With a fresh lineup of exciting new releases, we’re starting May by spotlighting some of our top bookshelf picks here at Gazelle. Whether you're feeling nostalgic with the latest addition to our bestselling My First 18 Years series, ready to refine your charm with The Guide for the Modern Gentleman, or looking to support young learners with Kumon’s newest reading and writing workbooks, this month has something for everyone.

From timeless throwbacks to practical guides and educational gems, May is shaping up to be a month worth reading into. If you’re fond of stumbling across hidden treasures in the world of books, keep reading to discover these standout titles.

Guide for the Modern Gentleman

Have you ever wondered how to master the rules of tailoring, order the perfect martini, or handle tipping etiquette in far-flung destinations? Debrett's Guide for the Modern Gentleman is your essential companion for navigating contemporary life with style and confidence. 

This isn't just a book of rules, its a thoughtful, entertaining manual on what it means to be a modern gentleman today. Covering everything from how to fly in style and dress for the boardroom to elegant table manners and good sportsmanship, it offers practical advice with a touch of wit and timeless charm. With expert insights from Debrett's, this edition also tackles subtle topics like avoiding condescension in the office and driving with courtesy. 

Whether you're looking to refine your wardrobe, brush up on social graces, or simply enjoy a well-crafted guide, this book makes a worthy edition to any bookshelf. 

£30.00 | ISBN: 9781838059514 | Publication Date: 1 May 2025

My First 18 Years - Born in 1985

'85ers, step to the front, this next one’s for you. The latest addition to the bestselling My First 18 Years series takes a nostalgic dive into life growing up in the late '80s and '90s, tailored especially for those born in 1985.

From Discman drama and Blockbuster nights to the rise of the Spice Girls and the joy of your very first mobile phone, this book is bursting with the sights, sounds and stories that shaped a generation. It's more than a walk down memory lane, it’s your own personal time capsule, packed with pop culture highlights, iconic trends, and news events that made headlines during your formative years.

And the cherry on top? A Spotify QR code for each year between 1984 and 2002, giving you instant access to the Top 10 hits that soundtracked your youth. Whether you're reliving it yourself or gifting it to a fellow '85er, this keepsake is guaranteed to bring smiles, surprises, and more than a few “I remember that!” moments.

£14.99 | ISBN: 9789493373778 | Publication Date: 1 May 2025

Associative Thinking 

Sometimes the simplest answers are the right ones. This principle is at the core of Associative Thinking, a manual by Mikhail Shereshevsky, a respected figure in chess training and the author of some of the most influential chess manuals of our time.

In this insightful guide, Shereshevsky explores a crucial yet often overlooked topic: how to train your brain to make connections, rather than simply memorizing moves. In a chess world flooded with data, Associative Thinking offers a refreshing, effective approach, developing intuition through vivid mental imagery and pattern recognition. Instead of focusing on fixed lines and engine preparation, you’ll learn to ask the right questions: Where does the rook belong? How should the knight and pawn cooperate? When does a bishop surpass a knight?

Featuring carefully selected examples from the games of Andersson, Karpov, Kramnik, and Carlsen, many annotated by the players themselves, this book offers a masterclass in modern chess understanding. Whether you're a club player or an aspiring master, this book will deepen your positional awareness and help you think with clarity over the board.

£25.95 | ISBN: 9789083431345 | Publication Date: 9 May 2025

Kumon Reading and Writing 

Kumon’s brand-new English Language Arts series is here, and it’s all about helping kids become stronger readers and writers at the same time. Instead of treating reading and writing like separate skills, this program brings them together, showing how each one can build on the other.

Kids will tackle everything from informative and opinion texts to creative stories, then get to try their hand at writing their own. It’s a fun, practical way to boost confidence and learn how to think, and write, more clearly.

Each book comes with an answer key and sample responses, so students can check their work or review it with an adult. The first two books, for Grade 6 and Grade 7, are the first to roll out, with more on the way, perfect for parents and educators looking for a smart, well-rounded approach to literacy.

Grade 6: £13.99 | ISBN: 9781953845405 | Publication Date: 1 May 2025

Grade 7: £13.99 | ISBN: 9781953845412 | Publication Date: 1 May 2025

Mercedes Benz C 111

The C 111 is the most famous Mercedes you’ve never seen on the road, and now, for the first time, its full story is being told. Backed by unprecedented access to the Mercedes-Benz Group Archives and firsthand interviews with the people who built it, this new book is the ultimate deep dive into a car that became a legend without ever hitting the production line.

When Mercedes unveiled the C 111 in 1969, with its sharp-edged, wedge-shaped body and experimental Wankel engine, it stole the show in Frankfurt and stunned the automotive world. Touted as the spiritual successor to the 300 SL, the C 111 sparked massive public interest. Over the next decade, Mercedes kept tweaking the design, swapping in diesel, turbocharged, and V8 engines to break records and explore cutting-edge tech. But it never made it to dealerships.

For Mercedes fans, design lovers, and automotive history buffs, this is a must-have chronicle of the brand’s boldest experiment.

£72.99 | ISBN: 9780764369001 | Publication Date: 28 May 2025