Nostalgia: general Books

Book Synopsis ***Out now: David Nicholls''s new novel YOU ARE HERE*** A NOSTALGIC LOOK AT FIRST LOVE FROM BELOVED BESTSELLER DAVID NICHOLLS A tragicomedy about the rocky path to adulthood and that one summer that changes your life forever ''A beautiful paean to young love'' OBSERVER ''Fizzing'' GUARDIAN ''A glorious escape to the sunlit uplands of the 1990s'' FINANCIAL TIMES ''Exquisite'' DAILY TELEGRAPH ''The sense of nostalgia is visceral and intense, almost time-bending'' SUNDAY TIMES It''s summer 1997, school is over and Charlie Lewis''s life is in shambles. His family is breaking up, his father is falling apart and the long, empty holidays stretch ahead towards an uncertain future. And then, quite by chance, Charlie meets Fran Fisher and it''s as if a new world has opened before him. But can it last?Trade ReviewVery funny and heart wrenchingly tender * Grazia *A beautiful paean to young love . . . Here he proves that he can still pull off that most rare and coveted of literary feats: a popular novel of serious merit, a bestseller that will also endure -- Alex Preston * Observer *This is Nicholls' talent - what really sets this story apart is the dialogue: funny, telling, laughter-inducing, he's hard to beat * Stylist *He's such a genius. His novels are relatable and recognisable, but also surprising, breath-taking and life-enhancing -- Nina Stibbe, author of LOVE, NINAA classic coming of age novel with universal truths teased out with remarkable perception * Irish Times *Affirms once again Nicholls' talent for unearthing the special in the ordinary * Metro *Full of the joy and pain of first love, fans who fell for bestseller One Day, ten years ago, won't be disappointed * Sunday Mirror *A big-hearted book with wonderful set-pieces . . . beautifully funny and touching . . . his books always seem as fresh as they are wise and funny * Literary Review *I don't think anyone writing right now captures youth and adolescence better; I'm not sure anyone even gets close -- Jenny Colgan, author of THE LITTLE SHOP OF HAPPY-EVER-AFTERSuch a beautiful book. Captures perfectly a moment in time we've all experienced -- Graham NortonWritten with great comic panache and generosity of spirit, it is Nicholls' most mature and compelling novel so far * i paper *Nicholls' literary talents are impressive . . . the sense of nostalgia is visceral and intense, almost time-bending * Sunday Times *It's just perfect in every way -- Jill Mansell, author of SHOULD I TELL YOU?Funny, engaging and moving, another triumph from the brilliant David Nicholls -- John Boyne, author of THE HEART'S INVISIBLE FURIESA compassionate, intelligent look at the raw pain and loneliness of a teenage boy, the everyday miracle of first love and the perennial power of Shakespeare's language * Spectator *Fizzing . . . a funny, affectionate exploration of first love * Guardian *Astutely observed, and almost painfully nostalgic, Sweet Sorrow reads like a true story -- Clare Mackintosh, author of THE LAST PARTYIt's everything a story should be. Beautiful and clear and heartfelt, and it will do what all brilliant stories do: it will find the very pinpoint of who you are and it will stay there -- Joanna Cannon, author of WILL YOU READ THIS, PLEASE?A master of the bittersweet coming-of-age novel * Herald *Pitch perfect . . . Exquisite . . . Terrific . . . Very funny . . . Though Sweet Sorrow is certainly pulse-quickening enough to absorb readers through this summer's airport delays and rained-off beach days, it's no escapist fantasy. The tale of Charlie and Fran will linger long beyond your tan * Daily Telegraph *Nicholls perfectly captures the dizzying highs and lows of first love * Daily Express *Adrian Mole meets The Swish Of The Curtain in this lovely coming-of-age romcom about acting and the class divide * Daily Mail *Full of wisdom, poignancy and laughs * Mail on Sunday *Interesting, moving, hilarious and sad at the same time * Scotsman *A funny, relatable coming-of-age story * Sun *A superbly written, beautifully observed account of teenage life, love, family dysfunction and friendship, which builds to a stunningly poignant ending * Heat *No one else writes novels that are both relatable and revelatory in the way he does -- Alex Peake-Tomkinson * Evening Standard *A delicious, pensive summer read * Press Association *Piercingly observant, gloriously funny and achingly sad, this is David Nicholls' best book yet * Daily Mirror *Sweet Sorrow manages to be interesting, moving, hilarious and sad at the same time. I know when my heartstrings are being pulled, but tugged they assuredly were * Scotland on Sunday *A glorious escape to the sunlit uplands of the 1990s, where a teenager first finds love * Financial Times *Funny and nostalgic tale of first love * Sydney Morning Herald *If ever there was an author perfect to take with you on holiday (so to speak), it's David Nicholls * Stella *I'm not sure there has ever been a better book to read while by the sea. The nostalgia, the humour, the deep understanding of adolescent love and indeed the sorrow. It's such a brilliant book * i News *A witty and tender evocation of young love -- Robert Webb * Guardian *A devastatingly honest exploration of first love, razor-sharp reflections on friendship - oh, and some snort out loud funny moments -- George Aligiah * Guardian *David Nicholls is that rarest of literary creatures: a genuinely brilliant, genuinely popular novelist. His latest, Sweet Sorrow, is more than just poignant and warm and funny. There are piercing apercus and writing that's both precise and poetic, lyrical and tough -- Stuart Maconie, Best Books of the Year * New Statesman *Eloquent . . . dazzles with wit and shrewd self-reflection * People *A tale of first love that hits all the right notes . . . [it] just might be the sweetest book to brighten your late summer * Washington Post *Delectable . . . Nicholls treats you to a satisfying glimpse into the future, where characters make a curtain call as adults . . . Bombshells abound * New York Times Book Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA brand new collection of inspiring recipes from the bestselling Middle Eastern chef - each carefully designed to be as easy as possible.The hotly anticipated new collection from Sunday Times bestselling author Sabrina Ghayour, every recipe in Persiana Easy balances irresistible Middle Eastern flavours with accessible cooking. From midweek meals and traybakes to pastries and sweet treats, this collection features easy recipes to delight your family and friends, time and again. Praise for Sabrina Ghayour:''Sabrina Ghayour''s Middle-Eastern plus food is all flavour, no fuss - and makes me very, very happy'' - Nigella Lawson''I don''t think she could write a dull recipe if she tried. Every one an elegantly spiced delight.'' - Tom Parker Bowles''The golden girl of Persian cookery'' - Observer''Chef Sabrina Ghayour''s new recipes deliver maximum flavour with the greatest of ease - perfect for busy lives'' - Sainsbury''s MagazineCONTENTS INCLUDE:Dips, Snacks and Light Bites: Sweet Potato, Basil and Feta Dip; Crispy Za''atar Salt and Pepper Prawns; Popcorn HalloumiBread and Pastry: Turkish Pide Bread; Easy Bake Bagels(ish); Fig, Goat Cheese, Thyme and Honey RollsSalads: Smoked Aubergine Salad with Pickled Chillies and Feta; Duck and Pomegranate Salad with Honey Pomegranate Sauce; Broad Bean, Pea, Orange and Goats Cheese SaladMidweek Meals: Lamb Kofta Patties with Yogurt and Burnt Orange; Butterflied Orange Paprika Butter Chicken; Shish KebabComfort Food: Turkish Lentil Soup; Couscous Royale with Spiced Lamb Shanks; Orange Spiced Pork with Charred Spring Onions and PineappleRoasts and Traybakes: Spiced Saffron Chicken Kebabs; Tray-baked Harissa Lamb Chops; Baked Meatballs with Tomato, Harissa and FetaVegetables and Side Dishes: Hot and Sour Green Beans; Mashed Chickpeas with Spice Oil; Stuffed Baby Peppers with Date Couscous and FetaSweet Treats: Citrus and Spice Almond Tart; Bokaj; Apple Borek

Read more less

Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Indie Book Awards, Christopher Bland Prize and The People''s Book PrizeA Waterstones Best Memoir of 2024An Independent and Stylist Best Non-Fiction BookThe captivating true story of an underdog business a feminist bookshop founded in Thatcher's Britain from a woman at the heart of the women's liberation movement.What was it like to start a feminist bookshop, in an industry dominated by men? How could a lesbian thrive in Thatcher's time, with the government legislating to restrict her rights? How do you run a business when your real aim is to change the world?Silver Moon was the dream of three women a bookshop with the mission to promote the work of female writers and create a much-needed safe space for any woman. Founded in 1980s London against a backdrop of homophobia and misogyny, it was a testament to the power of community, growing into Europe's biggest women's bookshop and hosting a constellation of literary stars from Margaret Atwood and Maya Angelou to Angela Carter. While contending with day-to-day struggles common to other booksellers, plus the additional burdens of misogyny and the occasional hate crime, Jane Cholmeley and her booksellers created a thriving business. But they also played a crucial and relatively unsung part in one the biggest social movements of our time.A Bookshop of One's Own is a fascinating slice of social history from the heart of the women's liberation movement, from a true feminist and lesbian icon. Written with heart and humour, it reveals the struggle and joy that comes with starting an underdog business, while being a celebration of the power women have to change the narrative when they are the ones holding the pen.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMoomin Classics Set of 3 Mini Notebooks features a collection of three mini, foiled notebooks, each with a different beautiful design. With alternating lined and blank pages, a sturdy cover and rounded corners, they are perfect to be carried everywhere! Tove Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish writer and artist who created the Moomin family and their friends. She first started painting Moomintrolls in 1935 and her last Moomin book was published in 1970; but her stories live on and continue to be adapted and enjoyed by many generations. Flame Tree: The Art of Fine Gifts.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Modern Quilting discover the versatility, comfort and style that a beautifully designed quilt can bring to your home.Long seen as a traditional craft-form, contemporary textiles designer, Julius Arthur, guides you through the basic construction, patchwork and appliqué techniques of quilt-making, before showcasing 20 stylish hand-stitched projects perfectly suited for modern living.From a large-scale heirloom quilt, to a fashionable cross-body pouch, each project is minimal in design but with thoughful details, making it ideal for first-time crafters. Complete with stunning lifestyle photography and clear instructions throughout, Modern Quilting will make you fall in love with this age-old craft and give you a new-found appreciation for textiles.Trade ReviewA true celebration of the age-old pastime. * Elle Decoration *A beautiful book with soul, which chimes with our times. * Embroidery magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis Fun indoor games for the whole family to enjoy. Switch off your screens, gather the family, open up 60 Classic Indoor Games and remember how simple it is to play and laugh together. Inside this wonderful little book are new, classic and beloved (but often-forgotten) family games that are perfect to keep the children from their screens or tearing the house down on rainy days. It's great for entertaining visiting grandparents and brilliant at getting everyone's imagination going! Create your own family traditions with classic games like Charades, Sardines and Are You There, Moriarty? as well as new favourites like Kangaroo Racing, Sprouts and Fish Flap. Includes everything you need to know to play over 60 classic games ordered alphabetically for quick and easy reference. Suitable for all ages, it's a lovely gift to pass on for future generations to enjoy.Trade Review'A timely pocket guide to some to some good old-fashioned fun!' * Irish Examiner *'A wonderful collection of games, perfect for families and anyone looking to entertain kids - and not a screen to be seen!' * Creative Steps *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDo you remember Pathé News? Taking the train to the seaside? The purple stains of iodine on the knees of boys in short trousers? Knitted bathing costumes? Then the chances are you were born in or around 1950. To the young people of today, the 1950s seem like another age.But for those born around then, this era of childhood feels like yesterday. This delightful collection of photographic memories will appeal to all who grew up in this post-war decade; they include pictures of children enjoying life out on the streets and bombsites, at home and at school, on holiday and at events. These wonderful period pictures and descriptive captions will bring back this decade of childhood, and jog memories about all aspects of life as it was in post-war Britain.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe #1 New York Times BestsellerA decade-by-decade cookbook that highlights the best (and a few of the worst) baking recipes from the 20th centuryFriends of baking, are you sick and tired of making the same recipes again and again? Then look no further than this baking blast from the past, as B. Dylan Hollis highlights the most unique tasty treats of yesteryear.Travel back in time on a delicious decade-by-decade jaunt as Dylan shows you how to bake vintage forgotten greats. With a big pinch of fun and a full cup of humor, you?ll be baking everything from Chocolate Potato Cake from the 1910s to Avocado Pie from the 1960s.Dylan has baked hundreds of recipes from countless antique cookbooks and selected only the best for this bakebook, sharing the shining stars from each decade. And because some of the recipes Dylan shares on his wildly popular social media channels are spectacular failures, he?s thrown in a few of the most disastrously strange recipes for you to try if you dare.A few of Dylan?s favorites that are going to have you licking your lips and begging for more include:? 1900s Cornflake Macaroons? 1910s ANZAC Biscuits? 1930s Peanut Butter Bread? 1940s Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake? 1950s Tomato Soup Cake? 1970s Potato Chip CookiesBaking Yesteryear contains 101 expertly curated recipes that will take you on a delicious journey through the past. With a larger-than-life personality and comedic puns galore, baking with Dylan never gets old. We?ll leave that to the recipes.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn What Can I Bring?, veteran food and cookbook writer and guest extraordinaire Casey Elsass takes the stress out of the partygoer’s eternal dilemma with 75 recipes that will make you the talk of the party—for the right reasons. In a room full of bags of chips, be the most desired dip with Golden Ratio Guac or Seven Onion Dip. Put down the $12 bottle of pinot grigio and pick up a tray of Jell-O Cocktail Shots. Discover a world of standout brunch dishes, such as Cream-Soaked Cinnamon Rolls or Bagel Panzanella. When you’re on dessert duty, choose from Buttermilk Brownies, Apple + Chinese Five-Spice Pie, Very Creamy Ice Cream, or death-by-chocolate Bruce Bogtrotter Cake. And when the host instructs you to bring yourself, come prepared with giftable treats like Seasoned Oyster Crackers or Homemade Hot Fudge. With plenty of options and adaptations for special diets and allergies, including vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free recipes, and detailed instructions for packing and serving for minimal stress on-site, this book is your road map for crowd-pleasing party fare. The only thing you’ll be taking home is the title of MVP—Most Valuable Partygoer.   

Read more less

Book SynopsisFirst published in 1979, the Usborne Book of the Future is a fondly-remembered book from a time when people dreamed of the future as a place filled with wonder and amazing new technology. After more than 40 years of science fiction focussing on dystopias and doom, it's time to remind readers young and old that, in fact, the Future is STILL a place that holds hope and excitement.The book is built in three sections. The first explores all kinds of robots, the jobs they will do on land, sea and in space, and where they will get power from.The second is all about cities of the future, and how people will live, what new buildings they will build, how computers will change the world, and what people will do for fun.The final section is about the future of travel, from planes, trains and cars on Earth, to Space shuttles and journeys to colonise other planets.This re-issued book retains the original text and stunning artwork, but now comes with a foreword by renowned BBC Futurologist Tom Cheesewright, who was inspired into his career by the original edition of the book. From outlining the internet to asteroid mines to 3D printers and robot helpers, you'll be surprised by how accurately this book predicted life in the 21st Century.Long out of print, copies of the original printing of this book fetch three figures on auction sites. Now at last people who remember this book from their childhood can find it again, and share it with the next generation, at normal bookshop prices!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hilarious, emotional love story about an extremely anxious publicist who''s tasked with keeping an extremely gay starlet in the closet - but who ends up falling for her instead.?It''s 2005, and Ali is a publicist for Hollywood''s biggest stars. Part of her job entails keeping gay celebrities in the closet-which is pretty ironic, since she''s a lesbian herself. When Ali is assigned a new client, Cara Bisset, upcoming star of a (hetero) romantic blockbuster, keeping Cara''s sexuality under wraps becomes Ali''s biggest challenge yet. Bold, unpredictable Cara hates that she has to hide such an integral aspect of her identity, and after a series of increasingly close calls, Ali is sent on her worldwide promotional tour to help with her image. Instead, she finds herself drawn to Cara''s confidence and bravery. For the past year, Ali has been consumed by grief after unexpectedly losing her partner. But with Cara, Ali''s fears about the world subside, and she begins to question the Hollywood closeting system that she contributes to. As Cara''s fame rises, both Ali and Cara have to decide which is more important: success or a chance at true love?****PRAISE FOR COVER STORY:''Cover Story is a sharply written, delightfully boisterous novel about celebrity, publicity, anxiety, and sexuality that is both a celebration of love and an insightful examination of loss. It will be the smartest and sexiest romantic comedy you''ll read this year'' CAMILLE PERRI, author of THE ASSISTANTS and WHEN KATIE MET CASSIDY ''Cover Story is everything you want a rom-com to be-hilarious, heartbreaking, sexy, and filled with early aughts nostalgia. I defy anyone to not be swept off their feet by Hollywood heartthrob Cara Bisset'' LAURA KAY, author of MAKING IT

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy the time he was six years old, Stephen Matthews had been bombarded by the Luftwaffe and deported from occupied Guernsey, along with his family, to a prison camp in the heart of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. He had seen men die in front of him and walked with Jews straight off the cattle-trucks from Bergen-Belsen. He had nearly drowned, menaced by Alsatian guard dogs, been beaten by a member of the SS, stranded in a minefield and had his hand broken by a German guard for attempting to feed Russian prisoners.The family kept going through over three of imprisonment, held together by their will to survival and their love for each other. But the island home they eventually returned to had been scarred and stricken by Nazi occupation.The Day the Nazis Came Here is an utterly unique memoir, depicting the world of Nazi prison camps through the eyes of a child - a world in which the real dangers often seemed trivial and every day was a new adventure. Above all, it pays tribute to the preciousness of hope, and shows that human kindness may flower in the unlikeliest of places.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023 - SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEARSports Report is as much a 75-year history of sport as a BBC radio institution and Pat Murphy pays handsome tribute to a programme that is still followed affectionately by millions.For nearly 75 years, one BBC programme has been a constant factor in chronicling the way sport is covered, in all its many facets. It has been a window on the sporting world all over the globe packed tightly into every Saturday evening for the bulk of the year. First broadcast in 1948, Sports Report is the longest-running radio sporting programme in the world and one of the BBC's hardy perennials. Pat Murphy has been a reporter on the programme since 1981 and here he sifts comprehensively through the experiences of his contemporaries and those who made their mark on Sports Report in earlier decades.He hears from commentators, reporters, producers, presenters and the production tTrade ReviewThe living history of a huge part of all our lives - and there's no one in the world better to tell it than Pat Murphy -- Lee Child, bestselling authorOpens the doors to one of the great radio institutions and makes you realise how much effort and love goes into making it so special -- Dan WalkerPat’s reporting has always been engaging, expressive and arresting. Delighted his Sports Report book is just the same -- Mark PougatchThat opening tune always quickens the pulse. Out of the Blue, into the drama of the sporting day. Insight, interviews, inspirational -- Henry WinterIt was the opening theme tune that sucked you in – it’s synonymous with British sport and a staple diet of listening and watching sport on a Saturday afternoon. -- Joe Root, England CricketerFull of superb anecdotes, brilliantly told, marvellous characters. -- Jim RosenthalIf you have that sporting gene within you, it’s a book that soundtracks your life ... Every stage of that sporting cycle, that familiar tune, those familiar voices, coming at you through each beautifully researched page ... An absolute joy to read -- John InverdaleThis marvellous book will delight anyone who has ever shrieked or howled in response to something they heard on Sports Report, and that, surely, must be everybody. -- Mark Steel, comedianSports Report has run longer than Les Miserables and The Lion King put together. Patrick Murphy is the show’s perfect leading performer to tell its story from opening night in 1948 through the turbulent, exciting three-quarters of a century that followed, both on the fields of play and in the studio. -- Sir Tim RiceAn emotional, revealing opus to mark 75 years of the show. -- Henry Winter * The Times *A definitive history * Daily Mirror *A labour of love -- Adrian Chiles * BBC 5 Live *A lovingly curated, profoundly researched book about the history of the show. * The Telegraph *Pat Murphy does it proud... he skilfully weaves tales of the programme’s beginnings, the challenges it has faced over the years and the big stories that have been covered. * Late Tackle *It brings home the enormously long cast list of distinguished people who have reported or worked on the programme… Sports Report is a great institution and Pat’s book does justice to it. -- Lord King, former Governor of the Bank of England and Aston Villa supporterAn absolute joy of a book. A better Christmas present I cannot possible fathom -- Graeme SwannOf great interest to anyone wanting to gain an insight into how programmes are produced… a worthy addition to the books published recently commemorating the 100th anniversary of the BBC * Practical Wireless *Beautifully written. It brought back great memories of all my old friends at the best time of my life. -- Des LynamTable of ContentsPreface The Weekly Miracle The Beginnings Angus and Eamonn – The Odd Couple The Signature Tune Memorable Programmes 1948–1988 The Front of House In the Studio Moments to Savour At the Sharp End There were Some Laughs as Well Reading the Classifieds Gender on the Agenda – At Last! Memorable Programmes 1989-2021 Troughs Among the Peaks In Praise of Sports Report The Last Word Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book SynopsisTake a walk around 1920s Berlin with one of its greatest luminaries. In this timeless guide, originally published in Germany in 1929, Franz Hessel invites his readers to join him on a stroll through Weimar-era Berlin, taking in some of the most fascinating sights the city has to offer, many of which still exist in some form today. From the Alexanderplatz to Kreuzberg, his record of them has become priceless; as has his fascinating commentary on the seismic shifts shaking German culture at the time. Superbly written, and as fresh today as when it first appeared, this is a book to be savoured.Trade Review‘Like a private invitation back to the city’s most beguiling era … Irreverent and yet always enthusiastic, [Hessel’s] 88-year-old love letter to this city is a true map of the traces of a bygone world.’ -- Vanessa Thorpe * The Observer Magazine *‘Captures a portrait of a city on the brink of irrevocable change … Hessel was both detailed chronicler of the present, and a man keenly aware of the city’s history … Apt then that Walking in Berlin now joins this historical hall of fame.’ -- Lucy Scholes * The Independent *‘[Walking in Berlin] is not only an important record of old Berlin; it is a testimony to its enduring spirit.’ -- Harry Strawson * TLS *‘An absolutely epic book, a walking remembrance.’ * Walter Benjamin *‘Hessel’s conversational style and subtle insights evoke Weimar Berlin and reveal a great deal about the Germany of his days.’ -- Eileen Battersby * The Irish Times *‘Walking in Berlin is a magical mystery tour of a city on the brink of upheaval. Hessel may have wandered haphazardly but he wrote with purpose, never once losing his way.’ -- Malcolm Forbes * Sunday Herald *‘Hessel is a modest master of spontaneous observation.’ -- Sabine Vogel * Berliner Zeitung *‘Hessel’s warm enthusiasm for his home town informs every page, and provides the reader with a geographical guide that still holds value, despite the enormous changes in the city. More than that, though, it evokes a time that, although just about within living memory, seems almost as remote as the nineteenth-century Berlin of Schinkel.’ * Shiny New Books *'A newly rediscovered treasure.’ * Die Welt *‘To this day, there is no better Berlin travel guide.’ -- Peter von Becker * Tagesspiegel *‘Beautiful … a classic observation of the German city in the late 1920s that illuminates many of the historic shadows and provides a wonderful map for modern-day wanderings.’ * Sydney Morning Herald *‘When you think of Berlin in the 1920s, you cannot avoid thinking of the storyteller, critic and translator Franz Hessel.’ * Manfred Papst recommends Spazieren in Berlin in the Neue Züricher Zeitung *‘Walking in Berlin can be read lightly as a postcard from the past; it should be read seriously as an inexhaustible record of all that Berlin was and might have been, as an enthralling guide to a wealth of references, sidetracks, lost paths … This is a first encounter with the myth and the reality of that intangible fantastic beast of a city.’ Mika Provata-Carlone, Bookanista -- Mika Provata-Carlone * Bookanista *‘Hessel is a feisty, clever, and witty guide to Berlin; his prose is animated and sumptuous and his perceptions glamorously lyrical. For anyone who knows the geography of Berlin, this book is an especial treat.’ -- Sail Jones * Saturday Age *‘A timely ode to a good meander and [Hessel’s] home city [Berlin].’ * Wanderlust *‘Hessel’s wanderings in the Weimar-era German capital mix social commentary with artistic and architectural analysis … his musings offer a fresh set of eyes.’ * GQ *‘[A] sprawling panorama of cultural memory and miscellany, a vibrant catalog of metropolitan life, and a seismograph of a city on the verge of disaster.’ * Los Angeles Review of Books *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThroughout his life, clothes have provided an outlet through which journalist Teo van den Broeke understands both himself and the world around him.From the blue princess dress he coveted as a child, that first led him to question whether he was normal', through to the Nike cap and Gucci loafers he wore to impress the men he first desired, fabric has long enveloped and shaped his formative moments.Using the wardrobe of his past as a lens through which to explore the myriad trials and tribulations of adolescence, The Closet charts Teo's growth from uncertainty to self-acceptance. Courageously recounting his sexual awakening, the all too familiar hesitancy around his adult future and his many, often tumultuous, relationships with family and friends Teo learns that it is only in celebrating our differences that we can learn to fully embrace the brilliance within ourselves.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisDoes absence really make the heart grow fonder?Can beggars be choosers?Is it always better late than never?Proverbs are short, well-known, pithy sayings that offer advice or words of encouragement and are used in everyday English without much thought ever being given to their meanings, or indeed, usefulness. In An Apple A Day Caroline Taggart explores the truth behind our favourite proverbs, their history and whether they offer any genuine help to the recipient. Did you know that The Old Testament has an entire book devoted to proverbs? Or that 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' is a proverb from falconry that dates back to the Middle Ages? Many proverbs are still in use today, including the very famous 'slow and steady wins the race', which derives from one of the many fables of Aesop. Lighthearted but authoritative, An Apple A Day proves that proverbs are as useful today as they ever were.Trade ReviewExploring well-known proverbs, their origins, meanings and relevance to life today, this is a fun and fascinating book to dip into, written by an author with a neat sense of humour * Choice Magazine *Explores the origins of common proverbs and sayings, examining whether they really do hold true * Daily Mirror *Witty, wise and authoritative, An Apple A Day proves that proverbs are as useful today as they ever were * Lancashire Evening Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor a country with a relatively small population, Scotland has had a massive impact on the world. This intriguing miscellany uncovers the culture surrounding its shores, and celebrates the many characters, legends, firsts and inventions that have shaped the country's rich and majestic history. This eye opening collection of trivia will enlighten you on many of the myths surrounding Scotland. Bagpipes, tartan and haggis are all archetypal images of Scotland, and yet none of them likely originated here. Clan wars, family feuds, invasions and battles are just some of the historical subjects divulged in this fascinating miscellany. Scots have also helped to create modern life, with innovators ushering in the Industrial Revolution, medical breakthroughs, not forgetting the Scottish engineers famed across the globe. Along the way you will also find entries on the food, the sporting heritage and darker tales of murder most foul. Brief, accessible and entertaining pieces on a wide variety of subjects makes it the perfect book to dip in to. The amazing and extraordinary facts series presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure. Table of Contents1 Introduction 8 2 Culture 10 3 We are Family 10 4 An Instrument of War 12 5 Battle of the Clans 15 6 The Best Plaid Schemes 18 7 The Tartan Conmen 20 8 Minding their Language 23 9 On the Trail 26 10 Makers of History 28 11 Snakes and Monsters 28 12 What Bloody Man is that? 29 13 The King Who Helped Create Scotland 31 14 The Guardian of Scotland 34 15 The Man Who Would Be King 36 16 A Royal Dynasty 40 17 Her End Was Her Beginning 43 18 The Monstrous Regiment 46 19 Crowning Achievement 46 20 Courage and Fidelity 49 21 The Woman with Star Power 51 22 Queen of the Comstock 53 23 Fighting the Pestilence of the Free Winds 54 24 Woman with a mission 56 25 Food and Drink 58 26 The Selkirk Grace 58 27 The Water of Life 59 28 Great Chieftan 'o the Puddin Race 62 29 Squared Away 64 30 Ale that was sweeter than honey 67 31 Scotland at War 70 32 The Lost Legion 70 33 The Deaths That Caused a Crisis 72 34 Death of a King 74 35 The Not-So-English Civil War 75 36 Royal Blood, Holy Wars 79 37 Castle Commando 81 38 The Bandit Masquerading as a Scottish Officer 83 39 Here We Go Round the Mulberry 85 40 Building a Country 87 41 The Northeast Passage 87 42 Big Wheel Keep on Rollin' 90 43 The Road to Peace 91 44 Planes, Trains - and trains That Are Planes 93 45 Rocket Science 94 46 The Men Who Made the Hollow Mountain 97 47 Bridges over the River Forth 100 48 The Sporting Life 103 49 War Games 103 50 An Unprofitable Sport 105 51 Sticking it to the Warriors 108 52 The Not So Beautiful Game 109 53 Sport on the Slide 111 54 The Eglinton Tournament 113 55 Just not Cricket 117 56 The first World Cup 119 57 Tales from the Dark Side 122 58 The Family from Hell 122 59 The Glen of Weeping 124 60 Bloody Deeds and Bloody Shirts 126 61 The Judge's Wife 128 62 The Ripper Connection 130 63 Index 132

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for every railway enthusiast.The history of Britain's railways is a long and fascinating one, filled with stories of grand endeavours, noted figures and record-breaking feats. Julian Holland brings together a unique miscellany of intriguing tales and engaging trivia the perfect collection for every railway enthusiast.Stories range from Bulleid's ''Chinese Laundries'', trainspotting trips in Wales and Scotland and Liverpool's Dockers' Umbrella'' to railway artists and clergy, a railway-owned airline and railways that were never built.Find out about The Royal Scot's 11,000-mile journey in the USA and Canada A narrow gauge island railway in the middle of the Bristol Channel How the London & South Western Railway saved the British Empire Mallard's unbeaten world speed record of 1938 How to fly by Great Western Railway from Cardiff to Plymouth The 75-mile network of narrow gauge railways on the Isle of Skye How another 4,500 miles of railway escaped closure by Dr BeechingATrade Review“If the author is Julian Holland, and the subject is railways, you know you’re going to be in for a treat” Cotswold Life

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe year is 1969 and Jack Sheffield is a young teacher in need of a job. In a room full of twenty-nine other newly qualified teachers, he''s overjoyed when he''s appointed to Heather View Primary. Jack is excited to start his first year there and to begin shaping young minds in a beautiful new location on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.But Heather View isn''t as idyllic as it first sounds. In fact, it looks more like a prison than a primary school. With less than adequate funding and a head teacher who doesn''t seem to care, it''s no easy task to give the kids the education they deserve. But Jack''s determined to do just that.Full of warmth and good humour, Back to School is like taking a nostalgic walk through the past to a simpler time..._____________________What readers are saying: ***** ''I felt I was transported back in time. This was a joy to read.''***** ''By chapter 3 I loved this book so much that I orderTrade ReviewWith his customary warmth and good humour Jack tells of the many challenges that faced this idealistic young teacher * Choice magazine *This book makes for a perfect escape to a simpler time * Living North *Wry observation and heartwarming humour in equal measure * Alan Titchmarsh *Overflowing with amusing anecdotes * Daily Express *Amusing adventures at the North Yorkshire village school * Choice *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThey think it’s all over…it is now, with this comprehensive guide to football shirts through the years. From the obscure to the ubiquitous, The Football Shirts Book is packed with over 150 original and super rare shirts from the greatest game on earth. Covering everything from the iconic to the unusual, even the most hard-core fans will find out something new about the kit of their favourite team.Including full-colour photography, as well as interviews with football shirt design teams, musicians, and fashion designers, this guide offers a full exploration of the brands, design, and sponsorship history behind the world’s best-loved football shirts. It is a must-have for those crazy about football shirts, as well as those whose interest is piqued by history, design, and pop-culture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA memory-packed hardback gift book full of nostalgia, recounting not only memories from the decade of birth, but also memories from the decade of the formative teenage years. The perfect, meaningful gift for someone 'born in the 60s'. The 1960s and 70s were two incredible decades, from credit cards to The Beatles. Born In The 60s will bring back many memories and literally put a smile on everyone's face! Over two years of research has gone into creating this incredible gift. Covering two decades (1960s and 1970s), the book has beautifully illustrated and colourful double-page spreads, including the foods eaten, the hairstyles experimented with, and the clothes worn, possibly with regret! With a luxury soft touch cover and space for a handwritten personal message in the front, it's a real celebration of the world that shaped the recipient. Born In The 60s will evoke wonderful feelings and memories as time spent in the school playground, radio listened to, TV shows loved, games played, music from the period, movies watched, cars travelled in and the cutting-edge technology of the day are all recalled, accompanied by photos from two decades. Six titles are available: Born In The 40s, Born In The 50s, Born In The 60s, Born In The 70s, Born In The 80s and Born In The 90s. Made with paper & love, from you to me. Why we love it This is the most amazing gift you could give someone Born In The 60s, no matter what the occasion. The soft touch cover enhances the luxury feel of the gift, which is packed with information that takes the recipient on a wonderful journey down memory lane. Everyone is guaranteed to say, 'I remember that!'.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJack Sheffield grew up in the tough environment of Gipton Estate, in North East Leeds. After a job as a 'pitch boy', repairing roofs, he became a Corona Pop man before going to St John's College, York, and training to be a teacher. In the late seventies and eighties, he was a headteacher of two schools in North Yorkshire before becoming Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at Bretton Hall College of the University of Leeds. It was at this time he began to record his many amusing stories of village life as portrayed in Teacher, Teacher!, Mister Teacher, Dear Teacher, Village Teacher, Please Sir!, Educating Jack, School's Out!, Silent Night, Star Teacher, Happiest Days, Starting Over, Changing Times, Back to School and School Days. He lives in Hampshire.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGiles Chapman's motoring writing has included The Independent, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times, Evening Standard, Condé Nast Traveller, Auto Express, Top Gear magazine, Classic & Sports Car, and Octane. He is author of nine books, including Moving Objects, Car Badges (2005) and TV Cars (2006). He was voted Jeep Consumer Writer Of The Year, 2006.Richard Porter is script editor for BBC's Top Gear, a columnist for Evo magazine and contributing editor for Top Gear magazine. He is author of BBC Books' Crap Cars (2004).

Read more less

Book SynopsisA delightfully nostalgic novel set in the Cotswold village of Fairacre novel from the author of VILLAGE SCHOOL''Delicious wit, quirky characters, the colourful intrigues of daily life, and certainly love and laughter ... delightful'' bestselling author Jan Karon''No matter how devoted, dedicated, conscientious and altogether noble a teacher is, I feel pretty sure that each and everyone feels the same sense of freedom and relief from her chains when the end of term arrives...''So it is for Miss Read - but on the very first day of the long summer holiday she falls and breaks her arm. Instantly, all her plans for the holidays are in tatters.But Miss Read''s friend, Amy, comes up with an idea: and so it is that the two of them leave Fairacre for the island of Crete. The change of scene provides a welcome break for both women, giving Miss Read the opportunity to recuperate, and for them both to discuss the merits of single and married life. And when

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe peace of a beautiful Cotswold village is about to be disturbed...''Unforgettable characters ... drama, romance and humour'' EXPRESSChildren''s voices ring out from the school playground; in the distance there is the gentle hum of a lawnmower; and all around the village, birdsong can be heard. But despite all evidence to the contrary, in the village of Thrush Green feelings are running high... The rector has a plan for the neglected churchyard which doesn''t meet with universal approval; there is a clash of personalities at the local school; and someone has returned to the village after an absence of fifty years. Before long, the tranquillity of the Cotswold village is shattered.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJAM BUTTIES AND A PAN OF SCOUSE is a gritty yet heart-warming memoir set against the backdrop of Liverpool''s tightknit working-class docklands community. The story covers Maggie Clarke''s upbringing in the tenements close to the docks, the River Mersey and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal: an area notorious for having the worst slums in Britain, yet the closest community as well.At the tender age of 11, Maggie Clarke finds herself the matriarch of the family when her Irish mother runs off with another man. Leaving school at 14 to work at a local factory putting sticks into lollies, she is determined to make a better life for herself and her family - before starting her own family with her childhood sweetheart, who she marries at 19 after ''falling in the family way''. She has one night of married life with her husband before he is sent to India with the Navy and is devastated when she never hears from him again, presuming him a casualty of the war that is raging at home and abTrade ReviewThis gritty memoir... is both an inspiration and an eye-opener. -- Pam Norfolk * LANCASHIRE EVENING POST *This is the fascinating memoir of 95-year-old Maggie Clarke... and it's an at time heart-wrenching tale of family trauma, hardship and happiness grabbed in stolen moments. It's also an insightful chronicle of an ever-changing city. * CHOICE MAGAZINE *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the turn of the 20th century the rail network extended to over 23,000 miles, very nearly the circumference of the world the greatest length it was ever to achieve. Some urban routes had closed and later, hundreds of rural lines and stations succumbed to the Beeching axe. This map shows the network in its heyday before the decline commenced.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe redoubtable Owtram sisters, best-selling authors of Codebreaking Sisters, take us back in time once again with recently rediscovered diaries and letters from the '20s and 30s that paint a vivid picture of their childhood at Newland Hall in Lancashire's Lune Valley. Here they lived with their parents Bunty and Cary Owtram and younger brother Bob, supported by a fascinating cast of cooks, maids and groundsmen, all presided over by 'Grandboffin', the sisters' indomitable grandfather. The Owtram sisters' childhood was one of nannies and governesses, balls and tennis parties, theatricals and ponies. But their hilarious stories of British eccentricity and etiquette and the trials and tribulations of boarding school, are set against the backdrop of a world in the throes of great change; the Spanish Civil War, the Great Depression, hunger marches, the abdication of Edward VIII and his wedding to "that American", Mrs Simpson... Closer to home, the sisters witnessed a shocking murder- suicide, in a scenario straight out of Romeo and Juliet. In 1938, the arrival at Newland Hall of the first Austrian Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis, became the catalyst for the Owtram sisters' decision to join the women's forces, where they serve with such distinction in World War Two. The war changed their lives forever. The work of post war recovery opened to the sisters a world that hitherto inconceivable. Jean immersed herself in travel, working with refugees. Later, she became a social worker and one of the founding members of the team that set up Lancaster University. Pat became one of the first female journalists on the Daily Mail before pursuing a career in television at Granada and the BBC, producing such great family favourites as University Challenge and the Sky At Night. With Jean soon to turn 98 and Pat approaching her 100th birthday in June 2023, this is a unique opportunity to hear more first-hand stories from a soon-to-be-forgotten world. Using the sisters' contemporaneous correspondence, diary entries (including Pat's 1940/41 Blitz diary) and their 21st century reflection, Century Sisters will tell those stories with the inimitable Owtram style and flair.

Read more less

Book Synopsis“If you're looking for ideas, or planning a bucket-list adventure, you'll find page after page of sepia-tinted inspiration in the revised edition of teNeues' Nostalgic Journeys.” — Irish Independent The seaside or the mountains? Today’s most important vacation planning question never came up in days long past. Both seemed unappealing and nearly inaccessible. It wasn’t until the invention of the railroad that previously sparsely visited and overlooked areas opened up, and Thomas Cook, the tour operator and founder of modern tourism, was born. Fishing villages became sophisticated seaside resorts, remote mountain areas became destinations for hiking and skiing enthusiasts, and inns became grand hotels. Nostalgic Journeys takes you on a journey back in time, through the last two centuries: Ride the Orient Express to the East, cross the Atlantic on huge ocean liners, travel Route 66 through the United States, and break the sound barrier aboard the Concorde. As you browse through the pages of this book, you will get the idea that travelling was, and can be, more than just being stuck in a traffic jam or passing through numerous security checks. It can be a stylish and sometimes adventurous way to explore the world and return home feeling transformed by your many and varied experiences. Bon Voyage! Text in English and German.Trade Review"If you're looking for ideas, or planning a bucket-list adventure, you'll find page after page of sepia-tinted inspiration in the revised edition of teNeues' Nostalgic Journeys." - Irish IndependentTable of ContentsIntroduction Drawn to the Sea Full Steam Ahead The call of the Mountains New Palaces On the High Seas On the Road Above the Clouds

Read more less

Book SynopsisOfficially licensed by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, this revised and updated volume gathers the biographies, statistics, and photos of over 175 members of the most exclusive club in the sport.A beautiful book every baseball fan should own, The National Baseball Hall of Fame Collection includes all inductees, stats, and awards through the 2023 Hall of Fame elections. Additional new content also includes: the origin story of the Hall of Fame, a visual tour of Cooperstown, plus insights and photos celebrating the Hall’s famous induction weekend. Separated into chapters by position, The National Baseball Hall of Fame Collection highlights the best and the most memorable players, events, championships, moments, and more. Meet the greats of the game from before you were born and relive the memories that you shared with your diamond heroes of recent years. You will find:   Profiles of more

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhile officially Ireland has two languages, in truth is it is probably closer to three: English, Irish, and Irish-English (Hiberno-English). And it is this third language, Irish-English, that most Irish now speak. This book examines many of the words and phrases that color this unique language.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover over 40 of the best-loved video games from the 80s and 90s and relive those awesome moments from your childhood. Packed with creativity and charm, classic video games provide endless fun – one press of the power button and you’re instantly in pixelated paradise. But what are the ultimate games from this hallowed chapter in gaming history? Were you a Nintendo die-hard and Mario loyalist or seduced by Sonic and SEGA? Maybe you obsessed over GoldenEye or perhaps Tekken 3 on the Playstation was more your scene? Retro Games celebrates some of the most influential shoot-em-ups, platformers, role-players and more that ripped up the rule book for what we believed video games were capable of. It’s a must read for anyone who has fallen in love with this golden age of gaming. How many have you completed?

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of Eleanor Crow’s beautiful watercolours of classic shopfronts. Published in partnership with Spitalfields Life Books, this timely volume celebrates the small neighbourhood shops of London. As our high streets decline into generic monotony, we cherish these independent shops and family businesses that enrich the city with their characterful frontages and distinctive typography. This collection includes more than 100 of Eleanor Crow’s fine illustrations of the capital's bakers, cafes, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, chemists, launderettes, hardware stores, eel & pie shops, bookshops and stationers. The pictures are accompanied by the stories of the shops, their history and their shopkeepers – stretching all the way from Chelsea in the west to Bethnal Green, Clerkenwell and Walthamstow in the east. As well as beloved old and lost shopfronts, there are some recent examples of new shops that have been beautifully designed too – from cheesemongers to chippies. At a time of momentous change in the high street, this witty and fascinating personal survey champions the enduring culture of Britain’s small shops.Trade Review'It’s hard to imagine a more comforting book' -- Markus Berkmann * The Spectator *'A love letter to the city it captures... With high streets struggling as much as they are, books like this remind us how much they enrich our lives' * Roman Road London *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA nostalgic look at a turbulent and character-defining decade in Irish history

Read more less

Book SynopsisPhotographic history tells the story of the motorhome in Britain

Read more less

Book SynopsisOverlooked & Underrated? Not Any Longer…

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA wonderful and fun memoir capturing the feeling of the carefree sixties, when things were so much simpler! The story begins in the East End of London and follows the author's move to Bristol. These stories remind us of the day-to-day and historical events and music of the time interwoven with a big splash of humorous fishing tales.

Read more less