Author Archives: Friendly Staff

The Fall of Gondolin J.R.R. Tolkien The Fall of Gondolin is one of the original Lost Tales that J.R.R. Tolkien started writing in 1917 in an army barracks. The story was just published as a standalone book by HarperCollins. The book follows two of the greatest powers in the world. Morgoth is of the uttermostContinue reading “Recommended ebook: The Fall of Gondolin – J.R.R. Tolkien”

Elevation Stephen King In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s stories, Scott Carey is engaged in an escalating battle with the lesbians next door. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle RockContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Elevation – Stephen King”

Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin The thrilling history of the Targaryens comes to life in George R.R. Martin’s new masterly work. Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen – the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria – took upContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Fire & Blood – George R.R. Martin”

Becoming Michelle Obama Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America – the first African American to serve in that role – she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history. In her memoir, aContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Becoming – Michelle Obama”

Killing Commendatore Haruki Murakami An epic new novel by Haruki Murakami follows a portrait painter from Tokyo, who finds himself holed up in the mountain home of a famous artist, Tomohiko Amada. When he discovers a previously unseen painting in the attic, he unintentionally opens a circle of mysterious circumstances. “A tour de force ofContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Killing Commendatore – Haruki Murakami”

Transcription Kate Atkinson In 1940, 18-year old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathizers, she discovers the work to be by turns both tedious and terrifying. Ten years later, now a radio producer atContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Transcription – Kate Atkinson”

21 Lessons for the 21st Century Yuval Noah Harari How do computers and robots change the meaning of being human? How do we deal with the epidemic of fake news? Are nations and religions still relevant? What should we teach our children? Yuval Noah Harari’s new book is a visionary investigation into today’s most urgentContinue reading “Recommended ebook: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century – Yuval Noah Harari”

Lethal White Robert Galbraith It’s the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) – and the most epic one. Strike, together with Robin Ellacott – once his assistant, now a partner – investigate a crime witnessed by a troubled young man Billy. A twisting trail leads them through the backstreetsContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Lethal White – Robert Galbraith”

Flights Olga Tokarczuk From the incomparably original Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk, Flights interweaves reflections on travel with an in-depth exploration of the human body, broaching life, death, motion, and migration. Chopin’s heart is carried back to Warsaw in secret by his adoring sister. A woman must return to her native Poland in order to poisonContinue reading “Recommended ebook: Flights – Olga Tokarczuk”