The Best of Me

WITH FEATURETTES FROM NICHOLAS SPARKS AND THE MOVIE CAST, DELETED SCENES, MUSIC VIDEO, AND MORE! IN THEATERS OCTOBER 17, 2014! Starring Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Luke Bracey, and Liana Liberator "Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She'd believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen." In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths. Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew -- about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear -- was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

“Genius… It is miraculous to read these pieces… You must read The Best of Me.” —Andrew Sean Greer, New York Times Book Review A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice A CNN and Christian Science Monitor Best Book of the Month For more than twenty-five years, David Sedaris has been carving out a unique literary space, virtually creating his own genre. A Sedaris story may seem confessional, but is also highly attuned to the world outside. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence. And it is almost impossible to read without laughing. Now, for the first time collected in one volume, the author brings us his funniest and most memorable work. In these stories, Sedaris shops for rare taxidermy, hitchhikes with a lady quadriplegic, and spits a lozenge into a fellow traveler’s lap. He drowns a mouse in a bucket, struggles to say “give it to me” in five languages, and hand-feeds a carnivorous bird. But if all you expect to find in Sedaris’s work is the deft and sharply observed comedy for which he became renowned, you may be surprised to discover that his words bring more warmth than mockery, more fellow-feeling than derision. Nowhere is this clearer than in his writing about his loved ones. In these pages, Sedaris explores falling in love and staying together, recognizing his own aging not in the mirror but in the faces of his siblings, losing one parent and coming to terms—at long last—with the other. Taken together, the stories in TheBest of Me reveal the wonder and delight Sedaris takes in the surprises life brings him. No experience, he sees, is quite as he expected—it’s often harder, more fraught, and certainly weirder—but sometimes it is also much richer and more wonderful. Full of joy, generosity, and the incisive humor that has led David Sedaris to be called “the funniest man alive” (Time Out New York), The Best of Me spans a career spent watching and learning and laughing—quite often at himself—and invites readers deep into the world of one of the most brilliant and original writers of our time.

"If all the world’s a stage, then are all the men and women really merely players? For Sakuya, it all started out as an innocent game: "Why don’t you pretend to be a girl and approach my brother?" Yuuki said. "That’s a great idea!" responded Sakuya who unbeknownst to him would begin to discover he and Yuuki’s brother shared not only many things in common but mutual feelings for each other. Known as Sakura to Yuuki's brother, Sakuya finds himself caught between a rock and a hard place as his feelings for Yuuki's brother continue to increase. Will Sakuya have the courage to confess his real identity and feelings to Yuuki’s brother and will Yuuki’s brother be able to accept Sakuya for who he really is? Find out in "You Haven’t Seen the Best of Me," a light-hearted rom-com sure to make you smile.

Fifteen children from a school in North Carolina offer short passages in prose and verse that explain why they prefer their eyes, feet, hands, and other body parts, with accompanying photographs of that particular area.

Sparks' latest is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined--and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of their mentor, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

The riveting New York Times bestselling tale of romance and suspense with an "edge-of-your-seat conclusion" (Booklist). Julie Barenson's young husband left her two unexpected gifts before he died - a Great Dane puppy named Singer and the promise that he would always be watching over her. Now four years have passed. Still living in the small town of Swansboro, North Carolina, twenty-nine-year-old Julie is emotionally ready to make a commitment to someone again. But who? Should it be Richard Franklin, the handsome, sophisticated engineer who treats her like a queen? Or Mike Harris, the down-to-earth nice guy who was her husband's best friend? Choosing one of them should bring her more happiness than she's had in years. Instead, Julie is soon fighting for her life in a nightmare spawned by a chilling deception and jealousy so poisonous that it has become a murderous desire...

In the follow-up to Once and Again—hailed by bestselling author Claudia Connor as “a beautiful second-chance love story”—Elisabeth Barrett returns to the Briarwood, an unforgettable place where legacy and longing make dreams come true. Jane Pringle never meant to fall for her boss. After landing a job as a pastry chef at the exclusive Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club in Eastbridge, Connecticut, she just wants to keep her son in a good school district and find some peace and quiet, far away from her manipulative ex-husband. But when Briarwood’s charismatic co-owner takes an interest in her, Jane’s best-laid plans go awry . . . in the sweetest way possible. Rich and handsome, the grandson of one of the most powerful men in New York City, Preston North hasn’t lived quite the charmed life everyone believes. His family taught him everything he needs to know about betrayal—and Press wants no more of it. What he wants is Jane. The gorgeous single mom is selfless and kind, plus she’s got a backbone. To win her trust, Press just needs to shake off his playboy reputation. They’ve each been burned in the past. But now Press and Jane will have to choose between letting their fears get the best of them . . . or breaking free and following their hearts. Praise for The Best of Me “Elisabeth Barrett takes readers on a real—and sexy—emotional journey without ever losing sight of the good in people or the sweetness of family, friends, and community.”—Serena Bell, USA Today bestselling author of the Returning Home series “Humor, flirting, and sizzling sex give Preston and Jane an opportunity to move beyond their pasts.”—Library Journal “As Preston and Jane begin to fall in love, they have genuine reasons to worry about the stability of their relationship, and Barrett gives them both a degree of emotional intelligence and a good set of priorities.”—Publishers Weekly “[A] wonderful author whose characters come to life page by page.”—Fresh Fiction “A heartwarming and romantic story of a single mom not just trying to make it on her own but succeeding . . . a wonderful, emotion-filled path to happily ever after.”—FicCentral “I loved how both characters were portrayed, highlighting the best of them without overlooking their flaws. The romance was wonderful and the challenges they both faced were realistic and expertly woven into their relationship development. I really enjoyed this story and am very much liking the direction of this series.”—The Book Nympho “This book has very developed characters and I loved reading their story.”—Pages of Comfort “[A] rather edgy environment, with lots of high emotions, broken people, and one little boy in the midst of them.”—Books and Spoons Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

For as long as I can remember, I've been the dark to my sister's light-the awkward loner to her social butterfly. Growing up, she had it all: our parent's unyielding approval, perfect grades, a permanent spot at the popular table, and the attention of the hottest guy ever-Duke Kincaid. After eighteen years of living in her shadow, I couldn't wait to escape-to finally be my own person. Yet here I am, I'm back in my hometown, once again in Valorie's shadow. Only now, it's eternal. I had life all planned out: join the force, marry Valorie Parsons, and start a family of our own. I have the job, but the girl and all my dreams died before my very eyes.At the urging of my friends, I agree to a blind date. Imagine my shock when I arrive and find, Valorie's twin sister, waiting across the table from me. Mallory should be a reminder of all that I've lost, but instead she feels like my redemption . . . like maybe life's giving me a second chance. But, how can I be enough for her when I've already given her sister the best of me?

We live in a culture that's all about self, becoming the best "me" I can be instead of becoming like Jesus. This me-centered message affects every area of our lives--our friendships, our marriages, even our faith--and it breaks each one in different ways. The self-focused life robs our joy, shrinks our souls, and is the reason we never quite break free of insecurity. In this book, Sharon Hodde Miller invites us into a bigger, Jesus-centered vision--one that restores our freedom and inspires us to live for more. She helps readers - identify the secret source of insecurity - understand how self-focus sabotages seven areas of our lives - learn four practical steps for focusing on God and others - experience freedom from the burden of self-focus Anyone yearning for a purpose bigger than "project me" will cherish this paradigm-shifting message of true fulfillment.

It's an inconvenient time for Sinter Blackwell to realize he's bisexual. He's a 25-year-old American actor working in London, living far away from his disapproving parents in the Pacific Northwest, and enjoying a flirtation with his director Fiona. But he can't deny that his favorite parts of each day are the messages from his gay best friend Andy in Seattle—whom Sinter once kissed when they were 15.Finally he decides to return to America to visit Andy and discover what's between them, if anything. He isn't seeking love, and definitely doesn't want drama. But both love and drama seem determined to find him. Family complications soon force him into the most consequential decisions of his life, threatening all his most important relationships: with Andy, Fiona, his parents, and everyone else who's counting on him. Choosing the right role to play has never been harder.

As moving as his bestselling works of fiction, Nicholas Sparks's unique memoir, written with his brother, chronicles the life-affirming journey of two brothers bound by memories, both humorous and tragicIn January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, set off on a three-week trip around the globe. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world and often overtaken by their feelings, daredevil Micah and the more serious, introspective Nicholas recalled their rambunctious childhood adventures and the tragedies that tested their faith. And in the process, they discovered startling truths about loss, love, and hope.Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photos, THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties...and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.

THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

Author of over a dozen bestsellers, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, and creator of some of television's greatest hits, Sheldon has seen and done it all, and now in this candid memoir, he shares his story for the first time.

'Set to be one of the coolest novels of the year' Stylist When journalist 'MS' interviews the mysterious 'XX' for a job at her Paris magazine, she hires him straight away – because he's gorgeous. As one date leads to another, her obsession spirals. MS finds herself writing letters to Facebook (to see if XX can tell how many times she views his page), to her phone company (can they delete messages she regrets sending?) and to XX's favourite author (who is dead), whilst the object of her affection remains aloof, a moodily seductive Vespa-riding urbanite. All This Has Nothing To Do With Me by Monica Sabolo is an exposé of a broken heart. With full access to MS's photos, diary extracts and emails, it documents MS and XX's relationship from jubilant start to painful finish, and lays out her life – and past – for our scrutiny. Highly original, extremely funny, and darkly moving, this is an unputdownable glimpse into the depths of one woman's psyche.

"In a haze of vape smoke on a rare windy night in LA in the fall of 2016, Chelsea Handler daydreams about what life will be like with a woman in the White House. And then, Donald Trump happens. In a torpor of despair, she decides that she's had enough of the privileged bubble she's lived in -- a bubble within a bubble -- and that it's time to make some changes, both in her personal life and in the world at large. At home, she embarks on a 'Year of Self-Sufficiency' -- learning how to work the remote, how to pick up dog shit, where to find the toaster. She meets her match in an earnest, brainy psychiatrist and enters into therapy, prepared to do the heavy lifting required to look within and make sense of a childhood marked by love and loss and to figure out why people are afraid of her. She becomes politically active -- finding her voice as an advocate for change, having difficult conversations, and energizing her base. In the process, she develops a healthy fixation on Special Counsel Robert Mueller and, through unflinching self-reflection and psychological excavation, she unearths some glittering truths that light up the road ahead."--

Taking a job as an assistant to extreme sports enthusiast Will, who is wheelchair bound after a motorcycle accident, Louisa struggles with her employer's acerbic moods and learns of his shocking plans before demonstrating to him that life is still worth living.

After wishing there were two of him to complete all the items on his "to do" list, Leo discovers that the real problem is not the number of Leos, but the length of his list and tries to find a creative solution to his overscheduling dilemma!

"Each chapter of this enrapturing novel is elegantly brief and charged with barely contained emotion." --New York Times Book Review A gripping debut set in modern-day Tokyo and inspired by a true crime, for readers of Everything I Never Told You and The Perfect Nanny, What's Left of Me Is Yours charts a young woman's search for the truth about her mother's life--and her murder. In Japan, a covert industry has grown up around the "wakaresaseya" (literally "breaker-upper"), a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. When Satō hires Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent, to have an affair with his wife, Rina, he assumes it will be an easy case. But Satō has never truly understood Rina or her desires and Kaitarō's job is to do exactly that--until he does it too well. While Rina remains ignorant of the circumstances that brought them together, she and Kaitarō fall in a desperate, singular love, setting in motion a series of violent acts that will forever haunt her daughter's life. Told from alternating points of view and across the breathtaking landscapes of Japan, Stephanie Scott exquisitely renders the affair and its intricate repercussions. As Rina's daughter, Sumiko, fills in the gaps of her mother's story and her own memory, Scott probes the thorny psychological and moral grounds of the actions we take in the name of love, asking where we draw the line between passion and possession.

The author recounts her devastating medical diagnoses of Parkinson's disease and two lumps in her breast which required a mastectomy.

"Beautifully written, brilliant, and necessary." --Matt de la Pena, Newbery Medalist Ari has body-image issues. After a move across the country, his parents work selling and promoting his mother's paintings and sculptures. Ari's bohemian mother needs space to create, and his father is gone for long stretches of time on "sales" trips. Meanwhile, Ari makes new friends: Pick, the gamer; the artsy Jorge, and the troubled Lisa. He is also relentlessly bullied because he's overweight, but he can't tell his parents—they're simply not around enough to listen. After an upsetting incident, Ari's mom suggests he go on a diet, and she gives him a book to help. But the book—and the diet—can’t fix everything. As Ari faces the demise of his parents' marriage, he also feels himself changing, both emotionally and physically. Here is a much-needed story about accepting the imperfect in oneself and in life.

"Killer pies you don’t want to miss."—GUY FIERI Grab a great big slice of Guy's favorite pie, featured on Food Network's DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND DIVES, with easy-to-follow, phenomenal-tasting pie recipes of all kinds. Is there anything better than a tender, flaky pie still warm from the oven? This Pi Day, bake the best pie of your life with the incredible recipes in You Wanna Piece of Me? With more than 100 recipes for savory and sweet pies, there is a pie here for absolutely everyone. Start with a pie dough like no other--the Double Butter Crust--then riff on classic pies, like Apple Brown Butter or Lemon Meringue Pie; or try a crazy-delicious new creation like Bacon Cheeseburger Pie, Raspberry Custard Crumble, or the Fat Elvis (a mind-blowing chocolate banana caramel pie smothered in peanut butter whipped cream). Included inside are endless options for vegetable, fish, chicken, beef and lamb pies, as well as fruit, cream, nut, chocolate and more! Gluten free options? Absolutely. Vegan recipes? So many. You'll be having pie for breakfast, lunch, dinner and, obviously, dessert! Not to mention creative recipes you won't find anywhere else, for things like Handpies, Pie Pop Tarts or Pie Poutine--perfect for using up the dough scraps you'll have lying around after you've made the most AMAZING pie. You Wanna Piece of Me? gives you everything you need to make jaw-dropping pies like a pro: a comprehensive guide to tools and ingredients, step-by-step recipes and photos for flawless crusts every time), tips and tricks for edges and tops (braids! lattices! roses!), crumbles, sauces, and sugars, and so much more! Fire up your oven and hand out the forks--it's time to stuff your pie hole!