Category Archives: Life & Style

A new wave in nutrition: Meet the company behind the rise of ‘Smart Foods’

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A new wave in nutrition: Meet the company behind the rise of ‘Smart Foods‘

In a country where 40% of people resort to junk foods when hungry, Smart Foods are set to revolutionize our relationship with nutrition

Noel Bollman, CEO of food-tech innovators, yfood, discuss the importance of Smart Foods as an alternative to junk foods 

‘Smart Foods‘ are the forward-facing answer to our national nutrient deficit. Their popularity has seen a stratospheric rise in both Europe and the UK. With the smart food market in Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands alone is estimated to be worth around €10-20 billion in the medium- to long-term, with annual growth rates of up to 50 percent. Having tripled their revenue in 2020 and doubled the figures in 2021, yfood recently announced their run-rate of €100 million in just four and a half years of trading.

A future facing concept being ushered into the mainstream – Smart Foods are nutritionally complete ‘meal alternatives’ that supplement 26 key minerals and nutrients. Having all of the caloric and nutritional benefit of a full meal, but in the form of a shake, powder or protein bar. Instead of feasting over a soggy midday sandwich or snacking on crisps to keep satiated, ‘Smart Foods‘ provide a viable alternative for those of us who are on-the-go. If we are to stick to the age-old adage that food is fuel – why not choose foods that actually fuel us as opposed to sugar-laden snacks and sodium-saturated sandwiches.

European food tech innovator, yfood, has recently hit supermarket shelves – introducing its range of protein bars, powders and shakes to the British diet. Aiming to reform the country’s relationship to unhealthy eating, yfood has launched their Classic Choco and Smooth Vanilla with Co-Op, with the drinks retailed at £3.50. The meal alternatives offered by the smart food innovators comes complete with 26 key nutrients and is available in a variety of flavours and plant-based options, with one serving (500 ml) of yfood providing consumers with around 34 g of protein, 68% of your daily protein needs.

yfood, smart eating

Why ‘meal alternatives’? 

yfood‘s nationwide launch leverages the benefits of having a nutritionally complete, yet delicious, product that is not meant to replace all your meals – but compliment a healthy and varied diet. The concept of the ‘meal alternative’ slots in with our faced-paced lives – in between work, school and personal responsibilities it is unrealistic to have perfectly planned meals for every occasion. yfood‘s modern approach to nutritional nirvana aims to work around speedy lifestyles that lend themselves to poor eating habits. A survey conducted by yfood revealed that 40% of Brits only resort to junk food when on-the-go, indicating a huge gap in the market for a product that not only comes in delicious flavours like Classic Choco and Smooth Vanilla, but contains essential nutrients and vitamins to keep us going throughout the day.

Noel Bollmann, CEO and co-founder of yfood comments:

“Smart food is not intended to replace classic eating with fresh and high-quality foods – on the contrary: a varied and diverse diet is and remains essential. Nevertheless, the reality is that many people do not always manage to eat a balanced diet due to lack of time or availability problems. In these situations, Smart Food helps people to eat better in the long term. Thus, Smart Food is a completely new category of food that competes with junk food and bad eating habits, but not with conventional food.”

I tried Smart Food on a busy week working while also taking care of my toddler. They are filling, delicious and made me feel healthy. Highly recommended.

What a bunch of goodies from Joffe Books this week, but when isn’t it?

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On this beautiful weekend, with hoar frost transforming the landscape, and perhaps creating a slightly mysterious feel, Joffe’s book of the week seems fitting. This London-based crime thriller series by Michelle Kidd — SEVEN DAYS TO DIE is out now for the very special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99, and very gripping it is too. 
Meet Detective Jack MacIntosh in this absolutely new crime thriller complete with a fabulous twist – gasp – you won’t see coming

                            

Dectective Michael Angel by Roger Silverwood Books 22-28 £0.99/$0.99

What about this for a great buy – a 7, yes SEVEN book box set to keep you out of mischief for ages and ages…

Detective MacIntosh is hunting a brutal killer on the streets of London. A killer who delights in playing twisted games. Who will win this battle of wits…?

Filled with quirky characters and heart-stopping suspense, Roger Silverwood’s enthralling mysteries are perfect for fans of R.D. Wingfield, Colin Dexter, Peter Robinson, Reginald Hill or Agatha Christie.

Detectives Paterson & Clocks by Steve Parker Box set Books 6-8 £0.99/$0.99 (fabulous jacket) 

Be still my beating heart: tension and laugh aloud humour. What’s not to like… and love… and adore…    Meet Paterson and Clocks — the detectives who never play by the rules. Love it, love it.

Falling in Love at Nightingale Farm by Emma Bennet  £0.99/$0.99

For the romantic at heart, try this: Polly, a Londoner through and through is asked to help John save his farm. The only problem is that John’s son doesn’t think she knows anything about farming. It’s a tricky start, but soon farm and Polly and… Nope, read it. Ahhh.

Now, let’s lift the curtain into Joffe Books back-room gang and hear from the newbie  – Jasmine Callaghan  who, amongst other things, writes the blurb for Joffe’s books. This, my friends, is a tricky job as I have found when my publishers once upon a time asked me to try my hand at blurbs for my own books. Disaster! So I was pretty smartly relieved of the task.

WHAT I DO

Joining at the very beginning of 2023, I’m the newest proud member of the Joffe Books team. In a nutshell, I project manage some of our incredible titles (both new and from our backlist) and have the exciting job of writing our blurbs and briefing our amazing catalogue of talented cover designers.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR

I can’t wait to publish lots of brilliant books! I’m privileged to be working alongside an incredibly talented bunch who I have lots to learn from. I’m also excited to make my own mark on Joffe Books, especially regarding diversity in the industry.

FAVOURITE BOOKS

I love the Gothic, so naturally I’m a huge fan of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Fun fact: German soldiers used the book as a code to send secret messages during WW2. I also regularly find myself re-reading His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, The Stranger by Albert Camus and The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji. I’ll stop now because I could go on forever.

You can find out more on offer with Joffe Books here 

 

Wainwright Memories: a heartwarming gem from Wainwright aficionado Chris Butterfield, one which details three little known stories about the much missed fellwalker who opened the eyes of so many to the joys of walking in the Lake District

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 Wainwright Memories is required reading but more than that, it must be kept safe. For it is a book worth stroking, reading, and basically treating  like a precious treasure. Could that be anything to do with the author,  Chris Butterfield, who is an ardent admirer, not to mention collector of all things Wainwright? Well, of course.

Butterfield has turned his passion for Wainwright’s life and work into 220 pages printed on high-quality photographic paper, containing invaluable insights from Wainwright’s former publisher, Andrew Nichol and recreations of beloved Wainwright photographs. It is  beautifully presented, and quite frankly, is the No 1 gift for a walker, or Wainwright fan.

‘Never let it be said that you can’t turn your life’s passion into your work,” says Butterfield. ‘I can’t think of anything more worthwhile than introducing more people to Wainwright and to the Lake District itself. There’s no more beautiful place on earth to walk and lose a day… or two.”

Hmmm, actually the Yorkshire Dales are pretty good too, just saying, and Hadrian’s Wall has views that satisfy. Perhaps an idea for Butterfield to pursue? But enough of my ramblings…

So, what is within the covers?

Wainwright Memories chronicles three little-known stories involving Alfred Wainwright that took place over three consecutive years, 1988-90. The stories are based on reminiscences by Wainwright’s former publisher Andrew Nichol and include illustrative maps by Pictorial Guide reviser Chris Jesty.

Chris Butterfield, an inveterate walker, grabs us by the hand, and revisits several locations featured in each story. In this way past and present photographs and stories take us into another world, one we are reluctant to leave.

The Scotland Trip: Alfred Wainwright loved Scotland and visited regularly. A close friendship developed with his publishing manager, Andrew Nichol, and Wainwright decided to invite him on his next holiday – and the wives came too.  So all four walked amongst  the  stunning beauty of Scotland. It is a trip that Butterfield revisits, and therefore so do we.

Story Two is The Unfinished Book: Wainwright started work on a new book to complement his best-selling guidebook A Coast to Coast Walk. It was intended for those who prefer to meander and sightsee rather than tackle the hills, but would it ever come to fruition? It starts at St Bees on the Cumbrian Coast and ends at Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Yorkshire Coast that crosses three of England’s finest National Parks. I found it fascinating accompanying Wainwright and Andrew, and then Chris and Priscilla Butterfield.

The Langdale Shoot: way back Andrew wanted some new photographs taken of Wainwright to be preserved as part of his legacy. Their good friend Ken Shepherd would be the photographer for one of Wainwright’s final photo shoots in the Lake District. This project produced some stunning photographs, as does Butterfield as he revisits some locations. These include-

But… hang on.  Enough.  You need to read the book yourselves, but carefully. It is beautifully presented, and holds within its pages the essence of Alfred Wainwright, this quiet, reserved walker who opened the eyes of so many to the glories of our wonderful country. Just as Chris Butterfield does, just as evocatively as his hero.

Butterfield explains: “This book was a true labour of love, and it’s been fantastic to see the impact it’s already had on those who’ve read it. Whether it’s their first introduction to Wainwright, or whether they see him as a lifelong guide to the fells, Wainwright Memories has something for all to explore and discover.”

Frost Magazine couldn’t agree more. It truly is a must read, and keep safe book. And should be bought as a gift for all those friends who love to walk.

Wainwright Memories is available now:  https://chrisbutterfield.com/books and

https://www.alfredwainwright.co.uk/               @ £24.99

 

 

Body by James Davies: The Book Your Body Needs

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There are no words for how much I love this book. I think it should be on every single book shelf. I injured myself ten years ago and I have already learned a lot on how to heal and fix my body. The information in this book is gold. It covers every part of the body and tells you how to heal it. James Davies covers what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to pain. I refuse to be without this comprehensive book, which is the equivalent of having your own personal osteopath. Buy it now.

 

The ultimate guide to preventing pain and fuelling your body to its fullest health potential. He is world renowned and the osteopath to stars, including David Beckham and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Ultimate strategies to prevent pain and fuel your body to its fullest health potential.

Simple techniques and strategies to:

Heal

From stress and anxiety, to everyday wear and tear and injury, life takes its toll on our bodies. Now, internationally renowned osteopath James Davies can help you heal your body.

Reset

With tips and tricks to help recognise, manage, and treat everyday aches and pains, this book will reset your approach to understanding your body. James presents a revolutionary blueprint for holistic body wellbeing.

Restore

Improve your wellbeing with exercises expertly designed to optimise your body. Enhance your health and mobility by understanding common conditions from arthritis and muscle strains, to IBS and stress, and empower yourself with the knowledge you need to achieve full-body health.

Body is available here.

DIANE HARDING ON HER HARROWING MEMOIR, ALWAYS IN THE DARK

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My memoir ‘Always in the Dark’ tells of secrets, scandal and survival.  It is an extraordinary account of my bizarre homelife and is my search for answers from a family shrouded in secrets.  A mysterious tale of growing up, unbeknown to me, with my mother trapped in a menage a trois on a continent from which there was no escape, it tells of her selflessness, sacrifice and of putting others first.

After my parents emigrated post war, my idyllic and cosy childhood was ruined at the age of three after the arrival of a mysterious and glamorous visitor with my roller coaster existence and mother’s mental breakdown adding to my confusion during my formative years.

Although the first half of the mystery unfolded in the leafy suburbs of Cape Town, after moving to England at the age of fourteen the scandal continued to follow us around.  It was obvious my home life was a weird one and it was only after my mother’s death decades later that I rummaged through her secret box and discovered a wealth of staggering information I did not know about, the unimaginable circumstances cleverly hidden from me during my early years.  But I was a young child when it all began and the fact that I had lived my life to the point of naivety was beyond baffling.  But it was my mother’s life-long confidante, her sister Linda, who supplied me with many missing pieces of the puzzle and whose revelations helped clarify many of my childhood mysteries including the reason why I was to be an only child.

Making my heinous discovery was difficult to grasp and the realisation that I had lived through the trauma as the child of the victim equally upsetting; rage, bitterness, anger and a disbelief that my childhood had been dismantled by greed and my mother treated with such humiliation consuming me.  And because of the hurt and embarrassment my shocking revelation was not something I felt willing to talk about, least of all with my husband, a secret I kept from him for two long years.

The search for the truth sent me on numerous missions to talk with close friends and family only to discover that I was the last to know, hence the title ‘Always in the Dark’.

For too long domestic abuse has been a hidden issue and in order to raise aware of the horrors of coercive control I am now on a mission to encourage people to open up and tell their story which for me has been life changing.  It is a known fact that it is particularly hard for older people to open up and will experience abuse for twice as long before seeking help compared to those who are younger.  Writing my memoir has not been an easy ride but out of it has come great solace which has allowed me to come to terms with my past and move on.  I did not want to be someone with a massive grudge, determined never to allow my past to spoil my future.

This is a book about final freedom, my openness which I hope will help others to come forward and speak out and to understand that however traumatic a situation there is hope and a way through to happiness.  I am a firm believer that to experience the tough times gives us backbone in order to cope with what life throws our way.

 

 

 

 

 

9 Winter Skincare Tips from the Experts

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As we welcome the comfort of knitted jumpers in preparation for winter, the change in weather can wreak havoc on our skin, causing it to become dry, chapped, and tight. We’ve called on some skincare experts for their best tips on how to bring comfort and hydration to our skin during these colder months…
1) Autumn is the BEST season to introduce or re-start your actives
Chemical engineer, skincare formulator, and consultant Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz says, “Autumn is a good time to restart on acids and retinoids if you have avoided them during summer. If you have normal to dry skin, you can start on your retinol serum and alternate that with either a glycolic or lactic acid serum (so one-night retinol, one-night acid, one-night rest). On top of that go for a rich, buttery moisturiser with peptides, urea, and ceramides, with a shea or mango butter base. For combination and oily skin, you can introduce any retinoid serum product and alternate with a mandelic acid serum. On top of your serums go for a lighter moisturiser with plenty of humectants such as urea, panthenol, glycerin, and light emollient oils and esters. Avoid shea butter, mango butter, etc. in your moisturiser if you have oily skin. Ingredients like dimethicone and poly-silicone 11 are good in autumn and winter for dry and even oily skin as they protect the skin against dehydration by creating a breathable barrier over the skin.”
Product recommendation – BeautyPro RETINOL 1% Overnight Serum, £8.95 The Fragrance Shop
2) You still need SPF
Chartered Scientist, and founder of SOS Serum Skincare range, Bruce Green says, “Don’t think that because its cold and there is little sun that you can dispense with your sun block. Wearing SPF all year round will reduce and can prevent cumulative sun exposure damage which can result in fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration and even skin cancer. I recommend products with SPF 20/30 during the winter months.”
Product recommendation – SOS H20 Day Cream with SPF 30, £16 sosserum.co.uk
3) Keep skin barrier healthy
Skincare Educator for SBC Skincare Lyndsey Flannery says, “Your skin will become drier and often more sensitive with the onset of colder weather and central heating. As well as hydrating your skin with drinking lots, gentle cleansing is a must as you need your skin barrier to be as healthy as possible so that it can retain vital moisture. As a rule of thumb, if your skin feels tight after washing it is likely that the cleanser you are using has disrupted your skin barrier. Skin should feel calm and hydrated after washing, so if you are reaching immediately for your moisturiser you may want to consider a gentler cleanser.”
Product recommendation – SBC Skincare Propolis & White Willow Gentle Milk Cleanser, from £6.50 sbcskincare.co.uk
4) Pay attention to sensitive skin
Skincare specialist, and founder of Bedew Skin, Rachael Robertson says, “Those with sensitive skin may experience heightened or more significant cold or wind sensation than those without. Although everybody’s reason for sensitivity is different, some research suggests that one factor may be that people literally have different degrees of sensitivity in the nerve fibres connecting our skin to our brains. Using a richer or more soothing moisturiser with ingredients like CBD, Vegetable Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, can help balance things out and calm skin that experiences irritability.”
Product recommendation – Bedew Moisturiser, £19.99 bedewskin.co.uk
5) Layer up at bedtime
UK Representative for COSRX Julia Marinkovich says, “My number one tip is to embrace using a more occlusive, rich product, especially for the evening routine, which can help maintain a healthy skin barrier. Overnight masks are a great option for all skin types overnight as a little goes a long way, with even oily skin benefiting from the overnight hydration and nourishment. Look for ingredients like Rice, Glycerin, Betaine, and natural oils including Sunflower Seed. The occlusive effect of such ingredients essentially shields the skin and gives it time to repair itself or maintain its natural barrier function.”
Product recommendation – COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Spa Overnight Mask, £23 Beauty Bay
6) Protect lips from ‘lick eczema’
Bruce Green explains, “The lips comprise of multiple thin layers of skin. They do not contain sebaceous glands and therefore cannot produce the oils necessary to self-moisture. In winter particularly, lips can become dry so hydration and moisturisation is the answer. Drink lots of water and avoid licking them. Licking sore lips will only exacerbate dryness and can cause what is referred to as ‘lick eczema’. On top of this many people don’t realise that lips need just as much protection as your face from UVA/UVB.  It is vital to use a lip formulation with a sun block – SPF 15 being the minimum. Your lips do not have the ability to produce as much melanin as the rest of your skin – they need protecting especially on the snowy slopes with high sun reflection.”
Product recommendation – SOS Lip, £16 sosserum.co.uk
7) Prevent dry chapped hands
Lyndsey Flannery says, “Hands are very high risk for becoming chapped and sore in winter, the main culprit? Lack of moisture. During winter, the humidity in the outside air plunges. Inside, things are even drier, thanks to indoor heating. If you’re washing your hands frequently to avoid catching a cold or the flu, you could sap whatever natural oils are left in your skin. Opt for a hand cream that has intensively nourishing ingredients that also help with skin irritation, such as Propolis, Safflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E. You can use creams throughout the day, but if you’re really struggling apply a rich layer of hand cream under cotton gloves at night. After a few nights, the skin barrier will start to heal.”
Product recommendation – SBC Skincare Propolis & Safflower Intensive Hand and Foot, £10.50 sbcskincare.co.uk
8) Skin conditioning facial mists
Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz says, “Facial mists or essences typically play a role in providing hydration to the skin before applying serums and moisturisers. I believe in making each step of your skincare routine count to be as effective as it can be. So, find a facial mist/essence with serum properties, which will allow you to elevate the results of your serum. Mists with emollients such as ceramides, dimethicone, plant or seed oils such as squalane or jojoba oil, and caprylic/capric triglyceride, prevent dryness and protect the skin by acting as a barrier and healing agent, as well as soothing and softening the skin by filling the space between skin flakes with a droplet of oil.”
Product recommendation – The Jojoba Company Jojoba Water Toning Mist, £13.95 thejojobacompany.co.uk
9) Exfoliation is key
Rachael Robertson says, “While you may think exfoliation should be avoided if your skin is feeling a little dry, the opposite is true. Gentle exfoliation shifts sluggish skin cells to reveal fresh skin and promote a healthy glow. Exfoliating is even more key in winter when our skin is getting all flaky, plus it will also help to prevent breakouts.”
Product recommendation – Bedew Skin Instant Enzyme Peel, £19.99 bedewskin.co.uk

Great Books To Read Now

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The Hiking Trip by Jenny Blackhurst

I loved this pacy thriller. I honestly didn’t see the ending coming. One of my fav books I have read recently. Superb.

Don’t trust everyone you meet here…

A young British backpacker goes missing on the West Coast Trail.

No one is sure whether she died or simply disappeared.

Apart from Laura.

Twenty years later, a body has been found.

And there’s only one person who could reveal the secret that Laura’s been hiding all this time.

But she knows that two can keep a secret.

IF ONE OF THEM IS DEAD.

The Hiking Trip is available here.

Looking Out For Love by Sophia Money-Coutts

I have read all of Sophia Money-Coutts’s books and they just get better. The characters, the plot, everything about this book is pitch perfect. It’s like the perfect caper rom-com. 

Stella Shakespeare isn’t having a good day, or month come to think of it. She’s been unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend, cut off from the bank of dad and at 32 years old, she doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life.

What Stella really wants is to find love. She wants all-consuming, can’t-think-about-anything-else, can’t-even-manage-to-eat kind of love. What she found beside her in bed that morning wasn’t love. But when a tall, handsome man in a well-fitting suit walks into her life, she thinks she’s finally found The One.

Everything seems to be falling into place now Stella has met the man of her dreams and has an actual job working with a private investigator nicknamed The Affair Hunter. Although seeing relationships in trouble shakes Stella’s own trust and makes her question if she’s been looking for love in the wrong places all along…

Looking Out For Love is available here.

The Coming Darkness by Greg Mosse

A superb dystopian thriller. This ambitious debut really draws you into this futuristic world and doesn’t let go. Intelligent and entertaining. 

A massive new talent in British fiction, Greg Mosse’s storytelling is complex and finely crafted, combining twisting plotlines, intelligent dialogue and ambiguous characters, all skilfully brought together in an epic climax. Never before has dystopian fiction been so chillingly real.

Set in an alternate near future in which global warming and pathogenic viruses have torn through the fabric of society, The Coming Darkness follows French secret operative Alexandre Lamarque on the trail of global eco-terrorists. Lamarque’s target is set on destabilising the controls placed on global governments that protect human life from climate change. One wrong move and the world could be plunged into darkness.

From Paris to North Africa, Lamarque is drawn into an ominous sequence of events: a theft from a Norwegian genetics lab; a string of violent child murders; his mother’s desperate illness; a chaotic coup in North Africa, and the extraction under fire of its charismatic leader.

Experience has taught Alex there is no one he can trust – not his secretive lover Mariam, not even his mentor, Professor Fayard – the man at the centre of a deadly web of government control. Lamarque rapidly finds himself in a heart-thumping race against time, the one man with the ability to prevent chaos and destruction taking over.

The Coming Darkness is available here.

One Last Secret by Adele Parks

I’m a huge fan of Adele Parks. Her writing is so sharp and entertaining that she makes it look easy. I love Dora, the escort who’s had such a tough life and triumphed. Will one last secret bring her down? This is a glamorous thriller that is sometimes sad, but keeps you entertained until the last page. A must read.  

Another incredible domestic thriller from the Sunday Times number one bestselling author of sensational books like Both of You….

One last client….

A week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France—it should be a straightforward final job for Dora. She’s a smart, stunning and discreet escort and Daniel has paid for her services before. This time, all she has to do is convince the assembled guests that she is his girlfriend. Dora is used to playing roles and being whatever men want her to be. It’s all about putting on a front.

One last chance….

It will be a last, luxurious look at how the other half lives, before Dora turns her back on the escort world and all its dangers. She has found someone she loves and trusts. With him, she can escape the life she’s trapped in. But when Dora arrives at the chateau, it quickly becomes obvious that nothing is what it seems….

One last secret….

Dora finds herself face to face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. And as old secrets surface, it becomes terrifyingly apparent that one last secret could cost Dora her life….

From the Sunday Times number one bestseller Adele Parks comes a blisteringly provocative novel about power, sex, money and revenge.

One Last Secret is available here.

Islands by Mark Easton

I really loved Islands. Well-researched with lyrical prose; it’s enchanting and endlessly fascinating. 

No man is an island, wrote John Donne. BBC Home Editor Mark Easton argues the opposite: that we are all islands, and it is upon the contradictory shoreline where isolation meets connectedness, where ‘us’ meets ‘them’, that we find out who we truly are.

Suggesting that a continental bias has blinded us, Easton chronicles a sweep of 250 million years of island history: from Pangaea (the supercontinent mother of all islands) to the first intrepid islanders pointing their canoes over the horizon, from exploration to occupation, exploitation to liberation, a hopeful journey to paradise and a chastening reminder of our planet’s fragility.

But that is only half of this mesmerising book: aided by the muse he names Pangaea, Easton also interweaves reflections on what he calls ‘the psychological islands that form the great archipelago of humankind’. Taking readers on an enchanting adventure, he illustrates how understanding islands and island syndrome might help humanity get closer to the truth about itself.

Brave, intelligent and haunting, Islands is a deep dive into geography, myth, literature, politics and philosophy that reveals nothing less than a map of the human heart.

The Island is available here.

Busy Betty by Reese Witherspoon

Not only did I love this book, but my daughter did too. A fantastic story with an important message. The illustration is also wonderful. 

From Academy Award-winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart.

Busy Betty has always been busy . . . even when she was just a baby!

When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can’t have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae’s help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea.

From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young listeners to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible!

Busy Betty is available here.

Love My Reads Box.

If you are looking for a gift idea I can recommend Love My Reads. A subscription box which comes with a book and lots of treats every month. Mine came with Dear Dollly by Dolly Alderton. A great book with lots of good advice.

 

Have I Got News For You: The Quiz of 2022.

I’m a huge fan of Have I Got News For You. This book is hours of fun. Funny as ever. Great for yourself or others. Grab a copy now. 

Whatever word you’d care to apply to 2022, no one can deny it’s been eventful. Russia invaded Ukraine, Boris Johnson resigned, the Queen passed the baton to Charles after a 70-year reign, heat records were broken, food and energy bills went through the roof, fading celebrities discovered that libel laws are a great way to generate publicity, Liz Truss spent more money in her first week as PM than anyone since the war, and – as usual – most of the biggest stories broke while HIGNFY was off the air.

What better way, then, to commemorate a year most of us probably want to forget than with over 1,000 quiz questions about it? There’s the Missing Words Round, the Odd One Out Round, loads of rounds that we’ve nicked from other puzzle books, and for any insomniacs out there, there’s even one on the Labour Party.

With questions on everything from politics to pop culture, and Paul Merton and Ian Hislop’s predictions for 2023, Have I Got News For You: The Quiz of 2022 promises hours of entertainment (albeit probably by candlelight) and will serve as the ultimate souvenir of a rollercoaster year.

Available here.

With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher.

This is a quirky and original story from a fresh voice. Kept me hooked until the last page. A heartwarming and beautiful romance.

If you knew how your love story ends, would you dare to begin?

From the outside, Lorelai is an ordinary young woman with a normal life. She loves reading, she works at the local cinema and she adores living with her best friend. But she carries a painful burden, something she’s kept hidden for years: whenever she kisses someone on the lips, she sees how they are going to die. But she’s never known if she’s seeing what was always meant to be, or if her kiss is the thing that decides their destiny. And so, she hasn’t kissed anyone since she was 18.

Then she meets Grayson. Sweet, clever, funny Grayson. And for the first time in years, she yearns for a man’s kiss. But she can’t…or can she? And if she does, should she try to intervene and change what she sees?

Spellbinding, magical and utterly original, With This Kiss is one love story you will never forget.

With This Kiss is available here.

Small Acts of Kindness by Jennifer Antill.

This is a brilliant historical novel from a writer who really knows their stuff. Outstanding. 

St Petersburg, 1825. Imperial Russia still basks in the glory of victory over Napoleon, but in the army and elsewhere resentment is growing against serfdom and autocracy. Vasily, a pleasure loving, privileged young man, returns home from abroad expecting to embark on a glittering career. Having become entangled in an impossible love affair, he joins a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Threatened by exile to Siberia or death, he is forced to flee the Tsar’s vengeance. Vasily hopes to rebuild his life in a distant provincial town. But he cannot forget his lost love, and now finds himself pursued by a rival who aims to destroy him. Can he escape the past, mend his broken relationships and find a better way to change the world?

Small Acts of Kindness is available here.

 

 

Snow falls on Brady Square as week 26 of the CCA refurbishment swishes along

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Would you believe it was snowing in good old Brady Square!  Snow, snow snow and the electricians arrived but alas, as we all know the external contractors have postponed their starting date, which was perhaps just as well as they would most probably have been laid off with the weather. But never mind, on with the amazingly busy Cultural Creatives  who, under the guidance of Joy, were making bespoke dishcloths this week,  and now such good news: more sessions booked for MARCH

Now, to sunny thoughts: the CCA is liaising with the powers that be for Solar Panels, and of course there is a shower of  paperwork which needs to be filled in, so they have been scooted along to Pauline, who has just returned from holiday. Everything crossed for a successful conclusion.

The ladies from Shake that Boogey livened the place up no end on Wednesday. Marion shared with Frost Magazine that Graham, the yummy sparky, obediently shook his boogey to Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti. While later Aimee and her snazzy little dancers set the pace at the centre. Lordy, it’s all go in Brady Square.

Uchi delivering her sermon

The Redeemed Christian Church God group really enjoyed delivering their first service and welcomed Thelma, one of the CCA’s senior members with open arms, and as if that wasn’t enough another 100 hats were bagged and ready for delivery to Sister Mary for her beloved Seafarers.

Ross, a joiner from Equans did a great job of fitting the trims on the window sills, these people are so supportive and really care about our community centre and the people who use it. CCA  have gained so many friends over these past months.

Lovely Lynn nipped in to see how the team and centre were doing for tea and coffee and said they would keep the CCA supplied. The CCA’s stock of tea bags put Asda to shame. Coffee is on the shopping list. Caffeine is needed on a regular basis.

‘The kindness and generosity of our community is amazing,’ said Marion. ‘Every minute we are reminded how lucky we are. Not just hats, tea/coffee and on and on, but a  beautiful standard lamp donated for our warm spaces room. Sadly, we  didn’t get the donor’s  name but we are very grateful to her.’

       

Now, a hearty thank you to the ladies who donated the playing cards for the games room and the 20% off everything vouchers for Bon Marché, a great saving and very much appreciated. And Marion continues: ‘Special thanks to Sandra who popped in with some Super Mario Nintendo puzzles. Boys and their toys, Red Shoes Bob just couldn’t wait to assemble the motorbike.’

Then yet another visitor. Alyson Chapman former owner of Bells who is still donating items to the community centre. ‘A special lady with a heart of gold.

The Forever Young Bingo Ladies arrived for their Thursday afternoon session, complete with the scrumptious delights that always accompany them. Linda insisted that Marion and friends have a slice or two. Of course, out of pure politeness, nothing to do with greed, they accept with alacrity.

The Forever Young Ladies were over the moon with news of the the vouchers. And to top it all off Amazon delivered the CCA’s order, and Red Shoes Bob got busy fitting a Multifold Hand Towel Dispenser in the kitchen.

So, as for the weekend… There are many activities planned. Dani’s Diddodancers, Aimee’s dance group, 7th birthday party and the Redeemed Christian Church of God… Let us draw breath. Gasp…

But while we’re gasping: ‘Let’s reflect on the priceless gift of kindness, said Marion. . ‘With special thanks to Jennifer Kelley for her thoughtfulness and the beautiful red roses.’

Whatever will next week bring? One can only wait impatiently.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square