The Floating Press: 2252 books

Looking for some spooky stories to read on a camping trip, at a Halloween party, or at home with the family in front of a roaring fire? The works of medieval scholar M.R. James should fit the bill. James often said that he wrote his stories to be read aloud, so snuggle up and lose yourself in their slow-building suspense and lulling language.

Young clergyman Douglas Staunton has grown disillusioned with his big-city parishioners and finds himself grappling with doubt. Unsure what else to do, he abandons his position and seeks work as a farm laborer under an assumed name. Will the fresh air and freedom be enough to restore his faith?

Though many of her novels are set in her native state of Virginia, writer Ellen Glasgow also had an abiding fascination with the bohemian and intellectual circles of New York City, which form the backdrop of her second book, Phases of an Inferior Planet. Aspiring opera singer Mariana Musin moves to New York to make it big, but an unexpected romance changes the course of her life.

Charles King was a decorated U.S. soldier and brilliant tactician who eventually rose to the rank of general. His battlefield tales and novels have long been lauded for their attention to detail and accuracy. This collection of short stories and sketches will please fans of military-themed fiction.

Looking for a sophisticated and entertaining collection of short stories to add to your must-read list? The unique volume A Book o' Nine Tales from American writer Arlo Bates will definitely fit the bill. This collection of tales is interwoven with an imaginative series of "interludes" that enhance and expand on the stories' themes.

Whether you're just diving into the works of Charles Dickens or you're a confirmed fan trying to get your hands on new reading material, the eclectic collection Reprinted Pieces is an essential entry to add to your list. Comprising dozens of essays, sketches, short stories, and vignettes from Dickens' days as a columnist and editor, Reprinted Pieces is a charming survey of his breadth of talent.

Born in Scotland and later a transplant to London, Margaret Oliphant was an accomplished and popular writer whose body of work includes historical novels, romances, and supernatural fiction. Despite the wide-ranging spectrum of genres she tackled, a common theme throughout is a gentle and insightful...

Though he struggled with crippling mental illness for much of his adult life, English poet and essayist Arthur Christopher Benson still managed to produce a vast body of work spanning a number of genres. This collection of critical articles, observations and vignettes touches on a variety of topics, many of which address the question of the role of art and literature in our lives.

In this sultry romance from George Manville Fenn, artist Armstrong Dale falls head-over-heels in love with a beautiful young countess who is serving as his model. The fact that he's engaged to be married and she already is does nothing to detract from his ardor.

In this amusing tale from the golden age of science fiction, broker Kevin Muldoon is in the market for a job, so when he stumbles across a help-wanted advertisement that seems too good to be true, he decides to pursue the lead despite his misgivings.

Although philosophers have been pontificating on education and pedagogy since ancient times, Victorian thinker Herbert Spencer's ideas about education proved to be instrumental in helping to shape modern thinking about teaching and learning. The four essays collected in this volume were particularly...

Pining for a gripping tale from the classic early years of detective fiction? Dip into Jack O' Judgment by Edgar Wallace. Though his intentions might be pure, brutally violent vigilante Jack is bent on revenge -- and he'll do whatever it takes to exact his retribution against the criminal kingpin known as Dan Boundary. This mystery is packed with plenty of action and adventure.

According to legend, Queen Semiramis of Assyria was a powerful leader who succeeded her husband King Ninus to the throne. This retelling from author and playwright Edward Peple incorporates a number of the different versions of the story that have been recorded and blends them all into a thrilling, action-packed tale.

Even though he is regarded as one of the key figures who contributed to the creation of a distinctly American literary sensibility, author James Fenimore Cooper spent a significant portion of his life living abroad in Europe. Structured as a series of letters written to various figures who played a role...