Books We Love
Our top recommendations for fans of non-fiction.
The Language Of Flowers
Odessa Begay
Subtitled “A Fully Illustrated Compendium Of Meaning, Literature, and Lore for the Modern Romantic”, Odessa Begay’s gorgeous anthology tells the story of 50 of the world’s most popular flowers, their meanings, folklore and their place in literature and culture, as well as giving botanical information.
Want to know how Christian Dior came to invent his classic perfume, “Diorissimo”? You’ll find out here.
Harper Design, £25.
A House Through Time
David Olusoga
Based on the BBC’s popular documentary and written by David Olusoga, historian and presenter of the series, with house historian Melanie Backe-Hansen, the book shows how to explore the history of your own home, and also tells the story of how a single house can give a window into the past of an entire city and the historical events that made the streets where we live.
Picador, £20.
The Mystery Of Charles Dickens
A.N. Wilson
We’re still avidly reading the works of Charles Dickens 150 years after his death. The stories, characters and insight into human nature continue to resonate today. But what about the author himself?
A.N. Wilson, well-known chronicler of Victorian worthies, turns his attention to Dickens in this new biography that promises to reveal much about the man and his work.
Atlantic Books, £17.99.
The Vegan Dairy
Catherine Atkinson
If you’re lactose-intolerant, vegan or you just plain like the taste of plant-based milks, then Catherine Atkinson’s new book is for you.
She promises that making dairy alternatives is easier than you might think and offers step-by-step instructions for plant-based drinks and products that you can also use in your cooking, sweet or savoury, including a tasty vegan mac and cheese and a recipe for rich ice-cream!
Lorenz Books, £20.
Together
Dr Vivek Murthy
Dr Vivek Murthy was Surgeon General of the United States of America from 2014 to 2017. In that role, he observed how isolation and loneliness lay at the root of so many of the health problems in our global society.
In this timely and important book, he outlines solutions that could transform our health and our relationships, and which can be applied even during this time of physical distancing.
Profile Books, £20.
Love Is A Kitten
Charlie Ellis
Who can resist a delightful, fluffy kitten? Not us! And Charlie Ellis’s little book is a cat-alogue of cuties guaranteed to make you smile.
Tiny paws? Adorable whiskers? Big round eyes? Teeny-weeny tails? They’re all in these pages, along with some of the sweetest little faces you could care to meet. Just right if you’re looking for a diversion from the news, or for any reason at all!
Summersdale, £7.99.