Category: Books

Instant Confidence – book by Ant Austen

Birthday Gifts, Books, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Learning, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Ultimate confidence is something which is learned, not given.  You aren’t born with confidence in the way that you’re not born to be able to project your voice when public speaking or to be able to handle stress, but it is something you can actively teach yourself. 

Confidence comes from knowing yourself though, not from being brave and standing in front of a room of people and giving a PowerPoint presentation. That’s the first lesson that Ant Austen is teaching you in his book, “Instant Confidence.”

Starting with a heart-wrenching back story, the book sets the scene for what confidence is.  Going through some simple exercises, Ant helps you to identify your limiting beliefs and where they come from using a series of questions. There’s a long section on being truthful with yourself, which is ultimately how those questions are answered and then worked on to be able to eliminate your limiting beliefs and grow.  

Following these truths, the book goes on to deal with any guilt you hold, the fear of changing these limited beliefs, and the freedom that comes when you break through. Only after reading through the book and the exercises can you find out what that freedom means to you or how you want to achieve it to get instant confidence.

The book is a self-help, short read that you can pick up and put down easily and has just 61 pages. Great for commuting, you can come back to it and do the exercises all over again and pick up a different limiting belief before you work on yourself and move on to even greater levels of confidence.

Available for £6.99 at: 

Yoto Stories for Halloween  

Birthday Gifts, Books, Children, Family Life, Gifts for children, Halloween, Tech, Toys

Disclaimer: We received the Yoto Cards free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

As the nights start to draw in and pumpkins begin to appear on windowsills and doorsteps, there’s nothing nicer than curling up in front of a roaring fire with a good book – or better still, listening to one. As we’re almost at Halloween it’s the perfect time to listen to some spooky tales and Yoto have a fantastic selection for all ages. From famous witches to laugh-out-loud tales of mischievous goblins, these audio stories capture the enchantment of the season without ever tipping into nightmare territory. Whether they’re played on a long car journey, during a pumpkin-carving session, or at bedtime with the curtains drawn against the October chill, Yoto’s Halloween lineup has something for everyone – with just the right amount of shiver.

This week we’ve been listening to a spine-tingling selection: Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, Tales of Tricks and Treats by Enid Blyton, The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy, and Roald Dahl’s The Witches – each one favourites of my childhood and I’m really enjoying a trip down memory lane whilst sharing these tales with our mini reviewers.

Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom (£7.99) is a favourite in our house – a fantastic rhyming tale of friendship, kindness, and teamwork with a few twists and turns along the way. The witch, far from being wicked, is generous and brave and the lovely story is perfect for little listeners.

I loved Enid Blyton’s books as a child so I’m not sure who enjoyed Tales of Tricks and Treats (£9.99) more – me or the children! There’s thirty short stories of wizards, fairies, and the occasional naughty goblin on this card with mischief afoot in every one – from games that go delightfully wrong to wishes that refuse to end.

Then there’s The Worst Witch (£9.99), Jill Murphy’s superbly silly, spellbinding classic. Lovable but accident-prone Mildred Hubble stumbles, crashes, and charms her way through Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches – a boarding school where broomsticks, black cats, and chaos reign supreme. It’s impossible not to root for her.

Finally, The Witches (£9.99), Roald Dahl’s deliciously dark masterpiece, read here by the brilliant Lolly Adefope. Enhanced with fizzing sound effects and original music, it’s a fantastically immersive experience. These witches are real  – terrifyingly so – but in true Dahl fashion, the children (and the listeners) have the last laugh.

Four wickedly wonderful listens – perfect for a Halloween that’s full of giggles, gasps, and just a touch of goosebumps.

The Last Seed Keeper Trilogy – books

Birthday Gifts, Books, Children, Christmas, eco friendly, Gifts for children, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The Last Seed Keeper and New Sanctuary by Paul Russell are the first two books in the trilogy of The Last Seed Keeper. Aimed at young adults in the cross between sci-fi, environmentalism and fiction, the books explore the future of mankind through the eyes of teenagers.

Set in the future, The Last Seed Keeper scopes the lives of two girls, Ivy and Skylar. Ivy lives on Earth still (a Groundling) whereas Skylar lives in the sky as part of a new technical world deemed, ‘a haven of technology’.  There isn’t much nature in Skylar’s life, or either lives as nature has been pushed out thanks to the World’s reliance on technology but then Ivy discovers something that changes not only her life, but the life of millions. The change is not well received though and the lives of both girls unravels.

The second book, New Sanctuary, continues the story and delves into the friendship Ivy and Skylar have forged. They are both looking for their fathers. They have discovered secrets, and through that they are finding more opposition and more enemies than they thought possible. Their friendship remains strong though and along the way they pick up new friends and allies.  

This is a different type of Young Adult book that looks at friendships in the future and what happens when we rely too much on technology. The premise of there being no nature around is also heavy in the books and thought provoking. It makes a real change to the relationship books young adults are normally given! The books are beautifully written and well thought out. Look out for the third book in the trilogy when it’s published!

Available for £9.19:

Boldilocks – book by Deborah Frenkel & Carla Hoffenberg

Birthday Gifts, Books, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Learning, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Bellamy is a boy with A LOT of hair. BIG hair. It swooshes and shimmers all day, people stare and people point because his hair is spectacular!

Bellamy is the star of the book Boldilocks, aimed at 4-8 year olds who are learning to read or are being read a bedtime story. The book goes on to explain how being different can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you value differences.  Bellamy’s family, and whole community, value his long hair, so much so that people he loves and the people around him all want to be like him and have his hair!  Not everyone is as fortunate, but we can all be open minded, no matter what our differences are.

This hardback book has easy sentences for reading, and rich illustrations for each of the sentences on the pages.  There’s a lot of detail in each drawing too, such as the labels on the door of the florist and hairdresser shops, and the accessories worn by people in the street scenes. There’s plenty to point out and look at here, and a cross-section of life for asking questions, (What are all the different type of hair products for? Did you notice the boy with the hearing aid? Why do some people have tattoos?)

This is a great stocking filler, or gift to give at a birthday party as it’s not Christmas based and one that a child can read along to from an early age.

Available for £10.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boldilocks-Deborah-Frenkel/dp/1921966378/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X3VGBR016EQ3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._jfxJ30byvXQLbNwX_4xgA.vwy80wPo0K5u1IjvNtrj1T8dSKumBW1Zjsa39CcOLoY&dib_tag=se&keywords=boldilocks&qid=1759080442&sprefix=bollocks%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1

Manifest Your Everything – book by Nicci Roscoe

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Learning, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

You either know about manifesting or you don’t.  Manifesting is the art of being able to attract into your life whatever you want, and I realise that I have probably lost half the audience there. You might not believe that you can ‘manifest’ anything you want, or maybe you’ve tried and it hasn’t worked for you, but for the other half of the population, manifesting is an essential way of life. And yes, it does work.

Author Nicci Roscoe has written Manifest Your Everything as a step-by-step guide to using the manifesting principles to be able to guide you to your dreams. Starting with a chapter on Letting Go, it assumes you know what manifesting is and that you are immersed into the theory already. The Letting Go chapter is akin to the advanced level of a qualification, after you’ve learned all the boring stuff about how it works. The chapter gives you exercise as case studies, meditations and pages of explanation, all within beautiful illustrations.

The book, which has 5 chapters in all, then goes onto chapter 2 about giving yourself love.  This is mainly the investment work into being grateful for who you are and where you are already before chapter 3, which is Let’s Start Manifesting. Chapter 4 is Your Messages to the Universe, which is still part of the manifesting climb before chapter 5 is Remembering What You Can Do Now. I always think that self-help books are only good to a point, because they are missing the final chapter on how you live with your new found talent or knowledge, and where to go next. Roscoe has created the final chapter, in quite some detail, to give you some confidence in using the skills, and to finding out if the manifesting has actually worked.

This is a great book for anyone who understands what manifesting is, or has only just heard about it but doesn’t know where to start. It’s great for youngers too, who might be starting out in life, or going to university and need a bit of light reading that will open their minds. Fabulous stocking filler too!

Available online for £10.51 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manifest-Your-Everything-yourself-create/dp/1800651929/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GRW96CXNFRMQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FT2Q-xPhDF3EyK-Wcbq7WQuKgfZ11B1e1C3KgXZd8c0yMmbsCxpG-1tOSk60bzuga3KGGFMhdZuc2gANk8axyNh_4n_bNVpvjUf_0SJbCO8jcmW9dOjui3PrmCapMSRTjuGSHl4cbml8l5BRSUnEDxSWjtil9BM_yLRvRtr55z1_xV71TevTEMli9TljeS9uEFzFNvr2LcpYj8hCkiuGmeUMy3kP8PNctE-zpuNdqyM.T4rPVpgT0GgM9Ezi67epeprOVRAPrFpOwYMeifzEcLo&dib_tag=se&keywords=manifest+your+everything&qid=1757760429&sprefix=manifest+your+everything%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1

Lonely Planet Books – Best Bike Rides Great Britain and Amazing Train Journeys

Birthday Gifts, Books, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

Disclaimer: We received these books free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I’ve always enjoyed reading Lonely Planet books, with decades of travel know-how and a genuine passion for discovering the world, their guides are full of expert advice, practical tips, and breathtaking photography. With Father’s Day just around the corner they also make lovely gifts and whether your dad is planning a real adventure or simply enjoys dreaming from the comfort of his armchair, there’s a Lonely Planet book that is bound to spark his imagination!

For the dad who enjoys life on two wheels and loves the open air, Best Bike Rides Great Britain is a fantastic gift. This beautifully put-together guide features 40 routes that crisscross the country, from the wild coastal paths of Cornwall to the rolling roads of the Scottish Highlands. But it’s not just about the maps. Each route comes with local tips, scenic stop-offs, downloadable digital maps, and helpful details like distance, terrain, timing, and difficulty ratings. Whether he’s a seasoned cyclist or just keen to potter along on a Sunday afternoon, this book will help him plan rides that are as rewarding as they are refreshing.

RRP £15.99

And if your dad prefers to travel from the comfort of his armchair, Amazing Train Journeys might be just the ticket. This book captures the romance of rail travel through 60 of the world’s most breathtaking routes. From the iconic Settle to Carlisle line and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, which are two of my personal favourites, to the dramatic, snow-dusted landscapes seen aboard Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer, the journeys are as varied as they are magnificent. Each journey is handpicked from the recommendations of over 200 travel writers, celebrating everything from breathtaking engineering marvels to lines that hug rugged coastlines or wind through mountain peaks. With practical information like ticket options, distance and journey time as well as inspiring photos and illustrated maps, this book is perfect for dreamers and planners alike. Whether he’s reminiscing about past travels or planning the next great adventure, it’s the perfect guide for train lovers of all ages.

RRP £22.99

So this Father’s Day, why not skip the socks and beer and give your dad the gift of adventure, whether that’s out on a bike, onboard a train, or tucked up with a cup of tea and a good book.

The Alphabet of Happiness – book by Klaudia Mitura

Books, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mental Health Awareness, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

We promised you a review of Klaudia Mitura’s book The Alphabet of Happiness and now that it’s reaching publication date, here it is!

We struggle as a society to be happy. Many of us don’t have time to be happy, convince ourselves that we’re happy because we ‘have it all’, or more to the point, declare ourselves unhappy because we’ve not got it all. Klaudia Mitura’s book, The Alphabet of Happiness explores how to become happy in a gentle, non-judgemental way.

The book looks at simple ways to change your life bit-by-bit. There’s no overwhelming science (although Klaudia does cite some in her explanations) and there’s no reasoning about how much happiness we should experience in life, or trying to dictate that there will be times that we’re not happy and we should just live with the feeling. I know some ‘happiness’ gurus have written books which I had to put down and stop reading because of how unhappy their reasoning made me. Ironic?

Klaudia’s chapters are short but not boring.  Yes, they are based on the A-Z format but that doesn’t matter as each of the chapters stands on its own merit. The book is easy to read.  She starts by looking at what happiness is, and what it isn’t. The first chapter is on Acceptance.  One sentence in particular stood out to me which made me reflect and actually, it sets the tone of the book too. It said, “Reflect: What emotions or experiences are you not accepting at the moment? How could shifting your judgement help you?” Starting out the book with this thought made me think that there were things I need to undo, rather than do, that would make me happier.

I’m by no means an unhappy person, but the chapters have some really interesting exercises and Food for Thought sections. Each chapter has a Take Action at the end too, to make you think, journal or help you resolve what the topic of the chapter is. One particular chapter that made me think was, “Chapter 8: Habits: Implementing Daily Routines that Stick.” In this chapter, Klaudia dissects what a habit is, then explains how you can create happiness-building habits for daily use, called Keystone Habits. 

I defy you to find something you don’t find useful or informative about improving your life in this book, but even if you aren’t looking for happiness, it’s a charming book that gets you thinking and in itself, makes you feel happier. 

Follow Klaudia on Instagram @thehappinesschallenge-klaudia

Follow @literallypr on both X and Instagram for more inspiration too!

Available at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1803417560/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1803417560&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Artists’ Journeys That Shaped Our World by Travis Elborough

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Summer

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Artists’ Journeys That Shaped Our World is a fascinating book that traces 30 different artists’ lives and examines how travel has resulted in some of the most iconic artwork of our time.  From Paul Cezanne to David Hockney, the book starts each artist’s chapter with a brief biography, how they ended up in the given city and a map before going on a more detailed journey which explains the culture, architecture and people of the time that led up to the artwork being completed. There are, of course, examples of the completed artworks by the artists as well.  

The range of artists featured gives a broad background to most of the planet with very little overlap of geographies.  The artists are more contemporary but there are some that go back into the 19th Century and the use of photographs is breath taking.  The detail in each biography is also a beautiful gateway into a history of modern art, making this a handsome book for young art lovers who might be thinking of studying art, or as a reference for the future.  The insight to the places as well as the background to the artwork make for an interesting coffee table read as well as informative for art lovers.

This is a lovely book for travellers, artists and even photographers as you wind through the city lanes and across landscapes to join up the dots of your favourite artists, and learn about new ones too.  Happy travelling!

The Launch Code – book by Zoltan A Vardy

Books, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Learning, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Zoltan Vardy, sales manager for 30+ years, creates his first book about sales, aimed at start-ups and new enterprises who have the product, but lack the sales.

As you begin to read the book though, you realise that it’s not just that they lack the sales, it’s that many start-ups lack the sales know-how. It’s one thing to have a product that is perfect in every way, but that doesn’t guarantee that you will sell it. Zoltan sets the scene for how the sales world works, and it has little to do with a CEO being able to sign huge contracts and more to do with tactics, and especially to do with having a proper sales manager who can create the right sales strategy.

That’s one side of the equation. The other side is that no matter how perfect you think your idea or your product is, there is a knack on how to refine it, or make it more useable across different markets.  Too niche and you alienate a huge part of your market. Too broad and you won’t target anyone and your idea is lost. This is especially true for media companies and apps, which Zoltan goes into depth about. It’s no wonder as there are so many apps out there and it’s relatively easy to write your own.

Zoltan has 3 Pillars which make up The Launch Code which make up the frame of the book.  There’s the Focus, Structure then Scale. Each of the pillars goes into 3 further modules, some of which are more technical than others. This is mainly about Business to Business (B2B) sales and Zoltan peppers his training with experience from his career in media sales.  There aren’t any exercises in the book, which is a shame but it is true to a ‘framework’ book which gives instructions in the form of modules.  

I like the book, but it is directed more towards those who are already in the throws of a start-up and have a lot of business acumen. I didn’t think the first 2 chapters taught me much, but the pillars and individual modules are short enough that you can spend time digesting the information.  Some of it is common sense, but as I read I realised that what I think of as common sense (coming from a business background) is new information to some people who probably don’t have that much experience so it’s good to have it written down in front of you.  The emphasis on experience throughout the book is obviously something that hits home with Zoltan who has helped 200+ start-ups who think they know everything. I was blown away from the comment about many businesses thinking that they don’t need a sales manager or a sales strategy, that their CEO can sell the product alone.  Wrong, and this book proves why!

The Launch Code helps cement what you already know in a B2B environment or for a start-up, gives you the reasons why you’re wrong and some sound structural advice on how to further your sales, safely!

Available online for £8.49 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Launch-Code-Founder-Led-Startups-Revenue-ebook/dp/B0DW1D96G1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UE4ZYANCMO23&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.93SapvxrmzjGOp1ekokmsQ.WhkNYVgFjDX9Qv7hxBRO1fxfNNXGxI5KoV0IjZv-e3w&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+launch+code+zoltan&qid=1740042199&sprefix=the+launch+code+zoltan%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1

Brand Momentum by Tony Lewis – book

Birthday Gifts, Books, Father's Day, Learning, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Insights into marketing might sound boring, but if you are in any type of business role, or certain industries then you’ll know (or should know!) that research, marketing and branding are essential.

Tony Lewis has 40+ years’ experience of consumer behaviour through his own business, Vision One Research. Along with the usual winding pathway of how the internet, technology and social media has affected branding, Tony has discovered his own method of accelerating brand coverage. The book Brand Momentum explains his methodology using the Laws of Physics to create an equation which gives a definitive number. This number, on a 0-100 scale, gives the marketer an idea of where on the scale of velocity a company is currently placed and allows professionals to tailor their marketing.  

Take Coke for instance. It’s a massive company but is it growing?  If it has high velocity (ie it is high on the 0-100 scale derived from the Brand Momentum method) then it means it’s a company going places and has room for growth.  The average for a company is around 50, but this could mean a company on the way up or the way down.  Too low and it could be a failing enterprise, too high and it could be running away without the right management.  Tony’s team know how to use the scale and the book explains how.

Brand Momentum is not for the faint-hearted. Those studying business or marketing will find it invaluable as Tony talks directly and with personal experience of the industry to get the point across. There are some technical areas where you need to do the maths and know a bit about the Laws of Physics (Momentum, specifically) and to keep up with the methodology. However, physicians and statisticians may find this book interesting too.  I think it’s also an excellent method for looking at potential companies who have potential for investing too, and if you’re running your own small business or are an entrepreneur, this would be a good way of increasing your brand knowledge.  The fact that this is a whole new method of assessing a company’s growth leads to may potential uses. This is one for the book shelf to read and come back to time and again.

See Tony Lewis’ website: tonylewis.com for details of purchasing the book:

Brand Momentum – Illustrated Colour Hardback *****

Tony Lewis on Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/tonylewis1/

#BrandMomentum

The Thames Path Sketch Journal

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Any Londoner is familiar with The Thames on a daily basis, but probably only a small portion of the 2,000 year old river as they travel over or under it.  The Thames Path Sketch Journal starts with The Thames at Richmond, London and follows it to the Thames Barrier, giving illustrations, maps and sketches along the way.  The ‘Liquid History’ is also brought to life with walks along The Thames and gives extensive history.

The book is broken up into chapters covering specific areas working from west to east. Starting with an illustrated map of the segments of The Thames, watercolours of buildings and structures are annotated with history and background per page, giving details on construction and original uses as well as they have changed over the centuries.  The walks are detailed on each of the illustrated maps, and although the hardback book is heavy and probably not practical to carry with you on the walk, it is easy to take a photo of the map and use it to walk along the route.

The book goes on to illustrate a range of artwork including line sketches, plans of historic houses and some areas such as Kew Gardens have extra artwork exemplifying the buildings and the beauty of the area. There are some historical photos included too, giving the background of the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. As the book goes on to the City area of The Thames, there are more and more illustrations, bringing The Thames to life.

This is a brilliant coffee table book and gift for anyone interested in London, or with a personal history of The Thames. It’s absolutely beautiful with the sketches on every page and complete detailed history of each area as well as walks which can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Have a look at author Charles Leon’s website with extra artwork available: https://www.charlesleon.uk/thames-path-sketch-journal

Or purchase online at: www.amazon.co.uk/Thames-Path-Sketch-Journal/dp/1399991345/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ABXN3RYC3YND&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1IrIeY3b1NfYUALdKy36tg.y_nijFrnMDRFjGRan2day50QkgGLXLPcyWhDNosgdVw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+thames+path+sketch+journal+charles+leon&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736417509&sprefix=the+thames+path+sketch+journal+charles+leon%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1

Grow Your Own Food Lady Muck Style – Book

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Gifts for Her, Home & Garden, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

A book which is dedicated to gardeners and growers alike, with no prejudice regarding why you grow herbs and vegetables (cocktail anyone?) by writer Lady Muck.  You’ll pick up gardening tips, morsels of information about Lady Muck’s life, past and present, and have a few laughs at the shenanigans she gets up to, too.

Having previously worked in The City, Lady Muck began writing articles for magazines when she started her own herb garden. Admittedly, she only started growing to be able to garnish her homemade cocktails with her home grown plants, but that grew to growing lots of other herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers.  The short chapters detail her journey along the way and tell the story of how a cocktail herbalist got to a top tier gardener, notwithstanding ‘help’ from her husband along the way.

The book is organised into article-length chapters with bold, colourful illustrations along the way.  Each chapter tells the story of Lady Muck gardening, and her life with His Lordship, her husband. It’s very funny, and a narrative on modern day marriages especially past a certain age. Think Bridget Jones but older, and with even more cocktails but a few wellies and soggy lettuces along the way. Very entertaining, fans of Lady Muck will love it, and anyone looking for a stocking filler, light reading for commuting or a holiday read will relish it.

Paperback £10.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Your-Food-Lady-Style/dp/1738538311

Jack & Orla Origami Notelets and Bookmarks

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.T

I’m a self confessed stationery addict so was really pleased when Jenny, the founder of Jack & Orla got in touch to share her gorgeous origami inspired gifts. Named after her children, Jenny founded Jack & Orla out of a wish to create unique prints for her children’s bedrooms and her fantastic designs quickly became popular with likeminded people. Soon, her sister Claire joined the team and together they have grown Jack & Orla into a brand loved for its high-quality designs.

The latest collection features these fantastic origami notelets, I think the animal print ones are really cool but there’s eight other ones to choose from if you prefer something a little more subtle.The paper is beautifully thick with a smooth finish that’s a pleasure to write on and each notelet feels like a mini work of art, showcasing Jenny’s creativity and style. There’s plenty of space to write but the cleverest feature is that these cards are designed to fold to create their own envelopes! After writing your note simply fold it up again, seal it with one of the adhesive labels that is included in the set, add the address and a stamp and then just pop it in the post box.  

Whether you’re sending a thank you note, a birthday message, or just a quick “thinking of you,” these notelets make every occasion feel a little more special. They’re a joy to write on and an even bigger joy to receive. In today’s digital age these are such a lovely way to bring back the art of letter-writing!

RRP £12 for a set of 6 notelets

In addition to the delightful notelets Jack & Orla also offer origami bookmarks which are just a dream for anyone who, like me, can’t stand folded page corners! These charming bookmarks come in packs of four, each featuring a unique origami design that’s as stylish as it is practical. With four different designs to choose from, they’re ideal for marking pages in recipe books or your current novel, making turned down corners a thing of the past!

Jenny’s put so much love and creativity into these designs and whether you gift them together or on their own, they’re perfect for Christmas stockings, Secret Santa gifts, or even a little treat for yourself!

RRP £6 for a set of 4

If you want to purchase them Jack & Orla are offering 10% off if you use the code THANKYOU at checkout.

Dog – The Original book

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Pets, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Bring a smile to the face of dog lovers this Christmas with the coffee table book Dog – The Originals.

The brainchild of Yasmin, the owner of Chilli the Chihuahua who is the internet diva and social media sensation @chilliwawa on Instagram, this book is for all dog lovers!  The Chilliwawa community is based on creativity and acts as an outlet for anxiety for both Yasmin and Chilli – and Sukhi the sidekick!

The book features lots of online dog influencers, and not just chihuahuas either. There’s tales of dogs from all over the world with details of their Instagram accounts and an interview with each dog.  Yasmin (or maybe it was Chilli?) asked them about their pet peeves, wise wisdom and what the naughtiest thing is they’ve ever done! Each page is adorned with different photos of the dogs as well as some gorgeous double page spreads of photos too.

The book is a celebration of not just dogs, but how dogs support us in life and give us unconditional love. 50% of the proceeds of the book are being given to charity, and there’s details in the book of the charity Yasmin has chosen – The Unstoppable Dogs in Huntington Beach, California; a charity for dogs with special needs.

For dog lovers, as a stocking filler or to bring a smile to someone’s face, Chilli and his gang of beautiful dogs is great for Christmas. 

Available online from £29.99 (50% of the price goes to charity) at:

https://book.chilliwawa.com

Move Up or Move On – book by Lane & Gorbatov

Birthday Gifts, Books, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Learning, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

This is a must-have book for anyone with a career or wanting to improve their career.  Written by career coaches Angela Lane and Sergey Gorbatov, it focuses on where you are in your career now and where you want to be, but includes some really heavy coaching techniques which aren’t taught in schools nor are they in most online courses.  The book includes 10 steps which develop your career and make you stand out, legitimately, with no gimmicks and no quick fixes. It’s honest, hard work getting to where you need to be in your career but the book talks you through every step of the way.

It starts with the Career Edge Model (if you’re familiar with coaching then using models won’t be new to you) and has some nifty online tools which write reports for you about your strengths and usefulness. The book is then divided into 10 chapters and 4 parts. Starting with Career Visionary, you plan out what you want to get from your career. The second part is all about what you are like now in your career, if you are a good colleague and add value to your role and how you can improve yourself here and now. Part 3 is about Brand Building and how you stand out and networking. Finally, there’s three chapters on Opportunity Seeker about how to hit the ground running, whether you are limiting your own choices and how you are going to get to where you want to be.

I said this is a high-level book and that’s because it’s really deep and probably suits someone who is on their second job at least, but this works for those who are right at the top of their careers too. The chapters have exercises to do with typically need a lot of thought and perhaps a few days to get your ideas in order before you answer the questions, then there’s examples and stories of several very successful people known to the authors.  Working within the whole Career Edge Model, you can build on what you’ve learned in this book over time and go back and make changes but more importantly, you can read the book again and start over in a new industry, new leadership or just a whole new job.

I highly recommend Move Up Or Move On as a way of developing your sense of self in your job or career at least, but if you really want to fly and get higher up the ladder, only the kind of advice in this book, or a career coach, will be able to help you.  Incidentally, it will probably make you a better colleague and happier too.

Available from £7.05 on Kindle at:

Orchard Toys Countdown to Christmas Activity Book

advent calendar, Books, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

With just over a month until December begins, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas! It’s such a magical season for children, and we’re planning plenty of festive activities to keep them busy leading up to the big day. The Countdown to Christmas Activity Book from Orchard Toys is ideal, offering 25 fun Christmas-themed activities like colouring pages, word searches, and tasty recipes. It’s a fantastic way to engage children in the holiday spirit while providing some much-needed screen-free time.

Each day comes with a numbered sticker to mark the countdown, plus a pull-out advent scene at the back where kids can create a magical Christmas display. There’s also a special letter to Santa and if you send a photo of it to Orchard Toys by December 18th, Santa will send a reply!

RRP £4

Kitchen Therapy- book by Charlotte Hastings

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Food & Drink, health, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

There are self help books, cookery books and creativity ideas but Kitchen Therapy combines all of them to bring to you a new way of cooking – the way of conscious cooking.

Charlotte Hastings has a background in anthropology, has been head of Drama at a school for children with autism, ADHD and dyslexia and is a psychodynamic therapist.  Until recently, these would all have looked like completely unrelated careers with no link to mental health and well-being but the premise of the book is that good health and good mental health come from looking after yourself from the food you eat and the way you prepare it.

The book starts with Kitchen Therapy. This is the practice of using good food, preparing it and even growing it in a way in which is more nutritious and works on your health from the inside out.  Science have long believed that it’s not good enough to just eat your greens and have 3 meals a day, but the practice of growing food is good for your mental health, the process of gathering ingredients and preparing a meal is good for your soul. The creativity it brings to your life is just as nourishing as the food, which if you look at the spectrum of the foods available to us today, is the broadest and healthiest it has ever been, if you just look for it.

The book is not for the casual reader but more someone who is engrossed in either food or self-help or both. There are ‘Time to Reflect’ sessions which Hastings asks thoughtful questions about lifestyle and food.  The book continues with a section of recipes called The Cards which again goes into depth about foods such as chocolate and tea and then different foodstuffs and meals.

The book is quite long and takes some time to get through with the amount of new information and references it makes. There is a ton of new material in there which if you are not familiar with a more holistic lifestyle will take a long while to get used to.  It’s best read in total and then used as a reference book as the concepts make the recipes cards and some of the food choices more understandable.  It’s totally different to a cookbook though, and it’s not self-help but it is hugely explanatory and life changing for anyone who isn’t used to the connection of food and their quality of life, as well as health.

Available from £14.99 online: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Therapy-Charlotte-Hastings/dp/1911383906/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11YY8DZA5VN0N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZUdca1dSTAyIE7g_2G3abtb5_qCi1N6A-6RBalhfgho.ZjdloNmqTB0WsRV-n3rFmBjr_L7Q0TqpzqlKe1xtfsE&dib_tag=se&keywords=kitchen+therapy+charlotte+hastings&qid=1720190646&sprefix=kitchen+thereapy%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1

Who the Hell Are You? Book by Ant Austen

Birthday Gifts, Books, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Mental Health Awareness, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Self development books rarely teach you something new nowadays nor are they well written but I couldn’t put down the new book from Ant Austen – Who The Hell Are You?

The premise of the book is to find out who you are, which let’s face it, most self-help books are about anyway. The way Austen approaches the subject is more engaging than most books though and that’s what’s kept me hooked. At this point in my life, I have read an awful lot of books and am looking for a new direction so the idea of finding out “Who The Hell Are You?” is both exhausting and poignant.  Austen talks from personal experience where he ran a removal business in the UK, was working weekend and every hour he could in order to fulfil the Hard work = success mantra but having no idea what success looked like to him, or what he was sacrificing. It’s a familiar story to many of us nowadays.

The book looks at several aspects of human psychology to both explain how we work, and to go through some exercises to find out what we want. To me, one of the lightbulb moments was when he was explaining about the Law of Attraction in a different way to how it’s been presented to me before and it suddenly made sense. The idea that when you feel good, you’re starting to work with The Law of Attraction. This cemented in me the need to be positive all the time (gratitude) and create good emotions all the time in order to be in the right place. The second principle that hit home was that the Law of Attraction works on like attracting like. So, if you’re in a good place, feeling good, then you are going to attract good people and good things, which translates into things you like.  It sounds simple but if you’re not understanding one aspect of the laws, the rest won’t work in the same way so you won’t get what you’re craving.  

The rest of the book works on your frame of mind, your habits, and then onto your structure of how you are going to improve life. It’s a book which you need to read several times (it even says that in the beginning) so that you pick up different aspects as you learn each new theory. There wasn’t much of the book that was new to me, but it was written and presented in a way in which I suddenly grasped the meaning and was able to tie together the different laws and how they work so that it builds up a better picture for me and where I want to go. I’ll be reading the book several times over the summer to keep solidifying the ideas. I hope there’s a second book soon!

Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/ant.austen

https://www.instagram.com/ant.austen

@antausten

http://linkedin.com/in/ant-austen-03640142

Free Workbook:

https://offers.bethelimitlessyou.com/free-chapter

Available from £11.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Hell-Are-You-Understand/dp/B0CWRXQHJH

AA Road Guides and Walking Guides

Birthday Gifts, Books, camping, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

As summer is finally here and the school holidays are less than a month away, we’re all looking for the last few pieces to plan that holiday. AA have long been the favourite and most trusted of all the road companies and their extensive bookshop isn’t apparent until you delve into what’s available online. We were sent a selection to look at for this summer including their new Walking Guides of Great Britain, the AA Big Road Atlas of Britain, the spiral bound Road Atlas of Britain and the Traveller’s Atlas of France for 2025.

The AA Big Road Atlas of Britain is a staple in most cars. This lightweight but comprehensive atlas covers the whole of the British Isles including the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly and the whole of Ireland. The majority of the map is on a scale of 3 miles to 1 inch with Ireland having a scale of 16 miles to 1 inch. There are 68 close-up town, city and port plans to work from and a very handy distance and journey times chart on the inside back cover. If you’re into camping, then there are 300 AA-inspected caravan and camping sites also included. It’s very handy but if like me you love maps, it’s really interesting too!

The AA 2025 Road Atlas spiral-bound is the same map with the same scale of 3 miles to 1 inch and 16 miles in Ireland to 1 inch but this includes over 100 city, town and port plans. There’s slightly more about the ports in Northern France but it also includes the same index of camping sites details of traffic signs.  I have images of small children memorising these traffic signs in the back of the car on very long journeys! I really like the directory of restricted junctions all over the country that would be invaluable in planning a journey. That’s not something you get on Google! The spiral bound atlas makes it easier to turn pages if you’re travelling long distances, but it is heavier than the AA Big Road Atlas.

We were also sent the AA Traveller’s Atlas of France. Now I haven’t driven in France for a long time and even then it wasn’t a distance that needed a map, but if you’re travelling to France this summer then this map is a must.  It has recently been updated and unlike the British Atlas it has varying scales on the map to accommodate the small roads of big towns and cities and the vast roads of the French countryside. It includes the whole of France and Corsica but the scaling changes when you get to a whole map of Europe with major roads. It’s invaluable when driving through countries where you’re crossing lots of border and this map also includes Iceland, if you’re travelling there too! There is an extensive index in the back of French places and where to find them in the maps.

Lastly, we had a lovely collection of AA Walking maps of Great Britain. These are fold-out Ordinance Survey-style maps which can fit into any backpack or suitcase to go off exploring with.  One side of the plan is a huge map which takes up the inside of a car but if you’re outside walking, they are great for planning routes and sitting on the grass so that everyone can see where you’re planning to go. The other side is an index of roads within certain town and city centres included in the map, so there’s no excuse for getting lost when you stop walking and start pub finding!

The AA selection of maps is available online and throughout the year. They’re great for gifts but also for every day working out how to get about, or whilst you’re on holiday and don’t necessarily have the phone signal you’d be expecting.

Walking Guides are available from the AA shop on Amazon for £14.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/theAA/Bookshop/page/71AD8493-1145-44D5-BE1F-4C5AB5D2DFD2

AA Big Road Atlas Britain is available from £10.95 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Atlas-Britain-2025-Paperback/dp/0749583940/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2ZVQ9I8D0RQBK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sCcaOW4uKsDFVWZTNNe5S4s8UBykPrHEat34r_eK3Ni0QpwhpevbJUlBRSeeFKV39hkIyzo0T_-mLWbTkiZJbXeXr3d4r8YVuaEKoLa5jjvN_ETbvxhaUxq4GDgJRUMA3ECptya2ILGhRyaTew6haJF_jhXFpR4GCGELzydQ-9Tx-Qo2AL3XxYWidSRKWbY3vdUuSwvP4dAyibxAX3i4DxhDat_49GOcOdB_r-pcNTQ.WVxVi2i7174b6dHz8OKrGvRvVMmQ3EVST-Z0yWb34IM&dib_tag=se&keywords=aa+big+road+atlas+britain+2025&qid=1718612225&sprefix=AA+big+road+a%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-3

AA 2024-25 Walking Guides

Birthday Gifts, Books, camping, Days Out, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, National Walking Month, Sport, Stocking Fillers, Summer

Disclaimer: We received these books for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

May is National Walking Month and is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore our beautiful countryside. If you’re new to walking or just on holiday, then a guide book is a great way to discover the best routes in the area. The AA have recently launched a new series of walking books covering some of the most beautiful areas of England, each featuring 50 walks to suit all abilities. The walks are numbered and it is easy to see their locations on the handy map at the start of the book. As well as being numbered they are also colour coded according to the difficulty of the walk – easy (green), intermediate(orange) and hard (red).

Each walk has information about the distance, time, gradient, type of surface and accessibility, landscape, dog friendliness, parking, and public toilets as well as the OS map that covers the area. They also give useful information about the area, a little of the history of the area and things to look out for. There is a map of each walk with the route clearly highlighted making it easy to follow the written instructions. As the guide is meant to be taken out on a walk with you it fits perfectly in a map pocket or rucksack, making it easily accessible when walking.  

There are two books covering Yorkshire and there is a great selection of walks in them, some we already know like Malham, Pen-y-Ghent and Grassington and lots for us to discover over the coming months.

Whether you want to explore country lanes, the coast or the fells these handy guides offer plenty of walks for novices and experienced walkers alike.

The new 50 Walks In guides are £13.99 and feature Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire.  

Available from Amazon and all leading bookstores.

Elements of Art – Book by Susie Hodge

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I am not an artist. I didn’t study art at school or college and I don’t have any areas of artistic flair so I am a complete novice on the academia of art and the techniques behind it.  Elements of Art is a book which anyone, artist or otherwise, can pick up and read, become immersed in a whole new world and learn what the artists were trying to convey.

I had no idea that there are seven essentials that make up any artwork; colour, value, line, shape, form, texture and space. They’re fundamental components of any artwork regardless of the media. Then there’s the principles of art; balance, contrast, emphasis, harmony, unity, proportion, rhythm, movement, variety, repetition or pattern, and scale. See? There’s a lot more to art than you might think!

The book is broken down into two section, Part 1 is the elements of art and Part 2 uses 30 famous works of art as examples to put into practice the elements. There’s artwork there from Jan van Eyck to Andy Warhol and not just two dimensional but sculpture and film too. The chapters are packed with information but also beautifully illustrated and easy to read.  I particularly like the detail that Hodge goes into with each of the artworks. It not only brings the artwork to life but ties in the knowledge in Part 1 of the different elements and makes them relevant to other artwork you might see which is not featured in the book.

I really liked reading through Elements of Art and started flicking through as soon as the book arrived. It’s really easy to pick up and put down, so although it’s not a huge, chunky book it’s actually more of a coffee table book.  I learned loads about art and how it applies to the era it was created in but also about the elements and principles which I’d never thought of before.  You can read the book cover to cover or just delve in to where your favourite artwork is, so you don’t need the commitment of sitting down and reading every single page, unless you want to!  

This book is particularly good for art lovers who don’t have an art education and I couldn’t help but think of the GCSE and A-Level art students who would benefit from this and really enjoy it. Either way, I know that this is a lovely book to keep or to give as a gift and provides an insight to enhance any art outing.

Available in paperback from £15.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elements-Art-Ways-Decode-Masterpieces-ebook/dp/B0CDXPPLP2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IHMK54K7VZFM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vfzuaAQbP1JqW8bxF8NRT7ots3hVZ2uLZ2-kqPjMX008GM_DGvFdq__b31l6WaS0B05wqrSYQwsE6Kk98E3BeC_ptLfEDmmDRI8334RI2m8crPXBSFcrNQZDO_ANYolk7a92ouoDn83gacKeFthTkl2fkY_IoMsZ9OXFsiGD_tyvUmLfurP-USztendRsWwhMEg83KrdzphoHv6gYKCN5-ZZQOWC1iefhQJ99GumjZ4.4XPQgnbNdDGxP8vtVfOz-YEe9iB8sHu5okzhq6z8bU0&dib_tag=se&keywords=elements+of+art&qid=1713703639&sprefix=elements+of+art%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1

The Dreamer’s Odyssey by Jacquie Flecknoe-Brown

Birthday Gifts, Books, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Learning

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Have you ever wondered what your dreams mean? Or have you looked into their meaning and got lost, unable to identify what the dream book is trying to tell you?  Jacquie Flecknoe-Brown’s book The Dreamer’s Odyssey uses Carl Jung’s finding to read into the symbolism of dreams.   The book relies heavily on Jung’s work and goes into depth about how to read your dreams, work with symbols and mythology and updates the reader on findings from more recent studies.

Jacquie Flecknoe-Brown works as a Jungian Analyst in Melbourne, Australia and has a wealth of knowledge about dream deciphering.  The book is cleverly divided into 10 weeks, starting with the background on dream analysis but explaining how important it is to keep a record of your dreams, even if you wake up in the middle of the night and think you’ll remember It (you won’t!) and explains how to make a diary of dreams. Interestingly, when you make the decision to start analysing your dreams, that first night’s dream is very significant, so pay attention to the details in order to be able to analyse the meaning not only the next day, but in several weeks or months in the future.  Buying a diary or journal specifically for dream analysis would be really advantageous whilst working through the book, and brings up a lot of interesting ideas for you to deal with.

The whole book is split into 10 chapters, with each chapter relating to 1 weeks’ worth of work into your dream analysis. The first few chapters teach you about the structure of dreams; a beginning, middle and end and what all dreams contain in terms of certain content. This could be events from the day, themes in your life or some kind of symbolism, which is specific to your background or culture.  Most of the chapters have a sub-section where counsellors and professionals can gain further information into that chapter and how Jung researched or identified certain issues and patterns. It’s not so in depth though that it can’t be understood by you and me, and there are ideas in each chapter that you can come back to.  Luckily, there’s also a section in each chapter for some personal writing to make notes on what you’ve read or perhaps how it related to one of your specific dreams. The book also has exercises to help you understand some of the theories, which is also useful as you start to take dream analysis more seriously.

The second half of the book related to The Method. This is more about how to analyse dreams rather than just explaining the background to analysis or how to record our dreams. It goes into depth about individual’s psychology and whether you’re an introvert or extravert, in the terms of Jung’s work, not necessarily what we understand of the meanings today. Examples of dreams are also dotted around the text to help you hone your analysis skills which is also helpful. Lastly, the final chapters are called Making It Real and talk about putting your analysis into practice and using what you’ve learned.  

The Dreamer’s Odyssey is a fascinating book with real depth and useful exercises, making use of an endless too – your own dream world, to be able to analyse your life and your world. It’s a skill that will last a lifetime and the bonus of having the Jungian teaching explained in detail makes the book even more useful and worthwhile.  

Available from £7.50 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dreamers-Odyssey-Guide-Creative-Unconscious/dp/1911383353/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XQ0VE62L6IKA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8IaRkVlFm7oZEa1kNEjOkqL3oGtbyXwmoor92WqEXWeRieolf2f8LUWtRaJS9CRavRh2fcOWyttCb7m4oo-OiAEj7_-P2q0k54Q2AQ-k-2sBR6KIMhpe-D0R28MUPE7O5Mzr_gPVs9nWIJPizzu7hEew1PJPcsWkGVMLN_H75Uep5raEeowpBktpGYuhwI7tPUz2TJ7lKPOgju6sl0qp1Zm1oMTkClHZL4zSsNuHnTQ.gPdEmP-Ym0skXyfsCez7hPuzBOohQDJZLGqj6jgtMx8&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+dreamers+odyssey&qid=1712557124&sprefix=the+dreamers+ody%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1

Powerful – book by Maisie Hill

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Learning, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Be The Expert In Your Own Life

Maisie Hill has written books specifically for women in different stages of life, and Powerful is her latest update in how to navigate tricky feelings, situations and the psychology of life.  Although the book contains a lot of tips and tricks for women, the information and advice speak to men too.  

As yourself if you procrastinate? Do you know why? What about people pleasing? Or being defensive? Do you even know you’re being defensive or do you assume defensiveness is a typical part of relationships and communication?  Perhaps these are questions you don’t ask yourself very often, but with each chapter dedicated to another topic, Maisie Hill talks you through what each emotion is, gives examples and most helpfully, gives bullet points on how to deal with them.  Around all of the information, Hill explains why we have such emotions and in some cases where they come from.

The book is released on 9 May 2024 and uses a lot of the most up to date counselling theories and readings which are used today and talked about on social media.  If you’ve not been interested in self-help books before then Powerful is a great place to start. The introduction talks about how your nervous system deals with emotions, stress and triggers from our lives which is the foundation of the book before you get into the detail in each chapter.  Maisie Hill has written books for women specifically and really seems to have her finger on the pulse with the topics most women are facing nowadays. People pleasing is a big problem among women, and understanding why we do it is the key to solving the issue plus changing our behaviour so that we can enjoy all the relationships in our lives.

The book can be picked up and chapters read in isolation, which is particularly easy when there are so many bullet point tips in each chapter that help you create boundaries and adapt to situations.  I would recommend reading the introduction though, and the book as a whole is a great base when you read it cover to cover, then keep it for reference.  Some of the chapters are quite long, so it would help if you had some peace and quiet to read the whole book before you delve in at a later date!

Available from 9 May 2024 for £15.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Powerful-Expert-Your-Own-Life/dp/1472978927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DSMDDD17KYOK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8IyM0bbTIe6zG863X8uM8IVTXjMHyXLcBHaU8LS4QXFCLGOscgn7b7eKANRE-s4v.NZbjWKqfCmx0pxCQirS9vhTbbEGMea2dRZmhHxY3xaU&dib_tag=se&keywords=powerful+maisie+hill&qid=1711718650&sprefix=powerful+maisie+hill%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-1

The Official Tower Single Basket Airfryer Cookbook

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Home & Garden, kitchen appliances, Mother's Day

Disclaimer : We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I’ve had an air fryer for a couple of years now and whilst I hear of people creating amazing culinary delights in theirs, I must confess that up until now ours has only been used for cooking chips and fishfingers! When I received the Official Tower Single Basket Air fryer Cookbook from Tower Housewares it was just the push I needed to liven up mealtimes and I have been enjoying experimenting with some of the delicious recipes – it’s fair to say my family have been thrilled with the meals and our air fryer has had a new lease of life!

With over 100 years of experience in manufacturing everyday kitchen appliances the new Air Fryer recipe books have been carefully created by the Tower development team to make the most of Tower air fryers. There are recipe books for all three styles of air fryer so whether you have a Dual Basket, Single Basket & Oven there is a recipe book for you.

With 249 pages the book is organised into the following sections, Breakfast, Starters & Light Bites, Midweek Dinners, A Taste of Takeaway, Meat Free, Sharing Snacks & Sides, Pizza & Savoury Bakes and Puddings & Sweet Treats. It contains a really good selection of recipes and there is something to suit every taste. Many of the recipes include “Top Tips” which suggest alternative ingredients or serving suggestions and they all show the Prep time, Cooking Time, Number of servings and difficulty level.

Each recipe spans two pages, one for the ingredients and method and the second for a colour photograph which shows you what the finished dish should look like.

The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and as we’re trying to save money at the moment we decided to create our own Chinese meal rather than going to the takeaway. The dishes were surprisingly easy to make and the whole family were really impressed with the air fryer versions of our favourite dishes.  

The Sesame Prawn Toast was simple to make and tasted amazing – so good that we all agreed that we won’t be buying it from the Chinese take away any more!

Another favourite is Crispy Chinese Style Chilli Beef, this was a really easy dish to create and cost a fraction of what we normally pay at the Chinese take away.

With the Chinese dishes going down a treat we tried a mix of Indian dishes next, Tandoori Style Chicken, Onion Bhajis and Crispy Bombay Potatoes. As our air fryer only has 1 basket, in order to have everything ready together I did prepare the Onion Bhajis and Crispy Bombay Potatoes earlier in the day and then reheated them at the last minute and this worked really well. The Tandoori Style Chicken was much easier to make than I expected, only taking 5 minutes to prepare and was a real winner with my family.

This book contains an excellent selection of recipes which are easy to follow and actually turn out exactly like the pictures. It’s been fun experimenting with the air fryer and I’m looking forward to working my way through the recipe book. I’m so pleased I’ve upped my air frying game and whilst I might still cook the odd basket of chips and fish fingers our air fryer is now fully occupied cooking much more exciting cuisine!  

RRP £19.99 but you can save 25% off by using promo code RECIPEBOOK

Generation Hope – Book

Birthday Gifts, Books, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

By Arunjay Katakam

Following Generation X and Millennials, the post-pandemic generation are starting to make their mark in terms of economics and we see in Generation Hope, but Arunjay Katakam how we have got to this point and where it is likely to go.

During the 1980s, the mantra was ‘greed is good’.  No way would this saying be accepted in business any longer however the sentiment is still there with an uber-capitalist market out there except now there are 40 plus years of capitalist decisions, recessions and now a pandemic which have changed the face of finance across the world for good. What are the newest generation’s challenges now, and what area they likely to be?

Author Katakam takes us on a little journey through the history of the last century to the point now where as a world, we are under paid and over worked to a degree which we’ve never seen before. Things are looking to change though, as the new workforce, mostly working from home, seek more of a work/life balance but also appreciate working for a business or industry that believes in community and people, and not about just profits.  However, undoing all those decades of greed is going to take some time and the book explores how old-school economists are being replaced by Inclusive Economics and how everyone can benefit from it.

Arunjay Katakam’s book is sliced into three parts; 1. The Scale of the Problem, 2. The Shape of Change and 3. The Scope of Impact. Each section has easy to understand chapters,  complete with footnotes for anyone who isn’t an economist, and the odd quote or diagram to help explain along the way.  Katakam takes the time to look at what the problems are and how they came about and then directs the reader to how things could look in the future, if change might happen. 

The book is a modern day look at how we operate finance and economy nowadays, and essentially where it is going wrong. The speed of change which has been instigated by the internet and social media over the last 20 years means that the models that used to be applied are now no longer relevant and change is needed. For anyone interested in economics or studying the subject, Generation Hope adds seasoning to the commentary on wealth today and brings the reader up to date with how those Billionaire made it… and where they are likely to end up.

Further details:

Arunjay Katakam

Insta – @arunjay.katakam

X – @arunjay

#Genhope

From £14.99 at: https://www.waterstones.com/book/generation-hope/arunjay-katakam/9781955671347