Unoaked Italian white from sunny Sicily, made from the full-bodied grillo grape. As a table wine, this grillo has the sort of easy-over, elegant, stone-fruit flavours that will give it wide summer appeal.

The conscious craze for veganism and vegetarianism has caused a couple of problems for the not so conscious – namely how to bake a cake without eggs. Elisabeth Luard has a handy solution. Chickpea water. It’s best to use a mechanical beater, as manual beatings will not cut it.

The Ezzahra compound is on the northern outskirts of Morocco, in the exclusive Palmeraie area. The villa is surrounded by a vast green garden, has a swimming pool, enclosed by Berber tents, and a fine set of books. Though an ideal spot for peace and quiet, there are day trips and hammams aplenty.

In the heart of London lies the City; slightly to the west of that lies Middle Temple, tucked away between the river, Temple Church and King’s College. The Oxbridge-style hall with hammer-beam roof and minstrels’ gallery offers splendid and peaceful surroundings for a spot of lunch.

This year sees the anniversary of the end of the First World War. Aftermath has been put together to examine the impact that the war had on art in France, Germany and England, from the response to the gueules cassées to the decline of the machinery-worshipping Vorticists.

The book traces the lives of Elizabeth Stuart, Mary Stuart’s granddaughter, and her four daughters; following Elizabeth from her short-lived rule in Bohemia to her exile in Holland. Goldstone works her way through a few, minor, faux pas to produce an entertaining and immersive book.

Emmanuel Barthélemy is scattered across 19th-century texts, but until now, he has not taken centre stage. Mulholland tracks the life and career of this mysterious man, who fought on many a barricade, fenced with Karl Marx, and was the last man to take part in a lethal duel in England.

In 1955, J P-H wrote Queen Mary, a benchmark of excellence for royal biographies, but he forbade the publication of the research he had done for fifty years. Now it is out, treat yourself to views into the lives of Royals – high and low – along with J P-H’s misguided views on the Duke of Windsor.

By 1944, the Germans were on the run, but not fast enough for the Allies. The attempt by Monty to simulate Blitzkrieg ensured that the largest parachute drop in history became one of the most disastrous operations of the war. An excellent read, aided by Beevor’s clear and concise style.

Paying homage to the past 250 years of the Royal Academy, The Great Spectacle will highlight the dialogue between past and present, exhibiting works of Rodin, Tillmans, Constable and Millais, among many others.

Tackling issues of justice and vengeance,Consent sheds light on private behaviour and public standards. The play’s cast create a powerful spectacle, showing how friendship groups can unravel as their truths are challenged.

John Logan’s Red, after a nine-year absence, returned to the London stage at the Wyndham’s theatre. Focusing on the interactions between Mark Rothko and his aspiring assistant, Ken, in 1959, the play explores the frivolousness of contemporary art and the cruelty of the marketplace.

The castle of Chinon, located over the river Vienne, gives stunning views of the region. The castle dates back to the 10th century; it was retired from military use in the 16th century to become a prison, after which it fell into decay. A fine day out and a good excuse to visit the vineyards nearby.

Prized Possessions is a small delight, not due to quantity; the 22 paintings are an extraordinary display of the Dutch Old Masters. The paintings show that patronage of art was no longer the reserve of the church, and the secular focus can now be easily traced through the pieces.

Until 30th September you will be able to marvel at René Goscinny’s most famous creation, Asterix, at the Jewish Museum in London. There are events dedicated to the great creator himself, our favourite wild-boar-munching Gaul, and the art of comic books.

Ian Buruma introduces us to Tokyo in the 1970s. Throughout you see a youthful enthusiasm and search for the raw. He details his journey through the changing landscape of Tokyo’s neon lights, crimson lanterns and edgy characters.

The second volume of Levy’s living autobiography. She is newly divorced, living with her daughters, and dealing with deranged men and a mother dying in hospital. Her writing examines the constraints of womanhood, but not just those facing her – she readily touches on those of others.

Morrissey draws on her own life experience, as a CEO and a mother, to make a powerful statement about gender politics and the need for greater gender balance and diversity. Her manifesto looks to reinvent the game, but at the expense of no one.

The Hong Kong tram is a much under-appreciated asset for those visiting the island city. Costing next to nothing, the trams – which go round the whole island – are a great way to explore.

Leonie Frieda’s great mission is to freshen the popular perception of Francis I, rendering him the great moderniser. However, the beauty of the book is in its attention to detail. Who doesn’t love a story about a farting pope?

Many do not know the heroism and sacrifice of the 16,000 homing pigeons that were sent across Europe from 1941 to 1944, but now we have a book shedding light on exactly that. It goes from comedy to tragedy, from the vitally important ‘pigeon bra’ to the lives put at risk by squabbles in Whitehall.

The Middle Ages are often thought of as a period of misery and squalor. This illuminating book proves the opposite. Hartnell introduces us to hysterical titbits, including a medical guide to the use of a male weasel’s scrotum as a form of contraception. A witty, rare insight into medieval medicine.

Berlin 1936 is more of a tale than a history. Not that it is factually inaccurate, but Hilmes’s anecdotal style renders it personal and human . A veritable who’s who of socialites, impresarios, film stars and dandies, with a tourist guide to the hottest clubs, bars, and restaurants. 

Freeman’s analysis of the cultural, social, political and economic impact of the factory over the past 300 years is a fascinating rediscovery of the topic, which steers clear of generalisation or politicisation. Going from Marx to Dickens, Freeman examines industrial progress and does it very well.

Against the backdrop of extraordinary technological changes and the First World War, Overy looks at the institution building and controversy surrounding the nascent RAF. Though the popular perception of the fighter ace is not acknowledged, the book reveals some fascinating nuggets of history.