Dictionaries, Reference & Language Books

Book Synopsis''Accessible and at a low price point... I''m so impressed with this little guy! This book covers vocab, grammar, writing , pronunciation, speaking...'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ReviewPerfect for:Absolute beginners or anyone who wants to refresh their knowledge of SpanishAnyone looking for clear and simple explanations, or who wants to supplement their study independently Culture and travel lovers who want to explore more confidently Learners who are looking for accessible resources with free audio Visual learners who like having illustrations, tools and trackers to support their study Polyglots who want to challenge themselves with another language Access the audio for this course for free by downloading it to the Teach Yourself Library app or streaming it on library.teachyourself.com.Continue learning with Teach Yourself Complete Spanish and

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Book SynopsisLearn to speak, read, write and understand Greek!Love, Travel, Study, Work, Friendship-whatever your reason for wanting to learn, Beginners'' Greek will help you to: - Communicate naturally in everyday situations. - Build your confidence with easy-to-follow explanations and plenty of practice activities. - Understand and pronounce Greek easily with online audio. - Learn the Greek alphabet.- Remember what you learn with our effective Discovery Method. - Focus your learning and track your progress with practical tools and planners.Access the audio for this course for free by downloading it to the Teach Yourself Library app or streaming it on library.teachyourself.com.? Is this course for me? Beginners'' Greek for absolute beginners and those who''ve had some previous experience with the language and want to refresh their knowledge. Clear and simple explanations make the course appropriate and accessible to anyone learning Greek. There are extensive illustrations and tools to help you plan your studies and track your progress, all designed to support learning on your own. This course is also ideal to use with one-to-one tutoring and as a classroom course, and it''s the perfect resource to pair with a language-learning app. Where do I go next? Continue learning with?Teach Yourself Complete Greek. Rely on Teach Yourself, trusted by language learners for over 85 years.

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Book SynopsisKnowing and understanding verbs is often the key to a language. Concentrate and study on French verbs using this 6 page laminated guide designed for quick access, easy review and focus on what many learners see as their most difficult hurdle. A student reviewing often will boost their grades and if that student is a traveler, the native speakers will appreciate the extra effort to understand and communicate in their language. Suggested uses: o Students â a very lightweight, inexpensive grade-booster that can be slipped between your notebook pages for quick and easy answers o Teachers â Inexpensive classroom tool, whether you have a few for those students struggling or a whole class set that can last your entire career with the durable lamination o Travelers â Being flat, laminated and with conjugations being easy to find, if you have moved beyond one word translations and are striving to speak correctly, this is a great travel buddy

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Book SynopsisThis Revision Workbook has been specifically written for Unit 8: Scientific Skills in Application of Science of the Level 2 BTEC Firsts in Applied Science.   With lots of revision practice and guided questions, guidance on how to answer the extended-writing 6-mark questions, as well as answers, this Workbook is designed to complement classroom and home learning and help students prepare for the external test.

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Book Synopsis Designed for complete beginners, and tested for years with real learners, Complete Ancient Greek offers a bridge from the textbook to the real world, enabling you to learn the grammar, understand the vocabulary and even how to translate the writings of Socrates and Homer. Structured around authentic material, placing an emphasis on the importance of reading classical texts in the original, and introducing both a grammar perspective and a full introduction to essential vocabulary, this course also features: -25 learning units plus maps and verb guide -Authentic materials - language taught through key texts -Teaches the key skills - reading and understanding Ancient Greek grammar and vocabulary -Culture insights - learn about the culture and beliefs of the Ancient Greeks -Self tests and learning activities - see and track your own progress. Featuring additional exercises in this new edition, this is a genuinely compTable of Contents 01: Introduction 02: Units 1 - 25: grammatical structures; Greek readings; vocabulary 03: Appendices 1 - 9:verb conjugations and tables; numerals; accentuation; Greek verse 04: Key to Greek reading exercises 05: Principal parts of verbs 06: Vocabulary 07: Index

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Book SynopsisAnansi is king of the spiders: he may be small, but he's very clever. One day, offended that Elephant hardly even notices him, he challenges her to a tug of war. How can a tiny spider win against the mighty Elephant, or against the determined Rhino?With fun activities after the story, and online audio in both British English and American English. CEFR level: low A1. 300 headwords, 571 words.

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Book SynopsisFrom the National Book Award-winning, Booker Prize-longlisted author of Let the Great World Spin and Transatlantic comes a passionate and practical book of advice, as essential for budding writers as Stephen King’s On Writing 'A warm, open-hearted paean to the joys of writing' Sunday Times 'Excellent ... cannot fail as a pick-me-up' Observer I hope there is something here for any young writer – or any older writer, for that matter – who happens to be looking for a teacher to come along, a teacher who, in the end, can really teach nothing at all but fire. From the critically acclaimed Colum McCann, author of the National Book Award winner Let the Great World Spin, comes a paean to the power of language, and a direct address to the artistic, professional and philosophical concerns that challenge and sometimes torment an author. Comprising fifty-two short prose pieces, Letters to a Young Writer ranges from practical matters of authorship, such as finding an agent, the pros and cons of creative writing degrees and handling bad reviews, through to the more joyous and celebratory, as McCann elucidates the pleasures to be found in truthful writing, for: ‘the best writing makes us glad that we are – however briefly – alive.’ Emphatic and empathetic, pragmatic and profound, this is an essential companion to any author’s journey – and a deeply personal work from one of our greatest literary voices.Trade ReviewA warm, open-hearted paean to the joys of writing * Sunday Times *Excellent ... This slim volume cannot fail as a pick-me-up * Observer *Practical writing advice meets a heartfelt love song to creativity * Irish Times *An intensely literary writer ... His prose thrums with echoes of Beckett, Yeats and Joyce * Sunday Times *A writer of power and subtlety * New York Times *A very gifted, charming writer * Guardian *McCann’s writing is elegant and ironic * The Times *A supremely talented writer * Sunday Times *Practical writing advice meets heartfelt love song to creativity * Irish Times 'Books to Look Out for in 2017 *There is beauty to the language and precision, grace notes that return to mind time and again to transport you. McCann’s books feel universal. Now the 52-year-old Dublin-born New York-naturalised bestseller … is letting some of his secrets out … A guide to putting words on the page and a celebration of language, a call to look out, not in * Big Issue in Scotland *

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Book SynopsisAn unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners of Japanese."Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners has been written especially for students from low-mid intermediate (ACTFL) level of Japanese. Mapped to B1 and approaching B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference, these eight captivating stories are designed to give you a sense of achievement and a feeling of progress when reading, and most importantly - enjoyment!What does this book give you?- Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary- Controlled language at your level to help you progress confidently- Spoken dialogues in a range of polite and casual forms in real settings to help you to improve the flow and accuracy of your spoken Japanese.- To help you advance your kanji recognition skills, furigana is used to support reading higher level or unusual kanji and for the first appearance for common kanji.- Common vocabulary from levels 4 and 5 of the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) along with vocabulary carefully chosen from the higher levels help you learn useful new expressions and progress through the intermediate reading levels.- Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated- Practical tips help you to unlock the meaning of Japanese sentences and new kanji words successfully.- Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding- Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!'With intriguing plots that will spark your imagination and keep you reading, Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners will take your grasp of Japanese to the next level with key features to support and consolidate your progress, including:- A glossary for bolded words in each chapter- Full plot summary- A bilingual word list- Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners will accelerate you journey towards fluency. Use the codes inside the book and ebook to access a bonus story for free and the discounted audiobook on our Language Readers Library site or in the Language Readers app.Trade ReviewAs researchers in language acquisition, we need to study people like you. * Stephen Krashen, Emeritus Professor, University of Southern California *Olly's advice on language learning is the real deal, and I recommend you pay attention to what he has to say! * Benny Lewis, Fluent in 3 Months *When we wanted to create a free online course on how to learn a language we asked Olly to write it with us. * Dr Tita Beaven, The Open University *Learning a language is challenging, but it's one of the best things you can do for your brain and your learning skill set... Olly Richards is doing some seriously incredible work to empower more and more people to rise to the challenge. * Jonathan Levi *Olly bridges the gap between theory and practice by helping you to use scientific principles to get real results with your language learning. * Anthony Metivier, Magnetic Memory Method *Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too! * Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers *

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Book Synopsis'BRILLIANT' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio Breakfast ShowWhen was the last time you listened to someone, or someone really listened to you? This life-changing book will transform your conversations forever. At work, we're taught to lead the conversation. On social media, we shape our personal narratives. At parties, we talk over one another. So do our politicians. We're not listening. And no one is listening to us.Now more than ever, we need to listen to those around us. New York Times contributor Kate Murphy draws on countless conversations she has had with everyone from priests to CIA interrogators, focus group moderators to bartenders, her great-great aunt to her friend's toddler, to show how only by listening well can we truly connect with others. Listening has the potential to transform our relationships and our working lives, improve our self-knowledge, and increase our creativity and happiness. While it may take some effort, it's a skill that can be learnt and perfected. When all we crave is to understand and be understood, You're Not Listening shows us how.* With a new afterword by the author *'This book couldn't be more timely. Inspiringly profound...smart and playful' Observer'I'll be adopting Murphy's advice' Sunday Times, StyleTrade ReviewThe premise of this book couldn't be more timely... inspiringly profound… Smart and playful... It feels like a reiteration of something essential... Murphy is here to remind us – entertainingly and compellingly – exactly why it matters so much, especially right now. Hear, hear. -- Viv Groskop * Observer *Gripping from start to finish... brilliant…extraordinarily interesting…full of meat and gold. -- Chris Evans * Virgin Radio Breakfast Show *Fiercely topical... You're Not Listening is an intriguing and constructive take on the problem... and a manual for better communication. Murphy’s book is intelligent and thought-provoking… Listening is when someone take a real interest in who you are…a moment of attunement and understanding that sticks in both heads. We could all do with some of that. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *It’s time for a spot of re-education... A fascinating guide to something we assume we do automatically, yet for the most part do very badly... The art of listening is really the art of being human. -- Stephen Moss * Guardian *We are losing this most crucial, arguably, of our skills in the modern world... I'll be adopting Murphy's advice... and I will be employing "support" responses everywhere. -- Charlotte Edwardes * Sunday Times Style Magazine *

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Book SynopsisTake courage and comfort from the uplifting quotations and powerful affirmations in this pocket-sized collection of unbeatable confidenceThere's nobody quite like you. Your passions and possibilities are limitless, even when the world tries to get you down. This little book, packed full of empowering quotes and valuable reminders, is the perfect companion on your journey to greater happiness and stronger self-belief.From the timeless ideas of ancient sages to sound advice from modern superstars, these are words to get you feeling great and thinking big.As well as the hard-won wisdom of successful writers, artists and thinkers, this book includes a host of uplifting mantras and daily reminders such as:- You don't have to be perfect to be wonderful- Everything you need - your courage, strength, compassion and love - is already within you- You're only confined by the walls you build yourself- Don't just be good to others - be good to yourself too- You are at your most powerful when you don't seek the approval of others

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Book SynopsisEmbrace your brilliance with this treasure trove of energizing quotes, sound advice and inspiring affirmationsThere's no one more special than you. Nobody else has your unique blend of spellbinding talent, wit, passion and personality - all of the things that make you so magical. And it never hurts to be reminded of just how great you truly are. The powerful dose of positive energy and feel-good vibes inside this little book will help boost your confidence, supercharge your mood and bring some sunshine into your day.Featuring insights from famous thinkers to modern superstars, You Are Magical is brimming with a wealth of wise words, including: - I am always in the right place at the right time- The world is better with me in it- I have compassion for myself and others Celebrate your unique power, because when you do, you are sure to feel nothing less than magical.

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Book SynopsisHow do I know I am the same person I was yesterday? What will happen if I die tonight? Do you see exactly the same colours that I see? What is it like to be a bat? Imagine, and what if ...? In this book, philosopher Alec Thompson describes the techniques used by the world's top thinkers and creatives, from Seneca to Einstein, to ponder the big questions, illuminate the little questions, and come up with totally new questions about life, the universe and everything.Trade ReviewWooden Books are: "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisPractical English Usage is recommended for any teacher, trainee teacher, or advanced-level student looking for answers to questions about the English language. The material is now organised in two parts (grammar and vocabulary), making it easier than ever to find the answers, either online or in print.Part 1 is a complete practical learner''s grammar with 28 sections, covering all the structural points that cause problems for learners.Part 2 is a guide tovocabulary problemscovering:rules for word formation and spellinga survey of high-priority vocabulary areasan A-Z guide to over 250 common word problemsThe 600+ entries provide answers to the questions that learners typically ask, for example:use of tensesthe truth about conditionalsarticle problemssingularthey get as a passive auxiliarybring or take?can,could, may or might?classic or classical?the language of emailsrules for word formation and spelling Plus:the grammar of speech and formal writingBritish-American differencesquestions of style and idiomchanges inEnglishpolitenessavoiding offensive languagea survey of high-priority vocabulary areasa guide to over 250 common vocabularyproblemslists of learners'' most common mistakesTrade ReviewThe entries in Practical English Usage are not only informed by Swan's authoritative knowledge of English grammar, but by a sure sense of which aspects of the grammar are likely to be problematic, and how these can be most effectively explained. * Henry Widdowson, Emeritus Professor of Education, University of London *

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Book SynopsisThis book is for university students, with at least a mid-intermediate level of English. It is designed both for self-study and also as a support for a course on academic communication. It can thus be used alongside the companion volumes: Writing an Academic Paper in English and Giving an Academic Presentation in English. The book focuses only on those areas that are either the most commonly found in academic communication and/or cause the most problems. It is thus considerably more accessible than a traditional grammar or style guide. Grammar coverage includes: articles (a/an, the), countable vs uncountable nouns, modal verbs (can, may, could, might), comparisons, present and past tenses, link words, prepositions, and verbs that cause grammatical difficulties. There is a strong focus on those elements that make a paper more readable, and a presentation more accessible and memorable: clarity and empathy, sentence length, word order, and punctuation. There are chapters on two key areas of communication in academia: writing emails to editors, drafting a CV/resume. The book is laid out simply, with short explanations, and lots of example sentences (plus typical mistakes). Other books in the series: Writing an Academic Paper in English Giving an Academic Presentation in English Adrian Wallwork is the author of more than 40 ELT and EAP textbooks. He has trained several thousand PhD students and researchers from around 50 countries to write research papers and give presentations. He is also the co-founder of e4ac.com, an editing agency for non-native English-speaking researchers.Table of Contents1. Articles and nouns 2. Abbreviations, Acronyms, False friends, Spelling 3. Can, May, Could, Might 4. Clarity and Empathy 5. Comparisons, Dates, Measurements, Numbers 6. CVs / Resumes 7. Emails 8. Link words 9. Paragraphs, Sentence length, Paraphrasing 10. Prepositions and Adverbs 11. Present and Past Tenses 12. Punctuation, Genitive 13. Verbs and Forms 14. Word order

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Book SynopsisWords of wisdom from Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s longtime business partner, collected and interpreted with an eye towards investing by David Clark, coauthor of the bestselling Buffettology series.     Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1924 Charlie Munger studied mathematics at the University of Michigan, trained as a meteorologist at Cal Tech Pasadena while in the Army, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School without ever earning an undergraduate degree. Today, Munger is one of America’s most successful investors, the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and Warren Buffett’s business partner for almost forty years. Buffett says “Berkshire has been built to Charlie’s blueprint. My role has been that of general contractor.” Munger is an intelligent, opinionated business man whose ideas can teach professional and amateur investors how to be successful in finance and life.     Like The Tao of War

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Book SynopsisLearn Italian step-by-step and soon you'll be making leaps and boundsYour quickest route to learning Italian is through a solid grounding in grammar basics. Now don't be put off by the "G-word." What you won't find in this book is a lot of repetitive drills. Instead, you get an original, step-by-step approach to learning Italian based on the way people naturally acquire language.From the very beginning, you are introduced to the most essential structures--allowing you to communicate in Italian almost immediately. Gradually, through a series of interconnected "steps," you logically progress to more common concepts that govern how Italian is spoken and written. And along the way you are introduced to hundreds of carefully selected verbs and vocabulary words presented on the basis of how often they are used in everyday Italian.Guaranteed to get you quickly up and running with the knowledge and skills you need to communicate in Italian with confidence, EaTable of ContentsI ELEMENTS OF A SENTENCE 1. NOUNS ARTICLES, AND DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES 2. SUBJECT PRONOUNS,STARE, AND ESSERE 3.CE ANDCI SONO, INTERROGATIVE WORDS AND THE CALENDAR 4. NUMBERS, TIME AND DATES 5. REGULAR VERBS 6. IRREGULAR VERBS 7. ANDARE AND THE FUTURE 8. ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS 9. NEGATIVES AND PREPOSITIONS 10. OBJECTS, REFLECTIVE VERBS AND THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE 11. THE DIRECT OBJECT 12. REFLECTIVE VERBS 13. THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

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Book SynopsisThe Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is an abridgement of the twenty-volume Oxford English Dictionary into just two volumes, providing a comprehensive description of the historical development of English together with superb coverage of the contemporary language.Trade ReviewThe new edition... has proved an authoritative, reliable, constantly surprising friend. * Mark Sanderson, Sunday Telegraph Books of the Year *It is thoughtful in its definitions, systematic in its arrangement. It will help the careful user of words to be rightly understood. * John Whale, TLS *

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Book SynopsisDorothy lives on the American prairie. A tornado lifts her wooden home into the air with Dorothy and her dog Toto inside, bringing them to the magical Land of Oz. Dorothy makes friends with a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion, but she longs to return home. With fun activities after the story, and online audio in British and American English.

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Book SynopsisDave Eggers is the founder of McSweeney's, a quarterly journal and website (www.mcsweeneys.net), and his books include You Shall Know Our Velocity, How We Are Hungry, Short Short Stories, and What is the What. His work has appeared in the New Yorker and Ocean Navigator. He is the recipient of the Addison Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and was a 2001 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Northern California.

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, InspiringOur ability to find meaning in things is one of the most important aspects of human life. But it is also one of the most mysterious. Where does meaning come from? What sorts of things have meaning? And how do we grasp the meaning others want to convey? This Very Short Introduction is shaped by exploring possible answers to these questions.Human societies have one particularly important device for expressing and sharing meaning: language. Since our words are paradigm examples of things which have meaning, in this book, Emma Borg and Sarah Fisher use meaning in language as a case study for exploring meaning more generally. They focus on three possible sources for word meaning: things in the world, things in the mind, and social practices, exploring the key approaches thinkers have put forward in each of these arenas. Finally, they end by looking at some concrete applications of the ideas and approaches introduced in the book.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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Book SynopsisDo you ever wish you could find more time to write? Do you ever feel frustrated that other things get in the way? Perhaps you're stuck at the start, mired in the middle or just can't get back into the writing groove? Writing is important to many of us - for our careers, studies, businesses or creative fulfilment - but sitting down and doing it can feel impossible. We often struggle to give it the attention it deserves. We can't find time. Our focus is torn. Distractions are everywhere. Our inner critic keeps telling us we're no good. But what if you could find a highly effective writing habit that was perfect for you? Bec Evans and Chris Smith have helped thousands of people stop procrastinating, overcome their blocks and reach their writing goals. Now, they've turned their successful approach into this life-changing book that anyone can use to write more productively and with less stress. Packed full of tried and tested advice, stories you can relate to and the latest research from psychology and neuroscience, Written gives you the tools you need to start writing, keep going - and finish. AUTHORS: Bec Evans and Chris Smith are the co-founders of Prolifiko, a coaching business that helps people build productive writing habits. They met while working together in a bookshop more than 20 years ago and have spent a lifetime writing and working with other writers. Prior to Prolifiko, Bec worked in publishing, led teams of writers and managed a writing centre for Arvon. She's also the award-winning author of How to Have a Happy Hustle. Chris has a background as a ghostwriter and content consultant to global business brands, charities and the public sector. He worked as an agency director before setting up his own communications consultancy and has written for national newspapers and magazines. He is also an award-winning comedy scriptwriter. The authors live in Yorkshire with their dog, Peggy.Trade ReviewThis book collects some of the best advice I've ever encountered for constructing a writing habit that actually works. * Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks *This is a fascinating and extremely useful book. I recommend it! * David Quantick, novelist and Emmy Award-winning scriptwriter of Veep, The Thick of It and Avenue 5 *An invaluable guidebook for writers at all stages. Evans and Smith understand that process is deeply personal, and they provide a wealth of wise, compassionate advice for breaking unhelpful patterns and creating a flexible, realistic plan for sustainable long-term productivity. * Mason Currey, author of Daily Rituals: How Artists Work *This well-written book on writing well is enormously valuable for anyone wishing to write productively. If you're a writer, first be a reader of this book. * Robert Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-Suasion *A fun to read and highly informative guide to overcome the most difficult obstacles in writing. * Gabriele Oettingen, author of Rethinking Positive Thinking *What a lovely, friendly book. Made me feel cheerful, buoyant, less alone and keen to get on with my writing. Highly recommended. * Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of Write It All Down *Written lays out the challenges that almost every writer faces and provides real-world antidotes to many of the myths and stories we believe about ourselves and why we can't seem to get our projects finished. This book will help you structure your writing life and how you approach the craft of writing. * Rennie Saunders, founder and CEO of ShutUp&Write! *Two things that I love about this book. First, Bec and Chris don't assume that what works for one famous writer will work for you. Their emphasis is on discovering the best way for each writer to get their writing done. And secondly, this isn't just based on hunches - but on extensive study of how writers write. Highly recommended. * Nigel Warburton, author of A Little History of Philosophy *There's nothing scarier in my work than a blank page, yet nothing more satisfying and exciting than finishing and launching a book. Written holds your hand throughout that entire process. Bec and Chris keep things practical, with an admirable focus on the habit-changes needed to get your words "out there". If you want to go from "writing" to "written", then you need this book. * Graham Allcott, founder of Think Productive and author of How to be a Productivity Ninja *This isn't just another productivity book. Most writers have lots of those, but none of them speak to the real causes of why getting on with writing is so hard to do. Written is different: it's rooted not just in the authors' own experience but also in that of the thousands of writers they've worked with over the years. Whatever you write, whatever you struggle with, you'll find real-world solutions here. Warm, wise and practical, it deserves pride of place on your bookshelf. * Alison Jones, host of The Extraordinary Business Book Club podcast and author of Exploratory Writing *Engaging and authoritative - full of tried-and-tested advice for all writers, wherever they are in their writing careers. * Debbie Taylor, founder and editor of Mslexia *Bec and Chris' course on combatting procrastination is one of our most popular Reedsy Learning courses, so I'm delighted to see they've turned their practical and inspirational advice for writers into a book - it works. * Ricardo Fayet, co-founder of Reedsy *I've been looking through my library of self-help books for writers and there's nothing quite like this book out there. To me, it seems that it might mean the difference between a half-written manuscript abandoned in a drawer and a finished book on the shelf. I know so many writers who will benefit from it - me included. * Wyl Menmuir, Booker-nominated novelist, writing tutor and author of The Draw of the Sea *This book is an indispensable companion for anyone struggling to start and build a writing habit (most of us!). The writers' journey is a lot less lonely and much more doable with Bec and Chris by your side. We'll be sharing this one widely with our writing community for years to come. There's no magic potion to becoming a writer, but this book comes close. Pick it up to get started - then put it down and get to work. * Matthew Trinetti, co-founder of London Writers' Salon *Refreshingly human and immensely useful. It's so freeing to know there's not just one right way to write! I love the breadth and depth of this book - the curated insights into seasoned writers' heads and processes combined with the super practical tips and exercises on what to actually do next. This deserves to be a well-thumbed handbook on every writer's shelf. * Grace Marshall, author of Struggle and How to be Really Productive *Bec and Chris really helped me on my way to publication. Their insights and encyclopaedic knowledge about creative productivity gave me inspiration, support and practical tools to persevere and establish a more mindful writing practice. I'm excited about their book, as it will help so many writers. * Louise Bassett, author of The Hidden Girl *An invaluable guide to those looking to find new ways to approach their own academic writing and to help others. * London School of Economics Book Review *A refreshingly honest approach to writing- the authors' upbeat tone will cheer on readers. Writing pros and amateurs alike will be eager to start typing. * Publishers Weekly *The beauty of this book is that it guides you into finding the best writing process for you. * Forbes *This book is wise, sympathetic, encouraging and incredibly helpful. It will be a game-changer for so many writers. * Sophie Hannah, bestselling writer *An empowering guide to creating a writing habit that lasts. And a must-read for anyone fascinated by the psychology of performance and mastery. * Tanya Shadrick, author of The Cure for Sleep *The compassion for writers and our strangeness just bubbles off the page. * Leonie Ross, novelist, short story writer, teacher and editor *This is an indispensable addition to the creative bookshelf. It delves deep into blocks, miss-steps and confidence issues, and offers practical and effective coaching. I'll be recommending this to all my students. * Julia Bell *This 'how to' book is a joy and inspiration. Their advice is really friendly and encouraging, and draws on lots of writers' experiences of what works - and crucially - what doesn't work. There's no 'one size fits all' approach either. I'm a fan. * Katrina Naomi, Poet *Editor's Choice - Unsettling our tendencies to fall into fixed patterns of thinking of how we should write, the pair offer a variety of methods taken from the working lives of writers to shift us from unhelpful mindsets and empower us to find what might work. * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisWendy Wood was born in the UK and is Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California. Her research incorporates neuroscience, cognition and behavioural insights to understand habit persistence and change, and she has collaborated with many luminary psychologists, including Angela Duckworth and Adam Grant. She has written for the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Time magazine, USA Today and NPR.Trade ReviewIf you’ve ever struggled to make or break a habit, this is the book you need to read. Wendy Wood is widely recognized as the authority on the science of habits -- Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the TED podcast WorkLifeWendy Wood is the world’s foremost expert in the field, and this book is essential -- Angela Duckworth, author of GritEnlightening and insightful . . . Wood’s research and perspective on the malleability of habits will bring hope to any reader looking to create long-term behavioural change * Publishers Weekly *Wendy Wood . . . is the most thoughtful, innovative person who understands the role of habits in human behaviour . . . I can’t imagine a better person writing this book -- Dan Ariely, bestselling author of Predictably IrrationalThere is no one in all of psychology who could write a more compelling book on habits and behaviours -- James W. Pennebaker, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of TexasNo one has studied how habits form and direct behaviour better than Professor Wendy Wood . . . She has described how to change negative habits into positive versions better than anybody. She's the researcher best able to write the next big book on the topic -- Robert Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-SuasionFascinating and fun, this book will change a lot of lives . . . Wood brings state-of-the-art social science into contact with the most pressing issues in daily life. She’s a tremendous guide -- Cass R. Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard University, and author of How Change HappensA fascinating tour of the science of habits, and Wendy Wood is the consummate tour guide. One of the world’s leading habit researchers -- Professor Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Drunk Tank Pink and IrresistibleA huge achievement. Wendy Wood manages to distil the science of habit formation, most of which emerges from her own lab, in a manner that is fascinating but also, above all, extremely useful for people looking to make positive change in their life -- David Kessler, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Overeating and CaptureMany authors have written about habits . . . but Wood is also a premier scientist in psychology, working on how habits affect and are affected by the human mind. Top tip: Willpower isn’t enough. But through her original research, Wood explains what does work * Washington Post *In Good Habits, Bad Habits . . . the social psychologist Wendy Wood . . . seeks to give the general reader more realistic ideas for how to break habits. Drawing on her work in the field, she sees [that] . . . the path to breaking bad habits lies not in resolve but in restructuring our environment in ways that sustain good behaviors * The New Yorker *Table of ContentsUnit - Part I: How We Really Are Chapter - 1: Persistence and Change Chapter - 2: The Depths Beneath Chapter - 3: Introducing Your Second Self Chapter - 4: What About Knowledge? Chapter - 5: What About Self Control? Unit - Part II: The Three Bases of Habit Formation Chapter - 6: Context Chapter - 7: Repetition Chapter - 8: Reward Chapter - 9: Consistency is for Closers Chapter - 10: Total Control Unit - Part III: Special Cases, Big opportunities, and the World Around Us Chapter - 11: Jump Through Windows Chapter - 12: The Special Resilience of Habit Chapter - 13: Contexts of Addiction Chapter - 14: Happy with Habit Chapter - 15: You Are Not Alone Section - i: Epilogue Section - ii: How to Stop Looking at Your Phone So Often Section - iii: Notes Section - iii: Bibliography Acknowledgements - iv: Acknowledgements Index - v: Index

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Book SynopsisIn her entertaining and edifying New York Times bestseller, acclaimed author Francine Prose invites you to sit by her side and take a guided tour of the tools and tricks of the masters to discover why their work has endured. Written with passion, humour and wisdom, Reading Like a Writer will inspire readers to return to literature with a fresh eye and an eager heart - to take pleasure in the long and magnificent sentences of Philip Roth and the breathtaking paragraphs of Isaac Babel; to look to John le Carre for a lesson in how to advance plot through dialogue and to Flannery O'Connor for the cunning use of the telling detail; to be inspired by Emily Bronte's structural nuance and Charles Dickens's deceptively simple narrative techniques. Most importantly, Prose cautions readers to slow down and pay attention to words, the raw material out of which all literature is crafted, and reminds us that good writing comes out of good reading.Trade Review"For everyone studying English literature this book should be required reading; it is a wonderful explanation of how writers build their books from the words upwards." -- Daisy Goodwin The Sunday Times "a clarion call for aspiring writers to do that most simple, time-consuming but enjoyable thing: their homework ...Prose's forthright, waspish and often very funny book is a plea to all writers for vigour and clarity, one which encourages them to tend to the details of technique, and the mastery of language, as closely as they tend to their own ambition." -- Louise Doughty The Observer 'astute and enthusiastic commentary for writers and readers' Times Literary Supplement 'a volume that shows how to judge a book not by its cover, or even by its subject matter, but by the quality of its writing' Culture, The Sunday Times 'an essential book for any writer...who purports to take his or herself remotely seriously' The New Review, Observer 'Delightful and edifying...a fabulous book I intend to keep permanently to hand' Bookseller 'informative and inspiring' Good Book Guide

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