Böcker av Mark Stibbe

Winner of the prestigious 2020 Page Turner Awards, A Book in Time is a truly enchanting work of magical realism by "a hugely talented storyteller." This exceptional novel has been described by publishers, agents, and literary judges alike as "visionary", "ambitious", "magical", "unique," "refreshing". You will never have read anything like it before. And if you're a lover of books, or you work in a profession to do with books, you will be hooked from the first sentence. Early reviews have described this most unusual novel as a masterpiece.A Book in Time is a captivating love story about a book's intense longing over two centuries for the mother who bore it. Adopted by many different owners - some loving, others unscrupulous - this book (the first edition of a volume of poems entitled 'The Burning Ones') longs to be reunited with an elderly author who cherished it as if it was her only child. As the book passes through many hands, it observes not only the way people treat it, but each other, and in all of this, its mother's love sets the high standard against which everything is lovingly judged.In a strange demonstration of synchronicity, the author - Mark Stibbe - experienced the culmination of his own search for a mother after completing this novel. Having been orphaned in 1960, and having never met or known his birth mother, Mark met her for the first time at the end of 2021, shortly before she died. So, there is more than a hint of Mark's own search in the book's quest for its author.In the case of A Book in Time, in perhaps a unique way, art has magically imitated life even as life has magically imitated art.

In March 2022, Nev's Border Collie, Sophie, died aged 15. Mark, hearing the news, wrote to console his old friend. This kickstarted a long and heartfelt email conversation about where Sophie is now - a conversation that broadened and deepened into the larger question, Do Dogs Go to Heaven? Many of us want to know if we will see our beloved animals again in eternity. In this pioneering and unique book, Mark and Nev address this issue as it relates to dogs. They do so not in the form of a philosophical debate, but by sharing powerful stories, spiritual reflections, and memorable quotations. As you journey with them through this book, you'll discover how the relationship between humans and dogs has a unique spiritual purpose. As the two friends put it, "the love of a dog is inseperable from the love of God". Nev is a former Scotland Yard detective, church pastor, and pub landlord - all people-intensive occupations. Yet, the three closest friends he has had have been his dogs: Shady - a black Labrador; Chester - a mongrel, rescued from the police station; and Sophie, a Border Collie, the best pub dog in the world. Nev and his wfie Lesley live in the aptly named Eden valley in Cumbria. Mark has never been without a Black Labrador by his side, first as a Vicar (for 25 years), now as a full-time, professional writer. In addition to being an award-winning author, he is the CEO of Booklab which has helped thousands of aspiring writers. He lives in Kent with his wife Cherith and their Black Labrador Bella. Published by Bella Books

On the planet Xona, Khali has just witnessed the disappearance of his father. During a mission to investigate a strange source of light emanating from a cave, his father ran out of oxygen and time. Khali is traumatised. Now back on his home planet, with the help of some unusual new friends, he seeks to embark on a mission to return to Xona.

Mark Stibbe reminds us that we have a loving, generous Father who delights to give his children gifts, especially the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

A hardback book which looks afresh at the prodigal son story.