Search Results for: General Interest

The best things in life are free!

It’s possible to enjoy fun-packed days without it costing you a fortune – or anything at all! Let the suggestions in this book inspire you to live out some amazing experiences without spending a thing. Bursting with ideas for cost-free activities, tips to help you live more economically, and pages for you to record your adventures, this book is the ultimate guide to thrifty fun.

Bringing together inspiring quotes, superfan-level facts and a treasure trove of trivia, this little book is your backstage pass to the enchanting world of Taylor Swift

Whether it’s the relatable lyrics, the cathartic bridges or the songwriting genius behind it all, there’s just something about Taylor’s music that has captivated a global fandom. No matter what era you’re in, her resilience, determination and unique talent for storytelling will encourage you to stand tall, speak now and define your own reputation.

Exploring her extraordinary journey from a small-town girl to one of the most successful and empowered artists of the twenty-first century, A Little Bit of Taylor Swift features:

– A powerful dose of fearless words from the woman herself
– Insights into her personal life and illustrious career
– Trivia to test even the most avid addict

This heartfelt homage to Taylor, her fans and our enduring love story will make the perfect gift for any Swiftie.

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.

Tackle imposter syndrome with this practical and supportive guide: it’s time to ditch self-doubt and realize your true worth!

Do you constantly doubt your abilities?
Do you often feel like you don’t belong?
Are you convinced you’re a fraud and will eventually be found out?

If the answer to these questions is yes, yes, and most definitely yes, you’re not alone – a recent study revealed that 70 per cent of people will experience imposter syndrome at some point in their life. Constantly doubting yourself and feeling like you don’t deserve success, whether it’s in your professional or personal life, can take its toll on your well-being, so it’s important to confront your feelings and take steps to rid yourself of your doubts and fears.

Find out exactly what imposter syndrome is, how to identify it, and – most important of all – how to overcome it, with this helpful and supportive guide. Inside you’ll find:
– Practical tips on how to cope when your inner imposter takes over
– Fascinating information on the five types of imposters; from the perfectionist to the superhero, imposter syndrome manifests in different ways
– Inspiring quotes to build self-belief
– Simple tricks to boost your confidence
– Empowering affirmations to keep negative thinking at bay

If you’re intrigued by the question “What makes us human?”, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of anthropology

From the first steps of our prehistoric ancestors, to the development of complex languages, to the intricacies of religions and cultures across the world, diverse factors have shaped the human species as we know it. Anthropology strives to untangle this fascinating web of history to work out who we were in the past, what that means for human beings today and who we might be tomorrow.

This pocket-sized introduction includes accessible primers on:
– Influential anthropologists such as Franz Boas, Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict
– The key branches of anthropology, from physical and linguistic anthropology to archaeology
– How anthropologists study topics such as communication, identity, sex and gender, religion and culture
– How we can approach one of life’s most enduring questions: what is it that truly makes us human?

This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand the development of human beings, and how our history has informed the way we live today. A perfect gift for anyone taking their first steps into the world of anthropology, as well as for those who want to brush up their knowledge.

There’s more to being vegan than eating your greens…

A plant-based diet is the foundation of a vegan lifestyle, but you can do so much more to incorporate a cruelty-free approach into everyday life. Vegan Life highlights the simple, achievable ways you can show kindness to animals – and to the environment – not just with your choice of food but with the household products, clothing and cosmetics you buy too.

With tips on how to reliably spot vegan goods when shopping, DIY ideas for making your own organic cosmetic and cleaning products and, of course, essential recipes for delicious vegan food, this book makes it easy to live more ethically.

Dogs can be boisterous, obedient, loyal and downright lazy! This book, which brings together stories, tips, trivia, quotations and poetry celebrating all the fascinating features of the dog, is for anyone whose tail starts wagging at the thought of relaxing with a good read and a warm, cuddly canine at their feet.

A book for bike lovers.
Whether for transport, leisure or sporting endeavour, cycling supports and inspires millions across the globe. This fact-filled miscellany looks at biking from its origins through to its remarkable scope and status in the present day. Covering cycling’s great races, athletes and anecdotes, Ride also provides practical tips on how to maintain your bike and improve your riding.

A revised and updated edition of the bestselling guide to all things Ambridge, For the Love of the Archers contains extensive all-new content that will keep any fan of the show enlightened and entertained.

It’s been over 70 years since the familiar dum-di-dum-didum-di-dum of “Barwick Green” first brought The Archers to our airwaves, and in that time millions of listeners have followed the everyday lives of country folk in Ambridge.

Bringing together a wealth of fascinating facts, amusing insights and expert trivia about characters, controversies and country customs in one handy volume – now fully revised and updated to include recent developments – this companion is the perfect gift for avid addicts and keen newcomers alike.

Long-time Archers super-fan Beth Miller will be your highly engaging guide to every aspect of radio’s most enduring drama, including the following recurring features:

– Welcome to Ambridge takes you on a tour of all the key locations
– Meet the Characters profiles all your favourite personalities
– Memorable Moments celebrates some of the most entertaining and emotional episodes
– Gone But Not Forgotten remembers the dearly departed
– Quiz Night at the Bull tests your knowledge of the programme at regular intervals
For all this and much more, dive into this incredible miscellany and become a true Ambridge expert.

‘There are few things in life more heart-warming than to be welcomed by a cat.’
Tay Hohoff
They’re intelligent, inquisitive, regal and daft. The smallest thing can spark their curious natures, they’re always there for the times you need an extra cuddle, and with their soulful eyes and velvety paws, it’s no wonder that cats are one of our most beloved animals.
Packed with fascinating facts and trivia, heart-warming stories and inspiring quotes, For the Love of Cats is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of a purring feline companion.

‘To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden.’
Milan Kundera
Far above and beyond their loyalty and devotion, we love dogs all the more for their individual quirks and personalities – the funny sideways look they give you when you talk, the face-lick when you’re sad, the way they will chase a glimmer of light and yet stubbornly refuse to fetch a ball…
Packed with fascinating facts and trivia, heart-warming stories and inspiring quotes, For the Love of Dogs is perfect for anyone who values the trusty companionship of their favourite pooch.

The world is yours to explore

The great outdoors is the beating heart of our world, but modern life is pulling us ever further away from it. Spending our time shut away indoors and hunched over screens, we’ve lost touch with nature, and it’s harming our health and our happiness. But it’s never too late to find our way back.

This book will help you find a way of reconnecting with the great outdoors. Whether you like to walk, run or swim, admire the wildlife or forage for wild foods, within these pages there will be something to inspire you to get out into the fresh air and reignite your sense of wonder at the world around you. Nature is a balm for the body and soul, so escape the pace of the everyday and set yourself free: get out there, find adventure, and go wild!

Endless work deadlines, family and social responsibilities, runaway to-do lists, FOMO… do you ever wish you could press the pause button to catch a breath?

Discover ways to slow down time with this invaluable guide to slow living. It will not only boost your physical and mental well-being but enrich your relationships and help you to reconnect with what’s really important.

With practical advice on self-care, breathing techniques, mindfulness, ethical living and eating, and how best to cultivate quiet moments every day, Slow is your companion to a happier, calmer you.

A wittily illustrated collection of incredible facts, perfect for lovers of strange-but-true trivia

What a weird and wonderful world we live in. Countries banning letters of the alphabet, the accidental teabag, and have you ever wondered how much horsepower a horse actually has? Well, you’ll be amazed and amused by the revelations and illustrations inside this book of fascinating facts – I shit you not.

From bestselling author and professional brain-teaser Hugh Jassburn, this quick-fire collection of unbelievable truths includes such insights as:

– A strawberry is not technically a berry, but a banana is
– There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia as people
– Baby tiger sharks eat each other in the womb until only one or two sharks are born
– 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
A superb addition to anyone’s bedside table or 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.

A revised and updated edition of the bestselling guide to all things Ambridge, For the Love of the Archers contains extensive all-new content that will keep any fan of the show enlightened and entertained.
It’s been over 70 years since the familiar dum-di-dum-didum-di-dum of “Barwick Green” first brought The Archers to our airwaves, and in that time millions of listeners have followed the everyday lives of country folk in Ambridge.
Bringing together a wealth of fascinating facts, amusing insights and expert trivia about characters, controversies and country customs in one handy volume – now fully revised and updated to include recent developments – this companion is the perfect gift for avid addicts and keen newcomers alike.
Long-time Archers super-fan Beth Miller will be your highly engaging guide to every aspect of radio’s most enduring drama, including the following recurring features:
Welcome to Ambridge takes you on a tour of all the key locations Meet the Characters profiles all your favourite personalities Memorable Moments celebrates some of the most entertaining and emotional episodes Gone But Not Forgotten remembers the dearly departed Quiz Night at the Bull tests your knowledge of the programme at regular intervals For all this and much more, dive into this incredible miscellany and become a true Ambridge expert.

Have you always wanted to know what makes an ordinary person commit a crime? Explore the dark side of human nature with this illuminating beginner’s guide to criminology.

There are few subjects more compelling or divisive than criminology. Whether crime dominates the headlines or just the subject of your latest boxset, our animal instincts have always drawn us to darkness and danger.

This pocket-sized introduction includes accessible primers on the key criminological thinkers, themes and theories, including:

· How disciplines such as economics, psychology and sociology have informed criminological study and our understanding of crime
· Why some individuals are more or less likely to engage in criminal behaviour
· The biggest issues facing contemporary society, such as cybercrime, gendered crime and hate crime

From understanding criminal motivation to how crime is policed and prevented, there has never been a more important moment to grasp how crime affects our lives today and how it might tomorrow.

Did you know?
Ireland has won the Eurovision Song Contest more times (seven!) than any other country. Ireland has had its own version of the Olympics – the Tailteann Games – since the Bronze Age. From the castles, battles and mythology of yore to the landmarks and geography that still impress today, Ireland has the power to captivate us all. This miscellany is fizzing with fascinating trivia about all things Irish, so as well as getting the low-down on their sparkling music scene, rich literary pedigree and sporting greats, you’ll also gain unique insights into all the incomparable things that make Ireland grand. 

If you’re a mum who wants to run, there’s nothing stopping you!

When busy mum Leanne Davies set up a social media group for her and a couple of friends to encourage one another to go running, she never imagined it would quickly become a nationwide network of thousands of women, all sharing a passion for the sport and a penchant for colourful compression socks.

Gathering the very best of the advice and tips from the Run Mummy Run network, Leanne and co-writer Lucy have created this comprehensive beginner’s guide to running that includes sections on:
– From starting with a Couch To 5k plan to building up the confidence to race
– Fitting in running around work and family life
– Overcoming barriers to exercise
– How to keep on running when motivation wanes, and much more!

Not just your average practical go-to, this book is filled with down-to-earth advice, training schedules and inspirational stories that’ll help you to be fit, healthy and happy.

Magic, the miniature pony who helped a woman speak again after three years of silence  Stubby, the stray dog who braved the front line with soldiers in World War One  Moko, the bottlenose dolphin who guided a mother whale and her calf back out to sea  No matter how cute and cuddly our animal companions are, there are always occasions when they remind us that they’re still in touch with their natural instincts. Sometimes this comes as little gestures of loyalty, and other times they do something that is truly amazing – even saving human lives. 
Animal Heroes contains some of the most extraordinary true tales of bravery across the natural world, from domestic pets to wild animals, proving that when it comes to facing danger there’s more to them than meets the eye.

From farfalle and fusilli to fettucine and beyond, this pocket guide serves up a celebration of one of the world’s most popular culinary creations

Whether fresh, dried, baked into lasagna or swirled as spaghetti around your fork, pasta is fantastic. It’s so universal and versatile that we might even take it for granted sometimes.

But this humble and hearty food, with all its history and variety, deserves to be more fully understood and appreciated. Lifting the lid on all things pasta, this handy pocket guide will give you a taste of the following topics and much more:

Tuck in to the history of pasta, tracing its journey from Italian origins to global domination

Learn about the most popular (and the most unusual) pasta shapes, sauces and dishes

Whet your appetite with delicious bites of trivia

Hone your culinary skills and discover how to make your own pasta from scratch

Experiment with delicious recipes, allowing you to perfect classic dishes or expand your repertoire

Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned connoisseur, The Little Book of Pasta has all the mouth-watering information and inspiration you could hunger for.

‘History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.’
Winston Churchill
 
‘Britain has invented a new missile. It’s called the civil servant. It doesn’t work and it can’t be fired.’
General Sir Walter Walker
 
Order, order! After a long day at the dispatch box, when your honourable friend’s white paper has made you feel green and your poll ratings have slumped to a new low, hunker down in Speakers’ Corner with this grand coalition of political quips and quotes – you’ll be ready to take on the opposition at any time!

The Great North Road is Britain’s Route 66 – we’ve just forgotten how to sing its praises

In 1921, Britain’s most illustrious highway, the Great North Road, ceased to exist – on paper at least. Stretching from London to Edinburgh, the old road was largely replaced by the A1 as the era of the motor car took hold.

A hundred years later, journalist and cyclist Steve Silk embraces the anniversary as the perfect excuse to set off on an adventure across 11 days and 400 miles. Travelling by bike at a stately 14 miles per hour, he heads north, searching out milestones and memories, coaching inns and coffee shops.

Seen from a saddle rather than a car seat, the towns and the countryside of England and Scotland reveal traces of Britain’s remarkable past and glimpses of its future. Instead of the familiar service stations and tourist hotspots, Steve tracks down the forgotten treasures of this ancient highway between the two capitals.

The Great North Road is a journey as satisfying for the armchair traveller as the long-distance cyclist. Enriched with history, humour and insight, it’s a tribute to Britain and the endless appeal of the open road.

“Dr Kaye is the mate who’s always got your back, she knows her stuff and tells you exactly how it is” SARA COX

The complete one-stop guide to the perimenopause and menopause, by Dr Philippa Kaye, with a foreword by Vanessa Feltz

Menopause is the last taboo. But it does not have to mean the end of your libido, of sex, of work, or of feeling like who you used to be.

With modern treatments and evidence-based knowledge, no woman need suffer or “just about” manage. You are still who you are – let’s celebrate that. Let’s get informed and get empowered to make our own choices about our symptoms, our treatments, our minds and our bodies.

The M Word covers everything from understanding symptoms to managing relationships to which treatments really work. Discussing HRT as well as self-help and lifestyle tips, this fully updated edition of the bestselling book will be your companion through the years before, during and after the menopause.

Topics covered include:
– Hot flushes and other physical symptoms
– Psychological symptoms
– Sex, libido and contraception
– HRT and other treatments
– Lifestyle changes
– Health after the menopause
And much more!

Written in a positive, uplifting and light-hearted style, with plenty of quotes from real women, this book shows you how to not just survive, but thrive through the menopause, letting you remain you.

A leisurely ramble through the woods, a meandering city stroll, a blustery seaside promenade or a vigorous mountain hike – all have their delights and incomparable joys. Whatever your walking style, you’ll be captivated and enthralled by the stories and excerpts of classic writing, trivia and practical tips in this book – perfect for anyone who loves the freedom of lacing up their hiking boots and heading for the hills.