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Reference
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The definitive Desert Island Discs
Allow yourself to be cast away in eight glorious decades of the most iconic show on radio. To mark this momentous occasion, 'The Definitive Desert Island Discs' focuses on 80 of the most powerful and unforgettable interviews, revisiting every era of Desert Island Disc's storied history. Reflecting on how times have changed, the book will feature brand new material as castaways are interviewed about their experiences - did the conversation go how they expected? Would Sir Patrick Stewart still take his beloved billiards table (and a shed to keep it in, of course)? And does Hilary Devey stick by her endless supply of Cointreau? Get lost in lists of the weirdest and most wonderful luxury items, most popular tracks and books throughout the years, and more.
£12.99
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The rejects
'The Rejects' takes an intimate, thoughtful look at people who've been kicked out of bands, what they experienced and what came afterwards.
£13.99
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The Power of Music
'Sheku believes that the future of classical music is bright, and in the hands of young musicians like him, it certainly is' John SuchetMusic is what makes us alive, mindful and connected to each other. Music is what makes us human. This is the power of music.Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason knows and feels the transformative power of music as much as any musician alive. From winning the prestigious BBC Young Musician Award to performing at Harry and Meghan's wedding; from Bach's solo suites to Bob Marley's reggae; his ferocious passion shines through in every single performance, whether in a packed-out concert hall or on record.But how was it that someone like him - a person of colour, from a state school in Nottingham - rose to the upper echelons of the classical music world? What were the obstacles that he had to overcome, what did he learn along the way, and how could a young person follow in his footsteps today?In The Power of Music, She
£16.99
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Scarcely English
The English language has evolved throughout its history, and usually for good reasons. However, in recent years, egged on by social media and the ubiquity and velocity of the internet, it has been subject to some grave assaults. There appear no longer to be any rules, in an era when, thanks to the web (another word to have changed its meaning) everyone can be a published author, completely unedited and unregulated. This often has dire consequences for the English tongue. Trenchant and sprinkled with dry wit, 'Scarcely English' is both a chamber of horrors of bad and lazy English and a plea for accuracy, clear thinking and elegance.
£10.99
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Words for Life
Did you know that the Scots have over 400 words for snow or what a binfluencer is? What about the medieval invention of Lubberland as a place for lazy teenagers or how Mayday became a request for help? Lexicographer extraordinaire and Queen of Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent does. From wabbit to dust bunnies, from the strange history of arse to the best ways to describe moonlight, 'Words for Life' offers a full year's supply of verbal vitamin shots guaranteed to entertain and enlighten, to brighten and boost every single day.
£16.99
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Useless Etymology
'Useless Etymology' takes readers on a time-travelling adventure to unlock the beauty, wonder, and absurdity within our everyday words, how they came to be, and the unexpected ways their origins weave a global, cross-cultural labyrinth of meaning. Filled with fun facts and delightful discoveries, this is an enlightening read for anyone who wants to know more about why the English language works the way that it does.
£16.99
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Schott's Significa
'Schott's Significa' is an indispensable field guide to the hidden lore and language of our modern age. When do London cabbies take oranges and lemons? How do marmalade droppers sell newspapers? Who eats the forbidden brownie at Starbucks? Join Ben Schott as he unlocks 53 of the most intriguing linguistic subcultures.
£22.00
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Marvel Comics Classic Quotes
Unleash your inner superhero with this engaging compilation of sharp humor and memorable lines from your favorite Marvel Comics characters.
£10.99
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The Rolling Year
'The Four Seasons', Antonio Vivaldi's famous set of highly descriptive violin concertos, was published 300 years ago, but the themes it contains continue to reveal new truths to listeners today. Through the rich imagery of each concerto and its accompanying poetry, Dr Hannah French uncovers the detail of Vivaldi's personal and creative life. In conversation with fellow musicians and experts in health, nature, food, wine, and science, she helps bring a new perspective to the music through our shared experiences of the joys and fears of the ever-evolving seasons.
£20.00
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A Winter Dictionary
A linguistic celebration of all aspects of the season, from wintry weather to Christmas celebrations.
£10.99
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Home
In this book, inspired by her phenomenally popular Substack newsletter, India Knight explores the essence of what makes a home, debunking intimidating ideas about 'taste' and trends, offering practical and reassuring advice for every room, and above all celebrating the joy and comfort that comes from being surrounded by things you love.
£22.00
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Dictionary of Fine Distinctions
Swamp or bog? Guilt or shame? Clementine or tangerine? We like to think that we choose our words with care, but are we using them with any degree of accuracy - or should that be precision? For hair-splitters and language lovers, 'Dictionary of Fine Distinctions' explores the world of the vanishingly small, teasing apart the terms that we tend to collapse, conflate, or confuse. An illustrated odyssey into minute differences in meaning, Eli Burnstein's unputdownable guide will hone your wits, tickle your brain, and deepen your appreciation for the infinite (and infinitesimal) nuances all around us.
£12.99
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Bookish
As a child, Lucy Mangan was reading all the time, using books to navigate the challenges and complexities of this world and many others. As an adult, she uses her new relationship with literature to seize upon the most important question: (how) do books prepare us for life? 'Bookish' picks up where 'Bookworm' left off: at the cusp of teenage, when everything - including the way we read - undergoes a not-so-subtle transformation. Revisiting the books of all genres, that ferried her through each important stage of life, 'Bookish' is a coming-of-age in books. It's an ode to our favourite bookish spaces - from the smallest second-hand bookstalls to libraries, glorious big bookshops and our very own book rooms - and a love story to how books not only shelter our souls through hard times and help us find ourselves when we feel lost, but also help us connect with the people we love through shared stories.
£12.99
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£12.99
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Bookshop Cats
A celebration of international book-loving cats.Bookshop Cats is a beautiful photographic collection of cats who have made the wise decision to live in bookshops across the world.In these pages you will find moggies curled up amongst the memoirs, tabbies atop the shelves of the travel section, and kittens who can sniff out the next international bestsellers.Head to Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana, where you'll find Kitty Meow, who starts her day by basking in a sunbeam in the romance section. Meet Bea, the stray Moggy who now calls Shrew Books in Cornwall home, and Hugo, the most photographed cat in Southern Alberta, Canada.This charming collection is a celebration of literature-loving cats, their doting colleagues and the havens they create together.
£10.99
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Where the Music Had to Go
FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE NEW INTERVIEW WITH SIR PAUL McCARTNEYPersuasive, captivating and bursting with insight, this dual biography by acclaimed journalist Jim Windolf dives into the surprisingly supportive, occasionally rivalrous, always fertile relationship between Bob Dylan and the Beatles.Few artists have shaped pop culture as profoundly as the Beatles and Bob Dylan. In Where the Music Had to Go, Jim Windolf offers a new, persuasive interpretation of how two of the twentieth century's greatest recording artists influenced one another - and reveals how their apprenticeships, accomplishments and legacies are uncannily intertwined.From Dylan's early dismissal of the Beatles as being for 'teenyboppers' to his rapid acknowledgment of their talent, the book captures the pivotal moments that pushed Dylan to 'go electric' and inspired the Beatles to deepen their lyrics. Packed with vivid anecdotes (the Beatles rehearsing Dylan songs; Dylan spending hours at Lennon's childhood home), the book paints a picture of a relationship full of camaraderie, rivalry and mutual evolution.Windolf's meticulous research uncovers hidden gems, peeling back layers of history to reveal the stories fans didn't even know they were missing. From Lennon's and McCartney's lyrical transformations to George Harrison's growth as a songwriter, the book showcases the ripple effects of the Beatles-Dylan connection. More than a music biography, this is a front-row seat to the forces that shaped the sound of a generation.
£25.00
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BBC Proms 2026
The BBC Proms is the world's biggest and longest-running classical musical festival and one of the jewels in the crown of the BBC. Held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London and across the UK, it is one of the strongest brand names in the music world and attracts a glittering array of artists and orchestras from the UK and around the world. Whether you're a first-time visitor or an experienced Prommer, watching at home or listening on radio or online, the BBC Proms Guide is an excellent companion to the festival, which you can treasure and return to in years to come.Filled with concert listings and articles by leading writers, the BBC Proms Guide offers an insight into the performers and repertoire, as well as thought-provoking opinion pieces about music, musicians and music-making.
£9.99
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RHS Desk Diary 2027
The bestselling week-to-view Royal Horticultural Society Desk Diary returns for 2027, showcasing exquisite botanical illustrations by Lilian Snelling (1879-1972) from the renowned RHS Lindley Library.Beautifully produced, the diary is illustrated in colour throughout and includes practical features such as a silk ribbon marker and internal storage pocket, helping you stay organised in style. The Lindley Library contains among the world's finest archives of botanical art, literature and manuscripts, preserving more than five hundred years of horticultural history. Housing everything from rare books and historic journals to original drawings, prints and paintings, the collections provide an unrivalled record of the way plants have been studied, illustrated and celebrated across the centuries. Within this treasure trove, Lilian Snelling's work stands out for its remarkable blend of scientific precision and artistic elegance. Snelling is celebrated as one of the most skilled botanical artists of the twentieth century, admired for her ability to capture plants in vivid detail. Her illustrations bring together accuracy and timeless beauty, offering an inspiring companion for every week of the year. Blending practicality with beauty, the RHS Desk Diary 2027 is both a functional planner and a collectible celebration of botanical heritage, making it an ideal gift for gardeners, plant lovers, or anyone looking to brighten their desk or home office.
£14.99
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RHS Wild in the Garden Diary 2027
Celebrate a year of wildlife in your garden with the RHS Wild in the Garden Diary 2027. Discover the wonder of nature on your doorstep with the RHS Wild in the Garden Diary 2027, a perennial favourite and the perfect companion for gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone who treasures the natural world. This beautifully designed week-to-view diary showcases the extraordinary variety of British garden wildlife with stunning full-colour photographs of birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, butterflies and garden plants throughout the seasons. Each image captures a unique moment of life in the garden - from a goldfinch perched on winter seedheads to a hedgehog foraging on a summer evening or the delicate sparkle of a spider's web on a crisp morning. Practical as well as beautiful, the diary includes seasonal ideas and expert tips from the RHS on how to make your garden more welcoming to wildlife. Whether it's planting nectar-rich flowers for pollinators, creating ponds for frogs and newts, or providing food and shelter for birds, every small change can help your garden thrive as a living ecosystem. Designed for everyday use, the diary features a week-to-view layout with plenty of space for notes and appointments, along with an internal storage pocket, a silk ribbon marker and reference calendars for 2027 and 2028. Combining beauty, practicality and conservation insight, the RHS Wild in the Garden Diary 2027 makes a thoughtful gift for gardeners, nature lovers, bird-watchers and families who enjoy the outdoors. It is a gentle reminder, week by week, that gardens of every size can play a vital role in supporting wildlife and sustaining biodiversity.
£14.99
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On the Mark
So. Good. So. Sharp. So. Clear. You. Need. This. Book. Period' Lucy Mangan, author of Bookish 'A roller coaster of a story' New York Times Since the dawn of writing, punctuation has helped us tell our stories. Scribes in ancient Alexandria simplified their scrolls with full stops and commas, opening the doors of their library to the entire world. During the Renaissance, semicolons and exclamation marks empowered writers to satirise society and inject life and passion into their texts. Even today, the youngest generations creating new rules for emojis, caps and irony in the lexicon of online language. In this riotous global history, Florence Hazrat reveals the creators and rebels who made punctuation what it is today, conjuring new meanings from commas and colons, parentheses and pilcrows. Witty and original, On the Mark journeys across the world and through the evolution of language, celebrating the silent marks that infuse our words with meaning and shape our literary cultures.
£22.00
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Mark Kermode's Surround Sound
'Reveals the stories and the people behind your favourite film scores' - Nick de Semlyen, editor of Empire'Brims with enthusiasm and joyful insight' - Richard AyoadeHow can a film score make you cheer, shiver, cry or punch the air? How do directors communicate their musical vision to composers? And when does a soundtrack take on a life of its own?Award-winning film critic Mark Kermode and radio producer Jenny Nelson embark on a full-throttle trip down the glorious rabbit hole of film composition to answer these questions and more.Celebrating the emotional connection that audiences form with film music, exploring the evolution of film scoring from silent films to the present day, and examining how what we hear has an impact on what we see, Mark talks to some of his favourite composers and delves into the movie music he loves.Including interviews with extraordinary talents from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood to Oscar-winning composers Rachel Portman and Howard Shore, and the stories behind iconic soundtracks such as Jocelyn Pook's Eyes Wide Shut, Michael Kamen's Brazil, and Vangelis's Blade Runner, Mark Kermode's Surround Sound is a thrilling take on how great scores are brought to life on the silver screen, perfect for film buffs and music lovers alike.
£10.99
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Philip's 2027 Stargazing Month-by-Month Guide to the Night Sky Britain & Ire
Philip's Stargazing is the perfect practical guide for both budding and experienced astronomers.'If you buy just one guide...you won't do better than this.' - BBC Sky at Night Magazine'I will continue to enjoy 'Philip's Stargazing' as the months go by.' - Helen Sharman, Astronaut'Very useful indeed.' - Chris Lintott, Sky at Night presenterPhilip's Stargazing is essential for all those who enjoy exploring the night sky, with up-to-date monthly star charts, moon calendars and viewing tips, as well as the best dark-sky sites to visit and astronomy festivals through the year. Compiled by experts and specially designed for easy use, Stargazing 2027 is a comprehensive companion for both seasoned and novice astronomers.* Fully updated colour star chart for each month of the year* Viewing recommendations and practical advice for looking at stars, planets and eclipses* Top constellation, target object, topic and picture for each month* Daily Moon Phase Calendar, highlighting special lunar events throughout the year * Planet Watch for ideal viewing days in 2027* The best places to experience Dark Skies * The latest on Star Festival, Star Parties and astronomy-themed days out* Expert advice from internationally renowned astronomer professor Nigel Henbest * Special article by equipment expert Robin Scagell* Complete calendar of major astronomical events * Top 20 Sky Sights of 2027* Jargon Buster, explaining common or confusing terms * Clear Explanations of the planets' movements, solar and lunar eclipses, meteors and comets
£6.99
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A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'A masterclass from a warm and engagingly enthusiastic companion' Guardian 'This book is a delight, and it's about delight too. How necessary, at our particular moment' Tessa Hadley________________From the New York Times-bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo and Tenth of December comes a literary master class on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselves - and our world today.For the last twenty years, George Saunders has been teaching a class on the Russian short story to his university students. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he shares a version of that class with us. Paired with iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol, these essays are for anyone interested in how fiction works and why it's more relevant than ever in these turbulent times.Funny, frank and rigorous, A Swim in the Pond in the Rain ultimately shows how great fiction can change a person's life and become a benchmark of their moral and ethical beliefs.'Part intro to Russian literature, part musings on craft, A Swim in the Pond in the Rain is all pleasure'Financial Times
£10.99
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Phrased and Confused
'Brilliant, revelatory and erudite. Like all the best books it lets you see the familiar world in a new way' Mark Forsyth, author of The Etymologicon 'Enlightening' Steven Pinker Hell is other people. You are what you eat. Ignorance is bliss. Or is it? Meet Phrased & Confused, a guide to the great quotations that we just keep getting wrong. From ancient maxims like 'seize the day' to modern classics like 'the road less travelled', Phrased & Confused sets the record straight on commonly misunderstood sayings - and reveals the meanings of famously difficult ones, from 'I think therefore I am' to 'a rose is a rose is a rose'. Pairing witty commentary with light-hearted illustration from Liana Finck, this is the ideal resource for lovers of language, literature, history and philosophy, full of intelligence and insight for curious minds everywhere.
£14.99
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