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Private Eye is required reading, as much for its straight journalism as for its satire, and the Annual has long been a fail-safe gift. As usual it takes the form of a scrap book of pieces from the year's Private Eye magazines, focusing on humorous pieces. Consequently, the book largely comprises short satirical squibs, along with spoof newspaper articles and letters and longer serials such as Never Too Old--a romantic novel based on the life of Rupert Murdoch which is as sharp on the genre as it is about the protagonists. Through these pieces, the Annual builds up a comprehensive overview of the year's news stories from Alan Clark's death to Big Brother with stories such as the Dome and the state of the rail service receiving extra scrutiny. These sections are particularly rewarding--the Railtrack disaster, for example, is covered from all sides in a variety of media, so that one spoof article highlights the attitude of hacks to train crashes, while another reports on Prescott's "firm undertaking to spend as much money as was necessary to close the stable door after the recent 'bolting' incident". At the same time a cartoon represents Blair telling Prescott "Good thinking, John--we've privatised the blame".

Cartoons feature strongly throughout. The Eye has some of the best artists in the country working for it and most are represented here, ranging from the black humour of McLachlan and Honeysett, whose scratchy line drawings have a beautiful delicacy which renders their subjects all the more disturbing, to the keenly observed social commentary of Heath, Pilbrow and Ken Pyne.

In the cartoon which forms the frontispiece of the annual Hunter observes that "A book is not just for Christmas". Although the Private Eye Annual is often to be found under the tree on Christmas morning, it gives pleasure throughout the year. --Anoushka Alexander

I have just finished reading , and is my first Stephen King novel!! Not the type of book i would normally go for, but am so glad i did. I read the review which was posted about the book and ordered it. I was not disapointed. It kept my interest on so many levels. As I read each chapter, i found it made me want to read the next and then the next. I read the book in 48hrs and got very little done around the house. If you like a book that keeps you gripped and wanting more and you find yourself wanting to know what happens next....Buy it. I have read 2 other books which i would also highly recommend reading. The first was "Now Then Lad" which is another book once your into, you can't put down. Also "Pop goes the weasel" (v funny)

This is a little gem of a book; I bought it thinking it would give me helpful ways of knowing and remembering more about grammar - but it's so much more than this.

The whole book is about mnemonics and rhymes as memory aids, grouped into 17 themed categories as listed in the contents page, which is viewable on the 'Search Inside' feature.

This book is ideal for flicking open and dipping into whatever page it lands on as it not only cites fascinating facts/trivia it also provides the means for remembering them!

To give a flavour of the diversity of information in this book, here's a rhyme which caught my attention (I hope the information's accurate!) on what's good to choose for firewood:

Beech wood fires are bright and clear,
If the logs are kept a year,
Chestnut's only good, they say,
If for long it's laid away.
Birch and fir logs burn too fast,
Blaze up bright and do not last.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold.
Poplar gives a bitter smoke,
Fills you eyes and makes you choke.
Apple wood will scent your room,
With an incense like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter cold.
But ash wood wet and ash wood dry,
A king shall warm his slippers by.

A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

The Peter Pan of pop continues to enthrall audiences of all ages and this book, whilst clearly a must for Cliff fans, provides an insight into the way he ticks. Too much has been written about him in the past that has left questions unanswered. This book which is written with frankness and a helping hand from Penny Junor provides a good read about the life of a fascinating and caring individual. Instead of being written in a conventional biographical format, it dedicates chapters to specific stages or items in his life. However instead of producing a jarring account of his life, the chapters flow well into each other and provide a good and interesting look into the life of one of the most successful men the pop world has ever seen.

I started reading this book with some doubt. While browsing over the contents of a bookshop shelf especially checking if I had missed any of Connelly's books (not on your life)The dork standing next to me said 'He gets killed in the next one' I walked away thinking no way. Not Bosch not Haller. Unthinkable. However I have just finished the book and can only say that Michael is supreme. His obvious extensive knowledge of the judicial system in the USA made the book so in depth. Without going into the plot which was so perfectly plausable and yet intricate Michael has obviously laid down the steps for the next novel to include both Bosch and Haller. I do hope so. I couldn't put it down. Reading at breakfast, coffee break and while cooking dinner I couldn't wait to see what happened next in the courtroom. Fascinating. Following the Lincoln Lawyer (which must be read before the Brass Verdict) Michael succeeded at the very end to entwine both Bosch and Haller. An absolute must for Connelly fans. He never lets us down.

This is a fantastic little book if you want ideas for rustic and seasonal foods. The complaints about not having certain recipes that were in the programme is kinda silly. If you were just interested in 2 recipes why buy the whole book?
If you like to friends coming over for a nice pot of something or to impress somebody with a lovely duck breast, this book is worth purchasing. The recipes are not complicated, although there are certain aspects you must follow to achieve the climax you want.

I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book..... and then struggled to make myself finish it.

The facts of the case of interesting but the book is massively padded out with all manner of facts on victorian life and morals which I found very boring and tedious.

I thought I had bought a really gripping true crime story but I can't believe the author managed to make a whole book out of this.

I really hate not finishing a book so I made my way to the end.... and then wished I hadn't bothered. The book went straight in the box for the charity shop I'm afraid. Dull dull dull!