The Floating Press: 2252 books

The society doyenne Mrs. Vanderstein is known far and wide for her vast collection of breathtaking jewelry. On one trip to the opera, she bedecks herself in a staggering array of finery in order to impress the Queen, who is also rumored to attend -- and she falls prey to a nefarious scheme. Fans of classic detective tales will appreciate this tightly constructed mystery.

Sci-fi author Alan E. Nourse used his preternatural skill at creating engaging tales about the future to help pay his way through medical school. Many of his tales are concerned with themes such as medical ethics, emerging technologies, and the many ways that science can impact culture and society. "Consignment" is a tightly plotted short story that will please fans of golden-era science fiction.

Methodist minister Silas Hocking scored a major bestseller with Her Benny, an inspiring tale that follows the trials and triumphs of one Benny Bates, a young boy whose life has fallen to pieces and who is forced to fend for himself on the streets of Liverpool. Will Benny make it out of the slums and find a happy, stable life?

A quiet, unassuming man named Mr. Mullet has achieved a measure of success as the proprietor of an upscale hotel. But when a mysterious stranger shows up in town threatening to reveal Mullet's true identity, all of his hard work could be jeopardized. Will Mullet's dark secret come to light?

Born and raised in Scotland, Michael Scott went into the family business as a merchant when he reached adulthood, a role that required frequent sea voyages to Jamaica. Based on his experiences at sea, Scott penned the tale Tom Cringle's Log, one of the earliest nautical-themed novels.

Are you beset by anxiety? If so, you're not alone. Today, millions of people suffer from this mental affliction. In Why Worry?, author George Lincoln Walton gets to the bottom of this problem, discovering the root causes that often underlie chronic anxiety and offering readers plenty of practical tips to help ensure that you can say goodbye to the anxiety trap for good.

Born in England, George Wharton James emigrated to America to work as a Method minister in the desert Southwest, but soon entered into a period of intense personal strife, during which he learned valuable lessons about life. The timeless self-help classic Quit Your Worrying! is a must-read for anyone struggling with anxiety.

Philistia was Grant Allen's first novel, and according to the author's memoirs, he poured his heart and soul into its creation and believed it be his finest work. This classic coming-of-age story follows three brothers as they leave home and stake their claim amidst the hustle and bustle of London, experiencing political, educational, and social epiphanies and hardships along the way.

Canadian-born author Grant Allen held progressive views about women and their role in society. In order to bring more awareness to the issue, he penned numerous novels featuring strong female protagonists. Hilda Wade: A Woman With Tenacity of Purpose is an engrossing look at the life of a skilled and highly respected nurse who often puts her formidable intellect to work solving mysteries.

Born in Argentina to Anglo-Irish parents, naturalist William Henry Hudson grew up in a lush wonderland where he learned to love everything about the natural world. When he traveled to England as an adult, Hudson fell in love with that country's flora and fauna. A Shepherd's Life is Hudson's paean of appreciation to England's rural countryside.

This fantastically entertaining memoir relates the trials and tribulations of a self-described "matrimonial monomaniac" -- a man who is hopelessly addicted to marriage. Rather than wedded bliss and happily-ever-after, however, Abbott's marriages usually end with him doing a stint in prison.

Written by a fellow native of Ontario, author and journalist Norman Duncan, the biography Higgins explores the fascinating life of Frank Higgins, a Canadian-born "lumberjack sky pilot" who spent his life traveling by foot and dog sled among lumber camps in the chilly northern climes to minister to laborers and loggers.

In this hilarious play from renowned English humorist Jerome K. Jerome, heroine Fanny is a well-regarded actress who marries an affluent artist. When she arrives at her new home, she finds that several of her relatives are employed by her new husband as part of his housekeeping staff.

Is there any scientific basis to occultism? That's what author Beckles Willson set out to discover, and the results of each of his experiments are set forth in the series of thoughtful essays collected in Occultism and Common-Sense. Whether you're a cynical skeptic or a true-blue mystic, you'll be drawn in by Willson's open-mindedness and generosity of spirit.