82ASK

A A Gill

Andrew Swanston read law at Cambridge, but was inspired to write by his lifelong interest in early modern history. His Thomas Hill novels – The King’s Spy, The King’s Exile and The King’s Return – are set against the backdrops of the English Civil War, Cromwell’s Commonwealth and the early Restoration respectively. He is also the author of Waterloo: The Bravest Man and Beautiful Star and Other Stories. His first historical thriller set during the reign of Elizabeth I – Incendium (published in paperback as The Incendium Plot) – introduced readers to the academic, lawyer and intelligencer Dr Christopher Radcliff, whose adventures continue in Chaos. Andrew Swanston lives in Surrey.

A D Swanston

A E Langsford

A G Hopkins

A. J. BAIME is the New York Times best-selling author of The Arsenal of Democracy: FDR, Detroit, and an Epic Quest to Arm an America at War and Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans. Both books are in development for major motion pictures. Baime is a longtime regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal, and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Popular Science, and Men’s Journal. He lives in Granite Bay, California. Visit him at facebook.com/ajbaime and trumanbook.com.

A J Baime

A J Jacobs

A J P Taylor

Anthony James Pollard is a British medieval historian, specialising in the fifteenth century and in particular the Wars of the Roses. A leading authority in the field, he is profesor emeritus of Teesside University. His books include North-Eastern England during the Wars of the Roses, Richard III and the Princes in theTower, Imagining Robin Hood: the Late Medieval Stories in Historical Context and Warwick the kingmaker: Politics, Power and Fame.

A J Pollard

A J Rochester

A K Benjamin is a clinical neuropsychologist and the author of Let Me Not Be Mad: A Story of Unravelling Minds.

A K Benjamin

A. L. Berridge read English at Oxford, and taught for ten years before moving into television, where her production credits range from period drama and thrillers to long-running soaps. She has written two previous novels, Top Ten besteller Honour and the Sword and In the Name of the King. Into the Valley of Death is her third novel.

A L Berridge

Alison Gaylin's first job was as a reporter for a celebrity tabloid, which sparked a lifelong interest in writing about people committing despicable acts. More than a decade later, she wrote and published her Edgar-nominated first novel, HIDE YOUR EYES. 
 
She's since published nine more books, including the USA Today and international bestselling Brenna Spector suspense series, which has been nominated for the Edgar, Anthony and Thriller awards and won the Shamus award. 
 
She lives in upstate New York with her husband, daughter, cat and dog.

A L Gaylin

A Maxwell-Hyslop

A McArthur

A P Wavell

A.S. Webb is the Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of Chaos, the first instalment of The Dark Pantheon Trilogy. She is inspired by stories rooted in history and mythology, that push the boundaries of imagination and urge us to reflect on what it means to be human.

A S Webb

A. A. Dhand is the author of six previous novels, and has been shortlisted for the CWA Steel Dagger Award. His DI Harry Virdee novels are currently being adapted for TV by the BBC. He was raised in Bradford and spent his youth observing the city from behind the counter of a small convenience store. After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in London and travelled extensively before returning to Bradford to start his own business and begin writing. The history, diversity and darkness of the city have inspired all his novels. For more information about A. A. Dhand and his books, follow him on X @aadhand, and on Instagram @aa_dhand.

A. A. Dhand

A. A. Gill

A. A. Milne

A. Anatoli

A. B. Poranek grew up sharing her time between Ontario, Canada and rural Poland, and eventually completed a veterinary degree at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. A lover of mythology and history, she enjoys exploring both in her writing. Her debut novel, Where the Dark Stands Still, an instant New York Times bestseller, is an ode to Poland's folktales, while A Treachery of Swans transports readers to a world inspired by 17th century France.

A. B. Poranek

A. Bradley

Professor A. C. Grayling is Principal of the New College of the Humanities at Northeastern University, London, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. He has written and edited over thirty books on philosophy, history, science and current affairs. For several years he wrote columns for the Guardian newspaper and The Times and was the chairman of the 2014 Man Booker Prize.

A. C. Grayling

A.D. Miller is the author of Snowdrops, The Earl of Petticoat Lane and The Faithful Couple. Snowdrops was a bestseller and was shortlisted for many prizes including the Man Booker and the CWA Gold Dagger. It was translated into 25 languages. As Moscow Correspondent of The Economist A.D. Miller has travelled across the former Soviet Union and covered the Orange Revolution in Ukraine; he is now the magazine’s Culture Editor based in London. 
 
admillerbooks.com

A. D. Miller

A. E. Ellis

A. E. W. Mason

A. Humphreys

A. Igoni Barrett was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in 1979 and lives in Lagos. He is a winner of the 2005 BBC World Service short story competition, the recipient of a Chinua Achebe Center Fellowship, a Norman Mailer Center Fellowship, and a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency. His short story collection, Love is Power, or Something Like That, was published in 2013. In 2014 he was named on the Africa39 list of sub-Saharan African writers under 40. Blackass is his first novel.

A. Igoni Barrett

The short life of A.J.A. Symons (1900-41) was described by his biographer as an intricate and largely harmless confidence trick. His many interests included the collection of musical boxes and rare books as well as the study and practice of forgery; they left him time to edit an anthology of Edwardian verse and compose studies of H.M. Stanley and other notable figures. He is remembered for The Quest for Corvo, one of the most remarkable biographies ever written, and for co-founding the Wine and Food Society.

A. J. A. Symons

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Quadrille

‘I’m Charli XCX. I make music for myself, not for anybody else.’ 
 
Embrace the world of pop visionary Charli XCX in a stunning collection of the ‘Apple’ singer’s most beloved and certainly most iconic moments of her career so far. Charting her early days making mix tapes in her bedroom to her defining an entire summer with the album BRAT, you’ll learn all there is to know about the ‘party 4 u’ singer’s boundary-pushing performances at festivals like Coachella, her unapologetic style and that remix with fellow pop queen, Lorde. 
 
Bursting with 50 striking images paired with detailed insights into her life, this ‘Fancy’ performer has truly won the world over with her chart-topping anthems, honest lyrics and unforgettable world tours – and she’s not going anywhere. ICONIC: Charli XCX proves her status as one of the most exciting new artists of her generation.

ICONIC: Charli XCX

The Making of a Legend in 50 Images

‘When you know your worth, you know what you want and what you don’t want.’ 
 
Dive headfirst into the world of ultimate pop sensation Dua Lipa in a vibrant celebration of the ‘Levitating’ icon’s most incredible moments to date. From her early beginnings in Kosovo to her first job working in a nightclub, you’ll learn all there is to know about the ‘Hotter Than Hell’ singer’s journey to stratospheric fame and global popularity, including her sold-out stadium shows, festival performances and internet-breaking fashion moments. 
 
Packed with 50 gorgeous images accompanied by insights into her life, join the ‘Houdini’ megastar on a visual journey of her life so far. With husky vocals and slick dance moves, there’s no doubt this ‘New Rules’ performer is an unstoppable force in the music industry, making waves with her bold lyrics, on-point style and radical optimism. ICONIC: Dua proves her status as one of the most exciting new artists of her generation.

ICONIC: Dua

Alison Davies

Dogs and magic go hand-in-hand (or should that be paw-in-paw?). From Hecate&#39;s hounds to Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, our faithful friends are ever-present in mythology, magic and folklore. 
 
 In this enchanting compendium, discover canine myths and superstitions, along with a new dog breed to learn about every month. Plus, you&#39;ll find tips and tricks to strengthen your bond with your dog, as well as spells, facts, and more.&#160;The Dog Year is the perfect guide to help you embrace a year of canine companionship.&#160; 
 
 Light-hearted and accessible, and in a gorgeous mystical package, this book will be the perfect gift for every dog owner who feels a magical bond with their pup. 
 &#160;

The Dog Year

Dogs, Magic, Nature and Spells

Neal Martin

The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide 1870–2024 covers, in depth, over 150 years of vintages and is totally unique in its cultural scope. 
 
For wine lovers and collectors this is the new indispensable guide, updated throughout and including 2021–2024 vintages. This handbook not only explains what happened in a particular season, but provides wider historical and social context. Every single year is accompanied by one event or milestone, one song or musical composition and one film that encapsulates the spirit of the time as well as the world into which the vintage was born. 
 
Wine writer Neal Martin offers a personal, witty take on the traditional wine handbook, with notes on not just the growing seasons, harvests and wines themselves, but cultural phenomena ranging from Sherlock Holmes through Casablanca to Harry Styles. Innovative, inspired and addictively dip-in-able, The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide is an essential addition to your bookshelf as well as your cellar.

The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide

From 1870 to 2024

Sally Coulthard

From bestselling author, Sally Coulthard,&#160;comes this charmingly illustrated guide to our favourite feathered friends and folklore that surround their lives. 
 
 Even today, birds are hugely symbolic. From songbirds to seagulls, nightingales to morning larks, we still use the cultural language of the avian world. Doves bring peace, storks carry newborn babies. Robins mark Christmas, hens Easter. Blackbirds and thrushes herald the dawn, owls welcome in the night. Even in our modern, rational world, magpies and peacocks still invite superstitions. 
 
 In her new book, Sally&#160;takes a fascinating flight through the myths, magic and meaning of birds. Covering 50 well-loved avian species from across the world, she glides through their folklore, legends and symbolism. From common sayings to strange superstitions, ancient beliefs to modern celebrations, this gloriously illustrated and international guide reveals that Bird Lore is as alive and vibrant as it ever was.

Bird Lore

The Myths, Folklore and Meaning of Birds

Joanna Gray

Get in the zone and channel your productivity with The Little Book of Focus. 
 
 With inspirational quotations, practical tips&#160;and thoughtful exercises,&#160;The Little Book of Focus will show you how to&#160;find your calm, create a distraction-free zone and re-direct your attention to&#160;all the right things. 
 
 The&#160;Little Book of&#160;series has sold 1 million copies worldwide, with titles like&#160;The Little Book of Mindfulness,&#160;The Little Book of Gratitude&#160;and&#160;The Little Book of Love. 
 
 &ldquo;What you stay focused on will grow.&rdquo; &ndash; Roy T. Bennett

The Little Book of Focus

Calm. Mindful. Productive

This immersive guide invites you to find calm in the beauty of the night sky, seek answers among the stars, and embrace the power of astrology throughout the year. 
 
 Embark on a month-by-month astrological exploration, taking a closer look at each of the constellations of the zodiac and mapping their celestial placements. Each chapter is dedicated to a sign of the zodiac and introduces the ancient myths and legends associated with the constellation, the traits attributed to people born under the sign, and the fascinating folklore that has endured through the ages. 
 
 This beautifully illustrated guide is enriched with stunning visuals and practical information, covering everything from the influence of the planets to a monthly stargazing guide. Harness the natural rhythm of the stars by engaging with rituals, mindfulness exercises, and astrological insights, enhancing your connection to the universe and your place within it. 
 
 Celebrate the magic of the stars, connect with the natural world, and journey through the cosmos with The Zodiac Year. Immerse yourself in this stunning book as you navigate your way through the year following the map of the night sky.

The Zodiac Year

A Stargazer's Guide to the Astrological Calendar

Melanie Brown

Louise Gannon

&#39;Utterly absorbing and deeply affecting&#39;&#160;&ndash; The Guardian 
 
As a Spice Girl, TV talent show judge and Broadway star, Mel B a.k.a Scary Spice, has been a global icon since her twenties. But behind the glittering fa&ccedil;ade of fame, the struggles and pain of this working-class, mixed-race girl from Leeds are laid bare in her critically acclaimed best-selling memoir, Brutally Honest. With deep personal insight, remarkable frankness and trademark Yorkshire humour, the book tells how she went from Girl Power to girl powerless during her ten-year emotionally abusive marriage. Tracing a path through the key moments in her life, she reflects on her childhood, rise to fame and her chilling downward spiral before she finally broke free. In this expanded edition, written with Louise Gannon, Mel brings her story up to date. With her trademark honesty, she tells the unfiltered story of piecing herself back together, dealing with trauma and new heartbreak whilst becoming a champion for survivors of abuse, performing once more with the Spice Girls and receiving her MBE from Prince William.

Brutally Honest

Harris Reed

In Fluid, revolutionary fashion designer Harris Reed introduces the world to a new era in fluid fashion. At the centre of Harris Reed&rsquo;s sartorial journey has always been his desire to change the way people express their identities through clothing. Fluidity&rsquo;s essence is adaptable, evolutionary, and dynamic, and Harris&rsquo;s work constantly disrupts the divide between men&#39;s and women&#39;s clothing. His pieces have been worn by Harry Styles, Adele, Sam Smith, Iman, and Beyonc&eacute;&mdash;and with each piece he has generated an instantly iconic cultural moment, pushing conversations about gender expression into the mainstream. Fluid examines historical antecedents of fluidity, questions old power structures, and urges people to find their authentic selves in this new avenue of fashion. With stunning photography, resplendent fashion, and illustrations of Harris&#39;s design process, Fluid takes readers beyond the idea of clothes as mere garments, reasoning that clothes are a nexus of art, philosophy, and history that can be used to help shape our culture and challenge understandings of gender. With this book, Harris Reed affirms that fluid is the future of fashion.

Fluid

A Fashion Revolution

Simon Clair

Celebrate Korean culture whilst learning about its past and present in this stunning and fascinating guide. In recent years, Korean popular culture has taken the form of a tidal wave sweeping over the West. Whether it&rsquo;s music, film, drama series, fashion or cuisine, South Korea is establishing itself as a key player on the world stage. And the Korean Wave (Hallyu) shows no sign of stopping. Even before Squid Game and the award-winnning film Parasite, K-pop had become a $5 billion industry and Korean food had become the exciting new regional cuisine in restaurants and bars. K Culture will reveal all aspects of South Korea&#39;s way of life, both historically and in its new found fame. Including sections on K-pop bands, cinema, drama, art, comics, food, fashion and night-life, with features within each section on the best films, shows, stars, artists etc. &ndash; this book offers different gateways into contemporary South Korea and what drives it. Also highlighted is the global influence, with a focus on eight cities from around the world (including London, Paris, Berlin, Toronto, New York and L.A.) that have embraced this dynamic culture. This book is a stunning, informative and fun handbook to the Korean Wave.

K Culture

K-pop, Cuisine, On Screen, And More - Celebrating The Korean Wave

Sabrina Gidda

"Sabrina&rsquo;s modern take on traditional South Asian dishes and the stories behind them makes an entertaining and tempting book!" &ndash; Michel Roux Jr"Sabrina is the real deal... The delicious flavour combinations, fun playfulness of classic dishes and a genuine love for storytelling and recipe writing makes this a must for any bookshelf." &ndash; Ravneet Gill"Sabrina has produced the most colourful, exciting book I&rsquo;ve seen in a long time, coming from the heart. Each recipe is packed with love and vibrancy, and I can&rsquo;t wait to cook from it." &ndash; Jos&eacute; PizarroModern South Asian Kitchen is a fascinating collection of recipes, encompassing traditional family dishes passed down through generations to contemporary, eclectic recipes that reflect a collaboration between cultures and experiences. We see the merging of Sabrina&#39;s professional career in modern European kitchens unite with her Punjabi heritage, culminating in 90 unique and stunning recipes that are comforting, playful and big on flavour. She pays homage to her mother&#39;s most iconic dishes along with personal tributes to dishes her grandmother made. She believes that flavour and enjoyment are imperative &ndash; and offers snacks and small plates for entertaining, quick and light meals for midweek meals and encourages the mixing and matching of recipes for feasting and friends &ndash; teaching us not to be fearful of our spice cupboard. In her words, she is &lsquo;creating new traditions as well as honouring old&rsquo;. From the Only Dal You&rsquo;ll Ever Need and Cauliflower Cheese Parathas to Punjabi Panzanella and Black Cardamom Custard Tart, these are ingenious, considerately spiced recipes you won&rsquo;t have seen before. Along with a personal story of her journey, Sabrina also features conversations with eight of her &#39;sisters&#39; from South Asian heritage, continuing the thread of connecting with your history whilst breaking cultural and culinary boundaries. Modern South Asian Kitchen is a thought-provoking testament to modern South Asian cuisine as well as a joyful celebration of how cooking food brings together communities, families and friends.

Modern South Asian Kitchen

Recipes And Stories Celebrating Culture And Community

Su Scott

"Su has written a beautiful account of how food can help rebuild culture from treasured memories, how it conveys love and connection, and how it can ground us when we feel untethered. The recipes are totally tantalising &ndash; and thanks to Su&rsquo;s guidance, entirely achievable even for novices." &ndash; Tim Anderson"A book of belonging. Food as a love letter to family. Writing as delicious as the recipes." &ndash; Allan Jenkins, Observer Food MonthlyRice Table | bap sang is a collection of 80 recipes showcasing modern, Korean home cooking. A Korean living in the UK, Su Scott was thrown into a crisis of identity when motherhood dawned, one which she only found her way out of by cooking the dishes of her Korean childhood, seeking out the flavours and textures of memories that she hopes to pass on to her daughter. Within this intimate cookbook, Su guides you through her modern Korean larder, explores the ferments, pickles and sauces that lift Korean dishes to delicious heights and shares a comforting array of recipes, from Korean Fried Chicken and Kimchi Fried Rice, to Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup. Littered between enticing plates are tender stories of what it means to be a woman, mother and immigrant all at once and how food connects all the pieces of our lives to make us whole. This is a love letter from mother to daughter woven together by food. It&rsquo;s a book about identity and immigration. It&rsquo;s about how the food you feed your children builds a story about their heritage. But it&rsquo;s mainly a book about wonderful food &ndash; the kind of food we all want to eat right now.

Rice Table

Korean Recipes and Stories to Feed the Soul

Carolina Doriti

"Carolina Doriti stirs an obviously deep knowledge of the Greek landscape into every dish she lovingly and generously prepares. To have captured the traditional soul of the Greek table and to give it a breath of fresh air is a beautiful thing." &ndash; Diane Kochilas, author and presenter of My Greek Table"A sun-kissed, glorious book you&rsquo;ll want to jump headfirst into &ndash; delectable and refreshing like a dip in the Mediterranean Sea." &ndash; Itamar Srulovich, Honey &amp; Co A beautiful, enticing cookbook rooted in tradition and love for the land, its history and ingredients. Evoking a strong sense of place, this vibrant book shines a spotlight on local produce and traditional techniques. Carolina Doriti reveals the defining characteristics of Greek food, set against the irresistible backdrop of the mainland and islands. Through these pages explore Mediterranean dishes and flavour combinations in depth, and immerse yourself in Greek cuisine. Salt of the Earth is the ultimate celebration of the food and flavours of Greece from one of its most forward-thinking and historically knowledgeable cooks.

Salt of the Earth

Secrets and Stories From a Greek Kitchen

Angus D Birditt

Longlisted for the Andre Simon Awards 2023 
 Shortlisted for the Fortnum &amp; Mason Food &amp; Drink Awards 2023 
 BBC Radio 4&rsquo;s The Food Programme Best Food Books of 2022A Portrait of British Cheese celebrates the excellence of artisan and farmhouse cheese in the British Isles, expressing it as a product of the land, its animals, and its people, offering a snapshot of rural life, artisan traditions and delicious dishes. The UK farmhouse cheese industry has faced its biggest challenges in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic forcing many small cheesemakers out of business. Food writers and journalists including Jamie Oliver led the call to save British cheeses, and the public&#39;s discovery of and support for speciality artisan cheeses helped many producers to weather the storm. Photographer and writer Angus D. Birditt has been visiting and documenting dairies all over the British Isles, looking at the food, people and landscapes dedicated to artisan and farmhouse cheeses. From Lincolnshire Poacher to Stichelton (the original Stilton), Britain&#39;s own Brie in the form of Baron Bigod from Suffolk, to Brefu Bach sheep&#39;s milk cheese from Snowdonia and Appleby&#39;s Cheshire cheese from the heart of rural Shropshire, this is a unique journey through photos, essays and recipes, revealing the joys and challenges of a life in cheesemaking. &#39;I&rsquo;d happily eat this book &ndash; with a spoonful of chutney.&#39; &ndash; Gill Meller&#39;If you want to know more about the human stories behind real cheese, buy this book! It highlights the wonderful diversity of people, scales and skills which characterise and bind together the emergent community of UK artisan cheese makers.&#39; &ndash; Patrick Holden, Sustainable Food Trust

A Portrait of British Cheese

A Celebration of Artistry, Regionality and Recipes

Jane Moore

The Little Book of Crops in Small Spots introduces newbie gardeners to the art of growing successfully.Particularly focused on small space gardening, this book is the ideal modern guide for those with a compact urban gardens, courtyard, patio or even just a balcony.Including a handy directory of the best 40 fruit and vegetables to grow no matter how small your space, Jane will show you how to get started with her expert tips and indispensable gardening advice to becoming more self-sufficient.Discover how to maximise your growing power and enjoy getting stuck in as you produce crops to harvest all year round.

The Little Book of Crops in Small Spots

A Modern Guide to Growing Fruit and Veg

GRIND

Teddy Robinson

A modern guide to food, drink, work, rest and play from the cult London coffee brand.Based on a decade of eating and drinking in London, A Modern Guide to City Living offers the Grind guide to almost everything.Whether you&rsquo;re looking for how to make a flat white at home, how to politely bail on a date, or just find flatmates that don&rsquo;t suck, Grind present their sometimes questionable (always entertaining) advice on living in the city today.Throughout, you&rsquo;ll find recipes and stories from ten years of Grind in London chronicling everything from the rich world history of coffee, to how to make killer avocado toast for brunch and even the secret to their infamous Espresso Martini &ndash; regularly name-checked as the very best in London.@grind / grind.co.uk

Grind: A Modern Guide to City Living

Coffee, Cocktails, Recipes & Stories

Wild Weather is a fun, easy-to-read guide to understanding the wonders of weather - from why it rains to cloud formations, from extreme weather events to the benefits of sunlight.Wild Weather is a beautifully illustrated book that explores the science of weather events and how they happen, but also the myth and folklore associated with weather patterns.Chapters include: sunshine and rainbows, wind, rain, thunder and lightning, snow and ice. The book also includes a cloud spotting guide and is packed with exercises on how to make the most of even the rainiest of days.This perfect gift for weather enthusiast everywhere and those who want to reconnect with the weather and embrace what is happening on the other side of the window.

Wild Weather

The Myths, Science and Wonder of Weather

Tara Ward

We all need a little help sometimes &ndash; whether it&#39;s to overcome personal loss and grief, or to navigate our way through self-doubt.In The Book of Healing, Tara Ward, bestselling author and expert in wellbeing and spiritual development, takes you through the process of recovering from loss and grief.&#160;Learning the art of self-healing &ndash; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual &ndash; is tremendously important and can be achieved through practical exercises, meditation, reflection and mindfulness.Whether it&#39;s the loss of a loved one, loneliness, grief or even loss of self, Tara offers a roadmap through the recovery process. She shows how learning to embrace joy amidst the grief, and discovering self-compassion as well as compassion for others will create health, and help you to thrive.Tara&#39;s advice is practical and task-focussed, straightforward and accessible. Drawing on your own personal responses, you will feel inspired to reclaim some light in your life, escape the past, and look to the future, fully healed and restored.

The Book of Healing

How to Overcome Loss and Thrive in Challenging Times

Celebrate spring and summer as a time of renewal with Flora the Roman Goddess of flowers and learn about balance in Litha.As the nights get longer, create beautiful garlands of herbs to ward off evil spirits. Explore the magic of each month, with mystical tips and practical projects, and delve into the annual cycle of a modern mystical year.With supersitions and sayings, crystals, birds and beasts, this is a book for the modern mystic that is accessible for everyone. Based on spirituality in nature, The Mystical Year reveals how to wind down, and celebrate the seasons with folklore, festivals and simple, creative projects for each month of the year.

The Mystical Year

Folklore, Magic and Nature

Katarina Montnémery

Scandinavians are cooler, sexier and more stylish than the rest of us. They have a higher standard of living, greater economic opportunity and equality, the world&rsquo;s best restaurants, and moody TV dramas involving murders and jumpers.But did you know, amidst the obsession with hygge and IKEA, that Scandinavian sayings are absolutely BIZARRE?!Take the Swedish &lsquo;Skita i det bl&aring; sk&aring;pet&rsquo;, which roughly translates as: &lsquo;You&rsquo;ve done a crap in the blue cupboard&rsquo; (&lsquo;You&rsquo;ve messed things up now&rsquo;). And in Norway, if you&rsquo;re slow on the uptake, the locals would suspect you were &lsquo;born behind a brown cheese&rsquo; (&lsquo;&Aring; v&aelig;re f&oslash;dt bak en brunost&rsquo;).This witty, enlightening book will give you 50 phrases you never knew you needed in your life, explaining their origin and literal translations, with gorgeous colour illustrations throughout.

Cows on Ice & Owls in the Bog

The Weird and Wonderful World of Scandinavian Sayings

Ever wondered why we touch wood, salute magpies, skip over cracks and throw salt over our&#160;shoulders? Then Sally Coulthard has the answer as she gets under the skin of these peculiar pastimes&#160;in her new book Superstition.&#160;Exploring&#160;the history and background of fifty of these fascinating cultural behaviours, discover&#160;how they affected our everyday life and why many of these beliefs are still pertinent today. 
 
 Superstitions reveal the hopes, fears and preoccupations of our ancestors and give&#160;a fascinating glimpse into how they lived. Seemingly bizarre folk beliefs and practices &ndash; in&#160;farming,&#160;marriage, craft, love, feasting, birth and death &ndash;&#160;often have their roots in real-life worries and desires.&#160;By looking at the material circumstances and challenging environments of our forefathers we start to understand how strange rituals and rules give comfort and reassurance, whether it&rsquo;s hoping for a good harvest, wishing our loved ones a safe journey or trying for a baby. 
 &#160; 
 Pick a side. This is a book with two covers, giving you the chance to decide if you want to enter the light or dark side.&#160;With its gorgeous folk illustrations and light-hearted tone, Superstition aims not only to give readers a fascinating insight into recent history but also bring a smile of recognition that, perhaps, we&rsquo;ve got more in common with our superstitious ancestors than we&rsquo;d care to admit.

Superstition

White Rabbits and Black Cats – The History of Common Folk Beliefs

Dixe Wills

Tiny Histories is a fond, fun and informative look at the seemingly insignificant coincidences, decisions and tiny moments that triggered major events and changed the course of British history.It might be difficult to believe when watching the news but the world we live in is often shaped not by the whim of governments and the decisions of world leaders but by tiny, apparently trivial events. In many cases, they can have enormous repercussions that mould both the society we live in today and the people we are.From the innocent wrong turn by a chauffeur driving Archduke Ferdinand in June 1914 that led to World War I, to the Saxon leader, Byrhtnoth&rsquo;s act of chivalry in 991 that paved the way for British comedy as we know it today, this brilliant new addition to Dixe Will&#39;s bestselling books Tiny Churches, Tiny Islands and Tiny Stations &shy;looks behind the scenes of wars, politics, the arts, food, science, and even health and safety.Perfect for history buffs and pub-quiz fans, this brilliant book also serves to make us all more aware that in an age of so many dramatic changes, challenges and unknowns, it is not always what makes the headlines that shapes the future for generations to come.

Tiny Histories

Trivial Events and Trifling Decisions that Changed British History

From druids’ oaks to deadly yews, tempting apples to erotic peaches, humanity has, for thousands of years, imbued trees with spiritual and superstitious meaning. 
 
Trees have deep roots in our folklore and mythology. Almost everything about them – leaves, branches, roots and fruits – has provided a metaphor for our human needs and desires. From strength to resilience, shelter to sustenance, we have taken each species’ unique qualities and turned them into fables, sayings and symbolism. 
 
In her new book, Sally Coulthard branches out into the world of tree folklore and finds an enchanted place where nature and legend intertwine. Whether it’s lovers’ trysting trees, festive firs, boughs of peace or hangman’s favourites, Sally explores 50 of the world’s most iconic species and their intriguing myths and magical associations. Discover the knightly allure of medieval holly, how willow became a symbol of mourning or when the blackthorn became the witch’s tree. Find out why the Greeks adored the fig, the Vikings worshipped the mighty ash, or why the Banyan abounds with protection and fertility. 
 
This beautifully illustrated book is more than just a guide to some of the world’s best-known trees; it reveals the richly layered and often curious way we relate to the natural world around us. Blending storytelling and ancient customs, botanical knowledge and cultural history, Tree Lore: The Myths, Folklore and Meaning of Trees plants them firmly in the centre of the human story.

Tree Lore

The Myths, Folklore and Meaning of Trees

The year is 1Q84. This is the real world, there is no doubt about that. But in this world, there are two moons in the sky. Discover the 1Q84 Trilogy by Haruki Murakami.

1Q84

365 Days of Art

A BBC Christmas

A Black Book Thriller

A Box Full of Murders

A Cal Leandros Novel

A Christmas Mystery

The intelligent and capable police commissioner Guido Brunetti confronts crime in and around his home town of Venice.

A Commissario Brunetti Mystery

A DC Smith / Kings Lake Investigation Series

A Daisy Story

Chronicling the lives of over three hundred characters, unrivalled for its scope and humour, this is a unique evocation of life in twentieth-century England.

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