Release Date: 10/03/16
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to London, but not as you know it. Oxford Street burned for three weeks; Regent's Park has been bombed; the British Museum is occupied by those with nowhere else to go.
Lalla has grown up sheltered from the chaos, but now she's sixteen, her father decides it's time to use their escape route - a ship big enough to save five hundred people. Once on board, as day follows identical day, Lalla's unease grows. Where are they going? What does her father really want? What is the price of salvation?
REVIEW:
I read this book a while ago and whilst I could have written the review earlier, I always like to sit back and savour as well as think my way through the quandaries, the characters thoughts and questions that the novel raises. Its dark, it has hope and all round for me as a reader, Antonia brings the titles cast to life.
The writing is crisp, the prose spot on and for me what really adds the sparkle is the dialogue, its easy to see how the thought processes work, what families are prepared to do to save themselves and all round how they come to live with their choices. It’s a book of many facets and all round, a title that I was more than pleased I took the time to read.
Release Date: 01/10/15
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
A graphic novel adaptation of Sven Hassel's classic war novel, WHEELS OF TERROR, illustrated by Jordy Diago.
Stationed on the Eastern Front and now equipped with armoured vehicles, Sven Hassel and his comrades from the 27th Penal Regiment fight on remorselessly . . . All of them should be dead: life expectancy on the Front is measured in weeks. But Sven, Porta, the Old Un and the Legionnaire fight to the end, not for Germany, not for Hitler, but for survival.
From the blistering cold to the horrors of tank warfare, WHEELS OF TERROR is a sobering depiction of war's brutalities, and the violence and inhumanity that the history books leave out.
REVIEW:
I remember reading the original novel years ago after my Dad passed it to me (alongside a whole heap of Sven’s other titles) and to be honest I’ve always been apprehensive of graphic novel translations of books. I’m not saying that they don’t do justice, but you have to get so much in there and cut out a lot of the books story without infringing on the main theme of the novel. It’s hard to decide what stays and what goes, and inevitably fans will find that they’re upset at losing certain parts of the story and will either love or hate the adaptation.
What Jordy has done is keep the tale in Sven’s own words bringing his artistic talents to the fore and giving the readers what they fell in love with in their original read, hard-core action, top notch dialogue and of course a dark humour that war brings out in man. It’s a great title, one that I’ve loved and one that I’m now purchasing for my Dad for Christmas as a special treat, and for a guy who’s not the biggest graphic novel fan (my Dad that is) I have a feeling this could well change his mind. Great item.
Release Date: 27/08/15
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
There's something about the smell of meat cooking that signals a feast - it's savoury, comforting and tempting. A steak on the grill, a roast in the oven, a casserole bubbling: they make your mouth water.
Si King and Dave Myers, aka the Hairy Bikers, have always been passionate about meat, and this bible is an unadulterated celebration of the fine produce we have available today. MEAT FEASTS includes all their favourite recipes and some new surprises. There are family classics, spicy treats, perfect pies and delicious zingy salads.
Si and Dave love their veggies too, and MEAT FEASTS features some of the very best veg recipes to showcase a Sunday joint or make a little meat of a very long way.
A meaty modern classic, MEAT FEASTS is your one-stop meat cookbook!
REVIEW:
I love the Hairy Bikers and whilst I do like to cook different styles of food from Thai to Italian, for comfort food, I always come back to good old traditional British cuisine. It’s the type of food that I love, puts a smile on my face and all round makes me happy on days when I feel a little down.
This title brings a lot of UK favourites to the fore, adds a touch of the exotic (if you want a bit of spice) and does it all with their flair alongside easy to follow instructions keeping it simple for maximum taste. This is real food, not that Haute Cuisine that requires GPS to find it on the plate, but pure gut filling, family satisfying fare.
For me, this is a book that will have a lot of uses and coming into winter, it’s a time when we want comfort, a time to gives that stick to the ribs feel and all round make everyone happy. I can’t wait.
Release Date: 18/06/15
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
LET THERE BE MEAT is the must-have companion for anyone interested in the art of barbecue and smokehouse; wood-smoked, slow cooked pork and beef, sausages, burgers, ribs, seafood feasts and all the mouth-watering sides that go with them.
James Douglas and Scott Munro provide their unique insight into the American BBQ culture, gleaned from seven years travel and hard study in the Deep South, with instructions on how to get the most from your meat. Including matching cocktails, sides, sweet stuff and even how to make your own pig roaster and home brew IPA.
LET THERE BE MEAT is the carnivore's bible, crammed with over 100 melt-in-the-mouth recipes that have made Red's True Barbecue a phenomenon
REVIEW:
Ah, as a guy, we all like to become the self-styled, king of the bbq, I have to admit that whilst I love to grill, I’m really not that good at it or adventurous, choosing to do the basics like sausages, drumsticks and burgers. So when I had the chance to read up on a whole heap of other things I can tackle (including utilising the smoker function on my BBQ) I thought it would be good so that I can make the most of my cookout and get to enjoy the labours later.
This title is easy to follow, has everything from good, tasty recipes through to rubs and marinades in order to really get a lot of flavour in there. Finally giving me the encouragement to tackle a few things that I wouldn’t have tried previously as I’d worry about cook times. All round I’m looking forward to trying a good few of these out and even though its not traditional to fire it up during the winter, I may well do that towards Christmas to have the meat selection something different for my family party. Great stuff.
Release Date: 11/06/15
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
Amy and Julie Zhang have been entertaining and educating their thousands of followers on Youtube with their recipes for deliciously easy homemade Chinese food - now THE DUMPLING SISTERS CHINESE COOKBOOK brings you more of the recipes and advice that those fans have been clamouring for. Dedicated to and destined to be adored by every Chinese food lover, this book is full of Chinese-food favourites, impressive sharing dishes and even sweet treats that have been little acknowledged in a western understanding of Chinese food - until now. This is Chinese home cooking at its best. The recipes are structured as to give a gradual introduction to Chinese dishes, beginning with the simple; Best Ever Fried Rice, and working up to the more elaborate Cracking Five-Spice Roast Pork Belly, and are interspersed with the insider tips and tricks that the girls' Youtube fans adore. There is also a focus on Chinese culture and eating etiquette (for perfecting those chopstick skills), including sharing menu planner and a guide to shopping at the Chinese supermarket. Amy and Julie write with wit and gusto - they are the perfect cooks to take any food lover on a journey to discover real Chinese cooking.
REVIEW:
I love Chinese food but to be honest I’ve never been comfortable trying to cook anything other than egg fried rice as I’ve never been able to get the flavours balanced or had anything turn out as it should have done. What I really liked about this book from the Dumpling Sisters is that this book is easy to follow, uses ingredients that are easy to get hold of and gives you that flavour that you desire when you really want something different.
Whilst a lot of people go straight for a number of other recipes in the book, the best way I’ve found to try out a Chinese book is to go straight to a firm favourite, in my case Chicken and Sweetcorn soup. I love the stuff and when I’m ill, if I can get my hands on it, it’s the food that I like to go for to help make me feel better.
The recipe within is easy to follow, is easy to get everything for and at the end of the day tastes great for me. I love this and if the other recipes within are as easy to follow, then I’ll be having quite a few Chinese home cooked meals in the future.
Release Date: 28/08/14
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
Stuart Hillard reached the semi-final of BBC2's GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE, bringing a fantastic sense of invention, passion, creativity and style to all things fabric. Stuart's first love is sewing for the home - transforming everything from tablecloths, cushions and curtains to garden chairs and quilts. He is an enthusiastic home sewer and teacher and his mission is to make sewing for the home accessible and aspirational, and his message is clear: sewing is for everyone. He introduces the novice sewer to the basic skills, kit and trimmings and also endeavours to teach even the most experienced sewer a new range of techniques. Ranging from the super-easy, no-sew projects for those who are enthusiastic about fabric but are under-confident, to gorgeous quilts that take a few basic sewing skills, Stuart's brilliant designs and simple-to-follow approach will help everyone to sew for their own home, their own way.
REVIEW:
Arts and Crafts are a great way to help make things for gifts for people whether you like to make jams or sweets or are gifted enough with a needle and thread to create wonderful items that will give every time they’re used. What this book does is give the reader a lot of different idea’s for projects, includes easy to follow instructions and also gives you patterns. It’s a great item for everyone from Teen’s upwards and can turn a hard up Christmas into one where everyone gets a special gift made just for them.
All round a cracking book and one that can be used all year round. Just get it early so that you have plenty of time to get materials without having to rush the job.
Release Date: 20/02/14
Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
SYNOPSIS:
A mystery unsolved to this day A mystic who confounds the cynics A writer looking for the story that will make his name A ghost ship appears in the mist. To the struggling author Arthur Conan Doyle, it is an inspiration. To Violet Petra, the gifted American psychic, it is a cruel reminder. To the death-obsessed Victorian public, it is a fascinating distraction. And to one family, tied to the sea for generations, it is a tragedy. In salons and on rough seas, at seances and in the imagination of a genius, these stories converge in unexpected ways as the mystery of the ghost ship deepens. But will the sea yield its secrets, and to whom? Intricate, atmospheric, and endlessly intriguing, The Ghost of the Mary Celeste is a spellbinding exploration of love, loss and the fictions that pass as truth.
REVIEW:
There is probably no other ship out there that has had more written about it be it truth or fiction in one form or another than the Mary Celeste and whilst no one will ever really know what happened, author Valerie Martin has taken the reader on a journey based around the real lives of those involved. Its fascinating reading and all round generates an overall picture that will give the reader a completely new look at the mystery.
Its quirky, I love the writing style and the prose just flows from the page. All round it’s a cracking book and one that I had no problem immersing myself within. A great piece.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
If you think a healthy, balanced diet means bland and tasteless food then you would be wrong. With over 70 tried tried-and-tested recipes THE PURE PACKAGE will help you to create healthy and delicious meals that can be adapted to suit a variety of needs. Whether you want to get fit, lose weight or simply detox, THE PURE PACKAGE will provide you with the nutritional know-how and guidance to achieve a healthy eating plan. With snacks and treats, delicious dinners, light lunches and nutritious breakfast ideas, together with weekly shopping lists, handy tips and straightforward substitutions, you will be able to cook healthy, gourmet food with a difference. THE PURE PACKAGE plan is easy, enjoyable, stress free - and effective in helping you break old habits and achieve your goals.
REVIEW:
The first few months after a holiday period usually see’s a lot of people not only worrying about their waist lines but also struggling to do something about it, usually giving up part way through due to the feeling of starving overruling their ability to cope.
However rather than running straight to any number of weight loss programmes, you may want to read this book by Jennifer Irvine as it gives you not only lots of choices but flavourful, tasty and fulfilling meals that you won’t believe is a diet.
Add to this an easy to follow three week plan and a whole host of help including portion control and overall it’s a book that is helpful in so many ways.
Release Date: 01/03/12
SYNOPSIS:
With their irrepressible enthusiasm for great food, Si King and Dave Myers AKA the Hairy Bikers travel the length and breadth of Europe to discover the best baking recipes from the Continent. From Norway to Southern Spain, the boys eat their way across ten countries, making friends and swapping recipes along the way. They discover the ultimate Black Forest Gateaux in Germany, the most incredible pastries in Southern France and cook cakes that will tickle the tastebuds of all home bakers. This is a welcome return of the Hairy Bakers. These recipes will delight and will bring a freshness to all home baking.
REVIEW:
OK, whilst I do love cooking the odd piece of Kitchen Showboating, I have to admit that my real passion is comfort food. IE, the recipes that when you’re feeling ill or down always work not only that emotional magic but twist into it that wholesome feeling of an internal hug. Whether this is the proverbial chicken soup for the soul or old family favourites, there are often comfort foods from around the world that you may not be familiar with, and that’s where the Hairy Bikers come into it with this title.
Whilst its mainly a baking title, there are some good wholesome recipes within such as a Hungarian Goulash Soup (served with Bacon Scones, mmmmm) as well as what you might think of as oddities such as the Scandinavian use of Cardamom within their recipes or other cultural icons that you’ve passed by on your everyday trips out such as Pain Aux Raisins.
This book is chock full of all sorts of goodies which when also accompanied by the TV Series Bakeaction makes it a title to turn to for inspiration time and again. All in a wonderful sense of recipes and whilst it’s a European tour, there will be some recipes that will more than inspire those in other countries further afield.
Release Date: 27/01/11
BOOK BLURB:
The year is 1808, and Hamish Williams is a 'gentlemen volunteer' in the 106th regiment of foot, a man serving with the ranks but living with the officers, and uncomfortable in both worlds: looked down on by those with the money or influence to buy their rank, and distrusted by the common soldiers who know he is not one of them. But Williams is determined to prove by deeds alone that he is a man worthy of advancement, and when the 106th embarks for Portugal to begin what will become known as the Peninsula War against Napoleon, he knows his chance of glory is at hand. Soon he is receiving a sharp lesson in the realities of war, as the 106th undergoes a bloody baptism at the hands of the French - and he realises that his single-minded devotion to honour may not, after all, be the quickest route to promotion. Combining the vivid detail of a master historian with the engaging characters and pulsating action of a natural storyteller, TRUE SOLDIER GENTLEMAN is the first volume in what promises to be a classic series.
REVIEW:
Any historical fiction title wthat sets itself during the Napoleonic War, that follows the soldiers is invariably going to be compared to Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe. (Even if they have verses from Over the Hill printed inside.)
Whilst there are a number of similarities this title follows the fortunes of the 106’s Gentlemen Soldiers (aka the Officers) and whilst the body count along with the cost in blood is high, the rewards are even more so.
All in, the action is acceptable, the plot outline is reasonable and to be honest it’s the characters that keep this tale alive. Personally, I’m not much of a fan of the officer class and prefer to stick to the common man but even so, I did get a lot of fun from this title. Obviously this isn’t Cornwell so you may not get exactly what you’d expect from him, but the authors title is enjoyable and with a bit more character building added it could well become a seriously good take on the Spanish portion of the Napoleonic war.
