Search Results for: General Interest

Grow your confidence and embrace self-love with this proactive guide to becoming a stronger, more empowered you

Low self-confidence affects us all from time to time, but studies have shown that women are even more likely to avoid self-promotion and less likely to champion themselves. If you’re someone who struggles to be your own cheerleader, then look no further. This empowering little book will teach you all you need to know to become the most confident version of yourself.

Filled with practical tips and inspiring quotes, How to Find Confidence in Five Minutes a Day is a must-read for any woman who has struggled to make her voice heard. The advice inside will help you discover your full potential and learn to be authentically and unapologetically yourself.

This book will teach you to:

· Silence your inner critic and fully embrace who you are
· Celebrate your successes and stop comparing yourself to others
· Confidently articulate your needs, desires and boundaries
· Follow your dreams and ambitions

Let this book serve as your reminder to never apologize for who you are and always exist loudly and proudly.

Have you ever been faced with the devastating situation of having a bottle of beer but no opener?
Have you ever wondered if there’s a better way to roll up your shirt sleeves?
Do you wish you could share pizza with friends and avoid the hassle of washing up altogether?
MAN HACKS is the ultimate guide to making essential guy stuff easier. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from culinary cheats, DIY secrets and tidying-up shortcuts to style tips and party tricks – everything you need to keep your man credentials fully in check.

You don’t need a garden to grow your own food! This book is the perfect beginner’s guide to micro-gardening, featuring tips on how to start, what to choose and how to grow over 20 types of plant for your kitchen.

Have you ever been curious about growing your own food? Do you lack a garden? Have you got limited space in your home? Then this book is for you!

Whether you want to produce fresh herbs for your cooking, save money on your food bill, reduce your carbon footprint or enjoy the simple pleasure of watching something grow, My Tiny Kitchen Garden is bursting with tips and ideas to help you get started, including:

– The basics of micro-gardening
– Troubleshooting tips
– Plant profiles to help you choose what to grow
– Craft ideas to help you style your plants
– Advice on growing food from scraps
– How to save and store seeds
Whether you’re a budding gardener or a seasoned expert looking for seeds of inspiration, dive into this book to hone your green fingers and cultivate your very own tiny kitchen garden.

Fearlessness has got nothing to do with being unafraid. It’s about doing things anyway, getting on with it, living, whether you’re afraid or not.

Fuzzy-haired, free-spirited, cello-playing Catrina is devastated when her lover, Jack, leaves her to go surfing on the other side of the world. Trapped in a dead-end job and torn by his departure, she dreams of running away. But how do you run away when you’re flat broke? Luckily, her friend Andrew comes up with a plan: they’ll get an old van, turn it into a camper and busk their way from Norway to Portugal, via Nordkapp, the land of the Midnight Sun.

When a tragic accident occurs, the journey suddenly takes on new meaning. As she navigates personal loss and the daily challenges of life on the road, Catrina begins to learn the true meaning of love and courage and, above all else, the importance of following her dreams.

This is an unforgettable story of a journey like no other – a deeply emotional and inspirational debut by a unique writer.

Brilliant Britain is an entertaining journey through the quirks, oddities and idiosyncrasies that define our nation and preserve us from the mundane and predictable, such as:

• the royal pomp and pageantry of the State Opening of Parliament and the less well-known swan-upping;
• unusual sports and pastimes, from bog snorkelling to worm charming; 
• annual countrywide events including the May Day festivities and the beating of the bounds;
• dialects and slang, provincial foods and a recipe for the perfect chip butty.

This book lifts the lid on a rich heritage of eccentricity and diversity, exploring all that makes Britain brilliant.

Discover a diet as delicious as it is healthy with this informative, bite-sized introduction

There is a host of health benefits to a high-protein diet. It can support you on your weight-loss journey, facilitate growth and strength, and leave you feeling fuller for longer. Whatever your protein goal, this book will be your go-to-guide to understanding how the diet works, what it can do for you and, of course, how to bridge the gap between nutritious and delicious.

As well as a variety of mouth-watering recipes that will keep you nourished morning, noon and night, this little book will answer all the essential questions, explaining:

– Why protein is important and how it can improve your well-being
– The respective benefits of meat and plant protein
– The dos and don’ts of a high-protein diet
– How to track your protein intake

And much more!

Whether you’re a health and fitness enthusiast or just looking to explore your choices, you too can reap the rewards of a high-protein diet.

When Elizabeth Bard followed a handsome Frenchman up the spiral staircase to a love nest in the heart of Paris, they thought they had found their perfect home.
But life had other ideas. Falling in love with a quirky house full of history on a last romantic jaunt before the birth of their first child, Elizabeth and Gwendal decide to move – lock, stock and Le Creuset – to the French countryside; a land of blue skies, lavender fields and peaches that taste like sunshine.
Part memoir, part chocolate-smudged family cookbook, Picnic in Provence is about everything that happens after the happily ever after, and reminds us that life, in and out of the kitchen, is a rendezvous with the unexpected.

She’s the most well-known woman on the planet, but while many of us know of her love of animals, her taste in fashion and her attendances at Royal Ascot, there is a wealth of information beyond this about our Queen.
Did you know for example that she was the first monarch to circumnavigate the globe? That she was the first female member of the Royal Family to serve in the armed forces? Or that she collected clothing coupons to get the material for her wedding dress?
Here’s a book packed with fascinating facts to celebrate our wonderful Queen.

I heard the rustle again, too close and too real to ignore. I clutched the flashlight, stuck my head out of the mosquito net… and found myself face-to-face with a jaguar.

Four travelers meet in Bolivia and set off into the heart of the Amazon rainforest to find a hidden tribe and explore places tourists only dream of seeing. But what begins as the adventure of a lifetime quickly deteriorates into a dangerous nightmare.

After weeks of wandering in the dense undergrowth the group splits up after disagreements, and Yossi and his friend try to find their own way back without a guide. When a terrible rafting accident separates him from his partner, Yossi is forced to survive for weeks alone against one of the wildest backdrops on the planet. Stranded without a knife, map, or survival training, he must improvise shelter and forage for wild fruit to survive. As his feet begin to rot during raging storms, as he loses all sense of direction, and as he begins to lose all hope, he wonders whether he will make it out of the jungle alive.

The basis of an upcoming motion picture starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jungle is the incredible story of friendship and the teachings of nature, survival and human fortitude and a terrifying true account that you won’t be able to put down.

In my late thirties, it gradually dawned on me that I had become Jason’s regular hooker. It was an arrangement that worked well for a couple of reasons. He didn’t need me to dress up in anything particularly risqué or to do anything too vulgar, other than cuddle in the middle of a field with him and fourteen other men on a Saturday afternoon.
Steven Gauge’s response to an impending midlife crisis didn’t involve piercings, tattoos or a red sports car – instead, he decided to take up rugby. What he found on the pitch was a wonderful game, far removed from the professional televised glamour of international rugby, where ordinary blokes with ordinary jobs (and some extraordinary bellies) get together once in a while and have a great time rolling around in the mud.
By the end of his first few seasons, Steven had cracked his nose and various other parts of his anatomy – but he had cracked the game too, and found a place in the club as Captain of the Fourths.

Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2021

Running away from your problems doesn’t solve anything – but sometimes it’s more fun than dealing with them

Elise was spending a lot of time crying on buses. She had just graduated from university; she had a shiny new flat, her first proper job and a budding relationship – and they were all making her utterly miserable. Sitting at work one day, she hit upon the obvious solution:

Run 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain, carrying her kit on her back.

Six months later Elise set off, with absolutely no ultra-running experience, unable to read a map and having never pitched a tent alone before. Over the 301 days that followed she developed a debilitating fear of farmyard animals, cried on a lot of beaches and saw Britain at its most wild and wonderful.

Coasting is about putting one foot in front of the other, even when it feels impossible, and trying to enjoy it too. With heart and humour, Elise explores the thrill of taking risks and putting your trust in total strangers, and learns some home truths along the way.


‘A true Great British Adventure, with humour and heart.’

Sir Ranulph Fiennes


‘Elise Downing has achieved the impossible – leaving you in awe at her superhuman achievements, but also convincing you that you could probably do the same.’

Emily Chappell


‘A hugely enjoyable jaunt around Britain, that proves that you can find adventure right on your doorstep.’

Alastair Humphreys


‘Elise Downing has reminded us all of the most crucial aspects of adventure: 1) You don’t have to be an expert. 2) It’s all about the people. 3) However hard, tough, excruciating and doubt-driven a challenge might be, at heart it’s a funny, funny story.’

Dave Cornthwaite


‘Reading Coasting is like listening to a friend tell a tale down the pub that you can’t quite believe. Elise’s storytelling is hilarious, warm-hearted and wonderfully down-to-earth. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to lace up your trainers and start running towards that mad idea you once had. There’s no doubt that Elise’s gung-ho attitude is her superpower. Her kryptonite? Cows.’

Anna McNuff, author and adventurer


‘Elise’s irresistibly readable adventures are both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. She’s an inspiration.’

Damian Hall, author and ultrarunner


‘Funny and engaging and inspiring… an absolute gem.’


Vassos Alexander, presenter, author and runner


‘A beautifully observed and blisteringly truthful account of what happens when you decide to combine adventure and endurance. Absolutely brilliant.’

Jake Tyler, author of A Walk from the Wild Edge


‘An honest and exciting tale of how a dream became an awesome reality. Definitely worth a read!’

Ben Smith, founder of The 401 Challenge


‘I was already laughing at the Dedication and this continued all the way to the very last page. Elise Downing is a comedy genius and has a heart of gold!’

Danny Bent, author, runner and founder of Project Awesome


‘Elise tells her story with such good-humoured light-heartedness that you could be forgiven for forgetting that what she is describing is a feat of real endurance. Running 5,000 miles is a truly remarkable achievement, and the fact that Elise emerged from it with a smile on her face and a total lack of ego speaks wonders to her character. This is an incredible tale told with total humility. Running around the coast of Great Britain was a mad thing to do, but not buying this book would be madder still.’

Tim Moss, author, adventurer and founder of The Next Challenge


‘Like any epic journey worth sharing, Elise encountered the same doubts, setbacks and fears that leave many dreams stuck on the drawing board. One foot after the other, Elise set out to achieve the extraordinary many miles over. Coasting shares the literal highs and lows as she finds her rite of passage to the world of ultra-running, with an endearing vulnerability and hilarious flair that brings places to life. In the same way that countless strangers felt compelled to join her around the UK, Coasting carries the reader along and inspires us all to ask ‘why not?’ in pursuit of our own home-grown adventures.’

Alex Staniforth, adventurer and author


‘A wonderfully honest tale of courage, perseverance and self-discovery.’


Dr Juliet McGrattan, author and runner


‘Elise brings so much fun and energy, as well as raw honesty, to the world of adventure books, and her incredible journey is an inspiration to young (and old!) adventurers.’

Jenny Tough, author, adventurer and editor of Tough Women Adventure Stories


‘Thoughtful, funny and beautifully written. Just goes to show that there’s a ram-spinning, swashbuckling adventure right there on your doorstep.’

Huw Jack Brassington, writer, presenter and adventurer

Have you ever wondered…


• How fast a Spitfire could travel?
• Which pilot won Fighter Command’s only Victoria Cross?
• What a ‘Stuka Party’ was?



Telling the stories of the commanders, the air raids, the pilots, the aircraft and the vital use of the world’s first radar air defence system, this comprehensive miscellany is a compelling guide to this most crucial of Second World War battles – the first to be fought solely in the air.

Say yes to new adventures! This beautiful book is brimming with tips, recipes, activities and more to help you plan your perfect trip and discover the joys of camping in the great outdoors.

Camping is one of life’s purest pleasures. It’s a way to escape the frantic pace of the everyday, to get back to nature and to discover new experiences – and nothing comes close to the joy of sleeping under the stars.

Packed with ideas for first-time campers and seasoned experts alike, this book is sure to inspire your next trip and help you create memories to last a lifetime. Within these pages you will find:
– Handy camping hacks
– Delicious recipes
– Foraging tips
– Bushcraft basics
– Wild camping advice
– Inspiration for your travel bucket-list

… And much more! Whether you’re seeking a relaxing natural getaway or an intrepid wilderness adventure, the great outdoors is waiting for you. So, pack your bag, pick up your tent and go camping!

Travel writing matters

Explore the world through this beautiful collection of the finest travel writing published in British media in the 21st century – as judged by some of the most respected travel writers in the world: Levison Wood, Monisha Rajesh, Jessica Vincent and Simon Willmore

The world has changed, but our desire to explore new places remains as strong as ever. The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century includes 30 outstanding travel stories published in British media over the last two decades, as chosen by some of the top names in travel writing today. Through travel’s most talented storytellers, you’ll face adversity along the Congo’s raging River Lulua, make new friends aboard Iraq’s night train, and embark on life-changing pilgrimages from India to Saudi Arabia.

This book is an ode to travel and all that it offers, but it’s also a celebration of a genre that brings the world closer to us. At its best, travel writing encourages empathy and inspires change. Join our award-winning writers in marvelling at the power and beauty of travel, and let them inspire you to fall in love with the world all over again.

Written by an airline pilot and a clinical psychologist, this combination of practical explanation and self-help techniques is the definitive guide to help anyone overcome their fear of flying.
Sometimes unnecessary anxiety is caused by events which airline crews may take for granted, including aspects of flights that are mystifying and even alarming to less frequent flyers. This new edition incorporates the recent advances in technology within the aviation industry, as well as the increased security checks as a result of 9/11.

When Mimi first started jogging on a treadmill as an unfit 36-year-old mother-of-three, she never imagined she would go on to become a World-Record-breaking ultrarunner.

After coming to terms with the anorexia that had impacted her life from a young age, Mimi begins to reassess her relationship with food and finds a new resolve in running. With a renewed sense of purpose, she decides to take the sport that saved her life to the next level, training hard and throwing herself in at the deep end by entering the epic Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, despite still being a novice runner. One startling success leads to another, as she finds herself taking on ever-more-challenging races – from the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, USA, to the 6633 Arctic Ultra – all building up to her biggest challenge yet: attempting to gain the Guinness World Record time for a female running 840 miles from John o’Groats to Land’s End.

This incredible story of how an ordinary mum ran her way into the record books will inspire beginner runners and die-hard marathon devotees alike, proving that, no matter where life takes you, it’s never too late to achieve your dreams and do the impossible.

Make waves in your kitchen and create a feast fit for a mermaid

Dive into this magical under-the-sea adventure and bring the mysterious mermaids to life in this shimmering cookbook filled with pearls and sparkles. Whether you want to build a Sandcastle Cake, bake Turtle Waffles, concoct Jam Clams or create a Sealicious Smoothie, The Mermaid Cookbook is packed with recipes perfect for parties and times when you want to mermaze your guests.

Add a pinch of sparkle and decorate with an abundance of glitter to create your ultimate unicorn foodie experience.

The magical realm of the mighty unicorn comes to life in this dazzling cookery book brimming with sparkles and rainbows. From the magical explosion cake to happiness pancakes, The Unicorn Cookbook is packed with recipes perfect for parties and times when all you want to do is spread some joy and release your inner unicorn.

Empowered women empower women! This small but mighty book – bursting with kick-ass quotes and uplifting statements – is a celebration of female strength and solidarity.

There’s nothing more powerful than a strong woman – except for two strong women supporting each other!

When girls stick together, amazing things can happen, and this little book is here to make sure you never forget it. Whether you need a boost to help you follow your dreams, or you want to lift up the women around you, this book is in your corner. It’s filled with inspiring quotes and affirmations to put a spring in your step and fire in your heart.

– Featuring a groovy design to lift your vibe
– Includes awesome affirmations to help you feel like a badass
– Serves up fearless feminist wisdom to keep you focused on your goals
– 160 pages of empowerment, with quotes from a diverse range of inspirational women, from Taylor Swift to Audre Lorde

The Responsible Traveller is your ticket to sustainable and ethical travel. This pocket-sized book provides the knowledge and tools that can help you to explore the world with a lighter footprint.

Whether you travel out of curiosity, to find respite, to remind yourself of how vast and wonderful our planet is, or in search of life-shaping adventures, having the freedom to explore can be exhilarating and hugely rewarding. However we owe it to the people, cultures, ecosystems and wildlife that we encounter along the way to travel with respect; to preserve our beautiful world for generations to come.

The Responsible Traveller will show you how to make actionable changes that result in more thoughtful and adventurous travels, while also doing our very best for Planet Earth. Through case studies and storytelling, you’ll learn about the environmental and social effects of tourism and gain a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity. And through simple, achievable tips and practical lifestyle changes, you’ll discover how you can make an almighty difference in reducing your impact. Empowered with this information, perhaps your next adventure will be inspired by consideration, understanding and compassion.

Be kind to the planet, but most of all, be kind to yourself


When you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, grab this book for a dose of calm and courage. Packed with reassuring tips and advice, from mindfulness exercises to practical steps you can take to make a difference, this guide will ease your eco-anxiety and help you to live a more environmentally friendly life.

Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits

At the age of 55, record-breaking ultrarunner Mimi Anderson embarked on her most ambitious adventure yet. She wanted to become the fastest woman in history to run across America from Los Angeles to New York.
Her journey would cover 2,850 miles, 12 states and four time zones, dealing with extreme changes in terrain, weather and altitude along the way.

For 40 days, the determined mother of three pushed herself on and on for more than 2,000 miles across the vast continent, despite the onset of severe pain, until she was forced to make a crushing decision: carry on and risk never being able to run again or give up on her all-time goal.

What happened next set Mimi on a new, unexpected journey. She learned to face her fears and bounce back from defeat by taking up the new challenge of becoming a triathlete.

A follow-up to her first memoir Beyond Impossible, this next instalment in Mimi’s inspiring story proves that when one door closes, another opens – you just need the courage to swim, cycle and run through it.

You know you’re having a senior moment when…

… you need a pen and paper just to order a round of drinks.


Getting old? Join the club! This upbeat collection of all-too-common mishaps, sprinkled with quotes from wise old sages, will have you nodding in agreement and chuckling at all your lovable foibles.

Step into the enchanting world of faeries, pixies, sprites and more with this beginner’s guide to the history and mythology of fae folk

People have long been mesmerized by the magic and mystery of faeries. From the winged spirits of Persian mythology to Shakespeare’s forest-dwelling troublemakers, there’s something about these beguiling creatures that has captured our attention for centuries.

Prepare yourself for a spellbinding adventure into the faerie realm with this essential introduction to all things fae. Just like the creatures themselves, this book is pocket-sized and full of magic, mirth and mischief.

Inside you will discover:
– The fascinating history and origins of faerie folklore
– The different characteristics and classifications of faerie, including pixies, brownies, dwarfs and more
– An overview of the legendary tales that shaped how faeries are viewed across different mythologies
– A summary of faerie depictions in the twentieth century and beyond, from the works of Tolkien to J. M. Barrie

For a reading experience filled with sparkle and wonder, all you need is this book, a comfortable chair, and a sprinkle of faerie dust.