Gift Focus - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 114)

145 BOOK REVIEWS AM I OVERTHINKING THIS?: OVER-ANSWERING LIFE’S QUESTIONS IN 101 CHARTS by Michelle Rial RRP: £10.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781452175867 Perfect for worriers, Am I Overthinking This? features full-colour and beautifully designed charts and visual representations to bring whimsical charm to problems big and small, offering solidarity for the stressed, answers for the confused and a good laugh for all. The book tackles hard-hitting questions such as “How do I achieve work-life balance?” and “Am I eating too much cheese?” Michelle Rial delivers a playful take on the little dilemmas that loom large in the mind of every adult, building on her popular Instagram account. Michelle is a graphic designer and a fan of charts. Her work has been featured in USA Today and on Vox , Vulture and more. Published by chronicle books. For more information, visit abramsandchronicle.co.uk 2020: TWENTY YEARS OF AMAZING THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED OUR WORLD by Sam Berry RRP: £9.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781787830394 Taking stock of the most impressive achievements, colossal disasters and marvellous innovations that have changed our world, 2020 brings together fascinating facts and figures on subjects ranging from technological advancements and weather phenomena to sporting achievements and political shake-ups. The book encapsulates the weird and wonderful highlights of the past 20 years and is ready to be on shelves for the new year. 2020 is fully designed with illustrated pages and interesting trivia. Available from Summersdale. For more information, visit summersdale.com WRITING CHARACTER by The San Francisco Writers’ Grotto RRP: £10.99 Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781419738326 From the creators of bestselling series 642 Things is a new series of activity-based writing themed books. Each book begins with an informative and example-rich essay by a published writer followed by roughly 40 prompts and space to write. Sharpen observations of character with Writing Character , practice mimicking speech patterns and creating conversations in Writing Dialogue . Propel stories with action-packed prose in Writing Action and find a comedic voice with Writing Humor. The previous series was a strong performer in gift stores with a literary or creative focus, and the new bold and colourful colours make the books stand out. The books offer manageable tasks for seasoned and novice writers alike and apply to all genres and styles of writing. Published by Abrams Noterie. For more information, visit abramsandchronicle.co.uk THE LITTLE BOOK OF STUDENT FOOD by Alastair Williams RRP: £6.99 Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781787830240 With a new school year kicking off in September, this little cookbook will help students living away from home for the first time get to terms with the basics of cooking from scratch. The starter guide covers easy dishes through to more adventurous meals, with budget-friendly and easy-to-follow recipes. The book also features basic guidance on cooking terms and staple ingredients and covers starters, mains and desserts. Alastair Williams was a student at numerous establishments of education before graduating. He has travelled widely to find mouth-watering recipes that can be reproduced by any student. Available from Summersdale. For more information, visit summersdale.com