✍ Signed by the author
‘My Friends’ by Hisham Matar
This tender and powerful novel, now out in paperback, is the story of three Libyan men living in London, far away from their homeland. It’s a story of belonging, of shared trauma and ultimately, what it means to be human.
Continue reading ‘My Friends’ by Hisham MatarLast night we hosted a fascinating evening talking about André Rostant’s book The Muffin Man.
The Muffin Man is a frank exploration into the lives of those at the heart of bohemian Soho, told from the perspective of George, a fictional Big Issue Vendor in Soho. This story sheds a much needed light on the most pressing issues in society today and the still desperate need for change.
Dom Joly spoke to André about how his book is fiction but very much based on the lives of those who frequent Soho and about how communities in London can change so much that these people who have lived there their whole lives can be like tourists in their own areas.
Thank you to everyone who attended. We are donating all ticket proceeds and a percentage of book sales to the Big Issue.
If you were unable to attend this event but would like to make a donation to support the Big Issue, please click here
We have signed copies of The Muffin Man by André Rostant and The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World by Dom Joly available while stocks last.
Continue reading Author Event with André Rostant and Dom JolyIf your New Year’s resolution is to be more adventurous our Map of the Month The Adventure Map of Ireland will give you some inspiration.
Ireland’s beautiful landscape offers so much potential for adventure whether on foot, bike or boat. This unique map documents thousands of the island’s natural features such as rivers, beaches and mountains as well as the walking, cycling and paddling routes that connect them. So spread it out on the kitchen table and start making plans…
At a scale of 1:450,000, 1cm = 4.5km
Printed on the same press as the Irish and UK Ordnance Survey maps, this large format (890mm x 1125mm), high-quality map is the ideal planning tool for your Irish adventures. The reverse side is packed with a vast amount of detailed information offering suggestions of different routes and activities
Featuring:
The Adventure Map of Ireland is available now for £15.
Our Children’s Book of the Month for January 2025 is The History of Everywhere: All the Stuff That You Never Knew Happened at the Same Time by Philip Parker illustrated by Liz Kay.
Discover history as you’ve never seen it before – and all the stuff you never knew happened at the same time.
Did you know the woolly mammoths were still around when the Egyptians built their pyramids? Or that Leonardo Da Vinci lived at the same time as Henry VIII and the Aztecs? Welcome to The History of Everywhere, a fascinating guide to all the stuff you never knew happened at the same time! In lively maps, see the whole world of history: from ancient times to the modern day, watch civilizations rise and fall, spot fascinating connections and coincidences, and discover the people and events you never learnt about in school. Prepare for a fascinating journey around the world that will change the way you see history.
Continue reading Children’s Book of the Month: The History of EverywhereOur first Book of the Month for 2025 is Return to Sri Lanka by Razeen Sally.
A blend of travel writing, memoir, history and current affairs that tells the story of Sri Lanka. A perfect read for first-time visitors, Sri Lankans abroad or at home, or anyone looking to deepen their understanding of one of the world’s most fascinating and paradoxical countries.
Continue reading Book of the Month: Return to Sri LankaIf you are making plans for 2025 and want some travel inspiration, these books are jam packed with places to go at the right times of year so you can book a dream trip and not miss a thing.
£14.99
Want to know more about the emerging travel hotspots and best value destinations for 2025? You’ve come to the right place. Lonely Planet’s expert panel of self-confessed travel geeks have joined forces once again to present a year’s worth of exciting must-visit places and out-of-this-world experiences. This annual guide ranks the world’s hottest countries, regions, and cities. Featuring a top 10 lists plus NEW top 10 categories, amazing photography and insider tips, you’ll find mountains of inspiration to take you from the ordinary to the unforgettable.
£22.99
The Intrepid List is the very first travel guidebook from world-renowned experts in adventure, Intrepid Travel. But this isn’t a bucket list book – this is for the explorers, the thrillseekers, the festivalgoers and foodies who want to get under the skin of a place; to discover local secrets and experience the eccentric, the rare and the astonishing. This book is filled with over 100 unique travel experiences that will inspire you to discover new destinations or find a new perspective on the classics. You know that it’s not just about the place, but who you meet and how you get there, and this guide guarantees you’ll have that all wrapped into one exciting package.
Continue reading Books Full of 2025 Travel InspirationWow, what a year it has been. Our customers have certainly covered some ground and we’ve loved hearing about your travel plans. If you are looking for some travel inspiration, here are the Stanfords bestselling Travel Guides of 2024
£19.99
Summit Mount Fuji, pay your respects at Buddhist temples in Kyoto, and have your fill of sushi and sake; all with your trusted travel companion. Covers Tokyo, Mt Fuji, The Japan Alps, Honshu, Kyoto, Kansai, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Shiko-ku, Kyushu and Okinawa
£17.99
This new, fully updated third edition of Bradt”s Uzbekistan remains the definitive and only standalone practical travel guide to this increasingly liberal destination – central Asia’s most populous country and the heart of the Silk Road. Offering more detail for independent travellers than any other guidebook, it includes first-hand descriptions of everything from UNESCO world heritage sites and the world’s best collection of Russian avant-garde art, to riding across deserts by camel and cooking plov.
£16.99
Trek through dense jungles in Parque Nacional Corcovado, swim under Montezuma Waterfalls and catch waves on Santa Teresa; all with your trusted travel companion. Covers San Jose, Central Valley, Highlands, Caribbean Coast, Northwestern Costa Rica, Arenal, Northern Lowlands, Peninsula de Nicoya, Central Pacific Coast, Southern Costa Rica, Peninsula de Osa, and more
£7.99
From top tourist attractions like the Tremiti islands, the Gargano peninsula and Otranto, to cultural gems, including Alberobello – the centre of Puglia’s famous trulli, the quaint, conical-shaped houses – Castel del Monte, a unique medieval masterpiece, and Lecce, Puglia”s Baroque gem, packed with lavish architecture and fanciful facades, plan your perfect trip with this practical, all-in-one compact travel guide.
£17.99
This new, fully revised seventh edition of Bradt’s Albania remains the most authoritative standalone guide to what is still a relatively little known part of Europe. Coverage is comprehensive, starting in the capital, Tirana, then moving through central, northern and southern Albania to provide all the information needed for a successful trip. Included are knowledgeable and rigorously researched historical and archaeological background, detailed notes on popular and less well-known hiking routes and other outdoor activities, and specialist contributions on wildlife, military history and other topics.
£22.99
This Japan guidebook is perfect for independent travellers planning a longer trip. It features all of the must-see sights and a wide range of off-the-beaten-track places. It also provides detailed practical information on preparing for a trip and what to do on the ground. This Japan guidebook covers: Tokyo (and around); Northern Honshu; Hokkaido; Central Honshu; Kyoto and Nara; Kansai; Western Honshu; Shikoku; Kyushu; Okinawa.
£7.99
This mini pocket Athens travel guidebook is perfect for travellers seeking basic information about Athens. It covers key places, main attractions and a short hotel and restaurant recommendations list. This Athens travel book covers: The Acropolis, Around the Acropolis, Monastiraki and Psyrri, Omonia and environs, From Omonia to Syndagma, Syndagma Square and around.
£14.99
Compiled by a team of travel experts, 50 hand-picked itineraries will kickstart your plans, showing you how to join the dots between Europe’s must-see destinations and introducing you to plenty of lesser-visited stops along the way. Featuring a mix of short trips and epic adventures, cross-continent and region-specific itineraries, this book provides endless inspiration, whether you’re looking to hop between Europe’s capitals, explore Scandinavia or experience the best of Italy.
£7.99
This pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do, what to see and how to get around Bologna. It covers top attractions like Santo Stefano, le Duo Torri and San Luca, to cultural gems, including the show-stopping Neptune’s Fountain in the heart of the city, the Palazzo dell’Archignnasio, a former university building with anatomical theatre where human corpses were dissected, and the monumental Basilica di San Petronio, one of Italy’s most imposing Gothic churches. This will save you time, and enhance your exploration of this fascinating Bologna
£18.99
Written by two highly experienced travellers, Europe by Rail describes 50 key routes spanning Europe including the British Isles. Classic rides and scenic adventures. Penned by two avid travellers, the book gives useful tips on how to plan your journey, what tickets to buy and where to stop off along the way. The perfect guide for holders of rail passes, including Interrail and Eurail.Each route can be followed in its entirety or used as a building block in a longer itinerary. Beyond the main routes you will find worthwhile excursions well off the beaten track. Now in its 17th edition.
Earlier this year our CEO Vivien Godfrey visited Budapest. Here’s what she got up to:
September is a great month to visit Budapest. We had calm sunny days to wander the streets and enjoy riding many street cars. However if we had visited just a week earlier we would have endured heavy rains and before we arrived, the Danube had burst her banks and several streets and Metro stops were flooded and closed.
We stayed in a great Marriott Courtyard that was very central and had good public transport nearby. Our favourite way to get around was using the street cars. My husband who is over 65 rode free and for me the cost of each ticket was very reasonable.
The highlights of our 3 night visit were in no particular order the St Stephen’s Basilica which holds the mummified right hand of King Stephen. Peering into the casket that holds the hand you can certainly see a thumb and two fingers. The interior decoration of the Basilica is magnificent and the view from the towers over Pest is very good.
The Dohany Synagogue was also impressive and our visit was enhanced by having an excellent guided tour. When you enter the synagogue you will observe a sea of flags of various nationalities among the pews. Head for the flag which signifies the language of the docent who is waiting there to provide your free tour. The history of the location, the building and the ghetto is very moving. Also having recently seen the film “One Life” starring Anthony Hopkins about the bravery of the Englishman Nicholas Winton in helping hundreds of Jewish children escape from the Nazis it was amazing to find a lovely memorial to him in the garden.
My favourite stop was the 2 hours we spend in the St Gellert thermal baths. It is not expensive to visit the baths and you have the choice of 2 swimming pools (only one if you forget your swimming cap) and 5 thermal pools ranging from medium warm to very hot. There are two steam baths, one extremely hot and the other so excruciatingly hot that you might only last 2 minutes inside. Outside each steam bath is a very tiny and cold plunge pool. The swimming pool that does not require your cap is outside along with one of the thermal pools and there are a huge number of loungers to bask in the sun.
Quite by accident we walked by the impressive Central Market Hall which was filled with purveyors of fruits, vegetables, cheese, pickles, sausages, honey, nuts and many other delicious items. The market also has vendors of traditional embroidery and other decorative items. Definitely worth a visit.
Your visit would not be complete without a visit to the New York cafe which is an elaborately decorated restaurant attached to the New York hotel. There is a queue to enter at all hours of the day (reservations only available for dinner). I have no idea why the hotel and cafe are called New York!
Budapest Marco Polo Pocket Travel Guide – with pull out map
£9.99
If you are looking for inspiration for new walks to go on in 2025, the new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt’s Freedom Pass London brings to life the UK capital through 25 carefully curated walks that reveal historical landmarks, wildlife hotspots and quiet corners with fascinating pasts. As the title suggests, this travel guidebook is designed for the 1 million people who can enjoy free travel in central and Greater London thanks to the Freedom Pass, but its focus on walking destinations accessible by public transport makes it a must for anyone living in or visiting London.
Continue reading Bradt’s Freedom Pass LondonLet us take you on a quick trip around the world via these four selected books that are currently on our shelves here at Stanfords:
by Han Fan, translated by Jeremy Tiang
£13.99
Set in: Malaysia
From 1976 to 1989, Hai Fan was part of the guerrilla forces of the Malayan Communist Party. These short stories are inspired by his experiences during his thirteen years in the rainforest.
Continue reading Around the World in 4 Books
