Swimming like Vikings or sleeping like cavemen, ruling the tennis court and romping with royals: when it comes to non-fiction...We've Got Your Summer Reading Sorted!
What is worse than being sunburnt, all your clothes smelling of suncream, and finding sand in every crevice? Being sunburnt, all your clothes smelling of suncream, finding sand in every crevice... and not being able to sleep. Happily, Merijn van de Laar can provide the solution to this holiday nightmare: be more caveman. Discover all the ways our forebears got it right (sleeping when tired, rather than when they thought they should, for example) and the fascinating fact that, until the enforced working routines of the Industrial Revolution, people didn't really experience insomnia. KS
Swimming With The Viking Of Skye Richard Waters (Aurum £17.99, 256pp)
When Richard Waters discovered his Viking lineage in a DNA test he decided to plunge himself into one of the less violent traditions of his ancestors: cold-water swimming. Diagnosed with Parkinson's in his early 40s, he finds unparalleled relief for his physical and mental health in the chilly waters of the Highlands. In this moving book Waters swims us through the rockpools, waterfalls and coves of Skye, as well as introducing us to a man as hardy as the Norsemen who conquered the island so many centuries ago. JCD
No Filters by Christie Watson and Rowan Egberongbe (Chatto & Windus £14.99, 192pp)
Having a teen in the house all summer might feel daunting but this book is an insightful, if tough, read for any struggling parent. When Christie Watson's 16-year-old daughter Rowan was refusing to speak to her, she had to learn a whole different means of communicating. What began as a daily Snapchat message evolved into a new-found closeness. This engaging book sheds light on the boggling number of mental health issues faced by today's teenagers, many of which most parents know little about. KS
John & Paul by Ian Leslie (Faber & Faber £25, 432pp)
Music history is full of relationships that crash and burn in a cacophony of vicious headlines, backstabbing and (if we're lucky) a revenge song or two – Sonny and Cher, ABBA and perhaps the most spectacular break-up of them all, John and Paul. This spellbinding biography of the two men behind The Beatles takes you through the dizzying highs and crashing lows of their 13-year bromance and the break-up that changed the course of music forever. JCD
How Not To Be A Political Wife by Sarah Vine (HarperElement £20, 320pp)
As a Mail columnist and former political wife, Vine is a force to be reckoned with – no wonder her memoir sent shockwaves through British politics. She gives us a fascinating insight into being raised by a narcissistic father, her 20-year marriage to Michael Gove as he rose from Tory MP to Cabinet minister and prime ministerial contender, and the explosive end to her friendship with Samantha Cameron. Funny and heartwarming, this is a revealing, and riveting, look behind the scenes of the personal politics of Westminster. KS
Going Nuclear by Tim Gregory (Bodley Head £25, 384pp)
For most of us, nuclear means mushroom clouds, Chernobyl and Mr Burns. Certainly, something to be afraid of, not welcomed. However, in this delightful book by nuclear scientist and apologist Dr Tim Gregory, we are urged to reframe our relationship with nuclear power or face extinction. He peppers his convincing argument with surprisingly enchanting anecdotes from the glowing history of nuclear power. JCD
The Warrior by Christopher Clarey (John Murray £22, 368pp)
This is the first year since 2004 that the King of Clay has not graced Paris's Roland Garros with his presence. Christopher Clarey's comprehensive biography of Rafael Nadal's career takes us from his early days in Majorca being coached by his Uncle Toni to his dominance as part of the big three alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, proving himself as one of the greatest players of all time. Rafa's humility and sportsmanship shine in this glowing portrait that also abounds with wider tennis trivia. KS
The Slow Road North by Rosie Schaap (Mariner £20, 272pp)
When Rosie Schapp found herself a widow at 39, she didn't know where to turn. Eventually, she decided to pack up her troubles, and her flat in New York, to travel through Europe. Still weighed down by grief, a chance conversation with a stranger in Belfast somehow lightened her sorrow. Before long she had traded the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple for a Georgian cottage in Glenarm, Northern Ireland. This gentle memoir shows how her new friends and neighbours helped dig her out of her grief and made her capable of love again. JCD
Queen James by Gareth Russell (William Collins £25, 496pp)
Not many wives would be pleased to hear that their husband had embarked upon an affair with someone much younger who was said to possess 'the finest legs in Christendom'. She might be doubly irritated to discover that these fabulous legs belonged to a man. However, Queen Anne, wife of King James I, was delighted. Anything to keep temperamental James happy. This is just one of the fantastic tales in this royal romp through the treacherous and flagrantly gay court of King James I. JCD
Shaolin Spirit by Shi Heng Yi (Particular Books £25, 288pp)
If the 'cultivation of vitality and strength' appeals to you this summer, be prepared to push 'physical and mental limits you will never have encountered before'. Or at least that is the promise of Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi. Through his meditative practices that reconnect the mind and body, you can tap in to a 1,500-year-old way of life to discover more energy and greater peace of mind. Although you might not be able to bend a spear by pressing down on the pointed end with your throat, as Shi Heng Yi himself can, by September. KS
Story Of A Murder by Hallie Rubenhold (Doubleday £25, 512pp)
More often than not, True Crime is more gory than fiction, and that is certainly the case with the tale of Dr Crippen. Medical fraudster, terrible husband and murderer – is there anything this man can't do? Rubenhold chooses to focus on the women in the doctor's life: the wife he murdered, music-hall starlet Belle Elmore, and his typist and lover Ethel Le Neve. Not one for those with a weak stomach, this uncovers a dark side to humanity that many will find fascinating. KS
Dave & Me by Lili Myers (Ebury Spotlight £22, 304pp)
The Hairy Bikers, made up of Dave Myers and Si King, were hugely loved as much for their humour and camaraderie as their cooking. When Dave died last year after suffering from cancer, 46,000 bikers drove from London to Barrow-in-Furness in tribute to him. Now his widow, Lili, gives an emotive and intimate account of the love and life they shared for 20 years. KS
Allies At War by Tim Bouverie (Bodley Head £25, 688pp)
Defeating the Nazis required the UK to make strange bedfellows. An otherwise inconceivable alliance had to be hastily made with Stalin, while even the 'special relationship' with America was fraught with difficulty and ended up costing Britain an awful lot of money to maintain. This glorious book alters the focus of the war and reveals that navigating the many traps and pitfalls in the shifting diplomatic sands imposed by friends and allies was almost harder than actually confronting the enemy. JCD
Affairs by Juliet Rosenfeld (Bluebird £20, 288pp)
Do you fancy a clandestine summer fling? You're not alone. As Juliet Rosenfeld reveals, one in five of us will have an affair at some point. Putting her psychotherapist skills to good use, Rosenfeld takes us through five different adulterous scenarios and examines what pushes people to commit this greatest of relationship sins. Not a guide for cheaters, but this book might help you spot one... KS
The Buried City by Gabriel Zuchtriegel (Hodder £22, 256pp)
If you're heading for a scorcher in the Italian sun, spare a thought for the poor people of Pompeii. There was no sun cream strong enough or sun hat wide enough to protect them from the fiery heat that pummelled their city into oblivion. The city, frozen in time, is still bursting with undiscovered secrets and at the helm of these discoveries is Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii archaeological park. This is an unparalleled tour through a city that has fascinated and bewildered us for 2,000 years. JCD
The Ageless Brain by Dale Bredesen (Vermilion £22, 384pp)
It is never too early to start looking after your brain's health. In clear steps Dr Dale Bredesen explains exactly how to keep your brain just as sharp at 100 as it was at 20. From actions as simple as maintaining your oral hygiene or completing a daily sudoku, to learning a new language and cutting out sugar – there are so many things we can all do to retain our cognitive function. KS
Source Code by Bill Gates Allen Lane £25, 336pp
How do you become the richest man in the world? In this memoir of his early years, Bill Gates makes it seem easy. Key ingredients include cleverness, awkwardness with a sprinkling of ferocity, and most importantly of all, a reliance on the beneficence of adults. Turns out a tragic backstory certainly isn't necessary. Bill Gates, King of Nerds, was even popular at school! JCD
The Light Of Day by Christopher Stephens (Headline £20, 400pp)
'Sir, we are homosexuals…'. So began the letter that scandalised Britain in 1960. This criminal confession (homosexuality wasn't decriminalised until 1967) was sent to several newspapers and signed 'Roger Butler'. This is the story of the heroism and fierce battles fought by the first man in England to choose to publicly come out. The author, while still at university, befriended the aged Butler and has faithfully and beautifully told the story of this extraordinary man. JCD
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The Guardian
a minute ago
- The Guardian
Standup Susie McCabe looks back: ‘I knew very early on that I was different from other girls. Everyone else did, too''
Born in Glasgow in 1980, Susie McCabe began her career in standup comedy in the early 2010s, quickly gaining recognition on the Scottish comedy circuit. The 2024 winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award, McCabe has supported Kevin Bridges and John Bishop on tour and, along with Frankie Boyle and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, hosts the podcast Here Comes the Guillotine. Her show, Femme Fatality, is on iPlayer now. She performs her new show Best Behaviour at Edinburgh fringe from 30 July to 24 August. I'm three years old and in my late nana's ground-floor tenement Glasgow flat. She would have knitted that tank top, and the toy in my hand was a little monkey that my mum bought me as a present. Apparently I used to be obsessed with putting its feet in its mouth – I'm sure a therapist could have a field day with that. As for the expression, I look utterly miserable. My parents had tried to make me look like a sweet wee girl, putting me next to a little doll, when really I was a tomboy. That face is very much: 'Nah, not having it.' My nan's flat was my happy place. She and I were best friends, for ever. She was an unassuming person who would show her love with food rather than words. An independent, non-judgmental woman with the heart of a lion, and, without doubt, the biggest influence in my life. I knew very early on that I was different from the other girls. Everyone else did, too. Dad would ask: 'Why won't you just wear a dress? Why can't you just stay clean? Why do you always have a football under your arm?' At school I was popular and had plenty of friends, but there were a couple of kids who tried to bully me a wee bit. All I'll say is, I soon sorted that out. When I was at primary school, my hair used to go all the way down my back. It was thick and Mum used to plait it every morning. The pain! I had a massive Tonka truck that I took into school one day, and while I was running it through my hair, strands got tangled in the wheels. We had no other choice but to cut huge clumps out of it, but I was so relieved – as well as the tomboy thing, long hair is difficult when you're running about trying to play football with the boys, who are also trying to pull your plaits. There was so much about my adolescence that was great – I loved to play football and rugby, and I had good teachers and friends. But I was also trying to deal with my sexuality. I was brought up Roman Catholic in the west of Scotland, during section 28. It was not a particularly easy time to come out. My mum and dad were not overtly homophobic, but there was not much information about the reality of being gay out there. The Brookside kiss was pretty monumental, but before that there were so many negative connotations about being gay in the media, just scandals about gay priests. To deal with my sexuality, I smoked a lot of cannabis. Sport gave me a healthy outlet, thankfully. I also had good friends who supported me when I came out. When I told my parents, however, they put me out of the house, so I moved in with my nana. I stayed with her for two years and I worked in a jeans shop and then a gay bar. In many ways, those were some of the happiest days in my life: being gay was still a backstreet thing in the 90s – there was no holding hands in public. In gay clubs, however, people would coalesce around you. Suddenly, I had a whole community of people who would look out for me. After about two years, my parents accepted that my sexuality wasn't a phase. It wasn't always easy, especially for my dad, but he got there in the end. Growing up, I wanted to be a sports scientist and a physiotherapist. I told my parents this, and in true working-class Scottish style, they replied: 'University is not for you.' Even though I had the intelligence to have gone, I don't think I had the bandwidth to work hard as I was so caught up in having to come out. Instead, Dad made three other career suggestions. The first was: 'Why don't you be a police officer?' To which I replied: 'Because snitches get stitches.' The next was: 'Why don't you join the air force like your brother?' My reply was: 'Yeah, because I'm so good with authority.' Plus, this was 1998 – a time when homosexuals couldn't even join the military. His third was: 'Why don't you be an air stewardess?' Wasn't keen on that one, either. I am not a morning person. I've barely made myself a cup of tea by 6am, never mind making one for a plane full of people. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Comedy was a dare that became a career. In the summer of 2010, when a friend was diagnosed with cancer, it was a stark reminder that time is short and I should challenge myself. A friend suggested I try comedy. Well, the exact phrase was, 'Shitebag if you don't.' When someone says that to you at school in Scotland, you absolutely have to do it, and, even in adulthood, I feel the same necessity. So, I signed up for an eight-week course and did my first gig. Right away I knew, this is the thing I am meant to do. I was gigging for eight and half years, selling out solo shows and headlining clubs, when I eventually realised I was on the precipice and had to jump. Within a month of giving up my day job, I got signed to a comedy management company. I remember a year or so after, driving down the motorway and thinking: 'I wonder what day it is?' I checked and it was Friday. I thought: 'I'm living the dream.' When you work for a living you always know when it's Friday and when it's Monday. As a self-employed comedian, I was working seven days a week, with no days off, but it didn't matter. This industry is a marathon – very few people break into it overnight. Even if you find fame on TikTok, you still have to put in the work: the gigs, the grind, learning your stagecraft. I grew up playing football with men and spent years working in building sites alongside them. That experience, always being the only woman in the room, built my resilience and determination. Those early gigs could have been tough – miners' clubs, bowling clubs, golf clubs – mostly rooms full of white, bald heads. At first, I knew they might see me as 'other': a wee gay woman with a mic. I also knew that, deep down, we weren't all that different. Once I started talking, I could get them onside. The first two minutes might be rough, but if you speak your truth, the walls come down. There's nothing really separating us. While I am still that funny wee girl in the photo, there have been quite a lot of major life events recently that have made me feel like an adult. I had a heart attack on the way to the fringe last year, my wife and I separated, and my dad died in June. In life you get served curveballs, but I am very fortunate to be surrounded by decent people and living in a decent part of the world. Plus, it means my next show is going to be great.
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Rylan Clark shares a sweet birthday tribute to his mum Linda as she turns 73 and updates fans on her health after she was rushed to hospital
Rylan Clark has shared a sweet birthday tribute to his mum Linda as she turned 73 and updated fans on her health. The beloved presenter, 36, informed his followers on Friday night that he wouldn't be hosting his BBC Radio 2 show the day after Linda was rushed to hospital. But taking to Instagram on Sunday, Rylan shared an array of snaps of his mum to mark her birthday and revealed she had been discharged from hospital. 'Happy Birthday to the best mum. So glad ur home for it. Love you x,' he wrote. Among the snaps included a picture of Rylan and his mum dressed to the nines for a glamorous day out together, whereas others showed the pair on lavish holidays. Rylan's celebrity pals were quick to send their birthday tributes, with the former X Factor star's co-presenter Rob Rinder commenting: 'Happy birthday Linda xxx.' Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Rylan shared an array of snaps of his mum to mark her birthday and revealed she had been discharged from hospital Ruth Langsford said: 'Happy Birthday @lindaclark. So pleased you made it home. Have a wonderful day.' 'Massive happy birthday Linda ❤️❤️❤️,' said Scarlett Moffatt, while Ella Henderson added: 'Love you mummy Linda!! Happy birthday beautiful angel!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️.' Cat Deeley, Holly Willoughby and Alexandra Burke also wished Linda a happy birthday. It comes one day after Rylan gave an update on Linda's condition after she was rushed to hospital, after revealing he wouldn't be hosting his show. 'Mummy Linda isn't well sadly so I won't be hosting the show tomorrow. Thank you to the emergency team at Princess Alexandra Hospital,' he shared at the time. On Saturday, Rylan gave fans an update as he assured fans she was doing better and confirmed that she would be back home for her 73rd birthday on Sunday, July 20. 'Antibiotics have worked. Letting her home on orals. So she's home for her bday,' wrote on his Instagram Stories. 'Cheers everyone for your messages. Means a lot. Off sort wheelie bins x.' It comes one day after Rylan gave an update on Linda's condition after she was rushed to hospital, after revealing he wouldn't be hosting his show Ruth Langsford said: 'Happy Birthday @lindaclark. So pleased you made it home. Have a wonderful day' Earlier in the day, Rylan had told fans how his mother was doing better, but didn't disclose why she had been hospitalised. 'She's all good. Hoping she will be at home for her bday,' he shared. 'She's now worried about wheelie bins going out again.' Linda won the hearts of the nation after her appearance with her son in Celebrity Gogglebox, where she had viewers in fits of laughter with her dry humour. R ylan previously shared in 2023 his mother suffered a horror fall in Marbella and had to have emergency surgery before they both flew home on a private plane. Rylan gave fans an update on her mother's health at the time, writing: 'She's doing really well thankfully. All going good. Cheers for all ur messages x' 'She's doing really well. Now chatting away with a lovely lady next to her. On the mend! Cheers for ur messages,' he added. The mother-son duo have been favourites on Channel 4's Gogglebox since 2019, yet they had to miss the latest series due to Linda's health. Rylan has also previously opened up about his mother's battle with Crohn's disease. Cat Deeley, Holly Willoughby and Alexandra Burke also wished Linda a happy birthday' Linda has battled with Crohn's since her 30s, a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. She often has to undergo multiple operations to remove damaged parts of her bowel and takes numerous medicines each day for her condition. Crohn's disease is a chronic condition, which affects around one in 1,200 people in the UK, causing inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, although it is most commons in the intestines. It causes symptoms including diarrhoea, intense abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. Linda had to endure a six-week hospital stay due to her ongoing battle with Crohn's disease back in 2017. 'She's not in the best health with her other conditions and this has made it more complicated,' Rylan previously said.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Scorpio weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for July 20
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes. Read on to see what's written in the stars for you today. SCORPIO OCT 24 - NOV 22 With the sun at the top of your chart, prepare to shine - in ways that make everyone else look and feel good, too. You are a natural leader who also is a natural listener, this is what can take you towards a top role. Workwise, it's tempting to strike back, but more productive to stay cool and not respond. In love? Is this real if you feel so fake? Single? Your soulmate walks very fast. DESTINY DAYS: Make a special moment happen on Wednesday — follow your heart. Reconnect with 'S' friends on Thursday. Take side business ideas to the next stage on Saturday. LUCKY LINKS: A necklace that includes a date. The relative with a birthday closest to yours. The last 'M' place you visited. MOON MOTIVATION: If you're not currently in a public-facing career, do look into this, this week - as you have the kind of calm, reassuring presence that's priceless. You can be the public face for big business, or small local companies, and bring each area your unique spin. But the new moon also makes you a natural giver of advice and reassurance. People instinctively trust you and this is a personal skill that's in high demand in the current world. Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what's in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions. You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it's like to .
