Books with author Al Pearce

This charming, irresistible debut novel set in London during World War II about a young woman who longs to be a war correspondent and inadvertently becomes a secret advice columnist is “a jaunty, heartbreaking winner” (People)—for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls. Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty are doing their bit for the war effort and trying to stay cheerful, despite the German planes making their nightly raids. Emmy dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent, and when she spots a job advertisement in the newspaper she seizes her chance; but after a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, she finds herself typing letters for the formidable Henrietta Bird, renowned advice columnist of Woman’s Friend magazine. Mrs. Bird is very clear: letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight into the bin. But as Emmy reads the desperate pleas from women who many have Gone Too Far with the wrong man, or can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she begins to secretly write back to the readers who have poured out their troubles. “Fans of Jojo Moyes will enjoy AJ Pearce’s debut, with its plucky female characters and fresh portrait of women’s lives in wartime Britain” (Library Journal)—a love letter to the enduring power of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. “Headlined by its winning lead character, who always keeps carrying on, Pearce's novel is a delight” (Publishers Weekly). Irrepressibly funny and enormously moving, Dear Mrs. Bird is “funny and poignant…about the strength of women and the importance of friendship” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis).

Climate change is happening. Past and present leaders have failed to stop it or prepare us for the consequences. Dangerous climate change is now inevitable and in the near future, we will see climate-related disasters affect every corner of the globe. But disasters aren't random ‘acts of god’, we chose to let them happen by burying our heads in the sand and refusing to accept reality or respond rationally. “There is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope…”(Robert A. Heinlein)Nobody can stop climate change, but fortunately, we don’t need to in order to avoid the worst consequences. If we look to science and fact instead of politics and propaganda…If we follow the ten steps in this book, we regain control of our destiny. If we are informed, empowered and prepared, we can choose a better future. “Typically, survivors survive not because they are braver or more heroic than anyone else, but because they are better prepared.”(Michael Bond, BBC) This book will help you identify the specific threats that apply wherever you are in the world. It gives ten simple steps that will help you and your loved ones survive and thrive in a changing world. “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.”(W. Edwards Deming)

This charming, irresistible debut novel set in London during World War II about a young woman who longs to be a war correspondent and inadvertantly becomes a secret advice columnist is “a jaunty, heartbreaking winner” (People)—for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls. Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty are doing their bit for the war effort and trying to stay cheerful, despite the German planes making their nightly raids. Emmy dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent, and when she spots a job advertisement in the newspaper she seizes her chance; but after a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, she finds herself typing letters for the formidable Henrietta Bird, renowned advice columnist of Woman’s Friend magazine. Mrs. Bird is very clear: letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight into the bin. But as Emmy reads the desperate pleas from women who many have Gone Too Far with the wrong man, or can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she begins to secretly write back to the readers who have poured out their troubles. “Fans of Jojo Moyes will enjoy AJ Pearce’s debut, with its plucky female characters and fresh portrait of women’s lives in wartime Britain” (Library Journal)—a love letter to the enduring power of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. “Headlined by its winning lead character, who always keeps carrying on, Pearce's novel is a delight” (Publishers Weekly). Irrepressibly funny and enormously moving, Dear Mrs. Bird is “funny and poignant…about the strength of women and the importance of friendship” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis).

The Richard & Judy Book Club Pick and Sunday Times Bestseller, Dear Mrs Bird, now with a beautiful festive design and an exclusive new piece by the author.London, 1941. Amid the falling bombs Emmeline Lake dreams of becoming a fearless Lady War Correspondent. Unfortunately, Emmy instead finds herself employed as a typist for the formidable Henrietta Bird, the renowned agony aunt at Woman’s Friend magazine. Mrs Bird refuses to read, let alone answer, letters containing any form of Unpleasantness, and definitely not those from the lovelorn, grief-stricken or morally conflicted.But the thought of these desperate women waiting for an answer at this most desperate of times becomes impossible for Emmy to ignore. She decides she simply must help and secretly starts to write back – after all, what harm could that possibly do?This edition of Dear Mrs Bird has been specially designed for the Christmas season and includes exclusive new content: 'The Real Henrietta Bird's Christmas Pudding' for readers to enjoy. 'The sweetest, most uplifting, lovely book about courage, friendship, love' – Marian Keyes'A proper comfort read' – India Knight'A joy from start to finish. Dear Mrs Bird is as funny as it is heartwarming' – John Boyne

FIRST BRITISH EDITION. 2018 Picador/Pan Mcmillan deluxe(w/ flaps) trade paperback, AJ Pearce. Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty are doing their bit for the war effort and trying to stay cheerful, despite the German planes making their nightly raids. Emmy dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent, and when she spots a job advertisement in the newspaper she seizes her chance; but after a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, she finds herself typing letters for the formidable Henrietta Bird, renowned advice columnist of Woman's Friend magazine. - Amazon

“A marvelous treat. Charming and delightful.” --Nina Stibbe, author of Love, Nina An irresistible debut set in London during World War II about an adventurous young woman who becomes a secret advice columnist-- a warm, funny, and enormously moving story for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls.London, 1940. Emmeline Lake is Doing Her Bit for the war effort, volunteering as a telephone operator with the Auxiliary Fire Services. When Emmy sees an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle, her dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent suddenly seem achievable. But the job turns out to be working as a typist for the fierce and renowned advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Emmy is disappointed, but gamely bucks up and buckles down. Mrs. Bird is very clear: letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant notes from women who may have Gone Too Far with the wrong men, or who can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she is unable to resist responding. As the German planes make their nightly raids, and London picks up the smoldering pieces each morning, Emmy secretly begins to write back to the readers who have poured out their troubles. Prepare to fall head over heels for Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, who are gutsy and spirited, even in the face of a terrible blow. The irrepressible Emmy keeps writing letters in this hilarious and enormously moving tale of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and ordinary people in extraordinary times.

Little Hanna Hoopameyer has a collection of hats of which to be proud—yet somehow she is not. Her search for a hat that is truly her own becomes a greater lesson about personal identity and the importance of doing what feels right, even if it may not look right. Hanna loves all of her hats, but she has not picked out even one of them for herself. Different occasions and relationships have resulted in the gifting of different hats to Hanna. Of course, all of these hats are attractive and useful, but she struggles to find just one in the collection that feels perfect to her. One day, while at the department store with her father, Hanna realizes the reason a hat has never felt right on her head is that she has never picked one out for herself. In choosing her own hat, she further realizes she must pick the one that feels the best, even if it looks different or funny.