The Japanese talk about ikigai as `a reason to get up in the morning`. It is extraordinary that Japanese men`s longevity ranks 4th in the world, while Japanese women`s ranks 2nd. But perhaps this comes as no surprise when you know that the Japanese understanding of ikigai is embedded in their daily life & in absolutely everything that they do. In their professional careers, in their relationships with family members, in the hobbies they cultivate so meticulously. Ikigai is something that keeps one`s enthusiasm for life going, whether you are a cleaner of the famous Shinkansen bullet train, the mother of a newborn child or a Michelin-starred sushi chef. But how does one find ikigai? How does ikigai contribute to happiness? Neuroscientist & bestselling Japanese writer Ken Mogi provides an absorbing insight into this way of life, incorporating scientific research & first-hand experience, & providing a colourful narrative of Japanese culture at the same time. ...

`FORGET HYGGE. IT`S ALL ABOUT IKIGAI (THAT`S JAPANESE FOR A HAPPY LIFE)` The Times`WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSATLANTIC ASPIRATIONAL LIVING, IT`S NOW ALL ABOUT IKIGAI` ELLE`THE NEW LIFESTYLE MANTRA` Sunday Times Find out how to live a long & happy life thanks to the ikigai miracle, a Japanese philosophy that helps you find fulfilment, joy & mindfulness in everything you do. It is extraordinary that Japanese men`s longevity ranks 4th in the world, while Japanese women`s ranks 2nd. But perhaps this comes as no surprise when you know that the Japanese understanding of ikigai is embedded in their daily life & in absolutely everything that they do. In their professional careers, in their relationships with family members, in the hobbies they cultivate so meticulously. Ken Mogi identifies five key pillars to ikigai: Pillar 1: Starting small Pillar 2: Releasing yourself Pillar 3: Harmony & sustainability Pillar 4: The joy of little things Pillar 5: Being in the here & now The Japanese talk about ikigai as `a reason to get up in the morning`. It is something that keeps one`s enthusiasm for life going, whether you are a cleaner of the famous Shinkansen bullet train, the mother of a newborn child or a Michelin-starred sushi chef. The Five Pillars at the heart of everything they do. But how do you find your own ikigai? How does ikigai contribute to happiness? Neuroscientist & bestselling Japanese writer Ken Mogi provides an absorbing insight into this way of life, incorporating scientific research & first-hand experience, & providing a colourful narrative of Japanese culture & history along the way. ...

Did you know? * Annie Chapman`s uterus & Mary Jane Kelly`s heart were removed by the killer *A prince of England is amongst the suspects * Some believe the killings were covered up by the Masons The Jack the Ripper mystery is one of the greatest whodunnits the world has ever known. With a backdrop of swirling fog, top hats & dark alleys, it is easy to see why this fascinating tale still continues to capture the imagination. The Little Book of Jack the Ripper explores the world of Victorian London, examining the case from every angle & including witness statements, reports & the reactions of the press. Richly illustrated, it is a book that you can dip in & out of during the twilight hours (but only if you`re brave enough!). Compiled by the Whitechapel Society & drawing on their incredible expertise, it will delight true-crime enthusiasts everywhere. ...

The Little Book of Kindness will teach you how to be kind to yourself, to strangers, to those you love, to the world
- every
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Lagom (pronounced lah-gom) is a Swedish word that means `not too much & not too little, but just the right amount`. It`s about achieving a happy & healthy balance in all aspects of your life, such as eating & drinking in moderation, being environmentally & socially conscious, setting realistic goals & living within your means. The Little Book of Lagom is packed with practical ways to apply this ethos of moderation & fairness in your everyday life, from thrifty tips for being more energy efficient & creating less waste to ways of using your time more productively & allowing yourself moments to pause & think, & be happy. Be kind to yourself & simplify your life. Think Lagom. ...

Did you Know? Lost property handed in to London Transport over the years has included three dead bats in a box, two human skulls, several silicon breast implants, an outboard motor from a boat, an artificial leg & a whole stuffed gorilla. After Charles II`s son Duke of Monmouth was executed for treason his head was sewn back on so he could sit for a royal portrait. In 1868 London`s first ever set of traffic lights blew up, killing a policeman & causing the mounts of a passing platoon of cavalry to stampede. When a new stretch of the Piccadilly Line tunnel was excavated from Finsbury Park to Hammersmith in July 1902, the spoil was used to build up the terraces at Chelsea`s Stamford Bridge football ground. With a range of 30 miles, the main guns of HMS Belfast are targeted on Barnet & if fired would destroy Scratchwood Services on the M1. ...

Lykke (Luu-kah) (n): Happiness It`s easy to see why Denmark is often called the world`s happiest country. Not only do they have equal parental leave for men & women, free higher education & trains that run on time, but they burn more candles per household than anywhere else. So nobody knows more about happiness
- what the Danes call lykke
- than Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen & author of the bestselling sensation The Little Book of Hygge. But he believes that, whilst we can certainly learn a lot from the Danes about finding fulfilment, the keys to happiness are actually buried all around the globe. In this captivating book, he takes us on a treasure hunt to unlock the doors to inner fulfilment. From how we spend our precious time, to how we relate to our neighbours & cook dinner, he gathers evidence, stories & tips from the very happiest corners of the planet. This is the ultimate guide to how we can all find a little more lykke in our lives. Meik Wiking is the CEO of The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen & is one of the world`s leading experts in happiness. Committed to understanding happiness, subjective well-being & quality of life, Meik works with countries across the world to discover & explore global trends of life satisfaction. Only someone absolutely dedicated to happiness sits in coffee shops across the world counting peoples` smiles! His first book, The Little Book of Hygge, became an international bestseller & will soon be published in 31 countries.

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” The Little Book of Manchester” is an intriguing, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of places, people & events in the city, from its Roman origins to the present day. Here you can read about the important contributions the city made to the history of the nation, learn about the individual communities & how they came together to form the modern city & meet some of the great men & women, the eccentrics & the scoundrels with which its history is littered. A reliable reference book & a quirky guide, its bite-sized chunks of history can be dipped into time & again to reveal some new facts about the story of this amazing city. This is a remarkably engaging little book
- essential reading for visitors & locals alike. It is guaranteed to hold some surprises, even for those who think they know the city well.
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Often we all feel frantic & stressed when travelling, whether on the daily commute or the annual family holiday. But travel presents many opportunities that
- with a mindful approach
- can open up our minds & hearts to new places, new people & new experiences that can enrich our existence. Often we focus on where we are going & how we are to get there, but the questions this book poses are why we travel & how we can gain fulfilment by doing so. With inspirational"es, practical travel tips & Tiddy`s own observations on travel, The Little Book of Mindful Travel is a stimulating read for travelling both in mind & body.

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The Little Book of Quiet takes a broad look at the need for, & the benefits of, achieving more quiet in your life. It takes a look at different personality types
- those who are inherently more disposed to an introverted nature (people who are more comfortable in the inner world of thought & feeling) & those of an extroverted nature (people of action & clamour). It looks at some of the people in history who are heard despite their quiet voices & personalities, for example: Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, J.K. Rowling. In so doing it will show introverts how to harness their many positive qualities, & show extroverts how to allow more quiet into their lives. Now that everyone is constantly connected digitally 24/7, more emphasis is being placed on achieving higher emotional intelligence (EQ) to empathize & negotiate with others in a global economy
- in other words enhancing `people skills`. To be a good listener is considered a key people skill, & a basic requirement of being a good listener is to be quiet when the other person is talking. The book shows how an understanding of left-brain & right-brain thinking can help achieve a better balance between the two & how to recognise these same attributes in others. It explores ways of achieving more quiet in our lives & less troubled minds, through tips & exercises & through mindfulness & understanding.

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