Rachel Wood – författare

After being unceremoniously let go from her job, Annie is willing to do anything to stay in New York - including taking another position for which she is wildly unqualified. The problem? Her new boss, Connor, knows that Annie is only pretending to know what she's doing and charming though she may be, she's not going to be able to talk her way out of not knowing how to code.To make matters worse, back home Annie's sister is going through a nightmare re-engagement to the worst man in Canada, which Annie is partly choosing to ignore because it's much more fun flirting with Connor, plotting ways to keep her new job, and playing matchmaker with her friends.But the more Annie raises the stakes on her scheming, the more she risks hurting the people who matter to her most...

With a history of use extending back to Vedic texts of the second millennium BC, derivations of the name Mithra appear in the Roman Empire, across Sasanian Persia, and in the Kushan Empire of southern Afghanistan and northern India during the first millennium AD. Even today, this name has a place in Yazidi and Zoroastrian religion. But what connection have Mihr in Persia, Miiro in Kushan Bactria, and Mithras in the Roman Empire to one another?Over the course of the volume, specialists in the material culture of these diverse regions explore appearances of the name Mithra from six distinct locations in antiquity. In a subversion of the usual historical process, the authors begin not from an assessment of texts, but by placing images of Mithra at the heart of their analysis. Careful consideration of each example's own context, situating it in the broader scheme of religious traditions and on-going cultural interactions, is key to this discussion. Such an approach opens up a host of potential comparisons and interpretations that are often side-lined in historical accounts.What Images of Mithra offers is a fresh approach to the ways in which gods were labelled and depicted in the ancient world. Through an emphasis on material culture, a more nuanced understanding of the processes of religious formation is proposed in what is but the first part of the Visual Conversations series.

Consumer Sexualities explores women’s experiences of shopping in ‘sex shops’ and using sexual commodities in their everyday lives. This enlightening volume shows how women take up sexual consumer ‘technologies of the self’ to work upon and understand themselves as confident and active sexual agents in postfeminist neoliberal culture. In guiding the reader through the historical emergence of sexual commodities ‘for women’ in feminism and postfeminism, Wood points to the normalisation and regulation of sexual practices and identities in and through consumption. Indeed, women’s accounts show the work involved in constructing the ‘right’ – knowledgeable, tasteful, and confident – orientation to sexual consumption and, by extension, in becoming an intelligibly ‘good’ sexual person. At the same time, the author draws upon de Certeau to show how the ordinary contexts in which sexual commodities are used can lead to unpredictable moments of adaptation, discomfort, playfulness, and resistance. A rich analysis of women’s everyday strategies of ‘making do’ with the kinds of femininity and female sexuality that sex shop culture represents, Consumer Sexualities will appeal to scholars of sociology, cultural studies and gender studies with interests in gender, sexuality, sex, and consumption.

This groundbreaking volume brings together scholars of the art and archaeology of late antiquity (c. 200−1000), across cultures and regions reaching from India to Iberia, to discuss how objects can inform our understanding of religions. During this period major transformations are visible in the production of religious art and in the relationships between people and objects in religious contexts across the ancient world. These shifts in behaviour and formalising of iconographies are visible in art associated with numerous religious traditions including, but not limited to, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, religions of the Roman Empire, and paganism in northern Europe. Studies of these religions and their material culture, however, have been shaped by Eurocentric and post-Reformation Christian frameworks that prioritised Scripture and minimised the capacity of images and objects to hold religious content. Despite recent steps to incorporate objects, much academic discourse, especially in comparative religion, remains stubbornly textual. This volume therefore seeks to explore the ramifications of placing objects first and foremost in the comparative study of religions in late antiquity, and to consider the potential for interdisciplinary conversation to reinvigorate the field.

A thought-provoking and engaging guide to coaching in an educational setting, demonstrating how to coach young people in the classroom and how to embed a coaching culture in schools.Aimed at teachers, school leaders and aspiring educators, Coaching in the Classroom reimagines the relationship between leadership coaching and education to maximise students' achievements and well-being. Drawing on the author’s experience and backed by rigorous research and theoretical underpinning, this book widens the scope of coaching in education. It’s no longer just about staff development but also about teachers working with young people.Based on a unique understanding of learning as a choice driven by curiosity, ambition and aspiration, the reader is guided how to integrate coaching and other innovative learning approaches such as team-based learning into an educational setting. Evidence is offered of the positive effect of coaching as a companion to conventional learning;enhancing academic achievementenriching the student experiencenurturing high achieversinspiring moderate performers with high potential, andre-engaging those who may be currently outside the academic mainstream.Well-crafted case studies help to promote critical thinking by inviting the reader to become involved, practically and intellectually in the application of new ideas and the conceptualisation of learning. These case studies illustrate the impact of coaching working in concert with pedagogical theories, to increase engagement, attendance, inclusion, and attainment as well as harnessing the hidden potential of future workers.

Consumer Sexualities explores women’s experiences of shopping in ‘sex shops’ and using sexual commodities in their everyday lives. This enlightening volume shows how women take up sexual consumer ‘technologies of the self’ to work upon and understand themselves as confident and active sexual agents in postfeminist neoliberal culture. In guiding the reader through the historical emergence of sexual commodities ‘for women’ in feminism and postfeminism, Wood points to the normalisation and regulation of sexual practices and identities in and through consumption. Indeed, women’s accounts show the work involved in constructing the ‘right’ – knowledgeable, tasteful, and confident – orientation to sexual consumption and, by extension, in becoming an intelligibly ‘good’ sexual person. At the same time, the author draws upon de Certeau to show how the ordinary contexts in which sexual commodities are used can lead to unpredictable moments of adaptation, discomfort, playfulness, and resistance. A rich analysis of women’s everyday strategies of ‘making do’ with the kinds of femininity and female sexuality that sex shop culture represents, Consumer Sexualities will appeal to scholars of sociology, cultural studies and gender studies with interests in gender, sexuality, sex, and consumption.

Washington, the Evergreen state, is known for its lush landscapes of forests and mountains. But you don’t have to go all the way into the backcountry to experience what the state has to offer. In Urban Hikes Washington you’ll hit the trail to discover the landmarks and hotspots that shape the state’s cities and towns. From arboretum trails to picturesque waterfront walks, this guide explores 40-50 urban hiking trails throughout the state.Drawing on their extensive travel knowledge of the state, authors Brandon Fralic and Rachel Wood curate a guide to not only family-friendly footpaths, but to the state’s culinary and gastronomic delights. Take in the sites of Expo ‘74 while walking Spokane’s Riverfront Park, marvel at the landscape architecture of Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, or brewery-hop after a stroll to Downtown Bellingham from Boulevard Park. Each hike includes trail GPS coordinates and waypoints, detailed hike descriptions, maps, and easy-to-find trailhead directions, along with excellent color photos and travel tips. Hit the trail (or the pavement) and explore Washington!

A sparkling, banter-filled workplace romance inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Monica Heisey.'This is the tech world romance I didn't know I was craving. Crisply written, smart, and full of unique, quirky characters, this is a truly joyful and healing love story' ANNABEL MONAGHANAfter losing her job and learning her sister is engaged to the worst man alive, Annie needs a win. Thanks to her best friend and her own inability to take no for an answer, she manages to talk her way into an opening on another team working on data strategy - whatever that means. So what if she doesn't know how to write code? How hard can it be? Surely Connor - the team's overworked, aggravating, and distractingly hot leader - will soon realise how capable Annie is and be delighted to have her on board.Annie sets her sights on nailing it at her new job... even if it means ignoring the chemistry building between her and Connor. Also on her to do list is trying to (gently! supportively!) convince her sister to reconsider her engagement, not to mention trying to figure out why her roommate and best friend are acting weird. But with sparks flying at work and at home, she begins to see how complicated taking matters into her own hands can be.Annie thinks she knows it all, but does she really know everything?READERS ARE OBSESSED WITH ANNIE KNOWS EVERYTHING:'The cutest rom com I think I've EVER read.''I have found my new favourite book boyfriend.''Inhaled this book in practically one sitting.''Full of banter and charm.''I am obsessed with Annie and Connor.''If you are a corporate girlie, you'll find this romcom novel relatable.'

Edited and co-ordinated by Sarah Lowndes, Like The Sea I Think is an enthralling collection of new marine writing from East Anglia gathered from library workshops and open submissions held across the region. It is wonderfully designed, as always, by Emily Benton, and available as a memento and inspiration for all those living by, inspired by, or curious about, the sea. It is our provider, our enemy, our defender, our gateway to the world; it defines our borders, informs our imaginations, it inspires our artists. The anthology features an incredible range of writing styles, subject matter, and authors; the youngest featured is 11, the eldest 87. The perfect companion on a Norfolk coastal walk punctuated by warm coffee shops and local pubs.The volume includes 55 contributions from Viv Allen • Roy Ballard • Molly Bernardin • Neil Bousfield • Erin Bradshaw • Bev Broadhead • Tess Carruthers • David Cochrane • Louise Cole • Ruthie Collins • Mireia Molina Costa • Jade Cuttle • Janet Ellis • Cathy Erlam • Rose Evison • Jessica D’Alton Goode • Rachel Goodman • Mirabel Greaves • Chloe Hambly • Cate McKay Haynes • Sarah Hudis • Barrie de Lara • Jeni Lawes • Imogen Lea • Patricia Jane Lee • Stephanie Lillie • Angie Maddigan • George Mahood • Pip Mattich • Hillary Mellon • Jane Mills • Lloyd Mills • Jess Morgan • Lindsay Nash • Molly Naylor • Eoghan O’Maolain • Anna Opara • Sebastian Owen • Maria Pavledis • Clare Peed • Jon Platten • Simeon Ralph • Thogdin Ripley • Holly Sandiford • Gaia Shaw • Graham Sillett • James Smart • Robert F.W. Smith • Katie Stockton • Ryan Thacker • Rebecca Tough • Sarah Walker • Elizabeth Lewis Williams • Rachel Wood • Suzanne Woolnough

A thought-provoking and engaging guide to coaching in an educational setting, demonstrating how to coach young people in the classroom and how to embed a coaching culture in schools.Aimed at teachers, school leaders and aspiring educators, Coaching in the Classroom reimagines the relationship between leadership coaching and education to maximise students' achievements and well-being. Drawing on the author’s experience and backed by rigorous research and theoretical underpinning, this book widens the scope of coaching in education. It’s no longer just about staff development but also about teachers working with young people.Based on a unique understanding of learning as a choice driven by curiosity, ambition and aspiration, the reader is guided how to integrate coaching and other innovative learning approaches such as team-based learning into an educational setting. Evidence is offered of the positive effect of coaching as a companion to conventional learning;enhancing academic achievementenriching the student experiencenurturing high achieversinspiring moderate performers with high potential, andre-engaging those who may be currently outside the academic mainstream.Well-crafted case studies help to promote critical thinking by inviting the reader to become involved, practically and intellectually in the application of new ideas and the conceptualisation of learning. These case studies illustrate the impact of coaching working in concert with pedagogical theories, to increase engagement, attendance, inclusion, and attainment as well as harnessing the hidden potential of future workers.