Bertie's guide to life with mothers

Another instalment in the 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith as told primarily through the eyes of six (about to turn seven) year old , Bertie.  This collection of short stories continues the description of the lives of a collection of people who have had an association with an apartment block in Edinburgh including Angus Lordie,  Domenica and Cyril who are visited by Antonia and Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, Matthew and Elspeth who are looking for larger accommodation to house their triplets, and Big Lou who wants to make a change in her life. The majority of the book however deals with the problems faced by Bertie. As his mother continues to control his life Bertie dreams of turning 18 when he will be able to leave home and live in Glasgow. However when his mother takes the opportunity to attend a literary festival in Dubai, Bertie discovers some freedom as his father allows him to plan his own birthday party and also attend the cub camp. These short, amusing observations of life in the city continue to be a joy to read.

The Antiques Roadshow

The first program of the Antiques Roadshow was broadcast in May 1977. This book celebrates the first 21 years of the show. Sections of the book provide biographies and photos of the experts who have been involved in the show, chapters on the research and behind the scenes work required before the filming of each program plus information about some of the finds made on the show.This well illustrated book provides an insite not only into the making of the television show but also into the collecting passions of the public.

Collecting the twentieth century

Adrian Franklin looks at the collectables of last century in the fields of fashion, technology, architecture, design, music, arts and crafts. The book is divided into decades providing descriptions and photographs of items important to each period. Those who watch television programs such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow will find this a useful reference for providing additional information on many types of items found in those shows. The book may also provide inspiration for those wanting to start their own collections.

The Illustrated Guide to Antique Writing Instruments

When we first learned curved writing at primary school in the 1950s being allowed to use a pen was considered something special. The first pens we used were pens with nibs dipped in inkwells recessed in our desks. The challenge was not to get blots on the page and blotting paper was used to help dry the ink. At secondary school we graduated to fountain pens and blue marks on the fingers holding the pen were common. Biros were not allowed as they would spoil our writing.

The Illustrated Guide to Antique Writing Instruments by Stuart Schneider & George Fischier provides a history of the fountain pen and pen manufacturers in the United States of America. It is primarily a book for collectors containing photographs of different types of fountain pens manufactured by a variety of companies until the 1940s. A brief history of each of the major pen manufacturing companies is also provided - Parker, Sharffer, Swan, Mont Blanc, Waterman to name a few from the list.

The history of the fountain pen provides background information on the early development of fountain pens. Although a Frenchman invented a fountain pen in 1702 it was not until the nineteenth century that experiments in fountain pen design increased with an American taking out a patent in 1809, John Scheffer taking out a British patent in 1819 and John Parker taking out a patent for a self filling fountain pen in 1831. Early fountain pens used an eye dropper method to fill the pen and leaking ink was common. In 1884 Lewis Waterman patented a fountain pen with an improved feed mechanism resulting in increased popularity of pens containing their own ink supply.

A collector's year

Adrian Franklin, one of the panellists on the the ABC1 television program, The Collectors, has written a book relating to collecting adventures undertaken during a year. Each chapter covers a month in the life of this collector and the sections within each chapter provide a brief introduction to collecting on a wide range of themes. Travel souvenirs, postcards, Australiana, major sporting events, recipe books, snow domes, tiles, fishing books, cricket memorabilia, barometers, watches, Tupperware, baranalia and perfume bottles are some of the topics covered as well as St Valentine's Day, Easter and Christmas. A visit to the Antiques Roadshow in England is also described. Adrian Franklin also looks at the difference between hoarding and collecting, as well as the bargains to be discovered op shopping and at car boot sales. Well illustrated, this a book to dip into if you are interested in collecting anything.