Gulf Weekly Book Club

BOOK OF THE WEEK with Linda Jennings. Minecraft Blockopedia, Mojang, ISBN 9781405273534 (Egmont) BD16.500 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

This is the book every Minecraft-obsessed fanatic is going to want to find under the Christmas tree.

Following on from the highly-successful Minecraft handbooks (as featured in GulfWeekly in May in an article headlined ‘It’s Minecraft mayhem!’) comes this fabulous full colour hexagonal hardback book to keep by the side of your computer or in your bag (there’s no age limit with this game!)

Stylishly presented in a black presentation box (and yes, the die cut book will only fit into the box the correct way round), the Minecraft Blockopedia is fully illustrated and packed with essential information about each block and its uses. From basic plants and ores to enchantment tables and End stone, you’ll find every single block in here.

The world of Minecraft is made entirely of blocks. Some help you build and some help you stay alive. Every block you discover opens up new possibilities and exciting adventures and the computer game has been praised by many educational establishments for its problem-solving and creative aspects.

Blockopedia contains everything you need to know to make the most of the blocks that make up your world – it’s a comprehensive reference tool for beginners and more experienced players alike and will no doubt be the No. 1 best seller in the UK charts within the week.

* Read it now in paperback
If I Knew You Were Going To Be This Beautiful, I Never Would Have Let You Go, Judy Chicurel, ISBN 9781472221667 (Tinder Press) BD7.300 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

Judy Chicurel’s exquisitely written debut evokes the atmosphere of a 1970s summer in a close-knit working class community on Long Island.

Katie and her young friends face a changing world, with prospects very different from those presented to their parents. The Vietnam War seems pointless to many but has devastated lives that remain broken even after the fighting is over.

As, with bittersweet humour, the characters’ experiences unfold, daily events mirror bigger issues: an illegal abortion is plotted; the town is sinking into an economic abyss forcing Katie’s friends to leave in search of more promising horizons; drugs claim the lives of those often too high to recognise the danger until it is too late; and Katie dreams of a boy back from Nam who’s still fighting a battle she doesn’t understand.

If I Knew You Were Going To Be This Beautiful, I Never Would Have Let You Go touchingly conveys the magic of everyday living during a darkened time.

* My favourite read-of-the-week
Mr Miracle, Debbie Macomber, ISBN 9780099595038 (Arrow) BD3.400 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

This is a heartwarming new Christmas novel from Debbie Macomber, a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Hallmark have produced many successful films based on Debbie’s bestselling Christmas novels and this is another book following her tried and tested formula for all romantics looking for a short, charming romantic read to counter the stress of the festive season.

Harry Mills is a guardian angel on a mission: to help Addie Folsom to get her life back on track and help her find love. Creating a happy ending for Addie and her neighbour Erich doesn’t seem like much of a challenge.

But soon after arriving in the town of Tacoma, Harry realises he might need some guidance. Addie and Erich can’t stand each other; growing up he was popular and outgoing, while she was rebellious and headstrong.

In fact, Addie would now rather avoid Erich entirely, especially at Christmas. So Harry is going to need all the help he can get, and a bit of divine inspiration, to help Addie and Erich find their Christmas miracle.