Polite English

In Polite, Louise shows how the unseen science of politeness governs everything we do, from what we say to how we act, and reveals how a better understanding of the rules and norms of politeness can help us in all aspects of our work, leisure and home lives. And, in doing so, she answers the age-old question... are politeness standards really declining?

We were always taught to mind our manners and be polite. That is important…to a point. Why being too polite could make you vulnerable to manipulation.

“This terrific debut lifts the veil on the charming old city of Charleston and a prominent Lowcountry family to deliver an entertaining story about becoming yourself without totally rejecting your past. Plus: debutante balls! I love this novel.” —Lauren Weisberger, #1 New York Times...

If you want to finally understand British slang, banter, and polite put‑downs, keep reading. Or don’t. Honestly, most Brits would prefer you didn’t. Have you ever heard a British phrase that sounded perfectly polite—yet somehow felt like a warning? Perhaps you love British TV but keep missing the subtext. Or maybe you just enjoy British humor and suspect you’re not always in on the joke. (You’re not.) If so, this book is for you. Or at least, it’s for people who think buying a book about British slang is a good idea. This isn’t a dictionary. Dictionaries are for people who ...

Winifred is blunt, opinionated, and outrageously colorful. In a community that demands domesticity, she simply doesn’t fit. When her wealthy husband suddenly dies, Winifred’s fellow society housewives no longer have a reason to play nice. Cast out entirely, Winifred throws roaring parties for the clerks and waiters that serve the town, finding the connections she’s been craving—and upsetting the gentle balance of her elite neighborhood in the process.

Evie learns what happens when she forgets to say “please.” Through playful adventures and kind reminders, this rhyming story shows young readers how a simple word can open doors and make hearts smile. Perfect for children aged 3 to 6 who are learning manners and kindness Meet Evie—a curious, kind, and playful little girl who turns everyday moments into big adventures! Whether she’s counting her toys, splashing in puddles, baking a cake, or visiting the library, Evie sees the world with wonder and joy. Each story in this gentle rhyming series is perfect for children aged 3–6, ...

I never thought, after all those fantasy novels. That I would ever live through one. My name is Tobias Conner-Kyanite. And yeah. That name is still something I’m not quite used to yet. Most of this was an accident. But not a regret. Not even a little. I’d like to say, that boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl and boy marries girl. Unfortunately, or I like to think, fortunately.

"So funny, smart, sophisticated, and captivating, you just want to spend your whole life with it."--Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians In this modern reimagining of Jane Austen's Emma, Delhi's polite society is often anything but polite. Beautiful, clever, and more than a little bored, Ania...

Bill Maher first came to national attention as the host of the hit program Politically Incorrect, in which he offered a combustible mixture of irreverence and acerbic humor that garnered him a loyal following. In his popular and long-running HBO television show, Real Time with Bill Maher, his reputation for being a hilarious provocateur continues. One particular segment of the show—"New Rules"—strikes a chord with viewers every week. In this collection, Maher brings these brilliantly conceived riffs to audio, along with some singularly Maher-ian "editorials".

Queering the Ton: The Hidden Rules of Queer Survival in Polite Society A Revelatory Look at Gender and Sexuality in Georgian and Victorian Britain Hidden desires. Scandalous affairs. The secret lives of the elite. In the glittering salons and shadowed corridors of Georgian and Victorian Britain, a hidden world of queer love and longing quietly defied the rigid rules of polite society. Queering the Ton pulls back the velvet curtain to reveal the untold stories of those who loved in secret—and sometimes, in defiance. From the flamboyant fashion of Regency dandies to the intimate letters ...

Jodie is excited, busy, and full of energy—but there's one tiny word she keeps forgetting: please! Follow Jodie through a day of requests, snacks, and surprises as she learns how using her manners can make everything a little brighter. With gentle rhymes and playful scenes, this story helps young readers understand the magic of polite words and kindness. Perfect for children aged 3 to 6 who are learning about manners and everyday social skills. Meet Jodie – the little girl with big curiosity and an even bigger heart. In this vibrant, rhyming series for ages 3 to 6, each book takes young...

Once Second Prince of the mightiest kingdom in the known world, Othrun now leads the last survivors of his exiled people into an uncertain future far across the Shimmering Sea from their ancestral home, now lost beneath the waves. With his Single God binding his knights to chivalric oaths, intent on wiping out idolatry and pagan worship, they will have to carve out a new kingdom on this mysterious continent that has for centuries been ravaged by warlords competing for supremacy and mages channeling the mystic powers of the elements, and unite the continent under godly rule.

Education can be transformed if we eradicate our fixation on big data like standardized test scores as the supreme measure of equity and learning. Instead of the focus being on “fixing” and “filling” academic gaps, we must envision and rebuild the system from the student up—with classrooms, schools and systems built around students’ brilliance, cultural wealth, and intellectual potential. Street data reminds us that what is measurable is not the same as what is valuable and that data can be humanizing, liberatory and healing.

England, 1926. Just days before Lord Darriby-Jones is scheduled to enlighten the world at the Annual Limacology Symposium, his secretary unceremoniously bids adieu to her employment. It's now up to Lady Darriby-Jones to find a replacement. In a twist of fate, she stumbles upon a commoner from a neighboring town willing to accept the role, despite the slug-dismantling duties that await him. He's positively thrilled at the chance to rub elbows with true aristocrats, even if his job involves less glamorous endeavors.

While Lady Violet Belmaine is busy sorting out the odd turns her life has recently taken, Hugh St. Sevier repairs to his Kent estate in hopes of embarking on the placid life of a rural physician. Alas, for St. Sevier, the village of St. Ivo has more secrets than it has pots of heartease, and the good doctor will once again find himself the target of rumors and threats. Somebody is rigging St. Ivo’s hound races, setting neighbor against neighbor, and turning what should be a friendly entertainment into an occasion for brawling.

Discipline is a vital part of child-rearing, but many parents misunderstand how to use it and attempt to control their child's behaviour via a combination of punishment and motivation. Yet while this traditional approach may appear to produce quick results, it can potentially damage the child and, in the long term, leave parents with a far worse problem than they had initially. The Gentle Discipline Book analyses common discipline techniques and explains why so many are ineffective.

How do you handle jerks—politely, strategically, and without losing your cool? They’re everywhere. The loudmouth at work who dominates every meeting. The sarcastic relative who always has a cutting remark. The impatient driver who honks before the light even turns green. Jerks show up in every corner of life—and too often, they drag us into their chaos. Most people either fight back, wasting energy in pointless battles, or retreat, letting the jerk win by default. Neither works. But what if there was a smarter way?

Eros. Also known as Cupid. Greek god of love and sexual desire. Sometimes depicted as an adorable, chubby little boy with wings, carrying a bow and arrows, flying around merrily, making everyone fall in love. That's not Eros. Not anymore. Eros is mad. He's all grown up now. And he's on a mission to provoke chaos, starting with humans. Instead of producing love, his arrows now produce hunger. Actual hunger. Cannibalistic, beastly, monstrous hunger. Carnivorous. Is the world ready for a raging Eros? Who can stop the angry god of love from eradicating the human race, two soulmates at a time?

Detroit, 2045. Warren, a lover of 1980s hair bands and denim vests, comes home from a dreary day working in a factory to find that his sister found them a new way to make ends meet — by farming gold in an immersive virtual reality fantasy game called Integration Online. After a blunder in Character Creation, Warren is forced to change his plan in an adaptive game that seems to know too much about him and doesn’t give second chances. When he's given a unique quest to steal a Dungeon Seed and alter the world forever, his dreams of avoiding danger crumble. Fast.

The unique social, cultural, and political life of the incomparable LeBron James LeBron James is the hero in two very American tales: one, a success story the nation loves; the other, the latest installment in an ongoing chronicle of American antiblackness. He’s the poor boy from a...