Book Reviews

IF YOU’RE searching for presents, you could do worse than these pocket-sized books offering little gems of Yorkshire wit and wisdom.

Last year Joe Moorwood brought us The Yorkshire Meaning of Liff, a dictionary of local meanings for wacky words and phrases. Now he digs deep into the psyche of the Yorkshire mind in an amusing new title bringing words of inspiration from everyday and extraordinary Yorkshire folk – the world renowned, the infamous and the legends in their own lunchtime.

Yorkshire Wisdom contains a collection of memorable quotations from some of the county’s most celebrated sons and daughters, and being a Yorkshire book, Joe says it felt only natural to “keep things grounded” and provide a platform for all the “ordinary tykes out there” with something to say.

Joe, a Sheffield firefighter and author, has unearthed some pearls of wisdom from regular Yorkshire men and women, whose quotations share the page with words of those already guaranteed a place in Yorkshire folklore.

“It’s the people that make Yorkshire so distinct. A long list of famous tykes quickly followed, then I gravitated towards the idea of a Yorkshire quotes book,” he says. “As I got to work researching my celebrity pearls, however, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.”

He adds: “History has left a trail of astute and enlightening quotes, spoken, sung or penned by those who have lived far from ordinary lives. I was reassured by the impressive contributions made by my long list of Yorkshire legends.

“So why this nagging feeling my idea was missing something? Then it struck me: what about the rest of us? What about the vast majority of Britain’s largest county? Did they have anything worth sharing, putting in a book? I made it my mission to find out.”

The result is Yorkshire Wisdom, filled with inspiring and insightful quotations from the likes of Alan Bennett, the Brontes, Jarvis Cocker and Dame Judi Dench — as well as “Gary from Leeds”, “Ian the plumber” and “database administrator Bob”. They include “You must plan to be spontaneous”, from Bradford-born David Hockney; and this from Isla, a full-time mum from North Yorkshire: “There’s something heartwarming about an old couple still in love, living as one and appreciating every last moment together – heartwarming and heartbreaking”.

Since wit and wisdom is often fuelled by a drink or two, this next book could be a suitable companion.

In Great Yorkshire Bottled Beer, food and drink writer Leigh Linley puts the spotlight on the county’s interest in craft beer.

“No longer seen as the reserve of a bygone era, a new generation of beer drinkers are indulging in the unique flavours that come from traditional brewing methods combined with the twist of modern recipes,” says Leigh.

Profiling more than 60 breweries and more than 150 beers, this is Yorkshire’s first dedicated bottled beer guide for both the beer connoisseur and curious novice.