Editorial: Al-Mashreq eBookstore
Ups and Downs is a reflective collection that delves into the highs and lows of human existence. Aumonier's stories traverse themes of success, failure, joy, and despair, offering readers a nuanced exploration of life's unpredictable journey.
Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27th, 1872 in Dayton Ohio. His parents had been slaves in Kentucky before the Civil War. Dunbar wrote his first poem at age 6 and gave his first public recital at age 9. By 16 he was already published as a poet in ‘The Herald’, a local newspaper. After completing his formal schooling in 1891, Dunbar was employed as an elevator operator, at $4 a week. His hopes of a legal career floundered on a lack of funds and racial discrimination. However, he wrote his poetry and took every opportunity to publish. In 1892 his employers sent him to the United Brethren Publishing House which, in 1893, printed his dialect poetry, ‘Oak and Ivy; Dunbar subsidized the printing and earned back his investment in two weeks by selling copies himself. Dunbar also wrote the lyrics for ‘In Dahomey’, the first musical written and performed entirely by African Americans. It was produced on Broadway in 1903; and then toured England and the United States for four years. After returning from a literary tour of United Kingdom, Dunbar married Alice Ruth Moore on March 6th, 1898. She was a teacher and poet from New Orleans. Dunbar called her "the sweetest, smartest little girl I ever saw". Alice would become as famous as Paul during her life for her own literary works. In 1900, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and his doctors recommended drinking whisky to alleviate his symptoms. The couple moved to Colorado as the cold, dry mountain air was considered favorable for his health. Dunbar and Alice separated in 1902, but never divorced. But Depression and declining health drove him to depend on alcohol, and health deteriorated. His short career was prolific; a dozen books of poetry, four books of short stories, four novels, lyrics for ‘In Dahomey’, and a play. Dunbar’s essays and poems were published widely in leading journals including ‘Harper's Weekly’ and ‘The Saturday Evening Post’. He was also a committed civil rights activist. In 1904 he returned to Dayton to be with his mother. Paul Laurence Dunbar died of tuberculosis on February 9th, 1906, at the age of only thirty-three.Ver libro
🎬 Experience the atmospheric visual edition of this tale by searching "Jonathan Dunne Horror" on YouTube. Number: 121 Title: Caterpillars Series Name: Timeless Terrors Series Entry: 121 Author: E. F. Benson Narrator: Jonathan Dunne Original Publication: 1912 Public Domain: Yes Description: Caterpillars is a deeply unsettling tale of creeping horror and psychological torment set amid the sun-drenched hills of the Italian countryside. The story follows a sensitive Englishman recovering from illness at a secluded villa overlooking the Mediterranean. Seeking rest and restoration, he instead finds himself haunted by a recurring nightmare of monstrous, writhing caterpillars — pale, bloated creatures with human-like eyes and an appalling sense of intelligence. Though at first he dismisses these visions as fevered dreams, their relentless return — accompanied by a mounting sense of physical and spiritual violation — begins to erode his reason. As the oppressive heat thickens and his isolation deepens, the boundary between dream and waking life grows perilously thin. Benson masterfully builds dread not through overt violence, but through anticipation — through the slow, crawling certainty that something loathsome and deliberate is drawing nearer. The horror lies in helplessness, in the intimate invasion of the self, and in the suggestion that unseen forces feed upon human vitality. Unlike cosmic horror that gestures toward vast, indifferent universes, Caterpillars delivers something far more intimate and suffocating. The terror is close, tactile, and parasitic — a nightmare that clings and will not release. Narrated by Amazon bestselling horror author Jonathan Dunne, this performance captures the story’s mounting psychological tension, oppressive atmosphere, and final, lingering chill — bringing Benson’s quietly devastating vision to vivid and deeply disturbing life.Ver libro
What if the everyday world hides whispers of mystery, fleeting moments of wonder, and shadows you almost don’t notice? Step into the hauntingly beautiful and lyrical world of "A Haunted House and Other Short Stories" - a mesmerizing collection of tales that reveal the hidden currents of life, memory, and imagination. Each story offers a glimpse into Woolf’s keen observations of human emotion: from the ghostly reflections in "A Haunted House" to the fleeting impressions and fragmented lives in "Monday or Tuesday", where the ordinary becomes quietly extraordinary. With poetic prose, subtle psychology, and haunting atmospheres, Woolf weaves stories that linger long after the final word, drawing you into a world where the familiar turns mysterious and the smallest details reveal profound truths. Perfect for lovers of classic literature and reflective fiction. Press play and immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful, thought-provoking world of Virginia Woolf’s unforgettable tales.Ver libro
"You should be here; he's simply magnificent." These are the final words a biologist hears before his Margaret Mead-like wife dies at the hands of Godzilla. The words haunt him as he studies the kaiju (Japan's giant monsters) on an island reserve, attempting to understand the beauty his wife saw. "The Return to Monsterland" opens Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone, a collection of twelve fabulist and genre-bending stories inspired by Japanese folklore, historical events, and pop culture. In "Rokurokubi," a man who has the demonic ability to stretch his neck to incredible lengths tries to save a marriage built on secrets. The recently dead find their footing in "The Inn of the Dead's Orientation for Being a Japanese Ghost." In "Girl Zero," a couple navigates the complexities of reviving their deceased daughter via the help of a shapeshifter. And, in the title story, a woman instigates a months-long dancing frenzy in a Tokyo where people don't die but are simply reborn without their memories. Every story in the collection turns to the fantastic, the mysticism of the past, and the absurdities of the future to illuminate the spaces we occupy when we are at our most vulnerable."Ver libro
What if a single day could reveal the hidden currents of family life, desire, and ambition? In Katherine Mansfield’s "Prelude", you’ll be drawn into the world of the Burnell family as they prepare for a move to the countryside. Beneath the surface of everyday routines, subtle tensions, quiet rivalries, and moments of tender affection reveal the complexity of human emotion, all rendered with Mansfield’s trademark elegance, wit, and psychological insight. From fleeting glances to whispered conversations, every interaction uncovers the joys, frustrations, and unspoken longings that define family life. Rich in atmosphere and delicately observed detail, "Prelude" invites reflection on love, relationships, and the beauty hidden in ordinary moments. Press play and immerse yourself in Mansfield’s luminous prose - a captivating journey where every thought, gesture, and moment resonates with timeless insight and emotional depth.Ver libro
The stories of Vladimir Torchilin, representing the irrationality and phantasmagorical nature of everyday life both in Russia and in America, reveal the difficult world of the people of our time. The writer ' s gaze sharply notices the details – sometimes funny, sometimes tragic. Written in a lively, fascinating, and often ironic way, these stories are easy to read and at the same time make you think.Ver libro
