The Hungoevr Coobkook

It is the greatest of arts: selecting the correct combination of liquid, protein, fruit, grease, dairy and greens to ease the hangover. PG Wodehouse, that great wit (and presumably, great drinker) knew all about the morning after the night before, and hypothesised that there are six varieties of hangover: the Broken Compass, the Sewing Machine, the Comet, the Atomic, the Cement Mixer and the Gremlin Boogie, and it is into these categories that Milton Crawford has assembled the correct recipes for the relief of the sore-headed and bleary-eyed. With a diagnostic quiz to direct you to the right cure, you can choose from the blowout (the Elvis Presley peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich), to the traditional (scrambled eggs with caramelised onion and feta cheese), the saintly (melon, feta, mint and ham salad), the liquid (lemon lassi), the austere (traditional Japanese breakfast) and the hair of the dog (Bloody Mary). It comes complete with a guide to difficulty and length of preparation, and is peppered with relevant quotations about drunkenness. Wherever you end up on New Year's Day, make sure you have this pocket-sized compendium with you. It won't judge, but it will ease the pain.

Milton Crawford Random House, $19.95