How can we cope when life’s events feel beyond our control? Drawing on the timeless wisdom of the three great Stoic philosophers—Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius—these words of consolation and inspiration offer guidance on facing adversity and living well in the world. Throughout history, certain books have changed the course of human thought: they have transformed how we see ourselves and others, sparked debate, dissent, war, and revolution, and have enlightened, provoked, comforted, and challenged us. Now, Penguin presents a new collection in the acclaimed Great Ideas series, a curated library of selections from the works of the thinkers, pioneers, radicals, and visionaries whose ideas shaped civilization and continue to influence who we are today.

Despite dreaming of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their other sisters have scattered across Arcannia. When their sister Mercy informs her that the Duchess of Bloem—the wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son Alexander, Verity eagerly seizes the opportunity, only to be stopped by Camille. Forced to reveal a secret she has kept for years, Camille confesses that Verity is still seeing ghosts, though she doesn’t yet realize it. Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and, with nowhere else to turn, makes her way to Bloem, where she is immediately captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and drawn to the charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent, sparking an unexpected romance. But it isn’t long before Verity is haunted by nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to emerge beneath its sickly-sweet facade…

Vienna, 1938: Five-year-old Samuel Adler loses his father during Kristallnacht, and as his family faces mounting danger, his mother secures a spot for him on a Kindertransport train to England, carrying only a change of clothes and his violin. Arizona, 2019: Eight decades later, Anita Díaz and her mother flee danger in El Salvador, but seven-year-old Anita is separated from her mother at a U.S. border camp and finds escape in Azabahar, a magical world of her imagination, while social worker Selena Durán and a lawyer strive to reunite them. Interweaving past and present, The Wind Knows My Name tells the stories of two unforgettable children in search of family and home, honoring the sacrifices of parents and celebrating the resilience and dreams of those who survive unimaginable trials.

The Fellowship is scattered. Some brace hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Others must contend with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam are left to take the One Ring, ruler of the accursed Rings of Power, to be destroyed in Mordor, the dark realm where Sauron is supreme. Their guide is Gollum, deceitful and obsessive slave to the corruption of the Ring.

“When I say that I was a feminist in kindergarten, I am not exaggerating,” begins Isabel Allende, who, inspired by her mother’s resilience after being abandoned with three children, became a fierce and defiant girl determined to fight for the life her mother couldn’t have. Coming of age in the late 1960s, Allende embraced the second wave of feminism among like-minded female journalists, learning to write boldly about women’s issues. Over three passionate marriages, she discovered how to grow as a woman while in a partnership, when to step away, and the rewards of embracing her sexuality. Today, she reflects on what feeds the soul of feminists—and all women: safety, respect, peace, independence, connection, control over one’s body, and love—and urges that much work remains. With this book, Allende hopes to “light the torches of our daughters and granddaughters,” inspiring them to continue the unfinished work of past generations.

Jack Torrance’s new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he’ll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote . . . and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.