At first mildly cynical but then the wonderful characters that you meet draw you into a compelling world. These are people who are out to enjoy themselves and have no idea what happened in some casualty department last Saturday, or who baked what on Thursday. A highly enjoyable, educational and addictive romp, through a diverse and entertaining city. Reality is definitely stranger and funnier than fiction. "Possibly, the best book written about Manchester... this week" Sheffield Rick, a neighbour.

With days spent in the drudgery of factory work and nights spent dodging Top Gear repeats, is it possible to escape the boredom of modern life? Why don't you join the author on his musical journey across Manchester, fuelled by pies, real ale, paella and Welsh whisky. Throw in some disasters, dodgy characters, sport, comedy, hiking, art and travel. Not to mention the planes, trains and lost mobiles.

A year in the football world from Belo Horizonte to Burnley, featuring great goals, bad punditry, referee's haircuts, unusual simulations, self imploding managers, marginal offsides, glory, despair and an obscure philosophy. Inspired by a childhood love of football annuals, this is an affectionate look at the Brazil World Cup 2014 and the following seasons English Premier League. Who would achieve legendary status in the heat of South America? What surprises would the new season bring? Would referees with spray cans catch on in this country? ... "The kind of book you read in front of an open...