13 books to enjoy over the festive period

The Blueberry Stories: Book Four, Valegro Goes International

Released just in time for Christmas, the story of the most successful and famous dressage horse in the world, Valegro continues.

In this delightful book, his true-life story continues as the reader is taken on the amazing journey of a top-class dressage horse. Blueberry and his rider, Charlotte, continue to progress their career under the tutelage of top rider and trainer, Carl Hester. We see how Blueberry is chosen to represent his country and how the little brown horse gains attention from not only the world’s top dressage judges but begins to attract his own fans all over the world.

BUY HERE £6.99

New Classics: Inspiring and delicious recipes to transform your home cooking

Following on from his Sunday Times bestseller Marcus at Home, Marcus Wareing delivers a must-have new classic for your shelves.

In his new book, Marcus takes the best of the time-honoured recipes and puts his own spin on them. What’s more, he creates new recipes that will become much-loved classics in their own right.  

BUY HERE £10.00

Form: My Autobiography

Kieren Fallon was one of the world’s greatest jockeys, but his career was littered with controversial incidents. Now, in his powerful and honest autobiography, he tells all.

In Form, Kieren Fallon provides a searingly honest account of his life, and the pressures he faced to get to the top of his sport, where winning was never enough, and where relaxation came in the shape of a bottle of vodka or a meal that had to be ‘flipped’ immediately to ensure he maintained his weight. He worked with some of the best trainers and won all the biggest races, but true happiness only ever really came to him when he was on the back of a horse.

BUY HERE: £14.44

Five Lose Dad in the Garden Centre (Enid Blyton for Grown Ups)

Enid Blyton’s books are loved all over the world and The Famous Five have been the perennial favourite of her fans. Now, in this new series of Enid Blyton for Grown-Ups, George, Dick, Anne, Julian and Timmy are keen to show Uncle Quentin what a jolly good chap he is.

BUY HERE: £5.59

The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II

A beautiful collection celebrating the Queen’s humour, with amusing quotations and stories about royal life.

Revealing a side of the Queen’s personality that the public rarely see, this joyous book is a timely celebration of royal humour as Elizabeth II succeeds Victoria as Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

BUY HERE: £9.99

Land Rover: The Story of the Car That Conquered the World

As quintessentially British as a plate of fish and chips or a British Bulldog, the boxy, utilitarian Land Rover Defender has become an iconic part of what it is to be British.

This book is a fitting tribute to this most British institution which has stood as a beacon of durability and Britishness across the world. Every Land Rover has its own unique story to tell. This is the story of the world’s favourite car.

 BUY HERE: £20.00

Park Life: The Memoirs of a Royal Parks Gamekeeper

‘Retire? You can’t retire!’, Sir David Attenborough told John Bartram, when the man who has been gamekeeper and senior wildlife officer.

A remarkable diary chronicling the final year of John’s charmed life as the guardian of Richmond Park.

BUY HERE: £16.99

Bad Days in History

From Caligula’s blood-soaked end to hotelier Steve Wynn’s unfortunate run-in with a priceless Picasso, Bad Days in History delves into the past to present 365 delightfully told tales of historically bad days.

BUY HERE: £11.99

Horse Yoga

Cave paintings reveal that even the earliest equines practiced at least a primitive form of yoga. It is generally accepted that the modern domesticated horse can credit its incredible speed and agility to the benefits of ancestral yoga poses passed on over the millennium.

This colourful gift book features vivid photographs of horses in both contemporary and classic poses.

BUY HERE: £5.99

Morelabradorable: Follow the adventures of Barnaby the labrador and his friends

Join Barnaby the labrador and Villager Jim as they meet their animal friends.

Barnaby has many friends, both at his home and in the beautiful Peak District countryside surrounding it. His owner, award-winning photographer Villager Jim, captures these meetings on camera, allowing us all into Barnaby’s world.

BUY HERE: £6.94

The Very Hungover Caterpillar

From the bestselling authors of We’re Going on a Bar Hunt, comes another hilarious parody of a much-loved children’s book.

This time, we follow the quest of one man as he attempts to shake off his hangover, through eating whatever he can get his hands on, and annoying his family in the process.

The perfect book for anyone who fondly remembers the original, but has now grown up and knows all too well just how painful hungover days can be . . .

BUY HERE: £6.99

Perfect English Farmhouse

Perfect English Farmhouse celebrates the characteristic style and fascinating history of the classic farmhouse and shows how to turn your own home into a similarly welcoming retreat.

In Perfect English Farmhouse, via a series of case studies, Ros Byam Shaw explores both traditional and contemporary farmhouse style. 

BUY HERE: £20.40

How to get your leg over: Diary of a Wimpy Eventer (The Wimpy Trilogy)

Ever wondered what it takes to over-come fear?

To grab hold of something with both hands and never let go?

Victoria will let you in on a little secret…

BUY HERE: £6.99