ROOM FOR ROMANCE – AUSTRALIA

Need a romantic rendezvous in Australia? You just have to know where to look, according to the fourth book in the series Room for Romance, which has previously covered UK & Ireland, Italy and France. Picking 83 properties with the sexiest bedrooms across the country, there’s one for every inclination – beachfront, outback, rainforest, desert. Although not all establishments have superb photographs, there are enough to tempt you into dropping everything and taking off with your significant other. What we like about this book is that it also covers what sights you can see… rather than just staying in bed, although the choices offered certainly mean you’ll find it hard to leave your room. Published by Riva Publishing Ltd. RRP AU$27.95. ISBN 0-9550944-1-0.

SMALL TALK

If you’re ever stuck for conversation, Melbournian Eamon Evans’ Small Talk might start things up again, although you may also be met with a chagrined silence. Divided conveniently into situations you might ? nd yourself in, such as Adolescent Sitting, Labour Party Function (also Liberal Party Function) and Jail (you never know, this might come in handy), this book on the social skill is peppered with quirky nuggets that you can use to stir the pot. Did you know cricket captain Shane Warne once said he’s “one of the most highly-sexed people of all time”? Bet he doesn’t come close to basketballer Wilt Chamberlain’s claim to 20,000 women! There’s plenty more to chuckle over in this paperback. Published by Hardie Grant Books. RRP AU$29.95. ISBN 1-7406-6456-6.

A YEAR IN MY KITCHEN

This book brings to mind Nigel Slater’s Kitchen Diaries, which was also a delicious year-long ramble through the seasons. Australian-born, UK-based Skye Gyngell’s bold way with ingredients and their flavours has earned her many accolades, and you can very well see why in her book. She sets out her toolbox in the beginning – items we can easily relate to. Recipes are then divided into seasons, increasing in intensity from pan-fried salmon with wild garlic for spring to slow-cooked pork belly with cinnamon, cloves, ginger and star anise for winter. The dishes are straightforward and down-to-earth; a book you can definitely draw from throughout the year. Published by Qaudrille Publishing Ltd. RRP AU$49.95. ISBN 1-84400-337-X.

TASMANIA WILDLIFE MAP

If you want to know where you can spy platypus swimming, pademelons foraging for food and have a wombat waddle across your path, pick up a copy of the Tasmania Wildlife Map at Visitor Centres and National Wildlife

Parks around Tasmania. Log onto www.wildlifetourism.org.au for more details of island life.

BE A CHAMP

An online shopping and fashion magazine, Let’s Shop, has started a charity initiative. Called CHAMP (Community Help Affinity Members Programme), members of the site nominate up to three charities a year to benefit from this scheme.

A percentage of every advertising dollar spent on the site will be set aside for distribution quarterly. So while you’re picking up tips to boost your fashionista status, think about those Not for Profit organisations that you want to help. Register on www.letsshop.com.au