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The lonely hearts hotel / by O'Neill, Heather,1973-author.;
Set in Montreal and New York between the wars, a spellbinding story about two orphans whose unusual magnetism and talent allow them to imagine a sensational future, from the bestselling, two-time Scotiabank Giller Prize-shortlisted author. Exquisitely imagined and hypnotically told, The Lonely Hearts Hotel is a love story with the power of legend. Set in the early part of the 20th Century, it is an unparalleled tale of charismatic pianos, invisible dance partners, radicalized chorus girls, drug-addicted musicians, brooding clowns, and an underworld whose fortune hinges on the price of a kiss. In a landscape like this, it takes great creative gifts to escape one's origins. It might also take true love. Two babies are abandoned in a Montréal orphanage in the winter of 1914. Before long, their true talents emerge: Pierrot is a piano prodigy; Rose lights up even the dreariest room with her dancing and comedy. As they travel around the city performing for the rich, the children fall in love with each other and dream up a plan for the most extraordinary and seductive circus show the world has ever seen. Separated as teenagers, both escape into the city's underworld, where they must use their uncommon gifts to survive without each other. Ruthless and unforgiving, Montréal in the 1930's is no place for song and dance. But when Rose and Pierrot finally reunite beneath the snowflakes, the possibilities of their childhood dreams are renewed, and they'll go to extreme lengths to make those dream come true. After Rose, Pierrot and their troupe of clowns and chorus girls hit the stage and the alleys, the underworld will never look the same. With extraordinary storytelling, musical language, and an extravagantly realized world, acclaimed author Heather O'Neill enchants us with her best novel yet -- one so magical there is no escaping its spell.
Subjects: Historical fiction.; Circus performers; Orphans; Man-woman relationships;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Kill the mall / by Malla, Pasha,1978-author.;
"What has the mall ever done to you? Welcomed you with open arms, ie. doors. Showered you with pleasure. At worst confetti. Perhaps it offered you shelter, or a place to love, or a place to dream--all at affordable rates." After writing a letter in praise of "the mall," our eccentric narrator is offered a "residency" at a shabby local shopping centre. His mission: to occupy an abandoned storefront for twelve weeks, during which he must split his time between "making work" and "engaging with the public," all the while chronicling his efforts in weekly progress reports. He quickly becomes part of mall society--bonding with the mall's kindly caretaker, the band of greasy teens working in the derelict food court and the occasional elderly or otherwise transient mall patrons, most of whom treat its hallowed halls as little more than a thoroughfare. But soon a series of disturbing anomalies during the mall's after hours, including the disappearance of our narrator's closest new mall-friend--a bright-eyed, ponytailed, blue-jeans salesclerk named Dennis--sets our hero on a quixotic quest to untangle the mystery, only to discover an invisible evil lurking deep within the bowels of the mall. Before long things get hairy, and our narrator's optimism over his mall residency descends into a phantasmagoria of horror and (possibly) murder. With the aid of the caretaker and a wise pony (named, of course, Gary) who roams the halls, it dawns on our narrator that the mall may not in fact be a utopian hub of consumer bliss, but something more sinister. And who is pulling the strings in the mall's unmapped subterranean world? Pasha Malla's creative genius shines in this madcap satiric horror-fantasy--a deceptively cutting critique of capitalism as embodied in one of our saddest capitalist inventions: the fading local mall."-- Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Psychological fiction.; Satirical literature.; Shopping malls;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Monsieur mediocre : one American learns the high art of being everyday French / by Sothen, John von,author.;
"Americans love to love Paris. We buy books about how the French parent, why French women don't get fat, and how to be Parisian wherever you are. While our work hours increase every year, we think longingly of the six weeks of vacation the French enjoy, imagining them at the seaside in stripes with plates of fruits de mer. John von Sothen fell in love with Paris through the stories his mother told of her year spent there as a student. After falling for and marrying the French waitress he meets in New York, von Sothen follows his mother's dream and moves to Paris. But fifteen years in, he's finally ready to admit his mother's Paris is mostly a fantasy. In this hilarious and delightful collection of essays, von Sothen walks us through real life in Paris--myth-busting our Parisian daydreams but also revealing the inimitable and too often invisible pleasures of family life abroad. Through these essays, you'll learn about what to do when you unwittingly commit yourself to two weeks of vacation with friends who ration snacks down to the gram and who mock you mercilessly for sleeping in; how to react when French men turn to you, the American, for fashion tips such as where to find a Maine trapper vest; and how to tell if you're being invited to a super-exclusive secret society of intellectuals or, alternately, a weird sex club. Relentlessly funny and full of incisive observations, Monsieur Mediocre is ultimately a love letter to France--to its absurdities, its history, its ideals--but it's a very French love letter: frank, smoky, unsentimental. It is a clear-eyed ode to a beautiful, complex, contradictory country from someone who both eagerly and grudgingly calls it home"--
Subjects: Autobiographies.; Biographies.; Sothen, John von.; Americans; Authors, American;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The Paradox Hotel : a novel / by Hart, Rob(Fiction writer),author.;
"A locked-room murder mystery set at a hotel for time travelers--in which a detective must solve an impossible crime before her own grip on reality crumbles--from the author of The Warehouse. On any ordinary day, the Fairbanks--affectionately known to its staff as the Paradox Hotel--is packed with ultra-rich tourists dressed for a dozen different time periods, all anxiously waiting to catch their "flights" to the past. And as if that weren't strange enough, proximity to the timeport makes for some odd side effects. The clocks run backwards on occasion, and ghosts sometimes stroll the halls--or so it's whispered. Now, though, half a dozen of the world's most powerful people have arrived for a summit. Or maybe auction's a better word. The prize: no less than control of time-travel technology itself. On top of that, the hotel's snowed in, and the timeline's acting even stranger than usual. Which means nobody's leaving until further notice. And there's a killer on the loose. Or, at least, that's what head of security January Cole suspects. Except the corpse she's found is one that, somehow, only she can see. And the accidents starting to befall their prestigious guests ... well, the only way those could be assassination attempts is if the killer's operating invisibly and in plain sight, all at once. Which is surely impossible. And ... well, even January's got to admit her credibility's not as strong as it could be. Because her gig here amounts to paid retirement, a pity posting for a former agent whose temporal perceptions have been so scrambled by the effects of timeline radiation that she's not fit for active duty. January's sure her condition is letting her glimpse something others can't. But she also knows her symptoms are getting worse--which means she might not solve this puzzle before she loses her grip on reality altogether"--
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Time-travel fiction.; Hotels; House detectives; Murder; Time travel;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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A Short Walk Through a Wide World A Novel [electronic resource] : by Westerbeke, Douglas.aut; cloudLibrary;
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pi in this dazzlingly epic debut that charts the incredible, adventurous life of one woman as she journeys the globe trying to outrun a mysterious curse that will destroy her if she stops moving. Paris, 1885: Aubry Tourvel, a spoiled and stubborn nine-year-old girl, comes across a wooden puzzle ball on her walk home from school. She tosses it over the fence, only to find it in her backpack that evening. Days later, at the family dinner table, she starts to bleed to death. When medical treatment only makes her worse, she flees to the outskirts of the city, where she realizes that it is this very act of movement that keeps her alive. So begins her lifelong journey on the run from her condition, which won’t allow her to stay anywhere for longer than a few days nor return to a place where she’s already been. From the scorched dunes of the Calashino Sand Sea to the snow-packed peaks of the Himalayas; from a bottomless well in a Parisian courtyard, to the shelves of an infinite underground library, we follow Aubry as she learns what it takes to survive and ultimately, to truly live. But the longer Aubry wanders and the more desperate she is to share her life with others, the clearer it becomes that the world she travels through may not be quite the same as everyone else’s... Fiercely independent and hopeful, yet full of longing, Aubry Tourvel is an unforgettable character fighting her way through a world of wonders to find a place she can call home. A spellbinding and inspiring story about discovering meaning in a life that seems otherwise impossible, A Short Walk Through a Wide World reminds us that it’s not the destination, but rather the journey—no matter how long it lasts—that makes us who we are.
Subjects: Electronic books.; Magical Realism; Coming of Age; Action & Adventure;
© 2024., Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster,
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The end of mental illness : how neuroscience is transforming psychiatry and helping prevent or reverse mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, addictions, PTSD, psychosis, personality disorders, and more / by Amen, Daniel G.,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."New hope for those suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addictions, PTSD, ADHD and more. Though incidence of these conditions is skyrocketing, for the past four decades standard treatment hasn't much changed, and success rates in treating them have barely improved, either. Meanwhile, the stigma of the "mental illness" label-damaging and devastating on its own-can often prevent sufferers from getting the help they need. Brain specialist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Amen is on the forefront of a new movement within medicine and related disciplines that aims to change all that. In The End of Mental Illness, Dr. Amen draws on the latest findings of neuroscience to challenge an outdated psychiatric paradigm and help readers take control and improve the health of their own brain, minimizing or reversing conditions that may be preventing them from living a full and emotionally healthy life. The End of Mental Illness will help you discover: - Why labeling someone as having a "mental illness" is not only inaccurate but harmful - Why standard treatment may not have helped you or a loved one -and why diagnosing and treating you based on your symptoms alone so often misses the true cause of those symptoms and results in poor outcomes -At least 100 simple things you can do yourself to heal your brain and prevent or reverse the problems that are making you feel sad, mad, or bad - How to identify your "brain type" and what you can do to optimize your particular type - Where to find the kind of health provider who understands and uses the new paradigm of brain health"--
Subjects: Mental health.; Mental illness.; Mental illness;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Be kind, be calm, be safe : four weeks that shaped a pandemic / by Henry, Bonnie,Dr.,author.; Henry, Lynn,author.;
Dr. Bonnie Henry has been called "one of the most effective public health figures in the world" by The New York Times. She has been called "a calming voice in a sea of coronavirus madness," and "our hero" in national newspapers. But in the waning days of 2019, when the first rumours of a strange respiratory ailment in Wuhan, China began to trickle into her office in British Colombia, these accolades lay in a barely imaginable future. Only weeks later, the whole world would look back on the previous year with the kind of nostalgia usually reserved for the distant past. With a staggering suddenness, our livelihoods, our closest relationships, our habits and our homes had all been transformed. In a moment when half-truths threatened to drown out the truth, when recklessness all too often exposed those around us to very real danger, and when it was difficult to tell paranoia from healthy respect for an invisible threat, Dr. Henry's transparency, humility, and humanity became a beacon for millions of Canadians. And her trademark enjoinder to be kind, be calm, and be safe became words for us all to live by. Coincidentally, Dr. Henry's sister, Lynn, arrived in BC for a long-planned visit on March 12, just as the virus revealed itself as a pandemic. For the four ensuing weeks, Lynn had rare insight into the whirlwind of Bonnie's daily life, with its moments of agony and gravity as well as its occasional episodes of levity and grace. Both a global story and a family story, Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe combines Lynn's observations and knowledge of Bonnie's personal and professional background with Bonnie's recollections of how and why decisions were made, to tell in a vivid way the dramatic tale of the four weeks that changed all our lives. Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe is about communication, leadership, and public trust; about the balance between politics and policy; and, at heart, about what and who we value, as individuals and a society.
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Henry, Bonnie, Dr.; Henry, Lynn.; British Columbia. Office of the Provincial Health Officer; Health officers; Sisters; COVID-19 (Disease); Epidemics;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Infectious generosity : the ultimate idea worth spreading / by Anderson, Chris,1957 January 14-author.;
Includes bibliographical references."From the bestselling author, media pioneer, and curator of TED, an inspiring book about one of humankind's defining but overlooked impulses, and how we can super-charge its potential to build a hopeful future. Recent years have been tough on optimists. Hopes that the Internet might bring people together have been crushed by the divisiveness of social media. But as head of TED, Chris Anderson has had a ringside view of the world's boldest thinkers sharing their most uplifting ideas. Inspired by them and the unique insights he gained from how online sharing transformed TED into a global beacon of transformative ideas, he believes there's a pathway back from outrage to optimism. It all comes down to reimagining the role that one of the most fundamental human virtues-generosity-can play in our connected era. What if generosity could become infectious generosity? Anderson shows how the same technologies that have bred negativity can also be mobilized as an exponential force for good, to create chain reactions of generous behavior. Every day, remarkable stories of individual acts of kindness have sparked remarkable ripple effects when shared online, achieving a level of impact never before possible. This book captures some of the most inspiring such stories, revealing their potential to solve problems and make people happier in the process. Gifts of time, talent, connection, and kindness have always been part of what it is to be a good human. But today they can be catalyzed to have world-changing, self-replicating impact. In Infectious Generosity, Anderson offers readers a playbook to fine-tune these actions, to take generosity from invisible to transformative. Infectious Generosity invites readers, as well as companies, investors, and organizations, to give more to the world than they take from it, and to wholeheartedly embrace new forms of infectious generosity. Doing so isn't merely a test of character-our entire future may depend on it. This book shows the way"--
Subjects: Generosity.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Quantum body : the new science of living a longer, healthier, more vital life / by Chopra, Deepak,author.; Fertig, Brian,author.; Tuszynski, J. A.,author.;
"In an unprecedented collaboration between three of today's most powerful minds, Deepak Chopra, M.D., teams up with physicist Jack Tuszynski, Ph.D., and endocrinologist Brian Fertig, M.D., to bring readers a visionary work that delves into the innovative world of quantum science and shows how unlocking its secrets can revolutionize how we live and age-and, ultimately, how we can eradicate disease. The key is the quantum body. Unlike our physical body, which is subject to aging, injury, and decay, the quantum body exists on a sub-atomic level and is the infinite, invisible source of everyday reality that affects your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and biological responses. Without your quantum body, there is no physical body. And this lack of awareness of the most crucial part of ourselves negatively impacts our lives every day. Through a powerful combination of prescriptive exercises and innovative research into the quantum world, the authors unveil seven breakthroughs that will revolutionize the future of everyone's well-being. Central to this revolution is a groundbreaking understanding of metabolism-the way our cells process energy-that promises to challenge our understanding of modern medicine as we know it. Though all too familiar in the physical world, Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease do not exist at the fundamental level of quantum reality. By harnessing the power of the quantum body, we can significantly improve our physical and mental well-being, including supporting healthy cell, tissue, and organ function, boosting immunity, promoting mental resilience, and expanding our understanding of what it means to live a happy and purposeful life. In this groundbreaking book, Chopra, Tuszynski, and Fertig show you the way by unveiling the "real" reality of your body and mind as never before and providing a vision for a tomorrow that is already here"--
Subjects: Longevity.; Mind and body.; Well-being;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The crucial years : the essential guide to mental health and modern puberty in middle childhood (ages 6-12) / by Ziegler, Sheryl,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index.An essential guide for parents and caregivers, this book offers insights, strategies, and understanding to navigate middle childhood (ages 6-12). Dr. Sheryl Gonzalez Ziegler, a seasoned clinical psychologist and mother, highlights ways to foster resilience, encourage open communication, and build lasting connections during this crucial period. There is a pivotal sea change happening in children's development. The age of puberty has been trending earlier for decades, and now starts as young as 8 years old in girls and 9 in boys. Bullying doesn't just happen on the playground, but over text and DM. Depression and anxiety are drastically on the rise. Couple earlier puberty with ill-equipped, developing brains and the onslaught of new media and stressors that never existed when we were kids, and it's clear that parents need a new guide to raise this new generation. The Crucial Years is your essential handbook to navigating the often misunderstood and overlooked years of middle childhood (ages 6-12). As a mom and clinical psychologist, Dr. Sheryl Ziegler knows firsthand how challenging these years can be for some and for others how they are years where a parent thinks they can finally catch their breath in between the gap from preschool and middle school. Dr. Ziegler masterfully unlocks the enigma surrounding modern puberty and offers evidence-based strategies, interventions, and answers to middle childhood's most perplexing questions and concerns. In these pages, she provides: science-based advice to recognize and navigate puberty; candid and actionable guidance for getting your kids to talk their complicated feelings and understanding their moods; insights into the changing world of gender and sexual identity, body image and disordered eating; a clear explanation of the invisible threads linking mood swings, self-confidence, and social media exposure; and road-tested, real-world guidance to handle social stress and other pressures. With The Crucial Years, you have all that you need to guide your child through the unexpected ups and downs of puberty and help them emerge as well-rounded, confident teens.
Subjects: Child development.; Child mental health.; Child psychology.; Child rearing.; Parent and child.; Parenting.; Preteens.; Puberty.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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