'A rollercoaster of glorious, criminal wordplay' - Ian Martin, writer of VEEP, THE DEATH OF STALIN 'Shit Literary Siblings celebrates the mundane figures, and the characters that, until now, were destined to lurk in the wings - Donna Quixote, Todd Gatsby, Hubert Humbert included' - The Face The imagined worlds of books are populated by some of the most loved and recognisable characters we know. But for every famous detective, Victorian heroine and beloved children's character there often exists an overlooked, often rubbish, and frequently downright sh*t sibling. These unfortunate nobodies have never had the spotlight turned upon them. Until now. Meet the likes of... Euston Bear - currently living off Burger King wrapper sandwiches after ending up at the wrong station Walter Wonka - a Kettering dentist with a phobia of dwarves Gandalf the Greggs - beardy, pastry-covered piss wizard who spends long periods of time in the high street bakery chain The Honourable Jeremy Dracula - younger brother of the Count. Vegetarian. And many more. With illustrations to help you spot these oddballs hanging around on the streets, SH*T LITERARY SIBLINGS is a must have slice of humour for the book lover in your life.

From Dixie Dean to Tim Cahill, from Harry Catterick to Howard Kendall, from Wembley in 1933 to Rotterdam in 1985, there's never a dull moment watching Everton. Everton FC is perfect half-time reading for Everton fans, featuring famous players, great games, fascinating facts and intriguing incidents. Filled with variety, excitement, and no little drama, Everton FC will make you feel just like you're watching the match.

"The Complete Life's Little Instruction Book" contains the 1,560 entries found in all three volumes of the "New York Times" Bestselling "Life's Little Instruction Book "series. Bound in a deluxe, maroon, leather edition, this collectible hardcover makes a perfectly elegant gift for any occasion.

Though originally written as a gift from a father to a son, its simple message has been enjoyed by men and women of all ages.

"Most of us already know how to live a successful and purposeful life," says the author. "We know we should be understanding and thoughtful, responsible, courageous, and appreciative. It's just that we sometimes need reminding." "Life's Little Instruction Book" is that reminder.

Over 200 pages of legends, spells, facts and mermaid crafts! Do you need a little more magic in your life? What about shimmer? Look no further. Mermania is here! Packed full of over 200 enchanting pages of legends, spells, and facts, plus mermaid-inspired recipes and crafts, Mermania: The Little Book of Mermaids is the ultimate compendium of all things mer-people and their mystical aquatic lore. Did you know? This is the year of the mermaid - The mer-man film The Shape of Water won Best Picture Oscar and Netflix's live action The Little Mermaid streams this summer - with Disney and Universal hot on their heels * Mermaids had a heyday in Israel in 2009 and Zimbabwe in 2012, where they halted government works until beer and rituals were offered * Throughout history, everything from manatees and sea-cows to skate and seals have been mistaken for beautiful mermaids! * Mermaids are believed to cure asthma and earache, and to warn of danger Full of gorgeous full-colour illustrations and plenty of joyful whimsy throughout, Mermania includes everything you could ever want to know about these magical creatures, all in a gorgeous, covetable, iridescent package!

The day Mum didn't get dressed and went on strike, Dad called her 'a Wild Thing' and Mum said 'Cook your own dinner' and stomped off upstairs to have a bath . . . In this hilarious, touching homage to Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, a worn-out mum finds herself floating across time and space to the place where the Wild Mums are. Dazzled by her party tricks, they crown her Queen of the Wild Mums and try to entice her to join their conga . . . But Mum has just remembered who she loves best of all . . . Lovingly illustrated by the award-winning Sholto Walker, this little book is the perfect gift for baby showers, new mums - or any mum who's ever wanted to go on strike.

Everything you ever wanted to know about beer but were too busy drinking it to ask. The Little Book of Beer is a light-hearted, irreverent but also informative book that celebrates beer culture. The book should be something that enlightens the reader while also leaving them foaming (pun intended) at the month at the mere thought of going for a pint. It will show how beer is one of the great unifiers, a drink almost as old as time, and it is something that brings people together and makes them happy. While it celebrates how beer has influenced popular culture and vice versa, it avoids falling into obvious traps of beer snobbery or elitism. 'You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of football team, or some nuclear weapons, but in the very least you need a beer.' Frank Zappa. 'When all else fails, there is music. When that fails you, there is beer.' James Hauenstein.

'The city isn't like it used to be', long-time residents say about San Francisco, neck and neck with New York for America's highest cost of living, as newly arrived coders and designers share stories about the stratospheric price of a place to sleep or a loaf of sourdough bread. But this is exactly what San Francisco has always been - an open mined and open-hearted city that changes with every generation of newcomers. San Francisco is perhaps America's greatest hotbed of invention. The birthplace of the blue jean, television and the Twitter hashtag, the Beats and the Hippies, the United Nations and the Pride Parade, San Francisco has been shaped by waves of discovery and change, both in its geography and its residents. Yet the essential San Francisco remains the same place the Spanish missionaries founded back in 1776, a jewel of a city constrained and protected by its peninsula. SAMPLE TEXT: In 1867, San Francisco instituted America's first 'ugly law', which prohibited unsightly people from showing their faces in public. (It's since been repealed.)

The psychological impulse to discern faces in random patterns on inanimate objects is known as pareidolia. It has brought us the Virgin Mary on a cheese sandwich, the shroud of Turin, Elvis in a cup of coffee, the man in the moon, and Aunt Mary in a cloud formation. In this delightful and funny gift book, you can test your ability to find faces in all kinds of places, including building facades, electrical sockets, and fruit. Examples of pareidolia are all around us, and you will be amazed at what you will see!

Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, one of America's largest and best-known churches, shows you how to lead a Purpose-Driven Life. This Miniature Edition (TM). will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you--both here and now, and for eternity.

Instant Science pulls together all the pivotal scientific knowledge and thought into one concise volume. Each page contains a discrete 'cheat sheet', which tells you the most important facts in bite-sized chunks, meaning you can become an expert in an instant. From Copernicus to Curie, gravity to climate change, atom bombs to the International Space Station, every key figure, discovery or invention is explained with succinct and lively text and graphics. Perfect for the knowledge hungry and time poor, this collection of graphic-led lessons makes science interesting and accessible. Everything you need to know is here.

After 30 years of being a disciple, Simon Ponsonby began to reflect on whether he was amazed by Jesus, or whether he had lost his first love, having a relationship with Jesus that was predictable and dutiful. Did Jesus still amaze him or just employ him? ISBN 978-1-910012-18-5 As he reflected on this question, Jesus drew near to him, and Simon began to write a poem about Jesus, marvelling again at who he was and what he had done. Amazing is a touching and inspiring poem about just how amazing Jesus is - the perfect devotional for mediating and reflecting on Jesus, to help meet with him right where you are. Illustrated with the author's photographs, which position amazing truths in a stark and contemporary setting, and drive their message home all the more, this simple, honest and moving poem is a wonderful gift to help others to encounter the amazing person of Jesus too.

From YouTube superstar, TV presenter, model and fact-obsessive over-sharer Jim Chapman comes a hilarious user's guide to the universe. In 147 Things, Jim takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the best bits of everything, from the mind-blowing to the ridiculous. As with his videos, no subject is off-limits and he'll lift the lid on his life and his relationships, sharing embarrassing stories and things he's learnt along the way. If you've ever felt weirded out by the fact we're seven billion (mostly) hairless apes spinning around a giant ball of flaming gas, or that we all begin as tiny humans INSIDE our mothers, or that many of us keep slightly-less-dangerous wolves in our homes, then you need this book in your life. Jim wants to inspire you with the sheer unlikelihood of us all being here and equip you to feel just a little less overwhelmed by the small stuff.

'Heartwarming, magical and uplifting' In today's throwaway culture, there's a counter movement growing that urges us to 'make do and mend'. The BBC's The Repair Shop has brought this waste-conscious message to an even wider audience, with its regular viewing figures of 7 million in the UK alone, cementing itself as a classic series in the vein of Antiques Roadshow. This new book concentrates on the show's much-loved experts, including woodworker and furniture restorer Will Kirk, clock restorer Steve Fletcher, metalworker Dominic Chinea, silversmith Brenton West, leatherworker Suzie Fletcher, upholsterer Sonnaz Nooranvary, and seamstresses Julie Tatchell & Amanda Middleditch - aka The Teddy Bear Ladies. Each of the experts shares their own stories and their repairs, capturing in the process the magic and ethos of the barn. Includes quotations and Q & As from the experts as well as Jay Blades on some unique restoration collaborations. With the focus on the experts themselves, readers will feel as though they're stepping straight into the 'workshop of dreams' and experiencing first hand the magic of the barn.

FOR FANS OF WRECK THIS JOURNAL - *THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION* - FOR READERS AGE 12+ What would the movie of your life look like? This fun, creative illustrated journal challenges you to map out your dream life and colour it in! Social media encourages us to share everything. As a silent act of rebellion, this illustrated edition of Burn After Writing invites you to put your phone down, pick your pen up and turn sharing nothing into an art. Draw yourself in and express what you really think... This is an interactive book that's all about you, and just for you - your very own game of Truth or Dare. Write in it, draw on it, colour it in. And when you're finished, toss it, hide it, or Burn After Writing. [Previously published as Burn After Writing Teen]

The Academy of Independent Creators in Watchmaking (Academie Horlogere des Createurs Independants, AHCI) is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2020: that's over one-third of a century of total independence, creativity, exhibitions, and sharing watchmaking craftsmanship. Here, AHCI, the oldest organisation in the world devoted to protecting independent, artisanal watchmaking, presents an inside portrait of its members and candidates. They share their most iconic creations and their knowhow, give guided tours of their workshops, and offer a glimpse into their own private world. This dive into the beating heart of independent watchmaking is for all lovers of creativity and authenticity, be they connoisseurs of fine craftsmanship or experienced collectors willing to take the road less travelled.

Challenge yourself at home with number puzzles For anyone who loves the challenge of Su Doku but manages to solve them within minutes, you can now enjoy the extended mental workout and ultimate endurance test of a five grid interlinked system. This is Su Doku multiplied: every column, row and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 to 9. Where the puzzles overlap, the rows and columns do not go beyond their usual 9x9 length but the interlocking boxes give you more clues - and more complexity. With another 100 new Samurai puzzles to vex you for hours, lose yourself in the four levels of this book: 10 Easy 40 Mild 40 Difficult 10 Super difficult Even the speediest of Su Doku solvers will be agonising over these ultra-complex, extended brainteasers. These are the most difficult Su Doku puzzles in The Times range.

Are immigrants taking our jobs, or are they all slobs? What does 'I'm colourblind' mean and why does it make no sense? And just how can you spot a Karen from a mile away? This illustrated collection of verse tackles these issues and more. This is a delightfully caustic and refreshing book that will have readers thinking deeply and laughing out loud.

Ireland has given the world so many wonderful things – Liam Neeson, of course, and loads of other stuff. Yes, Ireland is perhaps the most magical and mysterious nation on earth. No one would dare disagree – them would be fighting words. Ireland is the spiritual home – and actual residence – of a wealth of infamous and adored authors, artists, and icons and an island full of ancient Celtic mysticism and traditions. Beloved by the millions who visit each year, Ireland never disappoints. With its traditional Irish music, scenic coastline and a limitless supply of Guinness, The Little Book of Ireland is the perfect companion, overflowing with craic and facts, stats and wisecracks, and a little bit of local lingo thrown in for good measure. In a nutshell: This tiny tome is Ireland triple-distilled and fits perfectly inside the palm of your hand. There's only one thing left to do - Sláinte! 'Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.' - Pope John Paul II Sean's Bar, in Athlone, is the oldest pub in Ireland. It's also widely believed that it's the oldest pub in the world – dating back to 900 AD. Fancy a pint?

The Little Book of Astrology is an accessible introduction to everything you need to enhance your life using astrology. On Twitter and Instagram you will have no doubt seen memes poking fun at everyone's signs - but do you know what they really mean? The Little Book of Astrology breaks down each of the 12 sun signs, covering their traits, good and bad points, and attitudes to love, life and work. Each sign is explored in a clear and simple way - and perfect for anyone who wants to know more about the symbols, elements, qualities, birthstones and more about each sign.

Discover wilderness as nature intended - the pristine places on our beautiful planet that still remain untouched by human hands. Explore the rugged mountains, clear waters and dense forests of the great outdoors, from the Himalayas to the Rockies, from icy fjord and to desert plateau and everything between. Including information on the best trails and trips to take around the globe, and inspirational quotes from explorers, conservationists and writers, this bitesize book will help wanderers of all walking speeds reconnect with the wonderful world outside their windows. SAMPLE FACT: Blaze: When wanderlusting in the wilderness, and lost, look to the trees to help you find a path. A blaze is a coloured marker, usually painted or nailed to a tree. It helps guide hikers when a trail becomes difficult to follow or makes an abrupt turn.

If you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win numerous battles without a single loss. – Sun Tzu, The Art of War Written in the 6th century BC, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is still used as a book of military strategy today. Napoleon, Mae Zedong and Douglas MacArthur all claimed to have drawn inspiration from it. And beyond the world of war, modern-era business and management gurus have also applied Sun Tzu’s ideas to politics and corporate strategy. This pocket illustrated dual-language edition not only presents the original Chinese characters with James Trapp’s translation on the facing page, it also tests Sun Tzu’s ideas against history. Each of the 13 chapters includes a new commentary giving examples of how Sun Tzu’s wisdom has been borne out on the world’s battlefields. When, for example, has information provided by spies changed the course of a battle? How has history shown Sun Tzu’s ideas on the importance of terrain in conflict to be true? And where can we best find examples of strategic warfare being waged? From the ancient world to the 20th century, the battles featured will be illustrated with colour battle maps, paintings and artworks. Of immense influence to leaders across millennia, The Art of War Illustrated is a classic text richly deserving this illustrated and expanded dual-language edition.

Overpaid players. Sunday lunchtime kick-offs. Absurd ticket prices. Non-black boots. Football's menu of ills is long. Where has the joy gone? Why do we bother? Saturday, 3pm offers a glorious antidote. It is here to remind you that football can still sing to your heart. Warm, heartfelt and witty, here are fifty short essays of prose poetry dedicated to what is good in the game. These are not wallowing nostalgia; they are things that remain sweet and right: seeing a ground from the train, brackets on vidiprinters, ball hitting bar, Jimmy Armfield's voice, listening to the results in a traffic jam, football towns and autograph-hunters. This is fan culture at its finest, words to transport you somewhere else and identify with, words to hide away in a pub and luxuriate in. Saturday, 3pm is a book of love letters to football and a clarion call, helping us find the romance in the game all over again.

Van Gogh's Irises, painted during his last year of life while residing at Saint Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France. Painting soothed his soul and this one shows the influence of his collection of Japanese wood block/ukiyo-e prints. Our Mini Notebooks are full colour hardcover pocket sized books featuring bright accents on the edges of the paper. The paper is lightly printed with a dot-grid, perfect for note taking, list making and doodling. 120 pages dot-grid paper sky-blue edge paper pad portable size 127 x 89mm. hardcover lay-flat binding smooth matte finish cover art We choose the best images from well-known classic and contemporary fine artists, plus talented emerging illustrators and designers from around the globe. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) had an artistic career lasting only ten years. However, in those years he left behind an astounding legacy of painting that has endured to this day. He was a mad genius and he poured that passion into the trembling energy of his paintings. His canvases are celebrations of humanity & earth, colour & texture.