Search Results for: General Interest

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

You’ve received the happiest of news: you’re going to be a parent! So what’s next?


Top Tips for New Parents has advice on everything from what to prepare before your bundle of joy arrives to practical tips for settling in with your new addition to the family. This little book is the perfect companion for your greatest adventure.

Though many of us are unaware of it, everyone has messages running through their head. Some of the messages are positive: ‘Well done, that was great’, or neutral, ‘What am I going to have for dinner?’ But for many people the messages are negative and self-critical: ‘Why did you go and say that?’, ‘You’ll never be successful’, ‘You’re pathetic’. These messages have a profound impact on how we feel and behave, and ultimately they affect how happy and successful we are in life.

This is the first book to provide a range of tried and tested techniques for transforming  your inner critic. By using these techniques you can transform your thoughts, feelings and behaviour to become a happier person. This book covers such topics as:

• Understanding your inner critic

• Listening to your whole self and not just your inner critic

• Being proud of yourself and your strengths

• Releasing your inner wisdom

• Handling criticisms from others

• Creating more fun in your life

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.

‘Artillery adds dignity to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl.’
Frederick the Great 

‘I am the Flail of God… If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.’
Genghis Khan 

‘Everyone’s a pacifist between wars. It’s like being a vegetarian between meals.’
Colman McCarthy 

From Churchill to Sitting Bull, and from Agincourt to the Khyber Pass, history is rich in rousing rhetoric, inspiring quotations and heroic speeches from the most celebrated military leaders, writers and observers. Whether applauding great victories or standing firm against the horrors and injustices of war, the quotations and stories of this collection will take the reader on a roller-coaster ride through the many unique experiences of military history.

‘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

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 those who are ill, fighting crime or just following their animal instincts to do good, the true stories collected in this book prove that dogs aren’t only man’s best friend – they’re also inspirational, courageous and selfless companions.

Emily, the feline that survived an epic journey across the Atlantic trapped in a shipping container from America to France.
Scarlett, the brave mother that went into a burning building five times to rescue her kittens.
Oscar, the care-home cat that 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. Discover loyal moggies and extraordinary survivors in this heart-warming collection of true tales, and marvel at the astonishing powers of these remarkable animals.

From rogan josh and rendang to bunny chow and vindaloo, dive into this celebration of one of the world’s most popular dishes: curry

There are few foods more diverse than curry. It’s a dish, an ingredient and a cooking method; it can be made hot or mild; vegetarian or vegan; and it can be served with rice, breads, chutneys or pickles. However, while curry comes in many forms, at the heart of the dish is always its flavour – the wonderful alchemy of spices that’s guaranteed to delight the taste buds.

This handy pocket guide will give you a taste of the following and much more:
– Find food for thought with the history of curry around the world
– Whet your appetite with the hottest bites of curry trivia
– Cultivate your palate by growing your own spices
– Discover delicious curry recipes which will allow you to eat your way around the world in your very own kitchen

The Little Book of Curry will help you spice up your life one dish at a time.

Connect to your inner self and the world around you and enjoy a new sense of peace and happiness. This stunning book will help you along your own spiritual journey, by introducing you to traditions, philosophies and practices which have the power to open your heart and broaden your mind. Along with tips on how to practise spirituality in your everyday life, this book provides the stepping stones to a more fulfilling life.

Did you know?
Nessie is not the only monster supposedly living in a Scottish loch. Loch Morar has its own: Morag. The first Open golf Championship was played in Scotland, at Prestwick in 1860. As well as television, insulin, chloroform and the telephone, Scotland has given the world kaleidoscopes, contour lines, tinned salmon and Andy Murray. This miscellany of all things Scottish will have you quoting Burns, reeling off famous battles and fizzing with fascinating trivia in no time. As well as getting the low-down on the who, what, when and where of Scottish history – including profiles of William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie – you’ll gain plenty of insight into the food, drink, landscape, culture and everything else that makes Scotland exceptional.

Do you cringe when you hear someone giving a ridiculously overcomplicated coffee order? Do you shudder when someone sits the wrong way round on a chair? Do you die inside at the person who’s always first to sing the “Ha…” of “Happy Birthday”? These people are giving off some seriously big ick energy.

An “ick” is a turn-off – but not just any turn-off. Dive into this book to discover the specific, relatable and not-so-charming quirks that leave you chuckling and cringing in equal measure.

This pocket-sized treasure trove of peculiarities delves into the cringe-worthy gems that transcend cultural boundaries, even if there is no logical explanation for them, including:
– When someone uses their index finger to scroll on their phone
– Someone walking up to an automatic door that doesn’t open
– When people who can’t rap, rap

With Big Ick Energy, forget being kind and courteous to your fellow human beings. This book revels in the immoral joy of passing ridiculous, unfounded critiques on the unsuspecting people around you and says: yes, you can judge – and you can feel good about it.

Are you familiar with FOMO? Do you often fall prey to the mindless scroll? Is the pressure of likes, follows and notifications getting you down? Although social media is a big part of modern life, using it can often leave us feeling drained, unfocused and unhappy – but it doesn’t have to be that way! This book has everything you need to put you back in the driving seat. With 100 practical tips, from switching off to curating positive feeds, you’ll find it easy to take the first steps towards a happier online life.

You make me complete
There’s nobody quite like your special someone, so say it with this little book! Filled with a collection of heartfelt words to describe the many things, big and small, that you love about your partner, it’s the perfect way to tell them just how much they mean to you.