It's never too early to start buying books for Christmas presents - actually, it's already nearly too late " so here is a quick round- up of some of the best books on offer in your local bookshop.
I'm a Celebrity Sudoku Player " Get me Out Of Here! by Ant and Dec, Giftstocking Press, pounds 12.99.
An interesting attempt to cash in on the Sudoku craze, with recipes for cooking leeches and hints on catching locusts, plus the expected tips on the harmless Japanese game, which has swept the nation like avian flu.
Bird-based Diseases " The Facts by Dr Haiku, Placebo Press, pounds 13.99. An interesting attempt to cash in on the avian flu craze, by bringing us a round-up of all the diseases we have ever blamed birds for bringing us. Tells you perhaps more than you need to know about psittacosis, chicken pox, etc.
The Great Antonia Fraser Plot by Father James Dugdale, Catholic Souvenir Press, pounds 18.99. An interesting attempt to cash in on the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes by investigating whether Lady Antonia Fraser's dominance of so many genres (crime, history, belles- lettres, Pinter studies) is a genuine achievement or merely a Papist conspiracy. Father Dugdale thinks it was all an ugly Protestant attempt to frame our foremost Catholic thinker. He may well be right. Or is Father Dugdale himself trying to twist the truth? Who knows? Who cares? Many photos of Harold Pinter.
Sudoku Made Very Difficult by Stephen Fry, Wormwood Press, pounds 10.99. Stephen Fry does it again.
Alas, I Haven't Got a Book Out For Christmas This Year, But You Could Always Buy This by Michael Palin, Travel Bag Press, pounds 21.99.
A wonderful collection of travel tips by one who knows. Sample: 'If your bath fills up with red ants, get your film crew to clear the beggars out.' How true.
Jamie Oliver's Illyria by Jamie Oliver, Tie-In Press, pounds 18.99. There is no such place as Illyria, and if there is, there is no such thing as Illyrian cooking, but who cares, when a book as fresh and challenging as this is in the offing? Jamie Oliver has done it again. The recipe for Baby Aubergines Cooked In Their Own Suntan is worth the price of admission alone.
The Building of Sudoku Towers in Kuala Lumpur by Richard Rodgers, Origami Press, pounds 25. The amazing inside story of the tallest all-paper building in the world.
As Bald as a Coot, and other phrases, explained by Adrian Jaffa, Fable Press, pounds 8.99. A coot is not bald. So why the expression? Adrian Jaffa explains. Or does he? Chance would be a fine thing.
Chance Would be a Fine Thing, and more phrases explained, by Jack Towelling, Xmas Dump Bin Press, pounds 8.99. Jack Towelling tackles the origins of some of the phrases left untackled by other books. Or does he? Pull the other one!
Pull The Other One, and even more other phrases explained, by Art Levine, Remainder Books, pounds 8.99 or pounds 3 for cash. If you need a third book about phrases, this is your one.
Then Suddenly Three Books about Phrase Origins Come Along All At Once, by Hans Kriek, Digital Press, pounds 8.77. A witty exploration of how numbers work.
Angela's Wishes by Hans Grber, Kraftpress, pounds 20. What is Angela Merkel up to? Herr Grber explains.
Andrew's Ashes by Colin Studd, Oval Books, pounds 12.99. How Flintoff beat Australia single-handed.
Arnold Bennett's Journals, secondhand, everywhere. Unexpectedly, Arnold Bennett's hitherto forgotten collected diaries are selling very well this Christmas, simply because many people are confusing him with Alan Bennett.
The Etiquette of Sudoku by Lynne Truss, Politeness Books, pounds 10.99, please. Does exactly what it says on the label.
More Christmas books soon!
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