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  Triumphs and Tragedies - A True...

  Karl B. McMillen Jr.

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  Hermosa Beach, California, in the mid-1960s. Sun, surf, and sand castles along The Strand to a soundtrack of “Fun, Fun, Fun.” But the hang-loose life of the locals was soon being drowned out—by a social storm able to turn even the most perfect wave into a brutal riptide.How do you go from planning vacations and evaluating investments to planning prison visits and evaluating defense pleas? How do you watch your surfer-champion sons turn into drug lords? Inmates? How do you watch your entire family die, one by one?Yet never stop fighting.What does it take to look in the mirror and search for the meaning of enabler? Or face that you’re sacrificing your own livelihood for Scotch? To ride a pounding wave of triumphs and tragedies, and paddle back for more? It takes a rare and special person: Karl McMillen.Karl is America’s hard work ethic. The guy Jefferson said will “determine never to be idle.” Babe Ruth’s “person who never gives up.” His story opens with a panorama of early 20th century California; a last-gasp look at the West before it was settled. When “entitlement” meant you were entitled to work your tail off. Karl’s success epitomizes that the cleanest hands in business are the ones that have smeared the most elbow grease. Karl worked and the system worked. He was said to have the “Golden Touch.”But systems break down. As America’s youth got swept into the deep murkiness of drugs, Karl was in over his head, too. He encountered something his work ethic and Golden Touch couldn’t conquer: Addiction. But he fought to apply his talents to this new subject. Gathering data and analyzing treatments, he uncovered so much.Triumphs and Tragedies explores the psychology of addiction through “voices from the street.” It probes the essence of enabling and the value of “rehabs”—uncommon concepts in the ‘60s. It demonstrates how a perfect life can be traded for pain; but how that pain can translate into a strong antidote against one of society’s greatest ills.

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  The Museum of Lost and Fragile...

  Suzanne Joinson

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  Suzanne Joinson grew up in a 1980s council estate in Crewe, where her parents were followers of The Divine Light Mission cult. This clash of class and counterculture destroyed her family, leaving a legacy of turmoil and poverty. 
   
  Years later, she attempts to reclaim what she’s lost and piece together the impact of a childhood infused with esoteric yoga practices, psychedelic encounters, and meditation techniques. She acquires replicas of beloved objects that had to be destroyed in regular purges in the hope of restoring family ties. 
   
  The Museum of Lost and Fragile Things explores the realm of mother-daughter relationships and inherited trauma, in a moving, delicately-woven account of coming to terms with a complicated past.

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  James Baldwin - The Life Album

  Magdalena J. Zaborowska

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  James Baldwin (1924–1987) was a pivotal figure of the twentieth century, an influential author, intellectual, and activist who led a celebrated public life—and whose words and image and persona remain current in our culture. Baldwin's many incarnations have reemerged in the digital age as Baldwin's work becomes a touchstone for a new generation. It is the private, vulnerable, and messier Baldwin—the man behind the prophet and the online meme—who is the focus of this book. 
   
   
    
  Magdalena J. Zaborowska draws on Baldwin's archives and material legacy—from his unpublished papers to his books to his house in France—to offer a fresh look at the writer's understated and obscured private life. Taking a cue from Baldwin's own love of the blues, Zaborowska presents his biography as a series of tracks on a vinyl record, introducing, developing, and remixing the themes and relationships from his life. She recounts episodes from Baldwin's troubled childhood, his struggles with sexuality and gender, his intimate relationships, and the overlooked influence of women, Jews, and queers on his writing. This Life Album revolves around Baldwin's development of a unique worldview, "Black queer humanism," premised on African diaspora aesthetics, resilience, joy, community, internationalism, activism, and justice.

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  Native American Legends -...

  Odessa Nightshade

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  For centuries, Native American legends have served as the foundation of cultural identity, spiritual belief, and moral guidance for Indigenous peoples across the continent. These stories, passed down through generations, reflect the deep connection between Native American communities and the natural world, offering insight into their understanding of life, death, and the unseen forces that shape existence. More than just myths, these legends form the backbone of spiritual practices, social structures, and the traditions that continue to thrive today.  
    
  One of the most striking aspects of Native American storytelling is its reliance on oral tradition. Unlike written histories, which remain fixed in time, oral traditions are fluid, evolving with each retelling while preserving the essence of ancestral wisdom. Elders and storytellers pass these tales to younger generations, ensuring the survival of cultural knowledge and reinforcing values such as respect, humility, and harmony with nature. Through storytelling, communities maintain a sense of continuity, bridging the past with the present and preparing future generations for the challenges of life.  
    
  At the heart of Native American legends is an intrinsic connection to the natural world. Many stories revolve around the land, animals, and celestial bodies, portraying them as spiritual entities rather than mere physical elements. Rivers, mountains, and forests are often imbued with sacred significance, serving as homes to powerful spirits or the setting for legendary events. Animals, too, play a vital role, with figures like the wise Raven, the cunning Coyote, and the noble Eagle embodying various aspects of human nature. These stories do not merely explain natural phenomena—they offer guidance on how to coexist with the environment, reinforcing the belief that humans are part of a greater, interconnected whole. 

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  Augustus - Biography of Octavian...

  Kelly Mass

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  Caesar Augustus, originally known as Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman Emperor and one of the most transformative figures in world history. Born into an affluent plebeian family, he belonged to an ancient and influential equestrian branch of the gens Octavia. His path to power began under extraordinary circumstances. Following the assassination of his maternal great-uncle, Julius Caesar, in 44 BC, Octavius was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and successor. This inheritance not only granted him the prestigious name of Caesar but also gave him control over Caesar’s vast estate and the loyalty of his legions. These legions played a pivotal role in his rise to power, securing his place as one of the most powerful individuals in Roman history. 
  In the aftermath of Caesar's assassination, the Roman Republic was plunged into chaos, and Octavius, together with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, formed the Second Triumvirate to avenge Caesar's death and secure their political dominance. This alliance, however, was marred by internal strife and competing ambitions. After their victory over Caesar’s assassins at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, the Triumvirs divided the Republic’s territories among themselves. Yet, the unity that had characterized their alliance quickly began to erode, as their personal and political ambitions led to inevitable conflict. Lepidus was soon sidelined, and in 36 BC, Antony’s support began to wane, leading to the climactic Battle of Actium in 31 BC. The defeat of Antony, coupled with the subsequent suicide of both Antony and his ally Cleopatra, left Octavian as the undisputed ruler of Rome.

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  Everyday Kindness - A collection...

  Darren O'Sullivan, Imogen Clark,...

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  Everyday Kindness is a charity anthology of short, fictional stories of kindness, edited by LJ Ross. These uplifting tales of hope and of small, everyday kindnesses are intended to support wider, positive mental health goals and foster wellbeing through the act of reading tales of goodwill inspired by others. Featuring authors across the spectrum of literature, some international bestsellers and award-winning writers amongst them, this is a unique collection of words. 
   
  Proceeds from the book will be donated to Shelter, a charity that helps millions of people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness. 
   
  Authors include: LJ Ross, Adam Hamdy, Alex Smith, Alexander Gordon Smith, Alison Stockham, Anne O’Leary, Barbara Copperthwaite, J.D. Kirk, C.L. Taylor, Caroline Mitchell, Chris McDonald, Claire Sheehy, Clare Flynn, Darren O’Sullivan, David Leadbeater, Debbie Young, Deborah Carr, Emma Robinson, Graham Brack, Hannah Lynn, Heather Martin, Holly Martin, Ian Sainsbury, Imogen Clark, James Gilbert, Jane Corry, Jean Gill, J.J. Marsh, Judith O’Reilly, Kelly Clayton, Kim Nash, Leah Mercer, Liz Fenwick, Louise Beech, Louise Jensen, Louise Mumford, Malcolm Hollingdrake, Marcia Woolf, Mark Stay, Marcie Steele, Natasha Bache, Nick Jackson, Nick Quantrill, Nicky Black, Patricia Gibney, Rachel Sargeant, Rob Parker, Rob Scragg, S.E. Lynes, Shelley Day, Casey Kelleher, Sophie Hannah, Victoria Connelly, Victoria Cooke, Will Dean. 
   
  “A win/win when it comes to making you feel good – the stories will do just that, and buying this book will help homeless people.”  Val McDermid 
  “Jack Reacher is a wanderer by choice. Others are homeless through no fault of their own – illness, the loss of a job, the loss of a partner. We need a better system. Buy this book and you'll enjoy some great stories, and you'll help Shelter – our best advocate for housing fairness.”  Lee Child 
   
  “What a treasure trove of stories! Each one has a different style and I enjoyed all of them. A highly recommended collection for a good cause!”  Glynis Peters 
   
  “I loved every page! Each story was the hug I needed, and the stories from this amazing collection of talented authors were told with poignancy. Exactly what the world needs right now.”  Jessica Ryn 
  LJ Ross is an international bestselling author, best known for creating atmospheric mystery and thriller novels, including the DCI Ryan series of Northumbrian murder mysteries which have sold over 6 million copies worldwide.

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