Open main menu

Changes

1,531 bytes removed ,  09:32, 12 December 2023
no edit summary
[[Category:Lifestyle|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|Lifestyle]] __NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=William Poundstone1454955546|title=How to Predict the Unpredictable: The Art of Outsmarting Almost EveryoneSugarless|author=Nicole M Avena|rating=45|genre=ReferenceLifestyle|summary=William Poundstone believes ''This isn't a diet book. The last thing anyone needs is another diet book.'' There was a time, not that we are all in the business of predictinglong ago, whether when it be something as minor as playing rock, paper, scissors to pay a bar bill though to anticipating how was thought that sugary food was better for you than food with high-fat content. Fat was the housing or stock markets are demon food which was going to moveelevate your cholesterol and cause heart disease. Now Sugar was a carbohydrate, Iso good. There'm not particularly competitive - if whatever it s a problem, though. Sugar is means ''that'' addictive and can hijack your brain in much to someone else then I'd rather let them have it - so this book didn't appeal to me on the basis of doing better than someone else, but I was interested in how it might be possible to predict what is going to happensame way as drugs like heroin and cocaine. SoDoes that sound over the top? Well, care to predict how it stacked up?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780744072</amazonuk>isn't.
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Dan Waddell1635866847|title=Who Do You Think You Are?: The Genealogy HandbookLavender Companion|author=Jessica Dunham and Terry Barlin Vesci
|rating=4.5
|genre=ReferenceLifestyle|summary=The celebrity genealogy programme It's strange, the things that make you ''Who Do You Think You Are?immediately'' celebrates its 10th anniversary feel that this yearis the book for you. Before I started reading ''The makersLavender Companion'', Wall to Wall Media, were fortunate enough to ride I visited the ripple author's [https://www.pinelavenderfarm.com/ website] and there's a picture of a slice of family tree fascinationchocolate cake on the homepage. I don't eat cakes and desserts - but I wanted that cake viscerally. (There's a recipe in the book, helping which I'm avoiding with some difficulty!!) Then I started reading the book and I was told to turn make a mess of it into . Notes in the hobbyist tidal wave that remains todaymargins are sanctioned. You get to fold down the corners of pages. For those You suspect that smears of butter would not familiar with the format, each episode allows us to accompany be a household name as they discover secrets, scandals and surprises about an ancestor or twoproblem. Thus we arenI ''loved't only entertained; we're encouraged to delve into our own pasts, BBC TV publications acting as tutor and motivator via this handy little reference guidebook already.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849908249</amazonuk>
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=0760381267
|title=Verdura: Living a Garden Life
|author=Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago
|rating=3.5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=''The most important part of a garden is the one who enjoys it''.
I've 'gardened' in a vague, indefinite sort of way for more than half a century. I know (most of) the basics but life has changed and I needed 'projects' rather than a general commitment to gardening. ''Verdura'' with its promise of projects for both indoors and outdoors of varying complexity seemed like the answer. So, how did it stack up?}}{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Lynne MartinSarah Wilson|title=Home Sweet AnywhereThis One Wild and Precious Life: How We Sold Our House, Created the path back to connection in a New Life, and Saw the Worldfractured world|rating=43.5|genre=TravelLifestyle|summary=Lynne and Tim Martin had known each other decades ago but when we meet them theyMy favourite Mary Oliver line is the one in which she asks 've only been married for a short time. There's just What is it you plan to do with your one thing though - theywild and precious life?''re not ready I get to settle down, despite the fact love that theyline so much because my answer is ''This! Precisely this.'re what might be called 'upper middle aged I'. Their roots are in the US - both have adult children there m lucky enough to be living my one wild and precious life the Martins have a house in California - but they way I want to travel and not just as tourists. They want to Sarah Wilson is equally lucky. In her book that takes Oliver's words as her title (though I can't see that she acknowledges the world as the locals see it and source) she pushes us to experience what itthink about whether we really ''are''s like to live thereliving the life we want – the best life that we could be living. Lynne describes them as Her answer is an unequivocal ''no, we are not being wealthy''. Don't care what you're doing, but they decide to sell their homeshe thinks you (we, invest I) could be doing more…And she's effing furious about the money and become 'home-free'fact that we are not.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>B00J0CRNKE</amazonuk>1785633848
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1394159544|title=The ConversationsRecycling for Dummies|author=Olivia FaneSarah Winkler
|rating=5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=I need no encouragement ''Recycling one ton of plastic can save up to start talking16.3 barrels of oil. Leave me alone with someone and I will find something to talk to them about, in whatever language'' ''Recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees from being cut down. I’ve dated people I’ve met by talking '' If you send an apple core to them on aeroplaneslandfill, hablaring español with them in evening classes, chatting it will take between 6 months and 2 years to them onlinedecompose. I’ve made friends at the gym, on the shop floor, during a day’s IT system training, people I still keep in touch with A glass bottle will take up to 1 million years. So you might think the last thing I need is a book of conversation starters, and yet in a way that’s what this is.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099581981</amazonuk>}}
{{newreview|title=Flowerpot FarmAs a just-post-WWII baby, I faced a dilemma: A First Gardening Activity Book|author=Lorraine Harrison|rating=3reducing, reusing and recycling is part of my DNA.5|genre=Children NEVER throw away anything that might ''s Non-Fiction|summary=With the demand for us to eat seemingly more fruit and vegetables every day, possibly'' come in handy now or in the world of grow-your-own is backfuture. Why NEVER buy from the supermarket when anything if you can release cobble together something that would serve the kids into purpose. Almost everything can be used one more time and any purchase must pass the garden to graze like cattletest of 'Is this absolutely essential? ' HoweverOn the other hand, before you do this, perhaps I suspected I was guilty of wishcycling: assuming that something must be recyclable (toothpaste tubes - I'm looking at you should pick up a book like ‘Flowerpot Farm’ by Lorraine Harrison ) and Faye Bradley which will show them how to create their own fruitdropping it in the kerbside bin. Yes, veg I could go searching on the internet - and flower garden no matter how small get conflicting advice - but what I needed was a space they have to work withrecycling bible.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782400818</amazonuk>s
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0760378134|title=He TextedThe First-Time Gardener: The Ultimate Guide to Decoding GuysContainer Food Gardening|author=Lisa Winning and Carrie Henderson-McDermottPamela Farley|rating=45|genre=LifestyleHome and Family|summary=This book, despite If you've ever thought how good it would be to be able to pop out into the titlegarden and pick some fruit and vegetables for a meal – but realised that you wouldn't know where to start, this is about more than textingthe book you need. It is about the whole digital world and how guys and gals interact within 's comprehensive: you'll cover everything from why you should grow your own food, what you're going to grow, what you'll grow it in (Companies’ House stalkerage asideboth containers and soil). From how long to wait to text back, to where you'll put these containers, how to respond to friend requests you'll water and fertilise them and what to do you finish the main part of the book with the power when you’re unleashed a handy section on his Facebook walltroubleshooting. There's also a good glossary. So, this book promises to provide hilarious and essential advice on how to navigate the perplexing world that is trouser-shaped.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780892071</amazonuk>it any good?
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=William Hanson1398508632|title=The Bluffer's Guide to Etiquette (Bluffer's Guides)Wilderness Cure|author=Mo Wilde
|rating=5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=If you ask people what they fear most in any social situation most will tell you that it's not knowing how to behave. They'll be fine about It had been on the basics, cards for a while but it's those little niceties was the week- how to introduce yourselflong consumer binge which pushed Mo Wilde into beginning her year of eating only wild food. The end of November, what particularly in Central Scotland was perhaps not the best time to ask for as an aperitifstart, how to address someonein a world where the normal sores had been exacerbated by climate change, for instance which can suddenly reveal you as Brexit and a parvenupandemic. William Hanson gives us Wilde had a quick trip through few advantages: the essentials in area around her was a known habitat with a book variety of terrains. She had electricity which is very readable allowed her to run a fridge, freezer and dehydrator. She had a car - in places - hilariously funnyand fuel. Most importantly, she had shelter: this was not a plan to ''live'' wild just to live off its produce.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1909937002</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=John JacksonBjorn Natthiko Lindeblad, Caroline Bankeler, Navid Modiiri and Agnes Bromme (Translator)|title=A Little Piece of England: A tale of self-sufficiencyI May Be Wrong
|rating=5
|genre= Autobiography
|summary= When the Dalai Lama adds his words to your frontispiece, I'm inclined to think it doesn't really matter how the rest of the world responds to your book. I know, having read the book in question, that Lindeblad would disagree with that thought. He knows (and at core so do I) that it matters very much how the rest of the world responds to this book, because it tells the truth as it is, in the early 21st century.
|isbn=1526644827
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=1732898731
|title=The Boy Who Loved Boxes: A Children's Book for Adults
|author=Michael Albanese
|rating=4.5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=Here at Bookbag we're great fans of John JacksonThere was a Boy who loved boxes. We loved his [[Tales He had a box for Great Grandchildren by John Jackson everything and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini|Tales for Great Grandchildren]] 'he was meticulous about storage: his parents probably couldn't believe their luck! It began with art supplies, stuffed toys andthe like: all the things which most children have in abundance. The Boy'' [[Brahma Dreaming: Legends from Hindu Mythology by John Jackson and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini|Brahma Dreaming: Legends from Hindu Mythology]] so it s delight was something in the sense of a treat to meet the author on order in his own ground, so to speakroom: it made him feel happy. Originally published as ''A Bucket of Nuts As he grew up and became a Herring Net: The Birth of a Spare-Time Farm'' Man, his life became more complicated and he dealt with this by getting bigger and better boxes. this is actually Jackson's first book Look carefully at the pictures and thirty-five years later weyou're delighted ll see that it's been republished in hardback complete with the original black-and-white illustrations by Val Biroone of them has a padlock...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1909661031</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1846276772|title=MastermindThe End of Bias: How to Think Like Sherlock HolmesWe Change Our Minds|author=Maria KonnikovaJessica Nordell|rating=34.5|genre=LifestylePolitics and Society|summary=Psychologist Maria Konnikova seems Anyone who is not an able, white man understands bias in that they may no longer even recognise the extent to have rather ambitious aims regarding her new book, ''Mastermind'which they suffer from it: it' s simply a part of everyday life. White men will always come first. She plans to teach her readers how to think like Sherlock Holmes The able will come before the disabled. Anyone who has read Jobs, promotions, higher salaries are the adventures preserve of the world’s most famous detective will have no doubt marvelled at his uncanny powers white man. Even when those who wouldn't pass the medical become a part of analysis an organisation it's rare that their views are heard, that their concerns are acknowledged. It's personally appalling and observation. Can a book really unlock degrading for the individuals on the power receiving end of the mind and turn average-Joe into a master of deduction?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>085786727X</amazonuk>bias but it's not just the individuals who are negatively impacted.
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=Erling Kagge
|title=Walking: One Step At A Time
|rating=5
|genre= Lifestyle
|summary= Those who have read my reviews before will know that how much I loved a book is evidenced by the number of pages with corners turned, so let me start this one with an apology to the Norfolk Library Service: sorry! I forgot it was your book not mine. In my defence, I will say that as a reader of this type of book there is something connective about noting where prior readers were inspired (provided it is subtle – I'll allow creased corners, but not scribbles – for the latter we must buy our own copy – which I am about to do as soon as I have finished telling you why).
{{newreview|author=Chip Heath and Dan Heath|title=Decisive: How Erligg Kagge is a Norwegian explorer who has walked to Make Better Decisions in Life the South Pole, the North Pole and Work|rating=5|genre=Business and Finance|summary=I donthe summit of Everest. He knows a thing or two about walking. However, this isn't have a problem with making decisionstravelogue about any of those epic journeys, probably because I've always tended to the view that it's better is instead a thoughtful exploration of what it means to make walk. It is a decision plenitude of unnumbered essays about walking. There is no 'contents' page and get on with life than haver and waste time in limboI haven't counted. With In small format paperback, each essay is only a few notable exceptions it's served me wellpages long. Perhaps then, but when ''Decisive'' appeared on my desk it struck me that there could be advantages to improving the quality better thought of the decisions too. The Heath brothers have as a good history of collaborating on such subjects and delivering books which open the mindmeditation rather than an essay.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1847940862</amazonuk>0241357705
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves Richard Brook|authortitle=Stephen GroszUnderstanding Human Nature: A User's Guide to Life|rating=4.5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=I usually review fictionam a firm believer that sometimes we choose books, and sometimes books choose us. In my case, this is one of the latter. For that reason aloneNot so very long ago, if I knew that reviewing had come across this particular book I'd have skimmed it, found some of it interesting, but it would be a challengenot have 'hit home' in the way that it does now. I believe it came to me not just because I was attracted likely to give it for many reasons; I thought a favourable review [ ''full disclosure The Bookbag's u.s.p. is that people chose their own books rather than getting them randomly, so there is a predisposition towards expecting to like the book, even if it doesn't always turn out that way'' ] – but also because it would give me is a window into many situations of which book I know little or nothingneeded to read, right now.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099549034</amazonuk>1800461682
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=0753558378
|title=Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters
|author=Greg McKeown
|rating=4.5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=''The marginal return of working harder was, in fact, negative.''
{{newreview|author=Sue Hadfield|title=Change One Thing|rating=3|genre=Lifestyle|summary=On the face of it the principle is simple: just change one thing for a better lifeThat's what happened to Patrick McGinnis. Of course itIt's not no exaggeration to say that simple. Working on he devoted his life to the basis company he worked for, struggling through, even when he was ill, only to find that the longest journey starts with he was working for a single step Sue Hadfield looks at the disillusionment which is bankrupt company. His stock had fallen by 97%, he had lost his health and his job had little value. He made a bybargain with God; if he survived, he would make some changes. He did survive and came through stronger -product of our work-driven life and guides us towards the steps we'll need to take to pull ourselves out of what's not so much a rut as a pit of despair on occasionsricher. Changing one thing There is just the beginning, but as she points outyou see, it can be what's needed to kick-start the whole process - to a better different way of our current life or a whole new life: ''great things are not reserved for those who bleed, for those who almost break.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857084607</amazonuk>''
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=1523092734
|title=A Women's Guide to Claiming Space
|author=Eliza Van Cort
|rating=5
|genre=Politics and Society
|summary=''She brings a hug-kick-thunderclap that every woman needs in her life. Again and again and again.'' (Alma Derricks, former CMO, Cirque du Soleil RSD)
{{newreview|title=How ''To claim space is to Win: The Argument, the Pitch, live the Job, the Race|author=Dr Rob Yeung|rating=3life of choosing unapologetically and bravely.5|genre=Lifestyle|summary=Looking for a sure-fire way It is to intimidate the competition during a job interview? Just sit in live the waiting room perusing the oh, so subtly titled life you''How to Winve always wanted.'', with the book tilted at the optimum angle to allow everyone to see the bold heading on the cover. Of course, if more than one candidate is reading the same book, difficulties may ensue...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857084291</amazonuk>}}
{{newreview|title=The Mistress Contract|author=She and He|rating=3|genre=Lifestyle|summary=Sometimes the reviewing gods are generous: at a time when violence against women is much in the news, ''A Women feel 's Guide to Claiming Space'' by Eliza Van Cort dropped onto my desk. Now - to be clear - this book is not a reluctance 'how to disable your attacker with two simple jabs' manual: it's something far more effective, but discussion at the moment seems to talk be about those things which should how women can be mysterious.' Well, not all of them'protected''. This line – and I won've always thought that women need to rise above this, to be people who don't say need protection, people who says it – is a quote from a large audio archive of the thoughts of a most unusual coupleclaim their own space. College friendsIf all women did this, they split apart then got back together, and ended up having an affair. Until she decided those few men who are violent to formalise it in a momentary flash of, well, something, saying she women would cede all realise that we are not just an easy target to his every sexual and housework wishes if he would cater for her financially and with a place be used to live. Nowhere did prove that small contract say that they would open up themselves to public scrutiny with recordings of their conversations, over a restaurant table or in bed or a car having a tete-a-tete, but they soon did – and these small pages are the resulting bookbig men.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846689430</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1529109116|title=Dedicated to...Call Me Red: The Forgotten Friendships, Hidden Stories and Lost Loves found in Second-hand BooksA Shepherd's Journey|author=W B GooderhamHannah Jackson
|rating=4.5
|genre=EntertainmentLifestyle|summary=I have found many strange and unusual things in second-hand bookshops. I have done one or two strange and unusual things in them as well, but that's a different story. Twice now 'I have managed to find want the image of a second-hand book, completely signed and dedicated by the author, yet discarded by the recipient, and have been able British farmer to present the author with the edition at hand and get it re-dedicated. (If I'm not mistaken, the discarders were simply be that of a neighbouring babysitter, and a teacher of person who is proudly employed in feeding the author's childrennation.) Idon'll admit t think that's rarefied, however, and on the whole the scribble you find in second-hand books is from the person who bought it, and gave it as a gift, not the person who wrote it. But even so, the dedication of the donor can be immensely fascinating and open too much to all kinds of interpretation, as these examples show perfectly clearask.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0593072847</amazonuk>}}''
{{newreview|title=A Piece of Danish Happiness|author=Sharmi Albrechtsen|rating=4|genre=Autobiography|summary=Sharmi Albrechtsen The stereotypical farmer was probably born on the land where ''his'' family have farmed for generations. He's probably grown up without giving much thought as to what he really wants to do: he knows that he'll be a true Hindu-American princessfarmer. Obsessed with shoes It's not always the case though. Hannah Jackson was born and handbags and designer labels, she saw status and wealth as brought up on the only route to happiness. But Wirral: she wasn't happy enough, no matter how much designer gear d never set foot on a commercial farm until she was twenty although she owned'd always had a deep love of animals. And it wasn Her original intention was that she would become 't until 1997Dr Jackson, whale scientist' and she was well on her way to achieving this when she married her second husband, life changed on a family holiday to the Lake District. She saw a Dane, lamb being born and relocated to Denmark, that she began to wonder if it was something lacking in herselfalthough 'Hannah Jackson, rather than farmer' lacked the kudos of her possessionsoriginal intention, she knew that was at she wanted to be a shepherd. With the root determination that you'll soon realise is an essential part of her problems, she set about achieving her ambition.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>B00EAINZM8</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Rachel Ashwell1786495902|title=Couture Prairie And Flea Market Treasures The Natural Health Service: How Nature Can Mend Your Mind|author=Isabel Hardman|rating=45
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=''Shabby Chic'' has always appealed Isabel Hardman suffered a trauma which she chooses not to me: it fits neatly with my views on recyclingshare. She says that a friend who does know, upcycling burst into tears and generally refusing to replace anything which still looks good and has life left health-care professionals' jaws have sagged in itdisbelief. Rachel Ashwell takes Hardman dealt with this at the time by 'keeping going': the next day she went to work to a whole new levelcover the budget, but her most glorious moment must have been when - on her regular yearly visit to next there was the flea markets of Round Top in Texas - she decided on a whim to buy The Outpost at Cedar Creek and she turned this into The PrairieEU referendum, a group of buildings which would house her retail store the political party leadership contests and a B&B which exhibited some of her most treasured findsthen it was party conference season. As One night she said herself, her cowboy boots, jeans had to be sedated and love of poetry in country music had come returned hometo begin long-term sick leave. That was what brought me to this book: 2020 was the year when the bins went out more often than I did.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782490434</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Very British Problems: Making Life Awkward for Ourselves, One Rainy Day at a TimeLauren Martin|authortitle=Rob TempleThe Book of Moods|rating=35|genre=HumourLifestyle|summary=Are you compelled to apologise multiple times I was in a day – even great mood when you are not at faultI first learnt of this book, and because sarcasm doesn't always translate well into writing, or even to inanimate objects? Would you subject yourself to imagine the word ''great inconvenience rather than confront someone who is sitting '' being delivered with an eye roll and a sigh, through clenched teeth. I had spent the best part of a rainy, windy weekend afternoon out on the water at our local sailing club in your reserved seat the rescue rib, on standby in case anyone who was racing needed support. It's a train? Have you been known volunteer duty we all do during the year, and normally I'm happy to, but that day the weather was miserable and I was miserable, and it all came to commit desperate acts in a head that evening when I noticed on the search website that we had been thanked for your next cup of tea? If so, you may be suffering from Very British Problemsour time as "Dave and wife". Wow. I had never needed this book more.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0751552593</amazonuk>1538733625
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=0008420386|title=How to Keep Calm and Carry OnFailosophy: A handbook for when things go wrong|author=Daniel Freeman and Jason FreemanElizabeth Day
|rating=4
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=Heart poundingWhat do Malcolm Gladwell, rapid breathingAlain de Botton, dry mouth Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lemn Sissay, Nigel Slater, Emeli Sandé, Meera Syal, Dame Kelly Holmes and sweaty palms are just some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with anxiety. Anxiety affects us Andrew Scott have in common? They've all at one time or another in our lives failed and - more importantly - they've been willing to appear on Elizabeth Day's podcast to discuss their failures and occurs in varying degrees of severityhow life worked out for them afterwards. For example, a little nervousness is par for You'll find the course when a performer steps on stage results of these discussions in front of a huge crowd, but on the other end of the spectrum, conditions such as OCD and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can leave sufferers paralysed with fear.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0273777750</amazonuk>''Failosophy''
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1504321383|title=Hospice Voices: Lessons for Living at the End of LifeSingle, Again, and Again, and Again|author=Eric LindnerLouisa Pateman
|rating=4.5
|genre=Autobiography
|summary=''Hospice VoicesYou can'' tells the stories of the last days of some fascinating people while it follows author Eric Lindner through his journey as a hospice volunteer t be happy and fulfilled on your own. You are not complete until you find a crisis in his own daughterman''s health. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1442220597</amazonuk>}}
{{newreview|author=Jill Stark|title=High Sobriety: My Year Without Booze|rating=4.5|genre=Lifestyle|summary=On the first of January 2011 Jill Stark woke This was what Louisa Pateman was brought up with the hangover from Hellto believe. She It wasn't unkind: it was no stranger simply the adults in her life advising her as to them: at thirty five she'd been binge drinking what they thought would be best for more than twenty years and her. It was in reinforced by all those fairy tales where the dubious position of being girl (she's usually fairly young) is rescued by the health reporter handsome prince who wrote herself off at weekendsthen marries her so that they can live happily ever after. And by Few girls are lucky enough to be brought up ''without'wrote herself off' I mean being seriously drunk on a very regular basis, having consumed vast quantities of alcohol and having regularly put herself in danger of serious illness, unwanted pregnancy the expectation that they will marry and assaulthave children. But on that first day in January Stark decided that she It was going to do something about a belief and it and the initial decision was would be many years before Louisa would conclude that she would spend three months on the wagon''a belief is a choice''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1922247030</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1538731738|title=The Sex DiariesSimple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life|author=Arianne CohenSarah Ban Breathnach
|rating=5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=As far as ‘doing what Someone once said: it says on the tin’ goes's not self-indulgence, this book is a good oneit's therapy! I think they were talking about shopping, but it probably can be applied to most things. It’s the diaries In my case, plural, from people, plural, talking it applies to writing about their sex lives. But it’s not just the doing of the deed and the sowing of the seedthings because I want to, it’s also all the stuff that goes with being in a relationship rather than because I can sell it or not being in one. The daydreams. The texts. The efforts made because I've got something to secure a hook-up, if there’s not one waiting for you at homesell.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0091939550</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Chris WardSharon Blackie|title=Out of Office: Work Where You Like and Achieve More|rating=3|genre=Lifestyle|summary='Imbibe coffee and become imbued with an entrepreneurial spirit' would be an apt summary of the gist of 'Out of Office' by Chris Ward. If you choose to read the book, be prepared to receive inspiration rather than practical instruction on how to build an empire, if anything. This is not to discredit the book; it is attractively designed, full of fundraising event photos and company founder portraits, motivational quotes and brief enthusiastic testimonies of the interviewees featured. But in terms of content, it doesn’t offer substantial advice on how to make that leap from the office cubicle – a context quite heavily vilified by Ward – to the existence of the creatively liberated mover and shaker.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0957612303</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Michael Blastland and David Spiegelhalter|title=The Norm Chronicles: Stories and numbers about dangerWomen Rose Rooted
|rating=5
|genre=Politics and SocietyBiography|summary=I'd like normally say that you can tell how much a book means to meet Normme by how many pages have corners turned down. He's Perhaps an absolutely average kind even greater measure of guy, thirty impact is setting out to buy my own copy before I've finished reading the one years old, 5I'9”, a touch over thirteen stone and he works a thirty-nine hour week with the occasional treat of a bar of milk chocolateve borrowed. Oh, and heI want to avoid clichés like 's ambivalent about Marmite - couldnpowerful't care one way or the other - can take it or leave it. In 'inspiring'The Norm Chronicles'life-changing' we hear – although it is definitely the story of his life first two and only time will tell about the lives of his friends Prudence (the name tells you what you need to know) and Kelvin, who's third – but clichés exist for a dare-devil, hard-living kind of guy. It's the story of the hazards they face - some real reason and some imagined - in every aspect of their lives. And along with these stories are the I''real'' facts about the reality of the risks they takem not sure I can succinctly put it any better.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846686202</amazonuk>1912836017
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Simon Dawson1543987877|title=Pigs in CloverLearn to Love: Or How I Accidentally Fell in Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love with the Good Life|author=Dr Thomas Jordan
|rating=4.5
|genre=AutobiographyLifestyle|summary=Simon Dawson really had no intention of leading ''Learn to Love: Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love Life'' is a book about love relationships rather than a life book about love. The two greatest emotions are love and grief and love is the opposite of self-sufficiency - he accidentally fell into grief: ''if you love'', Dr Thomas Jordan tells us, ''you will inevitably grieve''. Your love relationships begin the beginnings of it at a New Yearmoment you's Eve party which was a little too noisy for him to be completely certain what it was he was agreeing tore born and end only when you die. But even then Whilst we all come into the world hoping to give and receive love there was no need are many people for it to go too farwhom love is not quite so simple. After all, this man's heart was in London and he was an estate agent Some people suffer multiple disappointments - a member of sometimes repeating the profession whose place at the top of the opprobrium ladder was only made wobbly after a serious PR campaign on behalf of journalists same mistakes - and politiciansthis eventually becomes resignation. But his wife was determined that she couldn't stand being a property solicitor any longer and so they sold their flat in London and rented a property on Exmoor and Simon began a weekly commute For people who are making the same mistakes repeatedly, self- weekends preservation, in Devon and most the form of the week in Londonresignation is a necessity.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780285019</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Naomi SchillingerMichael Harris|title=Veg StreetSolitude: Grow Your Own CommunityIn Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded World|rating=4.5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=As a child Naomi Schillinger helped her parents to grow fruit and vegetables in their South London garden and This is not the urge book I was expecting it to grow resurfaced when she had her own propertybe. It wasn't just For some reason I expected it to be another self-help manual on how to find calm, how to step outside the ''growing'' which she rememberedmainstream, but it is not that at all. Instead of telling us how, it is more about the ''sharingwhy'' of the produce and sense of community which went with it. Soon after starting Harries examines how we're eroding solitude, which used to grow food for herself she was be a prime mover in getting whole streets involved in growing fruit natural part of our human life, and why that matters. Of course he talks about how some people have found solitude and what has come of that, and vegetables eventually in their front gardensthe final chapter he talks about his own experience of having deliberately sought it out, making but mostly he wanders down the most of recycled materials and free seeds alleys and compostby-ways that his thinking about this lost art led him. When we're constantly urged to reduce food miles what could be better than growing your food (quite literally) on your own doorstep?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1780721129</amazonuk>1847947662
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish0753553236|title=How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will TalkTiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything|author=B J Fogg
|rating=5
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=Many parentsGo on, admit it seems- you're not quite perfect. You still have those odd, go through life in a constant state of feudquirky even loveable (to you) habits which seem to annoy other people. Not with each other Other people, necessarilyof course, but are sorely afflicted with their children. Their smallsome dreadful flaws which they could so easily correct, beloved bundles if only they would make just a little bit of joy turn into obstreperous toddlerseffort. Or put another way, defiant pre-schoolers, angry schoolchildren I get cross with myself because I forget to do things or morose teens. Parents find themselves caught up in arguments, advice, failed attempts at consolation..do some actions more than I should and no matter how I try to make what seem to be quite monumental changes I never quite seem to get to grips with the concepts. I constantly fail and then may resort I get cross with myself for failing. Lack of willpower is another burden to punishment of some kindadd to the list.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848123094</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Hilly Janes1785785516|title=Latte or Cappuccino: 125 Decisions That Will Change Your LifeFucking Good Manners|author=Simon Griffin
|rating=4
|genre=Lifestyle
|summary=I must admit that my immediate reaction when I saw the title ''Latte or Cappuccino?'' was that a filter coffee would be very pleasantManners maketh man, particularly with a shortbread biscuitthey say. But it's not It certainly makes life easier if everybody abides by a book about coffee but rather about choices we encounter set of conventions, some of which could make a real difference to our lives. You see one coffee has 150 calories are ages old and the other just 90 and which have evolved over the weeks and months that decision can mean substantial weight gain - or losstime. There Manners are 125 of these relatively minor questions which can have real impact, particularly when not about how much to tip or how you should behave if you add them all up.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843175584</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Daniel Smith|title=How get an invitation to Think Like Sherlock: Improve Your Powers of Observation, Memory and Deduction|rating=3.5|genre=Lifestyle|summary=Whether you're a fan of the original Conan Doyle novelsBuckingham Palace, they have enjoyed the recent film and television representations of Sherlock Holmes nothing to do with class or if, like me, the name always conjures up the image of Basil Rathbone you'll be impressed by the way that Holmes can reason and deduce. financial status: Youthey've probably wished that you were capable of some of re about getting the mental acrobatics which he performsbasics right before we try to deal with more difficult matters. Much of his prowess is down to being a fictional character (of Of course) we all have more relaxed manners when we're with family and friends, but it is possible 's best if we learn to improve your powers of observation, memory distinguish between our public and private lives and deduction by exercising your brainto act appropriately. Daniel Smith has some suggestions ''Fucking Good Manners'' aims to get help us startedon the way.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843179539</amazonuk>
}}
 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Richard Gilpin1999811402|title=Mindfulness for Black Dogs and Blue Days: Finding a Path Through Depression|rating=3|genre=Lifestyle|summary=Richard Gilpin is a counsellor, cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and mindfulness instructor. He's also suffered from depression since his teens and is well aware of just how debilitating it can be. In 'Mindfulness and Black Dogs' ( a nod to Churchill who referred to his depression as his black dog) he shares his own experiences with the illness and offers insights as to how a sufferer can find a way through the weight which descends upon them. He looks particularly at how ''mindfulness'' can help.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1907332928</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewPainting Snails|author=Nick Coleman|title=The Train in the Night: A Story of Music and LossStephen John Hartley
|rating=4.5
|genre=Autobiography
|summary=Picture It's very difficult to classify ''Painting Snails'': originally I thought that as it's loosely based around a year on an allotment it would be a lifestyle book, but you're not going to get advice on what to plant when and where for the scenariobest results. You have always been passionate about musicThe answer would be something along the lines of 'try it and see'. Then I considered popular science as Stephen Hartley failed his A levels, with a catholic taste which embraces classicaldid an engineering apprenticeship, soul and heavy rock with became a bit of everything in betweenbusker, finally got into medical school and your job is that of now an arts and music journalistA&E consultant (part-time). In your mid-forties I found out that there's an awful lot more to what goes on in a Major Trauma Centre than you wake up one morning to find your whole world changed overnight by Sudden Neursosensory Hearing Loss'll ever glean from ''Casualty'', but that isn't really what the book's about. It has There's a devastating effect on your balance when subjected lot about rock & roll, which seems to any kind be the real passion of soundHartley's life, whether but it is an aeroplane overhead, didn't actually fit into the entertainment genre either. Did we have a category for 'doing the roar of impossible the crowd at a football match, or hard way'? Yep - that's the music which you once adored with every fibre of your beingone. Your head is filled with tinnitus, like a very poorly-tuned radio which lacks It's an off switchautobiography.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224093576</amazonuk>
}}
 
Move on to [[Newest Literary Fiction Reviews]]