Book picks similar to
You Enter a Room by Nancy Dafoe
literature
mysteries
poetry
tbr-favorites
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde & Other Tales; Kidnapped; Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson - 2007
Jekyll and Mr. HydeTreasure Island
My Year as a Clown: A Novel
Robert Steven Williams - 2012
Morgan is a new kind of male hero, imperfect and uncertain, who—like his favorite football team—is fumbling forward into uncertainty. The 2013 Silver Medal Winner for Popular Fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Initially, Chuck worries he’ll never have a relationship again, that he could stand in the lobby of a brothel with a hundred dollar bill plastered to his forehead and still not get lucky. But as his emotionally raw, 365-day odyssey unfolds, Chuck gradually relearns to live on his own, navigating the minefield of issues faced by the suddenly single—new routines, awkward dates, and even more awkward sex. Clown will attract fans of the new breed of novelists that includes Nick Hornby, Jonathan Tropper and Tom Perrotta. Like others in that distinguished group, Robert Steven Williams delivers a painfully honest glimpses into the modern male psyche while writing about both sexes with equal ease and grace in a way that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. "Williams has written a terrific novel. His book pulls back the curtain on male masculinity--showing us what a guy really goes through when dealing with the difficult mess of his beloved spouse's infidelity and the ensuing divorce. Williams' characters give us the real-deal: a gut wrenching and often humorous look, showing us the everyday horrors of what it's like to start all over again as one approaches middle age." - Suzan-Lori Parks, winner Pulitzer Prize for Drama "Robert Steven Williams has written a novel of tremendous honesty, humor, and insight. His story of Chuck Morgan, cast adrift on the rocky shoals of dating when his wife of twenty years suddenly leaves him, does for men what Bridget Jones's Diary did for women." - Joy Johannessen, editor for Alice Sebold, Amy Bloom, Michael Cunningham and My Year as a Clown "When we first meet Chuck Morgan, he's broken, twisted and confused. And that's what makes him so interesting. Like other intriguing literary heroes, he is at his best after life has knocked him to the ground, forcing him to find a new way to be strong again; damaged maybe, but more confident this time, with a kinder, more open heart." - Jimmie Dale Gilmore, The Flatlanders
Deadly Target (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 6)
Renee Pawlish - 2021
Calculating Desires (Rockford Security #4)
L.A. Dobbs - 2020
But now there’s another kind of trouble brewing in the Lucky Ace Casino. Her winning streak at blackjack hasn’t gone unnoticed and Owen Rockford, head of casino security, has been dogging her every move. She wants to cut and run, but not when it means sacrificing the only friend she’s had in a long time.Owen Rockford has his own demons from his past military life and the woman that betrayed him. He’s not about to let that happen again, so when the gorgeous redhead who caught his eye in the casino turns out to be a suspect in a card-cheating ring, he’s more than happy to prosecute her like any other criminal.But it soon becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. When the stakes become deadly, Alison is forced to make the biggest gamble of all- one that could cost her her heart ... not to mention her life.
A Collection of Rumi: Quotes and Poetry
Alayna Miller - 2016
Rumi is one of the greatest poetical geniuses and spiritual masters in human history. His name stands for Love and ecstatic flight into the infinite. Today, Rumi is one of the most widely read poets in the west and has been described to be on par with Beethoven, Shakespeare and Mozart. During a 25 year period, Rumi composed over 70,000 verses of poetry focusing on diverse and varied topics. Rumi’s influence goes beyond nationalities and ethnicities with his work having been translated in numerous languages around the world. His work is mystical and intensely philosophical, with poems of fiery soulful expression, to passionate love verses filled with yearning and desire. Rumi describes the life of mystics as a “gathering of lovers, where there is no high or low, smart or ignorant, no proper schooling required.” He believed in a life journey following a love-based principle free of guilt, fear and shame. The bringing together of a wealthy nobleman and a poor wanderer serve as a reminder to us all that inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone can aid us in advancing our growth.
The Burnside Mystery Series, Box Set # 3, Books 7-9 (The Burnside Mystery Series Box Set)
David Chill - 2019
Parker’s biting humor. Set in Los Angeles, the critically acclaimed and award winning Burnside Series delivers clever plots, crackling dialogue and fascinating characters! The 3 Novels In the next Burnside Mystery Series, Books 7-9 (Box Set # 3) Include: DOUBLE PASS TAMPA TWO FLEA FLICKER DOUBLE PASS (Book 7): Funds have been stolen from an elite Pasadena private school, and after bringing in P.I. Burnside to investigate, he uncovers far more. In addition to finding a tangled web of long-held secrets, a seemingly straightforward case of embezzlement suddenly evolves into a brutal series of killings. From seething rivalries to old resentments to sordid affairs, many suspects have a shady past to hide -- and a desperate reason to commit a capital crime. And through it all, a sordid betrayal from Burnside's own past continues to haunt him, waiting for an opportune moment to materialize. Double Pass leads readers down a trail of theft, murder and deceit, with sharply honed banter and strikingly original characters. It is a tightly written story that is loaded with both suspense and humor, as well as some jaw-dropping surprises! TAMPA TWO (Book 8): The teenage runaway who P.I. Burnside arrested a decade earlier for prostitution has returned to L.A. – and trouble is following her. Burnside made an enormous mistake in helping her, and he wound up losing his job as an LAPD officer as a result, along with his honor and reputation. But Judy has returned, and is desperate for Burnside’s help. Her life is in jeopardy, and she tries to persuade him to accompany her into a dangerous situation. While Burnside isn’t fooled this time, she still manages to involve him, and he quickly becomes a person of interest in a grizzly Santa Monica homicide. Tampa Two continues to showcase Burnside at his wise-cracking best, exchanging quips with an assortment of terrific characters. This well-crafted novel is the embodiment of the classic Southern California noir mystery. It is set against a Los Angeles backdrop, a city that many think they know, but few really do. With sharply honed dialogue and a compelling plot, this is a riveting story that is both captivating, and laugh-out-loud funny! FLEA FLICKER (Book 9): When a young football coach doesn’t come home one night, his beautiful young wife turns to Private Investigator Burnside to locate him. But things are not the way they seem in this marvelous page-turner, and a simple missing persons case evolves into a shocking murder. There are no shortage of suspects in this intricately woven story, and P.I. Burnside must overcome the many obstacles in his path to get to the truth that no one seems eager to learn. The 9th Burnside novel is a treat to read, as the story brings back some fascinating characters from Burnside’s past – as well as adding a host of new ones. And it wouldn’t be a Burnside novel without the smart mouthed gumshoe engaging in the sharp and cutting banter that has come to define this award-winning series. Read the entire Burnside Mystery Series: Book 1: POST PATTERN Book 2: FADE ROUTE Book 3: BUBBLE SCREEN Book 4: SAFETY VALVE Book 5: CORNER BLITZ Book 6: NICKEL PACKAGE Book 7
Flatline (The Bayou Secrets Saga #3)
Judy McDonough - 2015
A traumatic delivery sends her into a coma, stranding her in a realm between the living and the dead. The sinister spirit of George Callahan is waiting for her there, prepared to capture her soul and use it to finally fulfill his revenge in the generations-long feud between the Fontenots and Callahans.Cade Beauregard is heartbroken, but determined to save his wife from eternal enslavement, even if he must confront his own horrors and employ the despised dark arts of voodoo to set her free.Trevor Callahan knows his father is up to no good, and he’s certain it involves the woman he still loves. He resolves to do whatever it takes to protect Caroline from Kenneth Callahan’s schemes against her family. While New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras, Caroline, Cade, and Trevor work together to stop the threats once and for all. But with George attacking from the spiritual realm, and vengeful kin with ties to the mafia plotting deadly retaliation in the physical, will rescuing Caroline’s soul be enough? Can they ever break free of the demons in their families’ pasts and find happiness together?
Unnatural Causes
Tober Charles - 2019
Matt McRaid, whose ancestors left the island more than a century before, joins a team of ruthless treasure hunters in search of untold wealth. One of their number is killed within hours and others soon follow. At first their deaths are put down to freak accidents but after only a couple of days in this mysterious place it becomes apparent to Matt that the true cause is far more strange ... and much more dangerous both to them and the whole of humanity.
Gangs of Bombay: From Failing a Million-Dollar Startup to Creating a Criminal Empire
Divyansh Mundra - 2019
When the million-dollar stock prediction startup of Lakshya and Naman (two brilliant IIT-grads) tanks; they are taken in by Manav, their college friend who makes a living out of selling drugs. Debt-ridden and homeless, the two decide to help their friend in selling ‘The Holy Grail’, the newest drug in the Indian markets which is sold for margins never heard before, and the three end up making the quickest money they have seen. Lured and intrigued, they decide to sell and make as much as possible in two months before leaving the drug trade for good, and in that time, they expand their drug enterprise under Lakshya’s guidance by applying their startup strategies. Unknown to them though, they cross paths with the five infamous historical gangs of Bombay, who’ve survived and thrived since the British occupation of the city. Artavardiya, the powerful boss of the Parsi gang Surtis, takes interest in Lakshya and his drug enterprise after being charmed by his brilliance and vision. He takes him under his guidance and that is when Lakshya is able to gauge the extent to which the criminal underbelly of Mumbai is spread, spiralling down and knowing in his heart that he’d never be able to escape. In a tale of gang-wars and blood, love and loss, loyalty and betrayal, and mind-numbing revelations spread amidst brutal action and insane twists— explore the crime of the city that never sleeps. Will Lakshya and his friends expand their drug business like a startup? Will they succeed in dealing with mind-games and bullets of the five historical gangs of Mumbai? Will they survive the trials of their personal lives while the demons of their pasts try to catch up with them? And will these brilliant minds fall against the richest crime syndicates of the country? Read the crime-thriller that would keep you on the edge of your seats, about a few brilliant minds who lost their million-dollar startup and turned their skills to create a criminal empire.
Granta 138: Journeys
Sigrid Rausing - 2017
What are the ethics of writing about a place you may visit only briefly and view with the eyes of an outsider? With Granta's long tradition of travel writing in mind, we ask some of the world's best writers: is travel writing dead in 2016?Plus: Will Atkins investigates a killing across the US-Mexico borderXan Rice goes back to school in South AfricaEdna O'Brien: 'Chekhov's Ladies'David Flusfeder visits record factories in Detroit and CaliforniaAll the way up London's Holloway Road with Tim AdamsLaura Vapynar: 'Vladimir in Love'
Lay Back the Darkness: Poems
Edward Hirsch - 2003
He explores the boundaries of human fallibility both in candid personal poems, such as the title piece—a plea for his father, a victim of Alzheimer’s wandering the hallway at night—and in his passionate encounters with classic poetic texts, as when Dante’s Inferno enters his bedroom:When you read Canto Five aloud last night in your naked, singsong, fractured Italian, my sweet compulsion, my carnal appetite, I suspected we shall never be forgiven for devouring each other body and soul . . . From the lighting of a Yahrzeit candle to the drawings by the children of Terezin, Hirsch longs for transcendence in art and in the troubled history of his faith. In “The Hades Sonnets,” the ravishing series that crowns the collection, the poet awakens full of grief in his wife’s arms, but here as throughout, there is a luminous forgiveness in his examination of our sorrows. Taken together, these poems offer a profound engagement with our need to capture what is passing (and past) in the incandescence of language.From the Hardcover edition.
Murcheson County
Rodney Page - 2016
Her father, determined to improve the family’s lot, relocates to Georgia.Ezekiel Salter scrimps to buy a ticket in Georgia’s 1807 Land Lottery, wins, and he and his impoverished family head west to newly-created Murcheson County.Prominent since colonial times, the Underwoods foresee the growing demand for cotton and acquire extensive acreage in newly-opened lands in central Georgia. Dispatched by his father, Jacob Underwood begins construction of Poplar Grove plantation.And, the slave known as Gant, his wife and daughter, Lucey, have no say as to their destination…the highest bidder will decide for them…and if the family remains intact.Spanning over fifty years, Murcheson County chronicles the four families’ fortunes against the backdrop of the most turbulent time in American history.An epic saga of slavery, emancipation, war and hardship, Murcheson County will remain in your heart long after the winds of war have stopped blowing.
The Slade House Affair: Clare Montgomery, Private Investigator
Daisy Thurbin - 2016
In this first book in a new series, Mrs Montgomery is retained by an archaic well heeled family when its patriarch fails to arrive home at the expected hour. As with all of her writing, Thurbin demonstrates that a book need not contain gratuitous violence, graphic sex or coarse language in order to keep the reader entertained. Set in London and the Home Counties, Thurbin's attention to detail and meticulous research, coupled with an interesting conundrum and a sprinking of quirky characters, are bound to please even the most discerning of readers.