Collection: Adult

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

How can we remember certain events from our childhood as if they happened yesterday and then forget we did last week? Why does our memory seem to work well at some times but not at others? What happens when it goes wrong? Can memory be improved or manipulated by psychological techniques, or even 'brain implants'? How does memory grow and change as we age? And what of so-called 'recovered' memories?

This Very Short Introduction brings together the latest research in neuroscience and psychology to address these important questions around the science of memory. It weaves case studies, anecdotes, and even literature and philosophy into its explanations of how memory works and why we can't live without it. This edition includes major updates that take into account recent developments in our understanding of memory, especially in areas such as sleep and healthy aging.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Tender and timeless, The Shopkeeper's Daughter shimmers with devotion, loss, and the quiet miracles of belief.

On a quiet street, in a forgotten corner of the village, stands Cole's Sundry Shop-a place of porcelain teapots, satin curtains, and whispered legends. Within its walls lives Agnes Cole, a devoted daughter whose life is bound by duty, longing, and the shadow of a love that may never have been real.

When a storm, a strange teal tin of tea, and a mysterious young man named Malcolm converge, Agnes's world is forever altered. Is Malcolm a fevered dream, a ghost called forth by enchantment, or the echo of her whispered wish beneath the bewitched winter snow?

As her father departs on a fateful journey, as Thaddeus Taylor offers steadfast devotion, and as Aunt Charlotte stirs jealous secrets, Agnes must navigate the fragile line between memory and illusion. Her choices will bind her not only to those she loves, but to the quiet mysteries that shape a life.

The Shopkeeper's Daughter is a tender, evocative novel about memory, devotion, and the fragile line between what is real and what we choose to believe. It is the story of a woman bound by love and loss, and of the quiet miracles that sustain us when time itself seems to stand still.

For more than thirty years, Roberta Rubin owned and ran The Book Stall at Chestnut Court in Winnetka, Illinois-one of the nation's most admired independent bookstores. In this warm and inspiring memoir, she reflects on the journey that transformed a neighborhood shop into a nationally respected cultural destination and a beloved cornerstone of community life.

A leader in independent bookselling, Rubin championed emerging and established writers, cultivated generations of passionate readers, and steered her bookstore through every challenge the shifting literary landscape presented-from big-box competition to the rise of online retail. Her story is filled with engaging anecdotes about the authors, publishers, colleagues, and customers who shaped her world, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the relationships and determination that sustained an independent bookstore through decades of change.

Both a deeply personal account of a life devoted to books and a source of inspiration for booksellers and independent shop owners, this memoir reflects the same energy, warmth, grit, and unwavering commitment to books that defined her oversight of the store. It testifies to the power of independent retailers to build community, spark curiosity, and bring people together-and to Rubin's ongoing advocacy for the enduring value of bookstores and the written word.

Great stories from one of Cleveland's funniest people ...

Best known as co-host of the long-running "Big Chuck & Lil' John Show," John Rinaldi has spent a lifetime making people laugh--including three generations of fans on Cleveland television every Friday night.

He also wrestled bears ... crashed a hot-air balloon ... fought heavyweight champ Mike Tyson ... played the bongos with heavyweight champ Larry Holmes ... and was almost killed by Elvis impersonators ... all while helping to raise millions of dollars for charity and winning several Emmy awards.

And that was just in his spare time!

This regular guy known to everybody in Northeast Ohio simply as "Lil' John" made a huge impact on Cleveland's popular culture over four decades with his jumbo-sized personality and small physical stature.

"Having a sense of humor and not taking myself too seriously have always been important to me--especially at four feet three inches tall," he says. "I've learned to roll with whatever life throws at me and always find a reason to laugh."

He loves to share that laughter ...

"I've had enough fun to fill several lifetimes," he says. "And these stories are some of my all-time favorite moments."

The Age of Revelation is over -- what comes next for the X-Men?

One X-Man of the present has been stranded in the Age of Revelation, fighting against impossible odds in the world of tomorrow. But while they've been there, what has their future counterpart been doing in their present-day body? In the wake of world-changing events, the gene-terrorist group 3K has been revitalized. But will their internal schemes undo them? There's trouble on more than one front, though: Who is the mutant newly put in charge of O*N*E, and what danger does that spell for the X-Men?

COLLECTING: X-Men (2024) #23-25, X-Men Annual (2026) #1

Avskild has fallen back to rejoin the rest of Mennesvarld. The shield protecting them is gone, leaving them exposed to threats beyond anything they've imagined.

A team has assembled, but it will take a lot more than the power obtained by passing a single trial to defeat what's coming.

"Barbara Freethy's Romantic Suspense books are explosively good!" -New York Times bestselling author Toni Anderson

A series of explosions. A city on edge. And two people with more to lose than they'll ever admit...FBI Agent Kara Reid is new to the FBI Strike Team East-an elite unit built to move fast and take on the Bureau's most dangerous cases. When a precision blast disrupts the streets of Manhattan, what begins as a search for answers quickly spirals into something far more personal-and far more dangerous.Max Malone walked away from the CIA years ago. He has kept his distance, stayed quiet, and left the past buried. But this case is pulling him back in, whether the FBI wants his help or not.As the attacks grow bolder and the clock ticks down, Kara and Max are forced into a fragile alliance-one built on secrets, suspicion, and a shared need to stop a threat that's bigger than either of them imagined. The danger is closing in, the targets are getting personal, and every lead takes them deeper into a deadly game where trust is a liability, and failure isn't an option.Sometimes the only way to move forward is to burn every bridge behind you.From #1 NYT Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the explosive first novel in a thrilling new spin-off series: FBI: Strike Team East-a pulse-pounding romantic suspense packed with emotional tension, explosive action, and a slow-burn romance that refuses to back down.

Note: Every book in the FBI Series: Strike Team East can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers. No graphic violence or sex scenes, but plenty of slow-burn romance, high-stakes drama, and intense emotion. Personal stories often play out against a bigger, broader storyline, and surprising twists will keep you up all night!

Success isn't reserved for the privileged--it's earned by those who learn to see opportunity where others see limits.

In The Lion Beneath the Fade, Sebastian Bastian reveals how he rose from modest beginnings in The Bahamas to achieve millionaire status by nineteen--without shortcuts, connections, or a formal roadmap.

This powerful book blends personal story with actionable insight to help you recognize potential, take decisive risks, and rewrite the narrative you've been handed. If you've ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure of your next step, this book offers the tools and mindset to change your trajectory--starting now.

In this book, you'll learn how to:

• Identify and act on high-impact opportunities
• Build resilience when life doesn't go as planned
• Develop a mindset for long-term growth and reinvention
• Turn local roots into global reach
• Redefine what success means for you

Whether you're chasing financial freedom, launching a business, or ready to make your mark, The Lion Beneath the Fade is your real-world guide to moving forward with purpose.

USA Today Bestseller
Publishers Weekly National Bestseller
Los Angeles Times Bestseller

Revered author Roger Stern's beloved run on the Avengers continues!

The Masters of Evil take Avengers Mansion! In one of the greatest comic-book epics of all time, Baron Zemo strikes at the very heart of the Avengers as he leads a revamped and larger-than-ever Masters of Evil in an attack on the team's home -- and wins! And as if that wasn't enough, Earth's Mightiest Heroes must survive the climax of SECRET WARS II, and a battle for the ages between Kang and Immortus! The Sub-Mariner's membership leads to public protests, but that won't stop the Avengers and Alpha Flight from lending a hand during Attuma's assault on Atlantis. Meanwhile an old friend turns enemy: What's gotten into Quicksilver? Two teams of Avengers will assemble to find out!

COLLECTING: AVENGERS (1963) #264-277, ALPHA FLIGHT (1983) #39, AVENGERS ANNUAL #15, and WEST COAST AVENGERS ANNUAL #1

This up-to-date All-in-One exam guide delivers complete coverage of every topic on the N10-009 version of the CompTIA Network+ Certification exam

Get complete coverage of all the CompTIA Network+ exam objectives inside this comprehensive resource. Written by Jonathan Weissman and created and edited by Mike Meyers, the leading expert on CompTIA certification and training, CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition covers exam N10-009 in full detail. You'll find learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, scenarios, practice exam questions, and in-depth explanations. Designed to help you pass the exam with ease, this authoritative guide also serves as an essential on-the-job reference.

Covers all exam topics, including:

• OSI Model and Number Systems
• Local Communication vs. Remote Communication, ARP, and ICMP
• IPv4
• Ports, TCP, and UDP
• Routing
• Switching
• DNS and DHCP
• IPv6
• Cabling
• Ethernet
• Installing a Physical Network
• Wireless Networking
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing
• Data Centers
• Devices, Access, Management, and Monitoring
• Policies and Procedures
• Network Security
• Troubleshooting

Online content includes:

• 180 practice exam questions in a customizable test engine
• 20+ lab simulations to help you prepare for the performance-based questions
• One hour of video training from Mike Meyers
• Mike Meyers' favorite shareware and freeware networking tools and utilities

Who is the traitor behind the Killuminati's creation?

A catastrophic piece of intel reveals that one of the New Avengers is responsible for the vile doppelgangers they've been fighting since their formation! As the team strives to stop Iron Apex from creating more Illuminati doubles, paranoia threatens to tear them apart. Facing Guru Strange and twisted clones of Medusa and Captain Britain, can they hope to survive a traitor in their midst? Meanwhile, one member of the Killuminati meets his maker and finds that the truth behind their creation is far more sinister than anyone bargained for! Stronger than ever, the evil group sets its sights on a secret weapon within Stark Tower in Osaka - and Iron Man calls on the New Avengers to stop them!

COLLECTING: New Avengers (2025) #6-10.

What does a lifetime of service really look like? In Humor, Heartbreak, and Humanity, Police Officer, Firefighter, and EMT... Darren Wright invites readers behind the badge and beyond the sirens for an honest, unforgettable journey through a first responder's career. Told with wit, humility, and deep compassion, these true stories capture the moments that make you laugh out loud, stop and catch your breath, and quietly reflect on what it means to serve others. From near-misses and split-second decisions to moments of grace, heartbreak, and unexpected joy, Darren Wright shares the realities that rarely make the headlines-but shape those who answer the call every day. His storytelling is raw yet relatable, humorous yet deeply human, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional toll, the camaraderie, and the purpose that define life on the front lines. This book isn't just for first responders-it's for anyone who wants to better understand the people who run toward danger, the strength it takes to keep going, and the humanity that binds us all together. Whether you're looking for insight, inspiration, or simply a powerful collection of true stories, Humor, Heartbreak, and Humanity will stay with you long after the final page.

What Augusta National has achieved shouldn't be surprising. For almost a hundred years the membership has been comprised of three hundred of the smartest and most successful people from around the world. There is much to be learned from what they have achieved.

What makes the book special

The Augusta Principles distills time-honored strategies into clear, insightful and transformative chapters. Whether you're a startup founder, a corporate leader, or an entrepreneur looking for unparalleled success, this book, inspired by one of the world's most iconic institutions, provides a master class in leadership, excellence, and execution.

What does the Masters have in common with world-class brands like Ritz-Carlton, Disney, In-N-Out Burger, Costco, Apple, and Hermès? The Augusta Principles outlines the commonalities and shows how to apply the ideas to businesses of any size.

Learn how to apply Augusta's winning formula to:

Build an elite brand with lasting impact

Master focus, discipline, and operational excellence

Create a culture of integrity, innovation, and success

Step inside the minds of industry titans, uncover the business strategies behind Augusta National's enduring success, and elevate your own organization to championship-level performance.

The first of its kind book about Augusta National and the Masters

Although there have been dozens of books written about the Masters, most are from the perspective of the golf played during the tournament, or about the golf course, or the history of the club and its founders. None have been dedicated to what makes the Masters so special and what we can learn from it.

No hype. No panic. Just the admissions truth families need.

The college admissions process has never felt more overwhelming. Test-optional policies. Sky-high expectations. Shrinking acceptance rates. Confusing advice about GPAs, extracurriculars, and "standing out." Parents feel anxious. Students feel pressured. Everyone is drowning in mixed messages.

Written for parents of high school students navigating college admissions, this book offers clarity, humor, and far less chaos at home.

In Crazy for College, veteran college admissions advisor Beth Heller Gelles offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how the modern college search and application process actually works.

Equal parts memoir, how-to guide, and straight talk, this book helps families:

• lower the temperature at home and protect their relationship with their teen
• understand what truly matters in high school (and what doesn't)
• decode the transcript vs. GPA conversation
• rethink extracurriculars and the myth of the "well-rounded" student
• build a balanced, realistic college list
• navigate Early Decision, the college essay process, and financial aid

Through real stories from the front lines, Gelles reminds families that they don't have to lose their minds-or their kids-along the way.

With a focus on authenticity, curiosity, mental health, and fit, Crazy for College helps families remember what matters most: raising capable, resilient young adults-and keeping your relationship with your teen intact.

Crazy for College is both a lifeline and a love letter, helping you get through the admissions madness with a little humor, a lot more perspective, and family bonds stronger than ever.

The newest 6:20 Man thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.