The Return Journey

In this extraordinary collection of stories, New York Times bestselling author Maeve Binchy once again reveals her incomparable understanding of matters of the heart with powerfully compelling stories of love, loss, revelation, and reconciliation. A secretary's silent passion for her boss meets the acid test on a business trip. . . . A man and a woman's mutual disdain at first sight shows how deceptive appearances can be. . . . An insecure wife clings to the illusion of order, only to discover chaos at the hands of a house sitter who opens the wrong doors. . . . A pair of star-crossed travelers take each other's bags, and then learn that when you unlock a stranger's suitcase, you enter a stranger's life. In their company are many more, whose poignant, ironic, often humorous stories—unforgettable slices of life—make up The Return Journey, a spellbinding trip into the human heart.

'Heart-felt stories of life and love' Woman & Home from the No. 1 bestselling author 'Maeve Binchy's work continues to inspire . . . thought-provoking, warm and funny in equal measure' Woman A pair of star-crossed travellers pick up each other's bags, and then learn that when you unlock a stranger's suitcase, you enter a stranger's life. An unspoken office passion meets the acid test on a business trip. A man and a woman's mutual disdain at first sight shows how deceptive appearances can be. And an insecure wife clings to the illusion of order, only to discover chaos at the hands of a house-sitter who opens the wrong doors. These and many more poignant, often humorous, unforgettable slices of life show why Maeve Binchy is one of the world's favourite storytellers.

Viraj is a young, passionate and famous scientist. He is on a quest to uncover the mystery of human existence. He meets the beautiful girl of his dreams. It seems that he is in total control of his life. But fate doesn’t concur with him. He is banished into exile, announces a faceless voice. The days in exile are destined for him to suffer in the unbearable pain. Will he be able to survive the exile? Will they live happily ever after? Is the exile even real or an illusion? Viraj will not stop until he finds all the answers.

Welcome the much-anticipated finale of Caldecott Honoree Aaron Becker’s wordless trilogy—a spectacular, emotionally satisfying story that brings its adventurer home. Failing to get the attention of her busy father, a lonely girl turns back to a fantastic world for friendship and adventure. It’s her third journey into the enticing realm of kings and emperors, castles and canals, exotic creatures and enchanting landscapes. This time, it will take something truly powerful to persuade her to return home, as a gripping backstory is revealed that will hold readers in its thrall. Caldecott Honor winner Aaron Becker delivers a suspenseful and moving climax to his wordless trilogy, an epic that began with the award-winning Journey and continued with the celebrated follow-up Quest.

Professor Daniel Treisman answers some of scholars' most pressing questions that haunt modern day Russia. Why did the Soviet Union disintegrate, and could its collapse have been avoided? Did Yeltsin destroy too much or too little of the Soviet political order? What explains Putin's unprecedented popularity with the Russian public? How did the "oligarchs" reshape the Russian economy? Treisman suggests that these questions can be answered by looking back through the dynamic political and social traditions of the region. Rigorous rather than rhetorical, this book uses historically documented evidence with modern day conditions to paint a complete picture of Russia today. In a time when global politics are more important than ever, it is critical for us to understand the inner workings.

With her red marker, an ordinary child steps through a portal into a luminous and magical landscape, beginning her quest toward an uncertain destiny.

Holding each other up with respect, dignity and kindness.

Journey are undoubtedly one of America's most successful melodic rock bands, with record sales in excess of 75 million. And with the recent phenomenal success of Don't Stop Believin – now one of the most downloaded song of all time – they've been given an amazing new lease of life. Now, for the first time ever, their entire history is explored in this definitive biography. Featuring original interviews and a wealth of research, this is a story filled not only with heartache, bitterness and behind-the-scenes squabbles, but also creativity, dedication, passion and drive.