How to be a Good Mother-in-Law by Bodleian Library Staff (Editor)

$22.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

"Do not march into the drawing-room and, having inspected it, say, "What a nice room, but --" "Do not look at your son steadfastly and then turn to his wife and tell her he is getting thin." "When you wax eloquently on the way to keep soup hot, you are merely asking him to shout on the house tops that h e prefers cold soup to mothers-in-law." These are just a few of the words of wisdom on offer in How to be a Good Mother-in-Law, the latest in a series of delightful advice books that also includes How to be a Good Husband and How to be a Good Wife. While the station of mother-in-law is not one celebrated for its sympathy and is the subject of no shortage of off-color jokes, this slim guide shows that it is possible to achieve accord--even friendship--with the man or woman your son or daughter has chosen to marry. Originally published in the 1930s, How to be a Good Mother-in-Law offers advice that ranges from the amusingly old-fashioned to the surprisingly still relevant today. Among the topics discussed are how not to behave on your son or daughter's wedding day, how to visit the couple in their new home, how to interact with the grandchildren, and what degree of independence should be granted to married sons. For mothers-in-law considering living with the married couple, a chapter presents suggestions for how to negotiate this famously fraught situation. In another chapter called "Are They as Bad as They are Painted?," the book reproduces a selection of tabloid tragedies, including the story of a mother-in-law that surprised a hapless couple by accompanying them on their honeymoon.Whether you're a new mother-in-law, a veteran to this much-maligned role, or a long-suffering spouse whose partner's parent seems impossible to please--the pithy advice on-hand in How to be a Good Mother-in-Law will be warmly welcomed. ...Show more

The World as 100 People: A Visual Guide to 7 Billion Humans by Aileen Lord

$23.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

What would the world look like if the 7 billion people on this planet were presented as 100 individuals? This beautifully illustrated and informative infographics book re-examines the world's population with fascinating and often sobering results. Covering diverse subjects such as demography, education, technology and health, The World as 100 People reveals that 61 people are Asian, 15 are African, 10 come from Europe and 14 are from the Americas. 51 people live in cities, yet 36 lack basic access to sanitation. 21 people are overweight, 15 are undernourished and 1 is starving. 40 individuals are regular Internet users and 21 have a Facebook page. Perhaps most shockingly of all, 48 people currently live on less than US$2 per day while 1 person owns 48% of all the world's wealth. With bold infographics from Melbourne-based designer and artist Aileen Lord, The World as 100 People highlights the reality of the world we live in. It is enlightening and thought provoking, and will ensure that you'll never look at the world's population in the same way again. ...Show more

SAS Survival Handbook The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere by John "Lofty" Wiseman

$40.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

The ultimate guide to surviving anywhere, now updated with more than 100 pages of additional material, including a new chapter on urban survival "A classic. ... Addresses every conceivable disaster scenario. Don't leave home without it" --Outside Revised to reflect the latest in survival knowledge an d technology, and covering new topics such as urban survival and terrorism, the multimillion-copy worldwide bestseller SAS Survival Handbook by John "Lofty" Wiseman is the definitive resource for all campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. From basic campcraft and navigation to fear management and strategies for coping with any type of disaster, this complete course includes: Being prepared: Understanding basic survival skills, like reading the weather, and preparation essentials, such as a pocket survival kit. Making camp: Finding the best location, constructing the appropriate shelter, organizing camp, staying warm, and creating tools. Food: What to eat, what to avoid, where to find it, and how to prepare it. First aid: A comprehensive course in emergency/wilderness medicine, including how to maximize survival in any climate or when injured. Disaster survival: How to react in the face of natural disasters and hostile situations--and how to survive if all services and supplies are cut off. Self-defense: Arming yourself with basic hand-to-hand combat techniques. Security: Protecting your family and property from intrusion, break-ins, and theft. Climate & terrain: Overcoming any location, from the tropics to the poles, from the desert to the mountains and sea. ...Show more

Writing Radar by Jack Gantos

$18.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

The Newbery Award-winning author of Dead End in Norvelt shares advice for how to be the best brilliant writer in this funny and practical creative writing guide perfect for all kids who dream of seeing their name on the spine of a book.With the signature wit and humor that have garnered him legions of f ans, Jack Gantos instructs young writers on using their "writing radar" to unearth story ideas from their everyday lives. Incorporating his own misadventures as a developing writer, Gantos inspires readers to build confidence and establish good writing habits as they create, revise, and perfect their stories. Pop-out text boxes highlight key tips, alongside Gantos's own illustrations, sample stories, and snippets from his childhood journals. More than just a how-to guide, Writing Radar is a celebration of the power of storytelling and an ode to the characters who--many unwittingly--inspired Gantos's own writing career.Praise for Writing Radar Evanston IL Public Library Best Books of the YearCPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best "An excellent guide for aspiring authors. . . And while the book is directed at serious writers in the making, there's enough exaggeration and grossness to keep readers laughing." --Publishers Weekly, starred review"Gantos's journey as a young writer learning his craft and the stories he actually wrote in middle school, all told with his characteristic humor, will appeal to fans of his novels whether or not they aspire to a writing career. Teachers will also find Gantos's breakdown on the creation of a story valuable for teaching critical reading as well as writing skills." --VOYA, starred review ...Show more

The Joy of Camping: For Those Who Love the Great Outdoors

$28.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General | Series: The Joy of

'For as long as I stay here, I know I will have to also get to the wild places.' Robert Macfarlane This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with tips on equipment, food, surviving bad weather and finding the right campsite, and with facts and stories from the world of camping, is perfect for anyone who know s the incomparable joy and adventure of pitching their tent under an open sky. ...Show more

The Art of Natural Cleaning by Rebecca Sullivan

$25.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General | Series: Art of Ser.

This handy little guide is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to keep their home sparklingly clean without resorting to chemical products. Rebecca draws on traditional cleaning techniques, bringing them up to date to suit the modern home. Taking the time to create your own cleaning products, fro m floor polish to washing up liquid, creates a more mindful approach to the home and encourages greater respect and care for our surroundings. With just a few simple ingredients, such as salt, bicarb, lemons and essential oils, your home can be clean, fresh and fragrant, as well as environmentally friendly. This inspiring guide is a must for anyone interested in living a simpler, more purposeful life. ...Show more

The Complete Guide to Flags of the World by Brian Johnson Barker; Clive Carpenter

$27.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

An up-to-date reference guide showing each country s national flag, explanation of its origin and meaning, a locator map and key statistics.

Fucking Apostrophes by Simon Griffin

$20.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

A hilarious, furious and profoundly useful short guide to the most maddening punctuation in English   Apostrophes are an f'ing pain. The rules about how to use them are complicated, and have evolved haphazardly.   Originally written as advice by a copywriter for designers -- wont to insert and remove apostrophes at will, for visual effect -- this is a lighthearted pocket-sized guide to getting the f'ing things right.   Simon Griffin lets off steam so that we don't have to, showing precisely why "Rihanna and Jennifer's photos were all over the Internet" is quite different to "Rihanna's and Jennifer's photos" or what words apostrophes are replacing in sentences such as "He'd like you to buy him some cocaine," or "They've got it all on camera."   Elegantly produced, this is the perfect gift for any pedant, as well as an indispensable guide in all our moments of grammar-related frustration.   WARNING: CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE ...Show more

Word by Word by Kory Stamper

$35.00 NZD

Category: Reference - General

While most of us might take dictionaries for granted, the process of writing them is in fact as lively and dynamic as language itself. With sharp wit and irreverence, Kory Stamper cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography--from the agonizing decisions about what and how to define, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language. She explains why small words are the most difficult to define (have you ever tried to define oiso?), how it can take nine months to define a single word, and how our biases about language and pronunciation can have tremendous social influence. Throughout, Stamper brings to life the hallowed halls (and highly idiosyncratic cubicles) of Merriam-Webster, a world inhabited by quirky, erudite individuals who quietly shape the way we communicate. A sure delight for all lovers of words, Word by Wordmight also quietly improve readers' grasp and use of the English language. ...Show more

The World's Greatest Idea by John Farndon

$29.99 NZD

Category: Humour

Where would humanity be without fire, farming or wine? A great idea changes the path of human civilization. But which is the greatest of them all? In The World's Greatest Idea, John Farndon has set out to find the answer with help from a panel of experts in the fields of science, the arts and philosoph y. ...Show more

EVERYDAY LETTERS FOR BUSY by MAY D

$39.95 NZD

Category: Reference - General

Thereby Hangs a Tale by Earle Funk Charles

$29.95 NZD

Category: Reference - General

A renowned language expert explores the interesting sources and unusual meanings behind many everyday English words, in a humorous guide to the complexities of the English language. Reprint.