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Crafts & Hobbies

Are you a master of your own craft or just looking for your next hobby? You have come to the right place, because at Tales you find a wide variety of hobby and craft books perfect for both professionals and beginners. Whether you like action and fun found in sports, games and motor vehicles, or you enjoy diving into the more gentle and cozy creative activities and DIYs, you find it here. If you instead like spending time outside we would recommend you to take a look at our selection of books about hobbies within the field of gardening, nature and animals. We have something for every taste. Are you ready to dive into an inspiring universe of crafts and hobbies?
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  • by Matt Parker
    £10.99

    Stand-up mathematician and star of Festival of the Spoken Nerd, Matt Parker presents Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension -- a riotous journey through the possibilities of numbers, with audience participation- Cut pizzas in new and fairer ways!- Fit a 2p coin through an impossibly small hole!- Make a perfect regular pentagon by knotting a piece of paper!- Tie your shoes faster than ever before, saving literally seconds of your life!- Use those extra seconds to contemplate the diminishing returns of an exclamation-point at the end of every bullet-point!- Make a working computer out of dominoes!Maths is a game. This book can be cut, drawn in, folded into shapes and will even take you to the fourth dimension. So join stand-up mathematician Matt Parker on a journey through narcissistic numbers, optimal dating algorithms, at least two different kinds of infinity and more.

  • - Recipes and Rites from the Lore of H. P. Lovecraft
    by Mike Slater
    £20.99

    The Necronomnomnom is an intriguing book written by the talented Mike Slater. Published in 2019 by WW Norton & Co, this unique piece of literature is sure to captivate your imagination. Slater takes us on a culinary journey like no other, blending elements of horror and comedy in a way that only he can. The genre of the book is a fascinating mix of horror, comedy, and cookbook, providing readers with a truly unique experience. The Necronomnomnom is not just a book; it's a culinary adventure that you won't want to miss. Published by WW Norton & Co, a renowned publishing house known for their diverse catalog, this book is a testament to their commitment to delivering unique and engaging content. So, if you're looking for a book that's different from anything you've read before, The Necronomnomnom by Mike Slater is the one for you.

  • - Post-Apocalyptic Vehicular Mayhem
    by Mike Hutchinson
    £15.49

    Shoot, ram, skid, and loot your way through the ruins of civilisation with Gaslands: Refuelled, the tabletop miniature wargame of post-apocalyptic vehicular mayhem. With all-new material including expanded and enhanced perks, sponsors, vehicle types, and weapons. Gaslands: Refuelled contains everything a budding wasteland warrior needs to build and customise their fleet of vehicles in this harsh post-apocalyptic future. With a host of options for scenarios, environmental effects, and campaigns, players can create their own anarchic futures.

  • - 54 Step-by-Step Methods
    by Leslie Ann Bestor
    £13.99

    Suitable for knitters, this title presents a compilation of all the techniques for beginning and ending knitting projects. It helps you in choosing the right cast on or bind off to fit the chosen yarn and stitch technique.

  • - How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World
    by Paul Stamets
    £21.99

    Mycelium Running is a manual for the mycological rescue of the planet. That's right: growing more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment, and in this groundbreaking text from mushroom expert Paul Stamets, you'll find out how. The basic science goes like this: Microscopic cells called "mycelium"--the fruit of which are mushrooms--recycle carbon, nitrogen, and other essential elements as they break down plant and animal debris in the creation of rich new soil. What Stamets has discovered is that we can capitalize on mycelium's digestive power and target it to decompose toxic wastes and pollutants (mycoremediation), catch and reduce silt from streambeds and pathogens from agricultural watersheds (mycofiltration), control insect populations (mycopesticides), and generally enhance the health of our forests and gardens (mycoforestry and myco-gardening). In this comprehensive guide, you'll find chapters detailing each of these four exciting branches of what Stamets has coined "mycorestoration," as well as chapters on the medicinal and nutritional properties of mushrooms, inoculation methods, log and stump culture, and species selection for various environmental purposes. Heavily referenced and beautifully illustrated, this book is destined to be a classic reference for bemushroomed generations to come.

  • by Stan Lee
    £11.99

    Stan Lee, the founding father of Marvel Comics, and John Buscema, artist of the classic Silver Surfer series, give professional advice and instruction for budding comics artists. Learn how to draw the Marvel way, courtesy of this lavishly illustrated, step-by-step guide to all facets of the process.

  • by Anya Lautenbach
    £13.49

    Beat the rising cost of living and transform your garden on a budget with Anya the Garden Fairy.The Money-Saving Gardener reveals the tips and tricks to keeping costs down without compromising on style or impact. Learn how to repurpose what you have and give new life to second-hand garden furniture; discover savvy cheats to keep hard landscaping costs low; and boost your plant collection for next to nothing with seed-saving and propagation hacks.Revealing the plants that will give you the best long-term value for money, tips for choosing the varieties that will thrive in your garden year after year, and projects for making the most of your propagated cuttings and seedlings, The Money-Saving Gardener proves that a stunning garden doesn't need to cost the earth or break the bank.

  • by Allie Esiri
    £16.99

    365 Poems for Life is an uplifting poem-a-day collection to nourish your mind and soothe your soul from curator Allie Esiri, featuring work by incredible classic and contemporary poets.

  • by Randall Munroe
    £15.49

    WHAT IF... one man decided to answer all the unanswerable questions, using science.The Sunday Times-bestselling author and xkcd creator, Randall Munroe is here to provide the best answers yet to the important questions you probably never thought to ask.The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger.Planning to ride a fire pole from the moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing.Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone's freezer doors at the same time? Maybe it's time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics.Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-storey building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist.Welcome (back) to the mind-blowing world of What If?Unfazed by absurdity, Randall consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airplane-catapult design to clearly and concisely answer his readers' questions. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.Filled with bonkers science, boundless curiosity, and Randall's signature stick-figure comics, What If? 2 is sure to be another instant classic adored by inquisitive readers of all ages.

  • by Scott Stillman
    £12.99

    "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We've been asked this question over and over, practically since the day we could walk. Many of us have absolutely no idea. We never have and we never will. This bothers us terribly, and on a profound level. We feel useless, disconnected, scattered, unfocused. If we could just make up our minds-about something, about anything! What if you didn't have to grow up? Society would like us to believe that to be happy, we need successful careers. But let's face it-we're not all meant to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, and accountants. Some are meant to be dreamers. The people on the fringes of society who don't necessarily subscribe to the modern version of the American Dream. Artists, adrenaline Those who doubt conventional wisdom, question authority, and continually seaThe world needs freaks-now more than ever. Never before has there been such an opportunity to live the life of your dreams. Never before have there been so many ways to earn an income. Never before have there been so many ways to have fun!"--

  • - A 12-week multi-platform wellness planner for self-care and stress relief
    by Bex (Author) Spiller
    £15.49

    A multi-platform solution to the growing problem of burnout caused by prolonged stress. This undated journal spans 12 weeks with weekly lessons delivered through the pages of the journal alongside an online dashboard with lifetime access to video lessons in yoga, mindfulness, meditation, nutrition and breathwork.

  • by Erin Niimi Longhurst
    £10.99

    A Japanese-inspired guide to living a happier, more fulfilled life.Japonisme explores the Japanese art of findingcontentment and includes practical tips and tricksto live a happier, healthier, more thoughtful life.What is your ikigai (purpose)? How do you practice mindfulness in the unpredictability and chaos of everyday life?From shinrinyoku (forest bathing), calligraphy, ikebana(fl ower arranging) to tea ceremonies and their approach tofood, the Japanese have found contentment through traditions,philosophies, and the practice of art. This book shows how we can all incorporate aspects of Japonisme into our daily lives.Enhance your lifestyle and enrich your mind by looking at lifethrough the lens of wabi-sabi (the transient nature of life),kintsugi (repairing broken ceramics with gold) or kaizen(habit-forming techniques), in an accessible, practical way.

  • by DK
    £15.49

    Get lost in the beauty of the natural world in this captivating collection of botanical stickers.Page after page is packed with beautiful vintage drawings of ornamental flowers, tropical ferns, and other exotic plants and fungi.Get creative! Adorn your personal items with more than a thousand botanically themed images. Use the stickers for scrapbooking and stationery, create gorgeous artwork, or simply enjoy this book as an exquisite keepsake.

  • - The easy, sustainable, zero-cost way to a plentiful harvest
    by Huw Richards
    £13.49

  • - The Historical Way and Fishermen's Trail
    by Gillian Price
    £14.99

    Guidebook to walking Portugal's Rota Vicentina, a stunning yet remarkably little-visited 220km route down the southwestern Atlantic coast, through the Alentejo and Algarve districts. The route, which is suitable for all fit walkers and is not technically difficult, is described across 12 stages, making it perfect for a two-week holiday.

  • - A Yachtsman's Guide to the Ionian and Aegean Coasts and Islands of Greece
    by Rod Heikell & Lucinda Heikell
    £37.99

  • - Fantasy Wargames in the Frozen City
    by Joseph A. (Author) McCullough
    £18.99

    This new edition of the multi-award-winning fantasy skirmish wargame offers improved rules based on years of player feedback, a revised spell list, new soldier types, and a host of brand-new scenarios. Choose a wizard from one of ten schools of magic, and select from a list of eighty spells. Hire a warband filled with soldiers, from lowly thugs and thieves to mighty knights and barbarians, then lead your men into the frozen ruins of the magic city of Frostgrave on the hunt for ancient treasures and the secrets of lost magic. Be warned -- it is a deadly place, filled with rival wizards, wandering monsters, animated constructs, and demonic entities. Do you dare enter the Frozen City one more time?

  • - Design, Form, Throw, Decorate and More, with Workshops from Professional Makers
    by DK
    £19.99

    Jess Jos, creative consultant and main author, is an experienced potter and teacher. She enjoys experimenting with wheel-thrown and handbuilt pieces, creating bespoke commissions for private clients and restaurants. Jess has a BA in Ceramics from Camberwell Art College and is a craftsperson in residence at Stepney City Farm, London. Several other contributors ensure the book covers a broad range of styles.

  • - Creating a Personal and Natural Interior
    by Hans Blomquist
    £18.99

    In Hans Blomquist's new book Inspired by Nature, the stylist and art director identifies the connection between our home environment and our emotional wellbeing.

  • by Katrina Rodabaugh
    £15.49

    Join the slow fashion movement by learning Sashiko and other beautiful stitching techniques

  • - the bestselling guide to transforming your body by unlocking your lost evolutionary strength
    by Scott Carney
    £9.49

    What Doesn't Kill Us is a captivating book written by the talented author, Scott Carney. Published in 2019 by Scribe Publications, this book falls under the genre of non-fiction. The book takes the reader on an intriguing journey, exploring the boundaries of human endurance. The author challenges conventional wisdom and pushes the limits of the human body, showing how much we can endure, both physically and mentally. This book is not just a tale of survival, but also a testament to the extraordinary capabilities of the human body. It's a must-read for anyone interested in pushing their limits and understanding what the human body is truly capable of. Published by Scribe Publications, this book is a testament to their commitment to bringing quality literature to readers. Written in English, What Doesn't Kill Us is a remarkable exploration of human endurance.

  • - Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin
    by Dr Anjali Mahto
    £11.99

  • - A Five-Year Journal
    by Aimee Chase
    £10.99

    For anybody who has ever given up journaling after being intimidated when facing a blank page, this book makes it easy to take a snapshot of your inner life in just a few minutes each day. The beauty of this journal is that it enables readers to track their emotional growth as well as keep track of memories.

  • - Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
    by Michael Booth
    £9.49

    The Danes are the happiest people in the world, and pay the highest taxes. 'Neutral' Sweden is one of the biggest arms manufacturers in the world. Finns have the largest per capita gun ownership after the US and Yemen. 54 per cent of Icelanders believe in elves. Norway is the richest country on earth. This book deals with Nordic countries.

  • by Stefano Tonchi
    £51.99

    An unprecedented publication showcasing Gucci as never before, including thought-provoking essays, commentaries, and authoritative anecdotes along with previously unpublished contemporary and archival photographs. Published in conjunction with the opening of the new Gucci Museum in Florence, Gucci is the ultimate celebration of the world-renowned fashion house. Told through a loose grouping of words, concepts, shapes, and moods, the book tells its story through new conceptual forms and the free links between images, symbols, and objects. Edited by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, with essays and inserts by contributors including Katie Grand, Peter Arnell, Rula Jebreal, Christopher Breward and Stefano Micelli, Gucci: The Making Of is a dynamic record of a much-coveted brand that will be a must this season for anyone with a love of fashion and an interest in contemporary culture. This comprehensive volume showcases the genius of the fashion house through an exclusive lens with inside looks into the inspirations behind the design.This gorgeous book designed by Arnell offers an in-depth look into Gucci's origins, identity, influence, and innovation, including fabrication methods and appropriation of signature materials, past and present, and its influence among high society and Hollywood. The book is a heartfelt and personalized tribute to the heritage and influence of this iconic, multifaceted brand. In recognition of its ongoing partnership with UNICEF and the release of this luxury edition, Gucci will make a donation of US $250,000 to support UNICEF's Schools for Africa initiative.

  • by Andrew Loomis
    £21.99

    The illustrator Andrew Loomis (1892-1959) is revered amongst artists - including comics superstar Alex Ross - for his mastery of figure drawing and his clean, realist style.

  • - Discworld: The Death Collection
    by Terry Pratchett
    £11.99

    Terry Pratchett's hilarious fourth Discworld novel established once and for all that Death really is a laughing matter...

The advantages of Crafts and Hobbies 
At Tales you find hobby craft books for everyone. The books will allow you to dive into what interests only just you and to expand on your creative skills will evolve you as a human being. It will make it easier for you to concentrate in every situation of life including at your work space. It will also make you more innovative and creative in general - something many jobs require of you today. 
The hobby books are directed to every level and will inspire you to get started or improve the craft that you have fallen in love with. 
In Tales’ selection of Crafts & Hobbies - you could also get inspiration to get more motion or physical activities into your busy everyday life. We all know that exercise is good and healthy for us, but you may have tried all the most common sports(grene) and all the machines at your local fitness center, and concludes that motion was not something for you. In our selection of hobby craft books you find all the inspiration you need to discover new and creative ways of movement. They will make you forget all about motion and sweat and you will instead just enjoy the game, while you actually move your body quite a lot. Exercising is not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health will benefit from it. You improve our attention span and you will have a better capacity to learn new things.  
Another wonderful thing about hobbies is that it can create communities. When you gather around a common interest you can find new friends, who all like the same hobby or craft as you. As part of a creative community you can meet a great diversity of people, who all happen to be interested in the same hobby as you. A social community around a common hobby can also help you on your way to becoming better to your craft. In a community you can spar with each other and learn from each other's experiences both within the field of the specific hobby, but as your friendship grows you can also spare about life in general, maybe while you knit, sew or play. 

Crafts & Hobbies Trends
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic the focus on DIY and other creative activities you could in a home doing quarantine has grown. Many have taken up their previous interest in sewing or knitting and others discovered the wonders of making their own clothes for the first time. Also in light of the climate crisis many especially young people have an increased focus on sustainability and by sewing your next dress or knitting your next sweater yourself you can also make the clothes making process more sustainable. 
The advantages by making your own clothes is in fact that you can design and make it as you want to. If you are a novice in sewing we would recommend you to follow the guidelines found in a good hobby and crafts book that will guide you every step of the way. The pandemic has also increased the focus on the home and garden, and in our selection you find the hobby books that will help you decorate your home in the best possible way, and guide you on how to get a vigorous garden with lots of flowers and life. 

Hobby crafts scrapbooks
Tales’ selection also counts hobby crafts scrapbooks. The scrapbooks either guide or invite you to fill out different creative tasks in order to remember some of life’s biggest events. You can for example get inspiration for how to best remember your wedding in the hobby crafts scrapbook Our Wedding Scrapbook. The scrapbook is a beautifully illustrated guide on how to gather all the wonderful and overwhelming first wedded memories in a well-arranged and pretty package of a book. 

Hobbycrafts sketchbooks
It can sometimes be hard to keep track of all your creative ideas, and that is why a hobbycrafts sketchbook is a good to have. In a sketch book you can collect all your different ideas both through text, illustrations and pictures and have them all assembled in one place, and have them at hand at all times. Who knows, when they might come in handy? You can for example find the popular Moleskine series in Tales’ selection of Crafts & Hobbies. The Moleskine notebooks are perfect as hobbycrafts sketchbooks and they come in a world of variations and colors. 

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