If you’ve ever suffered from erectile dysfunction then you’ll know how debilitating it can be. This book aims to help sufferers by recommending natural remedies; after all not everyone is keen on taking Viagra, and holistic treatments are, for some, the only way they can treat their impotence. The Viagra Alternative discusses holistic cures to help your mind, body and spirit, and Dr. Bonnard also discusses dietary changes, herbal remedies, homeopathy, yoga and aromatherapy.

Marc Bonnard is a psychiatrist specializing in sex therapy. Interestingly, he was an investigating physician for the premarket Viagra clinical trials in France and he regularly lectures throughout Europe on erectile dysfunction.

The first chapter of the book explains all you need to know about Viagra, particularly the side effects.  Bonnard is at pains to point out that Viagra is not an aphrodisiac – it has no affect on libido or sex drive, acknowledging that a healthy sex life is impossible without being healthy physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

Remember though, that Bonnard is primarily a sex therapist and he encourages relationship therapy as a method of avoiding unnecessary chemicals or supplements. Keep an open mind; not everyone will be interested in yoga, aromatherapy and herbs as a treatment for impotence – most men just want their normal sex lives back as quickly as possible, whatever it takes. However, if you already have an organic lifestyle and the thought of a dangerous little blue pill makes you cringe, then this is a well written book with some excellent suggestions.

If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, then this book is worth a read, simply to see how you can change your sexual routines holistically. However, do see your doctor for advice on all the treatments available – it may just be that for you, Viagra is the only cure.

If you think this book is a simply a reference guide to t shirt printing – think again. Beams T is a cutting-edge Japanese fashion chain that puts the emphasis on new ideas in art and design; their ethos is not just fashion – it’s about integrating creativity and style in the form of that everyday essential: the common t shirt.

The Beams T stores are renowned for their minimalist aesthetic and are frequently used to showcase the work of local artists, their work adorning the walls. A unique revolving hanger ensures that focus and attention is on the clothing. For Beams, the t shirt is a canvas for new ideas – a tool for expressing inventive design.

There are over 300 designs in this book and it’s all about the inspiration. It’s really aimed at the artist who wants to branch out into t shirt design; there’s nothing in here to teach you how to print t shirts but there is an immense amount of eye-candy to encourage and inspire you. There is some really cool stuff in here. Over the last 20 years, Beams have collaborated with esteemed artists such as Tsuyoshi Kusano, Tsuyoshi Hirooka, Kiyoshi Kuroda, Kenjiro Harigai, and Tomoki Kurokawa.

If you’re looking for help with those cheeky hen-night t shirts you drunkenly volunteered for then you certainly won’t find it in here (in fact don’t bother, it’s never a good idea – stick with the L-plates). What you will find though is a sexy coffee-table essential on art and design. And, you might just get around to designing your own tees with the help of our friends at Beams.

If you want some advice from a pro then there’s no-one more qualified than Kevin Blackwood. Kev has over thirty years experience in the professional gambling arena and has written for many online blackjack sites and gaming magazines.

His first observation is “One of the biggest obstacles keeping most blackjack players from improving their game is that they aren’t realistic about their current skill level.” I completely agree Kevin. Once you appreciate this and understand where you are now with your game, you can start to improve – your own personal blackjack pro is with you all the way.

If you’re just starting with online blackjack, then this book is the place to start. It’s full of impressive hints and tips with just enough detail to get you started without confusion. From the history of the game and basic strategy, to casino policies and camouflage, everything you to need to know to succeed in online blackjack is at your fingertips.

Kevin is American and this is obvious when reading the book. He asks “Can you become a pro?” In my case, not a chance, but thanks for asking. (To be fair, if you want to play serious blackjack then the USA is the place to go.) What’s good about this book though is that Blackwood lists other resources you can refer to for more information if you need to.  There are specific sections in the book aimed at the beginner, intermediate and advanced players so there really is something for everyone here. Interestingly, there’s only one chapter on Online Gambling and for the record Blackwood doesn’t use a progressive betting system; they don’t work.

Bottom line – if you read this book you’ll be a better player than you were before you read it. It is worth the money but unless you’re American you might find the content a little hard to digest.

The late Andy Warhol was an American artist whose work was central to the Pop Art movement. He started his career as a commercial illustrator, but became famous worldwide for his work as a painter and avant-garde filmmaker – his 1963 work ‘Eight Elvises’ canvas sold for $100 million.

This diary is a personal account of his life, starting at November 24, 1976 right up until February 17, 1987. Every morning for the last ten years of his life he recounted his adventures, thoughts and feelings from the previous day to one of his closest friends, who, in 1989, edited and published this 1000+ page book. Tedious in places (his account of visiting his eye doctor and his insistence on telling us how much he paid for almost everything), Warhol is not shy to name drop, the pages scattered with references to his famous friends; from Jane Fonda and Bianca Jagger to Donald Trump and President Carter (as well as loads of others I’ve never heard of), not all of them complimentary.

Author Pat Hackett was one of Warhol’s closest confidantes, meeting him for the first time in 1968. As an undergraduate she was determined to inject some glamour into her life and approached Warhol at the Factory for a typing job. From there, she worked with him on the book ‘The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again)’ and his memoirs of the sixties ‘Popism’.

Sadly, on Sunday 22 February 1987, Warhol died aged 59 following a routine gall bladder operation and so the diary ends. It’s a hefty book but don’t let this put you off. If you can persevere (and I almost gave up!), you’re a fan of Warhol and are familiar with his life already, it’s a truly fascinating, if time-consuming, read.

Never one to be afraid of sharing her personal secrets, you can be pretty certain that Jo Brand’s latest title “Look Back in Hunger: The Autobiography” is going to be a no-holds-barred account of her life to date. Easily one of the best and most popular female comedians in the UK, Brand made a name for herself on the comedy circuit before storming on to the BBC and making regular appearances on television. She is also a highly successful author and counts various titles, such as “It’s Different for Girls” and “Sorting out Billy”, among her most acclaimed works.

Her story is by no means the norm for a stand-up comedian. Growing up in a middle class family, living in a small seaside town, she went on to become a psychiatric nurse – a job which she held for 10 years – before going against her parents’ wishes and pursuing her comedy career.

It is brave for any woman to take on the male-dominated world of the stand-up circuit and even when Brand goes into detail about the abuse she suffered while on stage, she – in the style she has become so famous for – describes the scenes with humorous and almost nonchalant observations. Fans of her quick-witted and insightful comedy won’t be disappointed with this book; Brand is easily able to show her appreciation for and ridiculous attitude towards life just as well in writing as she does when she is behind the microphone.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise holiday you’ll know it’s one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to spend your precious vacation time. There’s none of the airport hassles or queuing at the baggage carousel – just a blissful two weeks on the sea without a care in the world. Over 10 million people take a cruise each year, taking in over 2000 ports of call and more people cruise to the Caribbean than any other destination in the world.

Working on a cruise ship must be one of the best jobs in the world. Or is it? This raunchy yet hilarious book tells the truth behind the glamour of working on a cruise ship – from stewards fighting over food to the seemingly non-stop sex-fest. Parts of the book are too far-fetched to be believed but if you can get past this then some of the exploits really are genuinely funny. The gist of the story is of a guy working for ‘Carnival Cruise Ships’. He wants to work with his girl friend, Bianca and eventually make Maitre’d. His grand plans are sabotaged though; the 16 hour days eventually take their toll and he quits.

Author Brian David Bruns clearly has experience in the catering side of cruising, even if it is only the 13 months he actually worked for Carnival Cruise Ships. His characters lack depth though and by the end of the book I was glad I’d finished. If you don’t mind the graphic description of the sex scenes (i.e. if you’re squeamish, give it a miss) it’s a good, easy holiday read. I’d recommend this novel if you’ve cruised in the past or if you’re planning a cruise holiday in the future; but if you’re thinking of getting a job on the cruise ships, reading this might make you think twice!

Bingo is one of those ‘love it / hate it’ past-times and, regardless of whether you’re a regular player or a novice, you can still learn some tips from this book. Written and published in the US, where bingo is popular amongst church-goers, ‘The Basics of Winning Bingo’ has advice that applies equally well in the UK.

Bingo was first introduced in Italy in 1530, becoming popular in the early 1900s; an American toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe is credited for spreading the bingo fever in 1929. Today, with the influx of free online bingo sites promising big cash prizes, players are keen to learn new tips and tricks to increase their chances of winning and improve their strategy – this book has all the information you need.

Avery Cardoza writes clearly and provides easy-to-read advice to help you understand the game by going back in time to how it started and how it has evolved into one of the most popular leisure activities around today. In some countries, bingo is even used in schools as an instructional tool! You can learn the basics of the game, speak the ‘bingo lingo’, view fifteen winning patterns, find out the odds of winning, and understand the advantages and disadvantages of playing multiple cards.

This book is particularly relevant now as statistics show that in times of recession and periods of high unemployment people turn to bingo because it’s fun, offers companionship, and the chance to socialise. Did you know that over three million people play bingo on a regular basis in the UK, that’s eight per cent of the population!

If you’re new to bingo, my advice is to get your “eyes-down” and read this 64-page book! Even if you don’t win the jackpot it’s an interesting read.

Build This Bong has 108 pages of bongs, pipes, hookahs, and stash boxes that you and your mates can knock up really easily. There are loads of ideas in here – from a standard gravity bong to a 4-person pop bottle hookah pipe. Each DIY project has a clear diagram so it’s a doddle to make the best bong ever. Experiment – with over 40 projects to choose from you’ll find one that will blow your mind.

Randy Stratton shows us just how easy it is, with ingenious ideas for making simple bongs and pipes with straightforward, step-by-step directions, to the more complex vaporizer. Stratton even shows us how to make devices from common household items such as melons, coconuts, snow-globes, and teapots! If you’re that way inclined there’s even a plan for a ‘Tam-pipe’ – yes it is what you think and no, it’s not as easy as it sounds (for the record, make sure you use one with a cardboard applicator.)

Bongs are generally used to facilitate the act of smoking the plants or herbs of your choice. Bongs have been part of popular culture for a long time, reaching a peak of popularity in the late 1960’s/early 70’s. The Vietnam War gave American soldiers an insight into the smoking habits of the Vietnamese, where they used bamboo pipes to and a small wooden bowl filled with water to cool and filter the smoke. This exotic custom reached the USA where it’s evolved into a worldwide passion and more and more high-tech devices are available.

This book is a lot of fun – it will certainly help you while away a boring weekend. But, some of the ideas are far too difficult to contemplate and there’s really nothing in here that you can’t find on the web.

Have you moved house and inherited a horrific avocado monstrosity? Or, are you simply bored with your current bathing facilities and fancy a modern facelift? 150 Best Bathroom Ideas by Bridget Vranckx will show you how to get the best from your bathroom on a budget that suits you.

Your bathroom is the only room in your house that you everyone will visit eventually (unless you have more than one!) so it makes sense to make your bathroom a priority when planning home improvements. Most people consider the bathroom to be a big job – there’s plumbing, plastering, flooring, lighting and more to think about. But this book will show you that it doesn’t have to be a mammoth task.

With home renovation on the increase, savvy homeowners know that the best way to get a return on their investment is to improve – the bathroom is an integral part of the home that just has to be right; a little oasis of calm where you can relax. With a little help from leading architects and designers, Vranckx will show you how to get the look you’ve always dreamed of.  From sunken bathtubs to designer radiators, ceramic flooring to recessed lighting, this book is an oracle of new ideas. If you’re looking for inspiration on sanitary ware, sinks, tiling and showers, or you’re considering a wetroom conversion, everything you need is fully illustrated. All aspects of bathroom renovation are featured – from flooring, wall coverings and window treatment – and what’s interesting is the variety of materials that are now available.

Practical yet artistic, there are some truly magnificent bathrooms in this sturdy hard-backed book. It’s an essential reference guide for the homeowner or property developer that will be referred to time and time again.