Abi Smith – författare

Cara Delevingne is living the dream. Signed by Storm Models founder Sarah Loukas - the same woman who spotted Kate Moss - when she was just 17, Cara's career has reached dizzying heights. As the face of DKNY, Burberry and Chanel, Cara's startling blue eyes gaze down from billboards across the world. Known for her irreverent style and kooky sense of humour, Cara is no poster-girl for perfection. Rather, with her thick eyebrows and snubbed nose, she pushes the boundaries of modern-day beauty, embodying the edgy girl-about-town, kicking about with celebs like Rita Ora, Rihanna and Jake Bugg. The granddaughter of English Heritage chairman Sir Jocelyn Stevens, Cara can count Joan Collins and Conde Nast managing director Nicholas Coleridge among her godparents. But while her roots are far from gritty, it is Cara's wild side that garners the most column inches and makes her a constant source of fascination the world over. In this, the first unauthorised biography of the British beauty, Abi Smith reveals Cara's life behind the lens, exploring just how she manages to be both weird and wonderful.

Micky Flanagan is one of Britain's best-loved cheeky-chappy comedians, thanks to his stand-up routines about how he's gone from growing up in London's East End in the 1970s to his life now in middle-class suburbia. To date he has two sell-out tours under his belt, nominations from the British Comedy Awards and the Edinburgh Fringe (for Best Comedy Newcomer), not to mention regular stints on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week and The Last Leg, as well as guest appearances on The Jonathan Ross Show, Alan Carr: Chatty Man, The Graham Norton Show and The One Show. Yet a career as a professional comedian was not something that he had ever dreamed of when, as a troublesome teen, he left school aged 15 to work in a fish market. Abi Smith looks at how Micky, who was laughed at by his teachers when he said he wanted to be a vet, has triumphed from his early days working as a fish porter in the East End and as a dishwasher in New York. In this page-turning biography you'll also discover why his mum labelled him a drama queen, and how he tried his hand at various professions - including trainee teacher and painter and decorator - before having the last laugh by becoming one of the country's most popular funny men. So, pour yourself a cup of Rosie Lee, take the weight off your plates and prepare for a right giraffe as you read this engaging tale of 'an East Boy done good'.

Micky Flanagan is one of Britain''s best-loved cheeky-chappy comedians, thanks to his stand-up routines about how he''s gone from growing up in London''s East End in the 1970s to his life now in middle-class suburbia. To date he has two sell-out tours under his belt, nominations from the British Comedy Awards, and the Edinburgh Fringe (for Best Comedy Newcomer), not to mention regular stints on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, and The Last Leg, as well as guest appearances on The Jonathan Ross Show, Alan Carr: Chatty Man, The Graham Norton Show, and The One Show. Yet a career as a professional comedian was not something that he had ever dreamed of when, as a troublesome teen, he left school aged 15 to work in a fish market. Abi Smith looks at how Micky, who was laughed at by his teachers when he said he wanted to be a vet, has triumphed from his early days working as a fish porter in the East End and as a dishwasher in New York. In this page-turning biography you''ll also discover why his mom labeled him a drama queen, and how he tried his hand at various professions—including trainee teacher and painter and decorator—before having the last laugh by becoming one of the country''s most popular funny men. So, pour yourself a cup of Rosie Lee, take the weight off your plates, and prepare for a right giraffe as you read this engaging tale of "an East Boy done good."

The Final Round is the inspirational story of one woman and her fight to be able to box. Growing up in Fleetwood with no career aspirations, Jane Couch''s world changed overnight when she watched two American women boxers on TV and knew she''d found her calling. However, at that time, women weren''t allowed to box in the UK - so Jane had to train under the radar, sparring illegally with men and travelling abroad to fight. She had to prove herself at every turn, but with a country that wouldn''t let her do what she loved, she was up against the ropes. But Jane fought back. In 1998 a court of law found the British Board of Boxing Control guilty of discrimination, and she became the first female to be awarded a UK licence to box. Far from being celebrated, she was ridiculed and labelled a ''freak show'', the subject of TV chat-show debates. Having paved the way for women to box, Jane found herself hung out to dry by the male-dominated boxing establishment. Her story is one of passion, guts and determination.

Wimbledon''s Greatest Games features 50 of the most exciting and absorbing tennis matches ever played on the All England Club''s courts. Journey back in time and relive the unforgettable feats of Rod Laver, Althea Gibson, Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams among many others. From the roar of the crowd to the emotion of the players, the drop-shots, the volleys, the epic rallies and the double-faults, each thrilling contest comes alive as the action from the famous venue is brought to you in vivid detail. So, serve yourself a Pimm''s, sit back and let Abi Smith transport you to Centre Court as you explore this comprehensive collection from the greatest tournament of all. Capturing gentlemen''s, ladies'' and doubles matches that have shaped the game, Wimbledon''s Greatest Games is an action-packed, ace-filled guide that every SW19 fan will want to devour.

Good news, Russell Howard fans!It's time to take a butcher's into the mad, rib-tickling, insane yet lovable world of the one of the UK's favourite comedians.Abi Smith heads deep into the West Country to discover how people from as far as Midsomer Norton, Somerset to Minneapolis, USA fell in love with this energetic, mesmerising, boyishly blond Bristolian.How exactly has Russell, the kid who used to sleep with his underpants on his head in an effort to cure his acne, become the geezer who is now headlining shows at the O2 Arena, Wembley and the Royal Albert Hall?How has the timid boy who wouldn't speak at family gatherings because he was too shy become a TV panel-show heavyweight?How has the teen who wore his jeans back-to-front because he thought he looked like a cool rapper become an award-winning stand-up with a string of worldwide sell-out tours to his name?He might describe himself as the 'munter' of all his friends with his wonky teeth and lazy eye, but there is something rather special about this good-natured, good-fun dude whose favourite topics of stand-up quite often include his mother's hilarious antics.One things for sure, he might have been bullied at school, had haircuts from hell and missed out on a career as a footballer but he is certainly having the last laugh now - and we are in the front row laughing out-loud with him.

A Taylor-inspired journal filled with self-care tips and inspirational stories of the star, with room to fill in your thoughts.From the power of self-acceptance and how to be your own best friend to the importance of shaking it off and embracing your anti-hero, A Taylor & Me Journal brings together the essential self-care tips from the worldwide sensation.Featuring 30 self-care strategies alongside stunning artworks, plus journal space to record your thoughts, this is your space to be more Taylor and channel her unique personality in your everyday life. From learning the art of rising above to dusting yourself off in the darkest of times, A Taylor & Me Journal is on hand to show you that you can make art out of anything life throws at you.Journey through your eras as you learn from her inspiring success as a businesswoman, how to bounce back from heartbreak and more. This is the essential journal for any Swiftie wanting to delve into her signature themes of friendship, feminism, relationships and self-worth. Rise up, the Taylor way.

One page, one thought, one minute at a time.Self-care isn’t selfish – it’s essential. Amid busy schedules, endless responsibilities and digital noise, it’s easy to forget to care for the one person who needs you most: you.One-Minute Wellness: Self-care is a gentle companion for anyone craving balance, comfort and compassion. Designed to be read one page, one minute at a time, this book offers quick yet meaningful ways to nourish your body, soothe your mind and reconnect with your heart.From breathing deeply and setting boundaries to resting without guilt and respecting your needs, each practice is a reminder that you matter. You don’t need hours to care for yourself; you just need a moment – and the willingness to make that moment now.With over 100 tips and exercises, One-Minute Wellness: Self-care is divided into the following chapters:Chapter 1: Your mindChapter 2: Your bodyChapter 3: Your emotionsChapter 4: Your surroundingsChapter 5: Your peopleChapter 6: Your welfareChapter 7: Your spiritAlso available:One-Minute Wellness: Mindful Living (9781789298512)One-Minute Wellness: Sleep (9781789299502)One-Minute Wellness: Health Hacks (9781789299519)One-Minute Wisdom: Happy Retirement (9781789299465)One-Minute Wisdom: Happy Graduation (9781789299458)

Rise of the Magpies charts the ascent of Newcastle United over the past two decades, paying particular attention to the 2022/23 season, which saw Toon fans celebrate a Champions League placement for the first time since 2003.What a season it was. Now all the years of cheering, crying, jeering; the heartache and the hope - that cruel and bitter emotion that clung to Toon comrades young and old - has been rewarded.This book takes us back to the moment the Saudi-backed consortium, which bought Newcastle in late 2021, brought anticipation about the club's future. Few of those black-and-white supporters expected a team in a relegation battle at the time of the takeover to be contenders for Champions League qualification.This is a story of a club that has been transformed, a club that is much more than money: it's a club that has never lost sight of Geordie glory. It's time for the Magpies to soar again.