2022 GOLD WINNER: NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS - FICTION/SMALL PRESS 2022 FINALIST: NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS - REGIONAL FICTION Book Description When Miriam—restless, and longing for something she cannot name—picks up a copy of Sister Bird’s Guide to Small Birds she finds on the last page an invitation from the Sisters at St. Hildegard Monastery on Plover Point—“we gladly respond to questions about the life of birds and the life of faith.” Debut novelist Lil Copan brings us a book for birdwatchers, coffee drinkers, baseball fans, bumper-sticker readers, animal lovers and all those who care about life's most piercing, unanswerable, tender, humanizing questions. One set of letters over the course of two years reveals deep internal conflicts, a small farm on the verge of going under, a nun with a gambling addiction, and another with a profound secret that might upend everything the community worked so hard for. When an innocent birding question begins this special correspondence, what emerges is a revelatory journey of the spirit. Reviews "I read it straight through. I'm not confident that I even breathed while reading it. The novel is a wonder! Formally, literarily, and spiritually, it's just staggering. Wise and absorbing. Reading LITTLE HOURS, I had the all too rare experience of losing the self-conscious awareness that I was reading; I was, instead, simply and suddenly placed in a world that was both familiar and unfamiliar to me. What a gift." —Lauren F. Winner, author of Girl Meets God "What characters they are: finely drawn, indelibly comic, charming, irascible, forbidding, wise. And foolish, as we all are, in most compelling, most believable, ways. Beautiful writing and penetrating intelligence . . . [reminding us] sometimes wayward paths end up being the surest." —Carlene Bauer, author of Frances and Bernard "Gorgeously written. Lil Copan's luminous new book will do wonders for your soul." —James Martin, author of Building a Bridge "Little Hours is immediately funny, intimate, and soul-tending. From the first exchange of letters, you love the women writing them. You realize that their questions, desires, and temptations are your own, so you hang on every word, waiting to learn and grow along with these beautiful characters. This book is so true, and so gentle and loving in its truth telling." —Vinita Hampton Wright, author of Velma Still Cooks in Leeway "This is one of the best models for spiritual companionship I’ve seen in print. It’s a profound book. I hope that my listeners will pick it up and will love it as I have loved it." –David Dault, host of Things Not Seen radio show and podcast

In 1960, five young men arrived at the imposing gates of Parkminster, the largest center of the most rigorous and ascetic monastic order in the Western world: the Carthusians. This is the story of their five-year journey into a society virtually unchanged in its behavior and lifestyle since its foundation in 1084. An Infinity of Little Hours is a uniquely intimate portrait of the customs and practices of a monastic order almost entirely unknown until now. It is also a drama of the men's struggle as they avoid the 1960s -- the decade of hedonism, music, fashion, and amorality -- and enter an entirely different era and a spiritual world of their own making. After five years each must face a choice: to make "solemn profession" and never leave Parkminster; or to turn his back on his life's ambition to find God in solitude. A remarkable investigative work, the book combines first-hand testimony with unique source material to describe the Carthusian life. And in the final chapter, which recounts a reunion forty years after the events described elsewhere in the book, Nancy Klein Maguire reveals which of the five succeeded in their quest, and which did not.

"Byron sets off for Greece, after the failure of his involvement in the Italian revolution, to fight for Greek independence. His relationship with Countess Guicciolli has declined, on his side at least, into an affection which seems indistinguishable from the absence of true feeling. He has wasted his passion for life; for men, for children, for his sister, for his own childhood. There is nothing left. He is sailing away to die. On arrival in Greece, one of the boys sent to serve him catches his eye. It strikes him as indicative of his decline in reputation and increase in age that nothing in his person or personality can interest the child. The boy's indifference soon enflames Byron into stronger desires. Wooing the pretty Greek boy, as Byron lies dying, becomes a test not only of his gift for winning the world round to him, as he always could, but of his own ability to feel again, and its corollary: to write." -- Publisher description.

The first sixteen tales in this collection were published by Canongate in 1983 with the title Unlikely Stories, Mostly. This collection also has fifty-seven tales from later books, plus sixteen new ones written for the hardback publication of this collection. This last section, Tales Droll and Plausible, shows that Gray's recent twenty-first-century fiction is as uncomfortably funny and up to date as his earliest.

The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald offers a comprehensive collection of the author's iconic works, including novels such as The Great Gatsby and Tender Is the Night, as well as a plethora of short stories, poetry, articles, letters, plays, and screenplays. Fitzgerald's literary style is characterized by eloquent prose, detailed character development, and themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. His writing often reflects the societal changes and cultural shifts of the Jazz Age, making his works timeless classics in American literature. This collection provides readers with a deep dive into the mind of one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. F. Scott Fitzgerald's life experiences, including his own struggles with fame and fortune, deeply influenced his writing. His complex characters and vivid storytelling are a reflection of his own personal triumphs and tribulations, adding depth and authenticity to his work. The Complete Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald is a must-read for anyone interested in experiencing the full breadth of this literary genius's contributions to literature. From the captivating allure of his novels to the intimate revelations found in his personal letters, this collection showcases Fitzgerald's enduring legacy as a master storyteller.

In 'WALTER SCOTT: The Complete Novels (Illustrated),' readers are presented with a comprehensive collection of the renowned author's works, showcasing his mastery of historical fiction and vivid storytelling. Scott's literary style is characterized by detailed descriptions, complex characters, and intricate plots that transport readers to the Scottish Highlands and beyond. His novels are set against the backdrop of significant historical events, blending fact with fiction to create a rich tapestry of storytelling. The illustrations included in this edition add an extra layer of visual depth to Scott's already immersive narratives. Walter Scott, a Scottish novelist and poet, drew inspiration from his country's history and landscape to produce some of the most enduring works of English literature. His deep knowledge of Scottish history and culture is evident in his novels, which often explore themes of honor, chivalry, and national identity. Scott's unique perspective and storytelling ability have solidified his place as a key figure in the Romantic literary movement. For readers seeking a captivating literary journey through historical Scotland, 'WALTER SCOTT: The Complete Novels (Illustrated)' is a must-read. Scott's timeless tales offer a glimpse into the past while entertaining and enlightening readers with their timeless themes and engaging narratives.