Past-it Notes by Maureen Lipman

JR Books, £9.99

AS we get older, we all view life differently and no one expresses those "senior thoughts" as well as Maureen Lipman in her new book.

Born in Hull, Lipman has found fame on the British stage and on our television screens in everything from acclaimed dramas, to a Jewish aunt in a telephone advertisement and latterly as one of a pair of old middle-aged women who communicate in Ladies Of Letters, which first aired on radio and has now translated to the television.

But out of all her roles, I think the British public best associate Lipman with her quirky humour and comedy and it is with this fun take on life that she approaches the subject matter in the book.

In Past-it Notes, she relates a great deal about her life and recalls the funny and poignant incidents that have shaped it. And, of course, so many of the funny tales she tells revolve around her late husband, the playwright Jack Rosenthal.

But you do not have to be of a certain age to appreciate this well-scripted book – it will appeal to people of all ages.

The King's Daughter by Christie Dickason

Harper & Collins, £12.99.

SENTIMENTALITY about the past often leads us to forget how brutal some periods of history were, and in her novel – The King's Daughter – Christie Dickason vividly reminds us of some of the cruelty people were subjected to.

Elizabeth is the eldest daughter of King James I, but although she is surrounded in luxury compared to most of the King's subjects, her life is still harsh and strife-torn. Her parents treat her badly and the only support she has is from her brother Henry, the Prince of Wales, but even this support is tragically wrenched away.

Elizabeth, however, does have one true ally, Tallie, a slave girl given to her by her mother.

Dickason has meticulously researched this period of history to bring the reader tales of intrigue and love.

She brings to life characters such as those who plotted with Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament to paint a picture of James I as a most unstable sovereign, whose reign is peppered with brutality.

Atmospheric and entertaining, your heart goes out to both Elizabeth and to Tallie who, although they have totally different backgrounds, both find themselves for sale and both have to fight to retain their freedom.