Zen Flowers - Contemplation through Creativity by Harumi Nishi (Aquamarine, £20).

ZEN Buddhism teaches us that only by contemplating our own inner nature can we achieve enlightenment.

The Japanese use many devices to achieve this, and one of their most artistic ways is in flower arranging. Ikebana is a well-known floral art, but Harumi Nishi has taken western floral art to her heart and uses its influence with a refreshing Oriental flavour.

This book illustrates some beautiful arrangements, which are not beyond us here in the UK. Flowers are so readily available that even some of the more exotic species are relatively easy to come by.

Each arrangement comes with a list of needs. The flowers are listed and tools specified.

For some, the austerity of the designs will not appeal, but the subtle images created are so different that that in itself becomes charming.

The range of colour is dramatic and sometimes startling, but unique.

The book is beautifully illustrated. The photography by James Mitchell is glorious, and makes you itch to get out there, get the scissors and the oasis and to start doing arrangements of your own.

Annie Dendy

Inishowen by Joseph O'Connor (Vintage, £6.99)

Inspector Matt Aitken's life is a mess.

Divorced with his career in ruins, things seem as bad as they can get, but they are about to get a lot worse.

Enter Ellen Donneley, a woman on a mission. She arrives in Ireland determined to find her mother and to escape her husband but she collapses on the street on Christmas Eve.

She is quickly followed by her unfaithful husband, Milton Amery, a New York plastic surgeon who is also heading for Inishowen.

This tale takes a bittersweet look at the journey which changes all their lives.