Search Results for: General Interest

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.

Have you ever wondered…
What year Alfred Hitchcock released his first film? Which film made the biggest box office loss of all time? Who were the first actors to receive separate Oscars for playing the same role? This fascinating miscellany contains the answers to all this and more!
Packed with profiles of the heroes and villains of film, explorations of genre, statistics and infographics, Cinema is perfect for any movie buff who loves the storytelling magic of the silver screen.
 

Aviation security expert Philip Baum delves into the archives to reveal the stories behind the most astonishing and shocking crimes in aviation history, calling on real-life testimonies from hijackers, crew members, passengers and politicians. The human stories behind the criminal attacks that have plagued aviation since 1911 are detailed in this authoritative and thrilling account of aviation security history, from the legendary hijacks by left-wing and Palestinian groups of the twentieth century, to the more recent suicide attacks carried out by fundamentalists and the psychologically disturbed.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is a badass woman? Whatever the heck she wants to be! Dive head first into this sassy little book filled with empowering tips and kick-ass quotes.

A badass woman is someone who follows her own path, whatever that path may be. She speaks up for what she believes in, she pursues her dreams and she isn’t afraid to stay true to herself.

This book will give you all the tools you need to unleash your inner badass. Whether you want to say “no” more often, have the courage to take up physical space or free yourself from the goal of “being likable”, these pages are brimming with tips to help you rip up society’s rule-book and go your own way.

The chapters include advice on:
– Strengthening your self-confidence
– Standing up for what you want
– Going after your goals
– Lifting up and empowering other women

Whether you want to conquer the world with grit, grace or a little bit of both, The Book for Badass Women will help you on your way to being your truest, most badass self. You got this!

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.

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.

Who says unicorns aren’t real?
Life’s never dull when you have a unicorn by your side. These sparkly friends bring magic into our lives, from the tips of their magical horns to the swishy ends of their rainbow tails. Enter the awesomely cute world of unicorns, and whatever anyone says – don’t stop believing!

Laura was a self-certified couch potato who, until a few years ago, could only run for a couple of minutes at a time, and couldn’t swim. She has now completed several marathons and is a committed triathlete.
But Laura couldn’t have achieved what she has without the advice and support of her friend Katie. A life-long runner, fair-weather cyclist and born-again swimmer, Katie helped Laura through the ups and downs of training for a triathlon. As well as surmounting fears of failure and, more importantly, Laura’s fears of drowning in the swim start, their triathlon journey gave them the opportunity to push their limits and have fun along the way.
Tricurious tells Laura’s and Katie’s story with energy and humour. Filled with anecdotes and advice about the trials and tribulations of preparing for a triathlon, this inspiring book will answer your questions and leave you curious to experience the joy (and pain) of swim, bike, run.

This book brings together some of the most weird and wonderful true – and not-so-true – tales that will confound, delight and amuse. Together with an amazing selection of unbelievable facts, Bullshit will reliably inform you about the real colour of hippo’s milk (pink), the human–banana DNA split (50:50), why a dismembered member caused a road closure in the UK and much more.

This beautiful collection of poetry and prose through the seasons rhapsodises on the spectacle of colour and everything green and flourishing in the garden. The perfect book for a moment’s reflection, whether you are cooped up on a rainy day in your potting shed or admiring the fruits of your labour on a sunny evening from the pergola.

Losing weight has become the modern woman’s holy grail… everything will be better when we’re thin.

We’re obsessed with weight, we dislike our bodies, we worry about the food we eat, we feel guilty, we diet… Too many of us are locked into a war with our own bodies which we’ll never win, and which will never make us happy.

The Ministry of Thin takes a controversial, unflinching look at how the modern obsession with weight loss, youth, beauty and perfection got out of control. Emma Woolf, author of An Apple a Day, explores how we might all be able to stop hating and start liking our own bodies again. And she dares to ask: if losing weight is the answer, what is the question?

Life doesn’t need to be a struggle. Letting go is the strongest thing I’ve ever done…

‘A practical and heartfelt guide to healing for anyone who has suffered from low self-esteem, a lack of confidence, or disordered eating. Woolf writes with intelligence, wisdom and compassion for a generation of women battling an enduring media onslaught of perfectionism. The fightback continues.’
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, The Vagenda

‘Psychology, philosophy and personal growth marvellously rolled into one, Letting Go is a must-read. This book shows us how to develop inner confidence, open new doors, and rediscover joy and meaning in our lives.’
Deanne Jade, psychologist and founder of the National Centre For Eating Disorders

‘Letting Go is not about giving up, but about letting freedom in. This brave and personal account shows us that the path to true liberation is through embracing our true selves, however flawed we fear they might be.’
Sally Brampton, author of Shoot the Damn Dog and columnist for Top Santé and Psychologies

‘A timely reminder that though we may take ourselves for granted at times, self-care is a divine responsibility. In Woolf’s intimately personal yet relatable voice, Letting Go empowers us to accept both the role of wounded and healer.’
Caroline Kent, Telegraph journalist

‘Gutsy and engaging, Letting Go combines research and real-life advice on fulfilling your inner potential and building self-belief… Woolf’s latest book is highly recommended.’
Tim Weeks, Olympic trainer

‘Emma Woolf is the voice of friendly sanity; she is the warm, assured hand that reaches out and grasps yours. A wonderfully helpful book.’
Kate Long, author of The Bad Mother’s Handbook

Exploring the issues of love, loss, healing and happiness, this manifesto for freedom from one of feminism’s liveliest voices will guide you on the path to feeling newly, truly confident.

From Sergeant Stubby to Antis the radar dog, meet the heroic hounds who put their lives on the line in this inspiring compendium of real-life war dog stories

We all know that a dog is a human’s best friend, but they are even more than that. The truth is that these courageous canines have been a lifeline for us during some of the toughest times in history. In fact, we might not be where we are today without them.

Filled with inspirational tales, this book is a moving tribute to the noble war dogs who supported their human comrades throughout the world’s most challenging conflicts. Whether serving as sentries, messengers or trackers, the dogs within these stories all share three things in common: bravery, intelligence and unwavering loyalty. Many of their efforts were rewarded with medals and titles at the time, but it is their legacies that will live on forever in our hearts. So, dive in to discover just how special, unique and essential to us our four-legged friends really are.

Have you ever wondered…
How the Navy and the Marines came to be ‘royal’? How Samuel Pepys helped professionalise the Navy while at the same time penning his famous diary. What the origins of everyday expressions like ‘toeing the line’, ‘showing
your true colours’ and ‘piping-hot food’ are? Marvel at the magnificent vessels that have always been the backbone of the force, from the Tudor warship Mary Rose to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy. Pay homage to the acclaimed naval heroes and the impressive battles that make up its illustrious history, from the Battle of Gravelines which saw off the Spanish Armada to the two world wars of the twentieth century and beyond, via the sea battles of the Napoleonic Wars. And learn about the remarkable people who serve in the Navy’s ranks today as its beating heart, in roles as widespread as conflict-prevention, counternarcotics, counter-piracy and humanitarian and disaster relief, ensuring that the Senior Service will retain its reputation for excellence for generations to come.

Step into the enchanting world of British and Irish folklore with this captivating introduction to the myth and magic of old

Folklore brings to life mythical creatures, fantastical knights and formidable spirits, and passes these stories down through the generations. From the famous Arthurian legends to monsters, sprites and faeries, The Little Book of Folklore explores the magical and mystical tales that have shaped the British Isles. Filled with stories of iconic characters like Robin Hood and Merlin, as well as lesser-known tales of the Green Man, giants and witches, this book is a beginner’s guide to this world of intrigue and wonder.

As well as the stories themselves, this beautiful little book also explores:
– Modern customs and traditions grounded in folklore, such as May Day and Halloween
– The deep connection between folklore and nature
– The historical context surrounding folklore and the insight it gives us into the beliefs of British and Irish people in times gone by

Discover the captivating stories behind the history of the British Isles and go on a journey through this land of myth and legend.

In this easy-to-follow book, Wendy Green explains how food intolerances, gut infections, bacterial imbalance, stress and hormones contribute to IBS, and offers practical advice and a holistic approach to help you deal with the symptoms. From simple dietary and lifestyle changes to DIY complementary therapies, find out 50 things you can do today to help you cope
with IBS, including:




Identify your IBS triggers and learn how to manage them


Choose beneficial foods and supplements


Manage stress and relax to reduce flare-ups


Learn which types of exercise can help to relieve symptoms


Find helpful organisations and products