17 BOOK REVIEWS Bookstand The latest releases in gift books SLOW TRAINS AROUND BRITAIN Author: Tom Chesshyre RRP: £20 Format: Hardcover ISBN: 9781837995271 Join travel writer and train enthusiast Tom Chesshyre as he celebrates 200 years of passenger railways in a zigzagging tour around the UK – the home of the railways – from the Isle of Wight to Snowdonia, Inverness and Penzance. In a small market town in the northeast of England in 1825, something momentous happened: ticket-bearing human beings began moving along wrought-iron tracks on a contraption with wheels powered by engines. The contraption was called a “train”. What happened in Darlington, along a 26-mile line to Stockton, would kickstart the railway revolution. Today, 1.3 million miles of tracks crisscross the planet. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of this groundbreaking event, Tom Chesshyre embarks on a journey around the country that invented trains, taking in many heritage lines maintained by armies of enthusiasts. On a series of rides beginning and ending in Darlington on a train-inspired circle, Tom enjoys the scenery, seeks out the history, dodges delays (best he can), and lets the rhythm of the clattering rails help him understand what it is about trains – especially wonderful old trains – that we love so much. www.summersdale.com ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE RRP: £7.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781837996193 Find the rainbow in every storm with this cheerful collection of uplifting quotes, designed to boost your happiness and have you radiating joy. Life has its challenges, and even the strongest among us can feel low from time to time. Sometimes, all we need is a little boost to get us back on track. This pocket-sized book is filled with inspiring words of wisdom to remind you that brighter days are always ahead! Discover a treasure trove of empowering quotes from a wide array of inspirational figures – from the ancient wisdom of Confucius to the modern insights of Taylor Swift. Each quote is carefully selected to lift your spirits, add some pep to your step, and keep you moving forwards with confidence. This book is guaranteed to help you: • Appreciate the brighter side of life • Bounce back from hard days with a positive attitude • Accept mistakes as part of life and success Let this little book be your go-to source of motivation and positivity, providing a quick and powerful pick-me-up whenever you need it most. www.summersdale.com THE LITTLE BOOK OF SLEEP MEDITATIONS Author: Annie Fay Meitchik RRP: £9.99 Format: Hardback ISBN: 9781837995073 Fall asleep effortlessly every night with this little book of sleep meditations that will leave you feeling rested and revitalized. Slipping into slumber isn’t as dreamy as it sounds for the staggering 79 per cent of the population who struggle to switch off at bedtime. For many, it is the reel of worries and an overwhelming to-do list that can hamper a good night’s sleep, not to mention the added threat of our devices lighting up throughout the early hours. It’s no wonder so many of us are scraping by each day with low energy levels. Thankfully, this book is here to help you change your sleep habits via the power of mindfulness and meditation. Inside its pages you will find: • Information on why sleep is so important and a breakdown of the sleep cycle • Advice on sleep hygiene and how to make your bedroom a peaceful environment • A beginner’s guide to meditation and the benefits it brings • 5-, 10- and 15-minute meditations that will help you ease your anxious thoughts • Other meditative exercises to help you relax, including mindful body scanning, visualizations, counting and breathing exercises, and movement-based meditation Your journey towards better sleep starts now. www.summersdale.com DOPAMINE HOME Author: Rachel Verney RRP: £25 Format: Hardback Create a joyful, moodboosting home through the transformative power of dopamine decor. Packed full of ideas for every budget, interiors expert Rachel Verney shares her creative design process, colour know-how and interior hacks to make every corner of your home a colourful, dopamineinducing haven. Whether you’re looking for cost-friendly ‘mini upgrades with maximum impact’, or largescale inspiration as part of a renovation, Rachel guides you through the core principles of dopamine décor room by room, showing you to implement them as you transform your space. With easy-to-follow practical projects to get you started, including: • How to paint tiles • Upholster your own headboard • Upcycle a cocktail cabinet • Build your own planter pergola www.quercusbooks.co.uk
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