""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...

Robin Hemley's childhood made a wedgie of his memory, leaving him sore and embarrassed for over forty years. He was the most pitiful kindergartner, the least spirited summer camper, and dateless for prom. In fact, there's nary an event from his youth that couldn't use improvement. If only he could do them all over a few decades later, with an adult's wisdom, perspective, and giant-like height. In the spirit of cult film classics like Billy Madison...

The Three Doctors-Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt-discovered early in their friendship that they shared one disturbing trait: as children, they had to navigate life in inner-city Newark without a father's support and guidance. While each young man dealt with the turmoil caused by an absent father, with no male role model to turn to for advice, each veered dangerously close to a life of delinquency, drugs, and crime. But despite...

An intensely felt and extraordinary family memoir by Noelle Howey, who characterizes her touching and confusing sexual journey into womanhood as influenced by her relationship with her transgendered father and tomboy mother. Throughout her childhood in suburban Ohio, Noelle struggled to gain love and affection from her distant father. In compensating for her father's brusqueness, Noelle idolized her nurturing tomboy mother and her conservative grandma...

Rediscover the classic fantasy trilogy beginning with Newbery Honor winner My Father's Dragon in this 50th anniversary edition that includes three timeless tales in one, with original illustrations! A perfect family read aloud that has delighted parents and children for generations—this is the perfect gift to share some magic this Father's Day!

My Father's Dragon
When Elmer Elevator hears about the plight of an overworked...

Marriage and Kids are No Joke. He may not win Father of the Year, but Clint Edwards has won the hearts of thousands-including the New York Times, Scary Mommy, and Good Morning America-thanks to his candor and irreverence when it comes to raising kids, being married, and learning from his mistakes. Clint has three children: Tristan (the know it all), Norah (the snarky princess), and Aspen (the worst roommate ever). He describes parenting as "a million...

A young boy runs away from home to rescue an abused baby dragon held captive to serve as a free twenty-four hour, seven-days-a-week ferry for the lazy wild animals living on Wild Island.

An all new, original Maze Runner story set directly before the upcoming third film, The Death Cure. They used to live and die by the Maze -- a seemingly endless labyrinth of deathtraps that kept the Gladers prisoner and in fear. But the day Thomas arrived, he motivated them all to push back... and escape. But what they discovered was far worse than any maze: a world scorched by disease and controlled by the oppressive organisation, Wicked. Thomas,...

"On their way home, Elmer and a flying dragon land on an unusual island and help some canaries uncover a buried treasure." --