Search Results for: Lifestyle

The only gear you need is ‘go’.

Fixies and single-speeds take cycling back to square one. They’re the ride of choice for hipsters, tricksters and hardmen alike – bare-bones bikes that can be dressed up or stripped down; simple machines that have inspired a diverse, inventive culture and innovative designs in a host of industries. This book celebrates the art and craft of one-gear bikes with stunning photos of rides from around the world. Includes inspirational quotes.

For many years we’ve listened to and learned about the unforgettable events in history. All very remarkable, yet all very male – where on earth were the women?!

In this book, you will meet some of the most fascinating females in herstory, all of whom have contributed to and shaped the past, present and future. From activists and athletes to politicians and poets, from the well-known and celebrated to the unsung and understated, these women’s stories are guaranteed to inspire you to follow your dreams and believe you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

All you need is love… and a pug to hug

Those big round eyes. Those velvety ears. That expressive, wrinkled face. What’s not to love about pugs? What they lack in size, they make up for in personality and love. Dedicated to these wrinkly pups, this pug-tastic little book will prove that it’s not just any old dog that’s man’s best friend – it’s a pug.

Whether you are in need of some blossoming inspiration or your fingers are the colour of freshly mown grass, this compendium is overflowing with snippets of fascinating folklore and tips for making your garden grow.

Follow the garden path to horticultural heaven and learn about:
– Growing your own herbs to make therapeutic delights
– Banning bugs and slugs and attracting beneficial creatures
– Recycling old household items for gardening solutions
– Keeping bees and chickens
– Cooking up your produce, even the weeds
– Why you should always keep a leek in your attic and never kill a ladybird

Fired by a long enthusiasm for all things Greek, Edward Enfield mounts his trusty Raleigh to follow in the footsteps of such notable travellers to Greece as Benjamin Disraeli, Edward Lear and the Romantic poet Lord Byron.

Fortified by delicious fish dinners and quantities of draught retsina, he tackles the formidable roads of the Peloponnese before plunging, on a later trip, into the rugged heartlands of Epirus and Acarnania. His travels are set against the great panorama of Greek history – Greeks and Romans, Turks and Albanians, Venetians, Englishmen and Germans all people his pages.

An enchanting travelogue that combines wit, charm and scholarship, Greece On My Wheels is a superb example of travel writing at its unforgettable best.

The dogs in this book won’t be donning red cloaks and tight, blue costumes. But they do have extraordinary abilities and out-of-this-world stories that make them super in their own right.

From fictional dogs to war-time dogs, faithful dogs to working dogs, life-saving dogs to dogs in space and science, the stories in this book tell the adventures of courageous, trustworthy and dutiful dogs, reminding us of the true worth of having a canine as a companion.

Anything a dog can do, a dachshund can do better…

With a waddle in their step and eyes that will melt your heart, these mischievous little pups have got us head over heels in love. Whether you’ve got one, want one or just think they’re super cute, this little book dedicated to the sausage-shaped dog will prove that it’s not just any old dog who’s a man’s best friend – it’s a dachshund.

Britain’s best-loved canine hero for almost half a century returns in another annual collection of the best from the Daily Mail’s popular strip. With humour drier than a dog biscuit, Fred’s cheeky antics and his astute comments on modern life will keep you entertained all year.

Did the Cett’s Warbler inspire the opening notes of the last movement of Beethoven’s Second Symphony?

Who among a host of rivals wrote the best poem about the nightingale?

Is a James Bond film named after a duck?

Find out the answers to these ornithological conundrums and others in this engaging book that delves into literature, science, religion, fine art and popular culture to reveal how a bird can be far more than the sum of its feathered, winged and webbed parts. Worshipped as gods and damned as agents of the Devil in equal measure, birds have also fostered scientific breakthroughs and even helped provoke a war. This humorous and insightful guide is full of brilliant curios that even a magpie would envy.

L’appetito vien mangiando! – Appetite comes while you are eating.

Vicky arrives in Tuscany to study the language and culture of Italy, but soon falls in love with charismatic chef Gianfranco and starts to learn the art of Italian cooking in his trattoria. On Sunday nights, after benches are stacked on tables, they explore the countryside by car, passing glassy lakes and ancient hill towns.

This colourful and intoxicating gastro-memoir takes you behind the scenes of romantic restaurants and bars in Tuscany, Umbria, Elba and Perugia. Interspersed with recipes, humour and heartbreak, it will leave you entranced and with a hankering for tagliatelle and truffles.

How can we challenge the judgements we don’t even know we’re making?

Unconscious bias affects us all. From the smallest assumption to the most sweeping generalization, the way we think about others can unknowingly influence our behaviour and shape our culture. Acting as your mentor and guide, this book will take you through the most common forms of prejudice, including gender, race, size, age and sexuality. It also explores the psychology behind our biases and provides actionable tips and simple exercises to help you combat implicit judgements.

You will learn:
– Why our biases matter
– How to identify your own biases
– Techniques to mitigate unconscious bias
– How to make objective decisions

Did Michael Jackson fake his own death in a bid to escape financial ruin?

Is swine flu a dastardly plot by global pharmaceutical companies or a scare campaign created by the pork industry’s competitors?

Are the British Royal Family really reptilian shape-shifting aliens?

You’ll discover startling evidence on these topics and many more in this compelling compendium of the world’s scariest and wackiest conspiracy theories.

This guide leaves no stone unturned as it delves into such conundrums as the mysterious circumstances of Alexander Litvinenko’s death, the alleged withheld evidence pertaining to the 7 July bombings and whether global warming is a hoax.

Whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy junkie, you’ll find a cover-up for every occasion. And remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you…

Be yourself and wear your wrinkles proudly with the help of this humorous collection of observations and illustrations on how to survive old age.

For years, you wanted to be treated like a proper adult, but now you’re on a downhill slippery slope to a grand old age and you can’t seem to find the brakes. You need expert survival advice, such as:

– Don’t call anyone under 40 “young man” or “young lady”.
– Do remember where your glasses, keys and wallet are to avoid raised eyebrows from family members.
– Don’t wear a tartan rug over your knees on a car journey.
– Do make an effort to learn all the songs in the top ten.
This mischievous little book will help you enjoy your latter years without worrying about what anyone else thinks. After all, the best things in life are old: vintage wine, golden oldies – you’re now part of an elite club. Enjoy!

The secret’s out!

When you look into your baby’s big, beautiful eyes, it can be hard to know what on earth is going through their curious minds. Well you needn’t wonder any more, because after delving deep into baby psychology we can now reveal the real thoughts behind those adorable pudgy faces.

Find out what they’re really thinking when you blow raspberries on their tum-tum or “steal” their nose, why they particularly enjoy spitting up over your nice clean top, and what that funny expression means when you make them wear “novelty” onesies.

Ditch cross training for crotch straining with this cum-pendium of erotic exercises

Think you can’t f*ck yourself to fitness? This book is here to settle the mass debate. Whether you’re a rookie romper or a seasoned sexpert, these drills are sure to get the juices flowing and keep you trim and toned.

Each of the exercises in this book will help enlarge your love muscles and boost your stamina, and the useful diagrams and simple instructions will guarantee your lovemaking achieves maximum results. Simply find a willing partner and prepare yourselves for some downright dirty antics!

In this book you will find:

– A range of X-rated workouts from beginner bonks to advanced bedroom aerobics
– Guidance on dirty warm-ups and post-climax cool-downs
– A list of essential erotic equipment
– Space to list your achievements and log your lovemaking
Regardless of your gender or sexual orientation, this is the ultimate guide to getting f*cking fit!

Expand your mind as you lighten your load!

Make use of those dull moments on the lavatory by teaching yourself how a starfish eats a clam, how to say “Hello” in every European language and what the dot over an “i” is called. Covering all types of trivia, from science and natural history to the different types of moustache, this little book contains enough fascinating facts to keep you learning throughout the year.

You will pick up impressive knowledge and remarkable wisdom such as:

– The capital cities of every country
– The major bones in the human body
– The longest word you can spell using only the top row of letters on a keyboard
– The inventor of sticky tape
– The world’s oceans and seas
– How bees make honey
And much, much more. A superb addition to anyone’s bathroom library, this book could help you win at your next quiz or at least give you a bunch of fun facts to spout when you’re out and about.

“Taking a dump just got a lot more interesting”
Crapping Quarterly

Discover the healing power of nature with this beautiful book, which will help you reconnect with the natural world to nurture your well-being

Nature therapy is the practice of reconnecting with the natural world. Whether you find your sense of connection in the adventure of windswept cliffs, the solace of a forest, the comfort of your own garden or in the joy of tending a plant in your home, nature has the power to refresh your well-being and help you find your sense of self again.

Dive into this beautiful book to explore the benefits of the outdoors for yourself. Inside these pages you will find:
· Tips to help you discover your personal connection with nature
· Activity inspiration, from gardening and crafts to walking and wild swimming
· Advice on how to incorporate the outdoors into your daily life
· A holistic approach to wellness that’s rooted in our innate relationship with the natural world

Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve your physical health or simply spark more joy and meaning in life, this book is the ultimate guide to unlocking the transformative power of nature.

Including wise words, simple ideas and easy-to-follow advice, this soothing book will help you master the art of daily rituals

A daily ritual is more than a routine: it’s an act of self-care that’s carried out mindfully, and with reverence. You could use a ritual to set an intention for your morning, to help you process difficult emotions, or to manifest your goals – but whichever kind you choose, a ritual will always bring focus to the present moment and imbue your life with a sense of calm and purpose.

Within these pages you will find a raft of simple but effective rituals to try as well as tips to help you on your journey, including:
– Fitting rituals into a busy schedule
– How daily practice can improve your physical and mental well-being
– Inspiration for creating your own rituals
Whether you use them to empower, energize, calm or inspire, daily rituals will help you to live fully and intentionally, and this beautiful book will guide you on your way.

Empower your mind, strengthen your body and build your best life with this girl-power guide to strength training

This is your Strong Woman Era, a new phase of growth, fulfilment and success. It’s time to invest in practices that make you feel mentally and physically strong – because you are! Through resistance training, you can harness your power and realize just how much you can achieve. That’s where this guide comes in.

Filled with helpful tips, practical advice and energizing affirmations, this wellness and weightlifting companion will support you on your journey to becoming your strongest self.

Inside you’ll discover the benefits of strength training, how you can personalize your approach and all the ways exercise can nourish your mind and body.

This bold book will accompany you on your training journey, from starting out to seeing progress and committing to your routine. With a selection of staple strength-building exercises and daily wellness rituals, you can achieve your short- and long-term fitness goals.

It’s the dawn of a new era; time for women to build, lift and thrive.

Life is better with a kitten

Those big round eyes. Those tiny mews. Those wobbly steps on little paws. Who can resist the adorable charms of a kitten? What they lack in size, they make up for in personality, and these heart-melting bundles of fur have got us head over heels in love. Dedicated to our tiniest feline friends, this paw-some little book proves that a kitten is a purr-fect companion.

Repeat this mantra to yourself whenever you’re feeling anxious: “I flow from a place of grace.”

Peace. Gratitude. Concentration. Stillness. Serenity. Composure. Focus.

Whether they’re honing their powers of concentration (have you ever seen anyone focus on something so intently as a mutt with a bone?), being in the moment (a snooze is so much more satisfying when you really appreciate the snooze), or taking time to explore their senses (all those bottoms aren’t going to sniff themselves), dogs are paragons of mindfulness. So maybe they’re not always quite as composed or graceful as they’d like, but at least they’re trying – and we could all learn a lot from these enlightened pups.

Err, I think you mean Downward Cat

How can you tell whether your cat is purrfecting its Sphinx pose or just being, well, a cat?

You may think your cat is just a naturally bendy weirdo, but the truth is, they’re probably one of the growing number of Zen Yogi Cats – and this book is here to expose what happens when yoga and cats collide. Whether they’re paws-ing to enjoy their morning Sun Salutations, working on their flexibility, searching for the divine (laser) light or exhaling hairballs, these cats are getting their om-meow on in the world of Cat Yoga.

There’s more to the banana than meets the eye

We all know and love bananas as a quick and tasty snack that can help fuel us through the day. But you might not realise that these beauties are an endlessly versatile ingredient. From breakfast delights through to show-stopping desserts, this book contains dozens of simple and delicious recipes, including:
– Fluffy banana and walnut pancakes
– Matcha and banana cupcakes with caramelised peanuts
– Avocado and banana smoothie
– Classic banana bread
– Miracle banana ice cream

Whether you’re vegan or gluten-free, in need of a quick bite or hankering for some good old comfort food, there’s plenty in these pages that will leave you nourished, satisfied and truly thankful for this humble yellow fruit.

‘For as long as I stay here, I know I will have to also get to the wild places.’
                                                                                                                  Robert Macfarlane
This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with tips on equipment, food, surviving bad weather and finding the right campsite, and with facts and stories from the world of camping, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy and adventure of pitching their tent under an open sky.