Tower of Bagels: Odes to Jewish Life by Judy Karbritz

Edgware poet and performer Judy Karbritz, co-founder of The Jewish Poetry Society, accepts that the majority of poets don’t write about fish balls or circumcision or admit to cleaning the house before the cleaner arrives. To make amends, this anthology is packed with poems about the Jewish year and family life, grandchildren, the joy of shopping for a bargain and much, much more.

  • Details: amazon.co.uk, poetrypress@yahoo.co.uk

Difficult Days: A Rifleman’s Wartime Memoir 1939-1946 by Mike Hicks, edited by Graham Hicks

This is a fascinating account of an infantry soldier’s life during World War Two, recounted some 40 years later by the late soldier himself, a Finchley resident, and edited by his son. The memoir includes excerpts of letters to a loved one, which helped towards the healing of the horrific battle scars of the mind.

  • Details: difficultdays.co.uk

Long Shot by Shane Rimmer

Star Wars, Doctor Who, James Bond, Superman and Batman actor Shane Rimmer, remembered by fans as the voice of Scott Tracey from Thunderbirds, has published his first novel as an e-book, after releasing his autobiography in 2010 and writing for such TV shows as Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and The Protectors. Long Shot is a thriller set in the world of golf in the 1980s.

  • Details: amazon.co.uk

In Search of Alfred the Great by Edoardo Albert and Katie Tucker

A biography of Alfred, the first king of the Anglo-Saxons, the only one to be called ‘great’. Arnos Grove author Edoardo Albert co-writes with human osteologist and archaeologist Dr Katie Tucker, who featured in Neil Oliver’s BBC programme and who is leading the search for the king’s remains. She tells the intriguing story of this hunt while Edoardo relates the extraordinary tale of his life.

  • Details: edoardoalbert.com

A Hamlet in Hendon

A book from the Hendon and District Archaeological Society on the archaeology and history of Church End from excavations at Church Terrace from 1973 to ’74, that prove the ancient origins of this part of Hendon. The book relates the story of one of the original hamlets that made up the parish of Hendon, with maps, diagrams, colour photographs, and analysis of the excavation and the related finds.

  • Details: hadas.org.uk

Redundant by Brian Keith

A poignant, sometimes funny, often painful, always honest story of Hendon resident Brian Keith’s journey through redundancy from banking and the self insights and lessons he learned from the experience.

  • Details: briankeithbooks.co.uk

Lavender Girl by Paula Hickford

Barnet College lecturer Paula, who lives in Cockfosters, has published her first book which tells the story of the new friendship between 60-year-old Elizabeth and ten-year-old Tamika as they come to terms with losing family together.

  • Details: amazon.co.uk