Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Books

Book SynopsisWant to learn chess? Not sure where to start?Go from beginner to winner quicker than you ever imagined with this simple-to-follow guide!Chess streaming sensation Kévin Bordi and FIDE master Samy Robin introduce you to a world of fun and excitement. Drawing on their experiences and unique playing style, they demystify the rules of the games, arm you with winning tactics and propel you towards success.With more than 450 annotated illustrations, you will gain invaluable tips and tricks to refine your strategies and finally understand what is going on in the heads of champions.

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Book SynopsisTravel back in time to October 1998 and uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath the cobbles of Weatherfield in this thrilling interactive novel, the second in our Coronation Street series, following The Street of Lies.One of Coronation Street''s beloved residents is a fugitive on the run from the law. You are an ambitious local newspaper reporter, determined to make your mark by tracking them down and landing a big scoop. But your efforts quickly spiral into a dangerous investigation. A killer is on the loose, and it''s up to you to uncover the truth while navigating perilous twists and turns. Can you solve the mystery, outsmart a rival journalist, and escape unscathed? Or will you become the next victim of Weatherfield''s darkest secrets?With multiple outcomes and the chance to relive your story, your choices shape your fate. But beware - this is no easy task, and everyone bends the rules in the pursuit of the perfect ending.Interact with some of Coronation Street''s most iconic characters of the era, including Alec Gilroy, Liz McDonald, Fred Elliott, Alma Baldwin, Spider Nugent, Emily Bishop, the Duckworths and the Battersbys.Secrets on the Street is a gripping journey through the golden days of Corrie, where danger and drama are always just around the corner.

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Book SynopsisA new collection of 150 quick-fire crosswords.

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Book SynopsisA bumper edition of over 400 quick crosswords from the Daily Mail.

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Book SynopsisA passionate and imaginative exploration of wood – the material that shaped human history. Wood – humankind's long-term partner in our evolution from woodland foragers to engineers of our own destiny – has no equal in strength, resilience, adaptability and availability. The Museum of the Wood Age investigates the influence of basic devices – wedge, inclined plane, screw, lever, wheel, axle and pulley – to reveal the myriad ways in which wood has been worked throughout human history. From the simple bivouacs of hunter-gatherers to sophisticated wooden buildings such as stave churches; from the decorative arts to the humble woodworking of rustic furniture; Max Adams fashions a lattice of interconnected stories and objects that trace a path of human ingenuity across half a million years of history.Trade ReviewA refreshing paean to the power of both nature and human ingenuity * History Revealed *'The Museum of the Wood Age really does achieve something different...Both Max Adam's wealth of experience - as archeologist and craftsman - and his passion are irresistible.' * TLS *PRAISE FOR MAX ADAMS: "Adams' enthusiasm is beguiling, his knowledge as bountiful as a beech-mast, and his appreciation of the utility of trees is a pointer to a better world" - The Times "This book is a celebration of the plant from which it is made" - i, on The Wisdom of Trees "An elegant book packed with information... Adams is a true woodsman so speaks with authority" - Country Life, on The Wisdom of Trees "Gripping, hugely enjoyable and deeply scholarly" * History Today Books of the Year, on The King in the North *

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Book SynopsisIn Heart of Dart-ness, TV's Ned Boulting sets out to answer the forty-something year old question: What exactly is darts? Is it a sport, a freak show, a side-show, a pantomime, a riot or a party?From Purfleet to Minehead, Milton Keynes to Frankfurt, Ned embarks on a journey back to the beginning of the modern game. He tracks down some of the household names who graced childhood television screens and are still among us; names such as Andy Fordham, whose fifty bottles of Pils a day habit led to his near death on the oche, Cliff Lazarenko, whose prodigious drinking was the stuff of legend even among his not exactly abstemious peer-group, Phil Taylor, the greatest of all time, as well as the Europeans, Michael van Gerwen, and Raymond van Barneveld.Is it entertainment, or exploitation? To answer that question, as well as every other, he learns that all roads lead to the Heart of Dart-ness, and the biggest character the game has ever produced, Eric Bristow.Perhaps darts is after all, just exactly what it sets out to be; an anti-sport sport, a two-fingered salute to the establishment, a piss-up in a brewery, the ultimate escape. The best night out.

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Book SynopsisVirginia Woolf's novel famously begins - 'Mrs Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.' Of course she would: why would anyone surrender the best part of the day to someone else? Flowers grace our lives at moments of celebration and despair. 'We eat, drink, sing, dance, and flirt with them', writes Kakuzo Okakura. Flowers brighten our homes, our parties, and our rituals with incomparable notes of natural beauty, but the 'nature' in these displays is tamed and conscribed. This book analyzes the transplanted nature of cut flowers - of our relationship with them and the careful curation of their very existence. It is a picaresque, unpredictable ramble through the world of flowers, encompassing paintings, murals, fashion, and public art, glass flowers, pressed flowers, flowery church hats, weaponized flowers, deconstructed flowers, flower power. . . and much more.Trade Review"Examining all things floral from paintings, fashion and pressed flowers to decorative church hats and flower power, this generously illustrated book takes cuttings from one aspect of the human urge to tame and curate nature." * Apollo *"Strange Bright Blooms will convince you that flowers don't just stand there looking pretty. Malamud makes intriguing arguments that flowers not only attract but directly interact with us. While their beauty has inspired great art, blooms have likewise been repurposed as symbols of sexism and racism. Poisonous in warfare, flowers also have been signs of peaceful revolution. Like an unexpected delivery of flowers, this book is a surprise and a delight." -- Marcia Reiss, author of "Lily" and "Apple'""Malamud’s new book explores our endless attraction to cut flowers as a ‘shortcut to beauty’ but also as a medium in which to explore all manner of concerns around love and war, class and race, life and death. Who would have thought that Marie Osmond’s paper roses, Jeff Koons’s tulips, Mae Reeves’s hats, T. S. Eliot’s sleeping dahlias, and Banksy’s Flower Bomber (among many, many other wonderful blooms) would combine to make such a fabulous arrangement?" -- Kasia Boddy, author of "Geranium" and "Blooming Flowers"

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Book SynopsisMany people struggle with their powers of recall at some point in their lives, and in this innovative book Dr Gareth Moore has developed a programme of techniques, exercises and tips that will help you ensure that your memory never lets you down again. With exercises that target specific issues as well as general-purpose memory workouts, The Memory Coach is packed with information and strategies for use in everyday life, while also providing a guided plan for progression that continues to build upon the techniques you have already covered on previous days. Along with the exercises themselves you’ll find plenty of information on what the exercises are actually doing for you and why they are important in maintaining memory function.From remembering PIN numbers to public speaking, and from acronyms to memory palaces, The Memory Coach will help you to train your memory and keep it sharper, more focused, bigger and better – all in 40 days.

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Book SynopsisTax your brain and forget your troubles with the fantastic word search puzzles in this book, put together by puzzle master Dr Gareth Moore. For hours of fun, just pick up a pen and focus on these challenging exercises.

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Book SynopsisWe’ve all seen them – those quiz night contestants surreptitiously checking their phones under the table before smugly producing the answers. Well, that’s no way to win a quiz!___________‘A cracking general knowledge test’ – The Quiz Addict Blog on Think You Know It All?___________The proper way to win a quiz is, of course, to be such a know-it-all that you can dredge up the correct answer time after time, without feeling the need for digital back-up. So, are you really Mr (or Ms) Know-It-All? Or are you just looking for some fun and a source of fascinating facts that can win you a pub quiz, make you look knowledgeable in casual conversations, or impress your friends and family? Either way, this is the activity book for you.In this book you’ll find a lovingly curated set of quizzes that will test you on how much you really know. From high to low culture, history to geography, science to trivia, television to sports, there’s a bit of something from every field all over the world in here.The end result should be many hours of fun, as you discover how much you truly deserve the ultimate accolade of being called Mr Know-It-All.Trade ReviewA cracking general knowledge test. * The Quiz Addict blog on Think You Know It All? *

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Book SynopsisA great variety of activities to test your knowledge, whether highbrow or low culture. Proving you know it all about history has never been such fun – or so tricky.Do you think you know all about history? Can you tell your Tudors from your Habsburgs, and the Ming dynasty from the Mughals? Could you put the US presidents in order? Can you say what century the Elgin Marbles or Benin bronzes were crafted, or who were the husbands of famous women? Perhaps you like the history of art or of great inventions? Or maybe you think you know all about the great battles of the world?Whatever your area of interest or depth of knowledge, this quiz will have some testing questions for you. From the Stone Age up to the Second World War and covering all corners of the earth as well as all areas of human endeavour, Think You Know It All: History will challenge your knowledge of what happened, who did it, where and when.Along with the straightforward quizzes, there are maps questions, silhouettes to identify, mazes to follow – a great variety of activities to test your knowledge, whether highbrow or low culture. Proving you know it all about history has never been such fun – or so tricky.Trade ReviewA cracking general knowledge test * The Quiz Addict blog on Think You Know It All? *

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Book SynopsisIs That Your Final Answer? is a celebration of the most jaw-droppingly stupid, embarrassing and unforgettably hilarious answers given by contestants on television and radio quiz shows.We’ve all been there: you’re asked a question at a special event or work presentation; you have to say something, think fast, say anything! So you blurt out the first thing that comes in to your head, which turns out to be something idiotic, embarrassing or just plain wrong. So, imagine how much more intense that sense of panic must be if you are on a TV quiz show, under the bright lights, with a camera pointing at you and the studio audience giggling at your discomfort. Or live on the radio, with your foolish words being broadcast to everyone you know …Like the contestant who, asked ‘Which member of the crow family native to the UK has a bare face?’ answered ‘Russell.’ Or another who, asked ‘What might a blind date conveniently forget to mention about himself,’ answered ‘He’s blind!’One of the great pleasures of watching a quiz show is sitting smugly at home, shouting answers at the television and savouring the brain fades and stunned reactions that are celebrated in this book. So, sit back and enjoy the wonderful laughs to be found within – and perhaps spare a thought for the poor individuals who have suffered the excruciating embarrassment of actually having uttered them!

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Book SynopsisFrom homemade spa-day pamper products to gorgeous homewares, these 40 eco-gifting ideas will show you how to create presents from everyday household items. Whether you're eco-conscious and keen to reduce your plastic usage or want to be more sensible with your spending, this gorgeous craft compendium provides step-by-step guides to produce gifts that don't compromise on design or quality. Presents for sustainable living Home-grown plants and succulents from cuttings Self-care treatsOn-the-go necessities Special occasions Presents for furry loved ones … as well as tips and tricks on creating your own wrapping paper and gift tags, and much more besides. You'll be able to create modest yet striking products from items in your home and reward friends and family with carefully made contemporary treats. And by replacing disposable presents with recycled, eco-friendly ones that have been hand-made from materials in your home, you'll be saving your pennies while saving the world. The ultimate guide to eco-living and giving.

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Book SynopsisStep inside beautiful gardens and take some time for yourself to relax among the bees and butterflies. From the publisher of the hugely successful Creative Colouring series.Get ready to ramble through some of the most beautiful garden spaces and make them burst with colour. Fill in fragrant climbers, doodle next to dahlias and add some stunning details to nature's most exquisite insect, the butterfly. Immerse yourself in the fauna and flora of our favourite landscapes and colour in gorgeous plants to attract bees to every page. Specifically designed to encourage relaxation and foster an atmosphere of peace and calm, these beautiful illustrations inspired by the natural world will help you switch off from your worries and let your inner artist free. The Colour Yourself Calm series celebrates the natural world and will help you to forget your stresses, as you fill the pages with beautiful colours. The only limit is your imagination. Also available: Colour Yourself Calm: Fabulous Forests and Wild Flowers.

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Book SynopsisStep into fabulous forests and take some time for yourself to relax with this gorgeous colouring book. From the publisher of the hugely successful Creative Colouring series.Discover the magical world of the forest and the curious creatures that lie within, delve into the woodlands with their wonderful wildflowers and walk along the tree-lined paths towards tranquility. Specifically designed to encourage relaxation and foster an atmosphere of peace and calm, these beautiful illustrations inspired by the natural world will help you switch off from your worries and let your inner artist free. The Colour Yourself Calm series celebrates the natural world and will help you to forget your stresses, as you fill the pages with beautiful colours. The only limit is your imagination. Also available: Colour Yourself Calm: Flowers, Bees and Butterflies

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Book SynopsisStaying at home doesn’t mean that you have be stuck in front of the TV. This is the ultimate companion to help you beat boredom and to embrace your time indoors.Organized by mood, this book is packed with ideas on how to energize yourself, find your purpose, relax and reflect, get creative and connect with the world around you. Whether it’s for a rainy day or a weekend indoors, there are over 80 ideas to keep busy and to challenge your mind. Staying at home can be a challenge and this clever book will offer ways to keep you happy and healthy, from putting together a homemade exercise routine using everyday household items to creating your own home silent disco as well as ideas to help you discover a new hobby, such as learning a language or upcycling furniture. There are also tasks to keep you feeling engaged and proactive, with tips on lowering your plastic pollution and ways you can volunteer from the comfort of your home, as well as practical ways to help you stay connected with nature, from making your own bird feeder to star gazing from your window, and creative activities to help reduce stress and worry, such as journaling, colouring and crafting. Staying in is the new going out, and it’s so much more fun when you have ideas to keep you busy and entertained. These simple activities are full of tips and tricks to make your time at home as enjoyable as possible. You’ll never wonder what you can do with your spare time ever again!

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Book SynopsisTest yourself on 70 years of chart music trivia with this official quiz book!· Which Number 1 song by The Beatles became the biggest-selling single of the 1960s?· Can you name the two Number 1 songs by Lionel Richie and Adele which shared the same title?· In what year did Ed Sheeran make both his Official Singles and Albums Chart debuts?You’ll find these questions and thousands more in The Official Charts' Music Quiz Book, the ultimate challenge for pop music lovers and chart nerds alike. Compiled using the Official Charts Company’s definitive music database, this collection of quizzes spans 70 years of unforgettable music history, making it the perfect gift for music fans of all ages.With individual quizzes dedicated to specific genres (pop, rock, hip-hop and more), legendary artists (from Elvis and Madonna to Rihanna and Ed Sheeran), Christmas Number 1s and more, The Official Charts' Music Quiz Book contains everything you need to set your own challenges for friends and family or put on a musical masterclass at your next pub quiz.

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Book SynopsisWhen your mind just won’t switch off and you’re fed up of tossing and turning in your bed, pick up this unique book and discover a new and creative way of getting a good night’s sleep.Along with gorgeous patterns to colour you’ll also find:· Simple tailored exercises designed to calm the mind, promote well-being and help you relax, ready for sleep· Expert hints and tips on developing a good bedtime routine· Inspirational quotes and plenty of room for your own thoughts and musings

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Book Synopsis‘Caroline Taggart has carved out a niche for herself in user-friendly, wittily written factual books.’ – Yorkshire Post______________________The huge variety of colourful phrases contained in the English language are notoriously varied and, often, notably odd. From blue-blooded (an invention of aristocratic Spaniards) to limelight (a way of lighting Victorian theatres), passing an exam with flying colours (an image from sailing ships) to winning hands down (from horse racing), the fascinating expressions that make up our language are explored in Humble Pie and Cold Turkey.In this highly entertaining book, language enthusiast and Sunday Times best-selling author Caroline Taggart browses through thousands of years of history to shed light on why we use the words and phrases we do. Arranged by themes including food, the household, childhood, romance and more, this intriguing book looks at the origins of our language from their historical context. For example, did you know that:If you rest on your laurels, you’re imitating a complacent Roman general?If you eavesdrop, you’re likely to get wet?If you’re taken aback, you should, strictly speaking, be a sailing ship?If you’re galvanized into action, you’re behaving like Frankenstein’s monster?Humble Pie and Cold Turkey will prompt you to question the downright bizarre idioms we use to express ourselves, and answer questions you may never have thought to ask. Including why turkeys need to be cold and how pies came to be humble.Trade Review‘Caroline Taggart has carved out a niche for herself in user-friendly, wittily written factual books.’ * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisThe newest addition to the Perfect Pocket Puzzles series. Take a break with over 150 brand new word search puzzles by internationally bestselling author Dr. Gareth Moore.This chic pocket-sized word search puzzle book is perfect both to entertain you when you’re out and about or for when you’re relaxing at home. Either way, working through these classic word searches will give you a moment to unwind and breathe. Filled with over 150 new word searches, all you need is to grab a pen and enjoy this gentle workout for the mind.Also available: Perfect Pocket Puzzles: Crosswords (9781789294187)Perfect Pocket Puzzles: Word Searches (9781789294200)Perfect Pocket Puzzles: Sudoku (9781789294194)Perfect Pocket Puzzles: Codewords (9781789296075)

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Book SynopsisCrack over 90 devilishly puzzling cases in this hardboiled collection of crime conundrums.Written by internationally best-selling author Dr Gareth Moore, The Private Investigator Puzzle Book puts you in the shoes of a seasoned sleuth for hire, as you use every tool in your investigative arsenal to analyze crime scenes, identify suspects, decipher riddles and bring the city’s criminals to justice.As you venture into a dark and gritty criminal underworld in search of answers, you’ll test your wits in a variety of verbal and visual puzzles, spot the difference, code-cracking cryptograms, hanjie, sudoku and much more. Each scenario is unique, the stakes are high and it’s up to you to clean up the streets, one case at a time.Featuring dozens of mysteries, The Private Investigator Puzzle Book is a compelling collection of challenges that lets you channel your inner Dick Tracy or Philip Marlow

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Book SynopsisThe official puzzle book with the award-winning series, The Fortune Hotel on ITV. With ten cases and one fortune to win, this is the ultimate game of bluff, all in one book.

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Book SynopsisExplores queer craft and the material cultures of LGBTQ+ activism in Britain since the 1980s. From handmade clothing and protest banners to radical self-published zines and manifestos, there is a long history of using craft and DIY processes to explore identities, bring communities together, and encourage social and political change. Yet, many of these histories remain undocumented and are insufficiently researched. This collection sheds light on these important histories and includes a range of contributions from academics, artists, activists, curators, and heritage professionals. Case studies discussed include Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp, the Museum of Transology, Lesbians and Gay Men Support the Miners (LGSM), the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, Islington’s Pride, Queer Zine Library, Glasgow Women’s Library, Queer Journeys, and more. These critical essays and oral histories are complemented by short reflections from contemporary creative practitioners including Matt Smith, Tanoa Sasraku, Sarah-Joy Ford, Rachael House and Raisa Kabir. Taken together, this collection weaves together an important web between craft, queerness, and activism in Britain. As the first book of its kind, it will likely be of interest to a range of students and academics, as well as cultural producers and creatives more broadly.Trade Review'Fountain's book fills a gap that has been left unfilled for far too long. Through sharing previously unheard histories of activism – given from a wide range of perspectives – Crafted with Pride is sure to spark debate, discussion and, well, pride. [...] This book shows how LGBTQ+ activists have long harnessed the power of craft to protest and tell their stories, creating objects that come alive through collective making and use.' -- Isabella Smith, Deputy editor, Crafts magazineTable of ContentsList of Figures Acknowledgements About the editor Introduction: Crafting Identity and Community Thread One: Fashioning the Self 1. Lesbian Activism and Crafted Fashion – Eleanor Medhurst 2. Trans Craft and the Museum of Transology – Lois Stone Thread Two: Pride, Publics, and Preservation 3. Protest with Pride: Lesbians and Gay Men Support the Miners – Mark Etheridge 4. Pride of Place: Remembering, Collecting, and Preserving Islington’s LGBTQ+ Heritage – Seán McGovern 5. (Re)Collecting Queer Craft: Ownership, Identity, and Remembrance in Queer Zine Collecting – Allan Madden Thread Three: Collaborative Craft 6. Navigating Queerness and Trauma Through Collaborative Craft – Dan Vo in conversation with Youcef Hadjazi 7. Stitching Together: The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt and Its Oral Histories – Daniel Fountain Plus, an in-conversation with Graeme Lavery and Karina Thompson Thread Four: Contemporary Practices 8. Making Things Perfectly Queer – Matt Smith 9. A Tower to Say Goodbye – Tanoa Sasraku 10. Quilting Intergenerational Intimacies in Fisch’s Rebel Dykes Archive – Sarah-Joy Ford 11. Queer Voices – Rachael House 12. NO PROTECTION – Raisa Kabir Glossary National Support Organizations Contributor Biographies Index

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Book SynopsisWho wrote Only Fools and Horses? What is Rodney Trotter's middle name? What is the name of the actor who played Uncle Albert? When the first episode of Only Fools and Horses hit our screens in September 1981, the show became an instant classic. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest British comedies of all time. Whether you are looking to spice up your pub quiz or really test your in-depth knowledge of the Trotters, The Only Fools and Horses Quiz Book is a welcome, quirky addition to the bookshelf of any fan that will keep you quizzing - and laughing - for hours on end.

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Book Synopsis'Highly entertaining' - The Times'A hymn book to the London street' - TLSFrom the Roman marching along the ancient Old Kent Road to the rattling newspaper presses of Fleet Street, from Dickensian iron and fog to the neon lights of the twenty-first century, the game of Monopoly has painted London's story across cheerful coloured tiles. But those Monopoly streets live and breathe - they open up whole new ways of thinking about our history. The mobs have taken to our streets. The overlords have taken them back. Wars have spilled out into them. Lovers have snuck around them, and fires have raged through them. In a city of rags and riches, where folk hero Dick Whittington believed the streets were paved with gold, anything could happen - and everything has. You may think you know the history of London. You don't. Or at least, not entirely. This is the story of the capital as you've never, quite, heard it before.

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Book SynopsisEveryone has their favourite.You might have grown up on long scarves and jelly babies, or a pinstriped suit and converse. You may love a white-haired man in a junkyard, or a mysterious woman in a rainbow shirt. Maybe you're thrilled to see David Tennant and Russell T Davies return for the sixtieth anniversary in 2023.Ever since the Doctor landed on our screens six decades ago, a nation was hooked. But how well do you know the many faces of the Doctor?Packed with over 200 Time Lord questions from across the Whoniverse, celebrating every regeneration of our two-hearted hero, The Doctor Who Quiz Book is perfect for any fan, new and old:Who played the very first Doctor?What powers their famous time machine?Which kind of companion would you be?Test your limits, solve the puzzles and travel the stars as you begin your own Doctor Who adventure and celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Time Lord.

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Book Synopsis'A book every quiz lover should have in their collection.' - Shaun WilliamsonWhether you're a Pointless armchair aficionado, nostalgic for the days of Going for Gold, or a bona fide Mastermind...THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!Fingers on Buzzers! is an interactive, kaleidoscopic, bonanza celebration and history of the British quiz from Lucy Porter and Jenny Ryan, the presenters of the podcast Fingers on Buzzers.For quiz fans everywhere, Fingers on Buzzers! is a nostalgic celebration of our great British obsession - from the early days of TV quiz shows to our more recent love of the pub quiz - incorporating a huge host of pop quizzes for the whole family to enjoy.

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Book SynopsisTest your powers of observation with this brilliant wordsearch. Presented in easy-to-read, large-print type, this book is a perfect companion for puzzle-lovers and word-search wizards, both young and old. Each of these 200 puzzles focuses on a fun and unique theme, allowing you to pick up interesting trivia along the way!• LARGE PRINT: Put your reading glasses away! This large-print book allows you to puzzle away without straining your eyes. • EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN: Keep your mind alert by searching for the cunningly hidden words. • REDUCE STRESS: Feel your stress melt away as you focus on these satisfying puzzles.

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Book SynopsisTrain your brain with this collection of expertly crafted puzzles, packaged in a handy format which is perfect for taking with you for puzzling wherever you go. All puzzles are printed in large print to make them easy-to-read.

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift either for yourself or the object of your affections, The Love Colouring Book celebrates all things connected to l''amour! Filled with images of beautiful hearts and flowers, as well as many other romantic designs, this wonderful collection is sure to enthuse readers with the pure joy of being in love, if not with someone special then just the notion of being alive to take pleasure in the world.

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Book SynopsisDread Trident examines the rise of imaginary worlds in tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs), such as Dungeons and Dragons. With the combination of analog and digital mechanisms, from traditional books to the internet, new ways of engaging the fantastic have become increasingly realized in recent years, and this book seeks an understanding of this phenomenon within the discourses of trans- and posthumanism, as well as within a gameist mode.The book explores a number of case studies of foundational TRPGs. Dungeons and Dragons provides an illustration of pulp-driven fantasy, particularly in the way it harmonizes its many campaign settings into a functional multiverse. It also acts as a supreme example of depth within its archive of official and unofficial published material, stretching back four decades. Warhammer 40k and the Worlds of Darkness present an interesting dialogue between Gothic and science-fantasy elements. The Mythos of HP Lovecraft also features prominently in the book as an example of a realized world that spans the literary and gameist modes.Realized fantasy worlds are becoming ever more popular as a way of experiencing a touch of the magical within modern life. Reworking Northrop Frye’s definition of irony, Dread Trident theorizes an ironic understanding of this process and in particular of its embodied forms.Trade Review'Dread Trident sets a novel and rewarding precedent for future research that melds literature studies and game studies... [It] is an impressive investigation into embodiment, play, and posthumanism, in order to synthesize previously understudied connections at work in TRPGs. Carbonell expertly moves between fields of study, from discussions of transhumanism and posthumanism, to literary theory, to game studies, and even between genres even within analog games.' Adrianna Burton, Analog Game Studies‘Dread Trident offers a theoretically rigorous and informative exploration of its focal gametexts and the use of game archives to critically explore how the modern fantastic as a genre evolves in them over time. Carbonell’s approach to theorizing these gametexts as using digital and analogue tools to generate realized worlds… is innovative and compelling.’ Clare Wall, SFRA ReviewTable of Contents1. Introduction: Theorizing the Modern Fantastic2. The Posthuman in the Schismatrix Stories and Eclipse Phase3. Dungeons and Dragons' Multiverse4. Worlds of Darkness: From Gothic to Cosmic Horror5. Lovecraft's (Cthulhu) Mythos6. Warhammer 40,000: A Science Fantasy Epic7. Beyond Borders with Miéville, Wolfe, and Numenera8. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide to making ceramic jewellery from sourcing or creating fittings and findings, combining other materials and avoiding potential design issues. Ceramic jewellery is an ever-growing area of the ceramic world. Although ceramic beads have been around for as long as pots have, the idea of ceramic jewellery has been making a comeback in a much more glamorous and professional form than ever before. This book shows you how ceramic can be combined with other materials such as silver, gold, feathers, leather, textiles or stone to create some unique and innovative pieces. It teaches you how to source or create your own fittings and findings, common design problems and the practicalities of joining the various elements to create a successful piece. The book is well illustrated both with practical images and beautiful photos of finished work from an international range of artists.Trade ReviewHot off the press, this book gives all the essential information to make ceramic jewellery plus an attractive colourful gallery of work by international artists. * Craftsman Magazine (July 2010) *A very useful book for the beginner and for those who wish to be inspired to produce more innovative pieces. * Kent Potters Association newsletter (Aug/Sept 2010) *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Design considerations for jewellery 2. Decorative clay surface techniques 3. Forming 4. Colour 5. Firings and kilns 6. Some simple metal techniques 7. Findings 8. Gallery Health & Safety Bibliography Suppliers Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisUnlock the secrets of a mystical tome through gorgeous illustrations, clever paper mechanics, and a mysterious story. This interactive book will keep you and your friends immersed for hours!You have been cast as an expert on occult texts and tasked with solving a literary mystery. An antiquarian bookseller recently vanished under strange circumstances, leaving only a copy of Codex Regenesis behind. This intriguing volume contains five fables from across time and geography, each of which holds a clue. You’ll need all five clues to solve the final riddle, unlock a secret compartment, and discover the full story of the book’s mysterious powers. Author, artist, and paper engineer Hannah Batsel has concocted a delight for bibliophiles packed with striking linocut illustrations and clever interactive mechanics. Codex Regenesis blends elements of myths, fairy tales, and legends within a deeply moving story about seeing things as they really are and living true to yourself. After the mystery is solved, the book remains a beautiful art object to be treasured and shared for years to come. This fantastically original work is for anyone who loves browsing in antiquarian bookshops on the off chance they might find a book of actual magic. . . .INTERACTIVE MYSTERY BOOK: With five fiendish puzzles to solve, using clues from the narrative, the illustrations, and the paper mechanics, Codex Regenesis captures the excitement of an escape room in the form of a book. It's perfect for cozy solo puzzling or as an analog group activity for friends and families.  MUST-HAVE FOR MODERN MYSTICS: Batsel blends deep historical research and timely themes with a generous sprinkling of magical and occult aesthetics. This book is a must-have for tarot fans, antique book collectors, and fans of all things witchy and arcane. RISING STAR CREATOR: Hannah Batsel has earned a devoted following on TikTok, where she shares her historically inspired prints, intricate paper designs, and other distinctive creations. Her handmade artist books and children's books are beloved for their clever construction, mesmerizing artwork, and meaningful stories. ENGAGING STORY: Codex Regenesis turns the classic cautionary tale about eternal youth on its head, questioning who deserves to relieve their youth (with a particular nod to the queer experience). The story delivers memorable characters and vivid settings that span history and geography, offering a fully immersive reading experience.Perfect for: Fans of logic puzzles, brain teasers, crosswords, or seek-and-find books Anyone who enjoys Murder Most Puzzling or Murdle books Escape room players Readers of dark, magical, witchy stories LGBTQ+ readers Art book and vintage book collectors Fans of Hannah Batsel’s books and online content Halloween and holiday gift shoppers

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Book Synopsis Why do people send flowers, and what secret meanings do they hold? This entertaining and addictive little photo-rich volume holds the answers.Since opening NYC-based flower shop POPUPFLORIST, owner Kelsie Hayes has collected the most memorable notes customers have written to accompany an arrangement. These messages range from congratulatory to endearing, hilarious, condoling, sexy, apologetic, and even mysterious, and they offer a peek into the private lives of everyday people. This petite gift book collects 52 of these anonymous notecards, each paired with a flower arrangement inspired by the sender's words and designed with POPUPFLORIST's signature flair, including: A structural trio of anthurium stems, which represent lust, paired with a sexy invitation. A pair of bud vases for a family who just found out they're having twins: 'Two little babes instead of one, double the joy and double the fun!' A joyful bouquet of Ger

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Book Synopsis Filled with inspiration for your next party, this stunning lookbook combines beautiful imagery of celebrations around the world with practical advice for designing your own unforgettable events.Travel from the coast of Japan to the beaches of Mexico, from New York City to the Utah desert, and discover how a professional planner designs exquisite celebrations inspired by the world’s most stunning destinations. In these pages, Alison Hotchkiss—named best wedding planner by Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Goop, and widely recognized in the event industry as a creative luminary—reveals the process of choosing the color palette, flowers, paper goods, textiles, menus, music, and other travel-inspired details to create memorable parties with a sense of place.   Helpful tips and how-tos for designing bespoke weddings and events are woven throughout, such as: Making a mood board Co

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered what to call a group of narwhals? It?s a ?blessing?: A blessing of narwhals. Isn?t that beautiful? Want to know more? Then this jigsaw puzzle is made for you!As you connect 1000 pieces to complete the Ocean Lover?s Jigsaw Puzzle from Ridley''s Games, not only will you reveal a vast selection of creatures who live above and below the water, but you?ll also uncover the collective nouns for each of them. With stunning illustrations of some of nature?s most incredible creatures set against the backdrop of spectacular scenery, this is the ideal gift for the thalassophiles, beach bums, and naturalists in your life. And once the circular jigsaw is finished, it?s easy to frame to create a piece of art! Perfect for the ocean or puzzle lover, this jigsaw comes in giftable tube packaging and measures 26.8 in / 68 cm in diameter when it?s finished. At Ridley?s Games, we like to make Good Clean Fun that?s as kind to the planet as it can be, so this jigsaw is made using 70% recycled materials and 30% FSC paper, and it?s printed using soy inks.MORE THAN A JIGSAW ? Have you ever wondered what to call a group of narwhals? It?s a ?blessing?: A blessing of narwhals. Isn?t that beautiful? Want to know more? Then this jigsaw puzzle is made for you! BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL ? Connect 1000 pieces to complete the Ocean Lover?s Jigsaw Puzzle from Ridley''s Games and reveal a vast selection of creatures who live above and below the water, as well as the collective nouns for each of them. GALLERY WALL-WORTHY ? With stunning illustrations of some of nature?s most incredible creatures?including seahorses, otters, and polar bears?set against spectacular scenery, the finished puzzle is so beautiful, you?ll want to frame it (and you can!). GOOD CLEAN FUN ? Made using 70% recycled materials, 30% FSC paper, and printed with soy inks. Each piece of this puzzle is composed of durable, lightweight board with a low-gloss finish to minimize glare, which we know is important to the avid puzzler! RIDLEY?S ? Awesome games and puzzles packed with personality?that?s our passion! We?re a crew of curious creatives making hilarious party games, light strategy games, fast-paced card games, challenging trivia, hilarious jokes, and stunning jigsaws.

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Book SynopsisIt’s time to make your home a wellness zone! Your home environment should lift you up and bring you joy. But the you live and work in one place, you're all the more aware of how surroundings can affect your well-being. No Place Like Home offers simple and effective ways to transform your home environment to be more mindfully aligned with who you are. It’s packed with ideas for upcycling and decluttering, as well as comforting recipes, soothing relaxation rituals and innovative ways to bring the outside in. This restorative book will help you rediscover the delights of your four walls as a space for calm, productivity, happiness and personal growth.

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Book SynopsisYou know a pile of poo when you see one. But what about when the poo is carefully concealed in an everyday scene? With great artistry and mischievous glee, bestselling author Hugh Jassburn has created a selection of entrancing visual puzzles to keep you entertained whenever you need a comfort break. Whether you’re scanning a busy beach or scoping out a city street, there’s a dump to be discovered on every spread of this highly amusing search-and-find book.

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Book SynopsisWarning: this puzzle book may cause enjoyment and momentary loss of grumpiness The world has gone to hell in a handbasket and everyone around you is a fool. What you need is something to take your mind off it all. Grumble your way through these word searches, sudokus, crosswords, spot the differences, quizzes and mazes and you’ll find your crabbiness melting away – until you get stumped by a silly anagram, that is!

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Book SynopsisTime to down your trowel and pick up a pencil This bountiful crop of 200 gardening-themed puzzles has something for anyone with green fingers and a love of a good brain-teaser Gardeners are a naturally smart species. But you don't need to be an expert to enjoy this book. When your hands deserve a rest after you've been out toiling in the garden, or when the weather has you cooped up inside, how about a puzzle or two to cultivate the mind? From quick quizzes and riddles to more leisurely crosswords and sudoku, whether you're a gardening obsessive or just enjoy pottering around your plot, there's plenty in these pages to tickle your fancy and keep your brain as sharp as a thorn and as strong as an oak. Inside you will find a rich variety of puzzles, including these:- Find the flowers, fruit and veg hiding within word searches - Spot the differences between various idyllic views of a garden - Shuffle the letters of anagrams to locate your trusty tools - Wind your way through a series of intricate hedge mazes

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Book SynopsisAll aboard the puzzle train!This book is fully loaded with 200 railway-themed puzzles, perfect for aficionados as well as inquisitive commutersMore than just a means of transport, trains have changed the world. Across centuries and continents, they've been unstoppable. But when you're sitting back in your seat on a long rail journey, why not pause for a puzzle or two?From quick quizzes and riddles to more leisurely crosswords and sudoku, whether you're a locomotive obsessive or just enjoy the occasional trip, there's plenty in these pages to fire up your mental furnace and keep you going full steam ahead to the end of the line.Inside you will find a rich variety of puzzles, including these:- Find the names of world-famous locomotives within word searches- Shuffle the letters of anagrams to identify essential railway paraphernalia- Guess the meaning of some technical train-related terms- Figure out what happened during strange-but-true incidents from railway history

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