CookBooks for Christmas

Cook Books for Christmas!

Book1:

Title: Hugh’s Three Good Things…on a plate

Author: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (SIGNED COPY!)

ISBN: 978-1-4088-2858-8

Price: £25.00

Book2:

Title: Celebrate (A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends)

Author: Pippa Middleton (SIGNED COPY!)

ISBN: 978-0-718-17678-5

                I have practically no skills at cooking so any kind of recipes I use must be easy to follow and I have to say this must be my first time since cookery lessons at school in Year 9 to actually use a cookbook. Nevertheless I tried my best and managed to successfully make a full English breakfast frittata from Celebrate by Kate Middleton. The Beetroot Egg Anchovy salad from Hugh’s Three Good Things was sadly less successful, I struggled cooking the beetroot. However although I think the results was due to my incompetence with cookery, rather than the actually recipe, I must admit I found ‘Celebrate’ easier to follow and a lot quicker. There was nothing in any of the recipes that confused me and my mum was certainly very impressed with my frittata which I served her for breakfast!  She also liked the book itself with its beautiful layout and bright pictures. ‘Hugh’s three good things’ looks very good for a healthy eating plan. All the recipes are based around three main ingredients, usually including vegetables and are therefore meant to be fairly simple and easy (again I think it was probably my fault the recipe didn’t work, not Hugh’s). I would definitely try again with a different salad though as they all look delicious; ‘Cauliflowers, tomatoes and capers’, ‘Cabbage avocado and lentils’ and ‘fennel tangerine and pumpkin seeds’. Some of the main meals included also appeal; ‘fish, onion, olives’ and ‘ham, squash and marmalade’.

                The two books are very different. ‘Celebrate’ is aimed at families, providing not only recipes, but activity and decoration activities for various events throughout the year such as Christmas, Easter, New Year and family events such as birthdays, barbecues and picnics. It is perfect for any mother and contains inventive ideas to inspire you to make every holiday enjoyable for the whole family. Hugh’s Three Good Things however focuses entirely on the food and can be used by men and women alike; single, young, old and with or without families. Hugh says “If ever you feel your cooking is stuck in a rut, your repertoire of recipes a little tired, then this ridiculously simple cookbook is aimed at you…I want to set you off in a creative direction, by showing you a pattern that underpins many well-loved dishes” Three really does seem to be the perfect number; not too complicated, not too bland or boring. It also a healthier way to eat, especially if can encourage home-cooking. This could be a great gift for a young couple, a student who doesn’t want to live off take-aways, or just a family or anyone in need of some new ideas.

Both books look very impressive with vivid images and attractive covers to brighten up your kitchen or your coffee table. ‘Celebrate’ is original in that it is arranged and categorized by seasons with an extensive index at the back and Hugh’s Three Good Things’ is arranged by starters, mains, deserts as you would perhaps expect. Both I think could be very useful, in very different ways. I really loved some of the decoration and activity ideas in ‘Celebrate’ for example ‘edible Christmas gifts’, ‘Guess my New Year’s resolution’ and the ‘Easter Crafts’ section. Depending on who you are buying for I would recommend either as an excellent Christmas or New Year’s gift, or treat for yourself!

Christmas books!

Title: A Christmas Poem

Author: Carol Ann Duffy

ISBN: 978-1-4472-1202-7

Price: £5.99

The perfect Christmas gift for children and adults this poem retells the story of the famous carol, King Wenceslas, with beautiful illustrations by Stuart Kolakovic. Hardback and carefully structured, the little book begins with luxurious descriptions of a lavish Christmas feast at the palace of King Wenceslas and it really puts you in the festive spirit! As he is feasting however the King sees a man stood in the cold and his act of kindness to this man encapsulates the true meaning and spirit of Christmas; caring for others. With wonderful illustrations carefully incorporated into the poem, this is definitely a book to keep for many Christmases to come!

Title: Jesus’ Christmas Party

Author: Nicholas Allan

ISBN: 978-1-84941-526-2

Price: £5.99

This children’s book is a charming, funny retelling of the classic Nativity story for young children aged 6 and under. It is told from the view of the innkeeper an irritable man who is simply trying to get a good night’s sleep. However he cannot seem to get any peace, ever since he let a young couple, Mary and Joseph, sleep in his stable. He is plagued by shepherds, Kings, bright lights and singing and finally in a fit of rage goes to see what all the fuss is about. What he doesn’t realise is that a very special child has been born that night, in his stable, a child who will change the world forever.

                Comical illustrations assist this tale making it perfect for younger children either to read for themselves or be read to as an excellent way to make the story of Christmas more exciting. Cleverly written and lots of fun to read, I would definitely recommend it to put children in the festive spirit!

Formby Then and Now

Title: Formby Then and Now in colour

Author: Reg and Barbara Yorke

ISBN: 978-0-7524-7155-6

Price: Christmas offer £10 while stocks last! (RRP £12.99)

                Written as a contribution to Civic Day organised by the Formby Civic Society, June 2012, this is a high-quality, pictorial record for those with a passion for local history, or even those people who simply appreciate Formby and are curious to know more. The book provides detailed information about Formby from the middle of the 18^th century onwards, right up to June 2011. Interesting facts are intermingled with a stunning set of nostalgic images of Formby as far back as 1900. Imagine Formby as it was, a small rural hamlet, in contrast to the compact town with its own shopping centre (as we call ‘the village’).  Ever wanted to know when and how the first street lights in Formby arrived? Or when the village was pedestrianized? And how did Wicks Lane Path get its name? The answers to these as well as the origins of Cross Green, the well-known inns: Cross House, The Bay Horse and The Grapes and the old church yard can all be found in Formby Then and Now. There are also interesting details about Formby during great historical events, such as the Harrington Barracks in the Second World War and the Altcar Rifle Range, which was situated on the mouth of the River Alt. in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Even Formby Bowling club played its part, acting host to convalescent soldiers during the First World War; we contrast this with how it is today. Of course, we cannot forget the fabulous Formby coast and the threat that coastal erosion poses to the natural environment and glorious beach. There is also the Lifeboat station, the very first light boat station in the world and Formby Lighthouse, ‘one of the first nautical structures erected to help aid navigation and safety at the port of Liverpool’. Gain a sense of local pride from traditions and events which have continued in Formby for years, such as the Open Air Art Exhibition, held every June since 1950.

                This latest edition is brighter, bigger and better than other books in the ‘Then and Now’ series and the vivid images, hardback cover and glossy pages make this book an ideal Christmas present for any Formby dweller. Perhaps your house, someone you know, or somewhere you go every day is featured in this book, so read and find out!

A New Review

Title: The False Prince

Author: Jennifer A. Nielson         

ISBN:  978-1-407133-05-8

Price: £6.99

Sage is no ordinary orphan teenage boy living in the poorest part of Avenia, with a stubborn , rebellious attitude and sharp mind he refuses to be beaten. His life changes dramatically when one day, he is taken by the mysterious noble Conner. He is told where he will be taken or of what will become of him, but also captured are three other boys Latimer, the sickly, Tobias, the educated and Roden, the brave and strong. The boys are all of a similar age and appearance.  It is soon revealed that the plan is for one of these boys to impersonate the Prince Jaron of Carthya, who disappeared years ago when his ship was attacked by pirates. With the royal family under attack from within, it is time for the Prince to fulfil his duty. Conner will choose the boy who appears to him most similar to the Prince, and as for the other three; they must be disposed of.

                Sage understands that this twisted competition is something he cannot lose, and as a skilled thief and quick thinker he applies his skills, but antagonises Conner when he refuses to bend and obey anyone. Conner’s Prince must be obedient, loyal and willing to embrace a lifetime of lies. Sage cannot force himself and it seems that, unlike the other boys, he wants nothing less than the throne. However, he realises he has responsibilities as only he can save the other boys who are not chosen. Imogen, a young abused servant girl in Conner’s household, attracts his attention. Her mother refused Conner and as revenge for this Imogen was taken and is now forced to feign muteness in order to escape Conner’s advances. She is one of Sage’s few companions in the castle but says she will refuse to accept him if he becomes the Prince, unable to imagine why anyone would choose a life of deception, if there was any other option.

                Torn between the truth, which he had never wanted to accept, and the lie which he is living, Sage must make a decision; the orphan or the prince? However the mysterious orphan hides more secrets than Conner could ever have realised. When he picked Sage up off the streets it was both his greatest achievement, but also his biggest mistake.

                A gripping, exciting novel, packed with action and adventure, once you begin this book it is impossible to put down. Perfect for both boys and girls ages 11-16! The character of the Orphan Prince is entertaining and likeable, but never arrogant. The book also contains themes such as assassination, poverty, pirates and royalty and has the classic characters such as evil nobles grasping for control of the throne, Conner’s ruthless accomplice, Cregan and the suffering Princess Amarinda, betrothed to the heir of the throne, but in love with Jaron’s brother, Darius.

I would give this 8/10!