Lazy day reading

Pocket Pub Walks: Hertfordshire
Nick Corble, the author of this charming and informative guide, thought he knew the county where he grew up until his research revealed a wealth of lovely countryside and fascinating stories from across Hertfordshire. His aim was to find interesting walks that included lovely pubs in a variety of picturesque places. There is a map of each walk and a description of the pub and the culinary delights to be sampled there, plus useful information such as what beer is available and whether they have facilities for children and dogs. He often supplies some interesting and quirky facts about the area and a description of the local terrain. For example the walk through Aldbury Common is ‘carpeted in bluebells in spring and foxgloves in summer’.

Pocket Pub Walks: Hertfordshire
By Nick Corble
Published By Countryside Books
ISBN: 9781846740183
Priced £5.99
Available from Life Books

Far From The Sodding Crowd
The authors of this irreverently titled book have deliberately gone off the beaten track to find unusual, often eccentric and, in their own words, just ‘plain silly’ places to visit. It has been written as an antidote to expensive, overcrowded typical tourist spots like theme parks to provide you with amusing and interesting alternatives that are not costly. Some are silly and some you will want to visit. It includes a garden centre that houses a complete replica of Del Boy’s living room, the Bubble Car museum and a step back into the past with Fitzpatrick’s Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.
And on the borders of Hertfordshire there is an open-air tree cathedral not far from Whipsnade that makes for a pleasant and tranquil afternoon’s stroll.

Far From The Sodding Crowd
By Robin Halstead, Jason Hazeley, Alex Morris and Joel Morris
Published By Penguin Group
ISBN: 9780718149666
Priced £14.99
Available from Life Books

101 Antiques Of The Future
Hertfordshire’s own Michael Hogben has published another book about antiques that might encourage you to have a clear out as it includes many everyday items that might just be in a box in the attic. Or, conversely it could be the stuff that is regularly found at car boot sales, such as old Bakelite radios, decorated biscuit tins, old Boy Scout badges, old Avon figurine scent bottles and Gucci handbags – the list is endless and quite surprising. He tells you what to look out for, gives tips on what makes a piece more valuable and how much to expect to pay for these items. As well as being an extremely interesting book you will probably enjoy a trip down memory lane as you peruse it.

101 Antiques of the Future
By Michael Hogben
Published By New Holland Publishers
ISBN: 9781845377335
Priced £12.99
Available from Life Books

Duplicity
This first novel by fledgling Hertfordshire author John F Wilson follows the lives of two businessmen who run a building company during the time of Margaret Thatcher’s government. As they strive to keep their business afloat, they feel the bite of the recession and the difficulties of managing an unreliable workforce. Bribery is routine in gaining contracts, but they finally become unstuck when one falls for the wife of a client and the cuckolded husband seeks revenge. The other becomes the target of blackmail when some youthful sleazy indiscretions catch up with him with serious consequences. The book provides an enjoyable read and despite its somewhat abrupt ending is a promising start for this new author.

Duplicity
By John F. Wilson
Published by Olympia Publishers
ISBN: 97819005513208
Priced £7.99
Available from Life Books

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