Dachshund droids, mad crones, shapeshifting children, a plethora of witches, dragonstalkers, familiars, slithering eels and, of course, bats, flit and fly through these pages, aided and abetted by Kathleen Jennings’s deft and inspired pencil drawings. Stray Bats is a glorious miscellany of vignettes based on poems by Australian women. While some of the pieces hie close to the originals in form and theme, some stray far, far from them even as Lanagan delights in playing with language, rhyme, and rhythm. This could be the perfect gift for that slightly otherworldly person in your life—or for yourself, when you need a moment of magic, a dip into darkness, a spark of light. For the reader who would like to explore further, there are a list of poems that inspired the author and notes on where those poems might be found.

Ace Ventura meets the Addams Family! A shambling horde of new cases hits Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. in the Unnatural Quarter. Dan and his gang—including his ghost girlfriend, feisty lawyer partner, cop best friend, and little vampire half-daughter Alvina—are out to seek justice, solve mysteries, and keep their heads on straight ... or at least attached. Alvina’s singing lessons for the Banshee Tabernacle Choir end on a sour note when the troll choir director plunges to her death from a high belfry, and the only witness is a deaf-as-a-post gargoyle who sits too close to the loud bells. A frustrated imp, woefully unsuccessful in betting on the nightmare races, is dead certain that his bookie BatGN (GN for “gender neutral” to avoid copyright issues) is cheating him. Francine, the salty bartender at the Goblin Tavern, is worried when One Fang the vampire—her on-again, off-again suitor—disappears without a trace. A shady vendor discovers a market for living shrunken heads that are conversational as well as decorative, but the demand by far exceeds the supply. A heartless therapist has ulterior motives when she counsels zombies, distracting them from their woes to concentrate not just on brains, but on self-improvement as well. There is much at stake in the Unnatural Quarter, and it’s up to Dan Shamble to keep the streets dark and safe for monsters and humans alike. After all, the cases don’t solve themselves! This zombie detective puts the P.I. back in R.I.P.

A wonderfully illustrated guide to the natural history of the world’s bats Bats are the second-largest order of mammals and inhabit almost every corner of the globe, but these secretive creatures are often maligned and misunderstood. With more than 1,400 species worldwide, they are crucial contributors to ecosystems, controlling insect populations and fulfilling an essential role as pollinators. This one-of-a-kind guide showcases the unique characteristics and extraordinary diversity of our planet’s bat life, providing an inviting introduction to these marvelous creatures. Written by a leading expert and packed with the latest scientific findings, The Lives of Bats blends diagrams and stunning photographs with in-depth coverage of profiled species to offer an incomparable look at these unsung heroes of the natural world. Includes a wealth of stunning color photos Features dozens of representative species profiles that demonstrate the remarkable diversity and adaptability of the only mammals on Earth capable of powered flight Covers key topics such as anatomy, echolocation, diet, thermoregulation, mating, diseases, and immunity Discusses human relationships with bats Essential reading for wildlife lovers everywhere

RSPB Spotlight: Bats is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photographs and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist Thanks to their speed, size and nocturnal habitats, bats are among the most interesting, and least understood, mammals that frequent our homes and gardens. From their ability to make sounds that are above the range of human hearing, to their reliance on echolocation to navigate objects and find prey, their unique behaviour means that bats are seldom seen or heard. With nearly 1,400 species worldwide, bats make up around 25 per cent of all mammal species. Spotlight Bats features all 17 species that live and breed in the British Isles, as well as an array of the most fascinating bats from around the world, including some of the more charismatic species such as vampire bats and fishing bats. Nancy Jennings uses up-to-date research to provide insights intothe lives of these elusive mammals, covering the biology, diversity, evolution and ecology of bats, as well as their interactions with humans and folklore. The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviours of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photography and informative expert text.

Kings of the Diamond is based on historical events in Winnipeg in 1950, drawing on the city¿s great sporting heritage. The main storyline follows the 1950 season of the Northern Hotel team of the Twentieth Century Community Softball League, the powerhouse team that went on to play in the Western Canada Softball Championship that year under the direction of the story¿s chief protagonist ¿ author Robert Diamond¿s father, Lazar Diamond. That legacy is brought to life in this story of the Diamond family and the Northern Hotel and of many of the players and principals of the Twentieth Century Community Softball League. The entire narrative builds inexorably towards the final championship game, when 8,000 people crammed the Aberdeen School Grounds to watch it. Kings of the Diamond is the story of one of the most colourful chapters in the sporting and cultural history of Winnipeg, and of the legendary characters who were the main players on this stage. It is also a story of family and friendships that survive tests of emotional strength, love, and commitment, and of how they find final vindication. From Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz¿ foreword: ¿Winnipeg had its share of larger than life characters in those days. [The author] aptly and authentically describes them all in this tale of Winnipeg sports and other games ... Ex-pat Robert Diamond pays homage to his hometown, offering fascinating insights into how Winnipeg earned its moniker, the Chicago of the North, and to a very special era in softball history.¿

"Not unlike some of Ralph Ellison’s or Richard Wright’s best work. White Guilt, a serious meditation on vital issues, deserves a wide readership.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer In 1955 the killers of Emmett Till, a black Mississippi youth, were acquitted because they were white. Forty years later, despite the strong DNA evidence against him, accused murderer O. J. Simpson went free after his attorney portrayed him as a victim of racism. The age of white supremacy has given way to an age of white guilt—and neither has been good for African Americans. Through articulate analysis and engrossing recollections, acclaimed race relations scholar Shelby Steele sounds a powerful call for a new culture of personal responsibility.