Spanning Tom Waits’ extraordinary 40-year career, from “Closing Time” to “Orphans”, “Lowside of the Road” is Barney Hoskyns’ unique take on one of rock’s great enigmas. Like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, Waits is a chameleonic survivor who’s achieved long-term success while retaining cult credibility and outsider mystique. From his perilous ‘jazzbo’ years in ’70s Los Angeles to the multiple-Grammy winner of recent years – by way of such shape-shifting ’80s albums as Swordfishtrombones – this exhaustive biography charts Waits’ life step-by-step and album-by-album. Affectionate and penetrating, and based on a combination of assiduous research and deep critical insight, this is a outstanding investigation of a notoriously private artist and performer – the definitive account to date of Tom Waits’ life and work.

Price : £ 7.69

Read more…

What better present for the person who has everything than a poignant reminder that they want for nothing? This lovingly crafted vial of emptiness is filled to the brim with unfettered nothingness. Free from the burden of possessions the weight of responsibility Nothing is as idiotic as it is brilliant. Indeed even old Macbeth though mad as a kipper realised that life whilst full of sound and fury (and that was before iPods) is inherently daft and ultimately signifies Nothing. And let us not forget that ‘Nothing’ is so important that most of our universe – and the contents of a lot of people’s heads – appears to be made up of it. It’s a statement an empty gesture if you will a nod at the futility of ownership and yet despite ‘Nothing’ being nothing it is of course packed with millions of protons neutrons and what have you which is pretty good for Nothing.

• Gift – Novelty

Price : £ 6.99

Read more…

Brilliantly funny teenage angst author Louise Rennison’s first book about the confessions of crazy but lovable Georgia Nicolson. Now repackaged in a gorgeous new paperback and looking even fabber than ever. Louise is an international bestselling author and her books can’t fail to make you laugh out loud. There are six things very wrong with my life: 1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years. 2. It is on my nose. 3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room. 4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberfuhrer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic ‘teachers’. 5. I am very ugly and need to go into an ugly home. 6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive.Follow Georgia’s hilarious antics as she tries to overcome the dilemma’s that are weighing up against her and muddle her way through teenage life and all that it entails: how to replace accidentally shaved-off eyebrows; how to cope with Angus her small labrador-sized Scottish wildcat; her first kiss with Peter — afterwards known as Whelk Boy; annoying teachers; unsympathetic friends and family and how to entice Robbie the Sex God! Phew — she’s really got her work cut out!

Price : £ 4.89

Read more…

Yasuko lives a quiet life, working in a Tokyo bento shop, a good mother to her only child. But when her ex-husband appears at her door without warning one day, her comfortable world is shattered. When Detective Kusanagi of the Tokyo Police tries to piece together the events of that day, he finds himself confronted by the most puzzling, mysterious circumstances he has ever investigated. Nothing quite makes sense, and it will take a genius to understand the genius behind this particular crime…One of the biggest-selling Japanese thrillers ever, and the inspiration for a cult film, The Devotion of Suspect X is now being discovered across the world. Its blend of a page-turning story, evocative Tokyo setting and utterly surprising ending make it a must-read for anyone interested in international fiction.

Price : £ 5.23

Read more…

Fat Charlie Nancy is not actually fat. He was fat once but he is definitely not fat now. No right now Fat Charlie Nancy is angry confused and more than a little scared – right now his life is spinning out of control and it is all his dad’s fault. If his rotter of an estranged father hadn’t dropped dead at a karaoke night Charlie would still be blissfully unaware that his dad was Anansi the spider god. He would have no idea that he has a brother called Spider who is also a god. And there would be no chance that said brother would be trying to take over his life flat and fiancee or to make matters worse be doing a much better job of it than him. Desperate to reclaim his life Charlie enlists the help of four more-than-slightly eccentric old ladies and their unique brand of voodoo – and between them they unleash a bitter and twisted force to get rid of Spider. But as darkness descends and badness begins is Fat Charlie Nancy going to get his life back in one piece or is he about to enter a whole netherworld of pain?

Price : £ 6.92

Read more…

Fat Charlie Nancy is not actually fat. He was fat once but he is definitely not fat now. No right now Fat Charlie Nancy is angry confused and more than a little scared – right now his life is spinning out of control and it is all his dad’s fault. If his rotter of an estranged father hadn’t dropped dead at a karaoke night Charlie would still be blissfully unaware that his dad was Anansi the spider god. He would have no idea that he has a brother called Spider who is also a god. And there would be no chance that said brother would be trying to take over his life flat and fiancee or to make matters worse be doing a much better job of it than him. Desperate to reclaim his life Charlie enlists the help of four more-than-slightly eccentric old ladies and their unique brand of voodoo – and between them they unleash a bitter and twisted force to get rid of Spider. But as darkness descends and badness begins is Fat Charlie Nancy going to get his life back in one piece or is he about to enter a whole netherworld of pain?

Price : £ 6.92

Read more…

Meljean Brook, “The New York Times” bestselling author of “The Iron Duke” and “Heart of Steel” returns to the Iron Seas with a riveting new adventure of steampunk and passionate romance…A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland’s inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island is enshrouded in legend. Fishermen tell tales of giant trolls guarding the land, and of seductive witches who steal men’s hearts. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magic – and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom. Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Kalla took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on the airship Phateon, flying from port to port in search of her sister, and longing to return home …but that home is threatened when expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard. Determined to solve the mystery of his own origin, David will stop at nothing to expose Annika’s secrets.But when disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, their very survival depends on keeping the heat rising between them – and generating lots of steam…”Riveted” by Meljean Brook is steampunk romance at its very best …and steamiest. Praise for Meljean Brook: “A stunning blend of steampunk setting and poignant romance – smart, sexy, breathtaking, and downright addicting”. (Ilona Andrews). “Meljean Brook has brilliantly defined the new genre of steampunk romance”. (Jayne Ann Krentz). Meljean Brook lives in Oregon with her family. She is the author of the “Iron Seas “steampunk series, which include “The Iron Duke” and “Heart of Steel”, and are also published by Penguin. For more information and “Iron Seas” extras, please visit the website.

Price : £ 7.99

Read more…

Inject a little festive fun into one of life’s more boring tasks with these novelty Christmas Pudding Bin Bags. 100% biodegradable and absolutely fine for your waistline!

Price : £ 9.95

Read more…

Ferrari Driving Experience Seize the wheel, listen to the purr of the pedigree engine and focus on the track stretching out ahead of you. Your unforgettable driving experience is about to begin. This is a fantastic opportunity to take a Ferrari for a spin at the some of Britain’s favourite circuits. This will be the drive of your life! On arriving, you’ll need to report to the staff in the pit lane, who’ll assign you a driving slot. Get ready to get behind the wheel of this beast of machine! You’ll typically drive a few laps around the circuit in a Ferrari, normally a 308 GTSqv at Goodwood and a 360 at Three Sisters and a 355 at Donnington. All cars are subject to availability. On occasion it may be necessary to substitute the Ferrari for a similar car which may be a left hand drive. About Ferrari Driving Experience When can you go? Selected Monday to Friday dates, March to October. How long does this activity last? You will be at the venue for roughly an hour. You need to know You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this activity. Minimum height 1.57m (5ft 2), maximum height 1.93m (6ft 4). Maximum weight 114kg (18 stone). Maximum girth (around chest and upper arms) 1.47m (58″). Drivers outside these limits may be considered – to check with driving school. A full valid manual UK or European driving licence is required, which must have been held for at least one year with no serious offences. You will be asked to sign an indemnity on the day. You and how many others? Driving is on a one to one basis but the car is shared with other voucher holders on the day. Family and friends You are welcome to bring along family and friends to watch you do this activity. We cant control the weather This activity is dependent on appropriate weather conditions Where? Wigan, Lancashire; Goodwood, West Sussex; Castle Donington, Derbyshire; We are really sorry but loyalty points cannot be used against activities because they come from a large number of different suppliers who do not allow us to make discounts. Gift Vouchers are valid for 6 months. If you have not used your Gift Voucher by this time, it is possible to get an extension This is for a voucher entitling the holder to any of the activities supplied by Activity Superstore up to the value stated. Next working day delivery cut off time is 11.00am on a normal working day (Mon-Fri). If you select next working day option on an activity placed after 11.00am it is guaranteed to arrive within two days. All guaranteed next day deliveries will arrive before 1pm and will require a signature. Please note that the Before 9am Service is not available on activities. Unfortunately Gift Wrapping is not available. Why You Should Buy From Us! 30 day money-back guarantee Low-price guarantee Loyalty points discount off future orders Huge range of unique gift ideas for all occasions Excellent customer service Next day delivery available – cut off 11am Ferrari Driving Experience

Price : £ 125.00

Read more…

One by one the boys begin to fall…In 1914 a room full of German schoolboys fresh-faced and idealistic are goaded by their schoolmaster to troop off to the ‘glorious war’. With the fire and patriotism of youth they sign up. What follows is the moving story of a young ‘unknown soldier’ experiencing the horror and disillusionment of life in the trenches.

Price : £ 5.07

Read more…