Tails Of Tales Of Pain Wonder

An Air Force Loadmaster is menaced by strange sounds within his cargo; a man is asked to track down a childhood friend... who died years earlier; doomed pioneers forge a path westward as a young mother discovers her true nature; an alcoholic strikes a dangerous bargain with a gregarious stranger; urban explorers delve into a ruined book depository, finding more than they anticipated; residents of a rural Wisconsin town defend against a legendary monster; a woman wracked by survivor's guilt is haunted by the ghosts of a tragic crash; a detective strives to solve the mystery of a dismembered girl; an orphan returns to a wicked witch's candy house; a group of smugglers find themselves buried to the necks in sand; an unanticipated guest brings doom to a high-class party; a teacher attempts to lead his students to safety as the world comes to an end around them... What frightens us, what unnerves us? What causes that delicious shiver of fear to travel the lengths of our spines? It seems the answer changes every year. Every year the bar is raised; the screw is tightened. Ellen Datlow knows what scares us; the twenty-one stories and poems included in this anthology were chosen from magazines, webzines, anthologies, literary journals, and single author collections to represent the best horror of the year. Legendary editor Ellen Datlow (Poe: New Tales Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe), winner of multiple Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards, joins Night Shade Books in presenting The Best Horror of the Year, Volume One.

Included in this collection are 21 short stories by the award willing author of Silk. Caitlin R. Kiernan has added a new voice to the world of horror and supernatural writing. Her stories consistently make it into The Years Best Fantasy and Horror and The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror. Her writing is unique, thought provoking, and leads you to places that you fear, yet find fascinating.

When Mina joins a troupe of travelling actors, her aim is to find her missing brother, but her search unlocks a series of secrets that will change the world she knows forever. Tarya, the mystical realm spoken of in tales, is real, and her gift for story telling opens a way to it. But Tarya has a shadow side, and someone in the troupe of actors is using it to harm people. Mina soon realises she may be the only one with the power to stop them. The Tales of Tarya is a young adult fantasy trilogy about the gift of creativity and where it can take you. This book bundle contains all books in The Tales of Tarya trilogy: Harlequin's Riddle, Columbine's Tale, and Pierrot's Song.

Winner of the 2011 Booker Prize and #1 international bestseller, The Sense of an Ending is a masterpiece. The story of a man coming to terms with the mutable past, Julian Barnes's award-winning novel is laced with his trademark precision, dexterity and insight. It is the work of one of the world's most distinguished writers. Tony Webster and his clique first met Adrian Finn at school. Sex-hungry and book-hungry, they navigated the girl drought of gawky adolescence together, trading in affectations, in-jokes, rumour and wit. Maybe Adrian was a little more serious than the others, certainly more intelligent, but they swore to stay friends forever. Until Adrian's life took a turn into tragedy, and all of them, especially Tony, moved on and did their best to forget. Now Tony is in middle age. He's had a career and a marriage, a calm divorce. He gets along nicely, he thinks, with his one child, a daughter, and even with his ex-wife. He's certainly never tried to hurt anybody. Memory, though, is imperfect. It can always throw up surprises, as a lawyer's letter is about to prove. The unexpected bequest conveyed by that letter leads Tony on a dogged search through a past suddenly turned murky. And how do you carry on, contentedly, when events conspire to upset all your vaunted truths?

The Wonderful Land of Bed-Time Stories is an anthology that weaves together a rich tapestry of tales from a bevy of illustrious authors, embracing a wide array of literary styles from fairy tales to animal stories, and classic children's literature. With contributions from the minds behind Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Importance of Being Earnest, Treasure Island, and many more, this collection stands as a testament to the diversity and significance of storytelling across generations and cultures. Highlighted within are narratives that have shaped the contours of childhood imagination, each story a gem contributing to the overarching themes of adventure, morality, and the nuances of human (and animal) emotion. The remarkable variety within this compendium ensures the presence of a magical story for every reader. The contributing authors and editors, ranging from Lewis Carroll to Hans Christian Andersen, and including figures like Beatrix Potter and Rudyard Kipling, offer an anthology that spans the breadth of the 19th and early 20th centuries, encapsulating pivotal moments in literature. These writers, many of whom were pioneers in their respective genres, collectively represent a historical and cultural mosaic that enriched the literary landscape of their time. Their backgrounds, from varying corners of the world, provide a multifaceted exploration of societal norms, triumphs, and struggles through the lens of fantastical and heartwarming tales. The Wonderful Land of Bed-Time Stories is an indispensable collection for those who wish to delve into the world of literature that has charmed and educated generations. It offers readers the unique opportunity to traverse the myriad landscapes fashioned by these master storytellers. This anthology is more than a journey through the annals of literary history; it is a voyage that spans the spectrum of human emotion and the complexities of the world through the simplicity of children's stories. Ideal for scholars, educators, and anyone with a keen interest in the evolution of story-telling, this book illuminates the power of literature to transcend time, teaching timeless morals and showcasing the art of narrative in its most enchanting forms.

They’re known as the Children of the Cuckoo. Stolen from their cribs and raised by ghouls, the changelings serve the creatures who rule the world Below and despise the world Above. Any human contact is strictly forbidden and punishment is swift and severe for those who disobey. Eight years ago, Emmie Silvey was born on Halloween while a full moon rose in the sky. Raised in Providence by her widower father, she’s a strange, yellow-eyed girl, plagued with visions of impossible worlds and fabulous beings. Now her path is about to intersect with one of the changelings, a violent young woman named Soldier who’s quickly slipping from the favor of her ghoul masters. Inextricably linked, together they must face the monsters and unearthly forces that have shaped their lives… and threaten their futures.

The Greatest Bed-Time Stories anthology curates a magical compendium of tales that traverse the vivid spectrums of fantasy, adventure, and whimsy. Within its pages lie a rich tapestry of literary styles, ranging from fairy tales and fables to animal adventures and fantasy epics, embodying the very essence of what it means to journey into realms beyond our imagining. This collection stands as a testament to the timeless allure of bedtime storytelling, showcasing seminal works that have captivated readers of all ages, drawn from a pantheon of influential authors whose narratives have become cornerstones of children's literature. The assortment of stories, while diverse, coalesces around the central theme of wonder and the importance of dreams, laying bare the infinite possibilities afforded by the imagination. The contributing authors and editors, a venerable whos who of literary giants from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Lewis Carroll, Hans Christian Andersen, and Beatrix Potter among others, bring a remarkable depth of creative talent and philosophical insight to the collection. Their works, each a reflection of the socio-cultural and historical milieus from which they emerged, collectively encapsulate a golden era of storytelling. These stories, beyond their surface entertainment value, delve into the intricacies of moral lessons, societal norms, and the human condition, offering a window into the historical and cultural landscapes of their time. This ensemble of voices, with their unique stylistic signatures and thematic explorations, creates a rich mosaic that is both educational and inspirational. The Greatest Bed-Time Stories is not merely a collection to be read; it is an journey to be experienced, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the wonderment of storytelling. It presents a unique opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of narrative innovation across generations, making it an indispensable addition to the libraries of young readers, educators, and anyone with an interest in the art of storytelling. Through these pages, readers are offered a gateway into understanding the universal power of stories to connect us across time and space, fostering a deeper appreciation for the craft of storytelling and the enduring legacy of its practitioners.