Translator Martyn Crucefix
Publisher: And Other Stories
In Case of Loss reveals Seiler's essays to be different to, but on a par with, his fiction and poetry. Beautifully anecdotal and associative, they throw a light on literature and his East German background, including the Soviet-era mining community he grew up in, and are full of insight, humanity and an attention to overlooked objects and lives.
The memoir from Australia's much-loved comedian, Hannah Gadsby, whose stand-up show and self-described swan-song, Nanette, played to sold-out houses in Australia, the UK and the US. Its launch on Netflix, and subsequent Emmy and Peabody wins, took Nanette (and Hannah) to the world. 'There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself.' Hannah Gadsby, Nanette Multi-awardwinning Hannah Gadsby transformed comedy with her show Nanette, even as she declared that she was quitting stand-up. Now, she takes us through the defining moments in her life that led to the creation of Nanette and her powerful decision to tell the truth — no matter the cost. Gadsby's unique stand-up special Nanette was a viral success that left audiences captivated by her blistering honesty and her ability to create both tension and laughter in a single moment. But while her worldwide fame might have looked like an overnight sensation, her path from open mic to the global stage was hard-fought and anything but linear. Ten Steps to Nanette traces Gadsby's growth as a queer person from Tasmania-where homosexuality was illegal until 1997-to her ever-evolving relationship with comedy, to her struggle with adult diagnoses of autism and ADHD, and finally to the backbone of Nanette - the renouncement of self-deprecation, the rejection of misogyny, and the moral significance of truth-telling. Equal parts harrowing and hilarious, Ten Steps to Nanette continues Gadsby's tradition of confounding expectations and norms, properly introducing us to one of the most explosive, formative voices of our time. “Hannah is a Promethean force, a revolutionary talent...This hilarious, touching, and sometimes tragic book is all about where her fires were lit.” EMMA THOMPSON ‘Gadsby wields her craft like a weapon, lancing out the trauma and forcing us to look at it.’ THE GUARDIAN ‘As uproariously funny as it is profoundly furious.’ NEW YORKER on Nanette ‘The laughs of her show are a means to an end, which is, at its core, a ferocious attack on comedy itself.’ NEW YORK TIMES ‘Nanette is the kind of work that leaves you shaken. Not because it’s really funny (it really is), or because it’s equally heartbreaking, but because it finds a fusion of those two modes that’s incandescent.’ THE ATLANTICShow book
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was a Stoic philosopher and the Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 CE. He is remembered as the last of the Five Good Emperors, a term coined by Niccolò Machiavelli over a thousand years later, and as the final ruler of the Pax Romana, the long period of relative peace and stability that the Roman Empire experienced from 27 BCE to 180 CE. Throughout his political career, Marcus held the position of Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161, marking his steady ascent to power. Born during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, Marcus was the son of Marcus Annius Verus, a praetor, and Domitia Calvilla, a wealthy heiress. His father passed away when he was only three years old, leaving him to be raised primarily by his mother and grandfather. Recognizing Marcus' potential, Hadrian ensured his future by naming his uncle, Antoninus Pius, as heir following the unexpected death of Hadrian’s initial choice, Aelius Caesar, in 138 CE. As part of this arrangement, Antoninus was required to adopt both Marcus and Aelius' son, Lucius Verus. When Hadrian died later that year, Antoninus became emperor, and Marcus was positioned as his successor. Over the following decades, Marcus received an extensive education, studying Greek and Latin under renowned scholars such as Herodes Atticus and Marcus Cornelius Fronto. In 145 CE, he married Antoninus' daughter, Faustina the Younger, solidifying his connection to the imperial family. Upon Antoninus Pius’ death in 161, Marcus ascended to the throne alongside his adopted brother, Lucius Verus, marking the first time in Roman history that the empire was ruled by co-emperors. His reign was defined by continuous military conflicts.Show book
The 67 essays in Truth and Fantasy explore diverse themes from different perspectives based on the author's and narrator's experiences. The essays are neither comprehensive nor meant to argue forcefully for any single viewpoint. Rather, they are meant to stimulate and inspire additional thoughts and ideas. Beginning essays include musings on random thoughts on the power of silence and neutral and indifference. Subsequent essays emerge from a lifelong career in biology research and touch on whether the ability to evolve is an evolutionary trait. Other essays argue that the nature of intelligence and aesthetics can be traced throughout the animal kingdom, including even so-called "mindless" invertebrates. Challenging subjects are covered in essays about the foundations and meaning of creativity, considering even the role of boredom and imperfections as sources of creativity. Other essays deal with ambition and the relative significance of the buried streams of time between the specific, visible, highlighted episodes in life. The essays include reflections relating competitive tennis to general issues of life, express gratitude for 50 years of marriage, the miracle of having children and grandchildren, the positive nature of kindness, the despondence of losing a treasured wedding ring, and relief when it's found; art: how it's valued, the significance of authenticity, the importance of ambiguity, and the experiences of amassing a world-class collection of Inuit sculptures. Essays describe uplifting experiences and broadening horizons by traveling to exotic places – Israel, Iceland, Greenland, Portugal, and West Africa – and the nostalgia of returning after 40 years to the science laboratories in Puget Sound as a writer instead of a science student. Finally, essays maintain that aging need not dampen ambition and creative efforts but do not ignore the inevitability of death and its value in defining the marvel and privilege of life.Show book
Turn your pain into power. Part inspirational memoir, part practical guide, Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step into the best version of yourself. Join wellness advocate and wilderness guide Sydney Williams as she shares her healing journey from eating and drinking her feelings to hiking her feelings. When Sydney unexpectedly found herself diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, while grappling with grief and unresolved trauma built up over a decade, she set out on a quest to turn her pain into power. Two hikes across Catalina Island and eighty miles later, she learned to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with herself, all through the power of nature. Now, she’s encouraging others to get outside and blaze their own trail to self-love, turning buried traumas into healthy coping mechanisms. With affirmations, prompts, and reflection exercises throughout—all presented from Sydney’s supportive and self-effacing perspective—Hiking Your Feelings offers a toolkit to unpack your “trauma pack” and step into the best version of yourself.Show book
In Global Entries: Incidents and Anecdotes Traveling Abroad, Joe Fahey invites readers on an unforgettable ride through decades of global adventures. This engaging and lighthearted collection of short stories combines humor, history and cultural insights as it relates his experiences from far-off places. The anecdotal stories capture the essence of travel – the thrill of discovery, the wonder of diverse cultures as well as the emotions associated with things not going as planned. Whether delivering an impromptu speech in Tatarstan, driving on the sidewalk in Bolivia or being marooned on the Nile, Joe’s adventures go well beyond the familiar. Perfect for armchair explorers and seasoned travelers alike, this anthology invites readers to laugh, reflect and perhaps see the world from a different perspective.Show book
When the world tells you to break, will you find the strength to rise? From the war-torn streets of Chad to the relentless grind of New York City and the unforgiving realities of war, Bridges of Resilience is the unforgettable true story of a man who refused to surrender to fate. D.H.M. delivers a gripping. deeply human narrative of survival, sacrifice, and transformation, proving that the greatest obstacles in life are not meant to break us-but to shape us. Torn between two worlds and shaped by hardship, he navigates displacement, war, and reinvention, grappling with the weight of leadership, the sacrifices of service, and the unshakable call to fight for justice. Through it all, he discovers that true power lies not in avoiding struggle, but in transforming pain into purpose-and that resilience is not just about survival, but about daring to build a future against all odds.Show book
