It’s one of these books I have an inane aversion to opening.

Even looking at mere pictures of creepy crawlies is not my thing. But as it is so often, I’m at the same time grossed out and fascinated by the leggy creatures that inhabit our environment, no matter how we feel about them.

I love the melt-in-the-mouth silkiness of a slow-cooked pork curry, the hearty creaminess of home-made baked beans and the rich, sweet lusciousness of a sticky date pudding. In fact, I could go potty over all slow-cooked meals.

Most crafters like their “crafty” books and often have a small library of useful guides. My stash of craft books is fairly small because styles and colours usually change faster than I can buy the often expensive books on knitting jerseys or crocheting blankets.

In her introduction author Margo Marrone, a qualified pharmacist, herbalist and homeopath, illustrates the fact that all aspects of our lives are connected to each other.

Much has been written about some foods – almost too much: Jack ate locusts at the back of Timbuktu, Jill had an unforgettable donkey steak in the Andes and Tom, Dick and Harry stuffed themselves with deep-fried eyeballs in Hokitika.  

By Nigella Lawson, published by Random House, $79.95

Food and eating are not just about keeping us alive - a fact nobody can explain better than Nigella Lawson.

A Culinary Biography, By Charmaine O’Brian.  Published by Wakefield Press.

Chef and food writer O’Brian has put together a culinary portrait of her home town Melbourne, the food capital of our Aussie neighbours.

I’m Judy James and I’m a body language expert.  I’m going to be showing you how to make a really good first impression.  Always make a great entrance.  Take a few moments before you walk into a room, reline your posture.  You’ve got about three seconds to impress people when you first wa

There are so many ways that you can use mint in awesome summer time beverages.  I’m going to show you another one today.  I’m going to make some sun brewed ice tea.  I’m going to use sprigs of mint, tea bags, fresh lemon juice, fresh lemons, sugar and then I’m going to put them all togeth

Jane Takagi-Little is a young American/Japanese documentary film maker living in New York. She is broke and looking for a job when she gets a call from her former boss in Japan.

We’re flying Germanwings from Cologne to Dublin. This airline deserves a special mention because it provides seats like loungers and the knee space of business-class flights.