Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - July/August 2020

25 BOOK REVIEWS Bookstand The latest releases in gift books HOW TO BE REALLY ANNOYING By Lucinda Wilde RRP: £6.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781912983179 In a world full of trivial annoyances and a slow, steady drip of irritations, it can be hard to find a way to stand out. We can all be irritating without trying, but in very minor ways. To elevate your ability to be spectacularly annoying demands focus, courage, determination and creativity – this book will show you how. Commuting? Try standing on the left-hand side of the escalator on your way to work. Eating out? Always reject the first two tables offered, then change your mind and go back to one of them (preferably after ordering your food). Flying? Wait until the person next to you has their tray table down and covered in food and drink before deciding you need to use the bathroom. Covering work, home life, relationships, birthdays, nights out and plenty more, this hilarious guide will leave you well equipped to annoy anyone and everyone, no matter what the occasion. Having been thrown out of a perfectly good grammar school for being caught in possession of an alternative mindset, Lucinda Wilde found an outlet for her passion for the written word in London, working with The Women’s Press and Quartet Books. After a period of travel, she relocated to the West Country where she has spent the past few decades reading, writing and selling books. She has penned several volumes of poetry, a stage play, and most recently a book, Run with the Wolves. She lives on the edge of Dartmoor with her family. Find out more at www.rylandpeters.com EMPOWERING MANTRAS FOR AWESOME WOMEN RRP: £7.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781782498537 This collection of wise and powerful words is a must-have for any 21 st century woman. According to the publisher, “You might like to choose a mantra or quotation each morning and keep it in your mind as you face the day’s challenges. Try copying words that have particularly resonated with you into your journal or pin them up around your home or workplace to inspire you. You could even send your favourite words to a friend to help her find her inner strength. Whether you want a reminder of your worth, a boost towards smashing boundaries and glass ceilings, or simply a hit of positivity, you’ll find your inspiration here.” Find out more at www.rylandpeters.com EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TO CUT OUT AND COLLAGE By Maria Rivens RRP: £16.99 Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781786274946 Highly respected and successful contemporary collage artist Maria Rivans has gathered over 1500 beautiful, quirky, and downright daft images for Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage. Maria is known for her Surrealism-meets-Pop-art using vintage ephemera. Her work has featured in many galleries from Saatchi, London to Galerie Bhak in Seoul. Collage and decoupage are undergoing a revival among artists and hobbyists seeking a mindful activity that also produces a beautiful end product. With an introduction to collage styles and tips on techniques, this is an ideal activity for young and old, and is an accessible introduction for beginners. The book will also be a fantastic resource for art and illustration students who are studying and practising the art of collage. Find out more at laurenceking.com LICENSE TO GRILL, THE BBQ COOKBOOK By Sam Brooks RRP: £8.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781787832718 Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time flipper, Licence to Grill has all the tips and tricks any BBQ aficionado worth their salt and pepper needs to know. The book offers over 50 mouth-watering recipes, from BBQ staples such as kebabs, wings and burgers, to sides, sauces and desserts that will make your next gathering one to remember. Licence to Grill covers all BBQ bases and favourite recipes such as marinated lamb skewers, chicken and mediterranean vegetable kebabs, cedar-smoked salmon, grilled cauliflower steak, corn on the cob with fire butter, mango salsa, marshmallow and strawberry kebabs. Discover more at www.summersdale.com