This is the definitive survey of the English language — in all its forms. Crystal writes accessibly about the structure of the language, the uses of English throughout the world and finally he gives a brief history of English. The book has been fully revised and there is a fascinating new chapter on 'The effect of technology' on the English language.

«Sex and the City» author Candace Bushnell returns to the playgrounds of Manhattan's powerful and beautiful with her sizzling sensation «4 Blondes», which gives an insider's look at the romantic intrigues, liaisons, and betrayals among the elite. She chronicles the lives of four beautiful women — a model, a columnist, a socialite, and a writer — as they face turning points at which each must choose among her passions. Studded with Bushnell's trademark wit and stiletto-heel-sharp insights, «4 Blondes» serves up the Zeitgeist and mores of our era with gossipy, scandalous verve.»

«Buy Different Seasons. I promise you'll enjoy it... He creates people who are so alive, yоu can almost sense them.» Minneapolis Star Tribune «The wondrous readability of his work, as well as the instant sense of communication with his characters, is what makes King the consummate storyteller that he is.» »

Needful Things was fantastic. I'm sorry I haven't read any other Stephen King books — this is the first Stephen King novel I've ever read, not counting On Writing. Although labeled as a horror writer, Stephen King goes beyond giving his readers goose bumps. Beyond the blood and gore lie very human stories of love, hate — and redemption

«There it lay, the great pearl, perfect as the moon.» Like his father and grandfather before him, Kino is a poor diver, gathering pearls from the gulf beds that once brought great wealth to the Kings of Spain and now provide Kino, Juana, and their infant son with meager subsistence. Then, on a day like any other, Kino emerges from the sea with a pearl as large as a sea gull's egg, as «perfect as the moon.» With the pearl comes hope, the promise of comfort and of security... A story of classic simplicity, based on a Mexican folk tale, «The Pearl» explores the secrets of man's nature, the darkest depths of evil, and the luminous possibilities of love.»

In his unequalled career, Stephen King has forged a place in publishing history as the most popular and recognized author of all time. Now, Signet is proud to reissue his most startling psychological thriller! After awakening from a four and a half year-long coma, a simple teacher finds himself irreparably altered — both blessed... and cursed — with precognative visions of the future. Driven by his altruistic nature, he decides to use his newfound powers to prevent tragic events yet to happen. But as word of his unique ability leads to unwanted fame, the gift he hoped to share with humanity inevitably separates him from it.

Maugham learned his craft from Maupassant, and these stories, featuring his alter-ego Ashenden, display the unique and remarkable talent that made him an unsurpassed storyteller.

When Daisy Buchan is 25, her beloved mother dies, and as she is reeling from this trauma, she is shocked to be told by her father that she is adopted — that her real mother was a poor young teenager from Cornwall. She does not know who her father is. Eventually Daisy finds out more about her mother, Ellen Pengelly, a farmer's daughter from a remote Cornish village, and as the layers of her family history are stripped away Daisy is horrified by what she learns. She is taken on a journey back to the past, a journey that uncovers a gripping story of innocence corrupted, and a family torn apart by greed and misery ...

Skeeve must deal with myth guided desires, fairy godfathers, and an offer he can't refuse in two of Robert Asprin's most delightful myth adventures.

Apprentice magician Skeeve, his scaly mentor Aahz and beautiful ex-assassin Tanda are back — and this time they're treasure hunting in a dimension that combines the Wild West with the vampire-cursed hills of Transylvania — where gold is common as dirt, and danger lurks behind every sagebrush.

«A fabulous «lost masterpiece» becomes the ultimate prize for an art historian whose ambition consumes everyone around her, an angry young painter with a plan for revenge on the art establishment, and a desperate gallery owner who may have double-crossed his own life away...»

A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, this historical epic-a twelfth-century tale of the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral-stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity.

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, battles a centuries-old vampire with the soul of the city — and Anita's life — at stake in this supernatural thrill ride from New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton.

«Published almost ten years ago, «Guilty Pleasures» marked the debut of a writer who was destined to grow from cult favorite to a major bestselling author. Now, for long-time Anita Blake aficionados and newfound fans, «Guilty Pleasures» makes its hardcover debut. Readers will learn how Anita Blake started raising the dead-and killing the undead. And how she met Jean Claude, the master vampire destined to become not only her biggest nemesis, but her greatest lover.»

When a vampire asks cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the vampires must promise to behave and let the humans that are involved to go unharmed. Easier said than done. All it takes is one delicious blond and one small mistake for things to turn deadly.

Anita has fallen for the leader of a local pack of werewolves. She’s survived a lot, but this love thing may kill her yet.

Six months have passed since Anita has seen either Jean-Claude or Richard. Six months of celibacy. Six months of indecision. Six months of danger. For her body carries the marks of both vampire and werewolf, and until the truimvariate is consummated, all three remain vulnerable. But when a kidnapper targets innocents that Anita has sworn to protect, she needs all the help she can get. In an earth-shattering union, Anita, Jean-Claude and Richard merge the marks — and melt into one another. Suddenly, Anita can harness both their powers. She can feel their hearts...hear their thoughts...know their hungers... Nothing can save Anita from a twist of fate that draws her ever closer to the brink of humanity-to finally surrender to the bloodlust, the beast and the desire transforming her body and consuming her soul....