Books Like “The Temple of My Familiar”

The tortilla curtain

T. Coraghessan Boyle

1995

”Bittere Situationskomik, die noch im Moment der Katastrophe zum Lachen reizt.“ Reed Stillwater in der >taz

Ethan Frome

Edith Wharton

1910

"Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton is a poignant exploration of isolation, duty, and unfulfilled desires set against the bleak backdrop of a New England winter. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of an unnamed narrator who becomes intrigued by the enigmatic figure of Ethan Frome, a man marked by physical and emotional scars. The story is set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, where the harsh winter mirrors the desolation in Ethan's life. Ethan is trapped in a loveless marriage with his sickly wife, Zeena, and burdened by the responsibilities of his failing farm. The arrival of Mattie Silver, Zeena's young cousin, brings a glimmer of hope and warmth into Ethan's life. As Ethan and Mattie grow closer, their mutual affection becomes a source of both joy and torment, as they are bound by societal and moral constraints. The tension culminates in a tragic "smash-up," leaving Ethan physically and emotionally crippled. Wharton's narrative delves into themes of duty versus desire, the effect of environment on the human spirit, and the tragic consequences of choices constrained by circumstance. Through vivid descriptions and a keen psychological insight, Wharton paints a haunting portrait of a man caught between the life he yearns for and the one he is forced to endure.

The family

Jack O. Balswick, Judith K. Balswick

1989

The Family is a resource for college and seminary faculty, pastors, and Christian counselors. Now in its third edition, this study has been revised and updated throughout to include the results of current research and contemporary trends.--From publisher's description.

The silent passage

Gail Sheehy

1992

Gail Sheehy's landmark bestseller offers women the latest information on everything from early menopause to Chinese medicine and natural remedies, including four new chapters on The Perimenopause Panic, Menopause in the Workplace, Estrogen and Brainpower, and New Frontiers in Treatment. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

The Five Love Languages

Gary D. Chapman

1992

In The 5 Love Languages, you will discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman s proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with your partner starting today.

Rose in Bloom

Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Roosevelt Richards

1876

Rose in Bloom is a sequel to Eight Cousins. The story begins when Rose comes back from a long trip to Europe. Everyone is well altered and as a joke, when she arrives home, she lines up her seven cousins to take a long look at them, just as they did to her when they first met. Rose Campbell, the heroine of the story, is sweet, kind, pretty, and ambitious. She is an heiress just come of age, and struggles with the many suitors she attracts by learning to judge love versus those who regard her only as "a good match."

The Portrait of a Lady

Henry James

1881

HENRY JAMES (1843-1916), was born in New-York. His father was a writer in theology and his elder brother, William, was a philosopher. From 1865 he was a regular contributor of reviews and short stories to American periodicals. His first piece of fiction, "Watch and Ward", appeared in 1871, followed by "Transatlantic Sketches" and "A Passionate Pilgrim" in 1875. His first important novel was "Roderick Hudson (1876). For more than 20 years he lived in London, and in 1898 moved to Lamb House, Rye, where his later novels were written. At first he was concerned with older civilization of Europe, and to this period belong his novels "Daisy Miller" (1879) and "Portrait of a Lady"(1881). In "The Tragic Muse" (1890), "The Spoils of Poynton"(1897), and "The Awkward Age" (1899), he analyses English character. With "The Wings of the Dove" (1902), "The Ambassadors" (1903), and "The Golden Bowl" (1904), he returned to the theme of the contrast of American and European character. In 1915, Henry James became a British subject, and in 1916 was awarded the OM.

The Awakening

Kate Chopin

1899

'The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude' When 'The Awakening' was first published in 1899, charges of sordidness and immorality seemed to consign it into obscurity and irreparably damage its author's reputation. But a century after her death, it is widely regarded as Kate Chopin's great achievement. Through careful, subtle changes of style, Chopin shows the transformation of Edna Pontellier, a young wife and mother, who - with tragic consequences - refuses to be caged by married and domestic life, and claims for herself moral and erotic freedom. The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.

Kenilworth

Sir Walter Scott

1800

Set against the backdrop of Elizabethan England, Kenilworth chronicles the tragic love affair between Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and the beautiful Amy Robsart, a union kept secret due to Leicester's ambition and Queen Elizabeth I's disapproval. The narrative unfolds with political intrigue and social maneuvering as Dudley schemes to legitimize his marriage, culminating in a lavish entertainment at Kenilworth Castle that masks a darker reality. Scott masterfully weaves historical events with fictional characters to explore themes of thwarted ambition, societal constraints, and the devastating consequences of hidden desires.

Their Wedding Journey

William Dean Howells

1872

The classic books are worth reading.If you are reader, you should not miss them.You will say "Thanks" to all the classic books.

Man and Wife

Wilkie Collins, Norman Page, Harry A. Webber

1870

Man and Wife was Wilkie Collins' ninth published novel. It is the second of his novels (after No Name) in which social questions provide the main impetus of the plot. Collins increasingly used his novels to explore social abuses, which according to critics] tends to detract from their qualities as fiction. The social issue which drives the plot is the state of Scots marriage law; at the time the novel was written, any couple who were legally entitled to marry and who asserted that they were married before witnesses, or in writing, were regarded in Scotland as being married in law. The novel has a complex plot, common in Collins' work.[3] In a Prologue, a selfish and ambitious man casts off his wife in order to marry a wealthier and better-connected woman, by taking advantage of a loophole in the marriage laws of Ireland.The initial action takes place in the widowed Lady Lundie's house in Scotland. Geoffrey Delamayn has promised marriage to his lover Anne Silvester (governess to Lady Lundie's stepdaughter Blanche), who has incurred the enmity of her employer. The spendthrift Geoffrey is about to be disinherited and wishes to escape from his promise and marry a wealthy wife. Nevertheless, he is obliged to arrange a rendezvous with Anne, in the character of his wife, at an inn, and documents this in an exchange of notes with her. Subsequently, urgent matters force him to send his friend Arnold Brinkworth, Blanche's fiancé, to Anne in his place. To gain access to her, Arnold must ask for "his wife". Although nothing improper passes between them, they appear to the landlady and to Bishopriggs, a waiter, to be man and wife.Thus, both Geoffrey and Arnold might be deemed to be married to Anne, depending on the weight put on the spoken and written evidence. Most of the novel concerns Anne's, Geoffrey's and Arnold's attempts to clarify their marital status:

My mortal enemy

Willa Cather

1926

My Mortal Enemy Willa Cather My Mortal Enemy is the eighth novel by American author Willa Cather. It was first published in 1926. Myra and her husband Oswald return to their fictional hometown of Parthia, Illinois, to visit their relatives. Nellie and Aunt Lydia then leave to spend the Christmas holiday in New York City with them. They live on Madison Square. They dine with Ewan Gray, a friend who has an infatuation with another actress, Esther Sinclair. Oswald receives silver-buttons for his shirt from an old Western acquaintance, and asks Lydia to pretend she gave them to him to thwart his wife's jealousy. Later Myra and Nellie go to the opera; in a lodge they spot an erstwhile friend of Myra's, which makes her sad. Later they take a hansom around a park and chance upon a rich acquaintance of Myra's, which leads her to be scornful over her own poverty. They spend Christmas dinner with friends of the Henshawes - both artists and people of privilege. Later they spend New Year's Eve with artists again. A few days later Nellie witnesses the Henshawes argue; the husband takes her out to lunch. Soon after, she and her aunt are to return to Illinois. On the train, they are joined by Myra, who has argued with her husband again and is going to visit a friend in Pittsburgh for a change of scenery.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

J. K. Rowling

2005

Sixth-year Hogwarts student Harry Potter gains valuable insights into the boy Voldemort once was, even as his own world is transformed by maturing friendships, schoolwork assistance from an unexpected source, and devastating losses.

Social Intelligence

Daniel Goleman

2006

Redefines the nature of human relationships and its impact on every aspect of daily life, bringing together the latest research in biology and brain science to reveal how one's daily encounters shape the brain and affect the body.

The Right Words at the Right Time, Vol. 2

Marlo Thomas, Jon B. Fish, Bruce Kluger, Carl Robbins, David Tabatsky

2006

From big cities to farm communities, from office cubicles to hospital wards, from Normandy Beach to Boston's Fenway Park, the contributors to this remarkable volume -- selected from among thousands in a nationwide search -- tell riveting stories about the words that changed their lives forever. You'll meet a "Plain Jane" from Seattle, whose world was rocked by a passing remark made by her favorite musician, backstage at a concert. You'll hear from the bereaved fiancé of a 9/11 victim, who found hope in a note pinned to a teddy bear. You'll laugh with a beleaguered soccer mom, who reveals the single phrase she never wants to hear again. And your heart will break for a prison inmate, who recalls the one piece of advice he still wishes he took. In each case, words had made all the difference. Marlo Thomas has once again tapped into the human spirit, assembling a breathtaking collection of beautiful and inspiring essays about the enduring power of words, and how their impact can last a lifetime. As a follow-up to her 2002 New York Times #1 bestseller, The Right Words at the Right Time, Thomas presents 101 new first-person stories that are at once universal and strikingly personal. Like the tale of a Gulf War veteran, whose life was transformed by just two words spoken by a young stranger at a Burger King. Or the aimless garage mechanic, who found salvation in a Help Wanted ad. Or the unsuspecting mother of three, who made a heart-warming discovery about her grandmother's "racy past." As this astonishing anthology proves, the "right words" can come from anywhere -- the pages of a dusty old songbook, the pulpit of a neighborhood church, the wreckage of Ground Zero, a hand-stitched sampler hanging on a wall, and a child's simple expression of love. The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2: Your Turn! is a collection to be read and read again -- a volume that will be cherished both by fans of the original book and anyone who has ever been touched by the startling and lif

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J. K. Rowling

2007

'Give me Harry Potter,' said Voldemort's voice, 'and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded.' As he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid's motorbike and takes to the skies, leaving Privet Drive for the last time, Harry Potter knows that Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters are not far behind. The protective charm that has kept Harry safe until now is broken, but he cannot keep hiding. The Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything Harry loves and to stop him Harry will have to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. The final battle must begin - Harry must stand and face his enemy... Having become classics of our time, the Harry Potter eBooks never fail to bring comfort and escapism. With their message of hope, belonging and the enduring power of truth and love, the story of the Boy Who Lived continues to delight generations of new readers.

By the time you read this

Lola Jaye

2008

When he discovered that he had only six months to live, thirty-year-old Kevin Bates picked up his pen and wrote The Manual—advice for his five-year-old daughter, Lois, to live by, laugh at, and follow from twelve until thirty. Seven years later, when Lois is given The Manual, she can barely bring herself to read her father's words, the pain of his loss is still so raw. Yet soon Kevin's advice is guiding her through every stage of life from teen angst to career arcs, to knowing when she's at long last met "the one." While The Manual can never be a substitute for having Kevin back, the words left behind become Lois's steady support through all of life's ups and downs, and prove invaluable to unlocking the key to happiness.

How Oliver Olson changed the world

Claudia Mills

2009

Afraid he will always be an outsider like ex-planet Pluto, nine-year-old Oliver finally shows his extremely overprotective parents that he is capable of doing great things without their help while his class is studying the solar system.

The Outsiders

S. E. Hinton, Jim Fyfe, Jodi Picoult

1967

Includes bonus material, a new foreword by the author, and a discussion guide.

The Artist's Way: 30th Anniversary Edition

Julia Cameron (Author) Format: Paperback

2002

"Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love.” —Elizabeth Gilbert A stunning gift edition of the powerful bestselling book on creativity. The Artist’s Way is one of the bestselling gift books of all time. Beautifully packaged with a slipcase and ribbon, this tenth anniversary gift edition is the ideal gift for loved ones engaged in creative lives.

The Freedom of Life

Annie Payson Call

1905

Annie Payson Call's "The Freedom of Life" offers a practical philosophy for achieving inner peace and mental well-being by emphasizing the power of conscious thought and disciplined will. The book guides readers toward self-mastery, asserting that true freedom lies not in external circumstances but in cultivating a serene and resilient inner life through consistent self-effort and a positive outlook. Call's enduring insights provide a framework for navigating life's challenges with greater equanimity and purpose, fostering personal growth and sustained happiness.

You are not the target

Laura Archera Huxley

1963

In this charming book, Laura Archera Huxley offers practical wisdom on how a human being in a chaotic world can cope with stress, anxiety, competition, & the uncertainty of the times. When we change,Ó she writes, others change too, & circumstances change in a manner that is almost miraculous,Ó & she points out that making others feel better generally makes us feel better.Ó Laura Huxley shows you how to change, how to influence the elements around you, how to cope successfully with the problems of the inner & outer world. To achieve this, she offers more than 33 Recipes for Living & Loving. A pioneering book of psychological good sense. Deceptively simple.Ó

The Art of War

孙武 (Sun Tzu), Stephen F. Kaufman, Lionel Giles, Onésimo Colavidas

1900

Sun Tzu's ancient treatise, "The Art of War," offers timeless strategic principles applicable beyond the battlefield to business, politics, and personal conflict. It emphasizes understanding oneself and the enemy, the importance of deception and adaptability, and the value of achieving victory with minimal confrontation. Through its concise aphorisms and insightful observations, the work provides a framework for decisive action and the cultivation of superior strategic thinking.

El conde Lucanor

Don Juan Manuel

1839

Don Juan Manuel (1282-1348), noble directamente emparentado con las familias que durante varios siglos ocuparon el trono de Castilla, es un caso anómalo en la literatura medieval española en la que abundan las obras anónimas. Sin embargo, entre su vida pública, de la que se conserva numerosa documentación, y la imagen que de sí mismo ofrecen sus páginas hay sorprendentes contrastes. Sus ocho obras conservadas, en las que predomina la intención de adoctrinar a los jóvenes vástagos de la nobleza, lo convierten en el prosista más importante del siglo XIV. En El conde Lucanor, su obra más conocida, alcanzan culminación y síntesis las tradiciones cuentísticas del mundo oriental y de los predicadores cristianos. La popularidad obtenida por los exempla incluidos en la primera parte no debe, sin embargo, oscurecer la habilidad con que Don Juan Manuel organiza el conjunto y combina distintos recursos retóricos. La pareja formada por el conde Lucanor y su ayo Patronio traspasa con sorprendente modernidad los borrosos límites que separan la realidad de la fición y entra por derecho propio a formar parte de los personajes famosos de la literatura universal.