'A splendidly exciting and original story' Sunday Telegraph'Terrifyingly exciting suspense' Ian FlemingSet in Changi, the most notorious prisoner of war camp in Asia, King Rat is an heroic story of survival told by a master story-teller who lived through those years as a young soldier. Only one man in fifteen had the strength, the luck, and the cleverness simply to survive Changi. And then there was King.'KING RAT is the best novel in English to have come out of Japanese prisoner of war camps . . . James Clavell is a teller of stories. They are complicated and exciting, and you are desperate to know what will happen to his characters because they are like the people you know from your own life and experience, set in strange and sometimes terrible circumstances' John Simpson Read more

Winner of the RSL Ondaatje PrizeShortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award‘A striding, glorious book . . . A flat-out masterpiece’ The New York Times Book ReviewCaught between hostile nations, warring factions and competing ideologies, Afghanistan was in turmoil following the US invasion. Travelling entirely on foot and following the inaccessible mountainous route once taken by the Mughal emperor Babur the Great, Rory Stewart was nearly defeated by the extreme, hostile conditions.Only with the help of an unexpected companion, and the generosity of the people he met on the way, did he survive to report back on his journey with unique insight on a region closed to the world by twenty-four years of war.‘This evocative book feels like a long-lost relic of the great age of exploration’ The Guardian Read more

'The book of the summer ... Kept me rapt until the final page' THE TIMES'A sharp, smart, witty modern love story. I loved it' David Nicholls, author of ONE DAY'More than lives up to the hype ... Likely to fill the Sally-Rooney-shaped hole in many readers' lives' IRISH TIMES'Droll, shrewd and unafraid - a winning debut' Hilary Mantel, author of WOLF HALL'I've been pushing Exciting Times on everyone I know. Some of Dolan's pithy observations of her characters are the best I've read since Edward St Aubyn' OBSERVER'A frankly sensational book' Pandora Sykes on THE HIGH LOW'In the tradition of Dorothy Parker, Joan Rivers and Nora Ephron ... I found myself purring with pleasure. ...This is comic writing at the highest level' Craig Brown, DAILY MAILWhen you leave Ireland aged 22 to spend your parents' money, it's called a gap year. When Ava leaves Ireland aged 22 to make her own money, she's not sure what to call it, but it involves:- a badly-paid job in Hong Kong, teaching English grammar to rich children;- Julian, who likes to spend money on Ava and lets her move into his guest room;- Edith, who Ava meets while Julian is out of town and actually listens to her when she talks;- money, love, cynicism, unspoken feelings and unlikely connections.Exciting times ensue. Read more

'A herculean achievement . . . strong plot and strong characterisation' The TimesIt is 1862 and Japan is a land in chaos as the power of the Shogun wanes and the rival factions plan to restore the Emperor. In Yokohama, the gai-jin, the hated foreigners, seek to profit from the chaos. At the head of the Noble House - and heir to the title of Tai-Pan - stands Malcolm Struan, who is determined to become his own man and marry the woman he loves. At the head of the Shogunate party is the Lord Yoshi, a direct descendant of Shogun Toranaga, who shares all of his ancestor's cunning and ambition.'A passionate portrait of suffering . . . a strange and gripping tale of a nation's deflowerment' Mail on Sunday Read more

NOW A MAJOR BAFTA-NOMINATED TV SERIES 'Clavell never puts a foot wrong . . . Get it, read it, you'll enjoy it mightily' DAILY MIRRORThis is James Clavell's tour-de-force; an epic saga of one Pilot-Major John Blackthorne, and his integration into the struggles and strife of feudal Japan. Both entertaining and incisive, SHOGUN is a stunningly dramatic re-creation of a very different world.Starting with his shipwreck on this most alien of shores, the novel charts Blackthorne's rise from the status of reviled foreigner up to the hights of trusted advisor and eventually, Samurai. All as civil war looms over the fragile country.'I can't remember when a novel has seized my mind like this one. It's irresistable, maybe unforgettable. Clavell creates a world so enveloping you forget who and where you are' NEW YORK TIMES Read more

Meet Keiko.Keiko is 36 years old. She's never had a boyfriend, and she's been working in the same supermarket for eighteen years.Keiko's family wishes she'd get a proper job. Her friends wonder why she won't get married.But Keiko knows what makes her happy, and she's not going to let anyone come between her and her convenience store... Read more

THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER'Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory..Endlessly fascinating!'Will Ferguson, author of Hokkaido Highway Blues'Carves a unique path across Japan bringing him into contact with far too many cats, heartening renewal in Tohoku, and even pizza with Ken Watanabe.'Iain Maloney, author of The Only Gaijin in the Village'Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny..An excellent and enjoyable read for the Japan-curious. I loved it and learned a lot.'Sam Baldwin, author of For Fukui's Sake: Two years in rural JapanWhen Englishman Chris Broad landed in a rural village in northern Japan he wondered if he'd made a huge mistake. With no knowledge of the language and zero teaching experience, was he about to be the most quickly fired English teacher in Japan's history?Abroad in Japan charts a decade of living in a foreign land and the chaos and culture clash that came with it. Packed with hilarious and fascinating stories, this book seeks out to unravel one the world's most complex cultures.Spanning ten years and all forty-seven prefectures, Chris takes us from the lush rice fields of the countryside to the frenetic neon-lit streets of Tokyo. With blockbuster moments such as a terrifying North Korean missile incident, a mortifying experience at a love hotel and a week spent with Japan's biggest movie star, Abroad in Japan is an extraordinary and informative journey through the Land of the Rising Sun.Number one Sunday Times bestseller, August 2023. Cover may vary. Read more

'Intensely readable and exciting' Sunday TelegraphSet in the turbulent days of the founding of Hong Kong in the 1840s, Tai-Pan is the story of Dirk Struan, the ruler - the Tai-Pan - of the most powerful trading company in the Far East. He is also a pirate, an opium smuggler, and a master manipulator of men. This is the story of his fight to establish himself and his dynasty as the undisputed masters of the Orient.'Packed with action . . . gaudy and flamboyant with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder . . . grand entertainment' New York Times Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERWhether vegan, veggie or simply an avid home cook, this exquisitely designed cookbook is full of simple recipes that will have every reader swooning.'Enticing, inviting and delicious. Vegan and vegetarian dishes that are hard to resist (and why should you?' YOTAM OTTOLENGHI________________________________Modern, vibrant, easy-to-make food. East is a must-have whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply want to eat more delicious meat-free food.Drawing from her 'New Vegan' Guardian column, Meera Sodha's collection features brand-new recipes inspired by Asian cuisine - from India to Indonesia, Singapore to Japan, by way of China, Thailand, and Vietnam.With 120 practical and mouth-watering recipes, learn how to make:- ROASTED PANEER ALOO GOBI for a quick Monday-night dinner- CARAMELIZED ONION AND CHILLI RAMEN straight from the store-cupboard- THE SODHA FAMILY MASALA OMELETTE to serve up a home-made brunch- SALTED MISO BROWNIES as a sweet treatThere are seasonal specialities, warming noodles and curries, tofu and rice dishes as well as salads, sides and sweets - all practical and surprisingly easy to make - and bursting with exciting flavours._________________________________'Meera can take a packet of noodles, some peanut butter and a hunk of tofu and work magic. East is the vegetable book for people who aren't vegetarian. A joy - I want to cook every dish' DIANA HENRY'Fabulous' NIGELLA LAWSON'She has a seemingly magic ability to tell you exactly the detail you need to make a dish sing. This book is a godsend' BEE WILSON, SUNDAY TIMES Read more

A dream job, two handsome men, one destructive act. Will Freya's opportunity of a lifetime end in tears?When Freya leaves her publishing job in London to be a barefoot bookseller in the Maldives, it's the push she needs to move on from her sadness and reignite her passion for life.While resort owner Zander is charming, it's handsome dive instructor Aaron who befriends her when she needs it most. But all is not what it seems and there's trouble brewing in paradise.Taking a chance on happiness is harder than she imagined. Can Freya let go of her heartache and allow herself to fall in love again?♥The Love Island Bookshop is the fifth book in a standalone series of Romantic Escape novels that can be read in any order. They're uplifting, heartwarming stories of love, romance, hope, friendship, new beginnings and second chances, featuring different characters in beautiful locations.'This is escapist, armchair travel and romance at its very best.' Rachel's Random Reads.Begin a Romantic Escape today!♥ Tanzania and Zanzibar set The Baobab Beach Retreat♥ Cornish set A Starlit Summer♥ Santorini and Paros set The Greek Heart♥ Winter set The Amsterdam Affair Read more

Over one hundred years have passed since Dirk Struan founded Hong Kong’s oldest trading company. But now, the Noble House is in danger. As Hong Kong itself becomes the deadly playground of the CIA, the KGB and the People’s Republic of China, rival tai-pans, seeking revenge for blood feuds over a century old, gather for the kill. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Japan.Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from visiting Yoshino for Japan's most famous cherry-blossom-viewing festival to sipping sake at a 300-year-old brewery in Niigata, and exploring the Unesco-listed streetscapes of Hagi. Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Japan Travel Guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Japan and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including climbing Mt Fuji, visiting Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and experiencing the extravagant shrine of Tosho-guSpecial features on onsen etiquette, Japanese food, and the 88 sacred temples pilgrimageExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Japanese culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of TokyoCovers Tokyo, Mt Fuji & around Tokyo, Central Honshu & the Japan Alps, Kyoto, Kansai, Hiroshima & Western Honshu, Northern Honshu, Sapporo & Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa & the Southwest Islands Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Japan. Read more

Some memories last a lifetime. Some secrets should stay buried.In 2000, four backpackers—Beth, Claire, Jez, and Max—meet on the sun-drenched shores of Phayom Beach, Thailand. Their gap year travels doing the ‘banana pancake trail’ are supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime, but when fellow traveller Simon is found dead on the shore, their dream turns into a nightmare. His death is ruled an accident but the four of them know better.Twenty-five years later, Max is a wildly successful tech entrepreneur, and his girlfriend Jess is planning an unforgettable 50th birthday celebration— a trip to one of Thailand’s most luxurious resorts – Phayom Eco Lodge - for Max’s closest friends.But Max isn't excited about the trip and Jess can’t understand why - after all, wasn't his trip to Thailand some of the happiest times of his life?When Beth, Claire and Jez receive their invitations to the party, they all have their reasons for going back – and their reservations…For they all carry their own ghosts from their gap year travels, but when they return to Phayom, old footprints are uncovered in the sand and one thing becomes clear: the past is never truly washed away.Life at the beach was meant to be an unforgettable idyll, but this time, paradise might just be their undoing.Fans of The Beach and The White Lotus will love this sexy, gripping dual-timeline drama about the weight of secrets, the bonds of friendship, and the price of the past. Read more

Twenty-Five Hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote this classic book of military strategy based on Chinese warfare and military thought. Since that time, all levels of military have used the teaching on Sun Tzu to warfare and civilization have adapted these teachings for use in politics, business and everyday life. The Art of War is a book which should be used to gain advantage of opponents in the boardroom and battlefield alike. Read more

In this Japan Travel Guide 2024 edition, Yuki Fukuyama and Ken Fukuyama will share with you:The ultimate Japan itineraries that are improvised for more than 40+ times.All the essential information like operating hours, prices, transit tips etc.Everything you need to know about Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido.The best winter destinations.Detailed and updated maps of Japan.The latest super cheap budgeting tips.The best accommodation tips.Japan’s best kept secrets.All the best local cuisines.Events and festivals in Japan.And much, much more!About Yuki Fukuyama and Ken FukuyamaBefore serving as a tour guide, they were full-time professors working in Japan National College of Technology. After having their first child in 1985, they have decided to pursue their long-held dream of exploring the world. Inspired by their life-changing adventures throughout the world, they have decided to serve as a tour guide. This happy couple has been serving as a Japan local tour guide for more than 30 years now. In their effort to show the world what Japan truly is, they have decided to write a book about it.# Japan Travel Guide 2024 Read more

DON'T MISS THE MOVING, CAPTIVATING NEW JAPANESE-SET NOVEL FROM LAURA IMAI MESSINA: THE LIBRARY OF HEARTBEATS. OUT NOW!'Absolutely breathtaking' Christy Lefteri, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo.We all have something to tell those we have lost . . .On a windy hill in Japan, in a garden overlooking the sea stands a disused phone box. For years, people have travelled to visit the phone box, to pick up the receiver and speak into the wind: to pass their messages to loved ones no longer with us.When Yui loses her mother and daughter in the tsunami, she is plunged into despair and wonders how she will ever carry on. One day she hears of the phone box, and decides to make her own pilgrimage there, to speak once more to the people she loved the most. But when you have lost everything, the right words can be the hardest thing to find . . .Then she meets Takeshi, a bereaved husband whose own daughter has stopped talking in the wake of their loss. What happens next will warm your heart, even when it feels as though it is breaking...The Phone Box at the Edge of the World is an unforgettable story of the depths of grief, the lightness of love and the human longing to keep the people who are no longer with us close to our hearts.Everyone is talking about The Phone Box at the Edge of the World'A moving and uplifting anatomisation of grief and the small miraculous moments that persuade people to start looking forward again' Sunday Times'Strangely beautiful, uplifting and memorable, it's a book to savour' Choice, Book of the Month'A poignant, atmospheric novel dealing with love, coming to terms with loss and the restoration of one's self' Daily Mail'A story about the dogged survival of hope when all else is lost . . . A striking haiku of the human heart' The Times'Beautiful. A message of hope for anyone who is lost, frightened or grieving' Clare Mackintosh, Sunday Times bestselling author of After the End'Incredibly moving. It will break your heart and soothe your soul' Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars'Mesmerising . . . beautiful . . . a joy to read' Joanna Glen, Costa shortlisted author of The Other Half of Augusta Hope'Spare and poetic, this beautiful book is both a small, quiet love story and a vast expansive meditation on grieving and loss' Heat'A perfect poignant read' Woman & Home Read more

Some of the maps in this title are best viewed on a tablet device.A classic of travel writing, A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush is Eric Newby’s iconic account of his journey through one of the most remote and beautiful wildernesses on earth.It was 1956, and Eric Newby was earning an improbable living in the chaotic family business of London haute couture. Pining for adventure, Newby sent his friend Hugh Carless the now-famous cable – CAN YOU TRAVEL NURISTAN JUNE? – setting in motion a legendary journey from Mayfair to Afghanistan, and the mountains of the Hindu Kush, north-east of Kabul.Inexperienced and ill-prepared (their preparations involved nothing more than some tips from a Welsh waitress), the amateurish rogues embark on a month of adventure and hardship in one of the most beautiful wildernesses on earth – a journey that adventurers with more experience and sense may never have undertaken. With good humour, sharp wit and keen observation, the charming narrative style of A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush would soon crystallise Newby's reputation as one of the greatest travel writers of all time.One of the greatest travel classics from one of Britain's best-loved travel writers, this edition includes new photographs, an epilogue from Newby's travelling companion, Hugh Carless, and a prologue from one of Newby's greatest proponents, Evelyn Waugh. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara.Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from snorkelling to the world-famous underwater sculpture of Nest at Gili Meno, to visiting the dreamy sweeps of pink sand on one of Pulau Padar's beaches, and strolling the rice fields of Sidemen.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including West Bali National Park; Snorkel to the worldfamous underwater sculpture of Nest at Gili Meno; and Gunung Rinjani Special features on Balinese dance explained, guide to Gunung Rinjani, temple architecture Expert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of BaliCovers: Canggu & Southwest Beaches; South Bali & the Islands; Ubud Region; East Bali; Central Mountains; North Bali; West Bali; Lombok; Gili Islands; Nusa Tenggara Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary part of the world with Lonely Planet's Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Tokyo.Discover Tokyo's most popular experiences and best kept secrets - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - from chowing down sushi at Toyosu Market to visiting Tokyo's oldest temple, Sens?-ji, and hiking up picturesque Takao-san on the outskirts of the metropolis.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Tokyo travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning trips of 1-2 weeks or moreUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Tokyo and connect experiences together with easeCreate your ideal trip with exciting Perfect Day itineraries with suggestions of unmissable attractions and activities to match your passions, plus day trips from Tokyo so you can explore the surrounding areasGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including Tokyo National Museum and the extravagant shrine of T?sh?-g?Special features on Japanese food guide, onsen explained, day trip to Mt FujiExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Tokyo culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of TokyoCovers Marunouchi & Nihombashi, Ginza & Tsukiji, Roppongi & Around, Ebisu, Meguro & Around, Shibuya & Setagaya, Harajuku & Aoyama, West Tokyo & Around, Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo, K?rakuen & Akihabara, Ueno & Yanesen, Asakusa & Sumida River, Odaiba & Tokyo Bay plus day trips to Mt Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, T?sh?-g?, Takao-san, Shira-hama, Yokohama, Narita Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary city with Lonely Planet's Tokyo. Read more

*10,000 copies sold*‘A fascinating journey and call to action’ – Mark Hodson, writer, Sunday Times‘Really evokes that excitement of ‘discovering’ Japan for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed it’– Jan Dodd, Rough Guide To Japan‘Witty and highly entertaining; a fascinating insight into the lives of ordinary Japanese people’ – Helen Arnold, 1001 Escapes‘Jocular and candid; essential reading for backpackers and Japanophiles’ – Ginny Light, former online editor, The TimesFar from the high-tech, high-rise of the super-cities, there lies another Japan.A Japan where snakes slither down school corridors, where bears prowl dark forests and where Westerners are still regarded as curious creatures. Welcome to the world of the inaka – the Japanese countryside.Unhappily employed in the UK, Sam Baldwin decides to make a big change. Saying sayonara to laboratory life, he takes a job as an English teacher on the JET Programme in a small, rural Japanese town that no one – the Japanese included – has ever heard of.Arriving in Fukui, where there’s ‘little reason to linger’ according to the guidebook, at first he wonders why he left England. But as he slowly settles in to his unfamiliar new home, Sam befriends a colourful cast of locals and begins to discover the secrets of this little known region.Helped by headmasters, housewives and Himalayan mountain climbers, he immerses himself in a Japan still clutching its pastoral past and uncovers a landscape of lonely lakes, rice fields and lush mountain forests. Joining a master drummer’s taiko class, skiing over paddies and learning how to sharpen samurai swords, along the way Sam encounters farmers, fishermen and foreigners behaving badly.Exploring Japan’s culture and cuisine, as well as its wild places and wildlife, For Fukui’s Sake is an adventurous, humorous and sometimes poignant insight into the frustrations and fascinations that face an outsider living in small town, backcountry Japan.For more info see: ForFukuisSake.com Read more