The book covers all the expected fast cars, such as Ferraris, Maseratis and Audis, but also has some surprise inclusions. For example, who would have guessed that the VW Golf MkII, when stripped down and lowered, would be one of the speediest cars around?

The top ten includes some familiar favourites but there are a number of wildcards. For example, the 1970s Ford Falcon XB GT and the old-school racer Peugeot 205 GTi both feature in the list. As you might expect from Top Gear, the top spot is reserved for a truly cheeky choice – the borrowed car.  The narrator ends this homage to the boys’ toys of your dreams by concluding: “You can do anything you want in a hire car as long as you always remember one crucial thing – it’s not yours.”

The book is peppered with amusing quotes from the TV series itself, and shares the excitable, boyish language of the show.  It would make a fun addition to any petrol head’s bookshelf while having enough facts and figures to act as a decent reference book too.

The book helps readers to select the right plans and coverage at the best price, and even explains how to fill out forms should you have to make a claim.  Ideas to manage risk factors and reduce liability are included, allowing readers to make changes to their home, lifestyle and possessions to reduce their risks and premiums. 

It provides information specific to people in different stages of life such as new graduates, families and the elderly, as well as looking at the sometimes complex topic of insurance for people who work from home, whether that be in a self-employed capacity, or as a remote employee.

The sections are laid out into easily digestible chapters and describe how to handle claims and make sure you are adequately compensated in the event of a claim; common traps and loopholes in policies; and advice on navigating your way through the plethora of policy types.

The friendly language and illustrations make this book a fun read, whilst clearly explaining how to make sure that your insurance policies provide you and your family with the cover you need.

The book looks at a vast range of subjects: how to dress for self-confidence and success; how to combine fabrics, patterns, accessories and jewellery; and how to look great on a limited budget without compromising on style.  The accessible writing style and clear photography make this guide simple for all women to follow, however confident they are in their personal style. It provides tips on rejuvenating your existing wardrobe with jewellery and other accessories, and gives good advice on how to dress for different ages and shapes.

The book looks at high fashion but its real strength is in the guidance it provides for everyday situations, including tips on how to pull off casual clothing and sportswear successfully. It also provides suggestions for those occasions when many women struggle to get their outfit right – going out for dinner or a business event, and special occasions such as weddings and parties. 

This is a really useful guide for any woman who wants to improve the way she dresses and be secure in the knowledge that her outfit is just right, whatever the occasion.

At 46 pages, the book is not a lengthy read, but it covers all the things you need to consider before choosing what kind of used car you want to buy, and from where.  It provides step-by-step tips to picking out the right vehicle for your needs and also provides advice on potential pitfalls.

The book includes some useful money-saving ideas on running an older car, and what to look out for if you want an economical vehicle. The legal side of buying a used car is also covered, so buyers can ensure all the paperwork is in order when signing the contract.

There is advice on where to find a good selection of used cars, and the different sources – such as used car dealerships, newspaper or magazine advertisements, and online websites – are all explored.

This book is a useful source of information for anyone who is looking to buy a used car for themselves. It is also a good guide for people who are considering buying and selling used cars as a business venture.

There are precise diagrams and detailed instructions for making roller, roll-up and Roman blinds.  In particular, there are a number of different techniques for making Roman blinds and this book explores each of them in detail.

The step-by-step guidance is similarly used in the sections on making curtains and cushions, and all the sections are set out clearly so it is easy for readers to find their way around. The book also includes a guide to measuring your windows, together with a glossary so that readers have the right terminology before they begin. The photographs in the book are of a very high quality and each stage of the process is clearly photographed.

Those who just need a little design inspiration and guidance will thoroughly enjoy adding some character to their home with the ideas in this book.

The book covers a total of 1,100 resorts around Europe and North America, giving additional details for 450 of the most popular ones.  Highlights of the book include Val Thorens in Savoy, France; Saas Fee in Switzerland; the Stubai Valley in Austria and Bad Kleinkirchheim – known as BBK by ski aficionados. 

Not only is this an extremely thorough review of the best winter sports resorts, but it is realistic, impartial and unbiased.  The pros and cons of each resort have been put together by a team of enthusiasts who have visited each destination, and star ratings are also included so that readers can make an educated choice about which resort is the right one for them.

Anyone who is thinking of taking a ski holiday in the 2011/2012 season will find this beautifully-presented book a great source of information to plan their holiday, and the photographs and illustrations will continue to be enjoyable long after your ski boots have been packed away.

The book is written by an experienced fashion journalist who provides his perspective on how clothing choices can influence the careers of female politicians and first ladies.  There are chapters covering the different trends in power dressing over the years, as well as detailed breakdowns of the fashion choices of more than 50 high-profile female figures.  Female prime ministers, presidents, MPs, royals and first ladies from over 30 countries worldwide are included. These include contemporary figures such as Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Queen Rania of Jordan and Angela Merkel, as well as more historical figures like Imelda Marcos, Eva Perón, and Margaret Thatcher.

The text is accompanied by numerous photographs to illustrate each of the subjects covered. As well as the author’s perspective, the book also includes comments from commentators on each woman’s personal style and how it has changed over time. 

This book is a fascinating read for anyone interested in women in politics, fashion, political history and feminism as it neatly charts the rise and influence of women in the political arena through the prism of clothing.

Not just aimed at travel fans, those interested in architecture, property and design will also enjoy this book and its 300+ colour photographs.  It is beautifully presented in a hardback cover, and includes all the relevant information one might need before choosing the right villa – including the sometimes jaw-dropping prices of these luxury holiday homes.

Inside the book you will find details of designer Karl Lagerfeld’s former villa, set in Monaco with six bedrooms, a private beach, a pool and Jacuzzi – available for a cool €30,000 per week.  You can also dream of visiting the Birkenhead House in Hermanus, South Africa, which has eleven bedrooms and three swimming pools and is available for around $7,000 per night; or Villa Indigo in the Caribbean, which has a private beach as well as a sandbar, should you have a spare $38,000 to spend on your holiday.

It is not just beach homes that are featured in this book – luxury ski chalets in Switzerland, modern apartments in New York and contemporary homes across the world are also included.

This book is a great source for anyone who wants to spoil themselves with a truly unforgettable holiday, or simply have a peek at how the other half lives.

The book focuses largely on the development of the mobile phone in the UK, so it is of particular interest to British readers. The rest of the world is not neglected however, and the evolution and use of mobile phones in the United States, rest of Europe and the Far East are also detailed within its pages.

It is a fun book to read, with a friendly tone and welcome avoidance of jargon.  The chapters cover topics such as World in Bits; Different Countries; Different Paths to Mobility; Reassembling the Mobile as a Global System; and Mobile Cultures which examines the power of text messages, the mobile phone as a health threat, and phones in film. 

Although many people may not think about buying this book unless they have a keen interest in either modern technology or mobile phones, it is actually a fascinating read for anyone who owns a mobile phone.  Knowing how your phone came about, the implications of mobile phone ownership on a global scale and how the technology is likely to develop is very interesting and this book is the perfect guide to the technology in your pocket.

The book includes detailed information on how to dress and accessorise from top to toe, including suits, shirts, jewellery and watches, ties, shoes and all other accessories.  There is advice on what styles and fabrics to wear on different occasions, as well as how to dress to suit particular body types. Drawing on stylish men in the public eye for inspiration, the book will help you find a style that works for you.

The book includes step-by-step guides on finishing off your outfit with a perfectly knotted tie and the best grooming techniques.  It also explores sartorial faux pas so that readers know what to put with what and what items most definitely do not work together.

The book is compact at 224 pages and can be easily referred back to. The friendly language makes it an approachable read for those who think that high fashion is not for them, and it has some great tips on how to dress more stylishly with minimal tweaking to your existing wardrobe. It would make a great gift for any special man in your life.