Many people think that bingo games are entirely dependent on the luck of the draw, but with the help of “The Basics of Winning Bingo”, any player will begin to see how much there really is to game. This book aims to give an introduction to beginner bingo players, but has plenty of handy tips and tricks for others at a more intermediate level.

The book is published by Cardoza Publishing and, at only 64 pages long, will be an ideal carry-round guide for the aspiring bingo player. The author, Avery Cardoza, is not only a noted expert on the game, but has also written a series of poker-based titles, such as “How to Win at Gambling” and “World Series of Poker Official Guidebook”.

But with this handy manual, Cardoza has looked to not only help players win at bingo, but also to make the game more accessible for a wider audience. There are a staggering 100 million bingo players around the world and with the release of this book, there are sure to be plenty more that will be added to this figure.

“The Basics of Winning Bingo” covers every aspect of the game, such as the basics of play, the bingo language, and selection of winning patterns.

The advice offered in this book can also be used for playing both the real money and free bingo games on the many bingo sites on the web, and it serves as an ideal companion for any new, budding player.

Scared of flying? This book could be your passport to freedom. Filled with facts about aircraft and safety, I can guarantee that once you read this you’ll be booking that dream holiday to Barbados before you know it!

This book describes everything you need to know to quash your fears; from take-off to touchdown to the facts behind turbulence. Have you ever wondered what fuel dumping is? Pondered how the aircraft stays up in the air? Wanted to know why the flaps are put on at take-off and landing? More importantly, what happens if an engine stops? How do you know what height to climb to? Find out why the crew goes through the ‘emergency’ drill on every flight, even though it’s rarely needed.

Rest assured that you’re in good hands – Captain Godfrey has over 20,000 flying hours and was CAA examiner for flight tests and training for British Airways.  He qualified as a glider pilot just one day after his 16th birthday and held his private pilot’s license by the age of 18. At 20 was the youngest person ever to have held a flying instructors rating in the UK. He’s now retired and devotes his time helping others to overcome their fear of flying.

Phobias can strike at any time and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t let your fears hold you back and ruin your life; grab the bull by the horns and start by reading this book. Remember that you’re not the only one and hundreds of other people have overcome their fear of flying by taking onboard the advice of Captain Godfrey.

Start slowly – your first flight after reading this book should be a short one. Consider a flight to Belfast which, from most UK airports only takes about an hour. Once you’ve managed that (and with the help of this book, you will!) you’ll wish you read it years ago.

Are you struggling with your sense of style? Have you fallen into a pit of fashion despair? If you want a cheap fix then you really should buy this book. Listed as one of the ‘Four Fashion Books Every Fashionista Should Own’ it’s written by one of the world’s leading fashion dictators; Nina Garcia tells us straight how it’s done.

If you’ve never heard of Nina Garcia, here’s the deal: Ms. Garcia was Fashion Director at Elle magazine and is now at Marie Claire so she has an incredible pedigree when it comes to commenting on and guiding the direction of women’s clothing. Not only that, she was also a judge on the popular fashion and lifestyle show, Project Runway.

For the essential rules on balancing classic styles with high trends, blending textures and colours, and what to wear on those special occasions, it’s all here. This really is a style bible that takes you on a wonderful fashion journey – by the end of it you’ll be wearing those ‘impulse purchase’ clothes you thought you’d never wear again!

A big advocate of the little black dress, Nina Garcia will help you find the perfect frock for your shape and she’ll also help you figure out the essential accessories to go with it. Her advice is to “buy the best you can afford” – after all we can’t all indulge in haute couture – yet her advice has meaning. Even those Primark purchases will look a million dollars when you follow Nina’s tips.

This book is beautifully illustrated and makes the perfect gift for your style-challenged friends – it’s also a book you’ll keep forever and continue to refer to when you’re having a fashion lull.  If women’s clothing is not your forte then this is one investment that will pay dividends – you never know, it might even help you increase your entries in your other ‘little black book’!

If, like me, you seem to have a permanent bad hair day then help is at hand. ‘Great Hair: Elegant Styles for Every Occasion’ is full of easy to do styles that are shown in full colour photographs so it’s easy for you to achieve the catwalk look in the comfort of your own home. There are 100 styles to choose from so you can be sure there’s one to suit your mood.

This book is perfect if you’re struggling to afford that expensive designer re-style – it’s jam-packed full of useful tips and tricks to get the most from your hair (and the half-empty bottles of hair products in your bathroom cabinet!). If you think you know how to handle your GHD hair straighteners, think again – author Davis Biton shows how to get unique effects in a matter of minutes (straighteners are not just for straight hair – you can curl with them too – who knew?).

If you have long hair then most of the styles and advice in this book will appeal to you. If you have a short or mid-length style then you might find the content a little limited. It’s a great book for students currently studying hair design as there are lots of ideas for up-do’s such as chignons, braids, twists and weaves, all illustrated clearly using step-by-step colour photos.

Davis Biton is a leading international stylist and the creative force behind the Davis brand. He specializes in hair extensions and styling for special occasions and this is obvious in the book. Almost every style is designed for long hair and if you’re not a hairdresser then you might need some help achieving the looks Mr. Biton appears to do so effortlessly.

A good book if you’re experienced with hairdressing – a little complicated if you’re not.

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.

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.