Cultural studies: customs and traditions

We all need a little more sanuk in our lives

‘It’s the kind of book that makes you wonder, ‘why wasn’t this written before?’ It could change lives’ EVENING STANDARD

‘Turns everything you’ve been taught about sex on its head’ RUBY RARE

Chronicling the traditions of Chinese life and culture, The Art of Chinese Living is a visual cornucopia and an epic cultural immersion into everything from cuisine and history to art and rituals, calligraphy and music to artefacts and interiors, and from widespread national traditions to the minutiae of daily family life.

In this ground-breaking book, Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff looks back to our ancestors for solutions to our failing modern-day parenting theories.

‘Omoiyari is a form of selfless compassion – putting yourself in the shoes of others, and from their perspective anticipating their needs, acting in a way that might make them at ease, happy or comfortable.’

The motorcycle can lay claim as the most influential form of mobility becoming the embodiment of liberation and rebellion; never more so than in the 50s and 60s with the era of rockers, ton-up boys, the 59 Club and cafe racing.

Tales of the Tea Trade looks at the world of tea from a completely new perspective.

‘Funny, touching and ludicrously British.’ India Knight

‘Makes Christmas slightly less awful’ Al Murray

From the author of the acclaimed ‘Mr. China’ comes another rollicking adventure story – part memoir, part history, part business imbroglio – that offers valuable lessons to help Westerners win in China.

Indonesian Food is the most comprehensive account of this ancient, exotic and varied cuisine ever published. Sri Owen, the world's leading authority, provides over 100 mouthwatering recipes, from staples and basics to food for festivals and special occasions.

On the way to a show in Skipton, in North Yorkshire, I noticed a road sign to a town called Keighley. So later, during the show, I mentioned this, asking the audience, 'Is that your rival town?' And the room went chillingly quiet, until one woman called out with understated menace, 'Keighley is a sink of evil.'

Further adventures on life in a small French town from Susan Loomis, cookery book writer and author of ‘On Rue Tatin’.