Love is a crazy thing. It can heal you. It can hurt you. It can keep you alive. It can kill you. You'd be willing to walk thousands of miles for that one person, but not for yourself. You put their happiness over your happiness. They are on your mind all day. You think about them. At any minute. Everywhere. Your heart races when you see them. When you hear them. When you think of them. And when you get hurt by that one person you liked more than yourself. Your world breaks into a million pieces. Your mood was dependent on theirs. You thought that person would never leave. Yet, they did. And now you are clueless. You've lost the compass of life. You don't know what to do. You overthink. You blame yourself. Even though you know the reality. You know after they hurt you, you still like them. You wait for their messages, when they can go all day without thinking about you. Let me tell you about this one girl. The girl that changed me forever.

Puss in Boots is a famous European fairy tale about a cat who helped his master a good life. And, like many fairy tales, it had a good ending, both for the cat and for his owner. But what if it wasn't the end of the fairy tale? What if Puss in Boots had a different ending, a different fate? And what if his new chapter was a little darker than the previous one?

In a world hidden from the eyes of the kingdoms, a mysterious meeting unfolds - the secret gambling ring. Unaware of their true identities, the "Mystic Wanderer" and "King's Ace" become entangled in a high-risk game that goes beyond wealth and power. As secrets are revealed, alliances formed and forbidden desires ignite, their fates intermingle in a dancing shadow. But is it all just a game?

"I have told you our story," I say. "Did you like it?" Your silence stretches across Freya's Grove. A single summer during childhood. A single year on the cusp of adulthood. For Ada, it might just be enough to say yes.

How does it feel to wake up in a scene of a World War II movie? How did people, who were attacked by their neighbour country react and what did they do in face of death and danger? Why is Ukraine a country of leaders? Answers to these questions could be found in stories of Ukrainian volunteers, who prove that people are stronger than circumstances. The author describes her escape from homeland, her way to volunteering, and shares the stories of fellow Ukrainians, who chose not to give up or stay indifferent, despite their age, status or profession. These are the stories of personal responsibility and true leadership, combined with devotion and cooperation, few from many. "I have your back", says every act of a volunteer, but what if it could become a new way of living for our global community, humanity as a whole. Would it be a really nice place to raise our children and grandchildren, indeed?

The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. "The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." —Publisher's Weekly “Any story that starts will also end.” As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores “what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self.” When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman—Tom’s brilliant assistant Sooki—with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer’s eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo’s children’s books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz’s Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.

In the bustling '90s on Mackinac Island, Michigan, Camila Sánchez dreams of a life beyond her job at the Bayview Hotel, unaware of its criminal underbelly. Enter undercover FBI agent Spencer Thronefield, revealing a shocking secret involving illegal auctions within the hotel's shadowy corridors, where stolen treasures change hands mysteriously. Suddenly, chaos erupts, propelling Camila into a dangerous dance with criminals, testing her strength and determination. With dawn breaking over the island, secrets unravel, alliances shift, and Camila faces choices that will redefine her future. Will Camila and Spencer check out of the Bayview Hotel alive?