We all know that trying to find the perfect gift can often feel like a daunting task! With so many people to buy gifts for at Christmas time, and the unbelievable amount of products to choose from, Christmas shopping can be a very stressful time indeed. But, with the help of Find Me A Gift, there will be no need to fret anymore. They will help you to find the perfect gift in no time. Specialising in whacky and unusual gifts, but also having a great range of more luxurious items, sorting Christmas is just a few clicks away!
Do you remember the ‘Video Player’? Ok, I sound really old now! But, for those who do remember the ritual of rewinding tapes, labelling them and having to store them in alphabetical order will love this Video Note Book. It’s extremely realistic looking with an authentic-looking sleeve that is exactly the same size and styling of the VHS.
This is simply a hardback notebook, and comes with sticky labels just like you used to get with blank video tapes. The VHS Notebook will make a novelty gifts not to mention something Iconic! When you first see and hold this notebook you will be transported down memory lane. It looks and feels like the real thing, and just makes you think how the times have changed. The children of today will look at this as its alien to them, but for those who remember, will love it!
You can purchase this VHS Style Video Notebook for £11.49 from Find Me A Gift, where you will also find a further great range of novelty gifts, plus more.
For those ‘hard to buy for’ individuals, and yes we all have them, Paperblanks may just have the products that could save you from excruciating Christmas shopping! Paperblanks have been producing superb writing journals for nearly twenty years. With a belief that the written word matters, they have produced a wonderful array of journals, address books, guest books and day planners (all also fully recyclable) that would make a great gift for anyone!
Paperblanks’ products are available in many sizes, including Mini, Midi, Slim, Maxi, Grande, and Ultra. Personally, I think all their products are absolutely stunning! With many different and unique journals, matching one up to the recipient’s individuality is easy – they are sure to adore it. The styles of Paperblanks products are influenced by great artists, writers and textiles from the past and present – here are some of my favourites.
Leonardo’s sketches – Sun and Moonlight collection is extremely pleasing to the eye, looks luxurious and would make a terrific gift. Leonardo was a skilful draftsman and sketch artist, and carefully recorded his world and the travels of his mind in mirror-image cursive. His work is showcased wonderfully in this spectacular journal. Prices of these journals start at £11.99 for the mini, and increase in price as it increases in size.
I absolutely adore the range of address books. They look very sleek and would be an impressive addition next to your telephone, work desk or wherever you keep your address book! Paperblank’s address books have been created in a variety of formats – Micro, Mini, Midi Slim, and Ultra. They combine convenience and good looks and feature popular cover designs. These books are a joy to carry with you and will make even the messiest desk look good. With uniquely shaped “thumb cut” pages angled to make turning the page part of the fun, they also feature a memento pouch that completes the package. Address book prices start from £6.99, also increasing with the size of book.
I could mention every style of book that I love from Paperblanks, but honestly, that could take a long time! They are all stunning in there own unique way. Many will adore these, and they truly will make the perfect gift for any occasion, giving the recipient the opportunity to record thoughts, ideas, stories, poems or any other craft.
To view the full collection please visit http://www.paperblanks.com/uk - Your Christmas shopping could be completed in just a few clicks!
If you’re interested in growing your own, then the Complete Book of Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit is just the book for you! Complied by gardening experts Bob Flowerdew, Jekka McVicar and Matthew Biggs, this 640-page volume covers over 100 herbs, 70 vegetables and 100 fruits.
This really is a great book! Not only does it give you information on cultivation, propagation, harvesting, dealing with pests and diseases, it gives us so much more as well. You have information on medicinal and cosmetic uses for each variety! For example – did you know that the Soya Bean is said to control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, regulate the bowels and relieve constipation! I think ill be eating more of these little beans now!!
This colourful and informative book features over 600 recipes and 800 colour photographs. It will make a great gift for those who grow their own, or even for those who don’t – they might want to start after reading it!
The Complete Book of Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit costs £12.11, and is available from http://www.qvcuk.com.
When I was asked to review the latest James Patterson thriller, I happily agreed. I have enjoyed a few Patterson’s, in particular, the Alex Cross series.
Private London is the latest instalment of Private - the international private eye series. The world’s most exclusive detective agency comes to London, and in this volume a dangerous kidnapping is the theme.
The main character is Dan Carter - is the head of the London office of Private, the world’s largest and most technologically advanced investigation agency.
Carter has been entrusted by Private’s owner and CEO, Jack Morgan to handle some of their most important assignments; none more important than Hannah Shapiro, the daughter of one of their wealthiest and most valuable clients.
Hannah Shapiro gets kidnapped….Doh!
I’m not sure how Patterson does it, his books have always been pacy, but Private London is in a different league. Patterson’s writing has gone up a gear.
The result was a frantic page turner. I haven’t enjoyed a thriller like this for ages. In fact, I think this is possibly the best thriller I have read.
I have mentioned the fast paced style, but it needs another mention. Patterson manages to completely grab you and take you on an entertaining, high speed read.
Patterson’s signature twists are here, as are great characters to help the story along. It’s a great story, told by a master wordsmith.
If you are going on holiday, take Private London along, but be warned…You will finish it long before the holiday ends!
Can’t wait for the next instalment!
Private London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson is out now (Century, £18.99)
The third instalment of Clem Chamber’s thrillers featuring stock market expert Jim Evans, Kusanagi, does not disappoint.
You might think ‘stock market’ and ‘thrillers’ would not normally fit together, but you haven’t read a Clem Chambers book!
The first novel, The Armageddon Trade, introduces the main character Jim Evans with a real page turner on financial markets and computer technology, blended with a serious terrorist threat.
The Twain Maxim builds on the character development and offers a fascinating insight into the world of trading. This time, Jim’s broker disappears whilst investigating a mine Jim has bought into. The mine is a scam and the man behind it eventually gets his comeuppance Jim Evans style.
Kusanagi continues the Jim Evans saga, but almost immediately obvious is a growth in Chamber’s writing. Kusanagi is a thriller, but it is also packed with some funny situations and clever one liners.
Clem Chambers has been compared to John Le Carre and Ian Fleming and rightfully so. I would also like to add Hemingway to this list for Chamber’s masterful and descriptive prose. You can throw in Lee Child and James Patterson to this mix as well, The author is on the same level.
Clem Chambers has a talent for bringing his knowledge of the stock markets to the page, but he does it in a compelling way.
Without being disrespectful to the Financial industry, Chambers writes so well he could probably do a riveting piece on paint drying.
Kusanagi is about a legendary Japanese sword that has been discovered, years after it went ‘missing’. Jim Evans ends up buying the sword. The value of the sword is so high it puts Jim and his immediate friends in grave danger.
What follows is the best instalment so far from Chambers, the book was devoured. The characters are all strong, the read is fast and exhilarating, the humour is bang on complete with a nice little twist at the end.
Simply put, there is nothing wrong with Kusanagi. But there is much that is so right.
If you are looking for a high octane, rewarding and totally compelling read, Kusanagi is it…
My only issue is that this is a trilogy of books that have so many filmic qualities to them, it’s an injustice that Hollywood have not come calling.
We had to wait a while for Tolkien’s trilogy to get to the silver screen (!), let’s hope these 3 are picked up sooner!
Kusanagi is my book of the year, I get through a fair few every month. You can buy your copy at Amazon today, with Paperback released 2nd July 2011.
