We’re delighted to have so many exciting Blake Friedmann titles published in 2019 – many of these have already been recognised as books to look out for, so here’s a taster of what’s being said …

MANDALAY: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen by MiMi Aye (Bloomsbury Absolute, June)

‘June sees the launch of MANDALAY, a new book by MiMi Aye featuring nearly 100 simple Burmese recipes – from the national dish of mohinga (a fish chowder with rice noodles and lemongrass, traditionally served at breakfast) to lahpet thoke, a classic Burmese salad of pickled green tea leaves.’ — Olive Magazine, The 2019 Foodie Trend Report

‘Burmese food is set to become more popular with the publication of Mimi Aye’s MANDALAY.’ — Evening Standard, Veganuary 2019

‘Compared with its Thai neighbour, Burmese food is relatively unknown in the UK. That’s about to change, thanks to MANDALAY: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen, a sumptuous cookbook by MiMi Aye, published by Bloomsbury in June.’ — The Times, The Biggest Food Trends of 2019

LOWBORN: Growing Up, Getting Away and Returning to Britain’s Poorest Towns by Kerry Hudson (Chatto & Windus, May)

LOWBORN will be a Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4

‘Kerry Hudson looks back at her impoverished childhood, and travels around Britain asking what being poor means today.’ — The Guardian, 2019 in Books: What You’ll Be Reading This Year

‘Kerry Hudson’s memoir LOWBORN: Growing Up, Getting Away and Returning to Britain’s Poorest Towns… arrive[s] with a sense of urgency.’ — New Statesman, Back to the Future: What to Read in 2019

'Powerful and moving... An emotional and important read.' — iNews, 10 Best Books to Read in 2019

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL by Peter James (Stage Production)

Peter James’s THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL has now been adapted for stage, starring BAFTA nominated actor and 2017 winner of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing Joe McFadden as Ollie Harcourt, alongside Rita Simons (who played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders) as Caro. The chilling sequel, THE SECRET OF COLD HILL, will be published in hardback by Pan Macmillan in October 2019.

See more about the tour schedule for THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL here.

‘There is an argument to be made that Peter James should have been on our “people who have had a great 2018” list. Two books out, including one to add to his famed Roy Grace series, Peter has certainly been busy in the past 12 months. This year is sure to be no different as the HOUSE ON COLD HILL show, based on his 2015 novel, goes on tour. While Peter may not be part of the show itself there is no doubt that the touring production will shine a further light on the book and the success or failure of the tour will affect him hugely. That is why he makes this list.’ — The Argus, Five Sussex Stars Who Will Have a Great 2019

SHADOWPLAY by Joseph O’Connor (Harvill Secker, June)

‘Fans of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, meanwhile, will be keen to get hold of Joseph O’Connor’s SHADOWPLAY which follows Stoker as he wanders the fog-bound streets of Victorian London.’ — Irish Times, Books to Look Forward to in 2019

SAFE edited by Derek Owusu (Trapeze, March)
‘In an impressive roster of contributors, journalist Musa Okwonga’s chapter “The Good Bisexual” is a long overdue – and delicate – insight into the challenges black bisexual men face, from queer puberty, the double burden of racism and homophobia, homophobic harassment in the workplace, and ultimately, self-acceptance. A refreshing insight, given that black, bi men’s experiences are routinely rendered invisible.’ — Dazed, 11 New LQBTQ Books to Read in 2019

EAT IT ANYWAY by Eve Simmons and Laura Dennison (Mitchell Beazley, January)

‘In EAT IT ANYWAY, journalists Simmons and Dennison – founders of the website Not Plant Based – aim to dispel dietary myths and help others, who like them, have suffered from eating disorders, to rediscover their love of food.’ — The Irish Independent, The 72 Books We’ll Be Talking About in the First Half of 2019

THE CATALOGUE OF SHIPWRECKED BOOKS: Christopher Columbus, His Son, and the Quest to Build the World’s Greatest Library by Edward Wilson-Lee (Scribner, March)

‘This isn’t only a biography of Christopher Columbus and his son Hernando; it’s also a paean to the family library, which at its peak contained 20,000 printed materials, including music and images, obsessively collected from all over Europe.’ – Publishers Weekly, ‘Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2019’

And here’s a reminder of the Blake Friedmann titles and authors mentioned in Best of 2018 lists.

Founders of the website and blog Not Plant Based, Laura Dennison and Eve Simmons’s book EAT IT ANYWAY has been acquired by Mitchell Beazley (part of the Octopus Publishing Group).

Hattie Grunewald has sold World English Language rights to Editorial Director Eleanor Maxfield. It will be published on 17th January at £10.99.

Not Plant Based are on a mission to help you love food again. The principle is very simple: eat what you like and don't worry about it. This is a game-changing narrative for anyone who has struggled to find a balance between healthy and happy, between empty and full. The definition of 'healthy eating' has been chewed up, spat out and re-digested enough times to make Joe and Josephine Public give up and seek out their nearest branch of McDonald's. Our mindless obsession with eating 'right' is such that we're now more concerned about what our Instagram followers think of a poorly lit picture of our dinner than we are of its effect on our own palate. Or, indeed, our happiness. We seem to be living in a time where we no longer eat with our hearts, emotions or heritage – but with our waistlines (and followers) in mind.

Throughout the book, Eve and Laura call on experts to debunk myths and provide a balanced exploration of our attitude towards food, with some delicious recipes thrown in along the way from food heroes such as Ruby Tandoh, The Hairy Bikers, and Angela Hartnett. They discuss their own experiences of eating disorders and offer personal tips and coping mechanisms to help rid you of anxiety linked to food. No one is saying healthy eating is bad; there is simply a lot of misleading information out there. More to the point, food is so much more than just healthy eating: it’s family, friends, enjoyment and memories.

From sugar to fat, clean eating and the #fitspo generation, chapters call out the fads, debunk myths and teach you how to reinstate food happiness. It’s a menu that’s especially delicious, “guilt-free” and requires a hell of a lot less money spent in health food shops.

Eleanor Maxfield said of the acquisition ‘I am incredibly proud to be part of such an important message about the relationship between food and anxiety. Readers will relate to this powerful, yet accessible journey through our relationship with eating, and Eve and Laura’s vital advice can help all of us. Long live cake.’

Laura Dennison said EAT IT ANYWAY is the book I wish I had when I was in my teens and tortured by food. Had it reached the shelves during my worst eating battles, I truly believe that I wouldn’t have wasted so many years desperately trying to look like anyone but myself. I can’t wait to see how many lives this book will change.’

Eve Simmons commented ‘It is beyond thrilling that Octopus has granted us the chance to spread our message of wholehearted food celebration to the masses. In our ever-unstable world of belfies, protein powders and fitspiration we feel our tale of the sanctity of a peaceful relationship with food couldn't come at a more perfect time. We hope we can help a nation of anxious eaters to feel the feel, harness it, and goddamn eat it anyway.'

About the Authors

NOT PLANT BASED is a blog for the troubled eater co-edited by writers and journalists Laura Dennison and Eve Simmons. Not Plant Based was founded by Laura, after years of troubled eating led her to conclude that really, she will always love ALL food. Both Laura and Eve have suffered from eating disorders and are telling their stories to dispel dietary myths and help others reignite their passion with the grub they love, with the help of professional dietitians and medical experts. Particular passions include melted cheese, Kit-Kats and jacket potatoes.

Laura Dennison is a journalist and writer with a particular interest in writing about the food she puts in her gob - most recently entwining her work with the subject of mental health. She previously worked as a digital reporter at the Press Association for two years - the UK's leading news agency - but now is a freelance journalist who dedicates most of her time to the Not Plant Based cause.

Eve Simmons is a journalist and writer, specialising in women's interest issues. From Irish abortion laws to female autism diagnoses, Eve has written features with an aim to uncover untold women's stories. Eve is currently flexing her millennial muscles as Deputy Health Editor at the Mail on Sunday, and has contributed to publications such as Grazia, VICE, The Debrief, The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard and The Financial Times.

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