A Gathering Of Friends

His tales of India are fresh yet age-old; the scents, sights and languor of the Indian scene have rarely been captured with such ease and authority?'-National Herald 'Ruskin Bond has a magnificently simple and immensely moving style, compassion and a love and reverence for life'-Indian Express 'A writer of great gifts.'- New Statesman One of the country's foremost writers.'- Sunday Chronicle 'The country's best-loved English-language storyteller...seldom disappoints his readers... If you want the...pleasures of a good story, you can't go wrong with Bond.'- Live Mint One of India's best-loved storytellers.'- The Hindu The twenty-one stories in the book are the greatest pieces of fiction written by Ruskin Bond. Chosen by the author himself, from a body of work built over fifty years (starting with his award-winning first novel, The Room on the Roof, and ending with Tales of Fosterganj) this collection includes well-known masterpieces like 'The Night Train at Deoli', 'The Woman on Platform No 8', 'Rusty Plays Holi' (from The Room on the Roof), 'Angry River', 'The Blue Umbrella', 'The Eyes Have It', 'Most Beautiful', 'Panther's Moon', as well as newer stories like 'An Evening at the Savoy with H.H.' (from Maharani) and 'Dinner with Foster' (from Tales of Fosterganj). Taken together, the stories in A Gathering of Friends show why Ruskin Bond has long been regarded as one of the pillars of Indian literature. This is a book that will delight his legions of fans as well as those lucky few who are new to his fiction.

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" --Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED From the host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, an exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond. In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings--conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp--and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience. The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue--and how you host and attend them.

Create Memorable Gatherings with Simplicity and Style Welcoming friends and family into your home doesn't have to be intimidating! These 50 affordable and inspired ideas from bestselling author Melissa Michaels will help you turn any get-together into a special memory. Simplify tasks and focus on what guests remember most: the atmosphere, feast, conversation, and special touches. Reduce stress when you embrace your authentic hosting style, easy DIYs, and the freedom of using what you have. Celebrate people as the centerpiece of any gathering with simple activities that spark conversation and connection. With more than 300 tips for a variety of gatherings—from a casual outdoor barbeque to a creative guest-of-honor dessert--you'll feel inspired to open your door with confidence! * * * "Simple Gatherings invites us all to check hospitality fears and perfectionism at the door. The helpful tips and creative ideas inside will inspire even the most reluctant hostess to take that first step toward creating space for a simple but memorable experience." Sandy Coughlin, Reluctant Entertainer (blog)

Ten unforgettable tales of fascinating human encounters with animals and birds—of a man-eater that terrorizes an entire village; the strange and wonderful trust that develops between a fierce leopard and a boy; revengeful monkeys who never forgive a woman who grows dahlias; a crow who genuinely thinks human beings are stupid; and many others— that create a world in which men and wild creatures struggle to survive despite each other: a world where, in the end, one is not quite sure which side one is on. Panther’s Moon and Other Stories is another marvellous collection of stories from India’s most-loved author that will once again amuse, enchant, and delight readers of all ages.

On the heels of the wildly popular "The Darkest Powers" series comes the first in another supernatural YA trilogy from New York Times bestelling author Kelley Armstrong. Maya lives in a small medical-research town on Vancouver Island. How small? You can't find it on the map. It has less than two-hundred people, and her school has only sixty-eight students — for every grade from kindergarten to twelve. Now, strange things are happening in this claustrophobic town, and Maya's determined to get to the bottom of them. First, the captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. A year later, mountain lions start appearing around Maya's home, and they won't go away. Her best friend, Daniel, starts getting negative vibes from certain people and things. It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret — and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatomy: Her paw-print birthmark.

This charming planner will help you host gracious and memorable get-togethers that inspire connection. Discover new ideas, recipes, and simple DIYs, along with handy checklists and other tools to keep you on track. Welcome warmth, joy, and laughter back to your table. Plan and prepare for your next gathering with an open heart, a thoughtfully decorated table, an easy and delicious meal, and those extra-special touches your guests will appreciate and remember. Bre Doucette, creator of the popular lifestyle blog Rooms for Rent and the author of the Gift of Gathering book, doesn’t want you or your loved ones to miss out on the opportunity to join one another for good food and fellowship. Bre has designed this planner with everything you’ll need to host with ease and confidence. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that every detail has been accounted for, freeing you up to fully enjoy the true gift of gathering— spending time with your friends and family. This planner makes an ideal companion to theGift of Gathering book or works perfectly on its own.

When BJ, a newcomer to Mill Valley, enters their close-knit circle and opens up about her dark past, Gerri, Andy, and Sonja come together to help her get back on track and, in the process, make strides in their own lives, becoming stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

H.H. is the spoilt, selfish, beautiful widow of the Maharaja of Mastipur. She lives with her dogs and her caretaker, Hans, in an enormous old house in Mussoorie, taking lovers and discarding them, drinking too much and fending off her reckless sons who are waiting hungrily for their inheritance. The seasons come and go, hotels burn down, cinemas shut shop and people leave the hill station never to return, but H.H. remains constant and indomitable. Observing her antics, often with disapproval, is her old friend Ruskin, who can never quite cut himself off from her. Melancholic, wry and full of charm, Maharani is a delightful novella about love, death and friendship.