Imagination, inspiration and fun reads

For train and travel enthusiasts A History of the World in 500 Railway Journeys, by Sarah Baxter. Sarah Baxter has already written a history of the world in 500 walks, so gets to put her feet up in this beautifully illustrated compendium. Australia’s oldest steel-railed route, built in 1887 to link Goolwa on the Murray River with Victor Harbor, joins big sister The Ghan, Scotland’s Jacobite and Canada's Rocky Mountaineer in a mighty classy gift.

For a post-puberty catch-up After The Blues, by Kathy Lette. Kathy Lette is still a loud and proud feminist and in this hilarious follow-up to the cult Aussie coming-of-age novel Puberty Blues, she reharnesses her girl power. It’s now the 1980s and Debbie has returned to Sydney’s Shire to discover that while things have changed, they are also the same and your girlfriends really are the only people you can rely on.

For spiritual souls The Wisdom of Sundays, by Oprah Winfrey. “Life-changing insights from super soul conversations,” is the book’s subtitle and within its pleasing soft-cartridge paper pages, Winfrey embraces us with her “Aha!” moment insights from her conversations with world-famous visionaries. Ten chapters course a spiritual journey from Awakenings, through Ego and Forgiveness, to Love.

For novice gardeners Floral, by Guy Barter, illustrated by Sam Falconer. Winning combo from UK Royal Horticultural Society author Guy Barter and illustrator Sam Falconer’s mix of classical, historical collage and digital techniques. The result is a highly readable and most attractive all-round gardening guide, which pares right back to the simple stuff for those who don’t know their north-facing aspect from their south.

For Elizabethans My Husband and I, by Ingrid Seward. Ingrid Seward is the editor of royal fanzine Majesty and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the House of Windsor. In this portrait of the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, she delves into their private lives and gives a pertinent account of the history of their romance through the good times and the bad.

For those seeking a new perspective Dear World, by Bana Alabed. Eight-year-old Syrian Bana Alabed dedicates this deeply affecting book “to every child suffering in a war. You are not alone.” It’s a heart-grabbing start to a must-read memoir. Bana’s happy childhood was ripped apart by civil war and her family fled to Turkey. Bana described the horrors of her life on Twitter and in doing so connected with the world’s conscience.

For lovers of dramatic irony A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet. Pocket-sized Guinea Pig Shakespeare – yes, guinea pigs, seven of them, including Marlin (Romeo of Montague) and Bear (Juliet of Capulet), decked out in velvet cloaks and pearly crowns. It's a hysterical follow-up to last year's A Guinea Pig Oliver Twist.