I am lucky enough to get invited to the HQ Digital Showcase. The last one I went to had the amazing Louise Candlish talking about her new book. Louise is incredibly talented and there was such a buzz in the air when she was talking. A true superstar author with a fantastic career. We hung on her every word. There wasn’t much information about the book but it was about holiday homes and the housing crisis. I knew immediately that I wanted to read it. I couldn’t wait. Luckily, time goes fast and the book was in my hands soon enough and, damn, what a corker. My invitation to Pine Ridge did not disappoint. Charlotte and Perry have owned their clifftop holiday home for years and now their city friends, Amy and Linus, have bought a home nearby. The two couples and their families look forward to a fun summer socialising and sipping rosè. Problem is, the locals are sick of being priced out of their home and now they’re protesting, headed up by the charismatic Robbie. What follows is an intriguing novel that entertains with every single page. I read Our Holiday months ago and it has stayed with me. From the well-rounded characters you can’t help but feel you really know, to the clever plot that weaves every trail together beautifully. Our Holiday is one of the books of the year. Written by a writer at the top of her game. This is the perfect summer thriller. Grab a copy now. You won’t regret it.
Fight Heart Disease Like Cancer by Michael McConnell is a must read for everyone. It is a fantastic book that lays down the facts of heart disease and then tells you how to avoid it. This book is a gift to humanity. I know that may seem like overkill, but if everyone read it, and impacted the changes, then it would save millions of lives.
Micheal McConnell, a cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University School, is clearly a man with a passion. People do not take heart diseases seriously enough and there are many myths about bit. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. It also presents differently in women and women are more likely to die from it. He has even given all author royalties from sales of this book to the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. An impressive man indeed.
Unbeknown to many, the main cause of heart disease—the world’s number one killer of women and men—is a cancer-like “tumour” inside the coronary arteries that keep our hearts beating. Although this similarity to cancer is well-established in medical journals, most people (and their health care providers) don’t approach heart disease as seriously as cancer, even though it’s just as deadly. In Fight Heart Disease Like Cancer, cardiologist Michael McConnell shares the stories of his family, patients, and research to lay out a modern and effective approach to preventing, screening for, and treating heart disease like cancer to avoid its dire consequences.
Highlighting the latest research on the substantial overlap between heart disease and cancer—from shared risk factors to screening for early detection to new and powerful therapies—Dr. McConnell also highlights the many ways our society can reduce heart disease for all. Fight Heart Disease Like Cancer will guide you step-by-step on how to prevent, screen for, and treat heart disease to live a healthier and longer life.
Out now | Hardback 232 pages | ISBN 9781421448466 |
The travel landscape has changed immensely over the past few years. New advancements have disrupted the industry, changing international travel from a luxury only few could afford to a more accessible experience for more people, Accommodation apps like Airbnb can connect travellers to low-cost lodging as an alternative to traditional hotels or motels, allowing people to spend more money on experiences and activities, food and drink, or shopping. Expensive airfares were also a struggle for many travellers and continue to be for some, but now there are several ways people can score good deals on their international flights to avoid breaking the bank.
Don’t let flight costs ruin your travel plans; here are a few tips on finding affordable flights for your next international holiday:
Compare low cost flights
If you don’t have a destination in mind yet, it can help you stay flexible so you can compare international flights for various locations and see where you can score low prices. You can find cheap flights using comparison websites or tools that will show you the different prices. This way, you can avoid paying more and pick the most affordable option. easyJet offers a low-fare finder tool where you can get an overview of flight prices to the destination of your choice or other places so you can find the cheapest dates and times available. Compare prices for locations like Greece, Italy, Spain, and more, which can not only guide you to lower costs but also a potentially new adventure. If you’re more of a spontaneous traveller, you can also find last-minute deals that can help you find the most affordable option, even if you’re booking close to your flight date.
Avoid the rush
Booking a flight time during the airport’s busiest hours or during peak and holiday seasons can increase flight prices due to the demand, and you’ll be competing with large crowds of fellow holidaymakers. Rather than going with the rush, opt for flight times when demand is lower, such as early morning flights or red-eye flights—flights that depart at night and arrive in the morning. Airports charge lower fees for their take-off spots at these times, which is why they’re cheaper. Avoid buying flights during peak travel seasons as well, as demand also causes more expensive airfares. Booking during the off-season can be cheaper, but you can also fly during the shoulder season, which is between the peak and off-season. You’ll see fewer tourists compared to busier, in-demand dates. Shoulder seasons vary depending on your destination, so doing some research can help you determine when to fly for cheaper prices.
Evade hidden fees
Even if you book an affordable international flight, hidden fees and surcharges can add to your costs, which can be frustrating and affect your careful budgeting. Airlines can charge you for priority boarding, flight alterations, onboard wi-fi, and even blankets; knowing what to expect can help you plan and budget accordingly to avoid these fees. Baggage fees are some of the more common ways you can get charged extra; if your checked-in bag is overweight, you may be charged per extra kilogram, and the costs depend on the airline. You can avoid such costs by purchasing your extras fees in one go when you buy your ticket so you know what prices you expect to pay. You can also pack smarter by wearing additional layers of clothing, rolling and folding your clothes to maximise space, or packing light in your carry-on bag to avoid checking in your luggage if possible. It also helps to be extra careful about planning your flight so you can avoid changing seats or flight details, which also come at a price.
Finding the perfect flight takes time and a little strategic planning. By following these tips and being flexible, you’ll be well on your way to securing affordable flights and turning your international getaway dream into a reality!
Photo is free to use under unsplash licence by Ross Parmly (@rparmly)
The largest Spring gathering of the international publishing industry assembled at Olympia today, as The London Book Fair kicked off its first day. Thousands of exhibitors and visitors from the UK and around the world gathered to do business, share expertise, network, and attend sessions covering topics including platforming marginalised voices, sustainability, tips for writers, social media, and new global trends.
Gareth Rapley, Director of The London Book Fair,said: “What an amazing opening day of LBF! It’s been brilliant seeing global publishing all under one roof and the excitement in the room has been so great to see. the buzz has been incredible. From our International Author of the Day, Taylor Jenkins Reid, to the Selfie Awards and incredible talks from authors including Gavin Esler, Lemn Sissay, Kit de Waal, and Joe Haddow, it’s been an incredible first day. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back across the next two days.”
Clockwise from Top Left to Bottom Right: Gavin Esler, Lemn Sissay, Kit de Waal and Joe Haddow on Author HQ, A busy Olympia for The London Book Fair 2024, Taylor Jenkins Reid, International Author of the Day, Jonathan Karp of Simon and Schuster in conversation with Porter Anderson
Jonathan Karp, President and Chief Executive Officer at Simon & Schuster, and Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief at Publishing Perspectives, held the opening keynote address, which explores S&S’s outlook on the evolving world of content and the innovative directions they envision for the future.
Jasmine Richards, Founder of Storymix, Vicky Palmer, Creative and Marketing Director, Hodder & Stoughton, Ken Wilson-Max, Publisher at Kumusha Books and HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Hannah McMillian, Director at Midas, delved into their expert advice on how to prepare for the publication of your next book, with
Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President Executive Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins Publishers, Ain Chiara Bensenouci, Publishing Consultant, Jojo Schlattner, Senior Social Media Manager and Ashley Baugh, Associate Director at Midas, shared how authors can use social media to boost their brand and promote their books.
International Author of the Day, Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times and Sunday Times Bestselling author of Mailbu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, joined Leonel Teti, Editorial Director at Urano World on the Main Stage to discuss her career and inspiration behind the strong women featured in her popular quartet. Guests at The Fair were excited to hear that Reid’s new project will involve “a good love story.”
Jaclyn Swope, Senior Account Manager at Nielsen BookData, provided an insightful talk of the local and global factors driving varied book markets in 2023, through the combined data of Nielsen BookScan and GfK. The talk revealed that there were over 1bn book purchases in 2023, the top three countries for book sales were France (325m), UK (199m), and Italy (105m)t, and Colleen Hoover remains on all top five bestseller lists across EU and outside.
During the How I Write panel, authors Gavin Esler, Lemn Sissay, Kit de Waal, and Joe Haddow, shared a glimpse into their writing life, and offered insight into how they wrote their best-known books and poetry, find creative inspiration in the everyday, value feedback from the people around them, and how important it is to uphold the human voice in all writing.
Alexander Buchler, Director at Literature Across Frontiers, Dr Richard Davies, Publishing Director at Parthian, Bianca Bellova, Author, and Shelia O’Reilly, Board Member at European & International Booksellers Federation celebrated the European Union Prize for Literature and its evolution and impact on translation across European literacy scenes over the year.
Sir Chris Bryant, Shadow Creative Industries and Digital Minister visited The Fair, adding: “It was a pleasure to visit The London Book Fair and to see the UK’s publishing industry in action. The sector is a huge driver of economic growth in the UK and we are proudly the largest exporter of books in the world. We need to address publishers’ concerns so the industry can thrive and continue to contribute to the wider success of the UK’s Creative Industries.”
The 2024 BookBrunch Selfie Awards winners were also announced with Julia Boggio, taking home Best Adult Fiction for Shooters, Jill Michelle Smith and Jennifer Watson taking Best Children’s Book for Extraordinary Extinct Prehistoric Minibeasts: A First Guide to Fossils, and J F Penn winning Best Memoir/Autobiography for Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking.
World Book Day is upon us and The Gruffalo a first read for 1 in 8 children.
The Gruffalo most popular first read for British children as nation prepares to celebrate World Book Day
One in eight children have The Gruffalo read to them as their first book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and That’s Not My… series complete the top three
44% of parents read to children from birth
However, those parents who were late to reading themselves could be stunting their own child’s progression
As the nation prepares to celebrate World Book Day on March 7, a new study has unveiled that The Gruffalo is the go-to book when it comes to reading to our children for the very first time.
The survey, commissioned by The Works, aimed to uncover reading habits among parents and children and whether our own experiences of reading influences how we read to our children, as well as the top books we read to children today.
And the results proved overwhelmingly favourable towards Julia Donaldson titles, with The Gruffalo taking the crown as the number one read book to children. Joining The Gruffalo among the most popular, but just outside the top 10 were the likes of Zog and Room on the Broom, meaning one in five children have a Donaldson book read to them as their very first story.
Donaldson books were joined by some old favourites, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is still the second most read book to children as a first read despite being over 50-years-old, while the That’s Not My… series, written by Fiona Watt, is the third most common set of books read to children as their first reads.
The full top 10 first books parents read to their children:
The Gruffalo
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
That’s Not My…
Guess How Much I Love You
Peppa Pig
Spot
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Dear Zoo
Winnie the Pooh
Harry Potter
When it comes to the age in which we’re reading to our children, book lovers will be pleased to see that 44% of parents pick up a book to engage their children in storytime from birth, while a further 27% of parents do so from under the age of two.
However, the study also revealed that 10% of adults today don’t remember reading their first book until they were in secondary school, resulting in parents 20% less likely to read to their child under the age of two. Alongside this, less than one in five parents that don’t recall reading until after the age of 12 will introduce reading to their own children from birth.
World Book Day takes place on Thursday March 7, 2024. The Works are supporting the charity and are encouraging children and parents to bring their £1 book token into stores between February 15 and March 31 to exchange their token for a book from the World Book Day 2024 range.
I love overnight oats. Easy-to-make, good for you and tasty. What more could you want? Linwood have an amazing range of delicious overnight oats with extra benefits. I love them and can’t recommend them enough.
Indulge guilt free with Linwoods Strawberry flavour Energy Overnight Oatswhich deliver energy yielding metabolism and tiredness reduction through its supporting nutrients Vitamins B6 and B12.
Chocolate flavour Protein Overnight Oats are high in plant-based protein for muscle growth, and magnesium which combats tiredness and fatigue and supports muscle function. One 50g serving of this blend delivered 11g of plant-based protein which supports growth and maintenance of muscles.
Or why not try the Energy Overnight Oats in a natural flavour allowing you to customise your own oats with whatever toppings you prefer whilst also adding those energy supporting B Vitamins into your diet.
Known for their health credentials with their milled seed range, Linwoods newest innovation takes the hassle out of developing your own overnight oats recipe. Nowadays our lives are busy and we need convenience but that can’t take away from the importance of a healthy diet, in fact, a healthy diet is a must to feel good and get the most out of life.
Soak: Simply soak 50g of oats with 100ml of your favourite milk and stir.
Chill: Cover and leave in the fridge overnight.
Enjoy: Grab and go or add some of your favourite toppings to make it your own.
No matter what your lifestyle, Linwoods Overnight Oats will get your day off to a flying start. The new range is available to buy now at www.linwoodshealthfoods.com.
Tasty, gorgeous and decadent. No, we’re not just talking about your Valentine’s Date. These macaroons are a gorgeous treat for that someone special and each one has its own delicious flavour – including Dulce de Leche, Pink Lemonade and Chocolate Strawberry.
We bet the humble aubergine never imagined it would become a symbol for things of a steamier nature, but here we are. The perfect gift to spark some flirtatious banter or just make them roar with laughter, you can make it your own with a personalised message.
Love is in the air, and Xīn and Voltaire are poised to redefine romance this Valentine’s Day with their indulgent collection of frozen sorbet cocktails, bringing the joy, sophistication, and unforgettable sensory experiences to every date night and galentines celebrations this year.
These sorbet cocktails taste great and are deliciously alcoholic. They also look great. There are a decadent and stylish treat for a moment of joy.
Xīn and Voltaire has reimagined the way we enjoy cocktails, offering creatively conceived, luxuriously crafted frozen sorbet cocktails that cater to every palate. By harnessing innovative technology and cutting-edge science, Xīn and Voltaire has made it possible to freeze alcohol at a higher ABV, ensuring that for the first time, the complex flavours of bar-quality cocktails are preserved in a frozen format, and elevated with the texture and mouthfeel of a sorbet.
This Valentine’s Day, Xīn and Voltaire invite cocktail enthusiasts to create enchanting moments with their loved ones. Whether it’s a unique gift for a special someone or the perfect low-maintenance, yet elevated welcome drink to a galentines soirée, Xīn and Voltaire’s signature serves are sure to steal the spotlight; savour straight from the tub and serve with a spoon, or scoop into champagne coupes and top with prosecco for an at-home twist on the classic Sgroppino.
With a diverse menu of four vegan, low-calorie and gluten-free frozen sorbet cocktails, each blend is sure to cater to various palates and captivate the senses. From the floral and elegant notes of Florian, the vibrant combination of dark rum, coconut liqueur and mango in Alphonse, the effervescent Giselle with mezcal and raspberry for a twist on the classic margarita, and finally Aurelie’s warming winter notes of wood and caramel released from single malt whisky and amaretto.
Xīn and Voltaire’s on-demand delivery and personalised orders make it easy to enjoy these unique frozen sorbet cocktails in the comfort of your own home. Priced at £9 per cocktail, or £32.40 for their Taster Collection and Love Sharing Collection Boxes. Simply add to basket, select the preferred delivery date and the products will arrive at your door already frozen.
You can also share the joy with an elevated date night at Sabine Rooftop Bar, where Xīn and Voltaire has partnered to create the ultimate Lover’s Week. The secret garden in the clouds is an oasis from The City, allowing guests to be transported to a hidden space away from the busy London streets, and where you can enjoy beautiful views of St Paul’s. Incorporating a bespoke Valentine’s menu running from 13th-17thFebruary, expect the immaculate setting to be accompanied by indulgent sorbet cocktails, sharing plates and entertainment.
For more information about Xīn and Voltaire’s revolutionary sorbet cocktails and to discover the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day celebrations, visit www.xinandvoltaire.com
