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The Third Tower Up from the Road: A Compilation of Columns from McSweeney's Internet Tendency
by Kevin Dolgin
ISBN 978-1595800435 • Published by Santa Monica Press • £11.99
Entertaining, informative and very funny in places - intrepid globetrotter Kevin Dolgin’s amusing and entertaining collection of stories from his trips around the world is an ideal companion and can be picked up and put down without detracting from the whole. While the anecdotes are detailed and insightful, this is not a travel guide. The number of destinations and topics covered is staggering. I warmed to the author’s cheerful self-deprecating style and his confession that he never takes pictures of anything, preferring to use those little pads in hotel bedrooms to capture his memories.

Body & Soul Escapes
by Caroline Sylge
ISBN978-1-904777-91-5 • Published by Footprint Handbooks • £19.99
A fantastic book featuring over 400 wellbeing and yoga retreats around the world. Although it was published three years ago, I have no qualms about reviewing it for Spa Wellbeing, as it is still in print and deserves to be on every spa goer’s bookshelf.

With the number of spas and retreats growing every month, no one person or guidebook can cover them all, but this one is remarkably comprehensive. It includes guidance and personalised contributions by Caroline Sylge and her fellow travel writers around the world. The mainly subjective content ensures interesting reading. The book focuses on alternative, yoga and destination spas offering personal development courses, detox and meditation retreats, rather than top end hotels spas with pampering beauty treatments.

Master the Art of Swimming
by Steven Shaw
ISBN 978-1-84340-542-9 • Published by Collins & Brown • £9.99
I’ve been a fan of the Shaw method of swimming ever since attending one of Steven’s popular courses that gave me the confidence to swim on my back for the first time. Steven uses the Alexander Technique to correct posture and release tension from the head, neck and back while exercising, to give your swimming strokes a calming sense of flow.

The well-illustrated chapters show how to break down strokes into therapeutic movements that can be practised individually or with a partner, in the pool or on dry land. The book focuses on the four most popular strokes – front crawl, back stroke, breast stroke and butterfly and will help improve your technique to make your swimming easier and more enjoyable.

The Natural Health Bible for Women
by Marilyn Glenville
ISBN 978-1-84483-884-4 • Published by Duncan Baird Publishers • £16.99
This attractive book provides answers to the many questions women want to ask about their bodies. Marilyn Glenville PhD, one of the UK’s leading experts in nutritional health, explains the functioning of the female body, why health problems occur, how they can be fixed and how we can enjoy good health and a feeling of wellbeing throughout life. The book is divided into five areas with chapters on the body systems, the importance of good nutrition, lifestyle choices and complementary therapies. There are extensive sections on conception, pregnancy and birth as well as the menopause and the pages are enhanced throughout with drawings and beautiful photographs.

Champneys Spa secrets for body and soul
compiled by Elisabeth Wilson
ISBN 978-1-905940-95-0 • Published by Infinite Ideas • £20
Champneys delightful guide to wellbeing trends, beauty treatments, recipes and fitness reflects what the popular spa group offers guests at its four UK spas at Tring, Henlow Grange, Forest Mere and Springs.

Each season is divided into different sections entitled Eat (food and nutrition), Move (keeping active), Love yourself (treatments to try) Wellbeing (getting the most out of life) and Escape (rejuvenation and revitalisation), with the advice given useful at any time of year. Crammed with ideas and stunning photographs, this beautiful book is an interesting read that is sure to inspire a healthier more holistic lifestyle.

Bodymoves: Choose the right exercise to improve your health and prevent illness
by Debra Daley
ISBN 9781907030314 • Published by Cico Books • £14.99
Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise five or more days a week helps us feel and look better and can help prevent chronic health problems. But do you know which specific exercises we need to do to protect against different ailments?

In Bodymoves, health journalist Debra Daley reveals the ‘best moves’ for over 50 common health conditions. She explains why physical activity benefits these conditions, which exercises to do and how often to do them. Her advice is good for all ages and abilities, because as Debra emphasises, it’s never too late to start exercising.

This must-have book is for anyone who wants to permanently improve their health for a healthy and happy lifestyle and is packed with illustrated step-by-step exercises to try for particular health conditions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – The Essential Guide
by Sarah Dawson
ISBN 978-1-86144-073-0 • Published by Need2Know • £8.99
Available on the website www.need2knowbooks.co.uk or by calling 01733 898103
It is estimated that one in five adults in the UK may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at any one time. Most of us suffer abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea at some point in our lives, but how do we know if we have IBS? Sarah Dawson’s helpful and informative book has all the answers about this distressing condition, what causes it and how you can alleviate the symptoms. She explains the diagnostic tests available, how stress affects the gut and the diets and foods that can trigger or affect the condition.

A sufferer herself for many years, Sarah eliminated her own symptoms when she discovered they were caused by stress and an intolerance to fructose. She changed her diet, took up yoga, learned to meditate and is now symptom free.