Autobiography: general Books

Book SynopsisThe autobiography of Mary Quant—the inventor of the miniskirt—was originally published in 1966 at the height of Swinging London. After opening her groundbreaking boutique Bazaar on London’s King’s Road in 1955, Quant soared to international fame with her brand of witty style that fitted perfectly with modern city life. She was at the forefront of fashion’s democratization—seeking to eliminate snobbery and “make fashionable clothes available to everyone.” Her joyful, evocative autobiography captures the world in which she found inspiration—and which she ultimately helped to define and change.Trade Review‘breathless but absorbing’ -- Burlington Magazine, July 2019

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrave and beautiful.' Stylist MagazineSocial media's answer to Carol Ann Duffy' Sunday Times STYLEDivine.' Cecelia AhernShe Must be Mad explores coming-of-age: the pain and beauty of love, the relief and the agony of turning from girl to woman, the isolation of an untethered mind and the power and subjugation of the body.Charly captures the formative experiences of today's young women from the poignant to the prosaic in writing that is at once witty, wry and heartfelt. Wayward nights out that don't go as planned; the righteous anger at those men with no talent or skill or smarts who occupy the most powerful positions in the world; the strange banality of madness and, of course, the hurt and indecision of unrequited love.For every woman surviving and thriving in today's world, for every girl who feels too much; this is a call for communion, and you are not alone.Trade Review‘Charly constantly astounds me with how inspired she is. It can be patronizing to mention someone’s age when they are very young, as if that’s their only USP; but it’s relevant here, because Charly’s poetry really encapsulates what it is to be a young woman. All the tensions and anxieties and new discoveries.’ – Pandora Sykes ‘Charly is social media’s answer to Carol Ann Duffy, if Carol Ann Duffy asked the question: “How can I enjoy poetry whilst checking my Instagram feed on the toilet?” She’s funny and heartfelt and brilliant, she always seems to know how to make you feel less alone. – Sunday Times STYLE ‘Poetry meets mental health in Charly Cox’s brave and beautiful She Must Be Mad.’ Stylist Magazine ‘Relatable and funny, [Charly’s] work champions young women trying to navigate the modern world.’ ELLE ‘Instagram poetry sensation Charly Cox translates the plights, worries, thoughts and feelings of modern women into accessible short reads of prose and poems that have you laughing, crying and questioning your own life in no time. With delicate prose that reveals the reality of coming-of-age in an overwhelmingly honest and open personal tale, it's packed full of emotion and a brilliant weekend read.’ Glamour online ‘I fell in love with Cox's honesty and sharp sense of style’ The Pool ‘Witty and heartfelt’ Standard Online ‘Staggeringly impressive. Her debut collection demonstrated her phenomenal skill and unique tone which is bringing poetry to a new generation.’ ELLE online

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn 21 October 1966, thousands of tonnes of coal tip waste slid down a mountainside and devastated the mining village of Aber-fan. The black mass crashed through the local school. 144 people were killed. 116 were schoolchildren. Gaynor Madgwick was there. She was eight and severely injured. In this book, Gaynor tells her own story and interviews people affected by the day''s events. Reprint.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Through Her Eyes Australian women correspondents tell their own stories from the frontline – covering the breaking news, the issues and the events that are changing the world. They tell of Russian tanks and Ukrainian mothers fleeing with their children, vicious Afghan warlords, anti-government rebels in Central Africa, terrorist attacks in the United States, and the chaos faced by ordinary people caught up in disasters and political upheaval. While a woman strapping on a reporters’ flak jacket is now a common sight, there was a time when they were locked out of the big stories because of their gender. Unlike their male counterparts, they needed single-minded determination to score a plum assignment or win a posting to a foreign bureau. Through Her Eyes tells of the exhilaration that comes with a big story but also the dangers, the risks, the struggle and the big issues women still face, from vicious media trolling to threats of sexual violence. Through Her Eyes includes well-known women correspondents for major media organisations inside and outside Australia including the ABC, BBC, SBS, CNN, The Associated Press of America, UPI, Reuters, The Times of London, Al Jazeera, China Global Television Network, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the Australian Financial Review.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs one of the most recognisable faces in showbiz today, Kerry Katona has seen more than her fair share of ups and downs played out in public. Once labelled 'the nation's sweetheart,' the Atomic Kitten singer rose from foster care to international stardom, but soon found herself judged and ridiculed as mental health problems and bad decisions derailed her life. From a picture perfect yet fractured marriage to one of the biggest pop stars in the world, to her fall from grace in a haze of drink and drugs while wed to her taxi driving second husband, Kerry has been loved and derided in equal measure. But since her bestselling autobiography was released in 2012, which documented her troubled childhood and subsequent life in the limelight, Kerry has faced her most devastating challenges yet. In this riveting read, Kerry documents how, in the decade since, she's welcomed her fifth child, suffered a debilitating injury, a cancer scare, several tragic losses and a career slump she thought she'd never recover from. Yet the most significant event in that time was her marriage to third husband, George Kay. Stuck in an abusive relationship she felt powerless to leave, Kerry opens up about her struggles living with a violent man, whose mental health problems and drug use would see her and her family trapped in a cycle of helplessness and despair that only ended when George died in 2019, having eaten a sock filled with cocaine while staying in a local Travel Inn. Kerry bravely reveals her hell at the hands of a man who would unleash physical and emotional torture on her, in an all too familiar situation so many women face every day. But this is also a story of hope, strength and survival. Of how Kerry, with the support of her now -fiance Ryan and her children, built herself up from the lowest point imaginable, with sheer grit and determination, to get her life and career back on track in the wake of such devastation. It's a story of survival and peace and how, after years of desperately trying to find her way, she has finally started to feel - in the words of her most famous song -Whole Again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn unputdownable true account of how a tenacious head teacher led one of the most challenging schools in the country to excellence. No Excuses charts an extraordinary principal's journey from the moment she took over at a failing secondary school in a deprived area, where less than a quarter of children attained five or more A*-C GCSEs, and how she set about the gruelling task of transforming its reputation using her zero-tolerance, tough-love approach. Armed only with a wicked sense of humour, fearless energy and a powerful vision, Alison Colwell put in place a stringent set of rules, including a strict uniform policy and a complete ban on mobile phones, provoking resistance and hostility from some parents, the wider community and on social media. This is the darkly funny, moving story of how, together, teachers and their - often troubled - pupils rebuilt a school and community, with an inspirational head at the helm. Charming, touching and full of brilliant leadership advice, this is the diary of the woman the Daily Mail labelled Britain's strictest head teacher.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA witty and immersive look at the history, mythology, science, and magical touch that makes whisky taste like a drop of gold. Braving the “all boys” clubhouse of the world of whisky has not been easy, but Shelley Sackier has managed to do just that out of her love for the drink. By turns funny and poignant and filled with vivid insight into this ancient craft, Make it a Double will persuade even a teetotaler to want a wee dram. As a woman whose first sip of whisky created the female doppelganger of a Mr. Yuk sticker, that experience produced a sharp realization that the liquid was foul, poisonous, and needlessly dirtied a previously clean glass. And then she met Scotland. Her curiosity and growing passion lit a fire—igniting a desire to learn more about this craft’s rich and vivid history and the need to break out of an old life and to become the mother, partner, and woman she has always sought to be. After completing a course in Scotland’s famed Bruichladdich Distillery, Shelley begins her path of writing about—and working within—the world of whisky. There has never been a better time for Shelley's inimitable voice to shed light on this intoxicating realm. Women are not only impressively contributing to the burgeoning sales of the spirit—making up nearly 40% of the whiskey-drinking population in the United States—but they are also growing in number as they enter in to, train within, and lead the industry with their determined creativity and innovation. In the tradition of Blood, Bones, and Butter, Make it a Double establishes Shelley Sackier as a fresh new voice in the lush world of culinary narrative.Trade Review"Make it a Double is the bible for whisky lovers and wannabes alike. Showcasing [Sackier's] amazing personality and extreme knowledge on the subject, Make it a Double should definitely be on your reading list." * Food & Beverage Magazine *“What a rich and rewarding blend of memoir, journal, and whisky insights. Shelley Sackier animates the text with her warm, engaging personality, and portrays her whisky journey with wit and wisdom. If this book was a dram it would have a rich, rounded character to savor, and lead to a long finish that provides plenty to think about.” -- Ian Wisniewski, writer and broadcaster, author of The Whisky Dictionary and four other books, contributor to Whisky Magazine and the Malt Whisky Yearbook“Shelley Sackier weaves the magic of Scotland into a tapestry of flavors, aromas, sounds, Gaelic language, audacious wit, intriguing landscape, and of course, whisky. Her writing is artistry through wordsmithing leaving me with an unquenchable yearning for a wee dram of whisky and an urge to run through the house wearing nothing but a sporran. Here’s to hoping there’s a follow up to Make It A Double!" -- Dave Scheurich * Original distiller of Woodford Reserve (1996-2011) and master distiller of Boondocks Whiskey Brands *“It's a story familiar to any whiskey geek—a sip of Scotch leads to an obsession and eventually a dream job at a distillery. Make it a Double follows one woman's journey merging her obsession with her profession." -- Maggie Kimberl, Content Editor, American Whiskey Magazine"Sackier, director of distillery education at Virginia’s Reservoir Distillery, details her 'unquenchable thirst' for all things whisky in this spirited and witty blend of memoir and booze history. The result yields an exhilarating taste of the world of whisky." * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn inspiring, all-American story from the former White House head chef, who made his way from a farm in rural Mississippi to West Point and a twenty-four-year military career, to holding one of the most prestigious culinary positions in the United States.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe perfect book for every Hincher getting ready for a spring cleanTHE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE INSTAGRAM SENSATION''Will not only help you transform your home and make it sparkle, but also show you how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress'' BEST BOOKS TO HELP YOU ORGANISE YOUR HOME IN 2020, MAIL ONLINE_______________''The sensation'' Sun''We''re mad about Mrs Hinch'' Vogue_______Cleaning - aka hinching - doesn''t have to be that job you dread, not when Mrs Hinch is here to show you her sparkly ways.At over 3 million followers and counting, she has taken the nation by storm with her infectiously addictive charm, clever tidying tips and passionate belief in cleaning. Mrs Hinch invites you into her home and while inside you''ll discover how a spot of cleaning is the perfect way to cleanse the soul. She''ll even share the storyTrade ReviewThe sensation * Sun *Everyone has a Mrs Hinch fan in their life and this is the perfect gift for them . . . It will not only look great on their shelf but also holds the secrets to all of Mrs Hinch's tips and tricks * Closer *My new cleaning goddess * Daily Telegraph *A must for Mrs Hinch fans and those looking to stay on top of their cleaning routine this year. Filled with tidying tips, Hinch must-haves and step-by-step guides to cleaning. Will not only help you transform your home and make it sparkle, but also show you how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress * Mail Online, Best Books to Help You Declutter, Organise & Clean Your Home in 2020 *Doing for household chores what Marie Kondo did for tidying. A step-by-step guide to achieving a spotless and immaculately tidy home * Daily Mirror *Mrs Hinch offers a reassuring structure for the day, a vision of domestic order * Guardian *If you're not aware of the Mrs Hinch phenomenon, this woman is making waves in the world of Instagram with snaps of her immaculately clean and perfectly decorated hom - now she's written a book on the art of cleaning for us to enjoy * Living North *We're mad about Mrs Hinch * Vogue *Discover how to transform your home * Easy Parenting *Sophie has collated her top tips and shows you how to create not only a cleaner house, but also a relaxed and more calmer you * HomeStyle *Stay on top of your cleaning routine with Mrs Hinch . . . Hinch Yourself Happy shares how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress, plus step-by-step guides to hinching your home. * Prima *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe legendary explorer of Titanic and Lusitania reveals the secret military missions behind his famous exploits and unveils a major new discovery on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Titanic find. Best known for finding the wreck of the Titanic, celebrated adventurer Robert Ballard has a lifetime of stories about exploring the ocean depths. From discovering new extremophile life-forms thriving at 750°F hydrothermal vents in 1977 to finding famous shipwrecks including the Bismarck and PT 109, Ballard has made history. Now the captain of E/V Nautilus, a state-of-the-art scientific exploration vessel rigged for research in oceanography, geology, biology, and archaeology, he leads young scientists as they map the ocean floor, collect artifacts from ancient shipwrecks, and relay live-time adventures from remote-controlled submersibles to reveal amazing sea life. Now, for the first time, Robert Ballard gets personal, telling the inside stories of his adventur

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew 25th Anniversary Edition__________''I am still haunted by Mah''s memoir . . . Riveting. A marvel of memory. Poignant proof of the human will to endure'' Amy Tan, bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club1940s, Shanghai. As the civil war rages on and China falls under communist rule, young Adeline lives in constant fear. Not of the war, but of her family: blamed for the death of her mother, she is rejected by her father and abused by her cruel stepmother.With the help of her aunt, Adeline escapes to the United States where she finds love, happiness and success. But will that be enough to quell a lifelong yearning for acceptance, or will she return to the family that rejected her years agoFalling Leaves Return to their Roots is both the enthralling story of a Chinese family in a time of political upheaval, and a moving account of one girl''s unrelenting will to survive.__________''Falling Leaves isTrade ReviewCharged with emotion . . . a vivid portrait of the human capacity for meanness, malice - and love'Falling Leaves is a terrible and riveting family history . . . It is also a story about endurance and the cost it can exact . . . gripping' * Daily Telegraph *An illuminating account of the destructive nature of family relationships set against a backdrop of China in change * Mail on Sunday *A light burns in the book that is never extinguished . . . [it is] an act, not of vengeance or bitterness, but of catharsis * Sunday Telegraph *The pain of so much emotional abuse leaps from every page . . . the most amazing aspect of this story is that Adeline managed to survive . . . and emerge triumphant . . . compelling' * Val Hennessy *I am still haunted by Mah's memoir . . . Riveting. A marvel of memory. Poignant proof of the human will to endure

Read more less

Book SynopsisClosing Ranks is the enthralling autobiography of Leroy Logan, brilliantly portrayed by John Boyega in Steve McQueen’s award-winning film anthology Small Axe.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMaria Anderson trained as an NHS nurse and went on to become a midwife, a job she has adored for over twenty years.After fainting whilst attending her first three births, Maria went from nervous trainee to assured midwife and in her brilliant memoir she recounts the highs and lows of life inside the maternity unit. From frantic fathers and breaking her hand during a traumatic home birth, to witnessing the delivery of quads and the ultimate devastation of assisting the delivery of a stillborn baby, Maria has had an extraordinary career.Tales of a Midwife is a funny, poignant and heart-warming account of a devoted midwife.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Constructing The Ballad of Jacob Peck as though she's a prosecutor — dividing chapters with terms such as Res Gestae, scienter, et cetera — Komar builds a case against Jacob Peck for his role in the murder to highlight how current law continues to struggle with prosecuting such accomplices. ... The Ballad of Jacob Peck branches out to not only document the murder, but contextualize the players and era, offering a history of early crime in New Brunswick, and legal proceedings and court in early Canada. ... Her due diligence also does what it can to shape the murdered Mercy Babcock, and other women of the time, into a person, not only providing a sense of justice, but also documenting their lives like no one cared to do at the time or really ever since. ... Komar's voice, skill and insight defibrillate regional history, providing a professional perspective to the underserved genre." -- Mike Landry * Telegraph Journal *"Komar's voice, skill and insight defibrillate regional history, providing a professional perspective to the underserved genre. Digging up the bones of history, Komar has no use for ghost stories and legend, and neither will you after The Ballad of Jacob Peck." -- Mike Landry * Telegraph Journal *"[R]ich, feisty prose . . . Komar has produced a grippingly good account of this notorious chapter in maritime history, one chockablock with intriguing side characters who — with names such as Dorcas Babcock, Hezekiah King and Mercy Hall — wouldn't be out of place in a Dickens novel (had he been around to write one). ... The compelling character portraits with which Komar fleshes out this gruesome central event build a vivid sense of the social and political realities of the day. ... Tempting as it is to view The Ballad of Jacob Peck as CSI for the archivist set, the questions it raises, and which Komar explores with such energy and aplomb, are ultimately philosophic and legal ones; ones necessarily resolved in a class or courtroom, not a laboratory." -- Emily Donaldson * National Post *"The Ballad of Jacob Peck is wonderfully written with historically correct information. It is a very fascinating and informative read. Debra Komar did a wonderful job with this book. This is a must read and I highly recommend it." * e-thriller.com *"The Ballad of Jacob Peck, by Debra Komar, is a nonfictional account of family, religion, murder, a charlatan, and early-nineteenth-century Canadian law that is as riveting as a good novel. ... This book will appeal to a wide audience, including those with interests in true crime, history, law, and human behavior. ... By simultaneously corroborating and refuting old media accounts of the murder, Komar allows the reader to act as a juror, and provides all available information to decide the verdict." -- Amy Z. Mundorff * Journal of Anthropological Research, vol. 69 *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThree-term poet laureate Joy Harjo offers a vivid, lyrical and inspiring call for love and justice in this contemplation of her trailblazing life

Read more less

Book Synopsis''The book is f***ing BRILLIANT! Just arrived NYC and wanked myself laughing. Literally tears. Irritated looks all around. What a great writer you are. It''s a classic. You absolutely got the whole shite early 70s thing down precisely as it was. Names, smells, sounds, looks, the food, drink, girls, boys! Mega! Well done.'' - Bob GeldofIn a sodden tent at a ''70s festival, the teenage Mark Ellen had a dream. He dreamt that music was a rich meadow of possibility, a liberating leap to a sparkling future, an industry of human happiness - and he wanted to be part of it. Thus began his 50-year love affair with rock and roll. From his time at the NME, Radio One, The Old Grey Whistle Test and Live aid, he has been at the molten core of pop''s evolution, and watched its key figures from a unique perspective. This funny and touching personal memoir maps out his eventful journey in rock and roll.It tells stories and settles scores. It charts the peaks and disappointments. It flTrade ReviewFull of engaging asides and deft, sometimes unsparing pen-portraits, this autobiographical souffle ends with three passages of unexpectedly disturbing power, in which Ellen glimpses the fate of a form of entertainment that has lost the sense of purpose and proportion it possessed during the years when his own tastes were being formed...It is a tribute to Ellen's resilience that not even this sensory assault can erode the powers of humour and observation that make his book so enjoyable. * The Guardian *There's a misty-eyed reverence for the past in Ellen's entertaining memoir of five decades surrounded by music. * The Observer *Thumbs Aloft! For men of several generations, the most eagerly anticipated memoir of the year is Mark Ellen's Rock Stars Stole My Life! and it doesn't disappoint. Subtitled 'A Big Bad Love Affair With Music', Ellen's book describes in beautifully crafted gambols his time working for the music press, from the NME in the Seventies right through to The Word in the noughties, via Smash Hits, Q, Mojo, Select and all places in between. Ellen has been at the coalface of rock hackdom for 40 years, yet unlike many of his contemporaries, he has always viewed his relationship with the music industry - and the preposterous entertainers it throws up - as a ridiculous pleasure rather than a burden. Ellen is not only one of the nicest men in the industry, he's also one of its funniest writers, and this books picks away at the hand that has fed him for all these years with such humour, and such delicacy, that it becomes impossible to put down. Here is a man who presented Live Aid, who presided over the most popular music magazine in the world, and who unwittingly became one of the last people to interview Michael Jackson in print. And it is never less than hilarious. This book will make you laugh, make you cry with joy, and send you scuttling over to what is left of your record collection to look for an Elvis Costello album you probably have not played since it was released. -- Dylan Jones * GQ *So Ellen's book is a riotous, wildly enthusiastic look back over a constantly changing industry and the larger-than-life characters who have dominated it. As the image of today's stars becomes ever more tightly controlled, Ellen's experiences make him one of the few who can pull back the curtain to expose the smoke and mirrors of this most glamorous, exciting and tawdry of industries. * Express *Hilariously indiscreet * The Times *The must read book * Red *Hang on to the shirt-tails of this book and it leads you right the way through --breathlessly. It's terrific! -- Danny BakerRiotous, entrancing and wildly enthusiastic. Exposes the smoke and mirrors of this most glamorous and tawdry of industries. * Sunday Express *Hectic, quietly perceptive and in a writing style best described as Acid Wodehouse. * New Statesman *The unteachable in pursuit of the unquotable. Knowingly ridiculous and very funny. * Independent on Sunday *Immensely readable. A series of golden ages witnessed first-hand. * The Observer *A cultural history of music fandom in a period of fascinating flux. * MOJO *Mark Ellen: the man with the best job ever! * Elle *A fantastic read -- Simon Mayo * BBC Radio 2 *Ellen not only has a tremendous eye for the glorious absurdity of the music industry, but a treasure chest of funny and occasionally touching anecdotes . . . he balances a fan's enthusiasm with sparkling reverence . . . Rock Stars Stole My Life! Is an upbeat and immensely readable account of a joyous addiction. * Mail on Sunday *The collection of people who cross Ellen's path - Blair, old housemate Anton Corbijn, Ellen's girlfriend Anji Hunter, Neil Tennant (who worked on Smash Hits), John Peel, Geldof - is enough to keep you turning the page. Having such a funny, charming guide doesn't hurt either. * The Independent *(a) wry, funny book * The Sun *Mark Ellen had us laughing all the way through. * Stylist *Your book is a joy. -- Jeremy Vine * BBC Radio 2 Arts Show *The book is f***ing BRILLIANT! Just arrived NYC and wanked myself laughing. Literally tears. Irritated looks all around. What a great writer you are. It's a classic. You absolutely got the whole shite early 70s thing down precisely as it was. Names, smells, sounds, looks, the food, drink, girls, boys! Mega! Well done. -- Bob GeldofMade me laugh out loud. -- Adam Boulton * New Statesman *Rock Stars Stole My Life reminds us that [pop music] can also be joyously ridiculous...Ellen relates a blessed life...with playful wit and indefatigable good humour. * Guardian *This year's most breezily entertaining pop memoir.... Ellen sails through pop history with an infectious joie de vivre that sends laughter tumbling from every page. * Daily Mail *entertaining... describes his past encounters with comic candour. * The Times *There's a misty-eyed reverence for the past in Ellen's entertaining memoir of five decades surrounded by music. -- Ben East * The Observer *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.' – Racing PostBeing a stable lass is probably one of the hardest jobs in the country, and yet for Gemma Hogg it is the most rewarding. She works in the beautiful Yorkshire market town of Middleham and if her colleagues are occasionally challenging, then the horses are downright astonishing. Now, in Stable Lass, she takes us into the closed world of a top racing yard, from the elation of having several winners in one day to the almost indescribable grief of losing a horse. Like most stable lads and lasses, Gemma arrived in her yard as a teenager fresh out of racing college and had to cope with living away from home for the first time, as well as adapting to the brutal long hours, backbreaking work and often treacherous weather. She describes falling in love with Polo Venture, the first racehorse in her care, the pure exhilaration of riding him on Middleham Gallops for the first time and what happens when a horse takes against you, from the growling gelding Valiant Warrior to the potentially lethal Broadway Boy. She brings to life the characters around the yard, from straight-talking boss Micky Hammond to the jockeys starving themselves to make weight, the wealthy owners and the other stable lads and lasses who come from a range of different places and backgrounds. Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg is a unique look into the world of horse racing filled with heart-warming stories and amazing thoroughbreds – some loveable, some cantankerous, all impressive.Trade ReviewVividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive - and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss. There’s never been a book like this before. -- Brough ScottA delightful romp. * Daily Mail *A poignant, compelling, hilarious, emotional account of life as a Yorkshire stable lass. * Racing Post *An exhilarating ride and a fascinating ‘muck and all’ glimpse into the closed world of horse racing. * Lancashire Post *Full of heartwarming stories and some very characterful Thoroughbreds * Horse & Rider *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA story of hope, love and life in the face of cancer, and the miracle of second chances.Soon to be a major movie!When Delia's beloved first husband Jerry died of cancer in 2015, after thirty-three years of marriage, she struggled without him. Floored by grief, it never occurred to her she would find love again. But fate had other ideas. An article she published about the pain of shutting down Jerry's landline sparked a series of emails with a widower she'd dated in college fifty years ago, and they fell deeply in love.Delia and Peter found themselves soul mates in their seventies, but as their whirlwind romance came into bloom, Delia was diagnosed with leukaemia - the same that had claimed the life of her sister Nora.See-sawing between tears and laughter, Left on Tenth is the spirited story of Delia's second chance at love, and a heartfelt and inspirational account of life after cancer.'A tale of brilliant hope, of heartache and uplift, so refreshing - it is a wonderful read.' Mariella Frostrup'Illuminating, generous, sparkling with wit, wisdom, humanity and wonder' Rachel Joyce'I absolutely loved this book. All of life and death and everything in between is in the pages' Clover Stroud'Tender, witty and romantic ... makes you immediately want to get cosy, slow down and shut off the world for a moment.' Emma Gannon'If it's possible to fall in love with someone by reading their story, I just have.' Sam BakerTrade ReviewA tale of brilliant hope, of heartache and uplift, so refreshing - it is a wonderful read. -- Mariella Frostrup * Times Radio *A beautiful story of finding love again in your seventies ... a story of giddy highs and suicidal lows.' -- Gwendolyn Smith * i newspaper *Commendable for its bracingly blunt humour ... A searingly honest memoir of a battle against cancer, and a testament to the sustaining power of love. -- Chloe Walker * Culturefly *A most anticipated book of 2022 * TIME magazine *Best Non-fiction for 2022 * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**DAILY MAIL'S 'BEST NON-FICTION BOOKS TO HELP YOU THROUGH LOCKDOWN'**'Beautifully written . . . very entertaining, very funny' RICHARD & JUDY'It's an astonishing story and narrated with a deceptive simplicity. There isn't a boring sentence in the entire book'DAILY MAIL'Remarkable . . . If your jaw doesn't drop at least three times every chapter, you've not been paying proper attention'THE SUNDAY TIMES'Gentle, wise, unpretentious, but above all inspiring'THE TIMES'A candid, witty and stylish memoir'MIRANDA SEYMOUR, FINANCIAL TIMES'Stalwart and disarmingly honest . . . emotion resonates through this delightful memoir'THE WALL STREET JOURNAL'Discretion and honour emerge as the hallmarks of Glenconner's career as a royal servant, culminating in this book which manages to be both candid and kind'GUARDIAN'A startling, rare, beguiling insight into a lost world of royalty and celebrity with as many tears as there are titles'DAILY EXPRESS'I couldn't put it down. Funny and touching - like looking through a keyhole at a lost world.'RUPERT EVERETT~The remarkable life of Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret who was also a Maid of Honour at the Queen's Coronation. Anne Glenconner reveals the real events behind The Crown as well as her own life of drama, tragedy and courage, with the wonderful wit and extraordinary resilience which define her, in this fascinating audiobook.Anne Glenconner has been close to the Royal Family since childhood. Eldest child of the 5th Earl of Leicester, she was, as a daughter, described as 'the greatest disappointment' by her family as she was unable to inherit. Her childhood home Holkham Hall is one of the grandest estates in England. Bordering Sandringham the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were frequent playmates. From Maid of Honour at the Queen's Coronation to Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, Lady Glenconner is a unique witness to royal history, as well as an extraordinary survivor of a generation of aristocratic women trapped without inheritance and burdened with social expectations. She married the charismatic but highly volatile Colin Tennant, Lord Glenconner, who became the owner of Mustique. Together they turned the island into a paradise for the rich and famous, including Mick Jagger and David Bowie, and it became a favourite retreat for Princess Margaret. But beneath the glitz and glamour there has also lurked tragedy. On Lord Glenconner's death in 2010 he left his fortune to a former employee. And of their five children, two grown-up sons died, while a third son had to be nursed back from a coma by Anne, after having suffered a near fatal accident. Anne Glenconner writes with extraordinary wit, generosity and courage and she exposes what life was like in her gilded cage, revealing the role of her great friendship with Princess Margaret, and the freedom she can now finally enjoy in later life.

Read more less

DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE WEEK'A sparkling memoir... My hope is that Philip Serrell will do for the antiques trade what James Herriot did for cow's bottoms, as his memoir contains every ingredient for similar popular success... Serrell is laugh-out-loud funny.' Roger Lewis, Daily Mail***When Philip Serrell gave up teaching to become a professional auctioneer, he thought he was embarking on a sensible and safe career... a quiet life in the country with no surprises. How wrong he was. In What Am I Bid? he tells of life after the events he described in his previous memoirs, An Auctioneer's Lot and Sold to the Man with the Tin Leg, to bring his story up to date. From dodgy cars to fakes in the saleroom; angry livestock, mangled silverware and tortuous - not to mention muddy - experiences in local markets and farm sales, Philip has been there, done that and got the hoofprints on his suit to prove it.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA candid, comical memoir about coming of age in the decade of bad dates, worse hair and non-stop Carrie Bradshaw. Lauren Rae thought she had it all sussed out. Leaving her awkward teenage years in the past, the future was hers for the taking. Why shouldn’t she have it all? Dream job, beautiful home, perfect man, great friends…Like Whitney said, ‘I’m Every Woman’—and that’s just who Lauren would be too. But growing up a young black woman in the early noughties wasn’t quite the dream Lauren had envisioned. Unpaid internships, disappointing men and lying friends challenged her mental strength and pushed her towards the wine bottle. But with a nagging sound that might have been depression ringing in her ears, Lauren picked up her pen and made it her mightiest weapon. Set to the soundtrack of the new millennium, with Sex and the City on TV and Amy Winehouse on the radio, Lauren Rae’s frank, funny and sometimes heartbreaking memoir will ring more than a few bells for anyone who’s questioned whether they’ll ever find success and happiness.Trade Review“Readers of a similar age may relate to Rae’s life experiences and pop culture references (especially Sex and the City), cheering on her candid journey to healing and self-acceptance.” —Library Journal “If there was ever a memoir that perfectly embodied what being in your 20s was like, then Lauren Rae’s Love, Wine, and Other Highs is most definitely it…Think Sex and the City but cooler and a lot messier, and with a heavy dose of nostalgia.” —Bustle magazine “This funny memoir by Lauren Rae is the book that everyone is talking about right now.” —Hello! magazine “Like having a conversation with the big sister you never had. Extremely fun to read and filled with advice I really should have learned by now. Every sentence is soaked in nostalgia.” —Annie Lord, Vogue dating columnist and author of Notes on Heartbreak “Lauren writes with relatability and infectious wit. A great read!” —Magdalene Abraha, writer and Publisher at Jacaranda Books

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom one of the most vital and passionate LGBTQ+ activists comes a powerful memoir about self-discovery, community, love, and resilience in the face of adversity. You never forget your first. First kiss. First love. First heartache. They all burrow their way into your subconscious, destined to reshape how you see the world forever. Growing up in rural Oregon, Brandon Wolf grappled with the devastating loss of his supportive mother and with the embedded racism and homophobia of a community that made him feel like an unwelcome stranger. After the lack of connection and role models led him down a spiral of risky behavior, Wolf escaped to survive. In Orlando, he found what he’d been searching for: belonging—in a community that was a safe space with people he’d come to call his chosen family. They taught Wolf how to love, and be loved, unconditionally. Then, on June 12, 2016, in an exhilarating refuge where Wolf and hundreds of others had discovered a liberating new normal, they were suddenly challenged with fighting for a way out—in order to survive. Overnight, everything was ripped away by chaos, panic, and fear. But the unimaginable tragedy also gave Wolf a new power: purpose. In this unforgettable coming-of-age memoir, Wolf shares his transformative journey from young outsider to galvanizing activist. Marshaling the compassion and strength of a community, Wolf explores how to get through the darkest times with healing, hope, and resistance. “With our backs against the wall,” he writes, “we find a way out together.”Trade ReviewPraise for A Place for Us “[A] blazing debut. In stirring prose, Wolf mounts a testament to the power of community and a howling cry for justice. This is unforgettable.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “This heartfelt book will appeal not only to LGBTQ+ readers, but to anyone committed to the fight for social justice for any marginalized community. Poignant, inspiring reading.” —Kirkus Reviews “Raw, candid, and often uncomfortable.” —Library Journal “[A] powerful read.” —USA Today “An essential testament to the togetherness and resilience of the queer community.” —Electric Literature “One of the most powerful voices of his generation, Brandon Wolf tells a story of race, place, and the struggle for belonging that will drive you to tears and expand your capacity for hope, as well as your appreciation for the power of community. A true inspiration.” —Joy-Ann Reid, host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut “This book is both a necessary reckoning and a soft place to land. Brandon’s story is a journey that challenges readers to not only find hope but also find the resolve necessary to take action. A must-read for anyone who wants to be filled with the spirit of progress.” —Frederick Joseph, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning activist “A Place for Us is daring, raw, and necessary. The fight to end America’s gun violence epidemic has long been grounded in the courage and tenacity of those most directly impacted. Brandon’s survivor story will spur you to get up and fight for a better, safer tomorrow.” —Shannon Watts, founder, Moms Demand Action “A Place for Us is a breathtakingly honest memoir that challenges all of us to rise above our darkest moments in order to courageously live as our most authentic selves.” —Igor Volsky, cofounder and executive director of Guns Down America

Read more less

Book SynopsisA compelling true story of the reality of undercover police workFor over 20 years, Joe Carter has worked for the police as an undercover cop. Travelling the globe on different passports, fraternising with thieves and international drugs and arms dealers, working alongside dangerous criminals, Carter always knew his life would come crashing down around him at any point. His story is a gripping account of the secret, solitary work of an undercover officer and the many ‘sticky’ situations he found himself in, as well as the moving confession of the difficulty in reconciling his two identities with his family life.This book explores the resilience needed to lead a double life, the thrilling challenge of working with the biggest criminals in Britain, and maintaining a sense of justice through the many adventures he encounters.Trade ReviewThis is the best expose of life as a British Undercover ever written. Joe Carter is a ‘friend of ours’. * Joe Pistone AKA Donnie Brasco, FBI’s most famous UC. *Undercover plays out like the best type of British crime novel and it’s easy to believe that these are made up characters in a make believe plot – not because it doesn’t seem plausible, but because it moves with the speed and excitement of a piece of fiction... I breezed through Undercover in a single day, it was that gripping. * Culture Fly *a fascinating look at the darker side of British policing * Crime Review *He writes candidly * Eastern Daily Press *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe autobiography of one of the World''s leading Welsh Cob Breeders. A fascinating insight into the life of Ifor Lloyd. Welsh cobs are world famous. Ifor details some of his dealings; showing and exporting animals to far flung lands and the challenges of making a living as a breeder.

Read more less

Book Synopsis23 very well-known people from the arts, sport, and business worlds talk about how dyslexia affected their childhood, how they were able to overcome the challenges and use the special strengths of dyslexia to achieve great success in adulthood. Darcey Bussell CBE, Eddie Izzard, Sir Richard Branson, Meg Mathews, Zoe Wanamaker CBE, Richard Rogers, Benjamin Zephaniah, Steven Naismith, Lynda La Plante CBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Sophie Conran and others share their stories, and their advice.All reveal the enormous difficulties they faced, the strength required to overcome them, the crucial importance of adult support, and how `the different way the brain is wired' in dyslexia has enabled them to see something different in the world and to use their creativity in an exceptional way. They talk about `thinking sideways', and the ability to look at a bigger picture, the often strong visual strength, and the ability to listen, and to grasp simplicity where other people see only complexity. They also talk about how dyslexia continues to challenge them, and the ways they have found to work around this. An introduction, and final section that includes practical information about dyslexia, are written with the support of Dyslexia Action, and a percentage of profit from the book is going to The British Dyslexia Association. The book will be essential reading for teachers and other professionals, and for families affected by dyslexia, and inspirational for people with dyslexia.Trade ReviewThis book provides clear and inspirational hope for anyone with a dyslexic child. Like many excellent books it is written from personal experience. I strongly recommend it. -- Sian Griffiths, Education Editor, The Sunday TimesThis book shines a light on 23 successful people with dyslexia and demonstrates that having dyslexia should not hold you back from achieving your potential. With the right support and an inner determination, success can be within reach. These personal stories, generously shared, should be inspiring for all who live with dyslexia. -- Kevin Geeson, former Chief Executive at Dyslexia ActionI would recommend this to people diagnosed with dyslexia and their families. One invaluable message is that perseverance and determination can help people achieve. Another is that talents in the dyslexia profile may be underrated at school but are of tremendous importance to society afterwards. One interesting recurring theme was the importance of parents and the difference they could make in helping their children believe in themselves; more than one said "that costs nothing". -- Bernadette McLean, Principal of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, UKShining through these highly personal accounts of difficult schooldays and the struggle for understanding is an overwhelming sense of optimism. Dyslexia has shaped these personal histories, but has not limited their ambition or ultimate success. For many, the role of parents is a central unifying feature, parents who believed their children could achieve, regardless of academic success, and who provided the confidence and encouragement they needed. This is a book for parents to buy for their young people, to read together and to find inspiration and encouragement, and it also provides a refreshing perspective for those working in education. -- Dr Teresa Regan CPsychol AFBPsS, Principal Educational Psychologist, Catalyst Psychology Community Interest CompanyIn my experience every person with dyslexia has amazing potential waiting to be untapped. Sadly, this potential is often missed by our exam focussed education system. But once dyslexic people find their passion and talent they can achieve extraordinary things, as this wonderful collection of interviews demonstrates. I hope this book inspires young people, educators and parents to focus on what dyslexic people CAN do, not just what they can't. -- Kate Griggs, Dyslexia Campaigner (Xtraordinary People) and Founder & CEO of Untap.itThis is a wonderful book. -- Dr Brock Eide and Dr Fernette Eide, authors of The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic BrainRooke, a writer and columnist in the UK, began to research dyslexia when her daughter was diagnosed at age 13. She found, through talking to physicians and other families, that dyslexia is more of a learning process style than a disorder and that there have been many high achievers (e.g., Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie, Steve Jobs, Steven Spielberg) who were able to learn around their diagnosis. To encourage dyslexic students, their parents, and their teachers, Rooke presents the stories of well-known peoples from the arts, sports, and business world who talk about how dyslexia affected their childhood, how they overcame their problems, and what special strengths they used to succeed in life. VERDICT This book will be an inspiration to all who work with children, especially those with special needs. -- School Library JournalThe examples in this book show us what dyslexia gives you: perseverance, determination, tenacity, patience, tolerance, empathy, creativity, problem solving skills, bravery, humour and an ability to think differently. Surely all qualities required to be successful in life. My son has all of these attributes in 'bucket loads' and, whilst I am still a long way from believing my son's dyslexia is a blessing, I think a book like this also helps me realise that it is far from a curse. I appear to have a creative, sure to be successful, dyslexic in my life. -- Louise Heron, mother of Alex HeronThis collection of very personal stories from such high profile dyslexic people brought together in one book will act as an inspiration for those who struggle daily with dyslexia and also as an eye opener to those that don't. It will help them to better understand the impact that a learning difficulty can have on everyday life and the importance of providing appropriate emotional and practical support. -- Stephen Hall, Chief Executive, Dyslexia ActionThis is an enlightening read...I have read this with a number of pupils with dyslexia, secondary school age, all of whom have either listened to it as it was read, or who have read it with minimal support...each individual was inspired in their own way and it has certainly helped them to look beyond the difficulties they currently experience, to the very real possibilities and opportunities for the future. -- Claire Hague * Patoss Bulletin, Summer 2016, Vol. 29 No. 1 *Table of ContentsForeword by Mollie King. Introduction. 1. David Bailey CBE. 2. Ed Baines. 3. Charley Boorman. 4. Sir Richard Branson. 5. Marcus Brigstocke. 6. Darcey Bussell CBE. 7. Brian Conley. 8. Sophie Conran. 9. Kelly Hoppen MBE. 10. Eddie Izzard. 11. Lynda La Plante CBE. 12. Kenny Logan. 13. Meg Mathews. 14. Nigel McCrery. 15. Steven Naismith. 16. Paul Nixon. 17. Theo Paphitis. 18. Chris Robshaw. 19. Richard Rogers. 20. Sir Jackie Stewart OBE. 21. Zoe Wanamaker CBE. 22. Zelda West-Meads. 23. Benjamin Zephaniah. About Dyslexia. Where to go for help.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf he is to become a man, what sort of man should Thomas Page McBee be?To find out, McBee must confront the suffering he has endured at the hands of men: the abuse he endured as a child from his father, and the violent mugging which almost killed him as an adult. Standing at the brink of the life-changing decision to transition from female to male, McBee seeks to understand these examples of flawed manhood, and reclaim his body on his own terms. Powerful, uplifting and profound, Man Alive is a story about transformation; about freedom, and love, and finding the strength to rebuild ourselves as the people we are meant to be.Trade ReviewThomas Page McBee writes about manhood - in all its danger and damaged allure - more beautifully and with greater nuance than any other writer I know. Man Alive is a brilliant, necessary book -- GARTH GREENWELL, author of What Belongs to YouLiterate and witty . . . Valuable and engaging * * New Statesman * *A sweet, tender hurt of a memoir . . . about forgiveness and self-discovery, but mostly it's about love, so much love. McBee takes us in his capable hands and shows us what it takes to become a man who is gloriously, gloriously alive -- ROXANE GAY, author of Bad FeministReading Man Alive is like sitting with someone uncurling his hands, then holding them out to you, open, so that you can behold all the hard-won strength, insight, agility, and love to be found there -- MAGGIE NELSON, author of The ArgonautsEmpathy is McBee's objective, the most important part of becoming real in one's own eyes . . . we are born human; with hard work, we achieve humanity * * New York Times * *By turns despairing and hopeful, exceptional and relatable. To read it is to witness the birth of a fuller, truer self. I loved this book -- ANN FRIEDMANA vitally important book. McBee's story harnesses the power of self-inquiry, of generosity, of a transformation powerful enough to address even the fallout from child abuse * * Los Angeles Review of Books * *McBee's beautifully written story is engrossing and brave, and rings with triumph * * Buzzfeed * *A brilliant work of art. I bow down to McBee - his humility, his sense of humor, his insightfulness, his structural deftness, his ability to put into words what is often said but rarely, with such visceral clarity and beauty, communicated -- HEIDI JULAVITS, author of The Vanishers and The Uses of EnchantmentA story about patience, forgiveness, kindness and bravery . . . With this book, Thomas Page McBee has done exactly what we should all strive for: to tell our stories in ways that humanize rather than sensationalize -- LAUREN MORELLI, writer, Orange Is the New Black

Read more less

Book SynopsisVIRGINIA VALLEJO:Top Colombian television journalist, cover model and socialitePABLO ESCOBAR:Head of the Medellin cartel, the founder of the global cocaine industry and one of the most ambitious - and brutal - criminals in historyOver the course of their tempestuous love affair, Vallejo witnessed first-hand the bloodshed, fear and corruption that accompanied the rise of Escobar's crime empire. In this explosive tale of drugs, sex, wealth and violence, Vallejo describes the man she knew and loved. But, increasingly plagued by threats of kidnap and death for her knowledge on Escobar's ties to the political establishment, Vallejo sought extradition to the United States. Her testimony would reopen one of the most important criminal cases in Colombian history.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe day is 8 August 1963. It is the early hours of the morning, and a group of men are waiting at a railway bridge in Buckinghamshire. They are about to rob a mail train, on its way to London from Glasgow, and they have no idea that on board they will find approximately £2.5 million (over £50 million in today's money) in cash - the largest of its time. Among their number is Ronnie Biggs. He will be remembered long after most of the other names are forgotten, and the money spent or lost. What is it about Ronnie Biggs that fascinates people sixty years on from the crime that made his name? Is it the man or the myth that makes Ron a latter-day Robin Hood - the odd man in the confederation of criminals who held up a train on that fateful day? This is Ronnie Biggs' official autobiography. It tells of one of the most extraordinary lives of the twentieth century. From Ron's daring escape from HMP Wandsworth, to how he managed to outwit and outrun a posse of law enforcement officers as one of the world's most wanted men; from plastic surgery in Paris, and his years on the run in Brazil - complete with two kidnappings and an attempted suicide - to his return to the UK after 13,087 extraordinary days on the run. Published for the sixtieth anniversary of Britain's most famous crime, this is a daring, exciting and often misunderstood life of a man who has seen and done it all, told in his own words.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCatching up with the Past is a fascinating account of Michael Windross'life. From his early childhood in Cumberland, it moves to London - where, as achorister at St Paul's Cathedral, he also sang at the Coronation of QueenElizabeth II in the Abbey; then to Lancing College, to Cambridge, and crossingthe North Sea, to Antwerp. Events follow in a linear progression - but withechoes from a distant past. In part two, the reader is transported back toDumfriesshire in the nineteenth century and taken on a journey that retracesthe family past, not only through written records but also through objectswhich tell their own tale. The narrative follows the now familiar path, butthen shifts to Australia, Gallipoli, and, in World War II, to the Anziobeachhead - as described by the author's father Brian in letters written toDoris, his wife. The story comes full circle. This is a life well lived. Thebook will appeal to those who share the writer's love of the past, who have astrong sense of time and place - and are game for a bit of detective work.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWell-known shearing commentator Evans discusses his farming life, from a tough post-war childhood with no mother, tractor or car, to days on shearing gangs and in hedge-laying competitions, to his own sheep farming, commentating and his impact on policy through work with the National Farmers Union.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCLAIR: We've been let loose on a book... whose bright idea was that?JAMES: We haven't got anything to say!CLAIR: Don't tell them that before they buy it...JAMES: They'll work it out eventually!CLAIR: Well, we've managed to put together some bits and pieces that might be interesting - or at least funny/weird/silly.JAMES: Probably not.CLAIR: No... probably not. Though if you like the vlogs, you might like it?JAMES: No one likes the vlogs.CLAIR: True.JAMES: Anyway, enjoy!At Home with The Buckleys is one couple's take on the wild ride that is modern marriage, parenting and adulting. Told from both sides, Clair and James share a collection of hilarious stories and comedy excursions from their early lives, years of cult TV fame, having children and setting up their YouTube channel.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCompelling and witty, Liane Holliday Willey's account of growing to adulthood as an undiagnosed 'Aspie' has been read by thousands of people on and off the autism spectrum since it was first published in 1999. Bringing her story up to date, including her diagnosis as an adult, and reflecting on the changes in attitude over 15 years, this expanded edition will continue to entertain (and inform) all those who would like to know a little more about how it feels to spend your life `pretending to be normal'.Trade ReviewSome of the best insights that helped came from reading books written by people on the spectrum. Liane Holliday Willey's insights will be especially helpful for many women on the spectrum. -- Temple Grandin, Author of The Autistic Brain and Thinking in PicturesLiane's original book Pretending to be Normal gave such important insights into how women with Asperger's syndrome used coping strategies in an attempt to fit into the neurotypical world. This updated version not only gives further insights but more importantly rather than "pretending to be normal" Liane points out that it is better to recognise that having Asperger's syndrome is acceptable and society should celebrate differentness. Finding the balance with appropriate support enables people with Asperger's syndrome to function in both the Aspie and neurotypical worlds. The appendices are brilliant in that Liane gives practical tips in supporting and managing Asperger's syndrome in all aspects of life. This book will be highly recommended by me to all those who have or do not have a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome. -- Dr Judith Gould, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Director of the NAS Lorna Wing Centre for AutismWith Pretending to be Normal, a collective sigh of relief was heaved, a burden was lifted and laid down. The puzzle that had perplexed us was given a name, Asperger's, and women on the spectrum found their voice, some of us for the first time. -- Rudy Simone, author of Aspergirls, 22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man with Asperger’s Syndrome and 22 Things a Woman with Asperger’s Syndrome Wants Her Partner to KnowPretending to be Normal was one of the first books I read about women and Asperger syndrome. It was then and still is the book I always recommend to the female clients I see. Liane is a star, her determination, strength and courage are a shining light within the AS community. This second edition is full of new insights and information. A must read for anyone who wishes to understand more about the complex world of women and Asperger syndrome. -- Maxine Aston MSc, Consultant, Trainer and Author of several books on Asperger syndrome and relationshipsWilley's classic Pretending to Be Normal has been a most eloquent way to understand what it feels like to have Asperger's. As beautifully written as it is insightful, this expanded edition is even more powerful due to the addition of a multitude of helpful suggestions and resources. -- Martin L. Kutscher, MD, author of Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Anxiety, Tourette’s and More: The One Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals and ADHD: Living without BrakesTable of ContentsDedication. Foreword by Tony Attwood. Author's Note. Introduction. 1. Remembering When 2. The Gap Widens and Wondering Why 3. Losing My Way 4. A Slow Walk Home 5. Crossing the Bridge 6. Rocking My Babies 7. Settling In, But Never Down. 8. Pretending a Little Less. Appendices: I Explaining Who You Are to Those Who Care. II Survival Skills for AS College Students. III Employment Options and Responsibilities. IV Organizing Your Home Life. V Coping Strategies for Sensory Integration Dysfunction. VI Thoughts for Non-AS Support People. VII Support Groups and Other Helpful Resources. Glossary. References.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBirmingham would definitely not be the place that it is today, without Eddie Fewtrell. Born one of ten children in the 1930s, in the backstreets of Aston, much of Eddie's childhood was spent keeping house and caring for his younger brothers. An alcoholic father and an invalid mother prevented him from attending school and leading a normal life - a scenario a million light years away from the vast nightclub empire that he was destined to build. By the 1970s he had become the most powerful man in Birmingham's Clubland. With the support of his large family, in particular his seven brothers, he went on to achieve even greater success.Eddie's first club, the Bermuda Club, was in Navigation Street, Eddie moved to pastures new, in the form of the Cedar Club, on Constitution Hill. Over the next few years Eddie opened Rebecca's, Abigail's, Boogie's nightclub, Boogie's Brasserie, Edward's No.7, Edward's No.8, the Paramount pub and Goldwyn's. Barbarella's became the top showcase for many up and coming UK pop groups. In 1989, he sold his clubs to Ansells but he returned three years later to open a new wave of clubs. Professional success came at a high price; Eddie reveals how his millionaire lifestyle and the pursuit of wealth led to tragic consequences.Other contributors include Laurie Hornsby, Kenny Lynch, Patti Bell, Tony Christie, Raymond Froggatt and H. Cain, Mike Alexander, BBC WM presenter Phil Upton, pop legends Bev Bevan, Steve Gibbons and Chuck Botfield. Comedians Don Maclean, Dave Ismay and Eddie's good friend Bernard Manning, interviewed shortly before his tragic death.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt 11.47pm on July 25th 1978, Louise Brown was the first person ever to be born through science rather than as the result of two people having sex. The birth was hailed as a "miracle" by the world's media, making her instantly famous. For the first time Louise tells the story of her world changing birth and its impact on her life.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis"So to the person that broke my heart in 2021 by way of a casual voice-note. Thank you."Told from the perspective of some of the finest contemporary Black writers and thinkers, MANDEM is an ode to the moments in our pasts that shape us, and gratitude at being able to appreciate these lessons in the present.In a beautiful blend of prose and lyricism, each essay sees its author tap into their most vulnerable place - engaging honestly in conversations often silently grappled with by Black British men because of socially enforced beliefs around Black masculinity.The themes in this essay collection range from the importance of male role-models, and the unique relationship between mother and son to the sexual pressure placed on young heterosexual men, while also asking the question: "what does contemporary Black queerness actually look like?"Edited by award-winning artist Iggy London and featuring essays from Yomi Sode, Jeffrey Boakye, Christian Adofo, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Athian Akec, Dipo Faloyin, Okechukwu Nzelu, Phil Samba, Sope Soetan, and Jordan Stephens, MANDEM is an unmissable, thoughtful anthology of Black male expression.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing Kate Marshall’s first year in the mortuary at a north of England NHS hospital, with each month exploring the people she meets, in life and death, as well as her own growing awareness of life behind the veil. Meet Mr X Found in his apartment months after his death, Mr X has no relatives that can be traced. He is the longest-serving resident of the mortuary, having been there for almost a year while the search for his elusive family continues. The staff talk to him like an old friend, but Mr X is disintegrating and a decision has to be made soon. Meet Mary Her baby girl has been lost in the 15th week of pregnancy, Mary’s last chance to have a child. Mary won’t allow Abigail to leave the mortuary until she has finished reading a book to her. She visits twice each day, sitting with her baby, reading to her, speaking to no one, until she finally opens up to Kate. Meet Joe A loving husband and father who has died suddenly of a heart attack. Joe is visited by his wife, his children – and his mistress. On the day that all his worlds collide, Kate witnesses how death can finally reveal the truth of years of lies. Sorry for Your Loss is haunting, uplifting and informative, with many moments of laughter, and shows us that the way we approach death can make life all the more precious.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn unvarnished accounting of one man’s struggle toward sexual and emotional maturity. In this unconventional memoir, Jonathan Alexander addresses wry and affecting missives to a conflicted younger self. Focusing on three years—1989, 1993, and 1996—Dear Queer Self follows the author through the homophobic heights of the AIDS epidemic, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the election of Bill Clinton, and the steady advancements in gay rights that followed. With humor and wit afforded by hindsight, Alexander relives his closeted college years, his experiments with his sexuality in graduate school, his first marriage to a woman, and his budding career as a college professor. As he moves from tortured self-denial to hard-won self-acceptance, the author confronts the deeply uncomfortable ways he is implicated in his own story. More than just a coming-out narrative, Dear Queer Self is both an intimate psychological exploration and a cultural examination—a meshing of inner and outer realities and a personal reckoning with how we sometimes torture the truth to make a life. It is also a love letter, an homage to a decade of rapid change, and a playlist of the sounds, sights, and feelings of a difficult, but ultimately transformative, time.Trade Review"The narration is a triumph, establishing instant intimacy. Alexander serves as simultaneous director, guide, and archivist. . . . Dear Queer Self is an intense, daring coming-of-age—and coming out—memoir." * Foreword Reviews, starred review *"I can’t recall the last time I was so moved as I was while reading Dear Queer Self. With unvarnished frankness, Jonathan Alexander pens these letters to his younger queer self about the messy borders that exist between love and obsession, loneliness and acceptance, during moments in history marked by uncertainty and upheaval. What emerges is a striking account of the ways we draw strength from tragedy and learn to face our past transgressions with equal parts humor and resilience." * Alex Espinoza, author of 'Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime' *"Alexander's searing memoir, framed as an interrogation of his past self during crucial years of his life, offers a deeply honest portrait of life as a complicated young man in the eighties and nineties, and reaffirms the isolation queer people still feel in a world that gestures its acceptance while withholding its substance. The writing is deeply affecting, brutal in its self-evaluation, evocative in its mapping of Alexander's search for self-acceptance. The book is most valuable for its refusal to adhere to simple categories; sexuality here is complicated, variable, quixotic, and tenacious. Much like the author's vision. I am deeply grateful to have encountered this book." * Jim Grimsley, author of 'How I Shed My Skin' and 'Boulevard' *"Dear Queer Self was included in Lambda Literary’s most anticpated list for March." * Lambda Literary *

Read more less