol levels.
   
  Step away from the urgency of daily life and immerse yourself in environments defined by comfort and unhurried time. The narrative arc moves through a gentle emotional progression, guiding you from an initial sense of belonging toward quiet fulfillment and eventual slumber.
   
  Inside, you will experience: 
  
  Immersive settings including a rainy seaside town, a secluded forest cabin, and a cozy bookshop.
  Sensory-rich descriptions that trigger ASMR responses and promote relaxation.
  Themes of emotional safety, restoration, and the joy of solitude.
  A practical tool for overcoming sleep anxiety and racing thoughts.
  
   
  Reclaim your bedtime as a cherished ritual of care. Let go of the day’s tension and allow soft, rhythmic storytelling to carry you into a restorative night’s sleep.

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  Frederick Cowles - Six of the...

  Frederick Cowles

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  Six has always been a number we group things around – Six of the best, six of one half a dozen of another, six feet under, six pack, six degrees of separation and a sixth sense are but a few of the ways we use this number. 
   
  Such is its popularity that we thought it is also a very good way of challenging and investigating an author’s work to give width, brevity, humour and depth across six of their very best. 
   
  In this series we gather together authors whose short stories both rivet the attention and inspire the imagination to visit their gems in a series of six, to roam across an author’s legacy in a few short hours and gain a greater understanding of their writing and, of course, to be lavishly entertained by their ideas, their narrative and their way with words. 
   
  These stories can be surprising and sometimes at a tangent to what we expected, but each is fully formed and a marvellous adventure into the world and words of a literary master.

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  The Rumble of Heat Lightning...

  A. J. Payler

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  A mysterious figure stalks the murky backwoods of the Midwest on an unrelenting mission for revenge, with nothing but a Bowie knife to protect him against the monsters that haunt the forest. And even if he's able to find what he needs… it's already too late. 
    
  From A. J. Payler, author of The Killing Song, Lost In the Red, and Bank Error in Your Favor comes The Rumble of Heat Lightning Above the Deep Midwestern Woods—a story of the world we live in and what people will let themselves do, just to survive in it.

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  Horrid Henry: Great Escapes

  Lucinda Whiteley

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  In a world of Great Escapes, who is the greatest escaper of all? Yep, you’ve got it, it’s Henry and all will be revealed with this daredevil collection of 10 Horrid Henry super stories performed by the show's full cast. Whether it’s joining the Killer Boy Rats, being the best Scoot Tooter ever or going to work with Dad, you can be sure that Henry will make it Horrid! Turn up the Horrid and enjoy these classic stories with "Nice Songs", "My Hero", "Gross Class Zero Comic", "Scoot Tooters", "Air Guitar Champion", "What Happened Next", "Tingly Toothbrushes", "Good Morning World!", "Silce In Court" and "Silly Songs". Horridly Brilliant or Brilliantly Horrid? You decide!!

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