Brooks is at her finest in this cunning collection of short stories. Her trademark wit and sharp observation is crafted with depth and compassion, as she once again explores the gamut of human experience with fearless clarity and buoyant optimism. In this series, Linda gives full rein to her passion for the unique narratives of others. With poignancy and respect, she reveals the foibles and quirks of her characters, never losing the essence of the elegance and power of the human spirit. These stories are windows into the lives of others, where equality and dignity is intrinsically woven into each tale. We see our friends, family and acquaintances. We make new friends and ultimately gain insight into our own true selves. Linda gives us an intimate view into a nursing career, with both fiction and non fiction. It is a world of compassion, patience and intuitive regard for others, but encapsulates the humanity of this challenging and often underrated role in the community. This edition of short stories is a combination of 'Vignettes', 'This Life' and several new narratives.

Every third Wednesday we meet. Every third Wednesday we attempt to hone our craft. Stretching beyond rhyme, metre and description to tanka, cento, haiku, and abecedarium while we sip frothy cappuccinos, or perhaps indulge in cake, we go on a journey. When the blending of our words seems like rubbish, we laugh. When they fall flat, we groan and move on. Every now and then, someone will read a poem and we all sit still, poised in silent surrender to the soaring of our spirits and we are grateful for the places that poetry takes us. "Most pleasing of all is the profusion of poetic styles and forms... Running through all this are familiar and consistent themes: the power of the wry observation, condensed into verse, to remind us of life's absurdities ... the inescapable nature of loss ... and landscapes transformed by poetic eyes ... Read these poems and enjoy the verbal worlds created for you by these five poets." David Musgrave, poet, writer, lecturer, publisher

Art Lessons with Aileen McLeod A compilation of step-by-step Art Lessons by renowned Australian multi-medium artist and tutor Aileen McLeod. A wide variety of subjects are covered; portraiture, floral, landscape and seascape, plus an inclusion of porcelain and silk painting.

Historic aviation, in particular World War 1 is an abiding interest for Murray who has compiled a selection of colour portraits and bios of some of the more famous airmen of the conflict. 'Images of Eagles' also includes a black and white photo of the subject or his particular aircraft to accompany each article. The book portrays airmen from the British Empire, France, America and Germany. Some less well known airmen are represented. They may not have achieved 'ace' status but their exploits were worthy of an inclusion in this volume.

Where's your mother? Not well today. Said carefully and neutrally, as if pretending things were normal would make them so. Transform life into a manageable thing. As if ten year olds everywhere were the ladies of the house, the caretakers of the family. Brooks explores the internal dilemma of a child forced to become parent to a mentally unstable mother, as well as the guardian of her three younger siblings. With fearless candour, Linda peels back the layers of a child with adult responsibilities. What becomes of Kate when the years fall by and the reaches adulthood? Can the child within be denied voice?

A review of a unique band of airmen, every man a volunteer, willing and eager to serve in an elite force. From every corner of the Empire they answered the call to arms, to challenge the aspirations of European dominance by a rampant Germany. Following the French capitulation of 1940 and the miracle of Dunkirk Great Britain stood alone to face the Nazi blitzkrieg. During those dramatic months of August and September a numerically inferior Fighter Command withstood a relentless Luftwaffe to effectively scuttle Hitler's 'Operation Sea Lion', the projected air and sea-borne invasion of Britain. Having survived the gravest threat in its history the time had come for Britain to take up the offensive with whatever means at its disposal. Fighter Command had established itself as the nation's saviour; it was now Bomber Command's turn to carry the offensive to the enemy's homeland, to his very home if need be. What began as a tentative, probing campaign developed into a whirlwind of concentrated destruction. With the advent of new and sophisticated aircraft and tactics, as demonstrated by the creation of the elite Pathfinder Force, Bomber Command attained a terrifying efficiency. Against this was an equally disturbing loss rate among aircrew. When the guns fell silent in May 1945 Bomber Command alone had suffered a grievous loss rate of 47,000 gallant airmen. Many lie in graves in foreign lands, some of them the decorated VC winners listed in this book. Let their memory be a lasting tribute to all those who failed to return.

A selection of historic events in early Australian aviation. The iconic Kingsford Smith, Bert Hinkler and other greats feature in this illustrated volume by Australian artist and author Murray McLeod. Born in Sydney Murray is a published illustrator and writer with his motorcycle and aviation books and magazines.

From humble beginnings in 1907 to a last flash of glory in 1961 Norton was in the forefront of international Grand Prix racing. Rem Fowler's win at the inaugural 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the precursor of a remarkable 34 victories at that challenging circuit. Their 'works' riders were the very best of that era; names such as Guthrie, Woods, Hunt and Simpson who left an indelible imprint on the racing scene. In a post-war scenario new names emerged; the greatest of their time; Bell, Duke, Surtees and other greats; alas by that stage the circuits were dominated by Italy with their multi-cylinder designs. Nevertheless in 1961 Norton glory at the TT was briefly restored by Mike Hailwood's Senior win and Phil Read's Junior victory.

Once in every lifetime, we should all see life through the eyes of a five year old child, hear their voice, sense the world through the unique perception of childhood. For to do this, is to perceive what they cannot know, protect them from what they cannot understand, so they don't have to hide. We are all guardians; every one. Georgia hides under the bracken fern. Her mother hits her to make her good. The nice man down the road gives her lollies that make her sleepy. Sometimes her brother, Jackson, hides her in his wardrobe. Her best friend, Mittens the cat, listens to all her secrets. On her first day at school her special pencils are stolen. Afraid she will be in very big trouble, she runs away to the bracken fern that grows tall by the whispering creek, where the bower bird struts with his prize of blue buttons and the magpie feeds her babies. It is her safe place. She doesn't know about real safe places and that these things shouldn't be happening to her. When Miss Nelson, her teacher, finds her hiding place, Georgia is even more afraid, until she learns that it's okay to tell. There are other safe places and people who will protect her. Things can get better.

Fraser is a shy frog. He has just moved with his mum and dad to a new pond. Meeting new people makes him nervous. When he is nervous he hiccups. When he hiccups all sorts of things happen. How will he make new friends?