Fiction. Short Stories. For the stories in this collection Vicky Grut takes inspiration from a range of often ordinary situations and explores how easily things can go awry or take an unexpected turn. The stories veer from the realistic to the surreal, and nothing is quite what it seems. To give you a flavour of what they are like here are a few snippets: In "Rich," two young people travelling towards Florence just after the Bologna bombing of 1980, decide to cadge a meal and a bed for the night from a girl they barely know. In the early hours of the morning, the atmosphere suddenly changes. They are in over their heads. In "Mistaken," an academic is mistaken for a shop assistant in a big London department store. When she reacts impulsively she finds herself in trouble. Help comes from an unlikely quarter--and for all the wrong reasons. In "Into the Valley," a woman tries to comfort her suffering mother-in-law on ward 19 in a small hospital in Wales. Underneath the ward sign it says, in English and in Welsh, "Bereavement Office / Swyddfa Profedigaeth." There probably isn't a ward 20. Many of the stories have been shortlisted for awards and prizes over the years, including the Asham Award (twice) and the Narrative Magazine Contest in the US. Six of the stories were included in new writing collections from Serpents' Tail, Pulp Editions, Duckworths, Granta, Picador and Bloomsbury, and two were published in the States by Harvard Review. The final story "Into the Valley" was included in the list of "Essays of Note in 2012" at the end of Cheryl Strayed's edition of Best American Essays, 2013. Be prepared to not only be entertained but also taken by surprise when reading the fourteen mini-novels in this collection.

When Connie Emerson's low-budget guide to Paris was first published, it quickly sold out. This newly revised edition, based on recent visits to the French capital proves that the term Paris bargain is not an oxymoron. Though the City of Light has a deserved reputation for being one of the world's most expensive destinations, it can be a cost-cutter's delight. Hotel rooms go for far less than established rack prices to people who take advantage of special promotions. This also applies to airline reservations, car rentals, or even restaurants. Charming and reasonably priced bistros dot every corner of this remarkable city. Readers will find sound advice on shopping, places of interest, senior citizen discounts, and places to entertain children (many free). Also included is a guide to the best and most effective routes for the Metro or the bus. This invaluable resource shows thrifty travelers how to get the best value for their francs.

Seems anything you do these days is an overture to trouble. Can't smoke or your lungs become festering cancer depots. Can't eat your favorite food or your arteries turn into solid lead. Can't indulge in recreational drugs without some macho DEA officer banging down your door. But there is one thing left. You can drink. Yes, booze. Hooch. Spirits. And you can drink as much of it as you want, whether you're a happy-hour regular downing a few highballs, a beerswigging frat boy, or a wine connoisseur who's been told to cut down or suffer the consequences. With nutritionist Frederick M. Beyerlein's system, you'll never get a hangover again. While becoming a 21st Century Drinker, you'll learn to protect your liver by eating the right foods & replacing the nutrients you lose every time you swallow an alcoholic beverage. Best yet, you'll learn how to really enjoy the high that comes from drinking - without the sickly aftermath. Reading this book is the best thing you can do for your body. Next time you belly up to the bar, don't let doctor's orders ruin your fun. Drink a toast to your health. Bottoms up!

A New York Times bestselling, riotously funny collection of boozy misadventures from the creator of the YouTube series, “You Deserve a Drink.” Mamrie Hart is a drinking star with a Youtube problem. With over a million subscribers to her cult-hit video series “You Deserve a Drink,” Hart has been entertaining viewers with a combination of tasty libations and raunchy puns since 2011. Hart also co-wrote/co-starred in Dirty Thirty and Camp Takota with Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart. Finally, Hart has compiled her best drinking stories—and worst hangovers—into one hilarious volume. From the spring break where she and her girlfriends avoided tan lines by staying at an all-male gay nudist resort, to the bachelorette party where she accidentally hired a sixty-year-old meth head to teach the group pole dancing (not to mention the time she lit herself on fire during a Flaming Lips concert), Hart accompanies each story with an original cocktail recipe, ensuring that You Deserve a Drink is as educational as it is entertaining. With cameos from familiar friends from the YouTube scene and a foreword by Grace Helbig, this glimpse into Hart’s life brings warmth and humor to the woman fans know and love. And for readers who haven’t met Mamrie yet—take a warm-up shot and break out the cocktail shaker: you’re going to need a drink. “Hart is a pull-no-punches comedian with a talent for self-deprecation in the guise of self-aggrandizement, a winning formula.”—The New York Times

Whether you want to start a record label, self-release your own music, or are just an avid music lover, this book will give you information about the business of music. The Label Machine: How to Start, Run and Grow Your Own Independent Music Label is the first book to give music artists practical step-by-step comprehensive instructions for setting up and running an independent music label to successfully distribute and market their music. You will learn all about the music industry business and how to navigate the tricky dos and don'ts. You will finally understand and take control of your music copyright and get to grips with the legalities involved. You will build your music business effortlessly, learning how to professionally market your music and artists - allowing you to reach thousands of fans. And essentially, you will learn how to create multiple label revenue streams to create an established record label. It features a detailed breakdown of how every part of the industry works together, including copyright in the UK and US, record label set-up, record releases, and royalty collection. It also provides in-depth guides on marketing, covering; traditional PR, Facebook and Instagram advertising, Spotify playlisting, and fan growth. Includes templates for record label and management contracts, marketing and promotion schedules, press releases, and fan email automation.

The most up-to-date Bolivia travel guidebook on the market, this book helps to to successfully navigate and explore this beautiful country. Wander the salt flats, visit the highest capital in the world, and while you're at it, the highest navigable lake. Wildlife-watch in the steamy jungles of Parque National Madidi or travel back in time at the mines of Potosi. With VIVA's book in tow, you won't miss anything.

Save time and money with in-depth reviews, ratings, and details from the trusted source for a successful Disney Cruise Line vacation. Planning a Disney Cruise Line (DCL) trip is a big deal. It’s too important to be left to chance, so put the best-selling independent guidebook to the DCL in your hands and take control of your vacation. Make every minute and every dollar count with this no-nonsense, consumer-oriented guide to the best (and worst) of Disney’s ships and itineraries. The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line 2023 explains how the DCL works and how to use that knowledge to stay ahead of the crowd. Authors Erin Foster, Len Testa, and Ritchey Halphen know that you want your vacation to be anything but average, so they employ an expert team of researchers to find the secrets, the shortcuts, and the bargains that are sure to make your vacation exceptional! Find out what’s available in every category, ranked from best to worst, and get detailed plans to make the most of your time on and off your cruise ship. Choose the right stateroom, eat at the best restaurants, find top-notch children’s activities, and experience all the can’t-miss excursions—including those offered at Castaway Cay, one of the best vacation islands in the Caribbean. The guide also provides full coverage of the Disney-run European river cruises and includes itinerary and port guides. Stay in the know on the latest updates and changes on the DCL. Here’s what’s NEW in the 2023 book: Take in advice for first-time cruisers: money-saving strategies, packing tips and other pre-trip preparation, preferred ships and itineraries, and how to hit the deck running your first day onboard Utilize suggestions for deciding whether a Disney cruise or a Walt Disney World vacation is the better choice for your family Find out the scoop on different stateroom types and how to choose the best room for your needs Get updates on COVID-era booking, boarding, and onboard procedures Read detailed descriptions of DCL’s ports of call around the world Learn about Castaway Cay, DCL’s private Bahamian island Get complete coverage and unbiased opinions about the newest ship, the Wish Uncover news about the development of DCL’s sixth and seventh ships and Disney's second private island Enjoy discussion of Adventures by Disney river cruises and how they compare with DCL cruises Make the right choices to give your family a vacation they’ll never forget. The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line 2023 is your key to planning a perfect stay. Whether you’re putting together your annual trip or preparing for your first visit, this book gives you the insider scoop on staterooms, dining, children’s activities, shopping, entertainment, and more.