Solo / single lifestyles: advice, topics and issues Books

Book SynopsisFinally, a housekeeping and organizational system developed for those who'd describe their current living situation as a 'f*cking mess' that you 'really need to get around to fixing one day'.Rachel Hoffman began Unf*ck Your Habitat as a Tumblr blog using daily, weekly, and mini challenges to motivate the lazy to get up and start cleaning. She launched Unf*ck Your Habitat in book form, for anyone who has been left behind by traditional aspirational systems. The ones that so often ignore single people; people without kids; students; people with pets or roommates; those with full-time jobs; and people with mental illnesses, chronic illnesses, and physical limitations.Most organizational books are aimed at devoted homemakers, DIY-ers, and people who seem to have unimaginable amounts of free time. They assume we all iron our sheets, have linen napkins that match our table runners, and can keep plants alive for longer than a week.Basically, they ignore most of us living here in the real world.Interspersed with lists, challenges and other how-tos, this no-nonsense advice relies on UfYH's 20/10 system (20 minutes of cleaning followed by a 10-minute break; no marathon cleaning allowed) in order to help you develop lifelong habits. It's designed to encourage the reader to embrace a new lifestyle in manageable sections, so they can actually start applying the tactics as they progress. For everyone stuck between The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Adulting, this philosophy is decidedly more realistic than aspirational, but the goal is the same: not everyone will have a showcase of a home, but whatever your habitat, you deserve for it to bring you happiness, not stress.Trade ReviewA must-read for people who are terrified by Marie Kondo but intrigued by being able to see their floors again -- Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Little BrotherUnf*ck Your Habitat has the potential to change your life and improve your mental outlook in truly beautiful ways. This book is important and a good, good thing to have in the world -- Sara Benincasa, author of Real Artists Have Day JobsI will forever sing the praises of Rachel Hoffman’s unfussy, no-bullsh*t advice—most of it is as applicable to How You Think as How You Clean -- Kelly Sue DeConnick, author of Bitch PlanetTable of ContentsChapter - 1: Getting Started Chapter - 2: Unfucking Your Own Habitat Chapter - 3: Troubleshooting: Dealing With Other People in Your Fucked-Up Space Chapter - 4: Special Cases Chapter - 5: Conclusion Acknowledgements - 6: Acknowledgements Index - 7: Index

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate judgement-free guide to cleaning and tidying for people who live in the real world.

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Book SynopsisI loved Jon's book. It's even better than the real thing because you can't hear his voice.' Michael McIntyreA control freak looks for love (women who leave wet teaspoons in sugar bowls need not apply).I haven't woken up with a cup of tea by the bed for seven years. It seems such a small thing but it's one of a thousand things I miss about having someone around to take care of me. I have spent my entire adult life getting things the way I want them and all I want now is someone to give it all up for.'Is your filing faultless? Your CDs, apostrophes, cutlery all in the right places? Can you eat a biscuit in the correct way? Then Jon Richardson (single for seven years and counting) could be your ideal manLiving alone in a one bedroom flat in Swindon, Jon has had far too much time on his hands to think. In fact to obsess. About almost everything. Jon's obssessive compulsive personality disorder has seen him arrange the coins in his pockets in ascending size and colour code his bookshelves. Trade Review‘Richardson is an OCD-afflicted, grumpy young man who can spin a brilliant routine and could well be the best comic of his generation.’ The Herald ‘Boldly funny and expertly written, it’s a look at dark subjects deftly handled by an engaging comic talent.’ Shortlist ‘Written in his unique style, Jon's quest is a hilarious eye-opener into the mind of a neat freak.’ The Sun ‘I loved Jon’s book. It’s even better than the real thing because you can’t hear his voice.’ Michael McIntyre ‘Jon’s book is just like him. Funny, enjoyable and short.’ Alan Carr

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Book SynopsisTurn the outdoor space you may not own into one that makes you feel at home.A gardening book unlike any other, RHS How to Garden When You Rent brings together projects, inspiration, and handy know-how specifically tailored to people who rent. With chapters designed around lease lengths, readers will find something for their outdoor space, whether they plan to rent for just a few months or expect to stay in their home for a several years or more. Written by Matthew Pottage, this must-have book combines creative ideas with serious gardening expertise - all without breaking the bank or needing countless hours of hands-on work. Keep your landlord happy and your garden in good shape with plenty of tips, tricks, and techniques for good garden maintenance, and discover ways of turning even the most unloved balcony, yard, or urban garden into a lush, welcoming space that you, your flatmates, and your friends can enjoy for as long as you choose to live there.

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Book SynopsisA friendly resource to help you prepare for exciting domestic or international travelon your own Solo Travel For Dummies teaches you how to plan the solo trip of a lifetime with must-know info, insider tricks, safety essentials, and more. Whether you're a seasoned jetsetter or nervous first timer, you'll learn everything you need to know. Choose your destination, plan a fulfilling itinerary, save money, and stay safe, no matter where in the world you may roam. As a solo traveler, you'll appreciate this book's specific tips on how to avoid loneliness, what to do if you get lost, and how to plan ahead so you can enjoy your trip. Tuck this portable Dummies travel guide into your backpack or suitcase, and you'll be ready for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Find expert travel tips for minimizing stress and maximizing enjoymentLearn how to plan the perfect solo itinerary for your goalsDiscover unique destinations and can't-miss cultural experiencesGet expert tips on safety, budgeting, and so much more!Solo Travel For Dummies is for anyone who needs a trusted, comprehensive source of information as they prepare to travel independently.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Chapter 1: Exploring the World as a Solo Traveler 5 Chapter 2: Preparing for Your Solo Adventure 19 Chapter 3: Managing the Logistics of Solo Travel 55 Chapter 4: You Can’t Take It All with You: Packing 81 Chapter 5: Don’t Leave Home Without Them: Money, ID, and Devices 95 Chapter 6: A Room of Your Own 119 Chapter 7: Table for One 143 Chapter 8: Meeting People and Making New Friends 159 Chapter 9: Keeping Healthy 181 Chapter 10: Ten Tips for Successful Solo Travel 201 Chapter 11: Avoiding Ten Common Mistakes Solo Travelers Make 209 Chapter 12: Ten Great Destinations for Solo Travelers 215 Index 227

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Book SynopsisWhen Liv Thorne was in her twenties, and single, she would joke to friends that if Mr Right didn't come along she'd have to take matters into her own hands and have a child on her own. When she was still single in her thirties, it stopped being a joke and she started researching sperm banks and fertility clinics.Liv's Alone is an honest and hopeful memoir that captures the joy and the challenge that is parenting alone by choice. From dismantling the fairy tale story that we're fed from a young age and grieving the life you thought you were going to have, to buying sperm from Denmark and bringing a baby into the world.Guiding readers through the highs and lows with warmth, humour and understanding, Liv wants her book to be a little beacon of optimism for women who are in the same position she was in; late 30s, single and longing for a baby. This is Liv & Herb's story, but hopefully a version of it will be yours.

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Book SynopsisWhen Liv Thorne was in her twenties, and single, she would joke to friends that if Mr Right didn't come along she'd have to take matters into her own hands and have a child on her own. When she was still single in her thirties, it stopped being a joke and she started researching sperm banks and fertility clinics.Liv's Alone is an honest and hopeful memoir that captures the joy and the challenge that is parenting alone by choice. From dismantling the fairy tale story that we're fed from a young age and grieving the life you thought you were going to have, to buying sperm from Denmark and bringing a baby into the world.Guiding readers through the highs and lows with warmth, humour and understanding, Liv wants her book to be a little beacon of optimism for women who are in the same position she was in; late 30s, single and longing for a baby. This is Liv & Herb's story, but hopefully a version of it will be yours.

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Book SynopsisBased on her hit Allotment Tales column for "The Scotsman and New Consumer Magazine", Antonia Swinson - the First Lady of the allotment - shares, not only her tips for gardening and allotment management, but also the effect of her time spent in the mud. Written with humour and vim You Are What You Grow is her extraordinary original vision of how the world ticks. Scything down the caricature of the allotmenteer, this is a social and political critique from an allotmenteer's point of view. Antonia explores issues such as the history of British land ownership, organic produce and self-sufficiency, community building and the psychological benefits to be found by allotmenteering. The work is divided by season with gardening tips, money saving ideas and promotion of healthy, and organic food.Trade ReviewMore a lively account of her musings over a year spent in her plot than a practical guide to growing radishes, but gives food for thought, as well as for the plate. THE SUNDAY TIMESYou Are What You Grow, Antonia Swinson's charming and amusing essays on our relationship with the earth, allotments and food and her reflections on our relationships with the land are the ideal accompaniment to Shakespeare, taking us out of our fuggy living rooms and into the reality that Shakespeare faced on his yearly returns to Stratford. THE GUIDE

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Book SynopsisSuddenly Single shares real life stories of women at each stage of their relationship break up making it instantly relatable for women trying to move on after the ending of a relationship. Simple, practical, and easy to read, this must-have guide is the perfect companion for women at any stage of a relationship breakup. It differentiates itself by helping readers to understand the relationship break up process and then offers practical and proven life coaching techniques that when applied can help women feel more in control of their situation and more positive about their future. Sprinkled with humour and positivity it offers hope to anyone experiencing the loss of a relationship and teaches us that the most important relationship we have in life is the one we have with our self.

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One is about a sense of self. A celebration of individuality, it empowers you to think about how you value and respect yourself while feeling proud to be one of many. It's about trusting your judgement and open-heartedly accepting life's inevitable changes. Warm and wise, One will inspire you to try anything on for size. It recognises our choices are entirely our own, approves of admitting mistakes and encourages you to ask for what you want. One welcomes cosmopolitanism and will bring joy to those who want to live life meaningfully by incorporating beauty and embracing one's own freedoms.

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Book Synopsis'Searingly self-aware and sharply funny, Emma John takes the cliches about being a single woman and blows them apart with unforgettable originality.' - Hadley Freeman'Fabulous. Made me well up twice. Honest, vulnerable and all those great things.' - Eva WisemanThere is a piece of cod-wisdom regularly dispensed to single women: romance will arrive when you least expect it. I had assumed it would also make its own travel arrangements too. Emma John is in her 40s; she is neither married, nor partnered, with child or planning to be.In her hilarious and unflinching memoir, Self Contained, she asks why the world only views a woman as complete when she is no longer a single figure and addresses what it means to be alone when everyone else isn't.In her book, she captures what it is to be single in your forties, from sharing a twin room with someone you've never met on a group holiday (because the couples have all the doubles with ensuite) to coming to the realisation that maybe your singleness isn't a temporary arrangement, that maybe you aren't pre-married at all, and in fact you are self-contained.The book is an exploration of being lifelong single and what happens if you don't meet the right person, don't settle down with the wrong person and realise the biggest commitment is to yourself.

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Book SynopsisWe can be well connected, with 400 friends on Facebook and still have no one to count on. Ironically, despite social media, social isolation is a growing epidemic in the United States. The National Science Foundation reported in 2014 that the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985. One out of four Americans has no one with whom they can talk about their personal troubles. An unprecedented number of Americans are living alone, particularly people over sixty (one in three seniors compared to one in five just ten years ago). Millennials and post-millennials increasingly report discomfort and avoidance with face-to-face conversations.Social isolation can shatter our confidence. In isolating times, we’re not only lonely, but we’re ashamed of our loneliness because our society stigmatizes people who are alone without support. As a single, fifty-eight-year-old woman who finds herself stranded after major surgery, Val Walker has woven into the narrative her own story. As a well-established rehabilitation counselor, she was too embarrassed to reveal on social media how utterly isolated she was by asking for someone to help, and it felt agonizingly awkward calling colleagues out of the blue. As she recovered, Val found her voice and developed a plan of action for people who lack social support, not only to heal from the pain of isolation, but to create a solid strategy for rebuilding support. 400 Friends and No One to Call spells out the how-tos for befriending our wider community, building a social safety net, and fostering our sense of belonging. On a deeper level, we are invited to befriend our loneliness, rather than feel ashamed of it, and open our hearts and minds to others trapped in isolation.Trade ReviewThis book is a marvel! Without any pomposity, this is a compendium of real-life stories and useful tips about solving the universal problem of loneliness."- Jacqueline Olds, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School"In this vitally important book, Walker has given us an informative and heartfelt examination of a world that encourages the kind of isolation that will kill us if we allow it. She shows us a way out of the pain of isolation, offering wonderful insights about building connections that will sustain us."- Scott Allison, Professor of Psychology, University of RichmondListed by The Advice Sisters, Book Review: 10 Fabulous Book Finds

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