By H. G. Wells (Author), Colin Heston (Editor)

The Time Machine & Tales of Space and Time — H. G. Wells

This single volume unites two of H. G. Wells’ most celebrated explorations of imagination, science, and the unknown.

The Time Machine (1895) is the groundbreaking novella that introduced the very concept of a mechanical device for traveling through time. The unnamed Time Traveller journeys to the distant future, where humanity has evolved into two divergent races — the delicate, surface-dwelling Eloi and the subterranean, menacing Morlocks. What begins as a scientific adventure becomes a haunting meditation on evolution, class, and the ultimate fate of the Earth. With its blend of suspense, philosophical inquiry, and visionary speculation, it remains one of the cornerstones of science fiction literature.

Tales of Space and Time (1899) is a collection of five shorter works in which Wells turns his storytelling genius to other worlds, cosmic dangers, and extraordinary discoveries.

• "The Crystal Egg" — A mysterious artifact reveals visions of life on Mars.

• "The Star" — A celestial visitor threatens the very survival of Earth.

• "A Story of the Stone Age" — Life-and-death struggles in humanity’s prehistoric dawn.

• "A Story of the Days to Come" — A chilling vision of a crowded, mechanized future society.

• "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" — An ordinary man gains unlimited supernatural powers, with unexpected results.

Together in one volume, these works display Wells’ unmatched ability to fuse scientific possibility with human drama. They offer both thrilling adventure and thought-provoking commentary on technology, progress, and our place in the universe — a combination that has kept his stories fresh and relevant for more than a century.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. 198 p.

By R. L. Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. The story explores the duality of human nature through the character of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected scientist who creates a potion that transforms him into the sinister and violent Mr. Edward Hyde. As Hyde, Jekyll indulges in immoral acts without fear of social repercussions. The narrative delves into themes of identity, morality, and the struggle between good and evil within the human soul. The novella is renowned for its suspenseful and gothic atmosphere, as well as its profound psychological insights.
In addition to Jekyll and Hyde, this volume features a mix of Stevenson’s essays, short stories, and other literary works. The Swanston Edition iis known for its comprehensive and authoritative compilation of Stevenson's oeuvre, providing readers with a deep dive into his diverse literary contributions. Additional stories and writings in this volume include:.
Thrawn Janet. A short story, first published in 1881. Set in a small Scottish village, the tale revolves around the mysterious and eerie events surrounding Janet, an old woman believed to be a witch. The story is narrated by the local minister, who recounts Janet's unsettling behavior and the supernatural occurrences that follow her arrival. The narrative is steeped in gothic elements and explores themes of superstition, fear, and the clash between rationality and the supernatural.
More New Arabian Nights, The Dynamiter. A collection of linked short stories co-written by Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife, Fanny Van de Grift Stevenson. Published in 1885, the stories are set in London and revolve around the adventures of various characters entangled in plots involving dynamite and political intrigue. The collection is a sequel to Stevenson's earlier work "New Arabian Nights" and continues to employ a similar structure of interconnected tales. Themes of adventure, mystery, and social commentary are prevalent throughout the stories.
This volume has been carefully edited and redesigned by Colin Heston, renowned novelist and story writer, to make the book more comprehensible to the present-day reader.

Read-Me.Org Inc. NY-Phila.-Australia. 2025. 193p.

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

By Martha Wells

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

NY. Tom Foherty Assoc. 2017. 154p.

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

MEGAN O’KEEFE

Sanda and Biran Greeve were siblings destined for greatness. A high-flying sergeant, Sanda has the skills to take down any enemy combatant. Biran is a savvy politician who aims to use his new political position to prevent conflict from escalating to total destruction.

However, on a routine maneuver, Sanda loses consciousness when her gunship is blown out of the sky. Instead of finding herself in friendly hands, she awakens 230 years later on a deserted enemy warship controlled by an AI who calls himself Bero. The war is lost. The star system is dead. Ada Prime and its rival Icarion have wiped each other from the universe.

Now, separated by time and space, Sanda and Biran must fight to put things right.

LONDON. LITTLE BROWN. 2010. 537p.