As successful books these days seem to involve celebrities animals or recipes this book is clearly going to be extremely successful. On a regular basis Joe Bennett - dog lover and delightfully erudite columnist - comments on aspects of modern life. And each year there is the nerve-wracking task of winnowing them down to the very best. The hardest part is trying to fit in everyone's favourite but by the application of stern discipline and an editorial whip the difficult is achieved. As a result each book has become a connoisseur's treasure an eclectic and wonderfully eccentric collection of superbly crafted pieces which expand on Joe's thoughts about the absurdities and oddities of life. He ranges far and wide in his subject matter but always in a way that is utterly fresh and original. This year is vintage Joe who made the most of a challenging and change-filled year. Cats should be very worried.