Survival Guides.

Take on life’s challenges

THE WORST CASE SCENARIO SURVIVAL HANDBOOK: JUNIOR EDITION This handbook has sneeky tips on how nine to 12-year-olds can handle situations that arise at school, at home, outdoors and beyond. The “How to Get By When You’re Late to Class” chapter will come in handy even beyond school. Published by Hardie Grant, AU$14.95, ISBN 9780732285054.
GOING DUTCH IN BEIJING Never open a taxi door in Japan and never pat someone on the head when in a Buddhist country. This essential tome of cross-cultural solutions will make your next overseas trip less of a minefield. Published by Profile Books, AU$29.95, ISBN 9781861978622.
HOW TO DRINK ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING Author Ben Canaider has drunk everything – some good and some not – as part of his job as a booze writer. From Aardvark liqueur to Zambucatinis, drink up his advice so you can avoid repeating his drunken disasters. Published by Random House, AU$34.95, ISBN 9781741664652.
GET ME OUT OF HERE! EXIT STRATEGIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS Don’t be fooled by its staid cover. This is the must-have book to escape every social situation – things you’d rather not do and places you’d rather not go. Published by ABC Books, AU$19.95, ISBN 9780733319747.
THE ENDANGERED LIST A tongue-in-cheek novel about survival of the fittest… nature television presenter, that is. As wannabe nature TV hosts begin dying mysteriously, the scramble is on to fill the late-Mick Lamington’s shoes. Published by Allen & Unwin, AU$19.95, ISBN 9781741753608.
Book of the month LUCKY FOR ME Man meets dog. Man falls in love with dog. Man and dog live happily ever after. The stuff of every love story, this memoir about author Frank Robson’s adoption of Lucky the terrier really tugs at the heart-strings. In the end, it’s not about a man and his dog but about finding a friend for life. Published by Harper Collins, AU$22.99, ISBN 9780732285050.

GIRL POWER

Anthea Paul is the creator of the Girlosophy book series for young women. She’s also a stylist, photographer and Tibet activist. We spoke to her before her eighth book release, The Girlo Travel Survival Kit.

Why did you wait so long to write about travel?
Travelling has been a thread through all the Girlosophy books – the journey as metaphor, being independent and ‘finding’ oneself. Although I had never dedicated myself to it as a specialty subject before, travel is always on my mind!

What does it mean to be a responsible traveller?
Treating the locals with respect and not being wasteful with resources. As a responsible traveller you’re morally bound not to over-bargain, especially for stuff that you would pay masses for back home. That goes for tipping too: I’m a big believer in tipping properly – what goes around, comes around.

What’s your favourite Jetstar destination?
My heart belongs to Bali – the energy is simply unique.Add to that the beautiful people, the rituals, the gardens, the food, and the incredible waves… The Island of the Gods is a paradise.

What’s an unusual attraction in Sydney?
I’d recommend the walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse starting on the Pittwater side of Palm Beach, then eat at The Dunes, a cute cottage restaurant at North Palm Beach (opposite the ‘Summer Bay’ Kiosk for all those Home and Away fans!).

What’s your next trip?
Hawaii in February, to catch the end of Oahu’s north shore winter swell season. I love Hawaii and have many happy hula memories.

The Girlo Travel Survival Kit is published by Allan & Unwin, AU$26.95, ISBN 9781741753769.