BOOK OF THE WEEK with Charlie Richards. Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary, Oxford Dictionaries, ISBN 978-0192736451 (Oxford) BD7 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

A new unique Roald Dahl Dictionary from Oxford. This is not an ordinary dictionary. After all, you wouldn’t expect an ‘Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary’ to be ordinary, would you?

Lots of dictionaries tell you what an ‘alligator’ is, or how to spell ‘balloon’ but they won’t explain the difference between a ‘ringbeller’ and a ‘trogglehumper’, or say why witches need ‘gruntles’ eggs’ or suggest a word for the shape of a ‘Knid’.

This dictionary does all those things. All the words that Roald Dahl invented are here, like ‘biffsquiggled’ and ‘whizzpopping’ to remind you what means what, but that’s not all. You’ll also find out where words came from, rhyming words, synonyms and lots of alternative words for words that are overused.

Oxford Children’s Dictionaries are perfect for supporting literacy and learning and this is the world’s first Roald Dahl Dictionary from the word experts at Oxford University Press. With real citations from Roald Dahl’s children’s books and illustrations by Quentin Blake, this is authoritative, engaging and accessible and will inspire and encourage young writers and readers.

READ IT NOW IN PAPERBACK
A Leap Of Faith, Trisha Ashley, ISBN 978-1784160865 (Black Swan) BD3.900 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

For all you Bridget Jones fans, this is a book to get stuck into!

Sappho Jones stopped counting birthdays when she reached 30 but, even with her hazy grip on mathematics, she realises that she’s on the slippery slope to the big 4-oh!

With the thought suddenly lodged in her mind that she’s a mere cat’s whisker away from becoming a single eccentric female living in a country cottage in Wales, she has the urge to do something dramatic before it’s too late.

The trouble is, as an adventurous woman of a certain age, Sappho’s pretty much been there, done that, got the T-shirt. In fact, the only thing she hasn’t tried is motherhood. And, with the gorgeous Mr Nye on hand as a potential daddy - or at least donor - is it time for her to consider the biggest leap of all? It’s either that … or buy a cat.

My favourite read of the week
Great British Bake Off: Perfect Cakes & Bakes To Make At Home , Linda Collister, ISBN 978- 1473615441 (Hodder and Stoughton) BD9.800 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

Make brilliant bakes at home with this companion cookbook to the 2016 series. This essential baking book of recipes from the Great British Bake Off team is appropriate for any level of expertise.

Each chapter includes favourite classics with a twist, recipes with simple ingredients to create something adventurous, and showstoppers that will guarantee you’re crowned ‘star baker’ in your own home.

Inspired by Paul and Mary’s words of wisdom and advice to the bakers, this year’s official companion to the series is the perfect way to start baking like The Great British Bake Off - at home.

It includes:
* Recipes from the Bakers of 2016, including Mary and Paul’s technical challenges
* Easy to follow, step by step baking instructions
* Written to help you develop skills and bring out your creativity
* Beautiful photography to help you visualise your bake
* Clear advice on equipment, ingredients and quantities
* Recipes highlighted for ‘free-from’ diets and special ingredients