What could be a more tempting Christmas gift than a compendium of David Sedaris's best stories, selected by the author himself? From a spectacular career spanning almost three decades, these stories have become modern classics and are now for the first time collected in one volume. For more than twenty-five years, David Sedaris has been carving out a unique literary space, virtually creating his own genre. A Sedaris story may seem confessional, but is also highly attuned to the world outside. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence. And it is almost impossible to read without laughing. Now, for the first time collected in one volume, the author brings us his funniest and most memorable work. In these stories, Sedaris shops for rare taxidermy, hitchhikes with a lady quadriplegic, and spits a lozenge into a fellow traveler's lap. He drowns a mouse in a bucket, struggles to say 'give it to me' in five languages and hand-feeds a carnivorous bird. But if all you expect to find in Sedaris's work is the deft and sharply observed comedy for which he became renowned, you may be surprised to discover that his words bring more warmth than mockery, more fellow-feeling than derision. Nowhere is this clearer than in his writing about his loved ones. In these pages, Sedaris explores falling in love and staying together, recognizing his own aging not in the mirror but in the faces of his siblings, losing one parent and coming to terms - at long last - with the other. Taken together, the stories in The Best of Me reveal the wonder and delight Sedaris takes in the surprises life brings him. No experience, he sees, is quite as he expected - it's often harder, more fraught and certainly weirder - but sometimes it is also much richer and more wonderful. Full of joy, generosity, and the incisive humor that has led David Sedaris to be called 'the funniest man alive' (Time Out New York), The Best of Me spans a career spent watching and learning and laughing - quite often at himself - and invites readers deep into the world of one of the most brilliant and original writers of our time.

Dive into the fascinating world of coastal wildlife with this holiday pocket guide. Featuring 40 beautifully illustrated pebbles, shells, crabs, small sea creatures and more, discover more about life between the tides with The Little Guide to Shorelines. Each entry has been delicately illustrated by printmaker Tom Frost to capture its individual characteristics, and is accompanied by associated facts and fables. There is also an interactive spotter's guide at the back, where you can check off what you find. This informative, practical and beautiful guide is part of a new nature series designed to encourage creativity through exploring the outdoors. An activity for adults and children alike, enjoy The Little Guide to Shorelines on your next trip to the sea.

A collection of insightful philosophical thoughts and stories, in which Paulo Coehlo offers inspiring answers to profound questions to delight spiritual seekers everywhere. It has proved to be a perfect gift-book in the few countries in which it has been published so far. This will be the first English translation.

This book is a jewel for all of us who look for meaning in our daily lives as we struggle along the spiritual path. Within each of us is a Warrior of Light. Each of us capable of listening to the silence of the heart, of accepting failure without letting it get us down and of holding onto hope even in the face of weariness and depression. Values like love for all things, discipline, friendship and learning to listen to our own hearts are the arms with which this warrior confronts the battles we face in the name of personal growth and in the defence of the light. On every page there is an inspirational thought, which can be read as part of Paulo Coelho's whole philosophy or used form the basis of a daily meditation. The Manual of the Warrior of Light is a handbook that shows human beings how to live as spiritual beings in the material world.

With practical tips and soothing affirmations, enjoy a sense of peace wherever the day takes you with the calming influence of this beautiful book As our lives become increasingly busy, it may feel like stress is controlling you, rather than the other way around. Stress Less will help you to take back control and tackle your worries head-on by introducing lasting and positive changes in the form of simple calming techniques and handy tips to ease your everyday stresses. Guiding you to create a trouble-free mindset, inside this book you will find: How to practise mindfulness to ground yourself Ways to introduce self-care and regular “me� time Fun ways to spend time in nature in order to experience its calming influence Actionable tips to wind down before bed to ensure a good, restful night’s sleep Stress Less also includes powerful affirmations and mantras that can motivate and inspire you. Pause to find calm in the everyday with this handy guide.

For real mums at their wits' end, this grown-up activity book is perfect for all mothers in a bad mood.

Let's face it: motherhood gives you SO many reasons for bad moods. From stretch marks to toddler rage and teenage sulking – it's as if your little (or not so little) darlings seem to have been put on this earth just to drive you up the wall. With The Little Book of Bad Moods for Mothers, you can finally drop the pretence of holding it together and simply explode. Without hurting anyone. Here are just some of the cathartic activities:

What UNWANTED advice have you been given about being a parent? Fill out the answers!

Draw yourself BEFORE AND AFTER pregnancy. Be very realistic.

What are the MOST IRRITATING characteristics that your child has inherited from your partner? A chance to secretly moan about your partner too!

What would you REALLY like to say to your child? Resist the urge! Write it down instead.

What is the most IDIOTIC TEEN TREND you have witnessed? Be honest...

So, if you have to stop yourself screaming louder than your crying infant or throwing food back at your terrible toddler, remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. This book is for you.

The popular and reliable New King James Version, now with the enhanced readability of Thomas Nelson's custom NKJV font, is the perfect gift. The NKJV Deluxe Gift Bible is a great way to celebrate graduations, baptisms, birthdays, or special achievements. This beautifully crafted Bible comes in a variety of Leathersoft (TM) covers and includes gilded page edges, a ribbon marker, a presentation page, the words of Christ in red, full-color maps, charts, and a dictionary-concordance. Features Include: Improved readability of the Thomas Nelson NKJV Font Words of Christ in red Easy-to-use dictionary-concordance Miracles and parables of Jesus Ribbon marker Gilded page edges Presentation page Full-color maps8.1-point print size

A handy guide to the meanings and origins of the many foreign phrases we use every day. English as we know it today is enriched with many borrowings and influences from other languages. Aficionado, chutzpah, pro bono, hoi polloi, ketchup, nous, zeitgeist - we use these foreign words every day without thinking of their origins, but what do they actually mean? And just how and why did we English speakers absorb such exotic imports? Each phrase has a fascinating history; colonialism, foreign trade, invasion and immigration all have their role to play in the evolution of our language. Did you know, for example, that 'lingua franca' is Italian for 'Frankish language' - a name given to a mixed common language used by diplomats of different nationalities in medieval times? Or that the seemingly modern 'bandana' comes from the Sanskrit for the ancient Indian technique of tie-dying fabric? A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi is an accessible and entertaining treasury of information that 'connoisseurs' (French) of the English language will love!

Finally, you're a proper grown-up! But between the paunch and the mortgage, you're starting to wonder if this is what you really want. You need midlife crisis survival skills: Stop calling it a midlife crisis and start calling it Teenagehood part 2. Do go to the gym occasionally. Don't train to join the Olympic weightlifting team. This mischievous little book will help you enjoy your second youth with tongue-in-cheek advice and cheeky illustrations.

Dive into this challenging collection of the world's favourite puzzle, with 210 brand-new sudokus to savour. The Guardian's sudoku puzzles are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people every day and are now available in this carefully curated compilation. These previously unpublished puzzles increase in difficulty as the book progresses, so will test everyone from a sudoku novice to a seasoned expert.

A beautifully illustrated bingo game featuring 64 breeds of cat from around the world. Spot all kinds of cats - from Tonkinese to Siamese, and from Bengals to Birmans - mark them off on your card and ... BINGO! Cat Bingo brings a fun and educational twist to the traditional game as players learn the names, colourings and characteristics of their favourite breeds. Contains 64 superbly illustrated cat tokens, one playing board, 12 bingo cards and brightly coloured counters for you to mark up your card. Also includes a leaflet containing information on each of the cats included.

LOVE is LOVE is LOVE Love with pride and passion. Love with kindness and tenderness. Love with all your heart and soul. This collection of beautiful thoughts and joyful quotes from diverse voices is a celebration of what love means, and why love will always win.

Chanel: Style Icon charts Coco Chanel's fashion evolution through 70 beautifully illustrated style moments including pieces from her famous wardrobe, her most iconic looks and her own special kind of styling. From the invention of the little black dress to pioneering trousers for women and pearls perfect for every occasion, this book showcases how Chanel was a supreme innovator of all things elegant and beautiful. Chanel's genius wasn't limited to clothing, her ambitions saw her move into making accessories such as the 2.55 padded flap bag and, of course, the signature Chanel No. 5 perfume. As well as charting Coco's personal and professional journey into fashion royalty, the book also looks at the legacy of the Chanel brand and the influence of another fashion legend - Karl Lagerfeld. Tastefully and stylishly illustrated throughout, this volume is a must-have for admirers of Coco Chanel, fashion historians and fans of fashion illustration.

Little Book of Yves Saint Laurent is the pocket-sized and exquisitely illustrated story of 60 years of innovative fashion design.

An enigmatic, daring and astonishingly creative designer, Yves Saint Laurent is credited with the elevation of haute couture to fine art, turning the fashion show into a spectacle of breathtaking proportions, and revolutionizing the gendered norms of womenswear.

Describing Saint Laurent's beginnings in Algeria as a precocious boy making miniature garments from fabric scraps, Little Book of Yves Saint Laurent depicts, in beautiful photographs and insightful text, the designer's ascent from fashion student to the right-hand of Christian Dior. Going on to found his own fashion house in 1961, Saint Laurent created his famous 'le smoking' trouser suit, brought the leather jacket to the mainstream and astounded the fashion world with his blend of elegance and artistic drama.

Little Book of Yves Saint Laurent is a stylish gift for any lover of fashion.

Be brave, be bold, be inspired and write about your BIG ideas.

The Fantastically Great Women Big Ideas Notebook, inspired by Kate Pankhurst's extraordinary picture book series, invites you to use your imagination to shape the future! There are pages that include Fantastically Great Women quotes and decorated pages inviting you to write your own strong messages, thoughts and memories.

Meet Mary Anning, who discovered amazing fossils, Josephine Baker, one of the world's most iconic dancers, Valentina Tereshkova, who travelled all the way to space and so many more women who will inspire you! With lots of inspirational quotes, like 'Shine like the star you are' and 'You are capable of things you never thought possible', this fun notebook should always be on hand. Inspiration can strike at any moment!

You've already survived 100 per cent of your worst days Life sends challenges to us all, but this little book is here to provide you with a boost of self-confidence when you need it most, acting as your personal cheerleader and lifting you up when you're feeling down. Brimming with empowering affirmations and uplifting quotes from some of the world's most inspirational figures, You're Doing Great will kick-start the feel-good vibes and remind you just how amazingly awesome you are. Featuring a sunny design and cheerful affirmations to deliver a dose of positivity every day Find your inner pizzazz with kick-ass quotes from a range of inspirational people, from Lizzo to Lady Gaga Dip into it whenever you need a boost and let the encouraging words spur you into action Even the smallest moment of positivity can transform your outlook, and this pocket-sized book is the perfect reminder to keep doing what you're doing, because you're doing great!

A stunning and quirky collection of underwater photography, with miniature figures posing in an inventive aquatic world. Created by world-renowned underwater photographers, this gorgeous book takes an alternative look at mankind's journey by using models of miniature people placed in beautiful and humorous situations undersea. Providing an alternative perspective on life, Small Blue World is a clever and thought-provoking collection of impressive imagery that tackles some of the wider ecological issues facing our oceans. Ultimately, it poses the question: how can humans and nature exist in harmony? Playful, perceptive and visually striking, this impressive and often humorous book uses photography and the power of the imagination to entertain, inspire and offer a different outlook on our lives.

Stretch your powers of logical deduction with these 200 new Su Doku puzzles, in easy, medium and difficult categories. Keep your mind sharp and test your powers of deductive reasoning. The ideal pastime while, travelling on holiday or relaxing at home. There are puzzles here for all levels ranging from easy, through medium and difficult. Coffee Break Su Doku will satisfy on every level.

'It's now becoming easier and easier to predict government policy. Just listen to what the prime minister said in the morning and the opposite is likely to be true come the middle of the afternoon.' Throughout another year of bluster and bedlam in Westminster, John Crace's brilliantly acerbic political sketches have once more provided the nation with a much-needed injection of humour. In A Farewell to Calm, Crace introduces an infectiously funny selection of his finest pieces from 2020-21, taking in everything from a summer of unfathomable U-turns to Christmas Covid confusion, and from lockdown-lifting to Brexit blithering. Led by Boris's poundshop Churchill tribute act, and featuring a cast of everyone's least favourite pantomime villains, from Classic Dom Cummings to Door Matt Hancock, the end result is a brilliantly entertaining chronicle of another tumultuous year on these benighted islands.

The Little Book of Going Green aims to shed light on the ways humans are harming the environment, from pollution and deforestation to industrial production and farming methods. Filled with facts, theories and tips on how we can do our bit for the planet, this is your one-stop guide to making every aspect of your life earth-friendly.

Dispel negative self-talk, soothe anxiety and promote positivity with these thoughtful and inspiring quotes, sayings and affirmations. Harness the power of positive thinking with affirmations that you can use every day to attract health, healing, abundance and peace into your life. These affirmations - based on the law of attraction, that positive thoughts will bring positive results - will help balance your mind and body and help you face challenges in your life by encouraging balance, resilience and greater self-esteem. The book is organized thematically to cover such categories as love and relationships, growth and abundance, gratitude, confidence and self-esteem. Both everyday affirmations and celebrity and literary quotes are given throughout. SAMPLE QUOTES 'I am better than I used to be. Better than I was yesterday. But hopefully not as good as I'll be tomorrow.' Marianne Williamson. 'Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm Possible'.' Audrey Hepburn SAMPLE FACT The word 'affirmation' comes from the Latin affirmare, originally meaning 'to make steady, strengthen'; by saying, hearing or writing a powerful affirmation, you manifest it into your brain over and over again until you believe the affirmation.

A Sherlock Holmes Escape Book: The Adventure of the Tower of London is a unique form of puzzle book, in which the reader must solve the riddles to escape the pages. The fourth title in this ingenious series of Sherlock Holmes Escape Books, The Adventure of the Tower of London is an exhilarating combination of escape room, puzzle book and adventure story. Inspired by the urban craze for escape rooms, where players tackle puzzles while trapped in a locked room, it is an escape room in the form of a locked book, filled with codes, ciphers, riddles and red herrings, and a clever Code Wheel set into the cover. In the latest adventure in the series, readers will take on the role of the world's foremost consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes's nemesis Moriarty has locked Sherlock's friend, the musician Odon von Mihalovic, with the CrownJewels in a cage in Tower Bridge the night before a special ceremony is due to be held for the Queen. Holmes and Watson are themselves trapped in the nearby Tower of London by Moriarty, and they must work through the night and against the clock to find and free Odon from the cage to prevent him being disgraced in the ceremony the following morning. Combines riddles, logic puzzles, timed challenges, mathematical brain-teasers, maps and mazes.

Some questions you never think to ask. Others, you didn't know you didn't know. And some facts are so surprising they cry out for answers.

What can a president actually do? Why do cities sink into the ground? Why is Australia seemingly invulnerable to recessions? Why do people in couples do more housework than singletons? The brilliant minds of the Economist collect these questions. Individually, they might seem bite-sized and inconsequential, but taken together they can reveal a whole new world.

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.

Whatever dream you’re working toward, a few wise words can help make the challenge easier. This uplifting little book is packed with inspiring quotations and simple but effective tips to help you get the most out of every day.

Running: Cheaper than Therapy is a witty and expertly compiled compendium of running wisdom and humour. From fantastic running quotes (`How do you know if someone ran a marathon? Don't worry, they'll tell you.' -Jimmy Fallon) and hilarious spectator signs (`Worst parade ever!') to witty potted profiles of different types of runners (charity muggers, gadget gurus and inexplicably good old dears) and PB-busting training tips, Running: Cheaper than Therapy is designed to be the perfect gift for the runner, jogger or triathlete in your life. Written by a Telegraph and Guardian journalist and self-confessed running nut, this smartly packaged and brilliantly knowing miscellany details entertaining, real-life runners' stories (being overtaken by a kid/OAP or getting lost while training) and takes a humorous look at the mistakes runners make (wearing a brand new pair of trainers for half marathon or getting so pumped by your morning run you have arguments with everyone at work).