Recommended Reads
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Chocolate Crackle Saturdays
The eighties were a totally rad time when denim was acceptable on both top and bottom. Hair gel wasn’t for neatness, but gravity defying style. Neon pink and blue were coupled together like vanilla ice cream and Ice Magic. The beige station wagon was the only vehicle for road trips and dingy motels were well rated. Eight-bit video games were new and thrilling, while movies were big and brave. McDonald's was part of the weekly diet and Pizza Hut reigned supreme. We loved it all, especially on Saturdays when chocolate crackles fuelled every Nintendo session and BMX adventure.Join JP Pelosi as he fires up the DeLorean to whiz us back to the nexus of contemporary pop culture - the 1980s. Madonna, Pac-Man, Knight Rider, Chicken McNuggets, the video store and the Sony Walkman. It's all here, brought back to life in this nostalgic memoir about childhood joys, family life and the thrill of a perfect Saturday afternoon riding skateboards and trading football cards.So, slip on your shutter shades, gang, pull up a Garfield-themed beanbag and let's relive the greatest decade ever!
£8.99 -
Georgina the Cat
Do you like looking in the mirror? What do you like to see in the mirror? Do you often wish you were someone different?Some mirrors can seem to have magical qualities. Georgina loves looking into the mirror as it opens a world of exciting adventures. However, not all adventures turn out as expected as Georgina discovers.Are you ready to embark on an exciting and extraordinary adventure alongside Georgina? She’s eagerly waiting for you to join her in this enchanting tale that will leave you questioning the power of reflection and the importance of embracing who you truly are.
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Urdu Poetry & Epistemology – Volume II
Urdu Poetry & Epistemology – Volume II celebrates the enduring beauty and depth of Urdu literature, captivating the heart of the reader. This work pays homage to the divine craftsmanship of words and poetry, showcasing how Urdu continues to carve new paths into the future, resonating with souls far and wide.The writings of the esteemed Sayed Athar Husain Naqvi serve as a testament to Urdu’s rich heritage, compelling readers to acknowledge the language’s origins and its poignant journey through time. Although it is often mourned for its perceived decline in its birthplace, Urdu finds a vibrant resurgence amidst its trials. Drawing inspiration from the historical currents of the Euphrates, it finds a new home among the diaspora in Europe, flourishing particularly on the fertile cultural grounds of London.In this new era, Rajab Ali Beg Saroor breathes life into Urdu with his pen. His work, infused with innovation and wonder, creates a mesmerizing universe of words, where magic and reality blend seamlessly, offering a testament to the language’s adaptability and enduring charm.London, celebrated as a melting pot of cultures, plays a crucial role in embracing Urdu and other languages, providing them with a platform to thrive and enchant anew. This book is not only a tribute to Urdu poetry’s illustrious past but also a beacon of hope for its flourishing future, inviting readers to delve into its harmonious and enchanting world.
£13.99 -
Diary of a Wartime Unmarried Mother
This diary gives a remarkably vivid description of the life of Doreen Bates, a professional young woman, who went against the social norms of her time to intentionally have twins fathered by an older married, but childless, colleague in the Inland Revenue, where they both worked as Income Tax Inspectors. At the time the twins were born Doreen did not know if their father could, or would, form part of the family. In the event, he was able to make frequent visits and helped practically, emotionally and financially with the childrens’ upbringing.The diary commences a few months after the twins were born. Doreen lived with them and a live-in nanny in South London where they experienced relentless days and nights of enemy bombing. In 1944 the twins and their nanny were evacuated to the incomparably safer and beautiful rural setting of a Wiltshire village where Doreen joined them for every weekend.In contrast to the chaos and fear that accompanied the wartime conditions, Doreen’s emotional life is much less turbulent than in the previous volume of her diary. This reflects the profound satisfaction she felt as a result of achieving her dream of having children. She was a remarkably enlightened parent. Her recording of their lives in this diary is detailed, intimate, and often humorous. Historical happenings are mentioned, but form only the incidental backdrop to her domestic and professional life.“Brimming with soul, passion, candour and wit, the diaries of Doreen Bates are an extraordinary read, giving a vivid insight into the life of a woman unvanquished by her time, a woman who leaps from the page so strikingly that you feel your pulse beating in time with hers. Edited in an act of great love and generosity by her children, they should take their place as one of the essential diaries of the twentieth century for the window they offer into another world, another heart.”– Lucy Caldwell
£10.99 -
Desse's Big Day
It’s Desse the Draggo Raptor’s first day of school.He’s scared and nervous, will the other dragons be cruel?Desse is different in more ways than one,He’s worried this might stop him from having fun.Will Desse be able to breathe fire and fly?All he’s ever wanted is to fly sky-high.Or will he shed a tear and feel self-doubt?Spread your wings and start reading to find out!
£10.99 -
My Truth Might Not Be Yours
‘Anoscetia’ – The anxiety of not knowing ‘the real you’ (John Koenig). McCabe never really knew her ‘real Anna’, going in search of this when she decided to go on the journey enclosed within these covers. A tale so common, yet so unfortunately rarely shared, McCabe details her life to share with those who might walk in similar (or not) shoes to her. McCabe’s poignant yet unfussy account of abuse at the hands of her guardians deals with this ‘taboo’ subject in ways that will open the eyes of those who have never experienced it yet, allow those who have, to find their own voice.What will McCabe reveal? The taboo must be broken.
£12.99 -
I Hope Peace Finds Her
Angel, born Olivia, was abandoned as a baby and adopted by the loving Rose and Billy. As a district nurse, she befriends an elderly couple, Jenny and Brod, who tragically take their own lives. In the aftermath, Angel uncovers a letter from Jenny hinting at her birth mother’s identity. With the help of her adoptive parents and her biological father, Frank, Angel delves into her past, learning about her mother Moira’s struggles with depression and the circumstances that led to her being left in the care of social services.Through newfound love with the widowed Lawrence and his son Ralph, Angel builds a family of her own while uncovering more about her origins. She finds solace in Moira’s diary, gaining insight into her birth mother’s inner turmoil. As Angel’s family grows, she reflects on the love and support she has received from both her adoptive and biological families. Though her journey has been marked by tragedy and unanswered questions, Angel finds peace in cherishing the memories of those she has lost and embracing the love that surrounds her.
£9.99 -
The Zeroth Day
“A thought-provoking SF tale recalling the heady works of William Gibson and Philip K. Dick.”– Kirkus Reviews.The Zeroth Day is an exhilarating adventure that dives deep into the profound issues of love, loss, and the inevitable rise of artificial intelligence. Join Nikolai, a former movie actor, as he navigates a post-apocalyptic world and confronts personal trauma in a race against time.In this captivating narrative, Nikolai’s journey takes centre stage as he battles his own demons while grappling with the encroaching influence of AI on humanity’s future. The book seamlessly intertwines thrilling escapades with introspective moments, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of the human condition.
£9.99 -
Elias' Baby Brother
Elias gets a baby brother and discovers what it is like to have a new baby in the house.Having a new sibling is exciting but can also be confusing, see how Elias navigates being an older brother and how his parents use labelled praise to help guide his interactions with his new brother.Told with humour and simple language, this is a perfect picture book for children who have a new sibling.
£7.99 -
Little Johnny Goes For A Walk
Little Johnny is a smart, fun, adventurous and cheeky little boy who finds himself in a magical forest full of animals. Little Johnny runs through the forest and finds many amazing animals along the way.His mother wants him back home for dinner, so he happily finds his way back home. The scenery on each page will keep you reading until the end!
£9.99 -
Goodbye Mr Krupps
A vivid and entertaining account of one man’s extraordinary life, guided by a love of steam trains and an unerring vision to be an engine driver in the days when steam ruled the rails. See through the eyes of a small boy the first stirrings of this enduring passion as, in rapt fascination, he watches trains on the Hull & Barnsley main line in the 1940s, and witness the bucolic beauty of rural life, allied with the poverty and shear hard graft of farm work during the war years, when it seems his dream will be crushed by the daily grind and drudgery.Share the author’s exuberance as, having hazarded all, he succeeds in joining the London & North Eastern Railway as a lad porter, before being introduced to the hallowed world of the Locomotive Department, progressing through the ranks to finally fulfil his dream. On this journey share his exhilaration as he thunders down the main line on a locomotive pushed to its limits, spewing fire and brimstone; and witness a host of steam train escapades, adventures, and mishaps, from the farcical to tragic.Finally, travel with him to exotic Tanganyika/Tanzania in the 1960s where, during 12 years with East African Railways, he experiences the challenges of epic journeys through the heart of the sun-baked bush, breakdowns, derailments, flooded tracks, and violent mutiny, as well as the joy of driving the mighty and exemplary 30 Class, ending with the pinnacle of his career: that of becoming Locomotive Inspector.
£35.99 -
Gregory's Adventure
Gregory’s Adventure is a delightful children’s story following a young hare named Gregory who embarks on a quest to help a lost baby bird find his family. After a tiny yellow chick called Titch lands on Gregory’s head, the two set off into the forest to discover where Titch belongs. They encounter owls, woodpeckers, finches and more as Gregory tries to identify what type of bird Titch is.When attempts at swimming reveal Titch is no duck or goose, Gregory gets advice from a wise old swan who suggests looking for kingfishers. Just as Gregory is losing hope of solving the mystery, he spots Titch happily united with a flock of yellow wagtails. This heartwarming tale promotes themes of friendship, determination and discovering one’s identity.With engaging characters and scenic forest descriptions, Gregory’s Adventure promises to delight young readers.
£8.99
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