Other books that might interest you

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  The Paying Guest

  George Gissing

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  The Paying Guest by George Gissing is a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations in late 19th-century England. The story centers on the Harrow family, particularly Grace Harrow, who takes in lodgers to support her struggling household after her father’s death. When charming but penniless writer Edwin Claydon becomes their paying guest, romantic tensions arise between him and Grace. Their relationship is complicated by financial pressures, familial duty, and the rigid class norms of the time. Gissing skillfully examines the constraints placed on women like Grace, whose opportunities are limited by economic dependence and social conventions. As personal desires clash with practical realities, the characters grapple with moral dilemmas and the compromises demanded by survival. The Paying Guest offers a sensitive critique of Victorian society, highlighting the quiet struggles of ordinary lives bound by circumstance and tradition.

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  The Wild Garden - Or our Groves...

  William Robinson

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  The Wild Garden was first published in 1870 but it is still hugely relevant to our gardens today. He introduced the world to the concept of wild gardening - naturalising hardy plants from Europe and North America and introducing them in ways that allow their natural way of growing to shine - that is still being implemented in the 21st century.   
  This is the third edition of the book that was published in 1883.

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  From Bicycle to Bentley - A...

  Stephen Little

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  Stephen takes the reader from his earliest school days when it became clear he was academically bright, especially in math, attending prep school, winning a scholarship to major public school Uppingham where he won math prizes and, aged 16, passed 3 S (scholarship) levels. By then he had decided to be a bookie. He attended an interview for Cambridge University only because it was on his bicycle route to Newmarket races!
   
  
   
  Unable to work in any gambling job until 18, he set about visiting racecourses by bicycle, staying in youth hotels (17½p per night), eventually cycling to all racecourses in the UK, including several now-defunct courses.
   
  
   
  At 18 he found employment with Beresford & Smith in London; aged 24 he got his first bookie’s license in 1971 and by the age of 40 in 1986 was betting big on the rails at major meetings such as the Grand National, Cheltenham, Derby, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, often laying bets to lose £100,000 or more - when money was worth nearly twice today’s value - one of the few bookies who happily stood "toe to toe and traded blow for blow" with big hitters like JP McManus, Barney Curley, Michael Tabor and Harry Findlay.
   
  
   
  In 1998 changes in pitch administration prompted early retirement, and he sold his pitches, worked for a few unsatisfactory years for Corals and then departed the big time - with a Bentley as well as a bicycle, a house in Georgian Bath and a satisfactory bank balance.

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  The First Lessons In Principles...

  Lady Barker

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  Discover the timeless wisdom of Victorian domestic science in First Lessons in the Principles of Cooking by Lady Barker—a thoughtful and empowering guide for anyone interested in the foundations of cookery. Written in the late 19th century, this classic manual goes far beyond recipes, exploring the “why” behind food preparation with a practical, scientific lens. 
  Lady Barker advocates for economy, nutrition, and efficiency in the kitchen, teaching readers how to minimize waste and improve health through knowledge of food composition and cooking methods. From milk and bread to beef, vegetables, and boiling techniques, each chapter blends chemistry with domestic pragmatism. 
  Perfect for culinary historians, home cooks, and those curious about the roots of nutritional education, this audiobook offers both inspiration and insight into the intelligent art of cookery—revealing how understanding the science of food can uplift households of any size or income.

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  Grand Budapest Hotel The - The...

  Film Trivia Metaverse

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  THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL 
  THE ULTIMATE TRIVIA COLLECTION 
    
  FROM THE MOVIE DIRECTED BY WES ANDERSON 
    
  CREATED BY FILM TRIVIA METAVERSE 
    
  ABOUT THE FILM 
  The Grand Budapest Hotel is a whimsical comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson, set in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka during the early 20th century. The film follows the adventures of Monsieur Gustave H., an eccentric concierge, and his young protégé, Zero, at the once-grand hotel. When Gustave is accused of murder, the two embark on a thrilling journey involving stolen art, family feuds, and a series of misadventures. The film explores themes of loyalty, friendship, nostalgia, and the rise of fascism, blending humor with poignant moments, all delivered in Anderson's signature visual style and precise storytelling. 
    
  TRIVIA SAMPLES: 
    
  “The Grand Budapest Hotel became the highest-grossing independent movie of 2014 and also the highest-grossing limited-release movie of that year.” 
    
  “The fictional country of Zubrowka, where the film takes place, was named after a Polish vodka liqueur called Zubrowka.” 
    
  “Saoirse Ronan, who plays Agatha, explained in an interview that making the hotel's signature pastry, the Courtisane au Chocolat, wasn’t easy. Unlike most films, the food plays a major role and required actual baking.” 
    
  “L'Air de Panache (The Air of Plume) was a fragrance created by a Parisian boutique for Wes Anderson to gift his actors and actresses.”

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  The Rory's Stories Lockdown...

  Rory O'Conor

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  From dodgy home haircuts and Tiktok dance crazes to banana-bread baking and checkpoint cheek, even in lockdown social media star and comedian Rory O'Connor found plenty of opportunities to keep everyone laughing.
  Filled with Rory's trademark banter and observational gems, this hilarious and infectious (!) lockdown lookback will make you nostalgic for outdoor dining in the rain and loo roll shortages!

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