As a girl, Clara del Valle can read fortunes, make objects move as if they had lives of their own, and predict the future. Following the mysterious death of her sister, Rosa the Beautiful, Clara is mute for nine years. When she breaks her silence, it is to announce that she will be married soon to the stern and volatile landowner Esteban Trueba. Set in an unnamed Latin American country over three generations, The House of the Spirits is a magnificent epic of a proud and passionate family, secret loves and violent revolution.

'Crowded, crammed, bursting with manic erudition, garlicky puns, omnilingual jokes... which meshes the real and personalised history of the twentieth century' (Martin Amis). Kenneth Toomey is an eminent novelist of dubious talent; Don Carlo Campanati is a man of God, a shrewd manipulator who rises through the Vatican to become the architect of church revolution and a candidate for sainthood. These two men are linked not only by family ties but by a common understanding of mankind's frailties. In this epic masterpiece, Anthony Burgess plumbs the depths of the essence of power and the lengths men will go for it.

In 1950, no mountain higher than 8,000 meters had ever been climbed. Maurice Herzog and other members of the French Alpine Club resolved to try. This is the enthralling story of the first conquest of Annapurna and the harrowing descent. With breathtaking courage and grit manifest on every page, Annapurna is one of the greatest adventure stories ever told. As well as an introduction by Joe Simpson, this new edition includes 16 pages of photographs, which provide a remarkable visual record of this legendary expedition.

Forget Paris — London is the city for lovers. London for Lovers navigates the changing face of the Capital, with all of its secrets and surprises, mapping out romantic dates full of originality, spontaneity, and adventure, allowing you to concentrate on the main event — each other. Whether your idea of a blissful date is walking with dinosaurs in Crystal Palace or star-gazing in Greenwich Park, sniffing out the best street eats in Maltby Street or unearthing Gothic romance in Highgate Cemetery — there are ideas here to suit every mood, every season and every budget. There are suggested routes for quiet days of romance in Leafy London — from Hampstead Heath and Kensington Gardens, to Isabella Plantation and St James Park, taking in some secret gardens on the way. Or for the night owls, Late Night London — from the Seven Noses of Soho to the streets of Shoreditch, from Dalston's hippest bars to Exmouth Market's Cafe Kick. And then there's Lost London, Last Minute London, Lazy London and Learned London, as well as Live and Left-field London. For first dates and soul mates, long term Londoners or just visiting, this book freewheels through London to find you a few hours that could change everything.

Realising that his New Year is probably going to be a disaster, as usual, our narrator, on impulse, walks into a travel agency to book a week in the sun. Sensitive to his limited means and dislike of Muslim countries, the travel agent suggests an island full of 21st century hedonism, set in a bizarre lunar landscape — Lanzarote. On Lanzarote, one can meet some fascinating human specimens, notably Pam and Barbara — 'non-exclusive' German lesbians — who can give rise to some interesting combinations. Will they succeed in seducing Rudi, the police inspector from Luxembourg, currently living in exile in Brussels? Or will he join the 'Azraelian' sect, as they prepare for humanity to be regenerated by extra-terrestrials? As for our narrator, will he consider his week's holiday on the island a success?

With three ex-wives, a failing career and only his dog George for company, Buffy's bachelorhood is looking worryingly confirmed. Until he meets Celeste. Dazzled by love, Buffy has no idea that Celeste is systematically researching his ex-wives, children and step-children, and unearthing secrets that will change all their lives.

Deutschland hat viel Liebenswertes zu bieten: Sparkassenberater, die von jeder Geldanlage abraten, Zeitungsenten aus Plüsch, ein findiges Finanzamt oder Vegetarier, die gerne Fleisch essen nur nicht das von Tieren. Außerdem gibt es bei uns die perfekte Form der Schriftgutverwaltung. Schließlich ist ein Land ein schwieriges Unternehmen, und um es in den Griff zu bekommen, braucht man Erfindungsgeist. So erfanden die Amerikaner den Colt, die Russen das Destilliergerät und die Deutschen den Leitz-Ordner. Wladimir Kaminer sieht seine Wahlheimat mit viel Verständnis für deren Schrullen und Besonderheiten. Und so sind wir am Ende von uns selbst ganz bezaubert. Denn wer hätte gedacht, was für ein lustiges Volk wir im Grunde sind!

In this surprising and moving novel, the careers of a golden-boy rookie hitter for the Cubs and a hard-hitting Mets pitcher take very different paths. The baseball is thrilling, but it's what happens off the field that makes Calico Joe a classic.

Family, that slippery word, a star to every wandering bark, and everyone sailing under a different sky. After his mother's death, Richard, a newly remarried hospital consultant, decides to build bridges with his estranged sister, inviting Angela and her family for a week in a rented house on the Welsh border. Four adults and four children, a single family and all of them strangers. Seven days of shared meals, log fires, card games and wet walks. But in the quiet and stillness of the valley, ghosts begin to rise up. The parents Richard thought he had. The parents Angela thought she had. Past and present lovers. Friends, enemies, victims, saviours. And watching over all of them from high on the dark hill, Karen, Angela's stillborn daughter. The Red House is about the extraordinariness of the ordinary, weaving the words and thoughts of the eight characters together with those fainter, stranger voices — of books and letters and music, of the dead who once inhabited these rooms, of the ageing house itself and the landscape in which it sits. Once again Mark Haddon, bestselling author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and A Spot of Bother, has written a novel that is funny, poignant and deeply insightful about human lives.

Only minutes after Abbie Elliot and her three best friends step off a private helicopter, they enter the most luxurious, sumptuous, sensually pampering hotel they have ever been to. Their lavish presidential suite overlooks Monte Carlo, and they surrender: to the sun and pool, to the sashimi and sake, to the Bruno Paillard champagne. For four days they're free to live someone else's life. As the weekend moves into pulsating nightclubs, high-stakes casinos, and beyond, Abbie is transported to the greatest pleasure and release she has ever known. In the morning's harsh light, Abbie awakens on a yacht, surrounded by police. Something awful has happened — something impossible, unthinkable. Abbie, Winnie, Serena, and Bryah are arrested and accused of the foulest crime imaginable. And now the vacation of a lifetime becomes the fight of a lifetime — a fight for survival. Guilty Wives is the ultimate indulgence, the kind of non-stop joy-ride of excess, friendship, betrayal, and danger that only James Patterson can create.

When a body is found floating in a canal, strangely disfigured and with multiple stab wounds, Commissario Brunetti is called to investigate and is convinced he recognises the man from somewhere. However, with no identification except for the distinctive shoes the man was wearing, and no reports of people missing from the Venice area, the case cannot progress. Brunetti soon realises why he remembers the dead man, and asks Signorina Elettra if she can help him find footage of a farmers' protest the previous autumn. But what was his involvement with the protest, and what does it have to do with his murder? Acting on the fragile lead, Brunetti and Inspector Vianello set out to uncover the man's identity. Their investigation eventually takes them to a slaughterhouse on the mainland, where they discover the origin of the crime, and the world of blackmail and corruption that surrounds it. Both a gripping case and a harrowing exploration of the dark side of Italy's meat industry, Donna Leon's latest novel is a compelling addition to the Brunetti series.

Englishman Paul West is living the Parisian dream, and doing his best not to annoy the French. But recently things have been going tres wrong: He's stuck in an apartment so small that he has to cut his baguettes in two to fit them in the kitchen. His research into authentic French cuisine is about to cause a national strike — and it could be all his fault. His Parisian business partner is determined to close their tea-room. And thinks that sexually harrassing his female employees is a basic human right. And Paul's gorgeous ex-girlfriend seems to be stalking him. Threatened with eviction, unemployment and bankrupcy, Paul realises that his personal merde factor is about to hit the fan...

Harry is out of his depth. Detective Harry Hole is meant to keep out of trouble. A young Norwegian girl taking a gap year in Sydney has been murdered, and Harry has been sent to Australia to assist in any way he can. He's not supposed to get too involved. When the team unearths a string of unsolved murders and disappearances, nothing will stop Harry from finding out the truth. The hunt for a serial killer is on, but the murderer will talk only to Harry. He might just be the next victim. Appearing in English for the first time, The Bat is the legendary first novel from the worldwide phenomenon Jo Nesbo.

«Full-color guide — Make your trip to Tokyo unforgettable with illustrated features, maps, and color photos. Customize your trip with simple planning tools — Top experiences & attractions — Lodging comparison chart — Easy-to-read color neighborhood maps Explore Ueno Park, the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, and beyond — Discerning Fodor's Choice picks for hotels, restaurants, sights, and more — «Word of Mouth» tips from fellow Fodor's travelers — Illustrated features on Japan's history, shopping in Tokyo, and experiencing Mt. Fuji — Best ideas for making the most of your time, ways to experience Japanese culture, where to shop, and where to eat. Opinions from destination experts — Fodor's Tokyo-based writers reveal their favorite local haunts — Frequently updated to provide the latest information.»

Amateur photographers can create more nuanced, high-impact photography with this guide to the complete HDR workflow. High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging has become synonymous with compelling photography in today's digital world. This gorgeously illustrated guide by popular author Harold Davis brings HDR within reach of every photographer, offering a broad introduction to the complete workflow, from shooting to processing, as well as a range of techniques not covered anywhere else.

«One of the most popular destinations for Americans in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands lie between the sun-kissed beaches of Cancun and the western tip of Jamaica. Famous for their ravishing coral reefs, safety, and hospitality, the Cayman Islands are a favorite destination for families, couples, and scuba divers. «InFocus Cayman Islands» has detailed coverage of Grand Cayman but also in-depth information on the sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, two Caribbean islands that remain relatively undiscovered, yet are famous for great diving and casual, comfortable resort accommodations. Competitive Advantage: With comprehensive coverage and dozens of color photos, this guide is the best choice for travelers who want a comprehensive overview of what the Cayman Islands have to offer. Compact Format: Fodor's InFocus Guides are packed with the same coverage of a full-size guidebook in a smaller, more convenient format that is easier to carry on a trip. New Coverage: New Cayman Island restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife options, and sports outfitters have been added throughout the guide. Illustrated Features: The best each island has to offer is highlighted. Great Itineraries help travelers plan the perfect day or night. Vibrant color photos capture the beauty of all three Cayman islands. Indispensable Trip Planning Tools A planner gives useful, practical overviews of important information. A wide-ranging feature on the top experiences in the Cayman Islands helps travelers plan the perfect vacation. Discerning Recommendations: «Fodor's InFocus Cayman Islands» offers savvy advice and recommendations from expert writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. «Word of Mouth» quotes from fellow travelers provide valuable insights.»

«Beautiful beaches, perfect weather, movie-star glamour...there are so many reasons to visit Southern California that deciding where to go and what to do can be a bit overwhelming. Fodor's Southern California 2013 takes the guesswork out of choosing the perfect SoCal experiences--from picking the perfect Santa Barbara bistro to finding the best studio tour in Hollywood. This guide is filled with awe-inspiring photography, in-depth cultural features, and advice and tips from our team of local writers, making it as indispensable as a tube of SPF 30. Competitive Advantage: The only annually updated guidebook to Southern California. Illustrated Features: Special «Fodor's Features» throughout the guide illuminate the most distinctive aspects of Southern California. Features on San Diego's Balboa Park, Hollywood, California's missions, and PCH driving give travelers an unparalleled sense of Southern California. Indispensable Trip Planning Tools: Each chapter opens with an orientation spread that includes a map, short descriptions of each region, and the «Top Reasons to Go.» Tips on surfing, traveling with kids, avoiding traffic, and more assist a wide range of travelers. Discerning Recommendations: Fodor's Southern California offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. «Word of Mouth» quotes from fellow travelers provide valuable insights. TripAdvisor Reviews: Our experts' hotel selections are reinforced by the latest customer feedback from TripAdvisor. Travelers can book their California stay with confidence, as only the best properties make the cut.»

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery, this Austen journal is sure to delight and inspire your prose! The 5-year journal has become one of the most popular ways to keep a diary. Simply turn to today s date and take a few moments to reflect on a quote from one of Jane Austen s iconic works. When you finish the year, move on to the next section. As the years pass, you ll notice how your entries evolve alongside the timeless witticisms of Jane Austen. The 5-year format allows for 1,825 reflections on Austen s aphorisms, which are featured as a header for each day. With only a few lines available to write each day, this journal provides a simple and quick way to record all of one s important nothings. The diary can be started on any day of the year and makes a sweet gift for birthdays.

A witty homage to both the Big Apple and the City of Lights, this collection of 50 visual comparisons between the two cities will delight anyone who appreciates well-observed illustrations of urban life (in the tradition of Robinson's New York Line By Line, and Matteo Pericoli's New York Unfurled). Based on the blog Paris Versus New York (parisvsnyc.blogspot.com) and an upcoming book (Penguin, Fall '11), this box of postcards is a love letter to two of the most inspiring cities in the world. In his crisp, minimalist style, artist Vahram Muratyan presents side-by-side comparisons of cultural touchstones such as the Eiffel Tower vs. the Statue of Liberty, a glass of Bordeaux vs. a Cosmo, the Baguette vs. the Bagel, and Jean Luc Godard vs. Woody Allen (represented only by their iconic eye glasses).

Photoshop is an entry into a new world of colour and textures that artists can apply with the touch of a keyboard. Designed as a comprehensive series of in-depth tutorials for painters, photographers and printmakers, Photoshop for Artists demonstrated in detail the complete range of Photoshop techniques that arists can use to produce a wealth of creative imagery.