Your Place Or Mine

“Fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine will love The Cactus.” —Red magazine In this charming and poignant debut, one woman’s unconventional journey to finding love means learning to embrace the unexpected. For Susan Green, messy emotions don’t fit into the equation of her perfectly ordered life. She has a flat that is ideal for one, a job that suits her passion for logic, and an “interpersonal arrangement” that provides cultural and other, more intimate, benefits. But suddenly confronted with the loss of her mother and the news that she is about to become a mother herself, Susan’s greatest fear is realized. She is losing control. Enter Rob, the dubious but well-meaning friend of her indolent brother. As Susan’s due date draws near and her dismantled world falls further into a tailspin, Susan finds an unlikely ally in Rob. She might have a chance at finding real love and learning to love herself, if only she can figure out how to let go.

Ireland’s economy is being scrutinised daily by everyone from politicians to pub goers, but what about the deeper questions of Ireland’s sense of identity and community? Socially, Ireland is in a period of rapid change – is it time to get behind the numbers and look at who we really are? In Your Place or Mine? sociologist Ethel Crowley looks at our attitudes to home, place, family, sexuality and community. Do we still need the traditional forms of connection to home, family, community and locality in the highly globalised society in which we live? Do we still like to stay within the heart of a familiar comfort zone or are we willing to push its boundaries? Your Place or Mine? captures some of the complexities of contemporary Ireland. What is the impact of globalisation and multiculturalism? Are community values really declining? Despite a more liberal attitude to sexuality, are we a liberal society? Ethel Crowley mixes warm-hearted biography and sociological rigour to create a set of reflections on finding our place in the world, as a country and as individuals. 'Crowley uses an exciting, innovative approach to identify and describe the cultural transformations of contemporary Ireland. Mixing personal memories with sociologically informed debate, she provides an insightful and imaginative explanation of how Ireland has combined the local with the global.' Professor Tom Inglis, School of Sociology, University College Dublin

His girlfriend’s wedding invitation is languishing in his mailbox and the house he lives in is stacked with empty beer bottles and cigarette butts. Meet Ali, a young executive with a fortune 500 company, who drives a big car, leaves a big tip at the restaurant and has a big bank account. Even though his life seems fancy and perfect to the world outside, he is suffocated, closed and struggling with loneliness. From the author of the bestselling novel To Whom It May Concern:, comes another dark, mystified and gripping story about a young man whose choices and circumstances lead him into an unknown territory. As he gives in to the dark and consuming world of drugs, rave parties and one night stands, will he be able to decipher love from lust? Moreover, will the morals, values and relationships he has lost on the way ever come back to him?

The laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestseller Portia MacIntosh! 'A fun, fabulous 5 star rom com!' Sandy Barker 'The queen of rom com!' Rebecca Raisin 'Loved the book, it's everything you expect from the force that is Portia! A must read' Rachel Dove Two reluctant housemates. One question: Is this your place or mine...? When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit for her while she and her husband go travelling could not be better timing. But unfortunately for Serena she’s not the only one to have received this offer... Enter Ziggy: arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor’s husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties - and the least said about his kitchen manner the better... There's just one solution for Serena – drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with than he is! But Ziggy knows Serena's game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences... Don't miss bestseller Portia MacIntosh's laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Navigate the challenges of co-parenting with practical advice and legal tips. So you did it. You separated. And now the kids that you always planned to raise together are being raised apart. Most people don’t start a family expecting not to see their children every day, and yet roughly half of us end up in that scenario. From there, it’s a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure — and there are many choices you can make. Your Place or Mine? is a detailed resource for separating parents. It will help you navigate the legal system, including negotiating a settlement, mediation, and litigation, and explains the nuances of different paths to dispute resolution. It also provides specific advice about what to include in a compassionate separation agreement, such as specifying how far parents can live from each other, where transitions take place, how to handle kids’ belongings, communication, future disputes, and introducing your child to a new partner. Schwartz introduces you to several families (including her own) with separated parents, as well as adults who were raised by co-parents, and offers their insights. She also provides accessible advice from psychologists on kids’ mental health, as well as tips from family law lawyers, who share anecdotes about the world of co-parenting.

When Bea's husband dies, she decides not to be a lonely widow, rattling around her big Oxford house. Instead, she chooses three tenants, each of whom needs her help, and each, in return, offers Bea more affection than her own son. Over the years they become a strange 'family', until the day they must find a new housemate. Will needs a place to stay, and expects the usual grimy kitchen and sloppy students. Bea's beautiful house seems too good to be true - until he meets the housemates. They're all at least twenty years older than him, and range from being outrageously camp to irritatingly raucous. Will takes the stunning spare room, and once he's moved in it's hard to escape. His sister, Harrie, falls in love with more than just the house when she comes to visit, and together they're soon caught up in Bea's final secret . . .

In a fascinating and radical critique of identity and class, Your Place or Mine? examines the modern invention of homosexuality as a social construct that emerged in the 19th century. Examining "fairies" in Victorian England, transmen in early 20th century Manhattan, sexual politics in Soviet Russia as well as Stonewall's attempt to combine gay self-defence with revolutionary critique. Dauvé turns his keen eye on contemporary political correctness in the United States, and the rise of reactionary discourse. The utopian vision of Your Place or Mine? is vital to a just society: the invention of a world where one can be human without having to be classified by sexual practices or gender expressions. Where one need not find shelter in definition or assimilation. A refreshing reminder that we are not all the same, nor do we need to be.

Forty-three ingredients, eighty-six recipes and two of Australia's best loved chefs trading skills and comparing talents. Go behind the scenes and into the kitchens of Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris. Discover their favourite ingredients - from asparagus to vanilla - and the art of pulling together unforgettable dishes. Learn the techniques of two consummate professionals and MasterChef Australiajudges, such as how to make a great souffle, melt-in-the-mouth ravioli and perfect panna cotta. Inspiring, instructive and loads of fun, Your Place or Mine?celebrates good produce, great cooking and a legendary kitchen friendship.