Anne Coates takes a look at parenting and family themes in recent contemporary fiction: This Child of Ours by Sadie Pearse (Sphere) and Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech (Orenda Books).

9 Ways to a Resilient Child by Dr Justin Coulson PhD reviewed and highly recommended by Anne Coates.

Meghan Cox Gurdon celebrates "The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction" in her fascinating book: The Enchanted Hour published by Piatkus.

The second in a series of articles looking at fiction with parenting as a strong theme. These three excellent books have a lone parent as the protagonist: Picking up the Pieces by Jo Worgan, Death in Dulwich by Alice Castle and The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths reviewed by Anne Coates.

Get the best out of your travels with advice from the experts. Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips is the perfect pocket book to help you have better, safer, cheaper trips whatever your budget and wherever you are going.

Reserve a seat and sit back for a voyage of discovery with Lonely Planet – Amazing Train Journeys, reviewed by Anne Coates.

Published by Phaidon Press, Where to Drink Beer by Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso is the ultimate guide for the discerning beer drinker _ and it makes an ideal present, writes Anne Coates.

Published by Hutchinson, The Not-So-New Mum's Notebook by Amy Ransom is aimed at women who have "survived" the first year of motherhood.

Whether the families in novels were doing well or badly, it’s interesting to see how characters react to certain situations like sibling rivalry, loss of a parent, depression, abuse, teenage pregnancy and how they interact with other family members and their friendship groups. Anne Coates suggests some novels which explore various parenting issues.

Makes for mini folks: 25 projects for the little people in your life by Lisa Stickley, reviewed by Christine Mayle

Lonely Planet Paris – 24 hours and 250 photos in one city photographed by River Thomson with captions written by Nicola Williams.

In preparation for her holiday in Italy, Anne Coates has found inspiration in Experience Italy from Lonely Planet.