Perfect presents for book lovers

Imperfectly Natural Woman
Janey Lee Grace has had an interesting career, which saw her succeeding as a singer/songwriter in the 1990s, leading on to her becoming a radio broadcaster. It was while working on Radio 2’s Steve Wright show that she became a spokesman for one of her passions – alternative health issues and holistic living – which then led her to write this wonderful book. It is a perfect gift for any woman who is interested in keeping herself fit, healthy, less stressed and looking good. The book deals with a range of issues such as skin and hair care, exercise, food, menopause, alternative cures and therapies as well as how to have a greener home. Janey, who is also a Hertfordshire Life columnist, is a perfect advert for her own advice as she looks great even though she has four children and a career to manage.
Imperfectly Natural Woman
By Janey Lee Grace
Published by Crown House publishing
ISBN: 9781904424895
Priced £12.99
Available from Life Books

The Battle of St Albans
For local history buffs, this is an enjoyable and enlightening book about the battles of St Albans fought during the Wars of the Roses in 1455 and 1461. The first battle marked the beginning of the struggle for the monarchy that lasted more than 30 years between the Houses of York and Lancaster, both of whom had legitimate claims to the throne. The battles are described in detail and their locations in present day St Albans are depicted in the book, accompanied by helpful walking and driving routes to where they took place.
The authors provide a complete picture of life at the time and how armies were organised and raised, the different types of troops, how soldiers were equipped and dressed and who all the main noblemen involved were. Fascinating.
The Battle of St Albans
By Peter Burley, Michael Elliot, and
Harvey Watson
Published by Pen and Sword Books
ISBN: 9871844155699
Priced £14.99
Available from Life books

Remarkable Birds – 100 of the World’s Most Unmissable Birds
This amazing book is not just for bird lovers, as almost everyone will appreciate the stunning photographs of these beautiful and majestic creatures. Sadly the book also mentions which birds are more likely to become extinct because of global warming, like the Red Knot whose migration to the Arctic occurs in 15,000km ‘leaps’ at a time. Their total dependency on the timing of the seasons could, with climate change, see them die out very quickly. The house sparrow, common to Hertfordshire, is included because its ability to adapt has helped it spread across the world. Although once common in England it is now declining in numbers, probably because of modern pollutants.
Remarkable Birds –100 of the World’s Most Unmissable Birds
By Stephen Moss
Published by Collins
ISBN: 9780007230259
Priced £19.99
Available from Life Books

Breaks near the Motorways
This is a quaint little book that would make a surprisingly useful stocking filler for someone who frequently drives around Britain. The book offers some rather enjoyable alternatives to service stations that are close to motorway junctions with maps and postcodes to help you find them easily. It includes detailed descriptions of these hotels, pubs, restaurants or cafes, as well as useful information such as whether the places are child or dog friendly, the time food is served, where the nearest garage is and local places of interest.
The listings vary enormously and include the Black Horse at Chorleywood Common, which is more than a century old and specialises in home cooked food. Whereas The Thistle at St Albans also offers overnight accommodation, a swimming pool and a gym.
Breaks near the Motorways
By Hugh Cantlie
Published by Cheviot books
ISBN: 9780953992058
Priced £12.99
Available from Life Books

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