The stories in this book began as individuals. Some, 'Diocletian's Cabbages', had been in my mind as an intriguing idea for years while others, 'A Head Start', came complete, quite suddenly, often waking me in the early hours of the morning. Only after several had been written down did I realize that they all spoke of change. I arranged them, not in the order in which they had been written, but geographically. They started in Europe and moved through England to the west coast of Canada and the United States. Only when this was settled did I see that they began and ended in the same place.

"The modest size of Jason Schwartz's first collection is misleading, since his fiction turns out to be grandly intrepid. Schwartz writes of family events and historical tragedies, evoking a nameless consciousness whirling through remembered facts, letters, memories - and he does so by recording not the narrative events but the traces of them that pulse within the words and memories and objects left behind ...Unlike much so-called experimental fiction, Schwartz's work contains genuine passion and invention - and an enormous appetite for challenging himself and his audience." - The New York Times

Sometimes, certain things are not what they seem. With a little bit of luck, it pays to be at the right place at the right time and Stephie Jenkins, a young photographer with no formal education but sheer talent, proved that sometimes opportunities exists are the unlikeliest places. It was a chance in a lifetime when she was offered the job of being the photographer of a rock band, which entailed touring with the band for 6 months and taking photographs for their collection. Every young girl's fantasy is to fall in love with a rock star and be swept off their feet in glitz and glamour. It started out as an infatuation on the lead singer, Chris but as time goes by, she began to develop strong feelings for him. He was involved with another girl at first and paid her minimal attention but her kindness and patience paid off in the end when he broke off with his girlfriend and started a relationship with her. However, Stephie has a secret that will tear their relationship apart. Will Chris ever forgive Stephie when he finds out and will their love survive the different curveballs thrown their way? Only time will tell.

DISCOVER THE SHORT STORY COLLECTION THAT GAVE THE WORLD DRIVE MY CAR, THE BAFTA AND OSCAR WINNING FILM A dazzling Sunday Times bestselling collection of short stories from the beloved internationally acclaimed Haruki Murakami. Across seven tales, Haruki Murakami brings his powers of observation to bear on the lives of men who, in their own ways, find themselves alone. Here are vanishing cats and smoky bars, lonely hearts and mysterious women, baseball and the Beatles, woven together to tell stories that speak to us all. Marked by the same wry humour that has defined his entire body of work, in this collection Murakami has crafted another contemporary classic. 'Supremely enjoyable, philosophical and pitch-perfect new collection of short stories...Murakami has a marvelous understanding of youth and age' Observer 'Murakami at his whimsical, romantic best' Financial Times

With less than two feet of sheetrock separating you and your neighbor in a building soaring up to 50 feet in the sky, ever wonder what the individual's story is on the other side of the drywall?

In this fast-paced compilation of short stories full of funny witticisms, lessons in spirituality and roller coaster drama, the author takes you on a journey into the lives of the people that inhabit a multi-family residential building. Offering intimate portrayals of each person that lives in the real estate rental property; from the owner and investors to the property manager and the tenants, you will gain a new appreciation for the inner workings of a high rise complex

Your heart will go out to Volda Slack, the irascible foster mother and tenant who works as a principal in an inner-city high school. Promising property manager, Malicki Gretzki, with a Bachelors of Science degree from University of New York, saves the day at a troubled asset while struggling with personal issues of sexuality. At the end of the day, will it even matter? You will find the answers to these questions and many more in "High-Rise Chronicles: Every Lease a Different Life, Every Life a Different Story."