Search Results for: General Interest

Learn to forage in the hedgerows like the herbalists of the past with this best-selling beginner’s guide.

For centuries our ancestors looked to nature not just for food, but also for healing. To this day, our ancient hedgerows, woodlands and forests are still full of remedies – and they’re waiting to be discovered.

This is the essential guide to enjoying the bountiful delights of the natural world. Learn how to make delicious preserves, healing balms, soothing toddies and cures for colds with nature’s jewels such as rose hips, elderberries and mugwort.

You will also find:

– Photographs to help you safely identify edible plants
– Advice on what is available in each season
– Guidance on how best to prepare and preserve your finds
– The fascinating folklore and history of foraging
Every walk is an opportunity to learn, identify a new plant, gather something to eat and reconnect with nature – so dive in to begin your foraging adventure.

Tips and ideas for travelling the world
So you’re off to explore the big, wide world: head filled with possibilities and hiking boots laced.
But a big trip raises big questions, like ‘How do I go about choosing and packing a bag?’, ‘How should I handle money abroad?’ and ‘What the hell do I do when my hostel dorm is filled with snorers?’ Luckily this handy guide is filled with essential tips, advice and hacks to make your adventures on the road truly unforgettable. 

Dive into this deck of 52 cards containing delicious cocktail recipes, both classic and modern. The box also includes a pocket-sized booklet and stand for displaying the recipe cards.

Bottoms up! Whether you’re a mixologist in the making or looking for new ideas to refresh your repertoire, let The Cocktail Deck help to make any occasion one to remember.

From the crowd-pleasing classics such as the Margarita and Piña Colada to modern must-know recipes like the Paper Plane and White Negroni, this beautifully illustrated deck includes over 50 recipes to spark your imagination, as well as a handy booklet full of expert tips and techniques on blending the perfect drink.

This is an ideal gift for all those who appreciate the unique alchemy of cocktail making.

– Box includes 52 individual cards and a 16-page booklet with extra cocktail tips, tricks and presentation ideas
– Display your cocktail recipe in the high-quality wooden stand as you create the perfect sip
– Each card features a bespoke illustration

We buy food we can point to. We stalk the streets until rush hour and wait for the little hatches to open in the sides of restaurants. From the steamy openings, cooks in overalls sell jiaozi (dumplings) and bowls of thick, sticky, white congee – an unholy cross between soup and porridge. Baozi, steamed white buns, are light as air. I buy them filled with water spinach and nettle – delicious dipped in sharp, black Chinese vinegar.

In 2008, Miranda and her partner set off for one last big adventure before settling down. They chose to travel through South-East Asia. All did not go to plan: Asian flu, falling off boats and the general chaos of a life abroad challenged them at every step, and yet, in the midst of it all, they fell in love with the culture and culinary delights of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Learn to forage in the hedgerows like the herbalists of the past

As many of us look for ways to live a more planet-friendly lifestyle, the sustainable and ethical art of foraging offers us a way to connect with the world around us. It is a practice rich in tradition and steeped in history, and one that links us to our past and our future.

This foraging companion is designed to be taken with you on your adventures into the hedgerows, forests and woodland all year round. Helpfully arranged by season, this book includes clear photographs to aid plant identification, ideas on how best to prepare and preserve your finds, fascinating foraging and plant folklore, and handy pages to make your own notes and drawings.

Additional features:

– Paperback and lightweight (approx. 330g) design, to allow you to take the book with you while foraging
– A month-by-month foraging calendar
– Advice on foraging etiquette and tips for creating a forager’s toolkit
This is the essential guide to enjoying the bountiful delights of the hedgerows.

Do you have frequent feelings of worry, nervousness or unease?

Do you wish you could be more confident and self-assured?

In this book you will learn tips and techniques for positive thinking, the benefits of mindfulness and how to build your confidence, from the way you speak and breathe to the way you stand. With advice on healthy lifestyle habits and behaviour patterns, and how to manage your anxiety, How to Feel Less Anxious is your starting point for a happier, healthier you.

Discover the fascinating stories behind 38 queer icons, all of them ground-breakers, risk-takers and game-changers. Whether they are activists, sportspeople, scientists or superstars, every one of these people has been a trailblazer in their field, and deserves to have their achievements celebrated the world over. Be empowered and inspired by their extraordinary life stories, their awesome achievements and their wonder-words of wisdom with this pocketbook of remarkable people, and prepare to be introduced to your new superheroes.

Meet the inspirational dogs who went from being rescued to becoming rescuer, in these incredible true stories.

You’ll read all about…
– Toby, the golden retriever who performed the Heimlich manoeuvre to save his owner’s life
– Liam, the Lhaso Apso-Poodle mix who helped his owner battle an eating disorder
– Hercules, the St Bernard who saved his owners from burglars on the first day he moved in
– Alfie, the terrier who gave a bullied girl a new lease of life

… as well as many other canine heroes who came to their owner’s aid – whether it was saving them from physical threats, or helping them to recover from mental illness, PTSD and bereavement.

These remarkable dogs all repaid the love and appreciation that their owners displayed in rescuing them. Let these uplifting stories warm your heart, and show you that adopted dogs truly are man’s best friend.

Namaste: a respectful greeting frequently used at the end of a yoga session; “I bow to the divine in you”

Nom-aste: a respectful prayer of thanks for delicious, nutritious and just plain yummy food

Looking after our well-being and eating tasty, nourishing food go hand in hand. This beautifully illustrated book celebrates mindful cooking and eating, teaching you how to bring the principles of yoga and mindfulness into your kitchen. From ahimsa (non-violence) and Ayurveda (food as medicine) to the art of making your own bread, you’ll learn how to give your body what it really needs in order to flourish, and how to nurture a healthy, positive attitude toward food. The 60 wholesome, plant-based recipes inside will add vitality to your daily life and leave you filled with good food and gratitude.

Sport can bring out the best in us… and the worst.
The high-pressure world of competitive sport has been shaken over the years by a series of major scandals. Involving drugs, sex, violence, money or pure and simple cheating, these incidents have ruined reputations, fuelled suspicions and shocked loyal supporters. Highlighting some of the most memorable cases from around the world, Norman Ferguson explores both recent and historic instances of dishonesty, betrayal and outrageous unsporting behaviour.
Over 35 scandals, including:
How cancer-survivor Lance Armstrong deceived his fans and cheated his way to seven Tour de France victories The World Cup bidding processes that brought the FBI to FIFA’s door Figure skater Tonya Harding’s sinister plot to break the leg of her rival, Nancy Kerrigan

Tips and ideas for wild nights in the woods


Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first time sleeping under the stars, this pocket-sized book, packed with tips and advice on what gear you need, where to pitch up, how to perform basic first aid and much, much more, will be your essential guide to surviving and having fun in the great outdoors.

Embrace the power of the divine in this beginner’s guide to some of mythology’s fiercest females and most legendary ladies

Across thousands of years and countless civilizations, goddesses have been a powerful presence. Whether as leaders, mothers, warriors or lovers, these indomitable divinities have always been able to fascinate and seduce us.

This pocket guide offers readers an engaging and accessible introduction to a selection of the most powerful and influential goddesses throughout ancient and modern history, retelling their stories and celebrating their awesome abilities. Each profile includes a concise history of the goddess and her origins, a summary of her main powers, a look at the goddess in myth and popular culture and an exploration of her best attributes.
Learn about the Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war; Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of pleasure and protection; the beautiful Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, and many others.

Let yourself be inspired and empowered by tales of feminine power, strength and wisdom in this pocketbook of dazzling deities.

There are so many important decisions to make about how we must adapt our lifestyles to reverse climate change, but where do we start?

From your first steps toward living sustainably all the way to going zero-waste, this book is here to help you find solutions to all your climate conundrums by taking inspiration from a true eco-warrior.

If we each approach the climate emergency in the same way as Greta, we can all live a planet-friendly life and enjoy a brighter future.

Did you know…

…that the oldest tree in Wales is a yew in Llangernyw in Conwy, thought to be around 4,000 years old?

… that London is one of only three cities worldwide to have hosted both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games?

… that Ebenezer Place in Wick, Caithness, is officially recognised as the shortest street in the world, at a mere 206 cm (81 in.) in length?

From a Scottish waterfall three times the height of Niagara Falls to the last foreign invasion of Britain and the birthplace of the first Oscar-winning Welshman, The British Isles: A Trivia Gazetteer brings together hundreds of remarkable facts and feats each pertaining to a different location from across Britain and Ireland. As much an accessible and informative reference book as it is an entertaining miscellany, it aims to expand our knowledge of these extraordinary islands while uncovering and celebrating some of their most remarkable people and places.

From Dark Peak on the Pennine Way in Derbyshire to the misty Malverns in Worcestershire and Milk Hill on the Mid-Wilts Way, walking the county high points provides the perfect opportunity for ramblers to experience the English countryside. An indefatigable walker, David Bathurst has unlaced his boots to produce this unique companion to the country’s most rewarding hilltop trails. His appreciation of the beauty and history of the British countryside and his light-hearted style will appeal to experienced and novice walkers alike.

If you want to know your ichthyosaur from your iguanodon, and your belemnites from your brachiopods, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of palaeontology

Life as we know it now has a long history, buried beneath the ground. Palaeontology is the science of fossilized animals and plants, using discoveries of ancient lifeforms to uncover secrets of the past. From giant dinosaurs, to ammonites, to the first ever humans, explore the greatest findings in palaeontology in this pocket-sized introduction.

The Little Book of Palaeontology includes:
– The key palaeontological discoveries over the past 400 years, including the dinosaur found complete with intricate scales, and the largest fossil ever uncovered
– Profiles of influential palaeontologists such as Jack Horner, Dong Zhiming and Mary Anning
– What we have learnt about the lives of ancient creatures and how they became extinct
– The big questions about the prehistoric world that palaeontologists are trying to answer today

This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how life evolved. Look through this window to the past and learn about our prehistoric ancestors and the creatures of a bygone age.

The sun is out. The temperature is soaring. And you are starving. If these factors don’t give you a valid licence to grill, then what does?! (NB: a BBQ in winter is totally acceptable, too!)

Whether you are hosting a large gathering or you want to whip up something quick and easy for one, this book covers all BBQ bases, including:
– Meat, fish and veggie grills – raise your culinary game with BBQ pulled pork and creamy slaw burgers, grilled squid with a Thai dipping sauce, and mixed vegetable and seitan skewers, to name just a few!
– Sauces, marinades and rubs – heighten the flavours of your food with BBQ and whisky glaze, homemade mayonnaise, Cajun rub, and much much more!
– Side dishes – serve up some old favourites and new delights, such as chargrilled aubergine and quinoa salad, cheesy Portobello mushrooms and classic egg mayonnaise.
– Sweet treats – top off the feast with some delicious desserts, including s’mores and grilled fruit kebabs.

It’s time to don your apron, fuel the flames and get grilling!

An exhilarating and deeply moving story of one man’s attempt to sea kayak the areas of the Shipping Forecast, perfect for fans of The Salt Path and Attention All Shipping

Foreword by Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping

The Shipping Forecast has been described as the UK’s national lullaby: a source of dependability and calm in our often chaotic world, it has charmed millions of listeners and aided generations of seafarers across the decades. No stranger to weathering a storm after living with a rare life-limiting condition and facing the death of his brother, avid kayaker Toby Carr set out to explore the areas of the Forecast.

On a journey that took him to the harshest and most tranquil stretches of our sea, Toby found the real people, places and stories behind the familiar names and imagined environments of the well-loved BBC broadcast. From the wildness and peace of the sea, looking back at the land, Toby hoped to gain the strength and balance he knew nature could provide and to discover what anchors us to each other.

Written by Toby’s sister Katie from his extensive notes and recordings after his untimely death, Moderate Becoming Good Later is both an epic adventure – sometimes choppy, constantly moving – and a personal voyage of discovery that includes old friends and new, plenty of wildlife, and the ever-present sea.

How do you want to change your life?

Every day is a fresh start, just bursting with opportunities. This book will show you how to fire up each day with positivity and passion, and reinvent your downtime to make it work for you. Inject some magic into your mornings, make your days more fulfilling and more productive, and set yourself on course to achieve your dreams – and all in just five minutes! It’s everything you need to make your day – and your life – spectacular.

Unlock your unconscious, record your dreams and reveal their hidden meanings. All you need is this journal, a pen and a good night’s sleep.

As Freud famously said, dreams are the royal road to the unconscious. But before we set foot on that path, we need to know why we dream and how we can read them.

Packed with suggestions, facts and advice on all things dream-related, this book will be your essential guide to help you:
– Improve your dream recall
– Learn the basics of dream interpretation
– Identify common dream symbols and concepts
– Understand your dreams and their meanings
– Explore themes and imagery in your dreams

It also provides plenty of space to chronicle your visions and includes a range of quotes from some of the biggest dream experts and philosophers to help you reflect on your visions and interpret them with greater confidence.

It’s time to puff up the pillows, slip into a deep slumber and have sweet dreams!

Help your kids get off their screens and get moving!

For kids aged 4-11 to help them learn why being active is good for you and instil healthy habits that will last a lifetime

On your marks, get set… it’s time to get busy!
We all know that being active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and it can be brilliant fun too!

Busy Bodies contains 52 illustrated cards each with a simple challenge or sporty activity to get kids moving and thinking about their physical and mental health. Each card also contains an interesting fact to help kids learn why different activities can be good for you.

The set includes a 16-page booklet with useful tips for parents and carers with information on how much exercise is expected of the age range, a chart showing the different types of exercise grouped into the main categories – strength-building, heart health, coordination and agility, flexibility – and recipes for some healthy post-activity snacks.

‘One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.’


Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own


Prepare your senses for a feast of delicious food scenes in literature accompanied with recipes to bring them to life in your very own kitchen, including Turkish delight Edmund wouldn’t be able to resist, roast goose the Cratchits would be proud of and cucumber sandwiches Algernon would be loath to share.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys spending their days with a book in one hand and a saucepan in the other.

This captivating collection of puzzles and trivia, exploring the world’s weirdest events and crazy conspiracies, is sure to set your mind reeling

Test your knowledge of US presidents with fiendish trivia questions
Solve clues to discover how the CIA allegedly control their subjects
Help the reptilian find the right path to its royal throne

Discover some of the most perplexing mysteries that have bewildered humankind for centuries! Dive deep into this entertaining book, where the most enduring conspiracy theories are reimagined as puzzles.

From crosswords and counting conundrums to spot the differences and sudoku, whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy obsessive, there’s plenty in these pages to sharpen your mind and have you believing the impossible.

Inside you will find a variety of puzzles, including:
– Spot the difference between two Illuminati symbols
– Find the names of the politicians who are secretly controlling us within word searches
– Shuffle the letters of anagrams to identify the names of paranormal beings
– Figure out what happened during the most mysterious unexplained events throughout history

We need bees. And they need us.

This small, informative and engaging guide to these terrific, tiny creatures will captivate and inspire readers of all ages.

Discover the fascinating story of these marvels of nature with this perfect pocket guide, here to celebrate all things bee. Learn about their beehaviours, why they are under threat and how they are essential to our existence. From tips to help identify different species to bee habitats and folklore, this is the ideal companion for any bee lover looking to protect the future of our furry little friends.

Inside you’ll find:

– Fascinating facts about all kinds of bees (did you know there are over 20,000 different species?)
– The essential place bees hold in our ecosystem and the countless benefits we gain from their existence
– Positive steps we can all take to tackle the serious decline of these incredible insects
– A variety of recipes and crafts, from easy honey cake to eco-friendly beeswax wraps