Search Results for: General Interest

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.

The world is full of Black heroes whose talent, strength and vision should inspire us all. From sporting greats and pioneering writers to world leaders, this collection showcases empowering quotes and life advice from amazing Black icons, from Michelle Obama to Maya Angelou, and from Martin Luther King Jr to Ta-Nehisi Coates and Stormzy. Their wise words are a timeless reminder to break down barriers and believe in ourselves, as we stride in the direction of our dreams.

Kindness matters

When times are hard, we pull together. Despite the difficulties of life during the coronavirus pandemic, love and kindness prevail.

Dive into this heart-warming book and discover the many uplifting and inspiring acts of kindness that have come from the crisis. Read about the postman who donned fancy dress while doing his rounds to bring a smile to his community, the mum who set up a virtual story time for young children, or the schools that worked together to manufacture face masks for local care homes and hospitals.

The coronavirus crisis may be a challenging time for the world, but the amazing stories in this book show that nobody is too small to make a difference – and that, no matter what, we can always find light in the darkness.

Life isn’t perfect, but dogs certainly make it better

Meet the incredible dogs in this inspiring collection of true stories, championing the often underestimated role of man’s best friend

– Daisy, the tiny Dachshund who put her life on the line to save her humans from a bear.
– Charco, the veteran sniffer dog who has saved countless human lives, and yet still keeps his tail wagging.
– Delta, the dog who died trying to protect her young owner from a volcano – after already having saved his life three times.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that dogs are pretty great. But when it comes to facing peril, these loyal creatures always seem willing to step up to the mark and become true doggy heroes. Whether they’re saving humans from dangerous people or situations, helping the sick, fighting crime or just following their animal instincts to do good, the true stories featured in this expanded and updated collection prove that dogs aren’t just man’s best friend – they’re also inspirational, courageous and selfless companions to us all.

Belief system or brainwashing? Captivated or captive? Community or cult? Uncover stories of the world’s most infamous cults in this true crime compendium…

Building spacecrafts to transport humans to a new plane of existence, kidnapping children to create a master race that would survive the apocalypse, murdering innocent people to secure a place in the afterlife… these only scratch the surface of the strange, sinister and shocking world of cults.

Throughout history, cult groups have formed across the globe, promising followers freedom, family and fortune. In reality, religious, destructive and doomsday cults capture, coerce and control people. From mass murders to child marriages, polygamy to life insurance policies, blackmail to sex bait, discover the cruelty and curiosities of cults in this illuminating anthology.

Filled with stories of the world’s most notorious cults, this book details their origins, beliefs, leaders, followers and victims, and uncovers the unthinkable horrors hidden by these “utopian” societies.

Whether you’re new to the subject or looking to expand on your knowledge, discover the truth behind the world’s killer and criminal cults in this gripping compendium.

Do you ever feel seriously bored? This awesome activity book for puzzle-solving adults is here to inject some fun into your day!

When the weather’s miserable, there’s nothing good on TV and you’ve already spent the last two hours scrolling through the entirety of your social media feed, you need another way to entertain yourself. Luckily, this fun-filled puzzle book is packed with amusing activities and tremendous trivia designed to cure any case of boredom, whether mild, moderate or severe.

This book contains a whole host of activities, including crosswords, mazes, word searches, dot-to-dots, spot-the-differences and much more. And for the quiz lovers, there’s also plenty of fascinating trivia to boost your general knowledge and impress your friends.

So make yourself a hot drink and share a night in with Bored As F*ck Puzzle Book for a jam-packed session of quizzing and puzzle-solving. With this book’s entertaining and eclectic mix of games and puzzles, you’ll never again suffer another tedious afternoon of twiddling your thumbs.

Made with melanin and magic

There is no one quite like you. Your strengths are unique and your future is full of wonder. It’s time to tap in to your confidence and express your true self boldly.

This little book is packed with empowering words from women of colour whose self-belief has seen them achieve awesome things. From Wilma Rudolph and Lupita Nyong’o to Ida B. Wells and Malala Yousafzai, these inspiring icons will help you love yourself a little more and own your story.

Swapping his beret for a chef’s hat, Neil Sinclair, author of the bestselling Commando Dad: Basic Training, is back.

Bursting with simple, healthy recipes, his cookbook will help dads:
– Learn – and teach their young troops – essential culinary skills
– Shop smart and make the budget go further
– Make nutritious meals for the whole unit
– Cook in the great outdoors – everything from setting the fire to a proper camp clean-up

Discover the tried-and-tested Commando Dad approach to feeding the family and enlist support from the troops, helping them to learn culinary skills that will last a lifetime.

Together, we can change the world

There is little doubt that our beautiful planet is now under huge threat; our weather is more extreme, plastic litters our oceans, industrial production and farming methods wreak havoc on the environment and mass deforestation has led to the extinction of many species.

Carry on this way and it’s almost certain that sea levels will continue to rise, there will be extreme heatwaves, loss of the polar ice caps and mass pollution; in short, a very worrying future for us all. We need to take action before it’s too late, and we can all do our bit to help.

This guide is full of simple tips we can all incorporate into our daily lives, and will demonstrate how small eco-friendly changes can have a huge positive effect on the world around us. They might even save the planet.

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that people love parks

As horizons shrank, we took stock. At first, a sense of panic set in: nowhere to go, nothing to do…

Then we all went to the park, and we realized something: we need greenery – we crave it.

Whether we’re in Colombia or Korea, America or Australia, urban parks are places where we can find calm amid the chaos. They can also (more often than we may realize) conceal intriguing hidden histories, and can tell us something about modern life in our frenzied world, too.

With fondness and humour, travel writer Tom Chesshyre recalls 50 of his favourite urban parks from across the world, in a love letter to the green escapes that bring us joy in our cities.

When you’re stuck at your desk day after day, do you find yourself daydreaming about a glamorous occupation, such as a racing driver, an astronaut or a stunt double? The adrenaline rush and prestige of these extreme jobs is one thing, but have you ever considered the practicalities?

This compelling book unravels the mysteries and exposes the pitfalls of the world’s most dangerous jobs, giving a fascinating insight into the working lives of those who regularly stare death in the face rather than the usual mounds of paperwork.

You’ll be prepped and ready to live life on the edge!

Paula Reid has completed 92 things on her list of things to do before she dies, including sailing around the world, walking on hot coals, paddling the Mekong and the Thames, and diving with great white sharks! She is also a successful coach and leadership trainer, with testimonials from numerous multinational companies. She lives in London.

What seems to be the problem?

Your job is rewarding, but if you’re going to be faced with the horrors of the human body, you’re going to need survival skills:
Think positively: At least you aren’t suffering from these ailments. Well, not yet…
Reassure yourself: One day you will be able to retire – assuming you survive that long.

This mischievous little book will help see you through your years as a doctor with tongue-in-cheek advice and cheeky illustrations.

From the best-selling author of The Hedgerow Apothecary, The Garden Apothecary and The Hedgerow Apothecary Forager’s Handbook

Learn the sustainable and ethical art of the apothecarist with this beautiful photographic guide to working with herbs and spices to make healing remedies and delicious recipes.

Discover the fascinating properties and therapeutic benefits of everyday ingredients found in herb gardens and kitchen cupboards.

For centuries, herbalists and healers have looked to nature for remedies and have made salves, toddies, teas, balms and preserves as cures for common ailments and to add piquant aromas and flavours to dishes – and now you can too.

Inside you will find:
– Photographs to help you safely identify edible plants
– Advice on what is available in each season
– Guidance on how best to grow, prepare and preserve your herbs and spices
– Useful herbal remedies and delicious recipes to try
– The fascinating folklore and history of these majestic aromatic plants

Who hasn’t dreamt of writing a bestseller?
Illuminating the best-known works of 50 celebrated authors, writing coach Tony Rossiter shows you exactly how they achieved their phenomenal success. With an expert eye he explains how each author began writing, and examines their style, techniques and routine for insights into their art.
Imitating the methods – rather than the content – of a favourite writer is an excellent apprenticeship for anyone who wants to master the craft of writing. And it’s how many of the most successful authors began. If you want to write a bestseller, this guide will set you on the path to success.

Did you know…
Shakespeare is the most filmed author of all time: he’s been credited on more than 1,000 movies and TV shows. ‘Obscene’, ‘gloomy’, ‘fashionable’ and ‘generous’ are among the countless new words that Shakespeare introduced. (Actually, ‘countless’ is one of his too.) It’s also because of the Bard that we say ‘catch a cold’, ‘naked truth’ and ‘green-eyed monster’.  Almost all the moons of Uranus are named after characters from Shakespeare, including Titania, Oberon and Puck? For further fascinating insights, dive into this masterful miscellany and become a Shakespeare buff.
There’s never been a better time to take a fresh look at William Shakespeare’s eternal works. A treasure trove of wit, imagination and emotion, his plays and poems continue to surprise, inspire, console and delight us. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of the Bard or a curious newcomer to his world, this companion will lift the curtain on the unforgettable characters and stories of Britain’s greatest dramatist.

Have you ever wondered who fired the first British shot of World War One? Or who claimed the glory of downing the Red Baron? And what has Winnie the Pooh got to do with it all?

Telling the stories of the battles, the aircraft, the weapons, the soldiers, the poets, the campaigns and the many heroes, Norman Ferguson delves deep into the history of the ‘Great War’. Through anecdotes and statistics, and drawing on letters, speeches and official reports, this comprehensive miscellany is a compelling guide to a war that transformed and marked forever the course of twentieth-century history.

Discover the true tales of extraordinary felines with this heart-warming and inspirational collection, perfect for fans of A Streetcat Named Bob and Nala’s World

Meet some of the world’s most incredible real-life cat heroes in this awesome compendium of true stories, including:
– Scarlett, the brave mother who went into a burning building five times to rescue her kittens.
– Emily, the cat who survived an epic journey across the Atlantic trapped in a shipping container from America to France.
– Oscar, the care-home cat who predicts when residents are about to pass on and comforts them in their final hours.

Whether they’re testing the boundaries of their nine lives or demonstrating unusual talents, cats are always full of surprises. In Super Cats, prepare to meet the most surprising of all.

From loyal companions who put their lives at risk to help others to intuitive cats who detected danger when no one else did, these extraordinary felines will capture your heart and make you marvel at their astonishing powers.

You don’t need a huge space to have a beautiful garden! 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 indoor and outdoor plants.

Have you ever been curious about gardening, but lacked an outdoor space? Or are you a pro gardener looking for your next creative horticultural challenge? Then this book is for you!

Whether you want to attract local pollinators, grow a handy collection of herbs for your kitchen, create a relaxing indoor oasis, or enjoy the simple pleasure of watching something grow, My Tiny Window Garden is bursting with tips and ideas to help you get started. You will find:

The basics of micro-gardening
– Troubleshooting tips
– Plant profiles to help you choose what to grow
– Craft ideas to help you style your plants

Perfect for both budding gardeners and seasoned experts looking for seeds of inspiration, this book will hone your green fingers and help you cultivate your very own tiny window garden.

Do you aspire to master the art of the perfect burger?
To make DIY disasters a thing of the past?
To discover ingenious ways to keep the kids entertained and make cleaning up after them a breeze?
LIFE HACKS FOR DADS is your handy guide to making your daily life that little bit easier. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from keeping your car door wonderfully dent-free to perfecting your Frisbee throw, and much, much more.

Everyday life is a battle that must be fought against the boomers, and OK Boomer is the ultimate comeback! This is the lethal weapon we millennial and Gen Zs have been waiting for. It’s the verbal eye-roll we need for the out-of-touch generation who just don’t appreciate avocado and rosé. This amusing little book will advise you when”OK Boomer” can best be deployed, along with tips on recognizing the boomer and understanding their outdated sayings.

This pocket-sized collection of helpful guidance and satisfying recipes will help students eat well and affordably

Every student needs to fill their belly as well as their brain. But even if you can barely make toast, this starter guide to killing it in the kitchen will give you what you need to succeed.

From the very basics through to more adventurous dishes, whether you’re a vegan or an omnivore, these recipes are budget-friendly, super tasty and easy to make.

Inside, along with plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, you’ll find:

– Basic, easy-to-follow advice on what you need to start cooking
– Breakfast recipes and smoothies
– Soups and starters
– Mains and salads
– Snacks and midnight cravings
– Sweet treats and desserts
And the reliable recipes in these pages include the following dishes and many more:

– Spaghetti Bolognese
– Garlic bread
– Pork or vegetable stir-fry
– Teriyaki salmon
– Chicken curry
– Avocado salad
– Chocolate brownies
– Low-fat banana muffins

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.

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.

This accessible introduction to sacred geometry illuminates the beauty and power of nature and explains how we can draw on this mystical energy to enrich our everyday lives

Sacred geometry is founded on the belief that everything is connected through the shapes and symmetries that we see repeated in nature all around us, from snowflakes and shells to crystals and honeycombs. These beautiful patterns are part of the mystic architecture of the universe – some even see them as the signature of a deity woven throughout creation.

This beginner’s guide clearly explains what sacred geometry is and how it manifests in the natural world. Then, by learning how to harness the power of sacred shapes, you can find healing, energy, peace and oneness with the universe.

The Little Book of Sacred Geometry will help you appreciate the cosmic significance of these principles and grasp fascinating insights such as:
– How the study of sacred geometry has developed since ancient times
– What the numerous sacred shapes look like
– What key concepts, such as the golden ratio, refer to
– How sacred geometrical practices can be applied in your life