The Bride Test

Goodread's Big Books of Spring 2019 - Romance'Such a fun read... Original and sexy and sensitive.' Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist, on The Kiss Quotient__________________From the bestselling author of The Kiss QuotientKhai Diep has no feelings. Well, not big, important emotions - like grief. And love. He thinks he's defective. His family knows better - that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly refuses to consider a relationship, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride. As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. So when the opportunity arises to go to America and meet a potential husband, she can't turn it down. This could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn't go quite as planned. Esme's lessons in love seem to be working... but only on herself. She's hopelessly smitten with a man who's convinced he can never return her affection. As Esme's time in the United States dwindles, will Khai let his head catch up with his heart? Will he find the strength to let go, and let love in?'Refreshingly real.' Marie Claire on The Bride Tes

Life in the UK Test: Handbook 2024 : Everything you need to study for the British citizenship test

The Handmaid's Tale

** THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER **Discover the dystopian novel that started a phenomenon. Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford – her assigned name, Offred, means ‘of Fred’. She has only one function: to breed. If Offred refuses to enter into sexual servitude to repopulate a devastated world, she will be hanged. Yet even a repressive state cannot eradicate hope and desire. As she recalls her pre-revolution life in flashbacks, Offred must navigate through the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution in the present day, and between two men upon which her future hangs. 'A fantastic, chilling story. And so powerfully feminist' Bernadine Evaristo‘As relevant today as it was when Atwood wrote it’ Guardia

Dog Man

Howl with laughter with the FIRST book in the hilarious full-colour illustrated series, Dog Man, from the creator of Captain Underpants! George and Harold (the co-stars of the enormously popular Captain Underpants series) are in big trouble again! George and Harold have created a new breed of justice -- one that is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO! With the head of a dog and the body of a human, this heroic hound digs into deception, claws after crooks, rolls over robbers, and scampers after squirrels. Will he be able to resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty? Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of being true to one's self. Full colour pages throughout

Pet Sematary : King's #1 bestseller – soon to be a major motion picture

Soon to be a major motion picture from Paramount Pictures starring John Lithgow, Jason Clarke, and Amy Seimetz! King's iconic, beloved classic is 'so beautifully paced that you cannot help but be pulled in' Guardian 'SOMETIMES...DEAD IS BETTER'The house looked right, felt right to Dr Louis Creed. Rambling, old, unsmart and comfortable. A place where the family could settle; the children grow and play and explore. The rolling hills and meadows of Maine seemed a world away from the fume-choked dangers of Chicago. Only the occasional big truck out on the two-lane highway, grinding up through the gears, hammering down the long gradients, growled out an intrusive threat. But behind the house and far away from the road: that was safe. Just a carefully cleared path up into the woods where generations of local children have processed with the solemn innocence of the young, taking with them their dear departed pets for burial. A sad place maybe, but safe. Surely a safe place. Not a place to seep into your dreams, to wake you, sweating with fear and foreboding. 'King can make the flesh creep half a world away' - The Times'So beautifully paced that you cannot help but be pulled in' - Guardian'The most frightening novel Stephen King has ever written' - Publisher's Weekly'Wild, powerful, disturbing' - Washington Post Book Revie

The Blunders

Million-copy bestseller David Walliams’ funniest book yet – a laugh-out-loud tale of the most blundering and lovable family in history. This paperback edition includes a hilarious NEW STORY. Meet the Blunders: Bertie, Betsy, their children, Brutus and Bunny, along with their beloved grandma Old Lady Blunder, and their pet ostrich, Cedric. An ostrich is not a sensible pet, but then the Blunders are not sensible people. This family of upper-class twits lives in a crumbling country house named Blunder Hall. When their home comes under threat, they must embark on a series of comic misadventures to save it. Absurd and hilarious, The Blunders is David Walliams’ funniest book yet. A laugh-out-loud tale of the most blundering and lovable family in history. David Walliams was most recently Children’s number one bestseller with The World’s Worst Monsters (TCM Chart, 22 August 2023)

The Defector : the unmissable Cold War spy thriller from the author of THE APOLLO MURDERS

'A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride!'Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series'Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller?'Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The 9th Man and the Cotton Malone seriesIsrael, late 1973. As the Yom Kippur War flares into life, a state-of-the-art Soviet MIG fighter is racing at breakneck speed over the arid scrublands below . . . and promptly disappears. NASA Flight Controller and former US Navy test pilot Kaz Zemeckis watches the scene from the ground - and is quickly pulled into a dizzying, high-stakes game of spies, lies and a possible high-level defection that plays out across three continents. The prize is beyond value: the secrets of the Soviets' mythical 'Foxbat' MiG-25, the fastest, highest-flying fighter plane in the world and the key to Cold War air supremacy. But every defection is double-edged with risk, and Kaz must tread a careful line between trust and suspicion. Ultimately, he must invite the fox into the henhouse - bringing the defector into the heart of the United States' most secret test site - and hope that, with skill and cunning, the game plays out his way. For Chris Hadfield's second heart-stopping thriller, we move from Space to another rich and exciting part of Chris's CV: his time as a top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and as an RCAF fighter pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in North American airspace. Full of insider detail, excitement and political intrigue drawn from real events, The Defector brings us the nerve-shredding rush of aerial combat, as told by one of the world's best fighter pilots. Praise for The Apollo Murders'A nail-biting Cold War thriller' James Cameron'An exciting journey to an alternate past' Andy Weir'Not to be missed' Frederick Forsyth'Explosive' Gregg Hurwitz'Exciting, authentic' Linwood Barcla

The Poppy War : Book 1

Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018 ‘The best fantasy debut of 2018’ – WIRED A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic. When Rin aced the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire – it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. That she got into Sinegard – the most elite military school in Nikan – was even more surprising. But surprises aren’t always good. Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power – an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive – and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school. For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away

Kevin the Vampire: A Fanged and Fearsome Fiend

A FANG-tastically funny adventures series, perfect for 7+ readers and fans of Amelia Fang!"Full of hilarious, highly illustrated mayhem" Guardian"Loved it. Full of heart, laughs and adventure." Dermot O'Leary"Fearfully funny, and a book to get your teeth into! You'll be Kevin's biggest fang!" Danny WallaceThe time has come for Kevin's Gloaming. This is a test every almost nearly eleven-year-old must pass to show they have all the necessary skills to be a vampire. Kevin will have to show he can transform into a bat, mind-speak and melt into the darkness. Which would be fine, except he hasn't quite mastered the melt yet... If Kevin doesn't pass, he'll be cast out forever. Is there anyone who can help him

A Curse For True Love : the thrilling final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series

Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after. Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She's married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she's paid for this fairytale. She doesn't know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in A Curse for True Love, the breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy

An Academy for Liars

'Saturated with violence, desire, and power. It's a book with blood on its lips, and I loved it completely.’ ALIX E. HARROW‘This darkly gorgeous story is a lavish feast for fans of gothic horror. One of my top reads of the year!’ SUNYI DEAN'Alexis Henderson is one of the best Gothic writers out there.' HANNAH WHITTEN‘Dark academia stunner infused with Henderson's signature style – it's lush, atmospheric, imaginative and impossible to put down.’ RACHEL HARRISON'A modern-day Anne Rice, Henderson has a gift for creating a world engorged with desire and death.' THE NEW YORK TIMESLennon Carter’s life is falling apart. Until she gets a mysterious phone call inviting her to sit the entrance exam for somewhere very few have heard of - Drayton College, a school of magic hidden in a secret pocket of Savannah. Lennon has been chosen because - like everyone else at the school - she is special. She possesses the innate gift of persuasion: the ability to wield her will like a weapon and to use it to control others and, in rare cases, matter itself. After passing the gruelling exam, Lennon must now learn how to master this devastating power. While persuasion takes a heavy toll on her body and her mind, she is captivated by all that surrounds her - her studies, Drayton’s lush, moss-draped campus, her brilliant classmates and, most of all, by Dante, the charismatic adviser who both intimidates and enamours her. But as Lennon becomes more adept at wielding her uncanny abilities, she uncovers more about the unsettling history of Drayton and Dante’s tragic and violent past, and is increasingly disturbed by what she finds. For it seems that the ultimate test is to embrace absolute power without succumbing to corruption and darkness . . . and it's a test she's terrified she is going to fail

Warrior of the Wild

A chieftain's daughter embarks on a perilous quest in this Viking-inspired standalone adventure from YA fantasy sensation Tricia Levenseller'One of my favourite YA books ever. The action! The world-building! The voice! This book kicks so much ass' Cale Dietrich, author of The Love InterestHow do you kill a god?As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness.To win her way back into her community, she is forced to embark on an impossible quest: she must kill the oppressive god who claims violent tribute from the villages each year - or die trying

Weirdo Goes Wild

A warm and endearing story about the quiet power of being yourself from Zadie Smith, Nick Laird and Magenta Fox. Maud - a judo-suit wearing guinea pig and proud weirdo - is off into the wild, as is Kit, her owner. Both are slightly nervous about what they'll find in the great outdoors, but with a pinch of bravery - and a few Signature Moves - they'll make new friends and explore new worlds. Praise for Weirdo:"A sweet, tightly written tale about the benefits of not fitting in, cheered on by Magenta Fox's gorgeous illustrations" The Times’ Best Children’s Books for Summer 2021"As cockle-warming as a cuddle from a favourite pet, Weirdo ought to be a smash hit" Observer"it's delightful" the

Stuff Your Astrologer Should Have Told You : The Brutally Honest Truth Behind the Bad Traits of Each Star Sign

If you’re sick of hearing platitudes about your star sign’s best attributes, or all the ways your doomed Leo Taurus relationship can actually work, this book is for you!Explore the dark side of each sign, delving deep into pet peeves, negative traits, and the types of people you should avoid (and be avoided by) at all costs. What are people saying behind your back? Which friend is most likely to bring out your worst? Should you even bother swiping right on a Scorpio? Stuff Your Astrologer Should Have Told You has the answers, and it's not sugar coating anything. Most astrology books will tell you all about the best parts of your sign—its strengths, what it likes, and who it is most compatible with. This book is the opposite—it takes a look at each sign’s dark side, so readers know what to expect when doing business with a Scorpio or falling in love with a Capricorn. While most astrology books tend to put a positive spin on the signs and their traits, Alise Morales is not afraid to say how the stars interact with—and sometimes screw over—each other on a daily basis. We all have pet peeves. We all know there are some people we’re just not compatible with. This is the book that will tell you why and teach you about your star sign and astrology in the process. Irreverent and witty, Stuff Your Astrologer Should have Told You is a breath of fresh air, filled with pithy asides, searing observations and good old fashioned bluntness. It’s the perfect guide to astrology for realists who know that looking to the heavens for guidance is just as likely to show you the rough as it is the smooth. Laugh out loud funny, author Alise Morales doesn’t shy away from poking fun at each signs worst character traits, while sharing everything you need to know about the darker side of your sign. Forewarned is forearmed, after all

The Song of Achilles

**OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD**WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTIONTHE INTERNATIONAL SENSATIONA SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'Captivating' DONNA TARTT'I loved it' J K ROWLING'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUEGreece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. 'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT‘An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad’ GUARDIAN‘Sexy, dangerous, mystical’ BETTANY HUGHE

The Song of Achilles : The 10th Anniversary edition of the Women's Prize-winning bestseller

**OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD****A 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION, FEATURING A NEW FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR**WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTIONTHE INTERNATIONAL SENSATIONA SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'Captivating' DONNA TARTT'I loved it' J K ROWLING'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUEGreece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. 'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT‘An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad’ GUARDIAN‘Sexy, dangerous, mystical’ BETTANY HUGHE

The Happiness Hypothesis : Ten Ways to Find Happiness and Meaning in Life

An uplifting exploration of ancient wisdom for our modern lives and how it can make us happier - from the author of The Anxious Mind and The Righteous Mind. ___________________________________In The Happiness Hypothesis, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines ten Great Ideas which have been championed across centuries and civilisations and asks: how can we apply these ideas to our twenty-first century lives?By holding ancient wisdom to the test of modern psychology, Haidt extracts lessons on how we can train our brains to be more optimistic, build better relationships and achieve a sense of balance. He also explores how we can overcome the obstacles to well-being that we place in our own way. In this uplifting and empowering book, Haidt draws on sources as diverse as Buddha, Benjamin Franklin and Shakespeare to show how we can find happiness and meaning in life. ___________________________________'I don't think I ever read a book that laid out the contemporary understanding of the human condition with such simple clarity and sense.' Guardia

The 65-Storey Treehouse

The 65-Storey Treehouse is the fifth book in Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton's wacky treehouse adventures, where the laugh-out-loud story is told through a combination of text and fantastic comic book-style illustrations. 'The kind of book I would have loved as a kid' – Tom Fletcher, author of The Danger GangAndy and Terry's amazing 65-Storey Treehouse used to be 52 stories, but they keep expanding!Now it has a pet-grooming salon, a birthday room (where it's always your birthday, even when it's not), a room full of exploding eyeballs, a lollipop shop, a quicksand pit, an ant farm and a time machine . . . which is going to be really, really useful, since Terry messed up (again) and the treehouse just FAILED its safety inspection. Join Andy and Terry on a whirlwind trip through time as they try to stop the treehouse from being demolished!Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up!Climb more fun-filled levels by collecting all thirteen books in the seven million-copy-selling series – the perfect chapter books for reluctant readers

How to Win Friends and Influence People

The most famous confidence-boosting book ever published; with sales of over 16 million copies worldwideMillions of people around the world have improved their lives based on the teachings of Dale Carnegie. In How to Win Friends and Influence People, he offers practical advice and techniques, in his exuberant and conversational style, for how to get out of a mental rut and make life more rewarding. His advice has stood the test of time and will teach you how to:- make friends quickly and easily- increase your popularity- persuade people to follow your way of thinking- enable you to win new clients and customers- become a better speaker- boost enthusiasm among your colleaguesThis classic book will turn your relationships around and improve your interactions with everyone in your life. Dale Carnegie, known as 'the arch-priest of the art of making friends', pioneered the development of personal business skills, self-confidence and motivational techniques. His books - most notably How to Win Friends and Influence People - have sold tens of millions worldwide and, even in today's changing climate, they remain as popular as ever. Over 30 million copies sold worldwide, New York Post, August 202

Onyx Storm : DISCOVER THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE GLOBAL PHENOMENONS, FOURTH WING AND IRON FLAME!

DON'T BE THE LAST TO DISCOVER THE SERIES THAT EVERYONE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT:Get ready for the breathtaking follow-up to global phenomenons Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from the no. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.ARE YOU READY TO BRAVE THE DARK?After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there's no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it's impossible to know who to trust.Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves - her dragons, her family, her home, and him.Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find - the truth.But a storm is coming... and not everyone can survive its wrath.Pre-order your copy now!OTHER BOOKS IN THE EMPYREAN SERIES:FOURTH WINGIRON FLAME

A Court of Wings and Ruin : The third book in the GLOBALLY BESTSELLING, SENSATIONAL series

The third instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan - TimeThink Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James – TelegraphSpiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building ... a page-turning delight – Guardian Sarah J. Maas does not disappoint … To be devoured with relish – Mail******Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords and hunt for allies in unexpected places. And her heart will face the ultimate test as she and her mate are forced to question whether they can truly trust each other. Sarah J. Maas's books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into 38 languages. Discover the sweeping romantic fantasy that everyone's talking about for yourself

Trial by Fire : The powerful new story about finding the courage to love again

Set against the backdrop of devastating California wildfires, Trial by Fire is a powerful novel about the courage it takes to open your heart again, from the billion-copy bestseller Danielle Steel. Dahlia de Beaumont is the CEO of a high-end perfume and cosmetics company based in Paris. Cruelly widowed at thirty, she brought her four children up alone. Now aged fifty, she guards her heart by burying herself in work, motherhood, and a long-term yet casual relationship with a married man. Travelling for business, Dahlia is left stranded in San Francisco when terrible wildfires break out, causing widespread death and destruction. Moved by the tragic stories of injured animals, Dahlia volunteers at a pet rescue centre in Napa Valley, where she meets Mark Hamilton, a handsome lawyer who has also been wounded by love in the past. When Dahlia seeks Mark’s legal counsel, they grow close, feeling a spark that both thought they never would again. But as black smoke fills the air, and the raging fires move ever closer to San Francisco, their lives remain in grave danger. With everything at stake, is Dahlia willing to take a risk, and put all her cards on the table once more

Crooked Kingdom : (Six of Crows Book 2)

*The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with Shadow and Bone, an original series!*The stunning sequel to SIX OF CROWS, this is GAME OF THRONES meets OCEAN'S ELEVEN in a fantasy epic from the number 1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Leigh Bardugo. Welcome to the world of the Grisha. Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets - a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world. As gripping, sweeping and memorable as the Grisha trilogy - SHADOW AND BONE, SIEGE AND STORM and RUIN AND RISING - this novel is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Laini Taylor, Kristin Cashore and GAME OF THRONES. Winner of the Teen Choice Book Award for Book of the Year

Reinventing Your Life : the bestselling breakthrough programme to end negative behaviour and feel great

Learn how to end the self-destructive behaviours that stop you from living your best life with this breakthrough programme. Do you …Put the needs of others above your own?Start to panic when someone you love leaves — or threatens to?Often feel anxious about natural disasters, losing all your money, or getting seriously ill?Find that no matter how successful you are, you still feel unhappy, unfulfilled, or undeserving?Unsatisfactory relationships, an irrational lack of self-esteem, feelings of being unfulfilled — these are all problems that can be solved by changing the types of messages that people internalise. These self-defeating behaviour patterns are called ‘lifetraps’, and Reinventing Your Life shows you how to stop the cycle that keeps you from attaining happiness. Two of America’s leading psychologists, Jeffrey E. Young, PhD, and Janet S. Klosko, PhD, draw on the breakthrough principles of cognitive therapy to help you recognise and change negative thought patterns, without the aid of drugs or long-term traditional therapy. They describe eleven of the most common lifetraps, provide a diagnostic test for each, and offer step-by-step suggestions to help you break free of the traps. Thousands of men and women have seen the immediate and long-term results of the extraordinary programme outlined in this clear, compassionate, liberating book. Its innovative approach to solving ongoing emotional problems will help you create a more fulfilling, productive life

Orbital

**WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024**'A slim, profound study of intimate human fears set against epic vistas'GUARDIAN'Stunning... An uplifting book'SUNDAY TIMESLife on our planet as you've never seen it beforeA team of astronauts in the International Space Station collect meteorological data, conduct scientific experiments and test the limits of the human body. But mostly they observe. Together they watch their silent blue planet, circling it sixteen times, spinning past continents and cycling through seasons, taking in glaciers and deserts, the peaks of mountains and the swells of oceans. Endless shows of spectacular beauty witnessed in a single day. Yet although separated from the world they cannot escape its constant pull. News reaches them of the death of a mother, and with it comes thoughts of returning home. They look on as a typhoon gathers over an island and people they love, in awe of its magnificence and fearful of its destruction. The fragility of human life fills their conversations, their fears, their dreams. So far from earth, they have never felt more part - or protective - of it. They begin to ask, what is life without earth? What is earth without humanity?'Our unanimity about Orbital recognises its beauty and ambition. It reflects Harvey’s extraordinary intensity of attention to the precious and precarious world we share' Edmund de Waal, Chair of the 2024 Booker Prize judges*A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE GUARDIAN, SUNDAY TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES, NEW STATESMAN, SPECTATOR, DAILY MAIL AND MAIL ON SUNDAY