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!

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!

“Overcoming Compulsive Gambling” is a handy self-help book for anyone who feels that they may be developing a gambling addiction. The increase in gambling over the years – with the rise in popularity of poker and bingo sites on the internet – means more and more people are in danger of developing a gambling addiction without realising it.

For extreme cases, this book will not be the definite cure, but it is an extremely useful way to begin the process of recovery. The author, Professor Alex Blaszczynski – who is a practicing psychologist and member of the School of Psychiatry in New South Wales –  is an expert in the field and has previously worked on such books as “In the Pursuit of Winning: Problem Gambling Theory, Research and Treatment”.

For this book, he has relied on proven methods within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (also referred to as CBT). This form of therapy is often considered to be the most effective for treating dependency disorders. The methods mentioned in this book have been mainly developed by Blaszczynski and are now widely used throughout the world.

The author has divided the book into separate areas that explain the whole process of recovery in an easy to read manner. The first chapters cover such question as “What is gambling and when is it a problem?” and “How does the problem develop?”. He then goes into detail about what can be done stop compulsive gambling. Everything is explained clearly, without using psychological terms to confuse the reader.

“Vogue Fashion” is a fascinating book that has taken a fresh look at how the world of fashion has been shaped since the beginning of the 20th Century. This vast undertaking was carried out by the author, Linda Watson, who has worked with the infamous Vogue magazine. She is a graduate is fashion design and fashion history, a former assistant to Vivienne Westwood as well as having worked as a freelance fashion journalist for some of the major UK newspapers.

The quality of content in this book is sure to impress any reader, and it becomes immediately obvious that the author knows fashion, and fashion history inside out. Some of the biggest movements in Men’s and Women’s clothing are documented throughout this book, and it provides an intriguing and chronological insight into how style has changed over the years.

However, if you are looking for a comprehensive list of the movers and shakers in the fashion industry, this will be well worth a read, but do bear in mind there are slightly more stylish and glossy alternatives of these types of fashion books available. “Vogue Fashion” is similar vein to Praidon’s “The Art Book’, but noticeably less polished and somewhat lacking in terms of providing a concrete reference guide. However, it must be noted that “The Art Book” took five writers to complete.

“Vogue Fashion” will be a perfect gift for someone looking to discover the important movements in the fashion industry and also for avid fashion enthusiasts who are looking for different sources of information. Nevertheless, there are more comprehensive alternatives on the market will offer much more for your money.

Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey is exactly as the name would suggest; an epic journey through the cities, barren landscape and thick overgrown jungles of Eastern Asia. He has gone to many far-flung destinations in his travels and has visited rural families, street vendors and local farmers in his quest to uncover the secrets of Far Eastern cuisine.

Of course the author will need no introduction to anyone who is a fan of TV cookery programmes. Stein is easily one of the UK’s most celebrated chefs and was named the BBC Food Personality of the Year in 2004. He also received an OBE in 2003. He has many cookery titles to his name, including “Rick Stein’s Seafood”, which won the highly acclaimed James Beard Foundation Cookbook of the Year Award for 2005.

From the best pho soup in Vietnam to the finest jhol fish stew in Bangladesh, Stein has gone to great lengths to compile the 150 recipes in this book. For anyone who has been following the TV series of the same name, they will know how much the chef has gone through just to find the best-tasting recipes, and here he shares the finer secrets of each one.

It is easy to see that this will be a must for any lover of Eastern cuisine, but the dishes are so vast and varied that there is sure to be something that will satisfy any taste bud.  What’s more is that it is a joy to read, and the recipes are a joy to cook.