Autobiography: arts and entertainment Books

Book SynopsisRob Lowe is a film and television actor and producer. He also is involved in politics. He lives with his wife and two sons in California.Trade ReviewA slick, seemingly confidential portrayal of a complex, charismatic actor * The Times *Engaging and revealing * Spectator *Compelling -- Mariella Frostrup * Observer *Fascinating... thoughtful... compelling * Heat *A lovely autobiography, equal parts dish and pathos * Vanity Fair *

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Book SynopsisTom Fletcher (Author) Tom Fletcher is a number-one bestseller and one of the UK's most popular children's authors. The Christmasaurus was the biggest debut middle-grade novel of 2016 and was shortlisted for a British Book Award. Since then, Tom has published several more chart-topping children's novels including The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch, The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List, The Creakers and the instant number-one bestseller The Danger Gang. Tom also writes the incredibly successful Who's in Your Book? picture-book series and is one half of the author duo behind the Dinosaur that Pooped picture-book series too, which has sold over 1.5 million copies. For older readers, Tom co-authors the Eve of Man series with his wife Giovanna Fletcher. Tom's books have been translated into 40 languages and to date he has sold over 5 million copies of his books in the UK alone. As well as

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Book SynopsisAlready a bestseller, this is a wonderfully entertaining collection of Alan Bennett''s prose writings. Writing Home brings together diaries, reminiscences and reviews to give us a unique and unforgettable portrait of one of England''s leading playwrights. As a memoir it covers the production of his very first play, Forty Years On, which starred John Gieldgud, as well as many other important productions. His television series ''Talking Heads'' has become a modern-day classic; as part of the 1960s revue ''Beyond the Fringe'' Bennett helped to kick-start the English satire revolution, and has since remained one of our leading dramatists, most recently with The History Boys at the National Theatre. At the heart of the book is The Lady in The Van, since adapted into a radio play featuring Dame Maggie Smith. It is the true account of Miss Mary Shepherd, a homeless tramp who took up residence in Bennett''s garden and stayed for fifteen years. This new e

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Book Synopsis''Stephen Hough''s memoir had me gripped from the beginning . . . riveting and revelatory. Most memoirs give me far more than I want to know this is the rare sort that left me urgently demanding a second volume, a third, a fourth. I loved it.' Philip Pullman Stephen Hough is indisputably one of the world''s leading pianists, winning global acclaim and numerous awards.This memoir recounts his unconventional coming-of-age story, from his beginnings in an unmusical home in Cheshireto the main stage of Carnegie Hall in New York aged 21. We read of his early love-affair with the piano which curdled, after a teenage nervous breakdown, into failure at school and six-hours a day watching television, engulfed in dreams, seesawing between sexual and religious obsessions.We meet his supportive, if eccentric parents - his artistically frustrated father, his housework-hating mother. We read of the teachers who encouraged and inspired, and others who hit him on the head sc

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Book SynopsisRiveting and revelatory.' Philip PullmanWonderfully vivid and touching.' Literary ReviewWarm, wise and unflinching.' Sunday TimesWitty and heartfelt.' Financial TimesStephen Hough is indisputably one of the world's leading pianists, winning global acclaim and numerous awards.Enough recounts his unconventional coming-of-age story, from his beginnings in an unmusical home in Cheshire to the main stage of the Carnegie Hall in New York, aged just twenty-one.Hough writes like a dream, with an almost Alan Bennett-like eye and ear for the sights and sounds of childhood.' Dan Cairns, Sunday TimesA memoir that is by turn audacious, harrowing, joyous, moving and funny . . . Hough [has a] brilliant ear for language, for rhythm, for silence.' Harriet Smith, GramophoneAn endearingly humorous, entrancingly lyrical writer.' Peter Conrad, ObserverMost memoirs

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Book SynopsisIn Liverpool everybody wanted to be in a band. On every street corner and in every cellar there were young fellas practising with guitars. But it was rare to see any girls on the new Merseybeat scene. It was inevitable that we would find each other . . .'In the early 60s, four friends from Liverpool formed a band. But this is not the fab four' story we know.Mary, Sylvia, Valerie and Pamela also known as The Liverbirds were one of the world's first all-female rock'n'roll bands. At an early gig, backstage at the Cavern Club, a young John Lennon told them that girls don't play guitars'. But they took that as a challenge. Despite the early scepticism, they won over tough crowds, toured stadiums, recorded two hit albums, and played with the Kinks, Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry all in the space of just five years.Now, the two surviving members of the band tell their incredible story in full for the first time capturing a lost era of li

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Book SynopsisRelease your inner bawse with YouTube phenomenon Lilly Singh''s How to Be a Bawse, winner of the Goodreads Choice Awards: Non-Fiction Book of the Year''The ultimate no-nonsense manual for millennials how how to make it to the top'' MARIE CLAIREFrom actress, comedian and YouTube sensation Lilly Singh (aka Superwoman) comes the definitive guide to being a BAWSE - a person who exudes confidence, reaches goals, gets hurt efficiently, and smiles genuinely because they''ve fought through it all and made it out the other side.Told in her hilarious, bold voice that''s inspired over 9 million fans, and using stories from her own life to illustrate her message, Lilly proves that there are no shortcuts to success. WARNING: This book does NOT include hopeful thoughts, lucky charms, and cute quotes.That''s because success, happiness and everything else you want in life needs to be fought for - not wished for.WiTrade ReviewThe official debut book from YouTube phenomenon Lilly Singh * from publisher's description *The ultimate no-nonsense manual for millennials on how to make it to the top * Marie Claire *In her book, Lilly inspires her audience to make the most of life through smashing goals and oozing confidence * Look *Full of good, ballsy advice * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERHi! I''m Seth! I was asked to describe my book, Yearbook, for the inside cover flap (which is a gross phrase) and for websites like this one, so... here it goes!!!Yearbook is a collection of true stories that I desperately hope are just funny at worst, and life-changingly amazing at best. (I understand that it''s likely the former, which is a fancy book way of saying the first one.)I talk about my grandparents, doing stand-up comedy as a teenager, bar mitzvahs and Jewish summer camp, and tell way more stories about doing drugs than my mother would like. I also talk about some of my adventures in Los Angeles, and surely say things about other famous people that will create a wildly awkward conversation for me at a party one day.I hope you enjoy the book should you buy it, and if you don''t enjoy it, I''m sorry. If you ever see me on the street and explain the situation, I''ll do my best to make it up to you.

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Book SynopsisDiane Keaton’s cabinet of saved and found photographic curiosities is a visual autobiography of sorts and scrapbook of her fascinations and reflections.A visual autobiography of a kind as only Diane Keaton could tell it, via the celebrated star’s idiosyncratic and personal collections and ruminative texts, Savedoffers an unprecedented glimpse into the mind of the legendary film star. The book begins with an homage to movies—curiously, to old “b” grade horror flicks, such as Attack of the Puppet People—a passion that manifests in a collection of rare film stills showing large-brain aliens with crablike hands and terrified men with eyes growing from their shoulders. In a second chapter or collection, the reader encoun-ters “Cracked,” a startling selection of crinkled and neglected negatives: found portraits that speak of the past through the brTrade Review"The actress Diane Keaton has taken her own saved and found photographs and culled them to create a visual autobiography of sorts. Along with her personal collections, photographs she snapped, and musings, Saved is an homage to movies—as only Keaton can tell it." —W MAGAZINE

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Book SynopsisMandy Kirkby is an editor and author, whose work includes The Language of Flowers: a Miscellany and Love Letters of the Great War.Helen Dunmore is an acclaimed bestselling author, poet, children's novelist and short-story writer. Among her novels are Zennor in Darkness, which won the McKitterick Prize; A Spell of Winter, which won the inaugural Women's Prize; The Siege, which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel of the Year Award and for the Women's Prize; The Betrayal, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Orwell Prize; Mourning Ruby, House of Orphans, Counting the Stars. Her 2014 novel The Lie is set during and just after the First World War.

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Book SynopsisFrom the award-winning, multi-hyphenate global entertainer Keke Palmer comes the inspiring true story of her journey to understanding her genuine value.Right when it seemed like all the pieces were coming together and Keke was living her dream life, her world got derailed. She had put in the hard work, she had put in the sweat, her passion and heart had gotten her to where she had always wanted to be, yet she was faced with the hardest challenge yet and was forced to look inward to find an even greater depth and understanding of herself. In her own raw and intimate words, Keke talks about everything including her struggles with boundaries, unconditional love, forgiveness, and worthiness. She walks us through how enduring the challenges that come our way leads to true performance, power, and purpose. In this exhilarating, deeply poignant, and often laugh-out-loud book, Lauren Keyana Palmer gets real about life, career, and spirituality. She talks about

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Book SynopsisHead behind the curtain in the refreshingly honest and intimate story of Gary Barlow''s life''Warm, wise . . . A never-before-seen insight into one of Britain''s greatest songwriters'' Woman''s Own''I just wanted to share my personal journey through the last five decades - the highs and lows, the ups and downs. So in A Different Stage, this is me opening the curtains and sharing moments nobody has heard or seen before . . .''__________In this warm, intimate and humorous book, rich with nostalgia and unexpected intimate detail, Gary Barlow unpacks the people, music, places, things and cultural phenomena that have made him the man that he is.From the working men''s club where it all began through to the sold out stadium tours, this is the story of Gary''s life told through music. Filled with a mixture of brand new photography from Gary''s current one-man show and incredibly personal unseen photos and notebooks,Trade ReviewWarm, wise . . . A never-before-seen insight into one of Britain's greatest songwriters * Woman's Own *Think you know everything there is to know about the Take That megastar? Think again . . . Gary is as refreshingly honest about his career 'failures' as he is about his successes, which reveals a different side to the showman many of his fans know and love * Woman & Home *

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Book Synopsis As seen on This Time with Alan Partridge on BBC One.THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERPraise for Nomad: ''Funniest book of the year'' Sunday Telegraph''Alan Partridge''s Nomad is almost certainly the funniest book ever written'' Caitlin Moran''Sensationally funny. What brilliant writing'' Richard Osman''Sensational'' Jenny Colgan''Hilarious'' Jon Ronson''Brilliantly funny'' Marcus BrigstockIn ALAN PARTRIDGE: NOMAD, Alan dons his boots, windcheater and scarf and embarks on an odyssey through a place he once knew - it''s called Britain - intent on completing a journey of immense personal significance.Diarising his ramble in the form of a ''journey journal'', Alan details the people and places he encounters, ruminates on matters large and small and, on a final leg fraught with danger, becomes - not a man (because he was one to start off with) - but a better, more inspirTrade ReviewOverwrought, fanatically detailed, unhinged - and utterly hilarious. A must. -- Alice Jones * i News *Funniest book of the year * Sunday Telegraph *Bathos is everywhere. It's glorious. -- Sam Leith * The Guardian *An uproariously funny read, with genius jokes on every page * Heat *Partridge fans will love it * Financial Times, Books of the Year *[Nomad] is, if you need me to tell you, hilarious * Choice *Alan Partridge's NOMAD is almost certainly the funniest book ever written * Caitlin Moran *Sensationally funny. What brilliant writing. * Richard Osman *Hilarious * Jon Ronson *Brilliantly funny * Marcus Brigstock *Sensational * Jenny Colgan *

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Book SynopsisThe frank and insightful memoir from much-missed television star Caroline Flack. Known for her throaty laugh, edgy humour and quick-fire wit, showcased on some of Britain’s most popular shows, Caroline Flack was the star of reality TV shows from The X Factor to Love Island, as well as a winner on Strictly. In Storm in a C Cup, Caroline reveals the laughter and pain behind the TV persona, from a sheltered Norfolk childhood shared with her twin sister, through her madcap student days, to the challenging career ladder, leading to eventual TV success – and its dark shadow, when intrusive media attention turned the dream into a nightmare. Caroline wears her heart on her sleeve, documenting her joys and heartbreaks with the humour, resilience and unflinching emotional honesty that made her one of television’s most popular celebrities.Trade Review'The book is intended to be less read-all-about-me and more wise words from Aunty Caroline; a life story but also a manual for anyone else who might quite fancy being the star of Saturday-night TV' * You Magazine *'The X Factor host documents everything from how she landed the hottest job on TV, to behind-the-scenes stories from Strictly' * Cosmopolitan *'The debut book by the X Factor presenter follows her through the ups and downs of her life, from her working class childhood to her career as a prime time TV star' * Love it *

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Book Synopsis*The Sunday Times Bestseller*Adam Hills is one the UK''s best-loved comedians. For thirty years he has been performing stand-up, hosting TV shows and winning the hearts of a nation.Taking us from the early days of the Sydney Stand Up scene to hosting his own radio show, touring the world and eventually landing on British TV, Best Foot Forward is a story of a life in comedy. Along the way Adam shares some childhood tales, a few backstage blunders and encounters some fairly famous faces - the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Connolly, and that guy who sang The Macarena. Yes, him. This is an utterly hilarious and honest collection of stories about Adam''s ups and downs in the world of comedy. It''s a lesson in following your heart, being positive and discovering that what makes you different also makes you unique.

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Book SynopsisWhat is it about bikes that leaves so many of us powerless to resist?This entertaining guide charts the history of the bike from its origin as a cheap means of transport to its modern incarnations: a symbol of rebellion, a high-tech racing machine and the rich kid''s plaything. Richard Hammond, passionate biker and collector of bikes, looks at the machines that have propelled people across the world to work, to school - and occasionally to their doom.With his trademark expertise and wit, Hammond examines bikers of every type, from the happy farmer trundling through fields on his Honda Cub to the Hells Angel terrorising towns on their hog.Trade Review'a book that has humour and charm' - Spectator

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Book SynopsisFrom the iconic, award-winning artist and designer, a graphic memoir of leaving Cuba, becoming American, and fighting for freedom, here and there.''Exhilarating, immensely powerful, gorgeous'' PHILIPPE SANDS''Belongs in the pantheon that MAUS built'' PRINT MAGAZINE''Shocking, brilliant, soul-shattering . . . this book is so good'' CHIP KIDDWhen Fidel Castro opened the Mariel harbour to let Cubans sail for America, Edel Rodriguez and his family took their chance. From the town of El Gabriel to the Mariel port to a rickety shrimping boat bound for Florida, they joined the 1980 boatlift, becoming ''worms'', as Castro called the departing Cubans.Years later, Edel Rodriguez has become one of the most prominent political artists of our age, hailed for his iconic work on the cover of Time and on jumbotrons around the world. In stunning visual detail, Worm tells his story - of a boyhood in Cold War Cuba, of a fTrade ReviewExhilarating, immensely powerful, gorgeous, it really does open the imagination and sweep you up -- Philippe Sands, bestselling author of EAST WEST STREET and THE RATLINEWORM is testament to the power of political art * CREATIVE REVIEW *Shocking. Brilliant. Soul-shattering in its terrible beauty. In WORM, Edel Rodriguez rips open a heart-shaped window onto a hate-shaped world. I can't believe he survived it, but am deeply glad he did and was able to tell the tale. This book is so good it will likely be banned in Florida -- Chip Kidd, author of THE CHEESE MONKEYSWORM has consumed me more than any memoir I've read before, and that is saying a lot. It belongs in the pantheon that Maus built -- Steven Heller * Print Magazine *Fascinating and complex . . . A passionate firsthand account of historical events and a compelling coming-of-age tale in one * Library Journal *A sharply observed document of totalitarianism and its discontents * Kirkus (starred review) *WORM is a long and brilliant read, its artwork immediate and dramatic in its reduced palette of red, green, white and black, its writing tense and touched with a great talent for telling detail . . . A wise and life-stuffed memoir -- Will Steen * Buzz Magazine *Uniquely positioned to comment on autocracies and authoritarianism, Rodriguez reveals his personal fears about the future of the United States, particularly after the Jan. 6 insurrection. He portrays the crowd on the Capitol much like the one in Havana in January 1959 that starts the novel, bringing it full-circle in a striking visual comparison -- Donna Edwards * Associated Press *

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Book SynopsisCould happiness lie in helping others and being open to accepting help yourself?Mentors – Russell Brand's follow up to Sunday Times number one bestseller, Recovery – describes the benefits of seeking and offering help.‘I have mentors in every area of my life, as a comic, a dad, a recovering drug addict, a spiritual being and as a man who believes that we, as individuals and the great globe itself, are works in progress and that through a chain of mentorship we can improve individually and globally, together . . . One of the unexpected advantages my drug addiction granted is that the process of recovery that I practise includes a mentorship tradition.I will encourage you to find mentors of your own and explain how you may better use the ones you already have. Furthermore, I will tell you about my experiences mentoring others and how invaluable that has been on my ongoing journey to self-acceptance and how it has helped me to transform from a bewildered and volatile vagabond to a (mostly) present and (usually) focussed husband and father.’ – Russell BrandMentors: How to Help and Be Helped describes the impact that a series of significant people have had on the author – from the wayward youths he tried to emulate growing up in Essex, through the first ex-junkie stage, to the people he turns to today to help him be a better father. It explores how we all – consciously and unconsciously – choose guides, mentors and heroes throughout our lives and examines the new perspectives they can bring.Table of ContentsIntroduction - i: Introduction Chapter - 1: Among Lost Boys: The Time Before Mentors Chapter - 2: The First Mentor: Initiation with a Devoted Atheist Chapter - 3: Mentor Two: Zen Nurture from the Wise Woman Chapter - 4: Mentor Three: The Goodison Guru Chapter - 5: Mentor Four: The Warrior on the Mat Chapter - 6: Mentor Five: The Park Bench Merlin Chapter - 7: Mentor Six: The Aphrodite of the Damned Chapter - 8: Mentor Seven: The Divine Mother Chapter - 9: Missed Chances: Before the Student is Ready Chapter - 10: Mentor Eight: The Brother Swami Chapter - 11: Fatherhood: How to Practise Chapter - 12: Becoming a Mentor Chapter - 13: Answering the Call Section - ii: Conclusion Section - iii: The Twelve Steps Acknowledgements - iv: Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisCome round to Louis Theroux’s house where the much-loved TV documentary-maker, podcaster and bestselling author of Gotta Get Theroux This finds himself in unexpected danger . . . Like millions of others, Louis’ plans were mothballed by the onset of Covid. Unable to escape to the porn sets, prisons and maximum-security psychiatric units that are his usual journalistic beat, he began reporting on a location even more full of pitfalls and hostile objects of inquiry: his own home during a pandemic.Theroux the Keyhole is an honest, hilarious and ultimately heartwarming diary of the weirdness of family life in Covid World. A wife intolerant of his obsession with Joe Wicks’ daily workouts. Two teenage sons, inseparable from their videogames, for whom he is increasingly 'cringe'. A five-year-old happily spamming out videos on his own new TikTok account while on holiday with his oblivious family. Louis also describes how he launches his podcast, Grounded, finally gets to the US to film a new Joe Exotic documentary and aims his sights on the latest incarnation of the far right in a world becoming radicalized by social media. Theroux the Keyhole is Louis at his insightful best, as he faces unforeseen new challenges and wonders why it took a pandemic for him to learn that what really matters in life is right in front of him.Trade ReviewHe just has a sincere desire to understand people. * The Independent *Even against the horrific backdrop of Covid, [this] book is all the more charming, and blackly amusing, for it. * Belfast Telegraph (Review) *

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Book SynopsisCome round to Louis Theroux’s house, where the much-loved documentary-maker finds himself in unexpected danger . . .Louis’s latest TV series about weirdness – the one involving the American far right, home-grown jihadis, and SoundCloud rappers – has been unexpectedly derailed by the onset of a global pandemic. Now he finds himself locked down in a location even more full of pitfalls, surprises and hostile objects of inquiry: his own home.Theroux the Keyhole is the candidly honest and hilarious diary of a man attempting to navigate the perils of work and family life, locked down in Covid World with his wife, two teenagers and a Youtube-addict fiver year-old. Why is his wife so intolerant of his obsession with Joe Wicks’s daily workouts? Can he reinvent himself as a podcast host? Why has the internet gone nuts for his old journalistic compadre Joe Exotic? And will his teenage sons ever see him as anything other than ‘cringe’?This is Louis at his insightful best, as month-by-month he documents his year of unforeseen new challenges - and wonders why it took a pandemic for him to learn that what really matters in life is right in front of him.Trade ReviewHe just has a sincere desire to understand people * The Independent *Even against the horrific backdrop of Covid, [this] book is all the more charming, and blackly amusing, for it. * Belfast Telegraph (Review) *

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids Selected as Book of the Year by the Daily Telegraph, i paper, Metro and Harper's Bazaar ‘Magical’ GUARDIAN 'A gripping tale of the search for meaning in times of turbulence - expressed with Smith’s signature poetic flair' VOGUE 'Extraordinary ... A tense, teasing mix of reality and dream' Sunday Times 'A melancholy mood and poetic language distinguish Smith’s third memoir' BBC ‘Her willingness to look closely at life’s closing chapters makes for a magical book' WASHINGTON POST, 'The 10 books to read in September' Following a run of New Year’s concerts at San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore, Patti Smith finds herself tramping the coast of Santa Cruz, about to embark on a year of solitary wandering. Unfettered by logic or time, she draws us into her private wonderland, with no design yet heeding signs, including a talking sign that looms above her, prodding and sparring like the Cheshire Cat. In February, a surreal lunar year begins, bringing with it unexpected turns, heightened mischief, and inescapable sorrow. In a stranger’s words, “Anything is possible: after all, it’s the year of the monkey.” For Patti Smith - inveterately curious, always exploring, tracking thoughts, writing the year evolves as one of reckoning with the changes in life’s gyre: with loss, aging, and a dramatic shift in the political landscape of America. Smith melds the Western landscape with her own dreamscape. Taking us from Southern California to the Arizona desert; to a Kentucky farm as the amanuensis of a friend in crisis; to the hospital room of a valued mentor; and by turns to remembered and imagined places - this haunting memoir blends fact and fiction with poetic mastery. The unexpected happens; grief and disillusionment. But as Patti Smith heads toward a new decade in her own life, she offers this balm to the reader: her wisdom, wit, gimlet eye, and above all, a rugged hope of a better world. Riveting, elegant, often humorous, illustrated by Smith’s signature Polaroids, Year of the Monkey is a moving and original work, a touchstone for our turbulent times.Trade ReviewBoth mundane and magical … Moves constantly between reverie and memory … Portents and symbols lurk in unexpected places, and everyday objects become freighted with meaning … A reflection both on mortality and of the times in which Smith finds herself, but rich in detail * Guardian *A gripping tale of the search for meaning in times of turbulence - expressed with Smith’s signature poetic flair * Vogue *An engaging musing on mortality and defiance of age * i *A moving account of the emotional stumbles, physical and intellectual wanderings and deep losses Smith experienced in her 70th year * Independent *Some rock stars shut themselves away from life, but Smith’s engagement with the world only deepens, as this dreamy memoir shows * Daily Telegraph *Extraordinary … A tense, teasing mix of reality and dream … It’s a drifter’s book, in time, space and the imagination * Sunday Times *A picaresque voyage through her dreams and life as she faced 70, dealing with flashes of “sorrow’s vertigo” as she remembers all the loves and rock contemporaries who are gone, with a kaleidoscope of references from “Mr. Robot” to Marcus Aurelius to Martin Beck mysteries to Maria Callas’s Medea -- Maureen Dowd * International New York Times *A profoundly beautiful book, poetic in its prose and metaphysical in its meaning, it’s quite a stunning read * Financial Times *The narrating voice is the voice of Smith's music, twisting between the incantations of a priestess and laconic poetry … There is plenty of wonderful in this small, sly, mystic book * Spectator *A beatnik Alice in Wonderland, measured out in black coffee and Polaroids, it’s full of quiet puzzles, small epiphanies, more little clues how to live * Q Magazine *Arresting … Diverting and often unexpected, fresh and diverting * Literary Review *In the twilight of her career, punk’s original princess is reinventing herself as a memoirist of some distinction … It sings strong with her singular, itinerant, coffee-guzzling beat spirit. Essential reading for diehard fans -- Claire Allfree * Metro *A profoundly lyrical, digressive mapping of her fame-and-family decades … This third memoir finds Smith unhomed, at times almost unhinged, as she does her utmost to ward off those Beaten Generation blues * Mojo *Elegiac … A strikingly intimate portrait of a woman growing older and missing those who are no longer with us but remaining wide awake to the world and hopeful for its future * Sunday Express *A melancholy mood and poetic language distinguish Smith’s third memoir * BBC *Poet and performer Smith’s latest memoir zooms in tight ... Her willingness to look closely at life’s closing chapters makes for a magical book * Washington Post, 'The 10 books to read in September' *Lovely ... a slim volume [with a] minor-key melancholy * Entertainment Weekly *Patti Smith’s brilliant new memoir about love, loss and growing older … I’m already captivated by her poetic prose * Daily Mirror *Smith’s grace and erudite philosophy is a welcome balm in these times * Town & Country *Smith’s reflections on a wrenching yet grace-filled year are elegiac, vital, and magical. … Smith’s large, loyal following will seek out this spellbinding memoir, just as they embraced Just Kids (2010) and M Train (2015) * Booklist *Luminous ... Smith casts a mesmerizing spell with exquisite prose * Publishers Weekly *This is the modern-day Patti Smith: older, wiser, seeing the world, and reporting it all back to us in only the way she can. You can’t read this and not feel inspired after you put it down * Inside Hook *An incantatory, ambulatory travelogue * New Statesman *Captivating ... Redemptive * Kirkus *She weaves the threads of her thoughts and past relationships together, creating a dreamy memoir on the passage of time and our changing world * Wanderlust *One of the great diarists of her, or any other time, with an exquisite voice which manages to somehow transform even the most ordinary event into something otherworldly … An enchanting hitchhike through 2016 … Every occurrence sears into the reader’s psyche in vivid detail … Time spent in the company of Patti is always a pleasure * Classic Pop *A rock-star prophetess … Meditative, messy, poignant, deeply personal, allusive, occasionally bombastic and, crucially, still defiant, Year of the Monkey is a mercurial fusion of the mundane and visionary that only an unconquerable spirit like Patti Smith could write * Herald *She can find artistic endeavour in the mundane; or bone-deep comfort in a cup of black coffee and a cinnamon doughnut … Incredibly moving … As much a glimpse of a troubled year in Patti’s life, as a portal into our own * Record Collector *

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Book SynopsisIn this entertaining and poignant autobiography, EastEnders star Sid Owen chronicles a life filled with incredible highs and devastating lows, with his trademark humour and charm. Sid Owen is best known for playing the hapless but loveable EastEnders character Ricky Butcher, one of Britain’s most enduring soap icons. What people don’t know is that Sid’s early life saw more drama than anything his character endured. His father was an armed robber who was sent to prison when Sid was very young. Sid went out 'on the rob' from an early age, breaking into shops and seeing it as a big adventure.Sid lived happily with his mum and siblings on a sprawling north London council estate until he was seven, when his mum died and the brothers were split up. Feeling confused, unloved and unhappy, Sid was heading towards a life of crime. Acting offered an escape from his troubled home life and his teen years played out between extremes – at thirteen he was working with Al Pacino and Donald Sutherland on the movie Revolution; at sixteen he was living in an Islington squat with his brothers when his work brought him to the attention of the EastEnders producers.From Rags to Ricky is Sid’s moving, unforgettable account of his north London childhood during the late 1970s and 80s. His natural storytelling skills, authentic voice, ear for dialogue and sharp eye for detail transform this story of loss and deprivation into a timeless tale of one individual’s struggle to defy the hand fate dealt him and come out winning.

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Book SynopsisSUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERWhether he likes it or not, John is getting older. His hair is greying, it’s getting that much harder to stay fit, and the potential to become something of an embarrassment is ever increasing.But hope is not lost. How to Grow Old is John’s offering to the world. With sage advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls of age, intimate confessions and spit-your-dentures-out hilarious commentary on his own advancing years, this is his observational comic writing at its very best. If you were concerned about how not to be boring or how to get rid of your should-be-old-enough-to-manage kids, this the book has the answers.

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Book Synopsis"What a brilliant Christmas gift" Chris Moyles "Like sitting down by the fire with [Sir David] and hearing your stories ... Full of surprises" Lorraine KellyThink of this memoir as a Christmas special in book form, from someone who has been involved in a few of those and understands a bit about the concept. But a Christmas special very much like Only Fools and Horses, in the sense that the stories will be always heading outwards, ranging far and wide and well beyond the traditional festive gags involving giblets left in turkeys.As I sift through various festive-related episodes in my career, loosening the ribbons, parting the wrapping paper, I'll be doing my best to reach any relevant conclusions about life, work and the meaning of it all that I can usefully pass on to you - baubles of wisdom if you like. Or certainly baubles. You'll learn why I have the perfect face to play Scrooge. And if you're lucky I'll also share what it's like to fly in a helicopter with my old mucker Tom Cruise. Merry Christmas, you plonkers.Trade ReviewYou'll be chuckling your Christmas socks off by the end...A merry memoir linked to the festive episodes and the life lessons to go hand in hand with them * Woman & Home *Full of the actor's characteristic down-to-earth warmth, wit and wisdom, this is the perfect book for Del Boy fans * Culturefly *Spills all the behind-the-scenes gossip and heartwarming tales from the show's festive specials * Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'Ronnie has overcome a heart-breaking start in life to achieve great success and no one deserves it more. What a dude, what a life!' - Fiona Bruce'Brilliant...a mercurial memoir of a meritorious life.' - Lemn Sissay For decades, Ronnie Archer-Morgan has brought to life the fascinating, often surprising backstories behind our most cherished heirlooms and household objects on the Antiques Roadshow. Now, he tells his own unlikely story. Born in the fifties to a Sierra Leonean mother battling mental health problems, Ronnie spent his childhood in and out of care. After difficult beginnings, marked by abuse, racism and brushes with both criminals and the police, he got into music, managing to get DJ gigs and, later, worked as a celebrity hairdresser for Vidal Sassoon and Smile in the height of seventies London. A flair for spotting antiques led him to start his own Knightsbridge gallery, ultimately becoming one of the most respected figures in the industry, culminating in a regular spot as an expert on the nation's Sunday favourite, Antiques Roadshow. Told with rich warmth, this is an extraordinary journey from deprivation and abuse to adventure and success against the odds - with stories of the incredible objects which shaped the way.'A surprising story, like many of the objects he appraises on the Antiques Roadshow' - Kate Adie, broadcaster and bestselling author'A fascinating, rollercoaster read, very well told.' - TimesTrade ReviewLife as a pinball [. . .] all the time absorbing history and art and adventurous travel. A black man pursuing culture and pursued by prejudice, pinging against the glamour and the pitfalls of the antiques trade. A surprising story, like many of the objects he appraises on the Antiques Roadshow. -- Kate Adie, broadcaster and bestselling authorRonnie has told me stories from his past over our years together on the Antiques Roadshow. But, reading his autobiography, all I can say is, yes, I am surprised. Is there anything he hasn't done? Ronnie has overcome a heart-breaking start in life to achieve great success and no one deserves it more. What a dude, what a life! -- Fiona BruceA gripping memoir about overcoming an abusive childhood...A fascinating rollercoaster read, very well told..full of devastating cruelty and remarkable strokes of luck * Times *There is so much more to Ronnie than meets the eye. Reading everything he has overcome and all that he has achieved gives you a deeper, richer understanding of the man and why he finally feels able to count his blessings. * Daily Express *A brilliant memoir by Ronnie Archer-Morgan. His is a mercurial memoir of a meritorious life. -- Lemn Sissay

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Book Synopsis''A fascinating call to arms full of insight'' IndependentAfter four decades broadcasting to the nation each night, Jon Snow gives vent to his opinions on the state of our nation . . . the good news and the bad newsIt is rare in history that so many nations in the developed world are in crisis at the same time. There has been a disintegration of trust in political leaders and in the media that holds them to account. For all the progress humankind has made, for all the inventions and new technologies, our society is being undermined by inequality. To fix it, we must begin by seeking out the truth about our world.In The State of Us, Jon Snow traces how the life of the nation has changed across his five-decade career, from getting thrown out of university for protesting apartheid to interviewing every prime minister since Margaret Thatcher.In doing so, he shows how the greatest problems at home and abroad so often come down to inequ

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Book SynopsisSince the release of her first, career-defining solo album Little Earthquakes, Tori Amos has been one of the music industry's most enduring and ingenious artists. From her unnerving depiction of sexual assault in "Me and a Gun" to her post-9/11 album Scarlet's Walk to her latest album Native Invader, her work has never shied away from intermingling the personal with the political. Amos began playing piano as a teenager for the politically powerful at hotel bars in Washington, D.C., during the formative years of the post-Goldwater and then Koch-led Libertarian and Reaganite movements. The story continues to her time as a hungry artist in L.A. to the subsequent three decades of her formidable music career. Amos explains how she managed to create meaningful, politically resonant work against patriarchal power structures and how her proud declarations of feminism and her fight for the marginalized always proved to be her guiding light. She teaches readers to engage with intention in this tumultuous global climate and speaks directly to supporters of #MeToo and #TimesUp, as well as young people fighting for their rights and visibility in the world. Filled with compassionate guidance and actionable advice-and using some of the most powerful, political songs in Amos's canon-this book is for readers determined to steer the world back in the right direction.

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Book Synopsis*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES & NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*'A real gem of a book for comedy fans... honest, irreverent and fascinating' Matt Lucas'This book is a love letter to all his comedy heroes, full of warmth, heart and wit' Georgia PritchettIn this hilarious, heartfelt memoir, the star of Mr. Show and Breaking Bad spin off Better Call Saul opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz, his cult status as a comedy writer, and what it's like to reinvent himself at age fifty as an action-film ass-kicker. Featuring humorous tangents, never-before-seen photos, wild characters, and Bob's trademark unflinching drive and humour, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama is a classic showbiz tale told by a determined idiot.'I can't think of another entertainer who has improbably morphed so many times and all through real genius and determination' Conan O'Brien

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Book SynopsisIn 1967, Sir David Khalili finished his military service in Iran and travelled to study in the United States with $750 - his remaining royalties from a book he wrote when he was just 14. Over the course of the next five decades he single-handedly, piece by piece, assembled eight of the finest art collections in their field, ultimately becoming one of the world's greatest collectors, about whom Queen Elizabeth II once said: 'It is scary how much this gentleman knows about art.'For the first time, Sir David shares his extraordinary journey: one that has taken him through the souks of North Africa, the auction houses of Europe and the United States, the bazaars of South Asia, and far beyond. Through a riveting collection of real-life adventures, he reveals his collecting strategy, business ethics and what motivates him to continuously collect, conserve, research, publish and exhibit the treasures in his collections. Through his story, Sir David questions how the undeniable power of art can be harnessed to foster greater peace and unity worldwide. No one is better placed to enlighten us.Trade ReviewA compelling account of the making — and the maker — of an outstanding collection, which has been shared, admired and enjoyed around the world -- Neil MacGregor, author of A History of the World in 100 ObjectsHe has, in one person the great wisdom of three religious leaders: a Chief Rabbi a Cardinal and Grand Mufti -- Pope Benedict XVIThis book, just like David’s life, is the embodiment of cultural diversity and interfaith harmony -- RH Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth NationsA man who works for dialogue and peace -- Francois Hollande, former President of France

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Book SynopsisRay Winstone's amazing talent for bringing out the humanity buried inside his often brutal screen characters - violent offender in Scum, wife-beater in Nil by Mouth, retired blagger in Sexy Beast - has made him one of the most charismatic actors of his generation. But how do these uncompromising and often haunting performances square with his off-duty reputation as the ultimate salt-of-the-earth diamond geezer? The answer lies in the East End of his youth. Revisiting the bomb-sites and boozers of his childhood and adolescence, Ray Winstone takes the reader on an unforgettable tour of a cockney heartland which is at once irresistibly mythic and undeniably real. Told with its author's trademark blend of brutal directness and roguish wit, Young Winstone offers a fascinating insight into the social history of East London, as well as a school of hard knocks coming-of-age story with a powerful emotional punch.Trade ReviewA gripping insight into his youth . . . For fans of his violent turns in Scum, Nil by Mouth or Sexy Beast, this is a perfect literary counterpart. For everyone else, it's an engaging portrait of a boy done good * * Telegraph * *Brilliant . . . Young Winstone is a must-read * * Shortlist * *As much about London as his nascent career. Ray made such an impression in Scum that I still remember his prison number, and he is just as vivid on his formative years, losing his virginity at 14 standing up by the mini-golf, and generally running riot around Mile End. There'll be another volume, I hope * * Independent on Sunday, Best books on film in 2014 * *Worth a read for anyone who enjoys Ray's cheeky charms * * Empire * *

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Book SynopsisBy the time she was 14, Chrissie Hynde knew she had to get out of Akron, Ohio. Her perfect ’50s American childhood upturned by a newly acquired taste for rock ’n’ roll, motorbikes and the ‘get down boys’ seen at gigs in and around Cleveland – Mitch Ryder, the Jeff Beck Group, the Velvet Underground and David Bowie among the many.Wrapped up in the Kent State University riots and getting dangerously involved in the local biker and drug scenes, she escaped - to Mexico, Canada, Paris and finally London where she caught the embryonic punk scene just in time not only to witness it first-hand, but more importantly to seize the opportunity to form her own band, the Pretenders.Iggy Pop, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Vivienne & Malcolm, Ray Davies … on every page household names mingle with small town heroes as we shift from bedroom to biker HQ; from squat to practice room; from pub gig to Top Of The Pops – the long and crooked path to stardom, and for the Pretenders, ultimately, tragedy.That Chrissie Hynde is alive to tell the tale is, by her own admission, something of a miracle. Throughout she is brutally honest, wryly humorous and always highly entertaining. She has written one of the most evocative and colourful music memoirs to be published in recent years.Trade ReviewChrissie Hynde has just written the rock memoir of the year * Sunday Times *Chrissie Hynde’s autobiography Reckless ... out-rocks them all * Washington Post *She writes just like she lives, and just like she makes music. She does it her way, which is an inimitable multiplicity of things: impulsive, untamed, ragged, proud, a little sad around the edges * Daily Beast *Full of engaging stories, dry wit and revelations * Guardian *She writes beautifully -- Mail on Sunday

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Book SynopsisWe are not OK...I've been fortunate enough to meet many remarkable people over the last decade of making documentaries - sometimes in incredibly hostile environments, where they've been really up against it - and I've seen the devastating effect that poverty, trauma, violence, abuse, stigma, stress, prejudice and discrimination can have on people's mental health. It has always been the common thread.Every week, 1 in 10 young people in the UK experiences symptoms of a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, and 1 in 5 have considered taking their own life at some point. In this book, Stacey Dooley opens up the conversation about mental health in young people, to challenge the stigma and stereotypes around it.Working in collaboration with mental health experts and charities, Stacey talks to young people across the UK directly affected by mental health issues, and helps tell their stories responsibly, in order to shine a light on life on the mental health frontline and give a voice to young people throughout the UK who are living with mental health conditions across the spectrum.As well as hearing about their experiences directly, Stacey speaks to medical experts, counsellors, campaigners and health practitioners who can give detailed insights into the conditions profiled and explore the environmental factors that play a part - including poverty, addiction, identity, pressures of social media and the impact of Covid-19.

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Book SynopsisIn the year of her 100th birthday, Dame Vera Lynn's fascinating and life-affirming wartime memoir from the forces' sweetheart's of her adventures entertaining the troops in far-flung Burma.'I was just twenty-seven years old when I went to Burma. It was an experience that changed my life for ever. Up until that time I had not really travelled anywhere at all, apart from one touring visit to Holland with a band I was singing with before the war, and I had certainly never been in an aeroplane. But I wanted to make a difference, to do my bit.'And she did.Written with her daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones this is a powerful and life-affirming account of the time she spent with troops in wartime Burma. Based, in part on a diary she kept, alongside unpublished personal letters and photographs from surviving veterans and their families, it explores why it was such a life-defining event for her and shows how her presence helped the soldiers, airmen and others who heard her sing.Trade Reviewa book that is valuable to us all…definitely for everyone * Frost Magazine *one of the 15 best music books of 2017 * i Paper *

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Book Synopsis'An adventurer, an entrepreneur, a buccaneer, a visionary' - BONOAs the founder of Island Records, fabled music producer Chris Blackwell has discovered and worked with some of the most important musicians of the second half of the twentieth century - from Steve Winwood to Cat Stevens, Bob Marley to Grace Jones, U2 to Roxy Music, plus countless others. He is also widely credited with having brought reggae music to the world stage.Now, as reflects on his life, Blackwell takes us back to the island where it all began: Jamaica - the place where his family once partied with the likes of Noël Coward, Ian Fleming and Errol Flynn and where, as Jamaican local music began to adopt contemporary American trends, Blackwell's burgeoning musical instincts flourished. It was also the birthplace of the now-legendary Island Records, founded by Blackwell in 1959.Five years later, while living in London selling Jamaican records to Caribbean immigrants, Blackwell came across the vocal talents of teenager Millie Small, who he paired with the song 'My Boy Lollipop'. The producer added a ska beat and released what would be a worldwide hit.But this was just the beginning of a truly remarkable career. In this fascinating memoir, including up to fifty photos supplied by Blackwell's team, the music icon will discuss the many artists he's worked with over the years, as well as unpicking the initiatives, decisions and risks that ultimately brought such success to both Blackwell and his esteemed musical collaborators.Trade Review'As you're about to find out through the pages in this book, Chris Blackwell - who looms large in U2's life and was in fact our lifeline into the music world - is an adventurer, an entrepreneur, a buccaneer, a visionary and a gentleman. I'm proud to know him.' -- BONO'C.B. had this way of throwing me in the deep end knowing that I would thrive on being challenged. As you'll read in The Islander, he knows how to get the very best out of people - he's a mover and a shaker and a mischief-maker.' -- GRACE JONES'I read Chris Blackwell's autobiography in one sitting, unable to tear myself away. From "My Boy Lollipop" and Bob Marley, via Swinging London and punk, all the way to Talking Heads and U2, I felt like I was reading the inside story of the music of my life.' -- SALMAN RUSHDIE'A thoroughly quotable autobiography, a book that's hard to put down. ****' * MOJO *'Fascinating. 8/10' * UNCUT *'A rip-roaring yarn, the ultimate behind-the-scenes insider look at the coolest label ever on the planet.' * THE QUIETUS *'Fascinating autobiography of the Island Records founder. The Islander is a treasure.' * PROG *'Highly recommended.' * KIRKUS *'There are amazing insights. If you want to know how it was...read The Islander.' -- BOB LEFSETZ'Highly readable' * The Guardian *'Highly entertaining, rapid fire, hard to put down memoir' * Air Mail *'If you're even a minor fan of music books....buy this autobiography. Fascinating' * Variety *'A compelling autobiography' * The Observer *'A compelling juicy book' * The Irish Times *'An absorbing read' * Echoes *'An extraordinary story and a wonderful book. It couldn't be more enthusiastically recommended' -- Mark Ellen * Word in Your Ear *

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Penderyn Music Book PrizeAn Uncut Magazine Book of the Year A Rough Trade Book of the Year A Resident Book of the YearThe story of soul legend P.P. Arnold is one of musical highs, personal lows and extraordinary endurance.From her origins in powerhouse church gospel, the talented singer's performing career began at the age of just seventeen when she joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. But little did the young Ikette know that her world was about to be turned upside-down...Upon arriving in London in 1966 to support the Rolling Stones, the shy but vivacious teenager caught the eye of frontman Mick Jagger. He would persuade her to stay in the city and record as a solo artist, ultimately leading to a five-decade career working with everyone from Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, the Small Faces, Nick Drake and Barry Gibb to Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, the KLF, Paul Weller and Primal Scream.However, it has been far from a gilded life for the soul superstar. After being forced into marriage upon becoming pregnant at the age of fifteen, Arnold went on to endure a string of devastating personal traumas. Yet the versatile musician survived it all and has continued to reinvent herself throughout the years -be that as a West End actress, a much-sought-after session singer or a renowned pop vocalist in her own right.Now, for the first time, P.P. Arnold shares her remarkable adventures. This is the long-awaited memoir of a true soul survivor. 'Jaw-dropping.' - Mojo'Powerful.' - Woman's Hour'Explosive.' - Daily MailTrade Review'Brutally honest ... this memoir is a sizzler.' -- Daily Telegraph'Searingly honest account of an extraordinary life ... powerful stuff.' -- Radio Times'A jaw-dropping memoir. Arnold's resilience sparkles throughout. This isn't just surviving, it's flourishing.' -- Mojo'An adroit blend of pathos and self-deprecating honesty. Its occasionally shocking and even heart-wrenchingly tragic in places, but ultimately the book's tone is a triumphant one. 4/5' -- Record Collector'An extraordinary book by an extraordinary artist.' -- Lauren Laverne'Very powerful.' -- Emma Barnett, Woman's Hour'Explosive.' -- Daily Mail'Searingly honest.' -- Daily Express'Nobody could accuse Arnold of pulling her punches ... but it doesn't read like score-settling either. Absorbing.' -- Irish Independent'Not long after arriving in England, I met P.P. Arnold. On reflection, she was just like me. Determined, naïve, in a world we did not understand. We spent a lot of hours at IBC Studios in Portland Place recording new songs that still, today, bring back such amazing memories. I will never forget those times. Pat was on the ascent until the terrible moment of her daughter's passing. This brought Pat to her knees. It was the saddest time. What I think I understand now is what real loss means and Pat understood that long before I did. I relish those times we spent together. Those are some of the great memories.' -- Barry Gibb'Exceptional!' -- Craig Charles

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Book Synopsis*** The Sunday Times Bestseller ***'Intimate, tender and brutally honest ... a remarkable book.' Decca Aitkenhead, The Sunday Times'These are probably the toughest times we have faced in many decades, and we all have to find within us the strength and resilience to get through and to find happiness and love in our futures, whatever life throws at us.'Kate Garraway has had to learn how to adapt ever since her husband Derek began his fight against the devastating impact of Covid, a condition that has left him needing 24-hour care at home and long spells in hospital, before he sadly passed away in January, surrounded by his loving family. In The Strength of Love, Kate explores issues that resonate with so many of us. She looks at the impact of trauma as well as the importance of resilience, adaptability, curiosity and positivity when recovering from it. She talks about identity, purpose, how to embrace uncertainty and take back control of our lives. Through her and Derek's story, she provides comfort and wisdom that will help anyone who has ever felt desperate, lonely or experienced profound loss, or who is fearful about what the future holds.Despite all that she and her family have had to endure, Kate shows us that love truly is the most powerful and resilient emotion of all.Trade Review'It's a book that is both heartbreaking and life-affirming, reminding us how love can fuel us in the darkest hour.' * Psychologies magazine *'Intimate, tender and brutally honest ... a remarkable book.' * Decca Aitkenhead, The Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis'Heartbreaking and powerful - Ashley is an inspiration', Fearne Cotton'Ashley's psychological and emotional resilience is unparalleled, truly in the 0.1 percent', Ant MiddletonSTRENGTH, RESILIENCE, POWER Strong is the moving and heartbreaking memoir from celebrity campaigner, endurance athlete, and father of an angel, Ashley Cain. Charting his daughter's birth and the fight for her life when she was diagnosed with leukaemia at 7 weeks old, Ashley reflects on his life and his own struggles since Azaylia's passing in 2021.Ashley embodies strength and resilience - recently setting up The Azaylia Foundation and taking part in extreme physical challenges to raise crucial funds and awareness for children fighting cancer - so though Strong is a moving tribute to his daughter, it will also encompass the practical and positive mindset that Ashley now embodies, tying his emotional and physical grief into h

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Book Synopsis'You can reinvent yourself, you can change, you can grow, you can regress, you can be any number of things at any particular time. Please give yourself permission to do that, and be equally as open-minded to others who choose to do the same. Because perhaps, with just a little more compassion and acceptance, we won't need to fit in to feel that we belong.'Camilla Thurlow came second on Love Island in 2017. More recently, she impressed viewers in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. But that's not the most interesting part . . .Camilla can do something that none of her fellow contestants can do: find, neutralise and destroy the landmines that threaten the lives and livelihoods of so many people in the world's former war zones, and which make their land too dangerous to be worked.This is at once a memoir of an extraordinary life, and a script for living one's life to the full. Camilla Thurlow is a highly independent woman whose thoughts and experience will resonate with anyone seeking meaning in a world where women are too often discounted, or who frequently feel alienated amid the frenzy of contemporary life.This is a book about courage - not just the courage to go out and deal with a lethal threat in some of the world's most dangerous and inhospitable places, but the courage to confront one's own fears and anxieties, and to be oneself in what too often seems an inhospitable world.Not the Type will inspire a whole generation to dare the seemingly impossible. Although often an engaging reflection on life, landmines and Love Island, this is also a book about learning to confront one's own anxieties in a world dominated by celebrity culture and social media - and on being a woman in what is still too often a man's world.

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Book Synopsis'You can reinvent yourself, you can change, you can grow, you can regress, you can be any number of things at any particular time. Please give yourself permission to do that, and be equally as open-minded to others who choose to do the same. Because perhaps, with just a little more compassion and acceptance, we won't need to fit in to feel that we belong.'Camilla Thurlow came second on Love Island in 2017. More recently, she impressed viewers in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. But that's not the most interesting part . . .Camilla can do something that none of her fellow contestants can do: find, neutralise and destroy the landmines that threaten the lives and livelihoods of so many people in the world's former war zones, and which make their land too dangerous to be worked.This is at once a memoir of an extraordinary life, and a script for living one's life to the full. Camilla Thurlow is a highly independent woman whose thoughts and experience will resonate with anyone seeking meaning in a world where women are too often discounted, or who frequently feel alienated amid the frenzy of contemporary life.This is a book about courage - not just the courage to go out and deal with a lethal threat in some of the world's most dangerous and inhospitable places, but the courage to confront one's own fears and anxieties, and to be oneself in what too often seems an inhospitable world.Not the Type will inspire a whole generation to dare the seemingly impossible. Although often an engaging reflection on life, landmines and Love Island, this is also a book about learning to confront one's own anxieties in a world dominated by celebrity culture and social media - and on being a woman in what is still too often a man's world.Trade ReviewYour teenage daughter could do much worse than look up to Camilla Thurlow * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisSharon Morgan, the Welsh actress of stage and screen opens up to reveal the hidden challenges she has faced as a devoted mother of two.

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Book Synopsis"A wild ride of a life... Oakenfold's story is extraordinary" - The Times Follow Paul Oakenfold – world-renowned DJ and dance music pioneer – as he tells his incredible story of a phenomenal career at the beating heart of dance.Paul's journey takes him from a musical baptism in 1980s New York and underground club nights in London to running a seminal dance record label and a legendary trip to Ibiza that introduced him to trance and changed the face of dance music forever.A breathless adventure through music, Ready Steady Go is a story of dance, trance, excess and success.

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Book SynopsisIn 2019, Oscar-winning special effects supremo John Richardson released his first book, the bestselling Making Movie Magic, which chronicled his remarkable career in the film industry. A year later, during a house clear-out as the UK was stuck in a seemingly never-ending lockdown, he unearthed another treasure trove of behind-the-scenes images from the blockbuster films he worked on. Featuring never-before-seen photos from the Harry Potter films, eight James Bond films, The Omen, A Bridge Too Far, Superman, Aliens, Willow, Cliffhanger and many others, all reproduced in stunning colour alongside extended captions, Making Movie Magic: The Photographs is a further celebration of Richardson’s extraordinary body of work over five decades.

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Book Synopsis'An incredibly valuable and inclusive resource for young LGBT+ people... A much needed reminder that nobody needs to go through the queer experience alone.' Calum McSwiggan As TikTok and social media stars, every day Matthew and Ryan invite millions of people into their lives as a gay couple. From playing pranks to their adventures travelling, they are proud to share their love for each other (and their cute furbaby Roscoe) with the world.For the LGBTQIA+ community, Matthew and Ryan are not only the fun-loving faces of social media - they've become the online agony uncles for a new generation, receiving countless messages from their followers looking for answers to so many questions including:When should I come out? And how?I'm worried my child will get bullied for being different. How can I protect them? My family don't accept me. What should I do? I don't know what I identify as. How can I figure it out?Matthew and Ryan know it can be an emotional rollercoaster, and they are here to support and guide you every step of the way. Packed with bite-size entries, tips and advice on everything from coming out to working through some of the confusing feelings you might have, looking after your mental health, finding your tribe and feeling confident in your own skin, Matthew and Ryan have created the ultimate guidebook they wish they'd been given when they were discovering who they were.They share their inspirational journeys - how they each found themselves and then each other. From Tinder and the moment they met across a crowded dancefloor with Matthew dressed as an ice lolly to the joyful life they've created together.Love Is Love will help you navigate your journey through the rainbow and show you how to be proud to be authentically YOU!Read what everyone is saying about Love Is Love:'A lot of guts and vulnerability... such a valuable resource for kids grappling with their sexuality or gender identity. I definitely wish the book had existed when I was a kid!... I was charmed.' Goodreads reviewer'A great resource for young people struggling with their identities' Goodreads reviewer'Super cute... perfect for pride month.' Goodreads reviewer'Upbeat and inspiring.' Goodreads reviewer

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Book SynopsisThe warm, rich and fascinating memoir of beloved broadcaster Tommie Gorman.When Tommie Gorman was growing up in Sligo in the 1960s, struggle was never far away but his household had a surplus of love and warmth. From modest beginnings as a local reporter at the Western Journal, where his deadlines were dependent on the bus schedule, Tommie landed at RTÉ, taking up the post of North-West correspondent in 1980. Over the next four decades he became a familiar presence in Irish homes, known for his coverage of Europe and Northern Ireland, as well as his unforgettable interviews with controversial figures including Gerry Adams, Roy Keane, Ian Paisley and Arlene Foster.While revelling in his life as a journalist, he was also coping with the cancer diagnosis he received in 1994 and seeking ways to access life-saving treatments for patients who shared his rare form of the disease.In this insightful and generous book, Tommie takes readers behind the scenes and shares some of his memories from Sligo to Stormont, via Brussels and Sweden, as he recounts forty extraordinary years of Irish history from his front-row seat and looks at what may lie ahead for the island.Trade Review[A] page-turner memoir of his life less ordinary...a gem. -- John Downing * Irish Independent *Gorman's narrative shines, as he outlines the history of his roots in Leitrim and Sligo, his family's modest means, his father's issues with alcohol, the encounters with want, with illness, with death, and all set against a panorama of 20th-century Irish social and political history: the family dramas and sorrows, and the swirl of national life that any reader will recognise, and understand. * Irish Times *Tommie's memoir brims with his characteristic optimism, faith in humanity and an absence of cynicism rare in such a fine frontline journalist. He evokes many memories as well as gifting us new and welcome insightsinto significant contemporary political, sporting and medical events. -- Mary McAleeseTommie Gorman is the shining jewel in the crown of RTÉ news and current affairs -- Gay ByrneTable of Contents1: Sligo: early years 2: The first job 3: The north-west years 4: Brussels 5: Power and loss 6: Living with cancer 7: Love, sport and the Roy Keane interview 8: Belfast 9: Compromise and power 10: The Queen and the changing of the guard 11: Brexit 12: The journey made and the road ahead

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Book SynopsisDavid Attenborough is one of the most influential and admired figures in English television. When 26, he applied for a job in the BBC – which then meant radio – and was promptly turned down. But someone saw his rejected application and asked, would he like to try television? He would, and sixty years later, he is still at it. Elegantly told, often very funny, here is his story.At home there is his rise to controlling BBC2, introducing colour television to Britain, encounters with Montgomery, Anthony Eden, singers, athletes, explorers, the Queen, Benjamin Britten. Abroad there are people just as remarkable, journeys up tropical rivers, to the interior of New Guinea or the Australian outback, dragons, birds of paradise, flying snakes and walls of cockroaches.Now updated to cover his work since 2009, Life on Air is a remarkable account of David Attenborough’s passion for the natural world and his lifelong quest to understand it. .Trade ReviewThere isn’t a single false note....Attenborough’s familiar voice comes through in every line. * Daily Telegraph *It’s almost impossible to believe that all these things happened to one man… But David Attenborough wears his achievements lightly and there as many laughs here as there are animals. -- Michael PalinAn enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television… Attenborough is a master story-teller, and his book is crammed with anecdotes. * Good Book Guide *

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