David

The legendary Patti LuPone is one of the theatre’s most beloved leading ladies. Now she lays it all bare, sharing the intimate story of her life both onstage and off - through the dizzying highs and darkest lows - with the humor and outspokenness that have become her trademarks. From inspired costars and demanding directors to her distinct perspective on how she developed and honed her Tony Award - winning performances, Patti LuPone: A Memoir is as inspirational as it is entertaining.

Ralph Richardson was a contradictory genius who remains a legendary power and presence dominated stage and screen for over 50 years. Richardson eschewed most of the romantic heroes that made his two friends, Olivier and Gielgud, famous; he was the only one of the three thought capable of playing the ordinary man. In his search for the man behind the actor's make-up, the author has talked to Ralph Richardson's friends and colleagues.

Just Me is a book about moving on, but it is also about looking back, and looking anew. Sheila, whether facing down burglars and Easyjet staff or making friends with waiters and taxi drivers, whether unearthing secrets in Budapest, getting arrested in Thailand, exulting in the art of Venice or searching for a decent cup of coffee in Dorset, is never less than stimulating company.

When Polly Evans set off on a journey round Spain by bicycle, she found more adventures than she had bargained for: She survived a nail biting encounter with a sprightly pig, escaped over-zealous suitors, had her morality questioned by locals and indulged in her love of regional cooking. While she pedalled, Polly pondered some of the more lurid details of Spanish history - the king who collected pickled heads and the unfortunate duchess who lost her feet.

Timothy West is held in high regard and great affection for his versatility and his reliability. He has played roles as diverse as Edward VII and Thomas Beecham, Falstaff and Uncle Vanya, Stalin and Churchill, and he became a household name in the TV series Brass. He has played in the West End, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, toured the country doing the classics, performed Dickens and Dostoyevsky on television, has had a stint running the Old Vic, and married an actress called Prunella Scales.