Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, is one of the most famous writers in American (and world) literature. Twain had a fascinating life that began in hardship in 1835 (only three of his seven siblings survived childhood) and ended shortly before the First World War. Best known for his writing, Twain was also a gifted raconteur, entrepreneur, publisher, freemason, and lecturer across a very busy life that saw him patent inventions, go bankrupt and receive a PhD from Oxford University, all the while putting out an enormous volume of superbly written literary work. Twain also recorded some of the most biting commentary and criticism of politics and culture and is famous for his brilliant words, aphorisms, one-liners and sayings. He was never a man stuck for words, and he lived through one of the most amazing eras of politics, social and scientific change and evolution. Many of his words are as relevant today as they were 100 years ago and plenty of his classic phrases grace the pages of The Little Book of Mark Twain, alongside numerous extracts from his writings, as well as comment and criticism from his contemporaries, fans and followers. It adds up to a superb overview of the man, his character, his writing and his incredible talent. SAMPLE QUOTE: 'It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.' - Mark Twain SAMPLE FACT: Twain was very close friends with Nikola Tesla and they worked together in Tesla's laboratory.

"If you really want to get under the skin of a city, the 500 Hidden Secrets series, which covers a number of cities from Havana to Ghent, all written by people who know the cities inside out, is ideal. It's an innovative and refreshing take on the traditional travel guide." - The Independent Where are the 5 best places to eat like a Portuguese? Which are the 5 best restaurants for Petiscos? Where can you find the nicest salons and barber shops? Which are the 5 best places to see Azulejos? Where will you find the most unique lifts and elevators? The best Lisbon area beaches? The 500 Hidden Secrets of Lisbon reveals these good-to-know places and many more. An affectionate and informed guide to Lisbon, written by a true local. This is a book for visitors who want to avoid the usual tourist spots and for residents who are keen to track down the city's best-kept secrets.

The best things in life are free! It's possible to enjoy fun-packed days without it costing you a fortune - or anything at all! Let the suggestions in this book inspire you to live out some amazing experiences without spending a thing. Bursting with ideas for cost-free activities, tips to help you live more economically, and pages for you to record your adventures, this book is the ultimate guide to thrifty fun.

Bursting with puzzles, quizzes, trivia and games, this dad-tastic annual packs in hours of fun for fathers everywhere! Whether you're keen to know where you rank on the leader board of all-time "cool dads", want to try your hand at some perplexing puzzles or you just want to add some new dad-dancing moves to your already extensive repertoire, this annual does it all! Includes: Dad style guides Delicious "dad recipes" Fascinating fact files A compendium of conundrums to solve ... and much, much more!

Forging our identities, setting our moods and impacting our culture, any music admirer understands there's a sheer breadth of musical tastes. From the classical era to modern day, here you will discover a curation of lines from composers, musicians and writers. You will find out what music means to those who love it most, the classical musicians, composers and the music devotees around the world. Illuminating, accessible and wholly delightful, this will remind you of the might of music and the importance music holds in our lives. Whether you're looking to be inspired to play, listen or simply to explore new music, A Little Book About Music will hit all the right notes and rock your world. Sample Quotes: 'I would rather write 10,000 notes than a single letter of the alphabet.' - Ludwig Van Beethoven 'Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.' - Sergei Rachmaninoff 'Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.' - Maya Angelou 'If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know.' - Louis Armstrong 'One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.' - Bob Marley

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Relive the delusional fever-dream of the modern era. 'Thank f*ck for Marina Hyde: the most lethal, vital, screamingly funny truth-teller of our time.' PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE 'The most brilliantly funny columnist of our time.' GARY LINEKER 'It's a scientific FACT: Marina Hyde is Britain's funniest writer.' CAITLIN MORAN No other writer is more suited to chronicling the absurd times in which we live. In What Just Happened?! Marina Hyde slashes her way through the hellscape of post-referendum politics, where the chaos never stops. Clamber aboard as we relive every inspirational moment of magic, from David Cameron to Theresa May to Boris Johnson. Marvel at the sights, from Trumpian WTF-ery to celebrity twattery. And boggle at the cast of characters: Hollywood sex offenders, populists, sporting heroes (and villains), dastardly dukes, media barons, movie stars, reality TV monsters, billionaires, police officers, various princes and princesses, wicked advisers, philanthropists, fauxlanthropists, telly chefs, and (naturally) Gwyneth Paltrow. It's the full state banquet of crazy - and you're most cordially invited. Drawn from her spectacularly funny Guardian columns, What Just Happened?! is a welcome blast of humour and sanity in a world where reality has become stranger than fiction. 'A joyous rallying voice in British journalism.' GRAYSON PERRY 'An infinite number of gag-writers, working all day in a gag factory, couldn't come up with any of the perfectly-formed one-liners that populate Marina Hyde's hilarious writing . . . But behind the wit lurks real anger, argument, exasperation and intelligence. Her writing is more than a gentle poke in the ribs: it's a well-wrought and deftly aimed smash in the teeth.' ARMANDO IANNUCCI

Countless writers have been inspired by the beauty of birds - their colours, their easy flight, their lightness and softness, and the grace and whimsicality of their ways. Our literature, especially our poetry, is full of them. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics with ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. Spanning from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, Poems About Birds captures the enticing lives of birds through the eyes of classic poets. From John Keats' 'Ode to a Nightingale' to Sylvia Lynd's 'The Return of the Goldfinches', and from Alfred Lord Tennyson's 'The Eagle' to William Wordsworth's 'To The Skylark', countless varieties of bird are celebrated here. This annotated edition of Poems About Birds selects the very best from H. J. Massingham's original collection which was first published in 1922.

Was Keith Harris's Orville really named after the first-ever flyer? What exactly is a 'Spitfire'? Why did Richard Branson try to cross the Atlantic in a balloon when he owned an airline? These are the questions that fail to keep proper aeronautical historians awake - but no matter, From Wax Wings to Flying Drones is here to answer them. Chock-full of important stuff like planes, pilots and pioneers such as the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart and that man off the telly who used to fly on Concorde, this is a book for everyone who's ever watched a plane in the sky and thought, 'I wonder what its registration is?'

Are you unlucky in love and searching for The One? Look no further! This fun collection of dating tips and romantic guidance will unlock the secrets of love - and make you laugh along the way. Find out how to use a pie chart to banish the ghosts of romances past. Learn how to win at online dating armed with guaranteed conversation starters and a cheat's guide to astrology. And discover top tips for an unforgettable date - from how to whip up an aphrodisiac beetroot dip, to why you should take your new love to the supermarket.

Five classic fairy tales come to life in these new retellings, featuring beautiful original illustrations, die-cut chapter openers and press-out characters. The popular and timeless stories include The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Pea, and Thumbelina with easy to follow and captivating narratives. The book introduces each fairy tale world with intricately crafted die-cut pages, which draw attention to the beautifully imagined setting while offering an interactive element to engage the reluctant reader. What's more, every tale contains press-out characters to collect as you read along - these can then be displayed in a beautiful diorama at the back of the book, making the book a unique and enchanting gift for fairy tale fans of any age.

What better way to say how you feel than with a collection of cute and paw-sitive af-fur-mations? With over 60 bee-autifully illustrated puns for the special someone in your life, this warm and witty book will bring a smile to their face and o-fish-ally capture their heart. Including animal-themed puns such as: • I love you beary much • I moose you when we’re apart • We go so whale together • I wallaby by your side • Always yours, meow and forever The perfect book to give as a gift on Valentine’s Day, anniversaries or just to show someone you care.

The perfect Valentine's Day gift! AS FEATURED IN THE SUN Everything you need to know to have the best sex according to your star sign. Next time you have sex, you'll be seeing stars... Harness the power of the zodiac to guide you to pleasure that's out of this world. From what sex positions will have you ascending, to the turn-ons that'll make more than just the moon rise, as well sex toys, masturbation tips and more - this little book has big astrology energy. A cheeky hardback with foil on the cover corresponding to your sign's element (earth, water, air or fire) and illustrations throughout - this is the perfect guide for out-of-this-world fun. It's time to let your ruling planet show you how to rule the bedroom.

"Who would have thought you could create a cat bed from a washing-up bowl, design a doll's house from an old shoe box or make a flower pot from a margarine tub - all on live television!" Valerie Singleton, Blue Peter presenter 1962-1972 "My ultimate favourite has to be Tracy Island. I loved all the little details, such as the bendable pipe cleaner, palm trees and that it was compatible with the shop bought Thunderbirds toys." Konnie Huq, Blue Peter presenter, 1997-2008 Blue Peter is the longest-running children's programme in the world. At its peak, before the days of streaming and social media, it notched up 8 million viewers an episode and received a thousand letters a day. Recently voted the UK's best children's TV programme of all time, it was - and remains - famous for its makes, all of which used inexpensive household items such as cereal boxes and squeezy bottles, as well as the essential sticky-backed plastic and rubber solution glue. This affectionate celebration of the favourite makes from the show, has facsimiles from the Blue Peter annuals and includes the iconic Advent Crown, made with wire coat hangers, tinsel and candles. A Christmas Door Decoration, made from a polystyrene ceiling tile, some more tinsel and a cake doily. A Luxury Cat Basket, made from a washingup bowl. Plant Pots using old margarine tubs. A Doll's House made from a shoebox (with furniture made from matchboxes). Plus, of course, the instructions for the Blue Peter version of Thunderbirds Tracy Island.

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.

Fifth edition, fully revised and updated. 'something of an institution ... We highly recommend you get a copy for its amusing tone, on-the-nose criticism and Buxton's unerring nose for value' Master of Malt 'excellent' The Sunday Times 'a must-buy for whisky enthusiasts who prefer high-level expertise executed with humour and irreverence rather than lofty academic pretensions ... accessible, funny and fact-packed' Robb Report 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die is a whisky guide with a difference. It is not an awards list. It is not a list of the 101 'best' whiskies in the world in the opinion of a self-appointed whisky guru. It is simply a guide to the 101 whiskies that enthusiasts must seek out and try in order to complete their whisky education. Avoiding the deliberately obscure, the ridiculously limited and the absurdly expensive, whisky expert Ian Buxton recommends an eclectic selection of old favourites, stellar newcomers and mystifyingly unknown drams that simply have to be drunk. The book decodes the marketing hype and gets straight to the point; whether from Canada, India, America, Sweden, Ireland, Japan or the hills, glens and islands of Scotland, here are the 101 whiskies that you really want. Try them before you die - Slainte!

One in four children will suffer from anxiety at some point in their young lives. As a parent it can often be difficult to know how best to support your child when they become fearful and worried, and whether their worries are something they can deal with themselves or a symptom of something more serious. This guide offers ways to help you to help your child articulate how they are feeling and offers effective coping strategies and simple lifestyle tweaks to manage anxiety by building their resilience and self-confidence for life. Identify the source of your child's anxiety Instil good sleeping and eating habits Help your child create a list of calming actions for when they feel anxious Simple relaxation exercises Know when to seek support

Festive fun for all the family! Do you know… • Which band has had the most Christmas number ones? • How many cover versions of ‘All I Want for Christmas’ have been recorded? • Which Christmas song is the most popular single ever released? Can you… • Identify a classic Christmas song from a line sung backwards? • Fill in the blanks of iconic Christmas film lines? • Guess the Christmas film from the critic’s review? Get ready to beat your friends and family in a game of festive charades, discover the joys of Christmas-song Mad Libs, test your competitive side with a game of Who’s in Santa’s Bag?, have a good old-fashioned Rockin’ Robin team quiz, indulge in some merry drinking games; or escape with a Jollyword Puzzle. You’ll soon have Christmas all wrapped up! You’ll find hours of festive fun inside to make sure everyone has a very Holly Jolly Christmas!

**NOW A MAJOR FILM A Christmas Gift from Bob, starring Luke Treadaway as James and Bob himself. A gift book of wisdom from everyone's favourite street cat.** 'One thing I've known about Bob from the very beginning is that he possesses a wisdom that is unusual, even in cats. In the decade since we met he's grown even wiser in my eyes. This book is a collection of the insights I've gained during my years with Bob.' In the spring of 2007, busker James Bowen came across an injured ginger tom cat in the hallway of his shelter in north London. What he didn't know was that this would be the start of a friendship that would turn both their lives around, and lead to A Street Cat Named Bob, the international bestseller that tells the story of their friendship. The Little Book of Bob is a collection of the wisdom James has learnt from Bob throughout the years, as they go through thick and thin together. From the power of friendship to staying calm and finding the joys in a simple life, let Bob be your guide on how to navigate the ins and outs of life like a wise street cat.

Every time the bathroom door closes, a new experience awaits. Kama Pootra is the ultimate poop gag gift for adults. The average human performs approximately 25,000 bowel movements in their lifetime. Sadly, most people never depart from the first poop position they were taught as children. However, there exists another way - fifty-two, in fact! The Kama Pootra is the authoritative educational guide for a new and exciting pooping experience, a governing handbook of free-thinking bathroom conduct. Within these pages, students will find new positions for home or work, alone or with friends, with or without the use of common household items. These lessons are the first step on the tiled path to an enlightened bathroom experience. Place it on the porcelain throne in your guest bathroom for a laugh or give it as a raunchy white elephant gift to a family member. Either way, the Kama Pootra is the perfect poop gag gift for men - or anyone who can't help but giggle at funny poop gifts. There's an entire world of poo-sitions to explore!

The writer who changed America's literary landscape. One of the great novelists of the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway's spare, precise prose captivated critics and readers alike, while his swaggering personality made him a star beyond the literary scene. The author's world was full of daring and danger: he drove an ambulance during the First World War, had a love of bullfighting and boxing, and rushed to see action in the Spanish Civil War. His travels and adventures fuelled his art, while his troubled and often chaotic life was central to his creativity. Packed full of insightful quotes and fascinating facts about Hemingway's life and work, this little book creates an intriguing portrait of the complex man behind the writer. Sample Quotes: 'But man is not made for defeat... A man can be destroyed but not defeated.' - The Old Man and The Sea, 1952 'Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.' - Hemingway, in a personal letter to the publisher, Charles Scribner IV 'But life isn't hard to manage when you've nothing to lose.' - A Farwell to Arms, 1929 Sample Facts: While serving as an ambulance driver during the First World War, Hemingway was badly wounded by mortar fire. He managed to help an Italian soldier reach safety, an action that earned him an Italian Silver Medal of Valour. Hemingway was an avid hunter and fisherman. His zeal for both pursuits worked their way into his fiction, such as the prize-winning novel The Old Man and the Sea and the acclaimed short story 'The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber'.

Discover the wonders of the paranormal with this collection of spellbinding puzzles and brain-training activities, here to focus your mind and inspire creativity Immerse yourself in all things mystical with this assortment of pleasing puzzles and calming conundrums, guaranteed to bewitch and enchant you. From white witchcraft and secret symbols to rituals and runes, the enigmas in these pages will take you on an expedition through the mystical world. Featuring a huge range of puzzles, games and activities for you to enjoy, this treasury of brain-training teasers will help you engage your mind and find peace in your day. Inside you will find: A varied selection of puzzles, including crosswords, word searches, word ladders, anagrams, sudokus, spot-the-differences, acrostics and more Mindful activities to help you relax, such as colouring pages and mazes A selection of enchanting affirmations to awaken your imagination and inspire creativity Stimulate your mind and unlock the secrets of the magic world as you embark on this spellbinding journey.

Walk a llama. Fly a kite. Go star gazing. Ride a steam train. Row a boat. Watch a waterfall. Wonder at life and all its beautiful moments because you only get one chance at it. Discover new ways to broaden your horizons and reach for life-affirming experiences, then record them in these pages. Collect Moments, Not Things will help you break away from a digital existence and create a fulfilled, exciting and happy life.