Other books that might interest you

• 

  Arctic Paradise - The Paradox of...

  Susanna Heiskanen

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  In the pages of "Arctic Paradise: The Paradox of Finnish Happiness," discover the intricate tapestry of Finland's contented society, where radiant joys intertwine with subtle shadows. This insightful non-fiction journey peels back the layers of Finnish happiness, revealing not just its vibrant facets but also the nuanced complexities shaping the nation's emotional landscape. 
  Beyond the picturesque scenes of communal harmony lies a candid exploration of Finland's reality, bravely addressing prevalent issues like depression and mental health challenges. This isn't your typical travelogue; it's an unfiltered dive into the heart of a society often idealized for its well-being. 
  "Arctic Paradise" fearlessly navigates cultural expectations and societal pressures, shining a light on the silent struggles endured by many. Through intimate stories and thoughtful analysis, the book paints a holistic picture of Finnish happiness, acknowledging the hurdles within a nation known for its high happiness quotient. 
  Get ready to question the paradox of joy amidst adversity, igniting a profound conversation about the true nature of happiness and resilience. Beyond being a testament to Finland's happiness, "Arctic Paradise" serves as a poignant exploration of the human spirit's enduring quest for contentment, even in the face of life's most daunting challenges. 
  What the Readers Say: 
  Arctic Paradise is the best book if you are looking to learn about all things Finnish and why it is known as one of the happiest places to live. However, what makes Susanna's book stand out, is that she also looks at the other side of happiness and that makes life in Finland more real and not just the belief that everyone living there is happy all the time. Fear not, at the end of every chapter Susanna gives suggestions on how you can live a life in a more positive and happy way! 
  Tracy Mills

  Show book

• 

  Lyrics & Lines by "Carolus"

  J.P. Parkinson

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Written under the pseudonym "Carolus", Lyrics & Lines is a book of poems written, probably circa 1890 - 1900, as a gift to one he had loved and lost. 
  Love, Humour, Moralisation and the Macabre all come together in a most readable and enjoyable manner.  
   Who he was, when and exactly where he lived and his age at the time he wrote this book are unknown. That he was a modest man can be gleaned from his description of himself as "..a poetaster".  
  Beautifully written; these poems should not only appeal to lovers of poetry but to those who would never normally consider reading verse.

  Show book

• 

  The Opium Queen

  Gabrielle Paluch

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Olive Yang was a widely mythologized genderqueer lesbian opium-pioneer in the 1950s heyday of the Golden Triangle. After escaping an arranged marriage with a noble cousin, Olive felt that she had no choice but to lead a life of banditry with an anti-communist rebel army supported by the CIA. As her smuggling empire grew, she became so powerful and infamous that novelists were inspired to write about her evil ruthlessness and beauty. Yet, Olive’s real life and identity remained a mystery to many. Opium Queen is a journey to uncover the true story behind the propaganda and legends. Declassified intelligence documents portray Olive as a critical operator in one of the most important fronts of the clandestine Cold War against China. Through extensive interviews with the Yang family, Olive emerges as a complex anti-hero, searching for a way to live as an open homosexual in an era when such a lifestyle was considered deeply shameful in Burma. The great military alliances that facilitate narcotics traffic in Myanmar today are Olive’s lasting legacy in the Golden Triangle, as is the disenfranchisement of the people of Kokang. Through the story of Olive’s formidable life, Opium Queen examines historic events that underpinned critical diplomatic relationships between the U.S., Myanmar, and China and were at the root of Myanmar’s current political crisis.

  Show book

• 

  The Sex Toy Party Threesome -...

  Conner Hayden

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  A woman arranges a lingerie and sex toy party at her apartment. Two of her friends get a little tipsy and accept her offer to stay for the night and the three of them end up trying out the toys they bought on each other. 
   
  This story is a work of fiction and contains sex scenes and is suitable for adults only. All characters are fictional and are over 18 years old.

  Show book

• 

  Auntie Gertrude - Sinner Saint...

  Joanna G. Romersa

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice.     Joanna Gailey Romersa’s book Auntie Gertrude, Sinner Saint or Slut chronicles the rich family history of Ventura County, California from the late 1800s to 1945, revealing a tapestry woven with love, heartbreak, and resilience.  And is read by AI JOE (an AI cloned voice of Joanna’s son Joe Romersa) 
   
    Central to this narrative is Jenne, who served as a missionary in Africa before becoming a preacher's wife. She had one husband and  seven children. Her sister Auntie Gertrude, a spiritualist who led a very colorful life had one son and seven husbands.  
   
    Uncle Frank Hill, an executive at Union Oil, provided a steady influence during challenging times, while Joanna’s grandmother Beth held the family together with compassion and strength, managing orange and lemon groves as a widowed matriarch. 
  
  The book is enriched with actual letters and newspaper articles that lend authenticity to the stories, offering glimpses into the unique personalities that shaped her family’s lineage. These documents illuminate the trials of war, natural disasters, and the everyday struggles of life in a time when modern conveniences were scarce.  
  
  As readers journey through this historical narrative, they will not only uncover the essence of Joanna’s family experiences but also reflect on the broader societal changes like women’s rights and religious teachings that influenced their lives.  
   
    Auntie Gertrude is more than a family history; it is a tribute to the enduring spirit of those who came before us, inviting exploration of the legacies that continue to resonate today.

  Show book

• 

  Mongols in Russia The: The...

  Charles River Editors

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  In the 8th and 9th centuries, among Eastern Slavs, the ancestral way of life was thoroughly destroyed, leading to the birth of a new state. Neighboring communities could no longer be managed on the basis of old tribal customs. All this required the creation of new rules and norms. In the ninth century, the gradual strengthening of the Kniaz’s power continued. This process was accelerated under the influence of external factors: in the north of the East European Plain the raids of the Varangians became a constant phenomenon, and in the south the hostility of the Slavic and Turkic tribes increased dramatically. Between 862 and 882, the majority of East Slavic tribes were united by Kiev, and under the rule of Kiev, a Russian state (Kievan Rus’) was established. It was an early feudal state since it preserved the vestiges of the tribal system: the elements of military democracy. At the head of the state was the Grand Prince of Kiev, under which there was a council of the most distinguished and powerful princes. 
  Unfortunately for this fledgling state, it would not be long before their immense territory would attract one of medieval history’s most infamous military machines.  
  Though history is usually written by the victors, the lack of a particularly strong writing tradition from the Mongols ensured that history was largely written by those who they vanquished. Because of this, their portrayal in the West and the Middle East has been extraordinarily (and in many ways unfairly) negative for centuries, at least until recent revisions to the historical record. The Mongols have long been depicted as wild horse-archers galloping out of the dawn to rape, pillage, murder and enslave, but the Mongol army was a highly sophisticated, organized and incredibly adaptive and innovative institution, as witnessed by the fact that it was successful in conquering a diverse array of enemies across several continents.

  Show book