ROD GREEN, Foreword by ANTHONY HOROWITZ: THE REAL HISTORY BEHIND FOYLE'S WAR (Carlton Books HB)

"Foyle's War" has been widely praised for its engaging storylines, admirable performances and also for the painstaking attention to detail that gives the series such an air of authority and authenticity. "The Real History Behind Foyle's War" investigates the actual events and people that inform the fiction, and with stills from the show interspersed with historical images, provides an intriguing insight into law and order on the home front between 1939 and 1945, offering a wealth of background information on the living and working conditions of ordinary people during that time, on the role of the police in wartime and the crimes on which the plotlines of "Foyle's War" are based. This edition has been updated to include series six, and the new series seven, due on television in 2010. Foyle's War is my second favourite TV show; there, I've said it. Not my favourite, my second favourite. I first read this fascinating book two or three years ago, but the clamouring for more Foyle led to a further three episodes being made and shown earlier this year and author Rod Green has gone to the trouble of expanding and updating this very readable book. Very welcome indeed.

WARD CALHOUN: MUST-SEE MOVIES (Carlton Books Flexiback)

Sometimes a movie has such a strong pull that after viewing it, you want everybody you know - and even passing strangers - to see it too. In 'Must-See Movies', author Ward Calhoun shares an eclectic mix of motion pictures that he considers required viewing. From dramas to comedies, international classics to Hollywood musicals, 'Must-See Movies' offers a delightful array of films for cinematic enjoyment. The accompanying text provides a summary of film plots and highlights. A further "in brief" section lists another 200 movies with details of genre, duration, colour or B&W, country, studio, director and leading cast members. Also includes 2010 Oscar winning films THE HURT LOCKER, PRECIOUS and AVATAR. Any collection of "must-see" movies must by definition be subjective. Calhoun selects films he believes we "must" see, and I don't always agree with what he chooses, but that's irrelevant. It's what he does with his selection that's important. Little snippets of vital information,like Glen Ford being acctually hit, and almost losing a tooth... This is a fascinating little book, one you can dive into at any time. Beautifully presented package, an awesome book.

TOM ANG: THE COMPLETE PHOTOGRAPHER (Dorling Kindersley HB)

Completely unique in its broad appeal, scope, and stunning photography; this will appeal to anyone interested in photography, whether beginner or advanced.Behind-the-scenes features introduce the work of 20 top international photographers, showing in step-by-step detail how an idea progresses from concept stage to final image. Based around tutorials on 10 different genres, covering both technical and creative aspects of photography, Tom Ang takes you through assignments, image analysis, and critiques to work on and follow. Ang is one of the world's foremost experts on photography, and in this terrific book he shares most of that expertise with us. Beautiful photographs arranged in logical sections, with tips on how to compose your own scenes - a must have for anyone with more than a passing interest in the art of photography. Not too much technical stuff - Ang covers that in his other books, also published by DK. A treasury of useful and fascinating information.

SARAH FREEMAN: BRONTE IN LOVE - THE GREATEST, AND AT TIMES MOST TRAGIC, LOVE STORY CHARLOTTE NEVER TOLD WAS HER OWN (Great Northern Books HB)

When Charlotte Bronte died at the age of 38 in the Haworth parsonage where she had spent most of her life, her reputation as one of English literature's great novelists was already assured. In "Jane Eyre" she had allowed passion and romance to triumph over staid Victorian convention. She had written of fiery emotion, of heartbreak and of madness, but the greatest and at times the most tragic love story she never told was her own. It is this story that is now related in this compelling read. Here is the saga of a hopeless romantic, who naively believed true love could always conquer all. As a teenager she penned endless torrid romances and her hero was not a gentlemanly pillar of the community, but the Duke of Zamorna who had two wives, numerous mistresses and an illegitimate child. Brought vividly to life in these pages are the parallels with Charlotte's own life. By the time she was twenty-three she had rejected two proposals of marriage, one from a man she had known for only a couple of hours. Not for another fifteen turbulent years - marked by another proposal and two passionate affairs - were her childhood dreams finally extinguished. One June morning she walked into her father's church in Haworth and married a man she didn't love. It seemed she had at last found the one thing she wanted most of all, but within nine months both she and her unborn child were dead. The extraordinary and at times heartbreaking story of Charlotte Bronte's journey through life searching for her one true love. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of Charlotte's portraits, her beaux, her environs, and many of her own pre-novel writings of those imaginary lands she shared and created with her siblings, this book is a real page-turner - once you start it, you won't want to stop reading it. A brilliant narrative handled with sensitivity and expertise by Sarah Freeman, this is a book to treasure, one that fills in many of the gaps in our knowledge of one of England's greatest ever novelists and literary personalities. Sumptuous.

STAR WARS BLUEPRINTS: REBEL EDITION (Dorling Kindersley HB)

Presented in a stylish presentation box, you can now unravel the never-seen-before blueprints of the X-Wing, Y-Wing, Rebel Weapons and many more. Accompanied by a 32-page booklet packed with info, facts and movie stills showing them in action. A must-have for all Star Wars fans. I guess this one should be on the children's page, but Star wars is probably the province more of adults these days, so I'm leaving it here. This is an awesome book, the blueprints in question are mind-boggling, literally, and the whole package is stunning.

GREAT BEERS - 700 OF THE BEST FROM AROUND THE WORLD (Dorling Kindersley HB)

A beer guide that features over 700 examples from 350 worldwide breweries. It covers beers such as Bitters, lagers, Belgian beers, weissbiers, stouts, porters, fruit beers, and real ales. It reveals the brewing secrets that give each beer its individual character. It is suitable for beer lovers. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but I'm pleased to see Guinness on the front cover. Not sure who this book is aimed at, all I know is it is comprehensive and very interesting.

THE BOOK OF BOND by ALASTAIR DOUGALL (Dorling Kindersley HB)

From Bond's women to his films, get up close and personal with the world's most famous spy. Learn to be just as sophisticated as 007 with this in-depth look at everything to do with James Bond. You'll find information on 007's styles, tastes and skills. Discover all about his many films, from the plot synopsis to credits and get an overview of all of Bond's favourite girls. Come face-to-face with his many enemies and find out all about them from detailed profiles. Meet his allies too, including the legendary M. Packed with amazing photos and incredible facts, this is a must-read for every Bond fan. Daniel Craig on the cover - this must mean that the publishing world believes him to be the ultimate James Bond - not sure I agree with that, for me there was only ever one Bond, Sean Connery, although after the first two or three films, the gloss lost its edge. This is a great book, though, lavishly illustrated and informative. See also the book on Bond vehicles, opposite.

Get into 007's cars. Take a look under the hood, find out how fast they travel and discover how they've helped him on his missions over the years. From his early vehicles, to the stunning Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace - learn everything there is to know about the cars of the world's most sophisticated spy. Packed with amazing photos and incredible facts, this is a must-read for every Bond fan.

CURRY (Dorling Kindersley PB)

Talks about fragrant dishes from 18 regions including India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. This work teaches how to make authentic dishes like Thai green jungle curry, chicken makhani from old Delhi, perfumed pasanda from Pakistan and South African bunny chow. It reveals which ingredients make each dish special. Not so much a cookery book as a treatise on the art of curry making. I can't think of anyone who doesn't like curry - we all have our favourites, some of them are restaurant curries, others will be home-made from ingredients while still others are fresh or frozen ready meals. There's a curry to suit all tastes, and this book examines the science behind Britain's favourite dish. Fascinating stuff.

MARCUS WAREING: HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT...(Dorling Kindersley PB)

Learn the essential skills behind exceptional results, now in paperback. Winner of Great British Menu, Best Dessert, Marcus Wareing guides you through 80 enticing recipes, offering a chef's level of understanding, with completely step-by-step recipes so that you can achieve perfect results - everytime. Every recipe has a Key to Perfection, with all the need-to-know tips and techniques that promise success, plus All-Is-Not-Lost advice to rescue you from mistakes. Inspired by his mother's home cooking, Marcus draws on his experience as Chef Patron at the Savoy Grill in London, and as a father teaching his young sons to cook food for the family. This book will give you the confidence to tackle any dish - knowing you will get perfect results everytime. Another terrific title from Masterchef supremo Marcus Wareing. Beautifully illustrated, it takes you through eighty basic recipes and tells you how to prepare and cook them. Great stuff.

JANE MILLER: CRAZY AGE - THOUGHTS ON BEING OLD (Virago PB)

Ever since I have inhabited old age, I have looked and listened, mostly in vain, for news of what it is like for others who inhabit it too. Naturally, I'm interested in its well-known depredations, the physical and mental ones that people in their forties and fifties so publicly dread. And who would not delight in the theatrical props of old age - the pills and sticks, the shrieking hearing aids and the tricks for countering the loss of names and threads and glasses. But that's not all. I have a fond hope that in old age there may be new kinds of time and of pleasure, perhaps even new kinds of vitality, and that, though we forget and muddle and fail to hear things, there may be moments when we truly understand what's going on for the first time. But then I've always been a late developer.'

EMMA BAXTER-WRIGHT: VINTAGE FASHION (Carlton Books HB)

A visual journey through the decades, this book is suitable for those interested in collecting and acquiring vintage and also caters for the woman who is 'beyond fashion'. It provides an awareness of the fashion skills and techniques, as well as pointers on what to look for when sourcing original vintage pieces. The book provides an awareness of the fashion skills and techniques of the past, as well as pointers on what to look for when sourcing original vintage pieces, allowing the reader to understand and develop their own intrinsic tastes and fashion sensibilities. A wonderfully illustrated book on vintage fashion. Excellently written, and with expert advice on where to go and what to look for. Terrific.

ANTHONY PENROSE: THE BOY WHO BIT PICASSO (Thames & Hudson HB)

This delighful childrens book is a wonderful introduction to Picasso. It tells the true story of Antony Penrose son of the photographer Lee Miller and the painter and writer Roland Penrose and his childhood friendship with the great artist. Some sixty-five enchanting illustrations accompany the text, including Picasso's most appealing artworks, plus evocative archive photography by Lee Miller. An inspiring look at the creative practices of an artist, this is an illustrated book to enthral and inspire young art fans of four and over. I'm not sure I'd pitch this as a children's book at all. I think you all know me well enough by now to know that I'm not one of those people who've been taken in by modern art; I'm not a huge fan of Picasso, either. But what we have here isn't an art book - it's a collection of photographs, just like you or I would have, of a child playing with a favourite uncle, or something like that. It would have to be a very particular type of child who would want to plough through this book, and I think it belongs firmly on the nonfiction shelf. Not on my nonfiction shelf, though. Like I said, I don't like art that doesn't look like something, and I don't really like Picasso. Emperor's new clothes, and all that, if you get my meaning...

Neil Corry, Jacqueline Rayner, Andrew Darling, Kerrie Dougherty, David John, Simon Beecroft

DR WHO: THE VISUAL DICTIONARY (Dorling Kindersley HB)

Discover the secrets of the mysterious time traveller, in Doctor Who The Visual Dictionary A lavishly illustrated guide to all the characters, aliens, monsters, locations and technology of all 5 Doctor Who series plus, get the lowdown on the new Doctor, Matt Smith. Specially commissioned cross-section artworks expose the inner workings of the Dalek Emperor’s Flagship and the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver. New photography reveals more in-depth details, from the fascinating aliens to the demise of the Time Lords and all-new characters including the formidable Donna Noble and the deadly Toclafane. Perfect for fans of the Doctor everywhere! A treasure-house of everything to do with the Doctor, now firmly established as a family favourite in the UK since its revamp earlier this decade. This sumputuous book travels through all of the new series, starting with Chris Ecclestone. Lavishly illustrated and lovingly compiled. Brilliant, just right for Christmas, when the Christmas special will be on everyone's "to-watch" list.