They include his reflections on his beginning as a writer, his celebrated Harvard University commencement address, and his trenchant examinations of Cervantes, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Borges.

    A reader leaves The Friday Book feeling intellectually fuller, verbally more adept, mentally stimulated, with algebra and fire of his own."--Washington PostBarth's first work of nonfiction is what he calls "an arrangement of essays and occasional lectures, some previously published, most not, most on matters literary, some not, accumulated over thirty years or so of writing, teaching, and teaching writing." With the full measure of playfulness and erudition that he brings to his novels, Barth glances into his crystal ball to speculate on the future of literature and the literature of the future. He also looks back upon historical fiction and fictitious history and discusses prose, poetry, and all manner of letters: "Real letters, forged letters, doctored letters... and of course alphabetical letters, the atoms of which the universe of print is made.""The pieces brought together in The Friday Book reflect Mr. Barth's witty, playful, and engaging personality... They are lively, sometimes casual, and often whimsical--a delight to the reader, to whom Mr. Barth seems to be writing or speaking as a learned friend."--Kansas City Star"No less than Barth's fiction these pieces are performances, agile, dexterous, robust, offering the cerebral delights of playful lucidity."--Richmond News Leader

     MOOSED OPPORTUNITIES—JAN ELDER Rev. Samantha Evans loves Moose Creek, Maine, the land of moose and men, particularly her fiancé Eric Palmer. Forest ranger, Eric, strives to plan their wedding, but Samantha’s busy schedule, his interfering ex-wife, missing college students, and a pregnant moose, all conspire against him. Will their lives continue to be a series of Moosed Opportunities? ZARA’S FOLLY—CLARE REVELL British equestrian, Zara Michaels, heads south to convince TJ Greggson to sell his property to her developer father. Any way she can. TJ co-owns the stables, catering to disabled children—his life’s purpose. His brother wants to sell. TJ doesn’t. Can TJ help untangle Zara from her past follies, or will their secrets destroy them both? A POCKETFUL OF WISHES—MARY MANNERS As childhood neighbors, Jenna Palmer and Carter Stevens discover first love. When a cross-country job transfer separates them, they promise to one day find each other. Years go by and they lose touch until an accident causes their paths to once again cross. Can their promise stand the test of time, or will time crush their promise…and their love? SWEET DELIGHTS—CECELIA DOWDY Patty-Lynn is stunned when she runs into her wealthy ex-boyfriend, Sam. She’s still haunted by their painful breakup seven years ago. Recently widowed, Sam now wants to fix their broken relationship. Seeing Patty-Lynn, happy in her bakery, gives him hope. Can her prize-winning pie recipe sweeten his new business venture and heal their broken hearts? IMPERFECTLY PROVERBS 31—AUTUMN MACARTHUR The last thing geeky Samantha Rose planned for was the homemaking blog only her sister was ever supposed to see going viral. After a disastrous picnic, Daniel Novak, the cynical reporter dispatched to interview her, insists he must reveal the truth. But that could ruin everything, including their budding love. A COURTSHIP FOR CLOVER—MARION UECKERMANN Clover Blume’s chance of getting to know the groomsman escorting her to her sister’s wedding is threatened when he’s delayed. Jonathan Spalding’s money hasn’t managed to buy him one thing: a woman to love. Is the auburn-haired beauty partnering with him at his best friend’s wedding finding a way into his heart? What will it cost Jonathan to realize it profits him nothing to gain the world, yet lose his soul? And the girl.

    M. Coetzee In addition to being one of the most acclaimed and accomplished fiction writers in the world, J. M. Coetzee is also a literary critic of the highest caliber. As Derek Attridge observes in his illuminating introduction, reading Coetzees nonfiction offers one the opportunity to see how an author at the forefront of his profession engages with his peers, not as a critic from the outside, but as one who works with the same raw materials. In this collection of twenty recent pieces, Coetzee examines the work of some of the twentieth centurys greatest writersfrom Samuel Beckett and Gnter Grass to Gabriel Garca Mrquez and Philip Roth. Brilliantly insightful, challenging, yet accessible, these essays demonstrate Coetzees sharp eye and unwavering critical acumen and will be of interest to his many fans as well as to all readers of international literature.

    What is it about J. D. Salinger and his body of work that has left such a lasting mark on American fiction? And who better to answer that question than the current generation of writers?Here are fourteen of the most vital voices in the contemporary American fiction scene pulling no punches in response to a writer who continues to beguile, charm, fascinate, and frustrate generations of readers. Contributors Walter Kirn, Ren? Steinke, Charles D’Ambrosio, Emma Forrest, Aleksander Hemon, Lucinda Rosenfeld, Amy Sohn, John McNally, Karen E. Bender, Thomas Beller, Benjamin Anastas, Aimee Bender, Joel Stein, and Jane Mendelsohn turn themselves inside out as they discuss their personal reactions to reading Salinger classics–not only The Catcher in the Rye but also Franny and Zooey, Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenters, and the short stories–and explore, with begrudging gratitude, how Salinger helped to form the deepest reaches of their literary imaginations.

    Taking his title from the wounded cry of the once great Max Bialystock in The Producers -- “Look at me now! Look at me now! I’m wearing a cardboard belt!” -- Epstein gives us his largest and most comprehensive collection to date.Writing as a memoirist, polemicist, literary critic, and amused observer of contemporary culture, he uses to deft and devastating effect his signature gifts: wide-ranging erudition, sparkling humor, and a penetrating intelligence. In personally revealing essays about his father and about his years as a teacher, in deeply considered examinations of writers from Paul Valery to Truman Capote, and in incisive take-downs of such cultural pooh-bahs as Harold Bloom and George Steiner, this remarkable collection presents us with the best work of our country’s most singular talent, engaged with the richness and variety of life, witty in his response to the world, and always entertaining.

    Find your perfect pair with Sweet and Sassy at the Beach, twelve titillating tales of love at first sight, second chance romance, Alaska villagers to a beachcomber billionaire, a rodeo clown to a Greek tycoon. Sweet and sassy tales that will keep you grasping your Kindle 'til the battery runs out. Keep your charger handy! You won't want to miss any of these stories by award-winning, bestselling authors!That Unbelievable Kiss (Kissed by Fate 3) - Tamara FergusonBad boy Brian Lancaster marries Karen Andres so she can retain medical coverage for her diabetic brother. Can their long-distance marriage of convenience lead to a lifetime of love? Sweetheart Cove-Jacquie Biggar Sand, surf, and soft island breezes bring two lonely hearts together in this heartwarming tale of second chance romance and a love that lasts forever.Her Greek Tycoon - Mona Risk  Romeo and Juliette Greek style. Will the Greek Tycoon make peace with the past? Will the American lawyer find her happiness in Mykonos?One Arctic Summer - Dani Haviland Was she his Red Raven or just another cheechako, a tenderfoot from the outside world looking for excitement or a news story in his remote Alaskan village? Leanne Banks - Royal DadWhat can a widower Prince do when a vivacious American tutor for his young son turns his world upside down? Can he ignore his burning attraction to the most tempting woman he has ever met? Stephanie Queen - Beachcomber Billionaire  When two hearts from different worlds collide, will they stay together or continue in different directions? Orchids & Hurricane Kisses - Stacy Eaton   It's laughter and twenty questions for Rye and Amy as they get lost in a tropical island romance as a hurricane approaches the shores of Maryland. Will it take a tragedy or a miracle to bring them back together? Nancy Radke - Trouble Never Knocks  Evil men pursue them. Can Jesse and Karin stay alive and see the future together that they both want?Rescuing the Cowboy's Heart - Aileen Fish Can Nicole help retired rodeo-clown-turned-CPA Trevor realize that he won't find lasting love with numbers, that if he expects to find 'the one' at a certain time with his logical schedule, he is doomed and may never recognize what his heart stands to lose? Lucky in Laguna - Rachelle Ayala  Tally shares a winning lottery ticket with Lucky, a reality show writer. She's always dreamed of being on TV, so Lucky writes her into the show. However, sand, surf, and romantic nights in Laguna bring complications. Will the show go on? Or will love trump reality?Sharing Sea Glass - Susan Jean Ricci After Peter rescues beach lover Jo Harrison from a near drowning at the Jersey Shore, this unlikely couple are inches away from falling in love. But are Jo's emotions for Peter based on gratitude for saving her life? And is Peter's attraction to her merely physical after watching her shower in a wet T-shirt?

    Your heart will ache in all the right ways as baby makes three for these winning duos. What a Texas Girl Needs: Matias Barnes knows all about society women like Vanessa Witte. It's part of the reason he left his wealthy family behind and took a job on a ranch. But while Mat knows she's so not right for him, can he resist her charms long enough to really let her go? The clock is winding down to the moment when Vanessa's secret will force her to flee and take away his choice forever. Marrying the Wrong Man: Morgan Parrish's dad planned her marriage to a man destined to be president of the United States, but she fell in love with the town drunk's son, got pregnant, and fled. Now she's back and waitressing at the bistro Charlie Cramer manages. If they give in to the attraction and screw things up again, their daughter will deal with the fallout - or they just might get that American dream after all. The Rebel's Own: In high school, a cruel prank left shy Kennedy Bailey pregnant and alone. Now grown-up and gorgeous, she won't let anything stop her from saving her five-year-old son's life when he's diagnosed with leukemia. Even if it means confronting his father, NFL quarterback Ryan Carville, who just wants a second chance to show he's a man worth loving. A Taste of Honey: Charli Honey knew it was a bad decision to end up in her boss's bed, and to make matters worse, now she's pregnant. William Knight is happy to do the right thing, but can she live with a man who doesn't love her? Or can William convince her a change of heart is not only possible, it's real? Sutherland's Pride: Pride Donovan's former lover, Flynn Sutherland, does not recognize her little boy as his when she returns to their Texas Gulf Coast town, but he definitely wants their relationship back. Can their second chance withstand the bombshell she's about to drop into his life? Her Soldier's Touch: When U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Colten Taylor returns briefly to Phoenix to bury his brother, he's shocked to see Rachel Madison waiting for him at the airport. He regrets the morning he walked away from her; coming from an abusive home taught Colt to put limits on all his relationships. But now that she has his son in tow, will he keep running? Sensuality Level: Sensual

    For the next ten years, Hornby’s incandescently funny "Stuff I’ve Been Reading” chronicled a singular reading life — one that is measured not just in "books bought” and "books read,” as each column begins, but in the way our feelings toward Celine Dion say a lot about who we are, the way Body Shop Vanilla Shower Gel can add excitement to our days, and the way John Updike might ruin our sex lives. Hornby’s column is both an impeccable, wide-ranging reading list and an indispensable reminder of why we read.

    When hunky horseman Travis Brooks answers her ad, she knows he’s the man for the job. Will her husband's memory come between what could be the best thing to ever happen to her? The Bronco Boys: Blake by Deb Julienne~ Blake Bronco is an FBI agent shot in the line of duty and goes home to recuperate. Hannah Parks is a nurse who swaps physical therapy treatment with a real live cowboy willing to teach her to ride a horse. Murder and mayhem seal their fates. Coverall and Cornstalks by RaeAnne Hadley~ Madysen has a job to do, Nate sees a future between them. Can he convince her he's worth the time? Shot Through The Heart by D’Ann Lindun~ Laramie Porter has been left for dead by her drug-crazed brother in the Colorado wilderness. Derrick Garrison must get his cattle out of the way of a forest fire, or lose everything. Can they escape danger and fall in love along the way?

    In this book you get 6 classic BWWM stories in 1 - that's 828 pages of interracial goodness! All of the books in this bundle can be enjoyed as stand alone stories. That said, all have further parts in the series, so if you like one more than the rest you can pick up more books with the same characters when you're ready. Books in this collection are: 1. My Russian Dream: When she woke that morning, the last thing Sophie expected was to not only meet the man of her dreams, but to enter into a fast moving whirlwind romance with a mysterious Russian billionaire. Will it all be too much for Sophie? Or will this be her dream playing out like she's always felt she deserved? 2. Passion Abroad: Have you ever felt like you just need to get away from it all? Well that's exactly how Erica feels, and she's going to do something about it! The tale of a holiday romance which turns into a round the world trip with a passionate and loving new partner. 3. Home Is Where The Heart Is: When a handsome English billionaire is looking for homes to add to his portfolio, Julie is assigned the job of helping him out. But will this billionaire have another reason for his interest in her? 4. Find Me Online: After filtering through a ton of pervs on a popular interracial dating site, Cherelle finally finds someone who catches her eye. But is there more to her catch Michael than she originally realizes? And will he be the man she is looking for? 5. Is Mr White Mr Right: One of the original BWWM books, and largely held as a classic in the genre. Natasha Black is a strong African American woman, who has always been career focused and level headed. Nothing has ever been able to knock her off her game... until now! Enter 'McDreamy', the hunk of a boss at her new dream job. Will she be able to stay career focused while getting advances from possibly the man of her dreams? 6. My Billionaire Cowboy: What does a fashion stylist and a fashionably challenged cowboy have in common?! You're about to find out... Kate is the proud owner of her own fashion boutique. Bruce is a successful business man who now spends his time on his passion: working his ranch. When fate brings these two opposites together, there's no denying there's something there. But is Kate at a point in her life where she is willing to throw caution to the wind and allow herself to be swept off of her feet by an unexpected love? Authors of these books: J A Fielding, Esther Banks and Cher Etan; all authors from Saucy Romance Books. To see more great stories by us, simply search BWWM Club on Amazon Kindle. Suitable for over 18s only due to all stories having scenes of a sexual nature.

    Everybody wins! Old Christmas: When professional chef Casey Gray returns to the southeast Texas town where she grew up, she doesn't expect to feel anything for her former lover Kalin McBride. It will take every bit of determination Kalin has, plus a little help from the magical spirit of the holiday, to convince Casey that her future lies with him. Sutherland's Pride: Pride Donovan's former lover, Flynn Sutherland, does not recognize her little boy as his when she returns to the Texas Gulf Coast town of Anahuac. But he definitely wants his Pride back - can their second chance withstand the bombshell she's about to drop into his life? Georgie's Heart: Georgeanne Hartfield, author of the explosive nonfiction book Faking It, never counted on meeting a man like Zane Bryant, who makes her feel like a woman for the first time in her life. But if he ever discovers she's behind the infamous Fritzi Field pen name, how could he possibly believe that her response to him is the real thing? The Counterfeit Cowgirl: Felicity Clayton has carefully cultivated her fashion-house cowgirl image, so she's astonished to find the citizens of Foxe, Texas, dislike her almost before she steps out of her Dodge pickup. Aaron Whitaker, a local rancher, has no use for a flashy, fake cowgirl - so why is he beginning to feel an unwanted attraction to her? The Look-Alike Bride: Leonie Daniel leads a double life, often standing in for her glamorous older sister who works as a government agent. All Leonie has to do this time is spend a few weeks in Zara's lakeside cabin near Hot Springs, Arkansas, behave like Zara, and avoid Adam Silverthorne, the man her sister is interested in. But now Adam is falling for Leonie . . . or is he? Bride by the Book: Small-town Arkansas attorney Garner Holt badly needs an assistant to sort out his cluttered office, but he didn't expect a super-secretary like Miss Angelina Brownwood. She's perfect until an online search reveals a flaw: Angelina isn't a secretary. But does her secret mean she's also not the girl for him? Sensuality Level: Behind Closed Doors

    

    But there he is, sexy as ever, sitting at her table. He’s even got a pretty impressive job; security guard to the stars. Wishing her writing career that she always dreamed of had ever taken off, Rachel concocts a plan. What if she can use some of Jayden’s insider information to write a bestselling book? She’ll only have to use him a little bit to get what she needs, what harm can there be? Except she never expected to begin to fall for him again…when she does can she still go through with her plan? Part 2 Max is the carefree younger brother of broken hearted Reid. He tries to keep his sarcasm in check and his jokes on point. Very little could ever get in the way of his jovial mood. Except the assignment Salvatore just gave him. Max’s new long term job is to work security for a pop-up fashion boutique series, which doesn’t sound all that bad if the pop-ups weren’t being opened by the one person he can’t stand - Reid’s ex-girlfriend Hannah. As he expects the two can’t seem to get along, there’s fireworks as usual when they’re around each other as they fight. But soon those fireworks turn from fighting into passion and something that could ruin his relationship with his brother forever. Part 3 Heartbroken after his breakup with Hannah, and confused by his brother’s new relationship with her, Reid has decided that romance isn’t in the cards. Not unless it's truly real. But does that even exist? He’s challenged by his new job from Spotlight, guarding the infamous and gorgeous Jennifer White from her wreck of an ex-boyfriend, also infamous Ian. How can Reid keep her protected from her ex when she is required to keep up appearances with Ian for publicity of their new movie? And what is he supposed to do when he believes that what he feels for her is real, but she’s too tied up with another man? Part 4 As the only female guard at Spotlight, Ireland has her work cut out for her among the boys, but this girl can hold her own. Her newest job is to help protect child star Kelly while she’s at school as there seems to be a stalker on the loose. Until she’s safe, Ireland will be reporting to elementary school every day to watch this spunky little girl. It seems like an easy task, though reliving the memories of her childhood feels haunting, Ireland tries to stay focused. But it’s hard to stay focused when Kelly’s newly single father is just so irresistible. Part 5 Salvatore has never recovered from the pain of his little sister’s unsolved murder when he was only a kid, and that’s why he began Spotlight to begin with. As new information comes to light for the police, her cold case is reopened, and with it all of Salvatore’s wounds. One misstep has landed him in court ordered counseling where he can’t stop fighting with his perky, perfect blonde counselor Ginny. Salvatore has a past he has to deal with and a future he needs to begin to make. If only he could stop fighting with, or kissing, his counselor, maybe he could find a way to work through his pain and see there’s more to the world.

     Back To Me An Alpha Man and BBW Steamy Sweet Romance April Will was my best friend and we’ve been apart for ten years. When I run into him again, he’s the same but different. He wants me. Not just for one night, but forever. Will I let April get away from me ten years ago, but I won’t make that mistake again. Nothing is going to stand in the way of making her mine… not even a fiancé. She’s found her way back to me and I am keeping her. Forever An Alpha Older Man, Younger BBW, Steamy Sweet Romance Carrie I was raised by my Uncle… who is trying to sell my virginity to the highest bidders. He doesn’t let me work or have any friends. My only escape is when he lets me go to the gym. He wants me to lose some weight, so he can make some more money. Little does he know, I’m taking self-defense classes so I can protect myself. But my Self Defense instructor ends up teaching me more than just self-defense. Derek I got volunteered to teach a self defense class. I end up falling for the woman with secrets. She won’t open up to me. She’s hiding something… but all I want to do is protect her. And make her mine, forever. My Everything: An Older Man, Younger BBW Steamy Sweet Romance Mack I found the love of my life when I was twenty-eight and she was eighteen. I planned to spend the rest of my life with her until I got hurt in the army. I came back not knowing if I would ever walk again. I couldn’t put her through that, so I pushed her away. I went through therapy and she went through college. I went to her college graduation because I had to see her. She wants me back… but I still think she deserves better. She makes a proposition… I give her one night and she gives me her innocence. But will one night be enough? Can I push her away again once I have her in my arms? #1 bestselling short romance author Hope Ford writes short, steamy, sweet romances. There is always an alpha male (because who doesn’t love an alpha male) and a woman he makes his queen. Sit back, grab a glass of wine, and get lost in this happily ever after story – that’s also a little naughty.