Pippi was always known for her long stockings, invaluable in cool climates to keep the wearer warm, so this particular story tells how she became a member of the board for a company that made such wonderfully designed stockings, for everyone to wear, at a nice price per pair.

The Halfmen of O

A story about some teens - halfway between boys and men - living in the small town of Oglington, better known by its moniker of "O".

Peeled

The very sad story of how a man fell into the peeling machinery in a marmalade factory, written as part of a series to pass on an awfully dire warning of what can happen when Occupational Health and Safety standards are not adhered to.  

Lost Empire

Queen Victoria is ruling England, after the death of Prince Albert. She has returned from her exile of grief, and is never more loved by her people. But the very thing she desires - a strong, Christian nation - is falling away, as modern ideas begin to take root. The century turns, and as she finally gives up her spirit to rest, it is never more obvious that hard days are ahead for the country from which came the West.

The Sign of Four

The shop window sign & logo, that the four brothers' family retail business, the Sign of Four, had to have would need four sides to it, according to this novel. But would it be a square, a rectangle, a rhombus or a trapezoid? Maybe a parallelogram or something else they hadn't thought of? But then the receptionist turned up to work flaunting her new diamond engagement ring. And then it hit them - a diamond shape would be perfect for their business. Who said diamonds were only a girl's best friend, when they were good for this business as well?

Under the mountain

The Dwarven kingdom of Erebor's chronicle of the history of the Kings under the Mountain and their people — similar to the Book of Mazarbul in Moria, and thought to have been destroyed after Smaug the Dragon conquered the Lonely Mountain, but rediscovered during the reign of Dain Ironfoot (it was buried somewhere under the huge piles of treasure).

The God of Small Things

A biography of Lowitja O'Donoghue, a distinguished activist & politician, who passed away in 2024. She was the youngest of six children, who, having been abandoned as a two-year-old in a Lutheran mission by her Irish-born father, who couldn't cope alone without his Aboriginal partner, rose up to become the first Aborigine to train successfully as a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, also advocating for the successful 1967 Referendum which won the vote for Aboriginal people. 

The life of Pi

The biography of Thomas Magnum, a retired Private Investor, reveals many secrets and details that the television series didn't include. 

Down Under In Europe 

Another comical holiday adventure story when a quartet of Australians decide to explore Europe together, even though nobody knew any other continental language, apart from English & even though their English accents were incomprehensible to European English speakers. 

Slumdog Millionaire

The tale of an unfortunate dog from the slums, that was so badly infested with fleas that the dog shelter dubbed him Millionaire.

Deep Secret

The Welsh-born writer of fantasy tales which brought joy to many, when the travelling magician of several of these works had a deep secret that must not be disclosed to the world at large, until they read the book. Was it a military secret in the real world, a spy thriller, or was it about the past glories of King Arthur? Who knows? 

The world's greatest authors & the cats that owned them. 

At last, the first book compiled by literature- loving cats!  This was based on careful and private interviews with 200 cats in an area of London with lots of writers and literary types. Each was invited to submit 3 names of writers who had a cat companion, and a visit was made to that cat to discuss an entry in the book.  Small tins of fish treats were awarded to cats whose contributions were included in the book.

A Swarm In May