If you’re a regular player of online poker, you might think you’re doing ok. It would be great to win more money of course but you’re plodding along quite nicely. Well, read this book! Using Paul Mendelson’s techniques, your luck will change; you’ll transform from being a losing player to becoming a winning player and you’ll be amazed at how easy winning is! Learn how to win regularly and consistently by analysing your opponents and discover how to change your game to adapt to the different styles that other players use against you.

This book is highly recommended if you’re a beginner and want to learn the basics, or if you’re an established (intermediate) player who isn’t winning much at the moment. It’s well written and easy to read – Paul Mendelson was the Bridge Correspondent for the Times newspaper – and at 120 pages, it won’t take you long. Be aware that this book is tailored to playing online poker; it’s not about the basics of playing Texas Hold’em. And, if you’re looking for advice on outs, pot odds and implied odds, betting patterns or chip management then buy another book.

It might sound obvious but Mendelson also points out that when playing online poker, it pays to be alert to take advantage of others who are at the other side of the world and in a different time-zone. You can learn to avoid expensive mistakes by reading your opponents accurately and making the right decisions. The section on ‘Bad Beats and Developing a Poker Temperament’ is a must-read for novice online poker players.

Read this book and you’ll be winning regularly, which means it will pay for itself in no time. Admittedly, if you’re a serious online poker player you’ll need other reference material but this is a great place to start.

Ian Brown once of acclaimed indie band the Stone Roses, has become a successful solo artist and self-proclaimed ‘King Monkey’. This biography by Michael O’Connell traces Brown’s life from growing up on the outskirts of Manchester to his current highly successful solo career, with a big chunk of ‘Madchester’ thrown in.

Concentrating on the Stone Roses era, O’Connell seeks to place Ian Brown as the most significant member of the band, citing the huge success of his solo work as the yardstick (only Mani has gone on to achieve a credible music career with Primal Scream – John Squire’s Seahorses floundered in early 1999 after only one album and Reni disappeared from the scene after leaving the band in 1995). Squire’s drug taking was a constant cause of upset within the group, Brown being adamantly against Class A narcotics.  Squire left on 1 April 1996, describing his departure as “the inevitable conclusion to the gradual social and musical separation we have undergone in the past few years”.

In 1998, Ian was sentenced to four months imprisonment for an air-rage incident while flying back from Paris. His time in Strangeways is fully documented here and there are some shocking tales of violence. Brown was looked after inside; the Governor ordering him to “get writing”, but the episode clearly affected him and this is reflected in his subsequent album, ‘Golden Greats’.

The book chronicles the life of Ian Brown so far, complete with pictures. The break-up of the Stone Roses after only two albums was a crime – for many reasons, the band were destined to split and the contractual and legal fiasco certainly didn’t help matters. The fact that Brown has gone on to have a thriving solo career shows that his musical influence is loved by the masses, with or without the Roses. Long live King Monkey.

Given the current financial climate, finding work is not easy. Jobs are hard to come by, especially those that offer reasonable rates of pay. This is why lots of people are now considering working overseas. For most, it’s a big step and research is key; the riches of the Middle East are too good an opportunity to miss and professionals are flocking in that direction for jobs in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

‘Living and Working in the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia’ is a mine of useful information. It takes you through the essentials of finding a job and the contractual processes involved. It discusses work permits, visas and immigration. The basics of accommodation and essential services, such as education, public transport, motoring, healthcare and insurance, are all covered in brilliant detail to help you figure out if the big move is what you want, before you go.

If you’re currently looking for jobs in the Middle East, this book is essential reading. It takes you though the ins-and-outs of self-employment, contract and freelance work, and how to deal with recruitment agencies. You’ll also learn what the consequences are of working illegally and guidelines for starting your own business.

If you’re planning on driving during your time living and working in the Gulf States then chapter 11 discusses motoring in detail. You’ll find out how road tax and insurance are handled and discover the characteristics of Arabian drivers. Chapter 15 tells you what you can do with your leisure time and, if you like a flutter, you’ll learn the rules and social etiquette of gambling.

Bob Hughes and Graeme Chesters write with undeniable knowledge and experience when it comes to advising on relocating to the Middle East. There are over 400 pages of excellent advice to help you decide whether emigrating for work in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is a good move.

“DIY and Home Maintenance for Dummies All-in-One” is exactly what its name suggests, a comprehensive home improvement guide for people with no prior DIY experience. Published by John Wiley and Sons in 2005, this book has received a wealth of positive reviews from publications such as ‘Good Woodworking’, ‘Traditional Woodworking’ and ‘Boys Toys’.

The book’s main author is Jeff Howell, who has a list of previous titles to his name, including “The ‘Sunday Telegraph’ Guide to Looking After Your Property 2004” and “The Rising Damp Myth”. Here, he is also joined by several other respected authors and experts in the DIY field.

From fine woodworking to installing underfloor heating, “DIY And Home Maintenance for Dummies” covers every aspect of home improvement. There is also plenty of helpful advice on fitting bathroom furniture, bathroom sinks and shower enclosures. Plumbing is explained clearly and in a simple way that anyone could understand.

A point of caution however, this book, as the title suggests, really is for someone with little or no knowledge of DIY. Every task is described at the most basic level possible, so anyone with even a smattering of expertise would do better to look elsewhere.

Having said that, “DIY and Home Maintenance for Dummies” has been a welcome addition to the ‘Home-Improvement Manual’ market, as there are very few, if any, other titles that have as much appeal to the complete beginner. The informal and accessible style of the content makes this book an enjoyable read for anyone interested in carrying out their own home improvements.

Have you heard the phrase “No Win No Fee” lately? Personal injury claims are big news at the moment with current TV advertisements asking “Have you been in an accident that wasn’t your fault…” For many it’s a way of getting easy money and the industry is tarnished with daily news of fraudulent claims and scams.

However, if you have been in a genuine accident that has caused you trauma or injury then you could be in a position to claim. This book, written by a leading US Attorney, Joseph Matthews seeks to help you handle, process and settle your claim – sometimes without even needing a lawyer. Since becoming an attorney in 1971, Matthews taught at the law school of the University of California, Berkeley from 1975 to 1977 and, having written numerous books, now concentrates on law for seniors.

The main issues, such as how legal responsibility is determined and how much your claim is worth, are covered in detail.  Particularly interesting is the section on understanding your liability in specific types of accidents. Protecting your rights within the first 72 hours of the accident is vital and Matthews explains just how to do it. In many cases, you simply don’t need a lawyer to be awarded full compensation, as long as you do your research and are prepared to negotiate your award yourself. If this seems too much for you to take on then this book will help you understand why and when you need to obtain professional legal advice.

So, before you hook up with a company that promises No Win No Fee, read this fascinating book. It’s very well written with clear and informative advice. If nothing else it will make you take steps to protect yourself and should the worst happen, you’ll be prepared.

If you’re a fan of their popular TV Series, this latest offering from Si King and Dave Myers won’t disappoint. Packed with 90 regional recipes and loads of foodie facts from all over the UK, they show us where to get the best pies and the freshest duck eggs to how to cook trout with rhubarb and what the strange ingredient in a Welsh breakfast is (it’s cockles… I might give that one a miss thanks guys).

Once again, the duo mounted their beloved Harleys and, during the winter of 2008/2009, they travelled over 10,000 miles covering 30 counties to work with farmers, suppliers and producers in every area. They’ve brought us an array of weird and wonderful recipes (faggots cooked in cider anyone?) some of which, to be honest, will either delight or repulse you. If nothing else it will encourage you to try new ideas and combinations that you’d never previously considered, with the help of the professional chefs in each county giving us the benefit of their expertise. The photography is brilliant and illustrates each recipe and its origin really well.

My personal favourite is the Boxty (page 90). A traditional Irish dish, it’s easy to make and is simply delicious with the maple syrup and crispy bacon.  I’m yet to get around to the Smoke Roasted Pigs Cheeks but you never know – the next time I’m in Monmouthshire I’ll be sure to pick some up.

There’s a nice description of each county and their observations are clever – these two really do know their food and although some of it is a little pretentious I’ll let them off. If you’re confident with your culinary skills and fancy something a little different, buy this book; if you haven’t progressed further than beans on toast, then stick to Delia.

The “Rough Guide” series of travel guides have become immensely popular travel companions for a wide variety of holidaymakers. Known for their invaluable information about discovering attractions off the beaten path, they will prove to be indispensible, no matter where in the world you have planned your escape.

There is an impressive range of destinations included in the series and of course, all the major cities, such as New York, London, Berlin, Cairo and Istanbul, to name just a few, are covered extensively. However, there are also some handy guides for different types of getaways. For example, “The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget” has become highly sought after with backpackers looking for a more authentic and down-to-earth experience, while the “Rough Guide to Thailand” has also been a popular choice for adventurer seekers.

The vast majority of content, especially for the better known locations, has been written by both highly experienced travellers and locals, and you can rest assured that the information will be clearly explained and up to date. Everything from flights, local transport, hotels, hostels, bars and restaurants will be included and each category is conveniently split into ranges of budget, to be certain that everyone’s needs are met.

No matter what sort of information you are looking for, whether it’s for finding the best luxury cruise or ideal location for your ski holidays, the Rough Guide series will have it covered. It could be the most important item you take with you on your holiday.

When you’re driving around town, chances are you’ve spotted more than a few private number plates. Most of us have probably considered buying one but with personalized plates now so popular, the likelihood of securing that perfect registration is slim – at least the ones that are within our price range!

Private plates can be an inexpensive way to hide the real age of your vehicle and make it your own. They can be the perfect gift for that special person in your life or the finishing touch to your dream car.  This book covers everything you need to know if you’re looking for, registering or transferring UK registrations. The in-house registration expert at Regtransfers.co.uk, Ruby Speechley, has certainly done her research and has written some interesting facts about private and rare number plates. She gives us the details on registration legislation and the history of number plates.

Did you know that registration numbers are not items of property in their own right? A vehicle’s registration number is a unique method of identifying it for tax and law enforcement purposes. It‘s assigned to the vehicle (not the keeper) and unless it is transferred or retained the registration number normally remains with the vehicle until it is broken up, destroyed or sent permanently out of the country. There are a few different styles of registration you can choose from: dateless registrations, current style registrations, prefix registrations, and suffix registrations.

If you decide to take the plunge and get your own private number plate, you’ll be in good company – Paul Daniels has one (MA G1C – yes, really!), celebrity crimper Nicky Clarke (H41R D0 – hmm…) and Jimmy Tarbuck (C0M1C – oh dear). Just make sure it’s not quite so cringe worthy as these!

Imagine that you are a paediatrician and the coroner in a small American town in ‘Grant County.’ You’re recently divorced from you police-chief husband (even though you secretly still love him); you take a routine lunch break at a diner with your sister, only to discover that in the toilet there is a woman bleeding to death. Later, you discover not only that she has been ritualistically murdered but also she was the twin sister of your ex-husband’s top detective, who has always shown a somewhat prickly animosity toward you … you are entering the first novel of crime-author Karin Slaughter, Blindsighted.

Slaughter has a knack for making the implausible seem rivetingly plausible. Her Grant County series, featuring paediatrician-coroner Dr Sara Linton, are riveting who-dunnits, fusing precise forensic science with a wildly inventive speculative imagination, which unerringly culminates in superbly chilling crime fiction.

Karin Slaughter’s burgeoning imagination has also created another compelling character, Will Trent, who made his first appearance in her novel Triptych published in 2006.  Despite his dyslexia and abusive childhood history, Trent has become the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s most intelligently intuitive crime-solving officer. Ashamed of his literacy problem, he is movingly blind to his genius as a detective. In her latest work, entitled Genesis and published in July 2009, Karin Slaughter brings the flawed  and wounded heroes, Will Trent and Sara Linton, together in a desperate and heart-stopping effort to solve a grisly murder.

Slaughter’s main characters are hurt, betrayed and even self-destructive human beings who even so display an inspiring commitment to truth and justice.

If you’re considering investing in a Smartphone and can’t choose between the iPhone , Android or Blackberry, then this book may help you decide by taking you through the setting up and configuration of most models of the Google Android Smartphone. Touted as “The first EASY guide to Google phones for consumers, not experts!” it explains all the features of the Google Android phone and how to get the most out of it. Written in clear and concise language it explains how to set up an Android phone quickly, use your Gmail account, chat with Google Talk and fix common problems with service and hardware.

Although this slim paperback is less than a year old, because technology is changing daily it might not be as up to date as you think. It’s also worth noting that some of the features contained in this book are not applicable to the UK G1. It’s basically an instruction manual and you can learn everything in here by looking on the internet; if you haven’t bought an Android phone yet then it’s pretty useless. Calling and voicemail are covered, which is unnecessary (this information comes with the phone). The information about the integrated Google applications is good though and it will get you using features you might not have previously known about or thought to use. The Troubleshooting section is excellent for reference but the part on customisation is basic and could have done with more detail.

Before you take the plunge, use the internet to compare mobile phones and see which models have the features that suit your lifestyle. If you’ve already bought an Android phone then you’ll find parts of it useful but consult your user manual – it’s cheaper! Use the money you’ve saved on buying this book on some useful Android apps!