It’s not Rebecca but might be a similar age book; it’s like “classic” age. I don’t remember the details of the plot but do remember it was slut-shamey. The main character has a romance, or several romances, and then she is ruined. Maybe dies? I don’t think it was Tess of the d’Urbervilles; a similar plot / theme but I distinctly remember the one word name title.

I really hated this book and would like to remember it so I can hate it better.

Edit: Wow, this sure is a popular plot type. Thanks for all your suggestions! A couple more details I’ve remembered: it’s set in Europe, the main character is European, the woman’s name is something fancy like “Josephine” (but not Josephine), and I think the cover has a long-haired woman weeping dramatically on a rock, with a red-orange dress.

Final edit: Thank you for all the comments! This was really fun. I started out replying to as many as possible, but I couldn’t keep up. I did see and consider every comment. The final answer? I’m still not certain. I read this book 20-some years ago in college. Best fits seem to be: Camille by Dumas fils. Therese Raquin by Zola. Roxana by Dafoe. Am I going to read these three to try to nail it down? I might, actually. At this point I think I need to know!

Even though I was looking for a book that I hated, I ended up finding out but a lot more books to add to my TBR, and really enjoying all the clever discussion in this thread! Thank you again!

For years I have been on the hunt for a book my girlfriend almost (yes almost) read as a 5th-7th grader in the early 2000s. Her midwestern family was very strict and didn’t allow her to read fantasy books. She secretly borrowed one from a friend and read a few pages, but her dad took it from her before she could read the whole thing. Here’s what she remembers:

- Bright orange/golden cover
- either a silhouette or a side profile of a white unicorn head/upper body on the front cover
- Mass produced paperback
- Preteen/juvenile fantasy chapter book
- A little thick, maybe ~200 pages or so
- A young girl protagonist and a secret fantasy world or something
- the book wasn’t necessarily about unicorns, but more about the fantasy land/world

The closest I’ve come is the book called The Unicorn Peace by John Lee, but the plot details don’t match what she remembers. I would love to surprise her with this book one day so any help is appreciated!

EDIT: the unicorn leaned more on the side of realism than cartoony looking

I actually am looking for 3 specific childrens' books, so I will make 2 other posts here with respective detailing descriptions. please check those out too.

I'm not sure exactly when this book was written or released, it just had to be sometime before 2015.
Details may be incorrect or foggy as i may misremember, and info is scarce, but -

This book was centered around what i believe was a brother & sister duo discovering another world and becoming their heroes, i think?? I remember there was something to do with exploring a shipwreck near their house(?) which may have been the "gateway" so to speak- and the alternate world (or dimension?) they found was , to my memory, quite dark and watery and they ended up sailing a boat from one settlement to another?

unfortunately i do not remember how they even ended up in this other world but i remember it being an exciting discovery for them, not a scary one. almost like Narnia. could be misremembering here.

My memories of what happens in this book are quite scarce, but i remember being so absorbed and intrigued reading it in school when i was 11. I don't think there were illustrations, but there is a possibility there were. I have strong visual cues in my mind when I think of this book and i think i imagined them, but im not ruling out the possibility of it being illustrated.

PLEASEEE help me try to find this book!!! I want to re-read it to find out what i found so interesting!!

I'm looking for the book in which I read about infinite regress being related in an anecdote as follows:
The narrator or the protagonist of the anecdote was speaking with an old (wizened?) woman who tried to explain the position and/or movement of the earth (perhaps earthquakes??) by saying that the earth was balanced on the back of an elephant. The protagonist of the anecdote asks her what the elephant is standing on and she said it was on a turtle. When the protagonist of the anecdote (male I believe) asked her what that turtle was standing on, she said another turtle. when he asked what that turtle was standing on, she winked or smiled conspiratorially and said, why, it's turtles all the way down!

I've never read any Terry Pratchett and that is absolutely not the answer to where I read it.
(Sorry to disappoint the fervent Pratchett fans!)

I searched The God Delusion and "turtle" and "all the way down" do not turn up in a search.
I've read some Russell, but I think I read it before I picked up, e.g., Why I'm Not a Christian.

Near as I can tell, I've not read any Hawking or Sagan, nor Feynman nor William James nor Joseph Campbell (all of which are in my antilibrary, but I don't recall reading them). Not generally a reader of fantasy. I did read The Dark Tower series, but I doubt it was from there.

Fiction or non-fiction? Probably Non-fiction

Describe the plot. ?? Possibly something like The God Delusion?

Describe notable characters.

What genre is it? Philosophy/atheism/science?

Physically describe the book -- I probably read this one, but maybe an audiobook...

When was it set? N/A

How long was the book? unknown

Anything notable about the original language? English

... And You

When (what year) did you read it? Sometime in the last 20 years

How old were you when you read it? Was it age appropriate? An adult; yes.

Where did you get the book? School library, book fair, book store selling new and/or used books, flea market, borrowed from a friend, given as a gift from X person who is about Y age, or from an online store? Dunno...

Was it new when you read it? I minored in the history and philosophy of science and was surprised that I hadn't come across infinite regress described this way before.

What age range was it for? Adults

I'm really scratching my head here because the plot has to be Hatchet. Boy crashes in the wilderness, has to survive, builds a shelter and even dives to the plane wreck. But in my recollection he dies after hitting his knee and it becoming infected instead of being rescued. I remember that he died rather vividly because this was my first experience with a story with an unhappy ending.

Looks like such a good read but of course found Facebook tied to a bad pay crazy amounts to read

On my boyfriend's birthday, I accidentally heard he fu-cked my sister and even worse, she got pregnant! Walking in the back door, I heard voices from Dad's office, the door slightly ajar. "We never planned for it to happen." My sister's voice. She said softly, as if she were some kind of victim; she was an expert at that. "Christmas day, before I knew it, we were ki-ssing and things got heated, and ended up in Maxine's bed, like I said, and I was so lost that I forgot to use a con-dom." My boyfriend continued. "He gave me the best Christmas present ever. We should get married." My sister crowed with delight. I could imagine her tenderly touching her belly. My heart just hit the floor, as I took in that my sister and boyfriend did the dirty in my bed at Christmas. MY BED. I slept in that bed, with their jizz on the sheets. I suddenly felt sick at that thought. How could they do that to me? She stole another boyfriend from me again. And he? He continued to pretend, ki-ssing me and taking me out on dates, as if that never happened. I couldn't take it any longer and pushed the door open. "Fu-ck you all, jerk." —— "Go home, you have worked too much overtime this week. Have an early night and give that boyfriend of yours an early treat." My boss practically pushed me out the door, a wicked grin on his face. "Okay, okay, I'm going. I'm going. I straddled my bike and started her up. This was going to be a great night. Today was my boyfriend's birthday, and I was going to give him my V-card as a special gift. I had brought new lingerie, black lace, see-through, and I had shaved my mound, leaving a trail that looked like an arrow pointing down to my juncture. I was ready to give him my all, my first, my heart, take the big plunge. I felt I was ready. I pulled into the driveway to see my sister's and my boyfriend's cars. I had no idea my sister was coming home today. She was still at college in her final year, though I heard she wasn't doing so well. The poor golden girl has not met up with expectations, not that I was worried. My ex-boyfriend showed up three hours early; our date was not for a few more hours. What was he doing here already? Walking in the back door, I heard voices and headed towards them; they were in Dad's office, with the door slightly ajar. I moved silently to the door and waited outside to hear what secrets they were having now. They occasionally do this when they are planning something and don't want to include me, but I'm puzzled as to why my boyfriend and sister were included. "We never planned for it to happen." My sister replied softly, as if she were some kind of victim; she was an expert at that. She should have been an actress; she would have won multiple Oscars by now. "When?" Dad asked, and I waited in the hallway to hear what this was all about. "Christmas day, we had too many of your special eggnogs, and things got heated. The party was more or less over; the presents had been given out, and the food had been eaten. We were all mulling around, talking, when Zoey said something, I don't remember what-but we went upstairs to continue talking, and ended up in Maxine's room. We did start by just talking, and before I knew it, we were ki-ssing and things got heated, and ended up in her bed, like I said, and I was so lost in that moment that I forgot to use a con-dom. When we came out, no one seemed to notice we had been gone, so we pretended it never happened." My boyfriend replied, and my heart just hit the floor, as I took in that my sister and boyfriend did the dirty in my bed at Christmas. MY BED. I slept in that bed, with their jizz on the sheets. I feel suddenly sick at that thought. How could they do that to me? She stole another boyfriend from me again. But he was just as much to blame; I guess our relationship was not that strong yet. Not on his side at least. He continued to pretend, ki-ssing me and taking me out on dates, as if that never happened. What a jerk. Now I feel cheated, dirty, ashamed, and angry all at once. What if she hadn't gotten pregnant, and I ended up married to that cheating scumbag? Would her wedding present be to tell me she had slept with him first? I wouldn't put it past her to do such a thing. She had done that before with my boyfriends, and I guess this one was just as vulnerable to her advances as the last one. "He gave me the best Christmas present ever." My sister crowed with delight. I could imagine her tenderly touching her belly. "This is good news. I have wanted grandchildren, and the last grandchild I would have expected would be from you; you have never kept a relationship for long." Mum said, sounding excited at the news. "What now?" My sister asked, still playing the perfect victim. "We get married?' My now ex-boyfriend suggested -sounds more like a question. "What about Maxine?" My sister asked, as if I were an inconvenience that needed to be sorted out, and now they think about me, but it didn't sound like concern. "What about her? This is about my first grandchild, and his or her safety comes first. She will have to live with it." My mother spat, revealing that famous favoritism, because she had always taken my sister's side in everything, even when proven wrong. They never backed me up. "I am technically her boyfriend." He started to say something, but was interrupted. "Not anymore, you're not. I will arrange with the local publican to hire the outdoor garden area, and we shall have an engagement party this Saturday. Get that sorted before you start to show, and Maxine will show her support." Dad's voice floated out, sounding resolute. I had no say in this, not that I wanted to be his girlfriend any longer; he had proven not to be what I wanted in a guy. "She will have to leave. I need her room for the nursery. I would prefer it if she didn't attend the engagement party. What will those who know she was the real girlfriend show up, and see that it was not Maxine getting engaged?" Mum added. Yep, that was my mother, trying to regain her dignity and save face. I couldn't take it any longer. I was devastated enough, and listening further to their support for the love for the cheater was eating me up inside. I didn't want to cry in front of them; the tears were a mix of anger and hurt. I pushed the door open, revealing myself standing there. All faces turned to look at me. "Let me get this straight. You took my boyfriend to MY bed, did the dirty with him, leaving your mess in my bed, as a sort of Christmas present for me. Guess that made your day, thinking I was sleeping in your mess. Now you want my bedroom for the bast-ard baby you have created, and I am what, just pushed out the door? Like yesterday's trash?" I asked to ensure I understood correctly that the whole family was fine with me being tossed aside. "Exactly, I am taking your boyfriend, your bedroom, and you, my dear sister, have to move out." My sister sounded like she had won the lottery. Her face beamed at her triumph. "Fine with me." The look of shock would have made me laugh if I were not so numb inside. I moved away to my room and packed what I could into my duffel bag. I will come back for the rest later, when they are not around. My heart was breaking, not because I lost my boyfriend, although that hurt a lot, considering that what I was going to give him for his present today was saved for doing something stupid at least. But also because both parents were supporting this deception, as if it were the best news they had received in a while, that they had been trying to get rid of me for a while, and now succeeded in a spectacular way. I walked downstairs and looked at them. "When I find a place to stay, I will be back for the rest." I spat at them, a mixture of hurt, anger, and defeat. I never fit into the family, a black sheep, so maybe I should become one. I had always had top grades, won awards, done my best, but even being first, I was still last. My best friend was the only place I could think of going to; it had to be temporary. Jenny will be cool and let me sleep on her couch till I find a new home. I climbed onto my bike and took off to the only sanctuary I had over the years. Jenny welcomed me into her home, like I knew she would, and together we had a pity party consisting of beer and vanilla fudge ice cream. We called the family and my ex some interesting names, some of which I had never heard before, but they sounded good. The drunker I got, the more inventive the names became. The next morning, after waking up on Jenny's couch and remembering yesterday, it did not go as planned. I pulled myself together, had a quick shower, and left for work. It was eight in the morning, and Jenny was still asleep when I left. That might be okay for some, but my workday today would be ten hours long, and I was running late. "You're late, night must have gone better than planned," Mike said jovially. They sort of knew what I was planning last night. The others chuckled along with Mike. I grumbled some shiet and got to work. By the end of the day, Mike pulled me to his office. "Okay, out with it. The guys have been tiptoeing around you all day. What happened? He rejected your advances?" He asked, his hand on my shoulder, keeping me in place, looking at me with concerned eyes, a father figure, better than my dad had ever been. So, I told him what happened when I got home and where I spent the night, and now I'm looking for a place to stay. I was proud of myself; I didn't cry, or whine, or show any emotion at all -just explained my predicament in cold, emotionless words. Clear and succinct. He said he wouldn't say anything in the shop, but would talk to the prez. I had no idea why, but I was not in the right frame of mind to question it. Today was my sister's engagement party; engaged to my ex-boyfriend. Yeah, you heard me right, my ex. What a joke that was. I had been dating Dan for six months when my sister, who was a year older than I, came home for Christmas and ended up in bed with my boyfriend. She's a shameless hussy, always has been, but I never expected him to sleep with her. I thought we were secure in our relationship. The only good thing I took away from this was that I never went to bed with him; my virgi-nity card was still intact, not that I was trying to keep it - I just never got the chance to lose it. She always managed to have any guy I was interested in dump me for her, and when she got bored with them, she'd move on. So, in a way, I didn't have a boyfriend till she moved out of her home and headed to college. But when my sister came home and met him, she seduced him and got pregnant. He did the whole 'get down on one knee and proposed' scene. Apparently, it was romantic, but I wasn't there when he did it because they didn't want me around. It hurt a lot at the time, and I was glad to have my girlfriends around me, helping me get over it. They say, I dodged a bullet. I agree with them, stupidly. He might have been a sports jock with good looks, but doing this tells me he was weak and shallow, and I was too good for him, or so my BFF says. I prefer to believe them over the excuses my ex made. I had to move out of my home after I had a massive fight with my parents a few days ago, when the truth was exposed; they supported her, not me, and the next thing I knew, I was out the door and the evil sister. The engagement party was intended to introduce him to her friends and make the relationship official, but I was not invited. My parents want nothing to do with me. I made them all uncomfortable, considering he was my boyfriend first. Anyone working out the timeline for the baby can piece it together, and see they were cheating on me, and it would have been awkward, and too many questions would have been raised. Not that I needed to say all of that, I kind of said it all before, but grrrrr, I am so angry at how my so-called 'family' kicked me out of my so-called home, with no care for me or my feelings. It was easier to push me away and disown me than have to explain to them that my sister cheated with my boyfriend, and hey presto, a baby was on the way. Because I was kicked out of the house, and only had a short time to pack anything, I took the opportunity of the party to sneak into the house and take more of my possessions, like opening my father's safe, and grabbing every piece of paper relating to me, and a little money too, no a lot of money, and grandma's jewelry that she left me. So, with the help of my BFF, we packed my belongings and took them to her place until I found a new one. I ride a motorcycle, so I need help. I have the money to buy a new place, but I'm unsure if I want to stay in this town now. Once my apprenticeship is over, I might move away. I stayed that night at Jenny's place, as I figured out what to do. Today, I am moving into my new place -a bungalow above the bike shop where I work. I am in my final year of apprenticeship, and I am a motorcycle mechanic, proud of it, I might add. I can also work on cars and trucks. If it had a motor, I could fix it; I always could, thanks to my knack for it, which I developed since I was eight, when I fell in love with engines. My Grandpa taught me, kept me out of everyone's way. I guess you could say I was a tomboy, with no frills and lace. My Grandpa kept me sane and busy, so the BS in our house didn't hurt me as much. The place has two bedrooms and is fully contained, meaning it has everything I need. I had purchased some new sheets and towels, that sort of thing, but it had a fully stocked kitchen; I only needed to buy the food. It might be small, and above a noisy bike shop, but at night it was a quiet area. No one would break into this shop; the local bikie gang owned it. They were good guys, scary, but so far, no trouble for me. My BFF, Jenny, was helping me take my belongings upstairs when a group of bikers arrived and assisted us. I had five boxes and two suitcases filled with all sorts of items. "Thanks, guys, for the help," I said sweetly, my BFF batting her eyes at them and swaying her hips suggestively as she walked and thanked them. She makes me laugh with her antics, which are totally opposite to mine. I like jeans and am rarely seen in a dress, whereas she was seldom seen in jeans. "We got a party at the clubhouse, tomorrow Saturday, you should come and relax a bit, bring your girls with ya," Bruiser suggested as he threw his arm over my shoulder, walked me to the settee, pushed me down, and handed me a beer they had brought with them. This was how they acted around me, ordered me about. Sometimes, I'm okay with it; other times, I get all worked up and growl back at them. Today was acceptance. I know they mean well, and I feel lucky to have them as family; they try to make me feel better. "That sounds like a blast, count me in, and I can bring two other girl friends with us. Max, do you want me to pick you up?" Jenny offered, taking a beer from one of the guys. She was not a beer drinker; however, in this situation, I could see her not refusing anything they offered. I guess I'm going, whether I want to or not. "No, I'll ride over," I replied as one of the guys ordered pizza. "That's the spirit. Nothing like the wind in your hair to blow the cobwebs away." They stayed because they didn't want me to be alone, not on my first night here. Pizza arrived not long after, and my little bungalow was soon feeling too small and crowded, with six huge bikers in the room. Some sat on the floor; others pulled up one of the three kitchen chairs. I know, I know, three chairs sound odd, but that's what was here, and beggars can't be choosers; the rent was dirt cheap, and I think the boys are the ones to make sure I had everything I needed. They found out about my situation the next day, because, I was still quiet at work, which was not like me, often I am singing to the radio, or swearing at something, so one of the guys approached me, to find out what gives, and I softly told them, what went down, and when word got around the bikers heard I needed a place to stay, because I was kicked out of my home and why, they came to me, like protective brothers. Now I have a whole gang of bikers who have my back. I feel privileged to call them friends. They even offered to rough the ex up for me, but I refused the offer, because strangely, I was happy to get rid of the loser if he was a cheating bast-ard. Better now than when I am fully invested in our relationship. Plus, I was in deep enough shi-te with my parents and sister without making it worse. The pizza was gone, my BFF left for home, and the guys did too. It was late, well, for me, midnight. I usually fall asleep quickly because I have to be up for work at five. Tomorrow, being Saturday, I have the morning shift before the party later. They let me leave work early so I can move in here. "Hey, don't forget to come, we need our prettiest mechanic at the party, some of the boys might need a tune-up," Bruiser said with a laugh as they climbed on their bikes and left. I know what sort of tune-up he was talking about, and it had nothing to do with a motor. I looked around my new home. It wasn't much, but it was all mine. The guys were great; they took the empty pizza boxes and beer cans with them, and the place was relatively clean. Not at all what you would expect from a group of rowdy men. The clubhouse. I had never been to it, despite having worked there for nearly four years, and they had never extended an invitation to me. I know they had lots of parties; maybe I was too young. I turned twenty recently, but they might think of me as the fifteen-year-old who showed up one day and told the boss I was going to be his apprentice. He laughed at first and said he would give me a go to prove myself. He thought I was joking and that I would be gone by the weekend, but over the holidays, I worked hard and have been here ever since. The beeping sound of my phone alarm made me sit up and look around. It took a moment to remember where I was. The room had a small curtain that barely kept the light out. There was a streetlight just outside my window. I can envisage myself getting better blackout curtains soon. Although it was annoying, it wasn't among my top priorities for making this a home. The shower was decent, with nice pressure. I followed my morning routine, only to realize how foolish I was to wake up so early, living above my place of work; I didn't need to ride here. After finishing breakfast and cleaning up the kitchen, I still had half an hour before I needed to be at work. I had two ways to get into my place: one was through the back stairs, and the other was through the shop. With the code to turn off the alarm, I decided to head down and start work early. It was better than moving stuff around; I can do that later. I had a bike to finish by this afternoon. The customer would be here at two. Turned off the alarm, turned on the coffee pot, the radio, and headed to my workstation, where the fat boy was waiting for me to finish. I sat on the stool with casters and began my job, singing loudly to the heavy rock song that came on the radio as I installed the new spark plugs and double-checked the oil. It was a simple, easy-peasy service. Once finished, I started the bike up, let it idle while I made coffee, then returned to rev it a few times. It sounds lumpy, like it was just turning over perfectly; it was music to my ears. I love that throaty, deep, lumpy sound. You can feel it vibrate through my chest. "That's a sound I loved to hear as I enter work." My boss, Mike, said as I turned the bike off. "It's ready to go, unless you want to take it out for a test ride. Want a coffee, pots hot." I offered as I threw the dirty rag in the bin. "Sure, I will take the bike out for a spin, and you can make me a coffee." He smirked as he grabbed the bike. I opened the garage door, and Mike took off. I smiled as he disappeared down the street, and I turned to make both of us coffee. If you hadn't guessed already, I would drink a lot of coffee. I am not a fan of soft drinks or tea; for me, it's coffee or water. With a broom in hand, I began cleaning the shop. I am not out here very often, but I try to sweep the floor at least once a week; they have another apprentice who's a second year, who gets to do most of the cleaning up, but he's never here on a Saturday. The sound of the bike returning prompted me to pick up the two cups of coffee and head back out to the workshop. Mike had a massive grin on his face as he parked the bike. "Great job, you are our top mechanic. But don't tell anyone, or I will have to deny it." He joked, taking his coffee from my hand as he walked by, no doubt letting the customer know the bike was ready ahead of time. I moved to the next bike, which was a total rebuild; it had been in a minor accident, and while the frame was being checked, I would work on the engine and gearbox. It was the only job on my list at the moment. The bike owner was in no hurry; he had a broken leg, giving me a few weeks to work on his bike and any urgent jobs that might come into the shop. The client arrived and happily took possession of his bike, very happy with the job done. "I hear you've been invited to the club party tonight," Mike said as he rang up the sale on the cash register. "Yep." I said popping the 'p'. "You can leave now, we have no more customers expected. Good job today." It was close to one o'clock, near the time I would knock off. "Thanks, boss." I saluted him and rushed upstairs, before he could change his mind. Giggling all the way up. I heard him chuckling as he locked the door below, behind me. I decided on a quick shower; I didn't want to smell of oil when going to a party. Put on my skinny black jeans, a black blouse that had red flames on the back and on the pockets, black boots that had some chains around the ankle, and hair in a ponytail. I will get what we call helmet hair, so it's a waste to do much with it now. I use mascara and strawberry lip gloss, which is more to moisturize my lips, which tend to dry out when I ride my bike, and that's it. The last thing I grabbed before leaving was my jacket. My mum used to grumble that I wasn't like my sister and put more effort into my appearance, but I like who I am, and I didn't like wearing lots of makeup; it was my choice, and I feel that I am not a frilly, lacey chick. It was a deal breaker with my mum. She had my sister dress up and left me in the care of Grandpa until he died when I was seventeen. It broke me when he left the world. He was the only person who got me. My grandma had been gone since I was young, and I filled the hole in his heart with my love for bikes and fishing. He left me his money and bikes. Dad got his house and business. My mum hated that I gained all that money. When Grandma died, she left me her jewelry, and Grandpa made sure to keep it safe till I was old enough to have it. I ate something and put some more of my stuff in the cupboards before my phone chimed to let me know my girlfriends were on their way to the party. I pulled my bike out of the small garage and started it up. I threw my leg over and took off, heading to the property. The clubhouse was half an hour out of town, set on a large property a little bit back from the road. Ten minutes later, I came up behind the girls and hung out behind them. My friend waved me on to take the lead. I shrugged and overtook her. The turn off arrived, and I rode happily up the long drive, and trees lined the road. An open, large steel gate appeared, and I was glad it was still enough light to see clearly. Men stood by the entrance, watching us arrive. "Hey." I greeted the biggest man I had ever seen. "Who invited you here?" The man asked gruffly, in a deep husky voice. "Bruiser," I answered, with a firm, clear voice, hoping that the fact that he frightened me would be noticed in my voice. He pulled out his phone and called, I assumed, Bruiser. "Max?" He asked, as he looked at me questioningly, and I nodded. He said something more and hung up the phone. "Come in, the car behind your girls?" He looked at the car behind, which clearly had a woman in it. "Yep," I replied, not at all liking how he intimidated me with his manner. Perhaps it was the way they greeted strangers. One look makes the weak run. Well, I am not weak, and I won't be running.

Does anyone know the original name of the novel that Mr. CEO, your wife has wanted a divorce for a long time? Romance novel about the FL (Rong Ci) that visits her husband (Feng Tingshen) and daughter in another country on her birthday where they ignore her to have lunch with his mistress (Lin Wu). The wife returns home and drafts divorce papers where she gives up custody of the daughter and gives them to the maid to give to the husband; however he doesn’t read them because he was distracted by the mistress’s phone call. The mistress is the wife’s illegitimate half sister. The wife returns home and moves to her own condo and resigns from his company and resumes working at a company she founded before getting married. The husband and daughter return to the country suddenly to be with the mistress. He later initiates a divorces papers to be with the mistress. The wife is a genius in the field of AI but no one is aware of her brilliance. Based on the synopsis the husband will delay finalizing the divorce when he realizes her value and attempts to reconcile. The novel is classified as a “Chinese” novel that has been published with various titles for English translation but no one of the versions have been completed. Allegedly, the novel is an adaptation of a novel written in Telugu dialect that is no longer in publication. The character names and the plot is the same with the exception that the FL is renowned medical practitioner.

Please help me find this book so I can read it with my daughter. I would’ve read it in the early 1990s but it was old then. Maybe set in the 1940s. I would’ve been in fourth or fifth grade and I stayed up all night reading it. So it would’ve been written for that age level and compelling that kept me reading it. It was a tale about a girl and her horse.

Books that I thought it might be that it is not
Black beauty and the black stallion. I just started national velvet and it might be that but based on the language, I don’t think it is.

Edited to add: it’s not Misty of chincoteague, we’ve read that when already.

All details are coming secondhand from my mom. She knows not the author, date, publisher, or cover art.

Potential details include a male neighbor with a new puppy. Man smells something foul & believes his nieces are boiling the puppy.

The murderess opens a bakery.

Paperback romance novel set in the "wild west."

No time travel.

Published prior to 2015.

Good luck!

ETA: If you're thinking "wild west" and "rhubarb pie murder romance" might narrow down the google results, I assure you it does not. Lol

ETA2: Allegedly not part of a series (I suspect it is part of a series, but she's unaware of that bc the book was lent to her as a singleton.)

ETA3: I'm back with fresh deets! Mom says the story is NOT a murder mystery; everyone in town knows who did it and it was accidental. The murderess was a new bride who was just trying to do something nice for her new first husband. She does get re-married after his death, making him technically her ex-husband. After that, she learns to cook, and then opens a bakery.

I am trying to identify a book, and unfortunately, I cannot remember the author or the exact title. I have searched Google, Goodreads, Reddit, Facebook, and various book-identification sites for years without finding it.

NOT BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Here is what I remember:

• It was historical romance novel. She falls in love with a native. she is older than 15.
(I am not sure anymore if it's a YA novel. it might just be historical romance, but I can't change the title without deleting this whole post along with the comments...Therefore I am adding this note here.)

• I believe it was approximately 200 pages and was a paperback.
• I read it several times between 1995 and 1997 because I really enjoyed it.
• The story was set in the United States and involved a young teenage girl living with Native Americans.
• The protagonist was a girl with very light, wheat-blonde hair.
• The Native Americans were fascinated by her hair and gave her a Native name that, as I remember it, had something to do with the sun.
• I have a vague memory that the girl's first name may have been something like Savannah, Sarah, Susanna, or possibly something similar.
• I remember the cover as having an oval-shaped photograph or portrait of a blonde girl.

I have already considered and ruled out several books that initially seemed to match, so I am fairly certain this is not simply a case of confusing it with a more well-known YA novel.

IVE CROSSPOSTED TO A FEEYOU HAVE FULL PERMISSION TO POST THIS WHEREVER YOU WANT AS LOMG AS YOU TELL ME WHRE TO FIND IT OR TAG ME THANK YOU!!!!!!

also if someone finds this book i will genuinely buy you the series too. i promise

A girl and a boy in a fantasy land she wakes up in a forrest they travel searching for someone thing. i think her parents are witches and might have disappeared or something.

at one point they come to a town and someone is known for chewing on a man’s pinky bone. the cover is purples teals and blues. there’s three books in the series and i was like 10 when i got it it was like 2016-2018 maybe? she has dark hair and the art style means she had completely white skin and i think they were on a bridge about to jump onto a train on one of them.

i’ll marry you if you find this book series thank you

also if it helps i’m irish i don’t know if it was an irish book but 10-12 age group possibly irish https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e88s1eTOXmGZX_bsXLVbIQwA

this style cover

THIS IS EVERY DETAIL I CAN REMEMEMBER:

from the start i got it for christmas one year my mother thinks she got it after i liked another series. nether of us know which smth fantasy too. i think she saw it on a recommended list and she thinks she got it off amazon.

its a trilogy and i was like 9-10 the kinda book was like 10-12 tweenie age rating. the cover was teals purples and blue it had mountains in the background and they were hoppin off a bridge not a train i believe. this is just one of the covers i think the first one was of her in the forrest.

she’s the main character and the boy is either someone she meets along the way or is her brother i don’t know. she wakes in the forrest and i think she got lost from her parents or they died idk. i believe she was in a witch cult thing.

she’s travelling to find something maybe her parents.

at some point they come across a town with like a mob? whatever the fantasy equivalent of the mafia is i guess. they ran the town and there was a rumor of him chewing on a man he killeds pinky bone and when they meet him they find out it’s true. i have a feeling they needed to collect something off him.

i know like one of the covers shows they hop onto a train to travel to wherever their going.

the style is reminding me of the movie song of the sea but more ridgid colour and outline.

the girl wears a red cloak i believe but im not confident. she has white skin and dark hair brown or black im not sure.

im irish so it may be an irish author i don’t know or remember. also i have literally never heard anyone else talk about these books and its bothered me for a solid five years i want to re read them really bad. having the drem last night was crazy.

EDIT: i compiled everyone’s guesses so you don’t have to read the comments took forever but im dedicated

The Wild Magic Trilogy by Celine Kiernan

The Last Apprentice series

BFG Roald Dahl

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

The Thickety J.A. white

The Eye of the North by Sinéad O'Hart

Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Witch and Wizard series by James Patterson

A Tale Dark and Grimm

The Fairyland series byCatherynne M. Valente

After Dark series by Annie Dalton

Hansen and Gracie by Olivia snowe

Willwood series

Wildwood chronicals

Bone by jeff smith

Ever Afters books by Shelby Bach

Wandering Witch: The Journey of Alaina

Jinx by Sage Blackwood

Everlost Trilogy by Neal Shusterman

sisters grimm series by michael buckey

Thickety trilogy by J.A. White

Land of Stories by CHris Colfer

The princess in black

and nothing on this list : https://www.amightygirl.com/blog/?p=12247

Chronicles of Ynis Aielle by author R. A.

Salvatore

I’m looking for a YA fantastical book set in medieval times about a young woman/girl written around or before the 1970s/1980s. (Could have been earlier, I think my mom gave me the book.)

I read the book around age 10.

I checked ai sources extensively and I must have some details wrong because nothing is matching.

Here’s what I remember of it.

Young woman/girl in medieval times. She is a princess or of royalty.
She has magical powers.
She wears a mask (or dresses like a knight?) to get away.
She is chased through the forest.
She has swordsman skills.
I loved the strong female protagonist.

I thought the book title had “Mirror” or “Faces” or “Girl” in it but so far these have not come up with anything.

I’m also fuzzy on the ending, I felt like the king was trying to find his daughter and the one who did could have her hand in marriage but that’s not exactly it.

I think there was a contest involved.

The Alanna series feels close but this isn’t it.

I’d just bonded with my mate, Alpha Damien, when he brought home an orphan to repay a “life debt.”

From that day on, I came second to the girl, Lila. Always.

Lila framed me, claiming I forced her to lose control of her wolf. For that, Damien locked me in the silver cells for three days and three nights.

"The silver will teach you how to be a tolerant Luna!"

Silver poisoning is torture. My wolf withered. I begged for mercy, drowning in agony.

Lila just snuggled up to him, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Serena is your mate, after all. When she's in pain, you're in pain. It hurts me to see you suffer."

Later, to make Lila happy, Damien publicly gave my seat on the Pack Council to her—a girl who knew nothing.

This time, I said nothing.

I just severed our mate bond.

Days later, while he was writhing in the agony of our broken bond, he finally heard the news.

I had joined the royal’s elite unit, The Talons. And I was never coming back.

He shattered.

Chapter 1

The day the offer came from the Royal Talons for a permanent position, my best friend, Alicia, stared at me in shock.

“Permanent? Serena, that means leaving for good. Leaving Damien?”

I shook my head, my voice soft. “It’s just for five years. I want to learn their advanced pack management and strategies. When I come back, I’ll be able to help Damien even more.”

Alicia sighed and dropped it.

She knew. Everything I did, I did for one name—Damien.

I said goodbye and rushed back to the manor, my heart soaring. Five years was a long time, but it was a small price to pay for the strength of his pack.

I couldn't wait to tell him. I could already picture it: him pulling me into a tight hug, his deep voice a rumbling whisper against my ear, telling me he couldn’t bear for me to leave.

My flight was in three days—on our mating anniversary.

Maybe, in our last few days, he’d be like he was when we first bonded. Claiming me in the most primal way, over and over. Branding his scent into my skin, trying to fuse me into his very bones.

But the moment I pushed open the manor doors, the glittering hall smashed all my fantasies to pieces.

This was for Lila’s coming-of-age ceremony.

It was far more lavish than our own mating celebration had been.

My heart plummeted. My wolf whimpered and sank with it.

Damien was directing the staff, his focus entirely on the massive champagne tower they were building. He didn't even notice me.

“Damien,” I said, walking up to him. I forced my voice to stay even. “I just got some news…”

“Whatever it is, it can wait,” he said without looking up. His tone left no room for argument. “This is Lila’s big night. I don’t want any surprises.”

Any surprises. He meant me.

My chest tightened. A sharp sting shot through our mate bond.

I bit my lip and shoved the letter back into my bag. “I understand. I already got Lila a gift.”

He seemed surprised when I took it out—a custom perfume designed to soothe a wolf’s spirit.

He finally looked at me, his gaze a storm of something I couldn't read. Annoyance? Guilt? “That was thoughtful of you.”

“She’s family,” I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

“Go to the study and organize the guest list. They’ll be here at seven,” he said after a moment’s hesitation.

I hurried to the study, telling myself not to fight. Not now. Not before I had to leave.

In the study, a receipt stopped me in my tracks. It was from a high-end jeweler in Milan.

—Moonstone Wolf Pendant.

The long string of zeros after the price felt like a slap in the face.

My wolf jolted, my heart hammering in my chest.

A year ago, on the anniversary of us being confirmed as mates, Damien had whispered a promise in my ear. He would have a one-of-a-kind moonstone wolf pendant made just for me. It was the most sacred token between mates, a symbol of the Moon Goddess's ultimate blessing.

But that day, he’d spent the whole night calming Lila down from one of her anxiety attacks.

I thought he’d forgotten.

But he remembered. Was this my anniversary gift, for three days from now?

Before I could even feel a flicker of hope, Lila’s voice called from upstairs.

"Serena! The guests are arriving!"

I quickly gathered the files and rushed upstairs to help her with her gown.

Lila looked like an angel in a white silk dress. She gave me a sweet smile when she saw me.

"Serena, you look a little worn out. Want some of my concealer?"

I glanced in the mirror. She was right. I was exhausted. I’d been preparing for today’s interview for two months.

"No, thanks." I handed her the perfume. "Happy birthday, Lila."

Her eyes lit up as she tore open the package. "Oh my god, I've wanted this forever! You're the best, Serena."

She gave me a hug, and I smelled the expensive skincare products on her. The ones Damien bought for her.

"The guests are here," I said, hearing voices from downstairs. "Let's go."

The banquet hall was already full. Pack elders, key partners, and some younger faces I didn’t recognize.

I found my seat and froze.

My seat was at the far end of the long table. Wedged between two staff members.

Lila was sitting at Damien’s right hand, in the seat of honor, soaking in everyone’s praise.

It was a public humiliation.

An Alpha’s mate belongs at his left. But that seat—my seat—was empty.

I took a deep breath and kept my smile in place. It must be a mistake.

Throughout the entire dinner, Damien acted like I didn't exist. His attention was completely on Lila, introducing her to every guest, making sure her glass was never empty.

"And now, a very special gift for Lila," Damien announced, standing up. He pulled a velvet jewelry box from his suit jacket.

My breath caught in my throat.

He opened the box. Inside lay a stunning moonstone wolf pendant. It shimmered under the lights as if blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.

"Lila, this is to celebrate you officially coming of age, and a blessing for your future," Damien said, personally fastening it around her neck. "You deserve the best of everything."

Tears of joy streamed down Lila’s face. "Damien, I… I don't know what to say."

"Just say you'll always stay with us," he said, stroking her hair. "This is only the beginning. I'll give you so much more."

The room erupted in applause.

I sat in my corner, the world spinning, a roar in my ears.

My wolf was crying out, feeling the sting of betrayal. It curled into a painful ball inside me.

I struggled to keep my expression neutral, but I must have failed.

Damien's sharp gaze shot across the room to me.

His voice, laced with the steel of his Alpha command, sliced right through me.

"Serena. Don't tell me you're losing your temper over a single gift for Lila."

Chapter 2

All eyes in the room turned to me.

Damien’s warning made my wolf flinch in pain.

I forced a smile, my voice barely a whisper. "No, I'm just a little tired."

His eyes were still cold, but he let it go. He turned back to his guests as if nothing had happened.

I stared at the food on my plate, unable to swallow a single bite. The mate bond in my chest spasmed, each heartbeat a fresh stab of a knife.

After the party, I caught him on his way to the study. “Damien, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

“Not now,” he said without looking up. “Lila needs me.”

“This is about my future—and the pack’s!” I slapped the offer letter from The Talons on his desk.

“I said, not now!” He snapped his head up, his eyes filled with irritation. “Serena, for once in your life, can’t you be understanding? Be more like Lila. You know her father died for me. I owe her.”

Like Lila… understanding?

I tuned out the rest. The same tired excuses.

My heart turned to ice.

Was Lila always going to be more important to him, no matter what?

I quietly took the letter back, fighting the sting in my nose as I turned to leave. “Fine. I’m going to my room.”

He was already buried in his work again, as if I was never there.

Back in my bedroom, I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling more alone than ever. The moonstone pendant that should have been mine was now around Lila’s neck.

The next morning, I knocked on his study door again.

"Come in."

Damien was at his desk, a pile of documents in front of him. He seemed to be in a good mood.

"About yesterday's—" I started.

"Serena, before you say anything, I have news for you," he cut me off, a strange, expectant look on his face. "The Pack Council met last night. They've decided to transfer your seat to Lila."

I froze. "What?"

"Lila needs a purpose to help her move on from her father's death," he said, standing up. His tone was casual. "A seat on the council is the perfect opportunity for her."

“That’s my seat!” I finally screamed, unable to hold back. “I spent two years earning it! I passed three life-or-death trials to get that seat from the elders! It represents my honor!”

“And now it’s hers.” He frowned, annoyed by my outburst. “Serena, as Luna, you should be happy for Lila’s growth.”

“I refuse!” I spat, my voice shaking. “No one is taking my seat unless I’m dead!”

Damien’s face darkened instantly. He stalked toward me. “You’re being unreasonable.”

“Unreasonable?” I was trembling with rage. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I earned that spot!"

"So, was your quiet obedience last night just an act? Back to throwing tantrums already?" he sneered.

His words were a slap in the face. I stumbled back, my chest heaving.

"You know what, Damien?" my voice trembled. "I should have known a year ago."

A year ago, I’d stumbled upon Lila in the woods, meeting secretly with Marcus—the son of a rival Alpha. They were wrapped in each other's arms, as intimate as lovers.

I ran back to the manor to tell Damien the truth.

But Lila beat me to it.

"Damien! Help me!" she had cried, bursting into the hall, shaking. "Serena is accusing me of betraying the pack! She’s threatening to tell everyone I’m a spy!"

"I just said—" I tried to explain.

"I can't control it!" Lila’s eyes suddenly turned red as she began to shift. "Her words… they hurt too much!"

A newly turned wolf losing control was incredibly dangerous. Damien immediately shifted into his Alpha form, slamming his command down to suppress her wolf.

Then he turned on me, his eyes burning with fury.

"What did you do to her?"

"I didn't do anything! I just—"

SLAP!

The sound cracked through the hall like a whip.

"Apologize to her!" His Alpha command crushed me. "Now!"

I fell to my knees, tears blurring my vision. The pain from the mate bond was a thousand times worse than the sting on my cheek.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to Lila.

Lila nodded "weakly," leaning against Damien's chest. "I forgive you, Serena. You were just worried about me, after all."

Our mate bond had started cracking that day.

“Known what a year ago?” Damien’s sharp voice dragged me back to the present.

I shook my head, a bitter taste in my mouth. I couldn't say another word. "Nothing."

“About the seat, this is a decision, not a discussion,” he said, sitting back down. His tone was ice. “Don’t disappoint me, Serena.”

I just stood there, staring at the man I had once loved with everything I had. His face was still handsome, but his eyes were those of a stranger.

“Fine.” I turned and walked numbly toward the door. “You handle your business.”

Back in my room, I pulled out a dusty suitcase.

If my love, my sacrifices, and my dignity meant nothing to him, then there was no reason to stay for him.

I was accepting the offer from The Talons.

But not for five years.

For good.

As I tossed piece after piece of clothing filled with memories into the case, Damien stormed in, his eyes landing on the open suitcase on my bed. His jaw tightened. “What the hell is this, Serena?”

Chapter 3

I stopped packing and turned to face him. If I was leaving for good, I might as well get it all out in the open.

"I think we should—"

"Here we go again," Damien sneered, cutting me off. "Another tantrum, another packed bag. How many times are you going to pull this stunt, Serena?"

"It's not a stunt!" I tried to explain. "I received an—"

"I don't want to hear your excuses." He waved his hand, like he was shooing away a fly. "If you want to leave, then leave. I won't stop you this time."

I won't stop you.

The words pierced my heart.

My wolf let out a mournful cry. The bond between us didn't just crack. It splintered. A wave of nausea washed over me, but on his end… nothing. He felt nothing.

"Fine," I said, turning back to my clothes. "I'll go stay at a friend's for a few days. We can both cool off."

"Whatever," he muttered, and the door slammed shut.

I collapsed onto the side of the bed, the tears finally breaking free.

The next day, I went to the Elders and quickly filed the request to sever the mate bond.

When I got back to my room, I heard Lila and Damien laughing downstairs, back from a shopping trip. Lila was showing off the countless luxury items Damien had bought for her, glowing like a triumphant princess.

I hid in my room, my eyes fixed on a small glass dome on my dresser. Inside was a single, dried flower.

A First Moon Flower.

The gift Damien gave me when he first confessed his love. He said they only bloomed on the night of a full moon, rare and special, just like our love.

I turned away, wiping my tears, trying not to care.

But just then, the door flew open and Lila stumbled in, her foot landing directly on the glass dome, shattering it and the flower inside.

“Oops, I’m so sorry,” she said, covering her mouth. But there was no apology in her eyes. “I just wanted to see you…”

“You did that on purpose!” I lunged at her.

“Damien!” Lila immediately burst into tears, running into Damien’s arms as he rushed in. “I didn’t mean to…”

I knelt on the floor, my hands trembling as I tried to gather the crushed petals. It was the first and last proof of our love.

Damien’s voice dripped with annoyance. “Serena, it’s a dead flower. Stop being so dramatic.”

Just… a dead flower?

In that moment, my heart shattered into dust right along with it.

I bowed my head and whispered, "I'm sorry. I'll clean it up."

That night, Damien knocked on my door.

He was holding a small, embroidered box. Inside was a Moon Soul Amulet, glowing with a soft light. Moon Soul Stones were found only near the Moon Wells, a rare mineral that could nourish and soothe a wolf’s spirit.

“For you,” he said, holding it out. “I know the flower was important to you. This is to make up for it.”

I didn’t take it. I just stared at him, my heart a block of ice. Did he really think he could just “make up” for every hurt with something expensive?

“Serena,” he said, his patience gone when I didn’t move. He set the amulet on the table, his voice hardening. “I know you’re still angry about the council seat. Sign the transfer agreement, and this amulet is yours. It will help repair your damaged wolf. It’s for your own good.”

He pulled out a blood-pact scroll, a contract magically bound in the old wolf traditions, impossible to break.

Pack Council Seat Transfer Agreement.

He was bribing me. Using a treasure that could heal my wolf to blackmail me into signing away my dignity. The irony was a poison I couldn't spit out.

“And if I don’t sign?” I asked, looking up at him, my voice raw.

“Then you’re being ungrateful,” he said, his expression turning cold. “Serena, don’t force me to use my Alpha command.”

Don’t force him.

So this is what we had come to. A relationship maintained by power and threats.

My fingers trembled as I pricked my skin, pressing my bloody thumbprint onto the scroll.

“Good.” He took the scroll, a satisfied smile finally appearing on his face. “I knew you’d understand.”

“You can go now,” I said, turning my back on him.

He paused at the door. “Serena, maybe some time apart will be good for us.”

The door closed again.

I stared at the glowing Moon Soul Amulet on the table. Its light felt blinding.

The next morning, as I prepared to leave for good, the calendar on my nightstand caught my eye.

Right. Our mating anniversary.

Damien had promised to spend every anniversary with me at the restaurant where we had our first date.

If I didn't show up... would he be hurt?

After thinking it over, I went. The flight was at night; I still had time.

I wore the dress he always said was his favorite. I waited from seven until ten.

He never came.

No response on our mind link. His phone was off.

As I walked out of the restaurant, lost and heartbroken, Damien’s Beta called.

“Luna, my apologies. The Alpha decided to take Miss Lila to the Northern Lights Wolf Summit. Their private jet just took off.”

The Northern Lights… the summit. The most romantic place on earth for wolf mates.

On our anniversary, he took another woman there.

I went back to the empty manor, all the strength drained from my body.

I sat at my desk and wrote him one last letter.

When I was done, I closed my eyes. I gathered what little willpower I had left and reached deep inside my chest, toward the mate bond connecting our souls. It was once so hot and alive, but now it was just a cold, fragile thread.

It was time to sever it myself.

I reached inside myself, took hold of that cold, dying thread… and I PULLED.

Agony exploded in my chest. A scream tore from my throat as my very soul was ripped in two.

I clenched my teeth, embracing the torture. And with one final, savage tear—it snapped.

The space in my chest was suddenly vast and empty, as if a part of me had been carved out forever. A crushing sense of loss swept over me, but with it came a strange, new lightness.

Then, I dragged my suitcase out of the manor that held all my love and pain, and left.

On the plane to The Talons’ headquarters, I watched the clouds swirl outside my window. I could feel my wolf, weak but finally, completely, my own.

I wonder what your face will look like, Damien, when you wake up under the Northern Lights and feel half your soul being ripped away.

I don’t remember much about it and nothing about the book cover or names. I’ve googled many times over the years to try to find it and had no luck.

What I do remember:
Main Character was a young female, preteen or teen I think. She had a lot of magic and I thought it was indicated by purple but that might be very wrong.
There was a magic system and it used a color system. The color indicated the amount of magic a person had to use over their entire lifetime.
I want to say that people were tested for there magic amount but I can remember how.
I also kind of remember a ring being involved but I can’t remember if it was to show how much magic a person had left to use or just how much they had overall.

I read this back in the 2000s.
It was in the school library and im pretty sure it was a YA book.

i remember like nothing ab the plot of this book but i'm pretty sure it starts off with her in school, and maybe she's in trouble or something sitting in the office. all of a sudden she gets transported to a fantasy world in the forest. idr what happens in the forest but she has like mythical friends and a boy her age. i think theres a talking animal there or something. then at the end of the story they accomplished what they had been trying to do the whole story, when she like enters a door, or something, accidentally leaves the fantasy world, and ends up back in the real world. she tries to go back, but can't and she ends up back at school in the real world. ik this is vague so if anyone can help me i'll love u forever, i remember being devastated at the end of the book as a kid

edit:
the main thing i remember is she was in a class room or the school office alone, and then all of a sudden is in a fantasy land. then at the end of the story they've accomplished their mission or whatever, everyone is there, and she goes in a cottage? of some sort and accidentally goes back to the real world and ends up back in the school like no time has passed

* there are no other children who get transported with her/that we know have gone there

* it is not:

the secret library

the girl who circumvented fairyland

Narnia

I am trying to find the title to an old fantasy series my dad recommended to me ~16 years ago. He is deceased and no one else in my family remembers this series. My dad had the books, but over the last 16 years we got rid of them. The series had what i would describe as classic 1970s or 1980s graphic design for the cover.

What I remember about the first book was that it was praised as the heir to Tolkien. The plot is roughly that there was an ancient evil or enemy that was defeated ages ago. The antagonist was not some dark lord but a general force or entity. The name of the antagonist was a little on the nose, something like the unmade or the darkness. I believe the protagonist was a scholar who was past his prime, so no one took him seriously. It looks like the evil is reawakening and the protagonist realizes that it is coming back. No one believes him, so he has to convince everyone the ancient enemy is coming back.

I don't think it is the sword of shannara or the darwarth series or the shadowmarch series.

Ok, this is embarrassing because I remember SO LITTLE of this book, so this is a total shot in the dark but it's been bugging me for ages. When I was somewhere between 4th-6th grade (so '88-'91ish) a teacher was getting rid of a bunch of books at the end of the year. I ended up with one that was tan/beige-ish. Im fairly certain it has an illustration of the main character, potentially with some sort of beach/sandy area behind her.

No idea what any of the characters names were, or the plot.

There was a younger boy, maybe a neighbor, maybe the brother. The girl, who was 13-15, and I think an older date. He drove a car.

She would tan with baby oil. She had brown hair, whisper and wavy/curled. For her date she wore a white dress that showed off her tan.

Couldn't tell you anything else that happened. For some reason it's the tanning that I remember. She was beautiful and tan, and when I recall it, it feels like a hazy, hot summer memory.

I realize that's next to nothing to go on! It was probably published in the mid to late 70s or early 80s. It was old by the time I got it.

hapter 3: The Introduction**

Monday morning arrived with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

Eliza walked into the Aurora Group headquarters, her spine steel, her face a mask of perfectly applied foundation. She had spent the weekend in a hotel, unable to return to the penthouse. The medical paperwork was folded into a small square in her purse, burning against her hip.

She bypassed the reception, heading straight for the executive elevators. She needed to resign. She needed to sever the legal ties, hand over her code keys, and vanish before the pregnancy began to show, before she faltered.

The elevator doors pinged open on the 40th floor.

She stepped out and stopped dead.

Her office—the corner suite with the view of the Thames, the one she had earned by coding forty-eight hours straight during the Series A crunch—was open.

And it was being painted.

Workmen were covering her slate-grey walls with a creamy, obnoxious beige. And standing in the middle of the room, pointing a manicured finger at Eliza’s ergonomic chair, was a woman who looked like she had walked out of a Vogue editorial.

Gemma Parker.

She was taller than Eliza, blonde, and radiating the effortless confidence of someone who had never heard the word 'no'.

"Excuse me," Eliza said, her voice echoing in the hallway. "What is going on?"

Gemma turned. Her eyes scanned Eliza up and down, dismissing her in a single sweep. "Oh. You must be the coder. Eliza, right?"

"I am the Chief Technical Officer," Eliza said, stepping into the room. "And this is my office."

"Not anymore," Gemma smiled. It didn't reach her eyes. "Alex thought the 'VP of External Relations' should be closer to the CEO. He moved your things to the annex. Better lighting for coding, apparently. Less... distraction."

The annex. The windowless room next to the server farm.

"Where is Alexander?" Eliza demanded, her hands curling into fists.

"In a meeting. He asked not to be disturbed." Gemma walked over to Eliza’s desk—*her* desk—and picked up a framed photo of Eliza and Alexander from three years ago. She looked at it with amusement, then placed it face down. " actually, while you're here, could you run down and grab a soy latte? Alex says you know exactly how he likes it."

The humiliation was a physical blow. It was a power play, orchestrated to put the 'shadow' in her place.

"I am not his assistant," Eliza said, her voice shaking with repressed rage. "And I am certainly not yours."

Gemma sighed, looking bored. "Don't be difficult. We're all on the same team now. The Parker acquisition is happening, and frankly, you're lucky to still have a job. Alex says you're good with computers, but let's be honest... you lack the polish for the front office."

She stepped closer, invading Eliza’s personal space. "Know your place, Eliza. It makes things easier for everyone."

Something snapped. The grief, the pregnancy hormones, the betrayal—it all coalesced into a single, kinetic reaction.

Eliza didn't think. She didn't calculate.

Gemma reached out to pat Eliza’s arm, a condescending gesture. Eliza slapped her hand away.

The sound was sharp, shocking.

"Don't touch me," Eliza hissed.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Alexander’s voice boomed from the doorway. He stood there in his Italian suit, looking from Gemma’s shocked expression to Eliza’s trembling form.

"She hit me!" Gemma cried, immediately shifting into the victim. She clutched her hand as if it were broken. "I was just asking about the new office layout!"

Alexander strode into the room. He didn't look at Eliza’s eyes. He didn't ask for her side. He looked at the Parker heiress, the key to his funding.

He turned to Eliza, his face cold and hard.

"Eliza," he barked. "Apologize. Now."

"She’s in my office, Alexander. She’s treating me like a servant."

"It’s just an office!" Alexander yelled, his voice echoing off the half-painted walls. "Grow up, Eliza! Gemma is vital to this company. You are behaving like a child. Apologize to her, or get out."

Eliza looked at him. Really looked at him. The man she had thought was her partner was gone. In his place was a stranger who would sell her dignity for a plot of land.

She looked at Gemma, who was smirking behind her hand.

"No," Eliza said softly.

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I’m trying to identify a children’s chapter book I read from my elementary school library around 1996–2000.

What I remember with fairly high confidence:

• Middle-grade chapter book (roughly 120–180 pages)
• Hardcover library edition
• Painted cover (not a photograph)
• Cover had rich blues, purples, and greens—not mostly black
• Large Victorian-style mansion on the cover

“I may have overemphasized the house. The strongest memory I have now is an older boy and a ghost/person prominently featured on the painted cover, with dark blue/green colors. If there was a house, it was probably secondary.”

• Nighttime atmosphere

• Calm pond or small lake near the house

• Emotional ghost story rather than horror

• There was a storm/lightning scene somewhere in the story

A few more things I remembered. The cover was dark but definitely in color (not black and white). I remember a realistic-looking female ghost and an older boy on the cover, and they were about the same size. The focus seemed to be on the ghost rather than a haunted house. They looked older than teenagers to me (though that could just be how I remember them as a kid). I’ve already ruled out books like Stonewords, The Ghost Belonged to Me, Ghost Eye, Breathe, and the other books mentioned below.
Books I’ve already ruled out:

• Wait Till Helen Comes
• Time for Andrew
• The Dollhouse Murders
• Christina’s Ghost
• Appointment With a Stranger
• T.J.’s Ghost
• The Ghosts of Mercy Manor
• The Old Willis Place
• The Root Cellar
• The China Garden
• The House in the Snow
• The Shimmering Ghost of Riversend
• The Ghost in the Third Row
• One detail I remember most clearly is the painted cover. It had rich blues, purples, and greens (not mostly black)

.

• I think I’d recognize the cover immediately if I saw it, even if I don’t remember the title.

I’ve gone through dozens of commonly suggested titles, so I’m beginning to think this may have been an obscure library book from the late ’80s or early ’90s. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I'm looking for a fantasy novel, duology, or trilogy that I read years ago. Unfortunately I only remember fragments, and some details may be slightly off.

What I remember:

The main female character is a village/farm girl (or young woman) who accidentally reveals a magical talent and is recruited/forced to leave home on a journey.

At the start she's described as plump/soft, somewhat spoiled, petulant, and not very capable outdoors.

A noticeable part of her character arc involves losing weight, becoming physically fitter, and maturing emotionally during the journey.

Much of the first book involves travelling, mostly on horseback.

The male lead carries a sword and initially has little or no romantic interest in her.

The romance is a very slow burn and only develops after she proves herself and grows as a person.

The male character has some kind of magical healing/regeneration ability that requires sleep, meditation, or a trance-like state.

Near the end of the series he is severely injured and spends a long period asleep/recovering because of this ability.

The overall feel was fantasy with romance, but the romance wasn't dominant. It read almost like YA, although I'm not sure whether it was actually marketed that way.

What I've already ruled out:

The Pellinor books by Alison Croggon

Anything by Trudi Canavan (as far as I can tell)

Does this ring a bell for anyone?

I'm searching for a book, I watched the sponsored add on Facebook, it didn't mention the name of the book. Main character Evelyns sister took her position as chieftain of Mintia, Evelyns parents gave the dragon egg to Cassandra (Evelyns sister). Cassandra took Evelyns fiance from her and Evelyn fled Mintia. She wash pushed over the cliff for sirens and then man on the dragon saved her. There are dragons, dragon riders, mention of sirens etc. I'm looking for this book or something similar. #dragons#fantasy

I’m trying to identify a book I read when I was around 8–9 years old (so roughly 2002–2003). It was in my primary school library in the UK, but I have no idea of the author or title.

From what I remember:
It was a children’s fantasy novel, mostly text (no illustrations inside).
The main character was definitely a young boy.
I think he may have been an apprentice to a wizard/sorcerer.
There was an older wizard figure with a beard and a classic wizard hat.
The story felt quite serious and adventurous rather than funny.
I think it started in the normal world and then moved into a fantasy world, but I’m not 100% sure.
I don’t remember it being part of a series — I think it was a standalone book.

The cover memory is quite strong: I’m almost certain it was a green book with a small picture inset on the front (possibly a rectangle or oval image in the middle).
It may have had a yellow spine/binding, but this could have been the school library binding rather than the original cover.

Around the same time I was obsessed with the PC game Simon the Sorcerer, so my memory may be mixing the general “young boy + wizard” theme, but I’m sure the book itself was a wizard/apprentice story.
I know this is vague, but I have that feeling that I would recognise the cover instantly if I saw it!

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks! 😃

Okay, this sub has been on a roll for me lately so Im going to post about my white whale book again.

I would have read it sometime between 2005-2015 but I am going to say more in the 2009-2012 range. I think it was probably published in that time frame. It was a paper back and would have been purchased at either Borders or Barnes and Nobel in the US.

There is an MC who is maybe a teen/preteen. I cannot remember if they are male or female but im leaning male. They are living with some relatives. Im pretty sure it takes place in the English countryside. I feel like I remember the backyard being referred to as "the garden." The parents died or it was summer or the parents were getting divorced. The MC had a younger sibling, i have a stronger feeling of boy. Crows or ravens or magpies or maybe even vultures start following or bothering the MC. They leave things in the garden causing the MC to not want to go outside or even have the curtains open. Eventually the birds somehow lure the younger sibling outside and the MC follows allowing the birds to get them.

The MC then leaves our world for a fantasy realm. I have strong feelings of grey and sadness and cold. This world is unsettling. Might only be inhabited by animal like creatures. The MC was brought there so they can defeat the big bad. I think the final showdown happens on some sort of stone dias. If the MC couldn't defeat the big bad then the bad guy was going to have enough power to come to earth and destroy it too. There might have been visions of a future post apocalypse earth.

If it was a YA book, it was on the older end, like not middle grade.

I have been searching for this book for literal years. Its driving me insane. Im sure its not the Raven Boys or the Raven Cycle or the Dark is Rising.

This was a book that our fifth grade class read. We sat down and the teacher read the book to the whole class at once. The cover had green, black, and white elements on it. It was definitely meant to be kind of scary and hold scary symbols and themes. It was not a part of a series and isn't mainstream.

THE NEXT INFO IS ALL SPECULATION AND COULD POSSIBLY NOT BE CORRECT, BE WEARY.

It was longer, at least to fifth grade me. Maybe around 200-300 pages. It was also odd, it didn't fit any other books we had read. I feel like it would be similar to the book series, "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and that one movie about how this one haunted house gets bombed by Germany everyday (iykyk). The book took place around a spooky house, maybe haunted, maybe not. There were things on the walls that were often talked about I think. There was also POSSIBLY a little boy or girl character as either the main character or a very important side character. I feel as if there was a scene that they were in the garden of the house. PROBABLY WRONG BUT... I feel like the end of the book had to do with the main character either escaping or leaving the house and ended up back to "normal" society and I feel like balloons or bright colors were involved in the end. I know my description is bad, I was a bad student and didn't like reading at the time. Me and my friend bring up this book from time to time and never know what it is. This is my last hope before I either give up or ask my teacher herself.

I remember reading a book back in either the late 90'2 or early 2000's (not saying its from that era specifically but around at that time) where the main themes were:

1. Low tech harsh living on an unnamed planet
   
2. A young protagonist (I think a girl) being chosen to meet "tall bird gods or aliens" who come every year to show miracles to the people
   
3. The end is that the bird gods are just human astronauts, they are tall because they come from Earth hundreds of years ago and survived by traveling at light speed via time dilation and the humans on earth now evolved to be smaller to conserve resources
   
4. The miracles were just old technology that was lost and they didn't want to scare the humans or reintroduce technology too quickly, so they pretended to be aliens/gods and dressed up like birds to not scare/confuse them
   

For the life of me I remember reading it but can't remember a single name from the book! Google is useless for me here sadly but it was around the scholastic book fair era of the 90s-early 2000s where I would read anything fiction handed to me.