Wide Awake

No campaign during World War Two contained more spinetingling drama, outstanding courage and heartbreaking tragedy than the Arctic convoys. Yet they – and the multifaceted Battle of the Arctic that had to be fought to get them through to Russia – remain one of the war’s most undercelebrated feats. 

 As this book’s title implies, Battle of the Arctic tells a unique story. For much of the conflict was complicated by terrific storms, snow, ice, fog, whales and Arctic mirages, so that what is chronicled at times sounds like a cross between the nightmarish torment experienced by both Shackleton in his ship Endurance and Scott of the Antarctic, and an Arctic version of Robinson Crusoe.

The action unfolded as Allied naval and merchant seamen, airmen, submariners, soldiers and intelligence officers delivered on their countries’ promise to take arms to Russia notwithstanding the German attempts to hunt them in their aircraft, U-boats and surface fleet spearheaded by Tirpitz and Scharnhorst. When ships were attacked, and went down in seas so cold that a man could die after five minutes of immersion, it triggered events reminiscent of the do-or-die moments during the sinking of the Titanic. Men perished one by one in lifeboats, and as castaways on deserted Arctic islands where they were stalked by polar bears. Frostbitten and wounded survivors ended up in primitive Russian hospitals where amputations were carried out without anesthetics. Others, while stranded for months in the communist state they were aiding, experienced the murky worlds of the NKVD, and the gulag, as well as famine and prostitution.

Using new material unearthed in American, British, Russian and German archives, as well as Polish, Norwegian, French and Dutch sources, and a remarkable collection of vivid witness accounts brought together at the passing of the last survivors, Hugh Sebag-Montefiore can at last shine a revealing light on this extraordinary tale that oscillates between the sailors’ eye view on the front line, and the controversies that infuriated world leaders.

Battle of the Arctic: The Maritime Epic of World War Two, By Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, Read by Alfred McNish

Curl up this winter with Snowed in at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop, a gorgeously cosy, grumpy x sunshine small-town romcom, perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Jenny Han. 

 When snow falls, sparks fly…

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️

Ivy’s first term at art college hasn’t gone to plan. Lacking in friends and inspiration, she’s looking forward to a quiet, cosy, antisocial winter holiday working at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop.

Except, her sleepy small town is suddenly full of chirpy tourists, including Trip – her most annoyingly sunshine-y (and annoyingly handsome) new customer of all, who’s desperate for Ivy to show him the sights of Fox Bay.

Ivy doesn’t think there’s much of interest in her hometown, but can seeing it through Trip’s eyes give her a fresh perspective? And when they both get roped in to helping save the local school show, might Trip be the unlikely inspiration Ivy needs to get her creative sparks flying again?

Every book in the Wildest Dreams Bookshop series can be read as a standalone.

Tropes:

🩷 Grumpy x Sunshine

🩷 Small Town

🩷 Forced Proximity

🩷 Slow Burn

Readers love The Wildest Dreams Bookshop:

📖 'Like a Christmas hug in book form, this is the kind of story that wraps you up in festive warmth and good cheer. The setting is adorable and the atmosphere perfectly seasonal, full of charm'

📖 'A perfect blend of charm, heart and a touch of magic'

📖'If you love books about books, characters who are just trying to get their lives together, and seaside small-town chaos, The Wildest Dreams Bookshop is for you'

📖'With an ending like something out of Gilmore Girls, it's perfect to get your heart swooning'

📖'I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down'

Every book in the Wildest Dreams Bookshop series can be read as a standalone.

Snowed in at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop, By Gracie Page, Read by Venice van Someren

Sunday Times bestselling author Anita Frank returns with a breathtaking story of love and resistance, perfect for fans of Sebastian Faulks 

 ‘Tender and evocative… ultimately humane and affirming’ Sean Lusk

'Vividly captures a time of tested loyalties, courageous defiance and the ever-present yearning for love, safety and peace' Daily Mail

‘A heart-rending story of love, heroism and sacrifice’ Woman & Home

'Anita Frank writes with warmth about her characters and the jeopardies they face' The Times

*****

May 1915. When his aircraft crashes in Northern France, British airman Henry finds himself stranded behind enemy lines. His survival depends on the courage and compassion of a local family who risk everything by hiding him in their farmhouse.

With her village already suffering under Occupation, Marie knows sheltering Henry will put her in family in grave danger, and that peril only increases when two German officers are unexpectedly billeted with them. Forced to live cheek by jowl with their occupiers, it takes all their cunning to keep their deadly secret.

As the shadow of war spreads, loves blooms, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

But before long love is put to the test as everyone’s loyalty is called into question. The ramifications of the choices they must now make will be felt long after the war is over.

Anita Frank’s captivating new novel is a deeply moving tale of courage and sacrifice.

This gripping wartime tale … is testament to how love can blossom in the most unlikely circumstances' The Sunday Post

'Beautiful, evocative … a deeply moving tale' Platinum

‘A heart-wrenching and heart-warming tale of friendship, love, loyalty, bravery, survival and, above all, of hope. Spectacular storytelling!’ Diane Jeffrey

‘Rendered in Anita Frank’s beautiful and filmic prose, this is a story of courage and impossible choices in wartime rural France. I could not put it down’ Julia Kelly

*****

Readers give Small Acts of Resistance five stars!: 
'Compelling, gripping, brilliant … Historical fiction readers can’t fail to enjoy Small Acts of Resistance'

'A beautiful, powerful and emotive read that completely stole my heart'

'Brilliantly written, full of emotion, tension, and drama … a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction that moves both the heart and the mind'

'A powerful historical novel that consumed me from the start'

'With wonderfully conceived characters that perfectly capture the essence of the story, I was thoroughly enthralled by this captivating book'

'A beautiful story of love, resistance and humanity'

Praise for Anita Frank:
‘Ingenious’ Sunday Times

‘Frank is a writer who I will continue to read, again and again, she never lets you down’ Fíona Scarlett

‘From now on, Anita will be a must-read author for me’ Jill Mansell

‘Exquisitely written’ Tom Hindle

‘Addictive and utterly compelling

Small Acts of Resistance, By Anita Frank, Read by Cicely Whitehead

'Heartfelt, poignant, properly gripping and laugh-out-loud funny' TOM ELLEN 

 'Sharp and witty' SUN

'A modern Bridget Jones' READER REVIEW

'Hilarious, chaotic, and full of heart' READER REVIEW

🃏🃏🃏

When you’ve hit rock bottom, there’s only one way to go.

Becky’s not exactly living her best life. Her mum is throwing her a twenty-ninth birthday party. She’s still holding a torch for her ex, Max, who’s moving in with his girlfriend. Her coupled-up best friends Dami and Angie can only talk about careers or Dami’s upcoming wedding. When a younger, less experienced colleague is promoted over Becky, things surely can’t sink lower. Until a tarot reading throws up the Death card and Becky leaps to the conclusion that the clock is ticking for her.

There’s only one thing to do: book a ticket to Bali to live it up in the time she has left. But not before she’s drunkenly posted letters to her loved ones – less of a goodbye, more a chance to spill some ‘home truths’.

But the next day Becky’s trip to Bali is off, and she realises perhaps she was a little overzealous in predicting her imminent demise. She thought her life couldn’t get any worse, but now Becky’s going to have to face everyone who knows just what she thinks of them …

🃏🃏🃏

Readers love P.S. You're The Worst:
'I loved this! It was such a fun concept' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A fantastic read that combines humor, heart, and a touch of social wisdom' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Becky is a character that'll make you feel seen' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I absolutely loved this and it made me howl with laughter' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Funny and compassionate' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'So relatable!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The hook of this book is magnificent … the perfect end of year read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Hilarious, chaotic, and full of heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🃏🃏🃏

Praise for Chloe Seager:
'Fun and completely engrossing read' Rebecca Ryan

‘A hilarious and sharp take on not just romantic relationships but friendships too with incredibly relatable characters and dating experiences. I LOVED IT’ Kate Weston

‘Funny, charming and unique’ Lauren Forsythe

'Compelling' Daily Mail

P.S. You’re the Worst, By Chloe Seager, Read by Beth Eyre

*Introduced by Rory Stewart*

What makes a person good? What does it mean to be evil? And what does it tell us about being human? 

 Philosophers have been grappling with these questions for thousands of years, and they remain as vital as ever in our present moment. Here, in a selection of essays each written by a different world expert, we explore the ideas of twelve strikingly different philosophers. From Hannah Arendt’s 'banality of evil' to Nietzsche’s embrace of suffering, from John Stuart Mill’s ethics of happiness to the ruthless realism of Machiavelli, there is an approach for readers of all persuasions. This is the book for anyone trying to understand how humans can sometimes behave so badly, and how we can all be better.

Good and Evil: 12 Philosophers on How to Live, By Edited by Andrew Irwin, Read by Leighton Pugh

What if the key to the life you want isn’t wishing harder – but telling a better story? 

 Where you are today has been determined by every thought and feeling you’ve had, every action you’ve taken and the people and circumstances you have attracted. Manifest the Life You Love shows you how to focus each of these into crafting the story you want and claiming the life that’s waiting for you.

Carolyn Boyes brings a bold new approach to manifestation that combines storytelling with the power of intention, walking you through seven crucial steps to successful manifesting. Going beyond vague affirmations and vision boards, this illuminating book harnesses the mechanics of storytelling – motivation, conflict, resolution – to get clear on what you want, what’s standing in your way and how to move forward.

Learn to examine the stories you tell yourself – the beliefs, doubts and patterns that hold you back and limit your potential – and instead, rewrite your internal narrative by:

• Uncovering what the real wish is beneath the noise of ‘shoulds’ and self-doubt
• Creating vivid, emotionally charged visions of your future self
• Building momentum through consistent action – without burnout

Because when you begin to shift what you believe is possible, the real transformation begins.

With guided prompts, interactive journaling exercises and practical rituals, Manifest the Life You Love is more than a book – it’s a toolkit for personal reinvention. Whether you’re manifesting love, purpose or self-trust, you will see that no obstacle can bring a full stop to your plans.

So what are you waiting for? Create the life that you want.

Perfect for fans of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith

Manifest the Life You Love: Unlock the power of your story, By Carolyn Boyes, Read by Carolyn Boyes

‘Two of the greatest children’s books ever written’ – The Times on The Box of Delights and The Midnight Folk.  

 ‘You ought to know about the treasure, Kay … for until it is restored or traced, no man of our name ought to rest.’

Determined to recover the long-lost family treasure, Kay finds himself in a race against the evil Abner Brown. Abner has his witch friends and his dark magic to help him, but Kay has the very special Midnight Folk.

In a breathtaking, magical quest, which side will find the treasure first?

John Masefield’s classic children’s book is considered to be one of the great works of modern children’s fiction. Magical, fantastical and filled with vivid, rich characters – brought to life in this edition by Quentin Blake’s stunning artwork – The Magic Folk and its prequel The Box of Delights are a must-read for any child.

The Midnight Folk, By John Masefield, Illustrated by Quentin Blake, Read by Caius Nicholas

Forest celebrates the diverse ways in which trees and forests are as magnificent, economically relevant and profoundly enchanting today as they ever have been.

Journeying across the continents, Matt Collins and Roo Lewis tie together both the historical context and modern-day applications of some of the world's most fascinating and iconic trees. 

 Forest is a celebration of the diverse ways in which trees and forests are as magnificent, economically relevant and profoundly enchanting today as they ever have been.

Journeying across the continents, writer Matt Collins and photographer Roo Lewis tie together both the historical context and modern-day applications of some of the world's most fascinating and iconic trees. They explore the heritage of woodlands from around the world and meet those whose lives are inexplicably bound to them.

The book is divided into 10 main chapters, each of which explores a tree from a particular genus – Pine, Juniper, Oak, Hornbeam, Cherry, Beech, Birch, Chestnut, Douglas-fir and Poplar. Each chapter provides the reader with a short introduction to the tree, followed by a journalistic account of its relevance to modern day-life (from gin making on Isle of Islay to a truffle farm in Spain), and concludes with an account of the tree in its native forest (from hornbeams in the Ironwoods of Ontario to firs on Vancouver Island).

Captured on medium-format film, Roo’s stunning, rich colour images are the perfect companion to Matt’s engaging storytelling and botanical knowledge. Forest crafts a captivating interpretation of the story of the forest through the trees.

Forest: Walking among trees, By Matt Collins, Photographs by Roo Lewis, Read by Richard Hughes

Celebrate Norwegian roots in America as we mark the 200th anniversary of a major wave of immigration to the US from the Scandinavian nation. Then join an expert of the offbeat as he delves into some of the more curious places and things held dear by people around the world. And listen in as callers share their favorite travel memories of the year behind us. Plus, learn from Scottish tour guides about Edinburgh's lively New Year's Eve traditions of Hogmanay. 

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

816 Vesterheim; Atlas Obscura Curiosities; Lessons Learned

For the 20th anniversary of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits conversations with acclaimed directors Brian Koppelman, Thomas Kail, Mike Mills, Sarah Polley, and Siân Heder. These excerpts explore the director’s role as the central collaborator, guiding creative teams and shaping a project from vision to execution. Together, they reflect on the choices, pressures, and responsibilities of bringing a story to life.

Wide Awake

Em Shaffer

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