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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? By Jeanette Winterson, Random House. $29.99

At six weeks old, the baby who would become the successful novelist Jeanette Winterson was given up for adoption.

And so started a life story that would inspire the bestselling book and television series Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit.

Her adopted mother Mrs Winterson was a flamboyant depressive who waited daily for the apocalypse, even embroidering her daughter’s school gym bag with the message, “The summer is ended and we are not yet saved”.

It was a loveless and difficult childhood, and in this autobiography Winterson examines her search for happiness, belonging, and her biological mother, with humour and depth.

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Lady Almina and the Story of the Real Downton Abbey

Lady Almina and the Story of the Real Downton Abbey

Lady Almina and the Story of the Real Downton Abbey by Lady Fiona Carnarvon, Hodder & Stoughton, $32.99

The perfect gift for lovers of the television series Downton Abbey, a show filmed at magnificent Highclere Castle, home of Lady Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, from 1895 until 1923.

The much loved but illegitimate daughter of a Jewish billionaire financier, Almina was vastly wealthy but her questionable birth made her unacceptable in certain circles.

Daddy fixed that with a marriage to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, a financially strapped aristocratic adventurer.

Almina’s transformation from debutante to society lady and eventually war nurse is fascinating, as is her husband’s triumphant discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb.

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Shannon Bennett’s France

Shannon Bennett's France

Shannon Bennett’s France: A Personal Guide to Fine Dining in Regional France by Shannon Bennett and friends, Miegunyah Press, $44.99

This pretty little hardback is more than a guide for those fabulous few who summer in the South of France.

It’s a mouth-watering armchair holiday in itself, complete with gorgeous recipes, expert tips on wine and food, and even advice on dealing with snooty waiters.

Gourmet Traveller magazine judged Shannon Bennett’s Vue de Monde as the one of Australia’s top five restaurants.

In this book he and his mates share their culinary experiences in some of France’s most picturesque regions.

Unpretentious and passionate, Shannon Bennett’s France is perfect for anyone planning or just dreaming of an indulgent French holiday.

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Powderfinger Footprints

Powderfinger Footprints

Powderfinger Footprints, by Powderfinger with Deno Scatena, Hachette, $45

For twenty years Australian band Powderfinger topped music charts and rocked packed venues.

For most of that time they let their music do the talking. But now they’ve teamed up with author Dino Scatena to tell the story of the band, from its beginnings at Brisbane Grammar School, through to their first major successes in 1996, and the fights that led to its emotional farewell concert last year.

Packed with photos and links to online content, this book is for fans of the Finger, lovers of Australian music, and aspiring rock stars.

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11.22.63

11.22.63

11.22.63 by Stephen King, Hodder & Stoughton$32.99

Perhaps only seasoned storyteller Stephen King could accomplish changing the course of history, in his vast time-travelling debut masterpiece 11.22.63 — the date of John F. Kennedy’s assassination — while effortlessly weaving political and social detail, human behavioural observation and abundant humour.

“I knew where I was… the real question was WHEN I was,” poses narrator, school teacher Jake Epping, recounting his adventures down the “rabbit-hole” which take him from the Land of Ahead to the Land of Ago.

On a mission to divert watershed moments, stakes are high and personal sacrifice is the price to pay for a superhero.

It’s an intriguing story structure which marks an exciting new departure for King surely catapulting the author to another bestseller.

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Australia Story of A Cricket Country

Australia Story of A Cricket Country

Australia Story of A Cricket Country edited by Christian Ryan, Hardie Grant $89.95

Melbourne journalist Christian Ryan has created the ultimate cricket book in this incredible tome which is certain to thrill any cricket fan.

It’s not just another almanac, this is an homage to the Australian game with eulogies and deep thinking discussions from the world’s top cricket writers plus rare archive photography of our best ever players.

Possibly the most fascinating chapter is the once-in-a-lifetime poll of 121 strong jury to discover our five greatest cricket players.

Number one unsurprisingly is Don Bradman although interestingly five voters did leave him out.

A very close second however is Shane Warne who on the pitch and off it seems, is irresistible.

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What Bird Is That?

What Bird Is That?

What Bird Is That? By Neville W Cayley, Australia’s Heritage Publishing, $69.95

First published in 1931, What Bird Is That? became a standard for budding Australian bird watchers.

Author Neville Cayley’s impetus was to encourage and inspire people to appreciate and recognise our natural bird life and what started as his “little bird book” fast become a classic and an indispensable family reference book.

In the age of the internet reference books are waning which is why this 800-page Signature Edition which incorporates Cayley’s wonderfully detailed illustrations and updated information on new species, is the perfect gift for anyone who likes to hang out in the garden and ponder ‘what bird is that?’.

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The Freudian Slip

The Freudian Slip

The Freudian Slip by Marion Von Adlerstein, Hachette, $32.99

It’s being pitched as Australia’s answer to Mad Men in novel form and while Marion Von Adlerstein’s debut novel is not nearly as multi-layered as the hit US TV show about the advertising industry in the 50s and 60s, it oozes the aura of the era and an industry that managed to define the way people lived.

Set in Sydney in 1963 it follows three women using all of their powers to reach for the glass ceiling in a very male-dominated world.

Kings Cross is naughty and thrilling and the liquid lunches at Beppi’s restaurant are legendary.

A perfect gift for anyone who can remember the Sixties or aches to live in a world of red lips and hourglass curves.

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Michelle Williams dedicates globes win to daughter

Michelle Williams dedicates globes win to daughter

Michelle Williams with her Oscar and with her daughter Matilda.

She may have won herself a Golden Globe for her role in My Week with Marilyn but Michelle Williams says she considers herself a mother first and an actress second.

As she accepted her award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) category at this year’s 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards, she praised her six-year-old daughter Matilda and dedicated the award to her.

“I consider myself a mother first and an actress second, and so the person I most want to thank is my daughter, my little girl, whose bravery and exuberance is the example that I take with me in my work and in my life,” she said during her acceptance speech.

Williams beat the likes of fellow A-listers Charlize Theron and Kate Winslet to take out the award.

See all of the Golden Globes red carpet arrivals!

The 31-year-old continued to praise her daughter, whom she welcomed in 2005 with then-boyfriend Heath Ledger, throughout her speech.

“I want to say thank you for sending me off to this job every day with a hug and a kiss. I couldn’t have done it any other way. It made me so excited to come home at night,” she said.

“And for suffering for six months of bedtime stories, where all the princesses were read aloud in a Marilyn Monroe-sounding voice.”

William’s also thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for bestowing her with the same Award Monroe won “more than 50 years ago.”

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Lose 5 kilos in 2 weeks: Day 10

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Want to know how to lose five kilos in two weeks? Elle Macpherson’s trainer James Duigan shows you how!

When it comes to losing weight, just like everything in life we need to a little bit of inspiration to achieve our goals. Elle Macpherson’s trainer James Duigan has come on board for the Woman’s Day diet in 2012 and shares with us all of his top tips. “I am thrilled to contribute to The Woman’s Day Diet 2012,” he said.

“You’ll find all your favourite WD diet recipes – kJ-crunched, cooked and tested in the WD test kitchen – plus a few of my own recipes, diet tips and the workouts that get my celebrity clients in tip-top shape.”

Make sure you follow the rules, work out plan, eat two snacks from the snack list per day and stick to the portion sizes.

Top tip: Please note foods in bold are free kj and you can eat as much as you like.

  • You should lose 1-2kgs a week (up to 5kgs for heavier women), depending on your starting weight. The total daily kJ count is 5500-7000kJ. This compares to the average of 8000-9000kJ for a 70kg Australian woman;

  • Eat lots of green vegetables or a fibre supplement. Fibre helps reduce “bat wings” and “bingo arms” by eliminating toxins;

  • Limit alcohol to four standard drinks a week. A 400kJ glass of wine replaces one snack.

  • Your body converts wheat to sugar faster than any other grain. So try and avoid bread and pasta, if you can.

  • All breakfasts on the diet can be swapped with other breakfasts, lunches with lunches and dinners with dinners.

  • One coffee per day is allowed. After that, drink green tea.

  • All beakfasts on the four week diet are interchangeable with other breakfasts, lunches with lunches and dinners with dinners;

  • Studies show that low-fat yoghurts, for instance, are loaded with sugar and sodium to make up for the blandness of having no fat. So, eat real butter, yoghurt and milk and cheese. Keep the doses small, though, says James.Snack ListEach day choose from any two of the following:1 apple and 1 matchbox-sized serve full-fat cheese (700kJ);

  • Vegetable sticks and ¼ cup hummus (600kJ);

  • 1 piece of fruit and a handful of nuts (400kJ);

  • 100g natural yoghurt with berries, cinnamon and almonds (400kJ)

  • 1 small latte (400kJ)

  • 2 Corn Thins with 1 teaspoon no added sugar peanut butter (400kJ)

  • Make a yoghurt paddle pop (with fruit and nuts) (450kJ)

  • Frozen grapes and bananas (480kj)

  • Fruit smoothie with added fibre or bran (400kJ)

  • 4 squares dark chocolate (400kJ)

  • Green smoothie (blend up celery, cucumber, lime, ginger, mint) (negligible).

  • 1 apple and 1 matchbox-sized serve full-fat cheese (700kJ);

  • Vegetable sticks and ¼ cup hummus (600kJ);

  • 1 piece of fruit and a handful of nuts (400kJ);

  • 100g natural yoghurt with berries, cinnamon and almonds (400kJ)

  • 1 small latte (400kJ)

  • 2 Corn Thins with 1 teaspoon no added sugar peanut butter (400kJ)

  • Make a yoghurt paddle pop (with fruit and nuts) (450kJ)

  • Frozen grapes and bananas (480kj)

  • Fruit smoothie with added fibre or bran (400kJ)

  • 4 squares dark chocolate (400kJ)

  • Green smoothie (blend up celery, cucumber, lime, ginger, mint) (negligible).

  • 1 serve of rice or pasta = a fist

  • 1 piece of meat, fish or chicken = the size and width of a deck of cards

  • 1 serve of cheese = one slice, or 4 small cubes that could fit in a matchbox

  • 1 serve of butter = your fingertip

For more great diet and work out tips, plus the full diet plan, see Woman’s Day on sale January 9, 2012.

DISCLAIMER: Please do not embark on a vigorous exercise program without speaking to your doctor first. This advice is general only and does not replace the advice of your doctor or exercise physiologist.

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