Crafts & Hobbies

*A New Statesman and Daily Mail BOOK OF THE YEAR**Longlisted for the 2024 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction*'The best book I've ever read about motherhood' Jude Rogers, Observer'I kept scribbling in the margins: 'We need to know this stuff!'' Joanna Pocock, SpectatorA radical new examination of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain and bodyDuring pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological, psychological and social metamorphosis.There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic change-other than adolescence. And yet this life-altering transition has been sorely neglected by science, medicine and philosophy. Its seismic effects go largely unrepresented across literature and the arts. Speaking about motherhood as anything other than a pastel-hued dream remains, for the most part, taboo.In this ground-breaking, deeply personal investigation, acclaimed journalist and author Lucy Jones brings to light the emerging concept of 'matrescence'. Drawing on new research across various fields - neuroscience and evolutionary biology; psychoanalysis and existential therapy; sociology, economics and ecology - Jones shows how the changes in the maternal mind, brain and body are far more profound, wild and enduring than we have been led to believe. She reveals the dangerous consequences of our neglect of the maternal experience and interrogates the patriarchal and capitalist systems that have created the untenable situation mothers face today.Here is an urgent examination of the modern institution of motherhood, which seeks to unshackle all parents from oppressive social norms. As it deepens our understanding of matrescence, it raises vital questions about motherhood and femininity; interdependence and individual identity; as well as about our relationships with each other and the living world.

Eat to Beat Your Diet is an enlightening book penned by the brilliant author, William Li. Published recently on March 21, 2023, this work is a must-read for anyone seeking to revolutionize their eating habits. The genre of this book can be best described as a blend of health, wellness, and self-help. Li, with his profound knowledge and experience, offers a unique perspective on diet and nutrition. He challenges conventional dieting wisdom and introduces a fresh approach to eating healthily and sustainably. The book is a treasure trove of insights, practical tips, and innovative dietary strategies aimed at empowering readers to beat their diet. Published by Random House UK Ltd, a renowned name in the publishing industry, the book promises impeccable quality and an enriching reading experience. The book is written in English, making it accessible to a global audience. Don't miss out on the chance to transform your life with 'Eat to Beat Your Diet'!

The most comprehensive single-volume photographic guide to Europe's birds ever produced-from the authors of the acclaimed Britain's BirdsCovering more than 900 species, and illustrated with 4,700 photographs, Europe's Birds is the most comprehensive, authoritative and ambitious single-volume photographic guide to Europe's birds ever produced. Easy-to-use, practical and accessible, this guide provides the information necessary for birdwatchers of all abilities to name any bird they see. Detailed descriptions cover the birds in all their plumages-male, female, breeding, non-breeding, adult and immatures, as well as distinctive subspecies. The clear text covers all aspects of identification, including moult and vocalizations, and provides details on range, status and habitat. An unrivalled selection of photographs, chosen to be as informative as possible, makes this a beautiful book to enjoy, as well as an up-to-date and essential source of identification knowledge.Europe's Birds is produced by the same team that created Britain's Birds, which has been described as "e;without doubt the best photo guide on the market"e; (Andy Stoddart, Rare Bird Alert). The authors include top-class wildlife photographers, writers and editors, and an imaginative, highly skilled designer. All are experienced birdwatchers themselves, who know what is needed in an identification guide for birdwatchers living or travelling in Europe.Illustrates all 928 species recorded in Europe, including established introductionsFeatures 4,700 stunning photographs showing the birds as you really see themFocuses on identification, covering all plumages and subspeciesProvides detailed comparison of similar and difficult speciesIncludes details of moult, vocalizations, status and favoured habitatsContains 540 maps, prepared in association with BirdLife International

Dick and Angel Strawbridge share more charming stories from their life at the Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson. The follow-up to the massive Sunday Times bestseller, A Year at the Chateau.

Property will cost us the earth.

A major biography of the greatest men's tennis player of the modern era.

A pocket-sized edition of the bestselling colouring book Enchanted Forest. Features two brand new and exclusive illustrations. A mini adventure for colouring fans.

A practical companion to the bestselling books The Home Edit and The Home Edit Life, helping you to organize your home, space by space. The Home Edit star in the Netflix Original Series, Get Organized with The Home Edit and have 4.9m followers on Instagram.

Brand new update to the bestselling All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, with all-new images of cats and updated language and terminology throughout. It provides a gentle, engaging introduction to the world of autism, demonstrating the individuality and potential of autistic people. Ideal for adults and children alike.

Stitch a greener future with this stunning collection of 20 environmentally friendly designs from leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon. Featuring easy-to-read full-colour charts and step-by-step guidance for beginner stitchers, this book is printed on sustainable FSC paper, and every purchase includes a donation to Friends of the Earth.

The author of the beloved No.1 bestseller The Shepherd's Life returns with a stirring history of family, loss and the land over three generations on a Lake District farm'I can't imagine anyone starting to read English Pastoral and not being eager to read it all at once, as I did, and not being moved by the life and the landscape Rebanks describes so well. I was thrilled by it' Philip Pullman As a boy, James Rebanks's grandfather taught him to work the land the old way. Their family farm in the Lake District hills was part of an ancient agricultural landscape: a patchwork of crops and meadows, of pastures grazed with livestock, and hedgerows teeming with wildlife. And yet, by the time James inherited the farm, it was barely recognisable. The men and women had vanished from the fields; the old stone barns had crumbled; the skies had emptied of birds and their wind-blown song. English Pastoral is the story of an inheritance: one that affects us all. It tells of how rural landscapes around the world were brought close to collapse, and the age-old rhythms of work, weather, community and wild things were lost. And yet this elegy from the northern fells is also a song of hope: of how, guided by the past, one farmer began to salvage a tiny corner of England that was now his, doing his best to restore the life that had vanished and to leave a legacy for the future. This is a book about what it means to have love and pride in a place, and how, against all the odds, it may still be possible to build a new pastoral: not a utopia, but somewhere decent for us all.

Women - Reclaim the city!

I seem to be your new favorite novel. One that keeps you up at night, turning my pages. Fingers lingering on me so you don't lose your place.

The sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling (November 2019) phenomenon Strange Planet, featuring more hilarious and poignant adventures from the fascinating inhabitants of Nathan W. Pyle's colourful world.

The world's most entertaining and useless self-help guide, from the brilliant mind behind the wildly popular webcomic xkcd and the million-selling What If? and Thing Explainer

The Portuguese Way (Camino Portugues) is a 620km long-distance route from Portugal's capital Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This guide splits the route into 25 stages with two coastal options, and takes in historic and religious sites and stunning scenery. With information on preparation, planning and accommodation.

The growing tea party trend meets the Vintage culture in a perfect combination of recipes and lifestyle tips. Angel Adoree's fame from Dragon's Den has continued through to her ever-popular tea party events, serving a huge demand for hen parties and birthdays to corporate clients such as Paul Smith, Oasis and Agent Provocateur. She will be opening a London shop later in the year.

Losing your planet isn't the end of the world . . . Douglas Adams's mega-selling cult classic!

From 1946 to 1957, Vita Sackville-West, the poet, bestselling author of All Passion Spent and maker of Sissinghurst, wrote a weekly column in the Observer describing her life at Sissinghurst, showing her to be one of the most visionary horticulturalists of the twentieth-century.With wonderful additions by Sarah Raven, Vita Sackville-West's Sissinghurst draws on this extraordinary archive, revealing Vita's most loved flowers, as well as offering practical advice for gardeners. Often funny and completely accessibly written with colour and originality, it also describes details of the trials and tribulations of crafting a place of beauty and elegance.Sissinghurst has gone on to become one of the most visited and inspirational gardens in the world and this marvellous book, illustrated with drawings and original photographs throughout, shows us how it was created and how gardeners everywhere can use some of the ideas from both Sarah Raven and Vita Sackville-West.