The Destiny Thief

"It turns out that Russo the nonfiction writer is a lot like Russo the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. He is affably disagreeable, wry, idiosyncratic, vulnerably bighearted, a craftsman of lubricated sentences."—Jay Fielden, New York Times Book Review A master of the novel, short story, and memoir, the best-selling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Everybody's Fool now gives us his very first collection of personal essays, ranging throughout writing and reading and living. In these nine essays, Richard Russo provides insight into his life as a writer, teacher, friend, and reader. From a commencement speech he gave at Colby College, to the story of how an oddly placed toilet made him reevaluate the purpose of humor in art and life, to a comprehensive analysis of Mark Twain's value, to his harrowing journey accompanying a dear friend as she pursued gender-reassignment surgery, The Destiny Thief reflects the broad interests and experiences of one of America's most beloved authors. Warm, funny, wise, and poignant, the essays included here traverse Russo's writing life, expanding our understanding of who he is and how his singular, incredibly generous mind works. An utter joy to read, they give deep insight into the creative process from the prospective of one of our greatest writers.

“I’ve written a lot about destiny in my fiction,” admits Richard Russo, “not because I understand it, but because I’d like to.” In the first of these eleven remarkable essays, Russo shares the story of his onetime fiction workshop classmate who, of the two of them, was considered the class star, bound for literary glory. Yet it was Russo who emerged as a major writer. How, he wonders, did he manage to steal his classmate’s destiny? What twists of talent and fate determine a would-be writer’s path? In each of the pieces collected here, Russo considers the unexpected turns of the creative life. From his grandfather’s years cutting gloves to his own teenage dreams of rock stardom; from his first college teaching jobs to his dazzling reads of Dickens and Twain; from the roots of his famous novels to his journey accompanying a dear friend—the writer Jennifer Finney Boylan—as she pursued gender reassignment surgery, The Destiny Thief powerfully reveals the inner workings of one of America’s most beloved authors. With Two New Essays

This liberating book reveals tactics Satan uses against believers and charges believers with a new level of faith to claim the victorious life God has planned for them.

The only way Manwe the Panther can save his homeland is to rob it blind. Lurking in the shadows of Tolivius' oppressive metropolis, the savannah's greatest thief has spent years pilfering one rich Gypian lord after another, fueling a war that will set his native Juutans free. Yet in those same alleys and on the dusty plains he calls home something else has arisen--something with designs far darker than simply releasing the enslaved. Chased by an enigmatic sorcerer, Manwe must peel back the shadow of worlds above and below, and on the brutal plains of the savannah none will be found innocent. Cutting his way past kings and criminals alike with his cruel iron, the secrets of the earth will be revealed, leaving his entire world shaken to its core by monsters found in the darkest depths of the human soul. The revolution has arrived and none will be spared. From the award-winning author of War Pigs, THIEF OF DESTINY collects THE SAGA OF THE PANTHER in a complete volume of intense action, roiling passion, and the never-ending fight to live free in a world ruled by corruption and ancient magic.

Fate found me in the suburbs . . . Juggling life as a wife, mother, and pediatrician was hard enough. Discovering I might be a supernatural creature awakening to protect the destiny of humankind is a whole new level of stress. Strange occurrences suddenly turn my suburban existence upside down. A mysterious stranger shows up wherever I go. Unusual lights appear in the night sky. Abilities I never thought possible emerge. How it’s all connected, I don’t know. But I have to figure it out fast. As the strength within me grows, something evil lurks in the shadows . . . eager to use me as a tool to further its own plans. While ancient enemies plot against me, my only chance of salvation is to rely on strangers from my forgotten past. Will our efforts be enough to fend off the rising darkness? Or will the call of destiny cost me everything I hold dear?

Readers will learn how to identify and defeat dream thieves - the people and circumstances that keep Christians from fulfilling their divine destiny A great book for those who are discouraged, tired, or burned out in their ministry or their walk with the Lord.

New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir joins writer Nicole Andelfinger and artist Sonia Liao for an all-new original graphic novel introducing the dangerous world of An Ember in the Ashes to new readers and revealing an untold story of Elias and Helene's beginnings at Blackcliff Academy in this stirring standalone chapter in the series' mythology. Before they were on different sides of a revolution, Elias and Helene were comrades at Blackcliff Military Academy. When they’re sent on a dangerous mission to steal a heavily-guarded poison on Isle South, they soon find themselves up against surprising enemies—including other recruits. As the true horror of their assignment is revealed, they will begin to confront the harrowing realities of Martial rule, their place in the system...and the choices they must make to survive.

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him.