Books Monthly March 2024



New Nonfiction Books for 2024



BOOKS MONTHLY PICK OF THE MONTH
Professor Alice Roberts: Crypt

Published 29th February 2024

The new book by Sunday Times bestselling author of Ancestors and Buried - the final instalment in Professor Alice Roberts' acclaimed trilogy.

We can unlock secrets from bones preserved for centuries in tombs, graves and crypts.

The history of the Middle Ages is typically the story of the rich and powerful, there’s barely a written note for most people’s lives. Archaeology represents another way of interrogating our history. By using cutting-edge science to examine human remains and burials, it is possible to unearth details about how individuals lived and died that give us a new understanding of the past – one that is more intimate and inclusive than ever before.

The seven stories in Crypt are not comforting tales. We meet the patients at one of the earliest hospitals in England and the victims of the St Brice’s Day Massacre. We see a society struggling to make sense of disease, disability and death, as incurable epidemics sweep through medieval Europe. We learn of a protracted battle between Church and State that led to the murder of Thomas Becket and the destruction of the most famous tomb in England. And we come face to face with the archers who went down with Henry VIII’s favourite ship, the Mary Rose.

Beautifully written and expertly researched by Professor Alice Roberts, Crypt is packed with thrilling discoveries that will make you see the history of Britain afresh.


I am familiar with three professors who are seen regularly on British TV - two more so than the others; They are Professor Alice Roberts, Professor Brian Cox, and Professor Sir John Curtice, who handles elections and politics. The other two present documentaries and series which popularise science and, in the case of Alice Roberts, archaeology, which has been a staple of British documentary TV since the very early days, when Sir Mortimer Wheeler commented on the latest archaeological finds, in the kinds of programmes British TV was originally meant for. Alice has taken archaeology and its many technological branches of investigatory tools into the realms of super-popular science, and made it fascinating in a "rock star" kind of way. Similarly, with popular science literature, her books transcend the ordinary and are written in a way that simply unlock the secrets of the universe in which we live. This is the third book in a brilliant, top flight best-selling series that is fascinating in a way that Time Team and Digging for Britain are fascinating. I don't want this to sound like a hero-worshipping review, I need to explain why I found CRYPT so amazingly good, because words unlock worlds, words inspire and kick-start the imagination - they are the most brilliant and effective way of communicating, and Alice Roberts is quite simply one of the best communicators, one of the best authors of popular science we have ever had. CRYPT is a series of archaeological case studies which, each in its own way, explains the power of new investigative techniques to unlock past archaeological discoveries in ways that a few decades ago had not even been dreamed of. Alice specialises in bones and anatomy, and although the examination of bones can enhance our knowledge of, for example, those mysterious Dark Ages, there are now new techniques, new ways of studying bones that allow us to fill in all kinds of gaps in our historical knowledge. Alice looks at, in these case studies, victims of the St Brice's Day massacre from the Dark Ages, the murder of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral (hands up those of you who knew that the "Cant" in Canterbury came from the Latin name for Kent), the Bubonic Plague, and the Longbowmen who drowned with the Mary Rose (its sister ship was originally named the Peter Pomegranate!). In each case study new archaeological techniques and tools are explained and laid out in laymen's language, the very epitome of popular science for the masses; the findings explained, the consequences of extending the use of such new ground-breaking techniques to other unexplained mysteries from our past. This book is sensationally good - I missed out on the sciences at Grammar School60-odd years ago, having chosen the modern languages (and Latin and Greek) path; now I wish I had studied the sciences as well, thanks to presenters and authors such as Alice Roberts. Had she been a teacher at my school back then, I would have been first in the queue for the sciences. How I wish I could go back and start over; but I am as fascinated now by archaeology (Time Team, Meet The Ancestors, Digging for Britain are among my favourite real life TV programmes) as I have ever been, and the new discoveries, especially when they're explained by someone llike Alice, or preferably by Alice herself. Learning is so much better when it's explained by someone with buckets of charisma and an outstanding personality like Alice's. CRYPT is a triumph of popular science. It's utterly fascinating, easily readable, easily understood, and it immediately broadens our knowledge and interest. Thanks Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy. It's a book I shall always treasure...



Emily English: So Good

Published 9th May 2024

BPre-order the debut cookbook from Emily English, with over 80 easy-to-make, delicious and nutritious recipes.
Delicious recipes. Nutritionally balanced. So Good.
When we think of nutrition and eating well, so many of us jump to the words 'diet', 'unenjoyable', and 'sacrifice'. Sometimes we see healthy eating as something we should do, rather than something we want to do.

This is the book to help you kickstart healthy eating as an enjoyable lifelong habit rather than a fad for a week. A perfect collection of over 80 vibrant, tasty and easy recipes all steeped in nutritional science, So Good explains the principles of healthy eating in a fun and relatable way.

With recipes including...

Fluffy Ricotta Lemon Pancakes
Hot Honey Halloumi Avocado Toast
Mango And Crunchy Chickpea Salad, With Jalapeno Dressing.
Chicken And Spicy Guacamole Lunch Time Tacos
Garlic Crumbed Salmon With Courgettes And Yoghurt
Creamy Parmesan Chickpeas With Pickled Chillies
Greek Yoghurt Roasted Strawberry Eton Mess

Food should be a celebration, a memory, a moment. It's not about counting calories; it's about making every meal count. Let every meal you make nourish your body and bring you joy with every bite.


Jessica McCabe: How To ADHD


Published 14th March 2024

Star baker Fitwaffle (15 million followers) brings you 100 delicious recipes that don’t use an oven

Who doesn’t love a no-bake? From cheesecakes, ice cream and truffles to desserts made on the hob, in a microwave and air fryer, not one of these recipes needs you to turn on your oven.

You’ll find brand-new recipes using popular flavours, as well as highly-requested fan favourites, lots with fewer than 5 ingredients and one-tin options to save on washing up. There are even no-bake brownies, cookies and cakes, plus 10 savoury recipes – so you’ll find something for everyone.

Includes:



Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
Very Berry Cream Pie
Speculoos Millionaire’s Bars
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake
Cookie Cups for Two
White Chocolate Cheesecake Truffles
Peanut Caramel Fudge



Tom Baldwin: Keir Starmer - The Biography


Published 29th February 2024

'The first serious and consistently readable biography of Starmer…It is a wonder that he has said so much to Baldwin' PATRICK MAGUIRE, THE TIMES

'This will be the most important political book of the year’ MATTHEW D’ANCONA, EVENING STANDARD

This authoritative – but not authorised – biography by Tom Baldwin provides answers by drawing deeply on many hours of interviews with the Labour leader himself, as well as unprecedented access to members of his family, his oldest friends and closest colleagues.

Together, they tell an unexpectedly intimate story filled with feelings of grief and love that has driven him on more than any rigid ideology or loyalty to a particular faction.

The book tracks Starmer’s emergence from a troubled small town background and rebellious youth, through a storied legal career as a human rights barrister and the country’s chief prosecutor, to becoming an MP relatively late in life.

Baldwin provides a vivid and compelling account of how this untypical politician then rose to be leader of his party in succession to Jeremy Corbyn, then transformed it with a ruthless rapidity that has enraged opponents from the left just as much as it has bewildered those on the right.

Above all, this is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to understand how someone who has too often been underestimated or dismissed as dull, now intends to change Britain.


Georgia Kousoulou: I Wish I Knew...

Published 29th February 2024

Lessons on love, life and family as you grow - the first beautiful book from online agony aunt and TV star, Georgia Kousoulou. I wish I knew...
the 2am night-feed silence is deafening
how to find myself after becoming a mum
that one day, I'd have all the courage I'd ever need. 'When I first became a mum, I lost my own identity for a while. It's almost expected that it's entirely what you become: Mum with a capital M. I wrote this book for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, alone or who needs to hear someone else saying what they are thinking! I Wish I Knew is everything I wish I had known, and so much more...' In her honest, down-to-earth style (with nothing off-limits!) TV star and online agony aunt Georgia shares the lessons she's learnt about family, relationships and love. No matter how much time you have to delve in, you will find the perfect pick-me-up inside. Have a break with a short essay or dive into a longer chapter, all featuring Georgia's best pieces of advice at the end. Alongside Georgia's journey to motherhood and everything that comes with it - the ups and the downs - fill in your own thoughts in the book's journal section and share what you wish you had known, too.


Sarah Raven: A Year Full of Pots

Published 14th March 2024

Pots are everywhere in Sarah Raven's garden at Perch Hill. Every corner comes to life with their colour and vibrancy.

A Year Full of Pots overbrims with year-round inspiration, planting ideas and expert advice from Sarah Raven, the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Year Full of Flowers and A Year Full of Veg.

Accessible and rewarding, growing flowers in pots is a simple and enjoyable way to enhance any space, from small city plots to huge gardens. Get the pots right and your garden will take on a cheerful energy of its own. They are the bubbles in the champagne, the cherries on the cake; the final flourish in making a garden beautiful.

And with pots, there is one iron rule: more is more.

Discover practical design tips that will really enhance your containers. Use ingenious tricks when combining flower colours such as choosing a BRIDE (the star of the show), a BRIDESMAID (similar to the bride but smaller and less conspicuous) and a GATECRASHER (the colour contrast, which brings the whole thing to life).
Learn all about the types of forms and plant structures - THRILLER, FILLER, PILLAR and SPILLER - and how to put them to best use. And take on the simplest of ideas, such as raising flower pots on to a wall or table so you see more of them, for instant impact.

Following the seasons, A Year Full of Pots shows you how to make your own evolving tapestry of colour through long-lasting container combinations. All the flowers and planting schemes Sarah has tried and tested over the decades are in here, plus the design principles that will work for you at any scale, whether you have one pot or a garden full of them.



Anna Jones: Easy Wins

Published 14th March 2024

‘For when it’s 8pm, you’re starving and you want a Tuesday night triumph. An easy, honest, delicious win’ Yotam Ottolenghi

‘Clever, delicious, heartfelt and wholesome’ Jamie Oliver

A brand new and essential book from award-winning and bestselling cook Anna Jones.

Anna Jones gives her golden rules for easy wins in the kitchen with super-simple recipes that are bursting with flavour and kind to the planet.

Anna takes 12 hero ingredients that are guaranteed to make your food taste great, with chapters on lemons, olive oil, mustard, tahini and more. She gives 125 all-new dishes that you will want to cook on repeat, like Double Lemon Pilaf with Buttery Almonds, Traybake Lemon Dhal, Miso Rarebit, and Cherry and Chocolate Peanut Butter Sundae. And there’s practical advice on how to season and flavour, plus plenty of ideas for invaluable vegetarian swaps.

EASY WINS will become your go-to for the most flavourful dishes that come together quickly and promise daily moments of triumph.


Rebecca Wilson: Budget Family Food

Published 29th February 2024

From the bestselling author of What Mummy Makes Rebecca Wilson shows you how to bring comfort to your table with 80 recipes for nourishing, low-cost meals perfect for all the family.

From quick breakfast taquitos and curried potato pasties to satisfy the pickiest of palettes, to moreish mushroom lasagne and decadent chocolate gingerbread cake, choose from 80 recipes packed with exciting flavours that will appeal to everyone at the table from 6 months and over.

Whether you want to make fresh, fruity breakfasts, light snacks and air fryer treats, hearty slow-cooked casseroles, or sumptuous desserts, Rebecca's easy-to-follow recipes are designed to save you time and money, making the most of your favourite seasonal ingredients and store-cupboard essentials. With recipes tailor-made for Air-fryers and slow cookers, cooking once for all the family has never been simpler.

With useful tips on budgeting, batch cooking, freezing and storing, easy substitutions for lots of ingredients, and catering to fussy eaters, Rebecca takes the worry out of meal planning and prep, so you can spend more quality time with the ones you love.