Books

'An excellent book' VINCE CABLE | 'A must read' JO JOHNSON | 'A fascinating read' BILL DUDLEY

A timely manifesto on how digital currencies will win the New Cold War and the struggle for geopolitical supremacy in the twenty-first century.

A New Cold War is underway. Whereas the first Cold War was dominated by the threat of nuclear conflict, the new front line is economic and financial, but still dominated by technology. Who controls its future will help decide the outcome of the geopolitical struggle between China and the US.

Since the end of the Second World War, the US dollar has been the global reserve currency, which has ensured American dominance of the world economy. But no longer. More than a hundred countries are developing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), digital equivalents to cash that will utterly transform how we do business at home and abroad.

China was the first country to recognise the potential of this new money. The West's media focused on the new currency's role in China's surveillance state, creating widespread concern about all CBDCs. But they have largely overlooked a more important aspect of its existence: as a tool through which to 'de-dollarise' the developing world at the speed of light. When China's President Xi Jinping officially launched the digital yuan in February 2022, he also agreed a pact of 'limitless co-operation' with Russia. Within days, Russia launched its war on Ukraine, secure in the knowledge it could bypass US sanctions.

Urgent, clear-eyed and groundbreaking, Smart Money shows us how CBDCs are going to impact all of our futures in ways that most of us have failed to even consider. If the West is to compete, it needs to act fast to develop its own global digital currencies that reflect the values of liberal democracies.

Paige Mahoney is outside the Republic of Scion for the first time in more than a decade – but she has no idea how she got to the free world. Half a year has been wiped from her memory.

As she makes her way back to the revolution, her journey takes her to Venice, where she learns a dangerous secret – one that could change the face of the war between humans and immortals. Before she can return to London, she must help the Domino Programme unravel the sinister Operation Ventriloquist.

And it soon becomes clear that the one person who could recover her memories – Arcturus Mesarthim – might also hold the key to saving Italy.

Lyrical and action-packed, The Dark Mirror drives the Bone Season series forward, showing Samantha Shannon at the height of her powers.

In a culture that frequently worships at the altar of productivity, growth, 'self-improvement' and 'success', what if the contentment we are all looking for isn't somewhere out there – but is actually so close that we're overlooking it?

In this fascinating book, host of A New Way of Being podcast and former BBC sports journalist Simon Mundie explores the stories of elite athletes – from Frankie Dettori and Jonny Wilkinson to Lucy Gossage and Kate Richardson-Walsh – who have reached the loftiest sporting heights. Through their journeys, Mundie unlocks eight essential lessons for finding fulfilment, peace and happiness, and questions the cultural myths that have developed around sport, life and success.

From how to cultivate a skilful way of relating to our thoughts and feelings, whatever their content, through to developing togetherness and a deep sense of belonging, all while avoiding burn-out, Champion Thinking will redefine what it means to find true success.

Welcome to Enchantra. There''s only one rule: Never, ever trust your heart.

When Genevieve Grimm''s mother is killed, Genevieve wants answers no one can give... until she receives an invitation to Enchantra, a cursed palace filled with temptations and illusions.

Arrogant and dangerously handsome, Rowin Silver meets her at the door and refuses to let her inside. But Genevieve finds her own way in... And soon realizes her mistake.

Enchantra is a twisted labyrinth of marble and thorns, where Rowin''s family are trapped forever in a deadly game. Now, Genevieve must win or die.

Rowin offers her a deal. They can compete together... if they convince everyone watching that they''re desperately in love.

Genevieve knows she can''t trust Rowin, but she''ll do whatever it takes to survive. As they hunt and hide together, Genevieve tries to ignore the desire burning between them. She absolutely cannot fall for this man. Cannot forget that she''s only pretending to be in love.

After all, it was Rowin who taught her Enchantra''s first rule: Never, ever trust your heart.

Packed with deadly intrigue and spicy romance, Enchantra will transport you to a world of feisty heroines and morally gray love interests, fake dating, forbidden desire and family secrets. If you love books by Rebecca Yarros, Carissa Broadbent and Lauren Roberts, prepare to discover your new romantasy obsession.

Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game. Stay alive. And don''t fall in love.

When Ophelia''s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize-a single wish.

In a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. Just as fear threatens to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain.

Charming, arrogant and infuriatingly attractive, Blackwell claims he can guide her through the lethal trials ahead. Ophelia knows she shouldn''t trust Blackwell. Worse still, she feels a dark and irresistible attraction drawing them closer and closer.

And in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart...

A Court of Thorns and Roses meets Caraval in this seductive fantasy adventure. With steamy romance, a sexy morally gray love interest, OCD rep and jaw-dropping twists, Phantasma is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli and Carissa Broadbent.

"You made a bargain . . . Your soul for his—and now, you are mine." Cate Holloway knows the unspoken rule of New Orleans: avoid the powerful Gage crime family at all costs. Of course, that was before her brother got caught in their chaos. Now Cate has no choice but to confront the dark and forbidding prince of New Orleans himself . . . and beg for her brother's life. But Lachlan Gage is as lethal as he is beautiful . . . and the only currency he's interested in is her soul. Because Lachlan isn't just some ruthless criminal. He's fae. And he has his own secret reasons for binding her to him. Tricked and desperate, Cate is torn between humanity and the breathtaking Otherworld. A place filled with shadows and secrets, with members of each fae court plotting against her just as her captor's motives for trapping her become more mysterious. And if she can't break this sinister bargain in the next thirty days, she'll be bound to the inscrutable yet infuriatingly tempting fae prince and his deadly world . . . forever. Contains mature themes.

The ultimate guide to digital marketing and advertising - from one of the most influential digital marketers in the world, Alex Schultz, CMO of Meta.

Growth is good. But how do you achieve growth for your business in the digital age?

Now, more than ever, there are countless ways to achieve growth by marketing your business, large or small, using the many different channels, platforms and mechanisms available on the internet. How do you decide which is the best for your product or service?

The answers are right here, thanks to Alex Schultz, the chief marketing officer of META. Alex's unparalleled expertise and experience is crystallized in this essential bible for digital marketing. He guides readers through the key principles for maximising the impact of your marketing budget - whether you are working for a global corporation or running your own start-up.

From understanding channels, to testing creative, to measuring incremental gains - Click Here is the book you need to read if you want to grow your business.

'Alex is one of a small handful of people that I can say without his work, our community would not have connected more than 2 billion people around the world.'

hen Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

n Why Do I Keep Doing This? licensed family and marriage therapist, Kati Morton, explores this common struggle with control. Kati shows how our upbringing and anxiety are often connected to our struggle to take up space. We can feel like we are too much by just existing in the same place as someone else, or that we are less deserving of their time and care. This struggle with asserting ourselves or taking what we require can harm our development. We sometimes think the only way to feel okay and get what we need is to please everyone else first. Why Do I Keep Doing This? is a vital tool in helping us understand why control can be so attractive, but if left unmonitored can become detrimental to our lives. Kati will shed light on shared struggles as readers follow her through some key points of growth in her own life while incorporating what she has learned as a therapist and content creator who knows how to create lasting healthy change. This book gives readers the ability to not only ask themselves why do I keep doing this? but also have the insight to find a real answer.

A homecoming to Rome, Kentucky, sparks a new romance—and lots of drama—between two old family friends, from the New York Times bestselling author of When in Rome, Practice Makes Perfect, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to prove she could make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is a shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap, giving her a chance to rebuild everything she’s lost: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend . . . and the last person she wants to work for. James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and doing what’s expected of him in the family business and never contemplating anything different—until now when Madison’s happiness is on the line. He’s loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that–even if it means he can only ever be her friend. The one problem? His charming, wildly successful younger brother, Tommy, seems determined to win her over first. Then Tommy is called away on business and Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy farm-to-table restaurant on their own. But as the town starts meddling in their relationship, Tommy’s pursuit of Madison grows more relentless, and Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back, keeping things strictly professional becomes impossible. And when an unexpected disaster on opening night collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.