CHRISTMAS
Some ideas for everyone at Christmas time. We also sell gift wrap, plus high quality and quirky Christmas cards in the shop.
Some of our products such as Leuchtturm and Lamy change regularly in stores, so it's easier to not upload them individually online, but I'm happy to check stock anytime via linda@bookspaperscissors.co.uk
A Literary Christmas : An Anthology (hardback)
£16.99
This seasonal compendium collects together poems, short stories, and prose extracts by some of the greatest poets and writers in the English language. Like Charles Dickens's ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, they are representative of times old and new--from John Donne's Elizabethan hymn over the baby Jesus to Benjamin Zephaniah's "Talking Turkeys," from Thomas Tusser counting the cost of a Tudor feast to P. G.Venture out into the snow in the company of Jane Austen, Henry James, and Dickens's Mr.Pickwick. Entertain the children with the seasonal tales of Dylan Thomas, Kenneth Grahame, and Oscar Wilde.
A Poem for Every Day of the Year (hardback)
£19.99
A Poem For Every Day of the Year is a magnificent collection of 366 poems compiled by Allie Esiri, one to share on every day of the year. Reflecting the changing seasons and linking to events on key dates - funny for April Fool's Day, festive for Christmas - these poems are thoughtful, inspiring, humbling, informative, quiet, loud, small, epic, peaceful, energetic, upbeat, motivating, and empowering! Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with all the family, it is bursting at the seams with familiar favourites and exciting new discoveries. T.S.Eliot, John Betjeman, Lewis Carroll, William Shakespeare and Christina Rossetti sit alongside Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, and Kate Tempest.This soul-enhancing book is the perfect gift that will last the whole year, with a little bit of magic to read every day.
The Bell Jar, Illustrated Edition, Sylvia Plath ( hardback Oct 2022)
£14.99
I felt very still and empty, the way the eye of a tornado must feel, moving dully along in the middle of the surrounding hullabaloo. Sylvia Plath's groundbreaking semi-autobiographical novel offers an intimate, honest and often wrenching glimpse into mental illness. The Bell Jar broke the boundaries between fiction and reality and helped cement Sylvia Plath's place as an enduring feminist icon.Celebrated for its darkly humorous, razor sharp portrait of 1950s society, it continues to resonate with readers today as testament to the universal human struggle to claim one's rightful place in the world. A special illustrated edition - the second book in our collection of illustrated Faber classics.
The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories ( pb 2020)
£9.99
The perfect gift this Christmas season: a generous selection of some of the greatest festive stories of all time.
This is a collection of the most magical, moving, chilling and surprising Christmas stories from around the world, taking us from frozen Nordic woods to glittering Paris, a New York speakeasy to an English country house, bustling Lagos to midnight mass in Rio, and even outer space. Here are classic tales from writers including Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, Saki and Chekhov, as well as little-known treasures such as Italo Calvino's wry sideways look at Christmas consumerism, Wolfdietrich Schnurre's story of festive ingenuity in Berlin, Selma Lagerlof's enchanted forest in Sweden, and Irene Nemerovsky's dark family portrait. Featuring Santas, ghosts, trolls, unexpected guests, curmudgeons and miracles, here is Christmas as imagined by some of the greatest short story writers of all time.
Also available as cloth hardback
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse : The Animated Story, Charlie Mackesy( November 2022)
£20.00
The Animated Story....
A journey, in search of home. Charlie Mackesy's beloved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has been adapted into an animated short film, coming to BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas. This beautifully made hardback celebrates the work of over 100 animators across two years of production - with Charlie's distinctive illustrations brought to life in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation and accompanying hand-written script. "I made a film with some friends about a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse - their journey together and the boy's search for home.
I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved." Love Charlie x
The Gifts of Reading, edited by Robert Macfarlane ( paperback)
£9.99
With contributions by: William Boyd, Candice Carty-Williams, Imtiaz Dharker, Roddy Doyle, Pico Iyer, Robert Macfarlane, Andy Miller, Jackie Morris, Jan Morris, Sisonke Msimang, Dina Nayeri, Chigozie Obioma, Michael Ondaatje, David Pilling, Max Porter, Philip Pullman, Alice Pung, Jancis Robinson, S.F.Said, Madeleine Thien, Salley Vickers, John Wood and Markus Zusak
'You will see books taking flight in flocks, migrating around the world, landing in people's hearts and changing them for a day or a year or a lifetime. 'You will see books sparking wonder or anger; throwing open windows into other languages, other cultures, other minds; causing people to fall in love or to fight for what is right. 'And more than anything, over and over again, you will see books and words being given, received and read - and in turn prompting further generosity.'
Published to coincide with the 20th anniversary of global literacy non-profit, Room to Read, The Gifts of Reading forms inspiring, unforgettable, irresistible proof of the power and necessity of books and reading.
Dog Man 14 Big Jim Believes ( hardback Nov 2025)
£14.99
The celebration comes to a halt for our heroes in Dog Man: Big Jim Believes when the mischievous Space Cuties From Space return. Our caped crusaders - Dog Man (aka Scarlet Shedder), Commander Cupcake, and Sprinkles - along with Mecha Molly discover that the city has changed, and nothing is how it should be. Can Big Jim's positivity and innocence help our heroes? Will Dog Man, Big Jim, Grampa, and Molly have the courage to trust each other and save the day? How does the past help shape the future? And who is the chosen one? Readers will want to hold onto their hero capes as they soar into a new thrilling Dog Man story.
Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including: empathy kindness persistence and the importance of doing good. Full colour pages throughout.
Alternative Irish Christmas - An Anthology (hardback 2025)
£20.00
Celebrate the darker season with new stories and essays from the best and most exciting Irish writersWhen shadows grow longer, when expectation weighs heavy, how do people in Ireland mark Christmas?
A woman shops for a very particular Christmas dinner: a man tries to buy a puppy for his daughter: a girl watches as her mother roasts a fowl over an open fire.
From old traditions to the creation of new ones, from moments of quiet reflection to chaos, comedy and even horror, this alternative seasonal collection reflects the stunning breadth of experiences an Irish Christmas offers.
A Poem for Every Question, Brian Bilson ( hardback Sept 2025)
£16.99
Funny and thought-provoking answers to curious questions … in poetry form! Explore the incredible world of non-fiction with much-loved poet Brian Bilston! This hilarious non-fiction collection of 100 poems has subjects ranging from science and animals to unicorns, pyramids, technology and MUCH more. Questions include … · How many stars in the Universe exploded today? · Who invented football? · Who is the champion weightlifter of the animal world? · How did the ancient Egyptians make a mummy? Each fascinating question about the world around us is answered with one of Brian's unforgettable, witty and characterful poems. Expect the hilarious, thought-provoking, poignant – and downright silly! Brian’s poems are accompanied by an extra non-fiction explainer, filled with facts and written with just as much humour and heart as the poems.
Prepare to find some amazing stories and information to share with your family, teachers and friends! Each page is brought to life with bright, humorous and characterful artwork by Bristol-based illustrator, animator and cartoonist Joe Berger
On Friendship, Andrew O’Hagan ( hardback Oct 2025)
£12.99
From the bestselling author of Mayflies and Caledonian Road, a heart-enriching celebration of what makes us great: our friends. If we are lucky in our lives, our friendships will be rich and varied. They will be shared with those with two legs, with four legs, with whiskers or clean faces; they will come dressed in the simplicity of childhood or the professional attire of adult life; some will span decades, and some will be only fleeting.
But the thing they will all have in common is that life is not only unimaginable - but unimagined - without them. In these gorgeous personal reflections, Andrew O'Hagan explores friendship through music and poetry, memory and history, illuminating the many ways and reasons that people come together, and how our lives are all the better because we do.v
A Long Winter, Colm Toibin ( hardback Aug 2025)
£12.99
An unforgettable story about loss and new love from the bestselling author of Brooklyn and Long Island. 'The most striking example of Tóibín's emotional control . .
[An] eloquent expression of the bond between a mother and a son' – Guardian.
One snowy morning, after arguing with her husband, Miquel’s mother walks out from their home high up in the Pyrenees and does not return. With his younger brother stationed far away on military service and his father cast out by the people of the town, Miquel and his father are left to fend for themselves.
Together they will be forced to battle the elements, and their resentment of each other, through the long winter. Miquel’s desperate searching for his mother is only interrupted when Manolo, an orphaned servant boy from the next village, arrives to help out in the house. As Miquel is forced to confront the reality of his mother's absence, Manolo, with his silences and longing gaze, offers the promise of new love, and another kind of life.
'A Long Winter evokes loss, loneliness, guilt and survival in a few masterly strokes' – Independent
Midwinter Murder, Agatha Christie (hardback, Oct 2020)
£14.99
An all-new collection of winter-themed mysteries from the master of the genre.
There's a chill in the air and the days are growing shorter... It's the perfect time to curl up in front of a crackling fireplace with this winter-themed collection from legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie.
But beware of deadly snowdrifts and dangerous gifts, poisoned meals and mysterious guests. This compendium of short stories, some featuring beloved detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, is an essential omnibus for Christie fans and the perfect gift for mystery lovers. INCLUDES THE STORIES:The Chocolate BoxA Christmas TragedyThe Coming of Mr QuinThe Mystery of the Baghdad ChestThe Clergyman's DaughterThe Plymouth ExpressProblem at Pollensa BaySanctuaryThe Mystery of Hunter's LodgeThe World's EndThe Manhood of Edward RobinsonChristmas Adventure
A World Full of Winter Stories, Angela McAllister ( hardback Oct 23)
£14.99
Curl up beside the fire and uncover stories from all over the world with this rich resource of wintery folk tales, myths and legends. Featuring stories of Norse gods; hibernating bears; Christmas feasts and wicked witches, there is something for everyone in this collection of winter inspired stories.The perfect anthology for Christmas, or any time you want to uncover chilly tales from lands near and far. Collected and retold by award-winning author Angela McAllister, with enchanting illustrations by Olga Baumert, this is an anthology to be read when the weather turns colder and the nights draw in. Stories include: The Spider and the Christmas Tree (Ukraine) Mother Holle (Germany) Shingebiss (Ojibwe, North America) The First Rabbits (Japan) The Girl and the Winter Whirlwinds (Bulgaria) The First Evergreens (Mongolia) The Snow Man (Denmark) Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter (North America)
Mythos, Illustrated Edition ( Stephen Fry, Oct 23)
£35.00
Step into Stephen Fry's richly colourful world of magic, mayhem, monsters and maniacal gods in MYTHOS: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY
No one loves and quarrels, desires and deceives as boldly or brilliantly as Greek gods and goddesses. In Stephen Fry's vivid retelling, we gaze in wonder as wise Athena is born from the cracking open of the great head of Zeus and follow doomed Persephone into the dark and lonely realm of the Underworld. We shiver in fear when Pandora opens her jar of evil torments and watch with joy as the legendary love affair between Eros and Psyche unfolds.
Sailing Alone, A History. Richard J King ( paperback Sept 2024)
£12.99
An exceptional book. Sailing Alone belongs on the very small shelf of the true classics of the sea' Peter Nichols, author of Sea Change and A Voyage for Madmen'
Sailing on a boat by yourself out at sea and out of sight of land can be exhilarating or terrifying, compelling or tedious - sometimes it can be all of these things just in one morning. It is an adventure at odds with our normal, sociable lives, carried out floating on a medium wholly inimical to our existence.
But the deep ocean is also a remarkable place on which to think. Richard King's enormously engaging and curious new book is about the debt we owe to solo sailors: women and men, young and old, who have set out alone. Spending weeks and months alone, slowly, quietly and close to the ocean surface is to create the world's largest laboratory: an endlessly changing, capricious and startling place in which to observe oneself, the weather, the stars and myriad sea creatures, from the tiniest to the most massive and threatening.
This is a book for anyone who is fascinated by sailing, solitude and the vast seas that cover so much of our planet.
The Story Orchestra ( series)
£16.99
Discover the spellbinding magic of The Planets in this musical reimagining of one of Holst's most famous suites. Push the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Holst's score. This tale is about a brother and sister who adventure deep into our solar system. Our story begins one night as Helen and Tim get ready for bed in their new space rocket bunk beds...but sleep will have to wait as they magically blast up, up, up into the glittering night sky, leaving planet Earth far below them. Helen and Tim journey here, there and everywhere through our majestic solar system. They soar past the cold rocky surface of Mars as it rises into towering peaks and plunges into deep canyons and glide through a bumpy asteroid belt made of icy rocks.
They blast deeper into our solar system, exploring the dazzling stars and astounding planets along the way. But now it really is time to head home! As the rocket speeds towards Earth, Tim and Helen watch the sun rise over their planet. As you and your little one journey through the magical scenes, you will press the buttons to hear 10 excerpts from the score.
Readers should press firmly on the pages to activate the sounds, encouraging interactive learning and introducing children to this beautiful piece of music. At the back of the book, find a short biography of the composer, Gustav Holst, with details about his composition of The Planets.
This is a gorgeous series of so many of the classical greats, making them appealing and exciting to children from 5+
The Wild Verses : Nature poems on love, hope and healing - Helen Mort
£16.99
In a fast-paced world, The Wild Verses invites you to slow down, reflect and to seek solace through poetry and nature. From consoling words of hope and healing to meditations on love and friendship, this beautiful collection has a poem for every feeling. Accompanied by emotive illustrations of animals in the wild, this is a poetry collection to be returned to again and again.
With original words from acclaimed poet and writer Helen Mort ( The Illustrated Woman) plus some inspirational borrowings from other poetry. This is a lovely book.
The Iliad translated by Emily Wilson ( Paperback August 2024)
£14.99
Now in Limited Edition paperback with Deckled Edge binding.
When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017-revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that "combines intellectual authority with addictive readability" (Edith Hall, The Sunday Telegraph)-critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, The New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, The Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English.
Now Wilson has returned with an equally revelatory translation of the first great Homeric epic: The Iliad. In Wilson's hands, this exciting and often horrifying work now gallops at a pace befitting its battle scenes, roaring with the clamour of arms, the bellowing boasts of victors and the anguished cries of dying men.
Wilson's unadorned but resonant language plumbs the poem's profound pathos and reveals its characters as palpably real, even "complicated", human beings. Capping a decade of intense engagement with Homer's poetry, Wilson's Iliad now gives us a complete Homer for our generation.
The Grumpus : And His Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan by Alex T. Smith (Author)
£14.99
From Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of the Claude series and How Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a fantastically festive Christmas adventure about a gorgeous grumpy character. Inspired by The Krampus and with a hint of The Grinch, The Grumpus is a heartwarming story that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, accompanied by irresistible colour artwork to make it the perfect story for all the family to enjoy together.Do you know about The Grumpus?And his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan? And about the Awful Thing that happened at the North Pole on Christmas Eve?Perhaps I should tell you about it . . A beautiful hardback with a festively foiled cover and beautiful artwork from the author, it is the perfect Christmas gift, destined to become a modern Christmas classic that adults and children alike return to year after year.
The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories ( hardback)
£20.00
A comforting story tonight for a happy day tomorrow . . .A gorgeous gift to treasure for years to come, this collection of bedtime stories is brimming with hope and positivity as an antidote to the at times challenging world we live in. Fabulously illustrated by Sarah McIntyre, the stories promote modern-day messages of inclusivity, acceptance and bravery in the face of adversity. With brand new stories from: Aisha Bushby, Ann Jungman, Ayesha Braganza, Claire Barker, Emma Carroll, Hannah Lee, Ingrid Persaud, Kate Saunders, Kieran Larwood, Lou Kuenzler, Lucy Farfort, Martyn Ford, Michael Mann, Natasha Farrant, Pip Jones, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Reba Khatun.
Bedside Companion for Book Lovers ( hardback October 2022)
£22.95
A glorious treasury of literary curiosities for every night of the year. Bedside Companion for Book Lovers contains an eclectic mix of fact and fiction, letters, diaries, essays and dedications, all suffused with the joys of books and reading. The perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life, it contains snippets from some of the greatest writers and book collectors from throughout history, including:
Charles Dickens on the smell of books
Maya Angelou on the pleasures of reading aloud
Virginia Woolf on finding space for writing
Nick Hornby on reading for pure enjoyment
Along the way, you'll find advice on how to look after your most precious volumes, what to do when books start taking over your home, and where to find the most atmospheric libraries and bookshops around the world. Keep this beautifully illustrated book by your bedside and wander into a magical world of books every night of the year.
Literary Jigsaws 1000 pc
£16.99
The World of Jane Austen / Shakespeare/ Dickens is a new 1000 piece puzzle, featuring a wide cast of the author's contemporaries and characters.
Jane Austen ... Hidden amongst the rolling hills of Derbyshire, Hampshire, Lyme Regis and more, you can see Mr Darcy at home in Pemberley, or find Mr Knightly enjoying a stroll around the garden, plus many more familiar characters hidden alongside Austen's peers. Shortlisted for the 2021 Gift of The Year Awards!
A BookClub Journal for Bibliophiles ( hardback Sept 2025)
£14.99
A handsome and elegant reader's journal for book lovers and book club goers of all levels.
Within its 144 pages you'll find a checklist of "must-read" books, guided content to help readers focus their literary explorations, sample book club questions, and dozens of evocative quotes from classic authors. Along with the informative front matter, engaging questions are sprinkled throughout the journal to be addressed as the pages fill--from fun questions (who would you cast in a movie of this book?) to the reflective (what one sentence from the book stands out to you?).
Lines of Vision : Irish Writers on Art by Janet McLean ( hardback, 2014)
£20.00
Fifty-six Irish writers have contributed short stories, essays and poems to this anthology inspired by art from the National Gallery of Ireland collection. It includes work by acclaimed figures in contemporary Irish literature such as Colm Tóibín, John Banville, Roddy Doyle, Colum McCann and Seamus Heaney. Each of the writers has selected a picture and used it as a setting-off point to explore ideas about art, love, loss, family, dreams, memory, places and privacy.
Both the artworks and the literary responses to them are vibrantly diverse. The works range from paintings by old masters such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, El Greco and Velázquez to pictures by Claude Monet, Pierre Bonnard and Gabrielle Münter, and by Irish artists such as Jack B. Yeats, John Lavery, Gerard Dillon and Paul Henry.
Published to mark the 150th anniversary of the National Gallery of Ireland, this beautifully illustrated book is edited by Janet McLean, Curator of European Art 1850-1950 at the NGI.
My Book of Treasures, Joanna Lumley ( hardback Oct 2025)
£20.00
Over the years Joanna Lumley has kept private notebooks, filled with her favourite writings, thoughts and quotes. Now, for the first time, she opens her Book of Treasures to share some of her many and varied jottings with readers.
This collection of chosen writings, interspersed with narration from Joanna, features the lines of her best-loved authors, from Shakespeare to Emily Dickinson, pearls of wisdom that she has heard or read, and nuggets of trivia and miscellanea that have made her happy. The book is full of surprise and variety: the wistful keeps company with the acerbic, the sincere slips in besides the absurd. And the result is a jewel box of delights, filled with fabulous titbits.
The Daily Artist's Way : Creative Living Every Day by Julia Cameron (paperback)
£12.99
Start each day with intention and find your purpose with a year of creative living. Offering wisdom we can turn to any day of the year, this pocket-book of guidance from the bestselling author of The Artist's Way is the perfect addition for anyone seeking meaning and direction in their life. A beautiful companion to Cameron's life-changing creative process, The Daily Artist's Way features 366 page-a-day quotations, minute meditations and journal prompts to follow throughout the year.
Helping us start each page anew, Julia's sage wisdom will inspire and guide readers from all walks of life in finding the possibility that each day brings.
Of all the self-help tools I've tested through the years, one has proved more enduring than the rest: Morning Pages' OLIVER BURKEMAN
I am Wishing every Minute for Christmas, Lauren Child ( hardback
£12.99
A completely NEW and original picture book to celebrate 25 years of the iconic Charlie and Lola!I have this little sister Lola. She is small and very funny. If Lola even thinks about Christmas she can't sit still on her chair. If you BREATHE the word Christmas she hops up and down. If you say, "Christmas is coming," she just runs round and round.
Lola is wishing every minute for Christmas, but it is a long way away and too far to wait. Can her brother Charlie think of some clever ways to make the time pass more quickly? Find out in this hugely relatable and funny story about how to wait for something when you really can't wait from bestselling and award-winning Lauren Child.
The View from Ninety : Reflections on How to Live a Long, Contented Life, Charles Handy
£16.99
Over a span of seven decades, Charles Handy was, variously, a businessman, a writer, a philanthropist and a philosopher. Not even a stroke as he approached the age of 90 dimmed his intellectual curiosity or his immense zest for life.
In this, his final book, written from the vantage point of a contemplative old age and drawing on his articles for The Idler he shares his thoughts on the big questions with which we all grapple:What things really matter?What daily worries should we learn to treat as unimportant?How do we become more accepting of ourselves and of those around us?How do we discover purpose in our everyday existence? How do we cope with grief and loss?Drawing in part on his own experience, in part on the wisdom of others, he sets out the principles of enjoying a fulfilled and contented life, and gently points the way to the practicalities of achieving it.
The Houses of Guinness, Adrian Tinniswood (hardback Nov 25)
£30.00
Step inside the historic homes of the Guinness family and enter a world of power, privilege and palatial living. The Guinnesses became famous as brewers, philanthropists and socialites, but they also created some of the most distinctive homes in Britain and Ireland, where they lived, loved and entertained in high style. Royalty was a frequent visitor to Ashford Castle and Elveden Hall.
At Luggala Oonagh Guinness welcomed rock stars, actors and artists. At Biddesden Bryan Guinness lived the life of an urbane country squire, while at Kelvedon his cousin Honor left her husband Chips Channon to play the country gentleman while she ran off with her land agent. The family’s Dublin mansions – Farmleigh, St Anne’s and 80 St Stephen’s Green – were a byword for grandeur and opulence.
And the Guinnesses spent a fortune buying two spectacular country houses, Kenwood and Castletown, not to live in, but simply to save them from destruction and to give them away. Adrian Tinniswood, the bestselling historian of the country house, opens the door to castles and mansions that once belonged to the greatest brewing dynasty the world has ever seen. 'Tinniswood … [is] an erudite historian of country-house life in all its anecdote-worthy vagaries.' – Financial Times'We are in the company of a confident and skilled historian who understands the mores of his era and wears his learning lightly…' – Virginia Nicholson, The Times
The Snail Artist, Dawn Crothers (paperback Nov 2025)
£7.99
Local artist Dawn has put her talent and ability to engage children into the most gorgeous little book. Not only full of her trademark snails, but with a great story throughout, all about encouraging creativity, and with some fun interactive pages at the end. A great children's book.
A Christmas Party , Georgette Heyer ( Paperback, 2015 reissue)
£9.99
‘Tis the season to find whodunit …It is no ordinary Christmas at Lexham Manor. Six holiday guests find themselves the suspects in a murder inquiry when the old Scrooge who owns the substantial estate is found stabbed in the back. Whilst the delicate matter of inheritance could be the key to this crime, the real conundrum is how any of the suspects could have entered the locked room where the victim was found, to commit this foul deed.
For Inspector Hemingway of Scotland Yard, the investigation is also complicated by the fact that every guest at Lexham Manor is hiding something – casting suspicion far and wide…
( Previously titled Envious Casca)
Cold Joy : Experience the Wondrous Power of Cold Water, Libby Delana
£14.99
In this exhilarating guide to well-being, creative adventurer and wellness podcast host Libby DeLana illuminates the many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of cold water. She also explores how creating a daily cold plunging practice taught her self-love, courage, resilience, and the joy of being immersed in a community of adventurous women. For most of her life, Libby DeLana believed she hated the cold—fear of cold became part of her identity.
Then, in the midst of a period of deep personal inquiry, an impromptu dip in icy water in the company of other women cracked something open in her heart, forcing her to reexamine the limiting stories she told herself. If she could learn to love cold, what other beautiful life experiences might await?In Cold Joy, an all-levels guide to cold plunging, DeLana shares her wisdom and expert guidance on how to create your own cold immersion practice for healing, joy, and self-discovery. It features simple-to-follow practices, personal storytelling, essential safety tips, and fascinating details on the science and history of cold immersion, as well as the vibrant community that has sprung up around the practice, providing everything you need to experience the tremendous power of cold water—whether dipping in a sea, lake, river, or tub.
Equal parts inspiring and instructive, and featuring breathtaking photographs throughout, this enriching guide is a must-have companion for anyone curious about cold plunging and a stirring call to open your heart to new adventures, new possibilities, and new joys
100 Books to Live By : Literary Remedies for Any Occasion by Joseph Piercy (Nov 2025)
£12.99
Settle down with 100 Books to Live By and learn which book prescriptions can be dispensed to lift your spirits, whatever you may need. Sometimes, only a good book will help.
In life’s biggest moments and challenges, turning to a book can often help us to navigate our way through. Whether you need a dose of resilience, a course of comfort or a prescription of purpose, this gem of a book offers guidance on everything from love and heartbreak to grief and loss, to friendship and family, and more. These are 100 life-affirming reads and remedies for anyone searching for love, meaning, belonging, purpose and hope in their everyday lives.
Featuring well-known favourites alongside undiscovered gems and modern classics, the literary prescriptions will see you through unsteady waters, whatever they may be. With authors ranging from Haruki Murakami to Sally Rooney, Toni Morrison to Franz Kafka, 100 Books to Live By is the perfect collection of remedies, featuring books from all over the world. Each prescription also features a number of 'Alternative Remedies', so the book includes as many diverse literary prescriptions as possible.
The Snow Thief ( board book), Alice Hemming ( 2025)
£7.99
A hilarious wintery board book from the mega-talented creative duo that brought us New York Times bestseller, The Leaf Thief!
GASP! Where has all the grass gone, Bird? Why is it so white and cold? Squirrel and Bird are back, and this time it's winter! But Squirrel has never seen snow before. Will he like it? You bet he will! Except, just as Squirrel starts to get used to the snow, it disappears! Is there a snow thief on the loose? Another personality-packed story by Alice Hemming, all about how the weather changes when winter comes.
Brilliant illustrations by Nicola Slater that are full of expression and humour With a handy information spread at the back that tells children all about winter and the changing seasons
Brown Bear Wood : A Fold-Out Christmas Village and Advent Calendar! by Rachel Piercey (
£12.99
Count down to Christmas with Bear and his woodland friends in this spectacular advent calendar book - with surprises hidden under 24 doors, festive activities to enjoy as a family and a magical fold-out village to display. Every day of December brings a delightful door to open, with fun, read-aloud rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations hidden behind 24 flaps. With fun, family-friendly activities on the reverse, including: - Tell a Christmas Story with Papa Bear- Write a Letter to Santa with Professor Owl- Bake Carrot Oat Bars for Rudolph with Mama Fox- Build a Snowdeer with the Deer Family- Decorate a Gingerbread Burrow with Bunny- Pick the Perfect Tree with Bear- Make Gift Wrap with the Squirrel Family.
With a gorgeous gold foil case and red ribbon tie that makes this a perfect gift.
Approx 23 x 21 cm
Greek To Us : The Fascinating Ancient Greek That Shapes Our World by John Davie
£14.99
Ancient Greek lives on in our culture in surprising ways. Sometimes funny - the word for an actor, hupokrites, gives us ‘hypocrite’; sometimes beautiful - an astronaut is literally a sailor of the skies. And that’s before we get to the myths which gave us our Achilles heel or our Midas Touch.
And what about crocodile tears, which comes from the Greek’s belief that crocodiles cried while eating their victims!This is a learned but always entertaining journey through the world of the Ancient Greeks, their extraordinary language and how it has shaped our own understanding of the world today. After all, what is language but the frame through which we understand the world? Davie aims to bring more than just humour, he seeks to trace the thread of ancient Greek thought that runs through our own civilization, always with the lightness of touch and fascinating etymology. We meet Eros and Aphrodite, Alexander the Great and Oscar Wilde, the stoics, Epicurus and Sparta.
While this is a book about language and the touching and illuminating presence of the ancient Greeks in our current words, it’s also about how Ancient Greece shapes our culture today.
The Spectator Best of Notes On ... : From Kippers to Jeans and everything in between, by William Moore
£12.99
Book clubs and toffee apples. Hedgehogs and hangovers. Croquet, ferret racing… and everything in between.
The Best of Notes on... gathers the funniest, sharpest and most wonderfully random pieces from The Spectator’s beloved miscellany column. For more than a decade, these short, sharp essays have uncovered the intrigue in the everyday and the delight in digression.
Witty, unpredictable and frequently laugh-out-loud funny, they celebrate life’s odd corners and overlooked pleasures. Expect the unexpected: sharp wit, sideways observations, and the occasional guilty laugh at things you thought only you found ridiculous. With contributions from a dazzling line-up including Tom Holland, Prue Leith, Jon Day, Julie Bindel, Rod Liddle, Laura Freeman, Tanya Gold, Freddy Gray, Simon Barnes, Mary Killen, Ben Fogle, Ysenda Maxtone Graham, Robert Tombs, Mary Wellesley, Julie Burchill — and plenty more besides.
The Spectator Best of Notes on... is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone who delights in life’s oddities. Whether you're buying for a curious friend, a witty relative, or just indulging your own love of the unexpected, this collection is guaranteed to entertain.
The Garden Almanac, 2026
£14.99
RHS The Garden Almanac 2026 : The month-by-month guide to your best ever gardening year
by Royal Horticultural Society
Beautifully illustrated throughout in full colour, it includes artworks by Annie Soudain, photographs, and advice from RHS experts, including Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter. This glorious month-by-month guide is packed full of ideas and projects to set you up for the year ahead.
With all-new advice on what to grow, wildlife to watch out for, and how to get the most from your garden. In this edition: Discover sustainable gardening ideas; Find planting solutions for difficult situations; Learn how to encourage beneficial wildlife; and Get exclusive design tips from modern-day design heroes, such as Cleve West, Tom Stuart-Smith, Tom Massey and Ann-Marie Powell. The Garden Almanac 2026 also includes a complete task list for each month; decorative projects; recipes; pests, diseases and weeds to look out for; seasonal plants and tables charting sunrise, moonrise and the weather.
Rory Sparkes, Hugh Bonneville ( hardback October 2025)
£14.99
Rory Sparkes is a boy with a head full of dreams. He might become a strongman and travel the world with the circus.
Or he might try to make it as a cowboy – that would be a fan-tas-tic second best. Although at the moment he’d settle for missing his maths lesson and making his torch work properly. As he plots to help his best friend, Guy, earn enough money to buy the latest top-of-the-line model boat (so they can set sail for South America), the circus rolls into town and everything spirals out of control.
With Guy needing help doing odd jobs for the terrifying Madame Lowe, and with Clare, Rory’s annoying older sister, planning a dastardly prank, will Rory’s plans ever work out? Let’s see …
The Writer's Table : Famous authors and their favourite recipes by Valerie Stivers
£19.99
These are the dishes that fuelled great writing. Ever wondered what Iris Murdoch might have served for supper, or how Emily Dickinson took her tea? The Writer’s Table brings together dining habits and favourite recipes from some of the world’s most beloved authors, offering a delicious glimpse into their everyday lives and kitchen rituals. Each recipe is paired with a short introduction to the author and dish, along with clear instructions and modern ingredients, making it easy to recreate literary comfort food at home.
With beautiful illustrations throughout, the book is a feast for the eyes as well as the table making you feel closer to the writers you love. Writers and recipes featured include: Leo Tolstoy’s Sour Schi Jane Austen's White SoupColette's Cherry ClafoutisBarbara Pym's Toad-in-the-HoleTruman Capote's Chicken HashAndrea Camilleri's Sardines a beccaficoPerfectly giftable, irresistibly browsable and full of charm, The Writer’s Table is a celebration of food, creativity and the simple pleasures that connect us all.
