Health & Wellbeing Books

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Book SynopsisExamining the popular discourse of nerves and stress, this book provides a historical account of how ordinary Britons understood, explained and coped with the pressures and strains of daily life during the twentieth century. It traces the popular, vernacular discourse of stress, illuminating not just how stress was known, but the ways in which that knowledge was produced. Taking a cultural approach, the book focuses on contemporary popular understandings, revealing continuity of ideas about work, mental health, status, gender and individual weakness, as well as the changing socio-economic contexts that enabled stress to become a ubiquitous condition of everyday life by the end of the century. With accounts from sufferers, families and colleagues it also offers insight into self-help literature, the meanings of work and changing dynamics of domestic life, delivering a complementary perspective to medical histories of stress.Trade Review'[… ] this timely text makes a valuable and enjoyable intervention into the literature on twentieth century Britain. Feeling the Strain will be a valuable resource for gender historians and historians interested in mental health. It marshals a range of revealing source material to inform our historical understanding of a problem that seems, at the present moment, to be ubiquitous and inexorable.'Twentieth Century British History -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction1 Nerves and the nervous: self-help books in the early decades of the twentieth century2 Neurotic tendencies: workplace and suburban neurosis in the interwar period3 ‘Just Nerves!’: civilian nerves in the Second World War4 Th e great strain: domestic troubles in post-war Britain5 The democratisation of stress: popular and personal discourse in the 1960s and 1970s6 The ‘ruthless years’: burn-out and the paradigm of stressConclusionBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a detailed and sensitive account of how parents experience different forms of baby loss, and subsequently make decisions about post-mortem examination. It also analyses some of the challenges professionals face when working in this highly sensitive field of medicine. It draws on data from an ESRC award-winning UK based study on the development of minimally invasive post-mortem to examine a range of sociologically pertinent issues relating to: ‘trauma’ ‘emotions’, ‘decisions’, ‘care’ ‘technology’ ‘memory’ and the role of ‘social and biological relationships’. By shedding light on this taboo aspect of healthcare, the book provides a highly original contribution to sociology, offering a comprehensive analysis of some of the most pressing concerns in the field to date.Trade Review'By shedding light on this taboo aspect of healthcare, the book provides a highly original contribution to the sociology of emotions, medical sociology, death and dying studies and science and technology studies. It is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend to further advance understanding of perinatal bereavement and post-mortem care.'Dr Kerry Jones, Senior Lecturer in End-of-Life Care, The Open University -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction1 Trauma2 Decisions3 Technology4 Emotions5 Care6 Memory7 RelationshipsConclusion: Life after deathReferences

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Book SynopsisIn this enthralling book, Ben Alderson-Day explores one of the most curious experiences known to humankind: the universal, disturbing sense that someone or something is there when we are alone – the feeling of an unseen presence.When and why do presences emerge? What does this feeling mean and where does it come from? And how can we even begin to understand a phenomenon that can be transformative for those who experience it and yet so hard to put into words? The answers to these questions lie in this fascinating exploration through cutting-edge research in contemporary psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience and philosophy.Taking the reader on a riveting and emotional journey, Presence offers remarkable insights into the experience of felt presence and how it relates to a range of medical conditions, including sleep paralysis, dementia and Parkinson’s. This compelling story will stoke the fascination of sceptics and ardent believers alike who are drawn to the mystery of the unseen.Trade Review Winner of the British Psychological Society 2023 Book Award for Popular Science 'Alderson-Day offers a thrilling and erudite survey of the experience of "felt presence" – where one has the strong feeling that someone, or something, is there, but without any input from our traditional senses. The book brings together rich testimonies of this core human experience, with the insights of myth, history, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry. Reading it leaves one with an enriched appreciation of what we are and how much more we have yet to understand about ourselves.' Matthew Broome, Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health and Director of the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham'The sense that you are not alone - that someone or something is "there" - is a fascinating topic and this marvellous book draws across many different kinds of experiences to give a coherent account of the kinds of processes that underlie this feeling.'Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London'Presence is a fascinating read. The writing is lively and the stories are compelling. Thanks to Alderson-Day, the mysterious world of visions, voices and ghostly presences is just that bit more understandable.'Jason Arunn Murugesu, New Scientist 'Those interested in developing a richer understanding of the phenomenon will appreciate Alderson-Day's in-depth exploration of the topic and detailed endnotes.'Library Journal'Alderson-Day’s wonderful book truly represents such an intellectual experience and is a rare achievement as well as being a delight to read.'Alastair Morgan, The Polyphony -- .Table of ContentsPreface: what is there?Part I: Phantom others1 A thickness in the air2 'Things which can never be sooken of'3 The double4 Luke5 The presence robot6 'I’ll set the table for three people when it’s just me and my wife'Part II: Fellow travelers7 The walnut of reality8 The marathon monk of Billingham9 Seeing darkness10 Spirit11 In two minds12 You never askedIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book offers an in-depth sociological analysis of parent and professional experience of baby loss, examining the role that post-mortem can play in the wider context of bereavement. -- .

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Book SynopsisAn honest, funny and feminist take on living with your period (and hormones!), by the award-winning sex education and body positivity champion, and author of Doing It!, Hannah Witton. When it comes to periods, we're often expected to cope with it quietly. But our periods and our hormones affect every area of our lives - so I am done with scuttling to the toilet with a tampon up my sleeve.It's clear that I'm not the only one aching to be more open about this. When I reached out to the online community, I received an outpouring of raw, real and hilarious stories about what we go through simply for having a uterus.From first periods to first coils, pimples to hot-water bottles and PCOS to endometriosis, The Hormone Diaries is your essential companion on the hormone rollercoaster. Filled with Hannah's insights, fascinating research and those priceless crowdsourced stories, it's the reassuring hug we all need.At least 50 per cent of the world has to deal with this stuff - it's time we started talking about it.

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Book SynopsisWednesday is for Witch . . . . . . and so is every other day of the year.Start the New Year by awakening your supernatural powers and manifesting your dreams with a daily dose of good witch energy. Feel empowered by this book of magical positivity, which offers fun rituals and simple spells for everyday self-care, from a mindfulness charm to help you stay grounded on big days to positive mantras for times when you need a good-mood boost. Whether you want to perform a cleanse for a fresh start, be at one with the nature around you, meditate with the healing power of crystals or simply add a dash of cinnamon to your breakfast for extra zing, this book of spells and spice for everyday good vibes will help you tap into your inner magic whenever you need it.

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Book SynopsisA dating guide - with bite! For fans of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries and all things supernatural comes a self-help guide you can really sink your teeth in to. Dating isn''t always easy, especially when your crush is a night owl, suspiciously knowledgable at history (it''s like they lived through it!) and likes their steak on the bloodier side.You might already have an intense connection (move over Bella and Edward) or perhaps you''re still in your enemies-to-lovers era (Buffy and Spike, who?), but getting past that ''I like you'' moment is proving tricky. Enter Crimson Angel Mercy, the supernatural agony aunt, who will spare you the agony as you dip your toe in the dating pool. In The Love Languages of Vampires, Crimson will show you how to dodge the red flags, move on from serial ghosters and spot the bloodsuckers before you fall in love at first bite. Discover the five love languages that are essential to a happy relationship and find o

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Book SynopsisStudent life can be expensive – but don’t panic. Manage Your Money helps you successfully juggle your finances as you study, giving you the confidence and good habits to stay on track. Manage your budget (and still have a life) Become a savvy spender so your cash goes further Explore sources of funding you didn’t know existed. Super Quick Skills provides the essential building blocks you need to succeed at university - fast. Packed with practical, positive advice on core academic and life skills, you’ll discover focused tips and strategies to use straight away. Whether it’s writing great essays, understanding referencing or managing your wellbeing, find out how to build good habits and progress your skills throughout your studies. Learn core skills quickly Apply them right away and see results Succeed in your studies and in life Super Quick Skills gives you the foundations you need to confidently navigate the ups and downs of university life.Table of ContentsSection 1: What do I need to know to manage my money successfully at university and beyond? Section 2 : What is my student finance package and when should I start to apply for it? Section 3: What other sources of money could I draw on? Section 4: How should I select and operate my student bank account? Section 5: How can I make and manage a budget successfully? Section 6: How can I develop successful spending skills? Section 7: How will where I live affect my money? Section 8: What if I run into financial problems? Section 9: How do I know if I’ve got it all together and where can I access help and advice?

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER In Eat Better Forever, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall gives you all the tools to improve your eating habits, and therefore your life — permanently. And to help it all happen, he’s added his 100 healthiest recipes yet. In this ground-breaking book, instead of promising a gimmicky single-fix solution to the challenge of healthy eating, Hugh extracts the knowledge, advice and healthy habits, from cutting edge research into the obesity crisis, to produce 7 simple strategies that will transform your diet and your health. Starting with the blissfully simple message that we all need to Go Whole, he leads us away from the industrial junk and processed foods that are doing so many of us so much harm and returns us to the real foods that nurture us and keep us well. Everything that follows is clear, believable and achievable. From sorting the good carbs from the bad, learning not to fear fat, and looking after our gut, to renegotiating the foods we call 'drinks' and being mindful of when to eat…and when to take a pause… Hugh guides us to a better way of eating that will last us our whole lives. It’s all offered up with reassuring tips and switches that help us act on the vital knowledge he imparts. And the 100 recipes that come with it, and their endless variations, make for a lifetime of healthy eating.Trade ReviewIf you’re remotely tempted to eat better – both for the health of the planet and yourself – this book will help you as you attempt to steer a new course * Daily Telegraph *Promises to supply you with the tools to change your eating habits * The Times *The recipes themselves will slip easily into your daily routine * Independent *

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Book Synopsis For real mums at their wits’ end, this grown-up activity book is perfect for all mothers in a bad mood. Let's face it: motherhood gives you SO many reasons for bad moods. From stretch marks to toddler rage and teenage sulking – it's as if your little (or not so little) darlings seem to have been put on this earth just to drive you up the wall. With The Little Book of Bad Moods for Mothers, you can finally drop the pretence of holding it together and simply explode. Without hurting anyone. Here are just some of the cathartic activities: What UNWANTED advice have you been given about being a parent? Fill out the answers! Draw yourself BEFORE AND AFTER pregnancy. Be very realistic. What are the MOST IRRITATING characteristics that your child has inherited from your partner? A chance to secretly moan about your partner too! What would you REALLY like to say to your child? Resist the urge! Write it down instead. What is the most IDIOTIC TEEN TREND you have witnessed? Be honest... So, if you have to stop yourself screaming louder than your crying infant or throwing food back at your terrible toddler, remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. This book is for you.Trade ReviewPerfect for any mother prone to grumpiness, this grown-up activity book for bad-mooded mums will raise a smile and should pull her, at least temporarily, out of the doldrums * Scotsman *Definitely the dark side of motherhood * Bristol Post *

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Book Synopsis______________________ 'A beautifully written account of postpartum psychosis, and the ties, blessings and burdens of family' - NIGELLA LAWSON SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE *Observer Book of the Week* *A Guardian Memoir of the Year 2020* *Harper’s Bazaar 10 Women Who Will Shape What You Watch, See and Read in 2020* ______________________ ‘Striking and original' - Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Times 'Completely devastating. Completely heartbreaking' - Daisy Johnson ______________________ Catherine Cho's son was three months old when she and her husband left home to introduce him to their families. Catherine herself could never have envisaged how the trip would end for her - surfacing in an involuntary psychiatric ward, separated from her husband and child, unable to understand who she was, or remember how she got there. In her two weeks on the ward, Catherine turned to her notebook to reconstruct who she was, piece by piece, from the fragments of her life as they drifted back to her. The result is this powerful exploration of psychosis and motherhood, at once intensely personal, yet holding within it a universal experience - of how we love, live and understand ourselves in relation to each other. ______________________ 'A haunting, eloquent evocation of becoming a stranger to yourself' ObserverTrade ReviewCho's intense, poginant book exists in a category of its own * i paper *Cho weaves fractured memoir with Korean history and culture in a raw exploration of mental illness * Observer *A courageous and powerful book * Times Literary Supplement *A brave, brilliant exploration of madness and motherhood * Harper's Bazaar *Captivating ... A disturbing and masterfully told memoir, but it's also an important one that pushes back against powerful taboos * New York Times Book Review *This striking story of motherhood and psychosis grips ... One of the many fascinating things about this beautifully written book is that it asks us to consider what counts as normal behaviour and what doesn't ... A highly accomplished memoir. Cho deftly weaves the strands of her experience to create something striking and original -- Cathy Rentzenbrink * The Times *A brilliantly frightening memoir about Cho’s two weeks on the psychiatric ward, elegantly interwoven with tales from her past ... [Cho writes] herself into motherhood and into a form of sanity that does not leave behind the insights enabled by psychosis. -- Lara Feigel * Guardian *In honest and intricate detail, Inferno traverses between past traumas and present-day experiences * Evening Standard *Utterly brilliant: poetic, truthful, frightening, clever. I held my breath at both the power of the prose and the writer’s unflinching honesty -- Christie Watson, author of The Language of KindnessA viscerally raw and startlingly honest account of the author’s journey into motherhood. A must-read for those looking to understand one of the darkest corners of the female experience -- Leah Hazard, author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's StoryA powerful and poignant book. The difficult and haunting brutality of both psychosis and relationships was so beautifully and honestly portrayed -- Bev Thomas, author of A Good Enough MotherTriumphant * Cosmopolitan *Insightful and shocking * Stylist *Completely devastating. Completely heartbreaking. Written in luminous, spiralling prose -- Daisy Johnson, author of Everything UnderA fierce, brave, glittering book that charts with unflinching honesty the shift from one reality to another and the family ghosts that – without always knowing it – we all carry -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryCompelling and exquisitely written. Catherine Cho’s eye-opening memoir took me into a world I knew nothing about. She communicates her experience with such startling clarity, I felt I was right there with her. Exceptional -- Ruth JonesUtterly compelling and beautifully written, Inferno is one of the bravest and most beautiful books I have ever read -- Alice FeeneyInferno does just as the title suggests, it throws you into the flames of the author's psychosis so that you are in there with her, fighting for your next breath. I've rarely read such a powerful account of madness. Gripping, chilling and ultimately hopeful, this is one not to miss -- Lisa JewellI was hooked from the very start ... It is at heart a love story, but one in which unimaginable, wonderfully depicted, mental torture intrudes. In sharing this pain, and exploring its cultural and other causes, Catherine Cho does a great service to the cause of breaking down stigma surrounding mental ill health ... A beautiful book -- Alastair Campbell

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Book SynopsisAs an adult, I learned this: persist. Work hard. Face rejection, weather the setbacks, until you meet the gatekeeper who will open a door for you. Jesmyn Ward grew up in a poor, rural community in Mississippi. Today, as the first woman to win the National Book Award twice, she is celebrated as one of America’s greatest living writers. Navigate Your Stars is a stirring reflection on the value of hard work and the importance of respect for oneself and others. First delivered as a 2018 commencement address at Tulane University, it captures Ward’s inimitable voice as she reflects on her experiences as a Southern black woman, addressing the themes of grit, adversity and the importance of family bonds. Beautifully illustrated in full colour, this is a meditative and profound book that will inspire all readers preparing for the next chapter in their lives.Trade ReviewBlazing with power, grief and tenderness. Ward takes the territory made so familiar by writers such as William Faulkner or Eudora Welty, and reclaims it -- Praise for 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' * Financial Times *Ward is a lyrical, visceral storyteller, one who is as adept at conveying the tenderness of sibling love as the terror and brutality of racist violence -- Praise for 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Deeply moving ... A triumph' Justin Webb 'What might, in other hands, have been simply macabre becomes peculiarly mesmerising' Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday Ten seconds before my father’s death, I have a premonition - that the breath he is taking will be his last. William Leith’s childhood was marked by his father’s absences and as a consequence their relationship has always been a troubled one. Now, as his father lies dying, William reflects on the connections and ruptures that have marked their shared history. Can he ever really understand his father? Is there an explanation for the physical distance and emotional chasm that his father has maintained between them? And what was he running away from? Darkly comical and told with searing honesty, The Cut that Wouldn’t Heal is a moving memoir about the pain of abandonment, grief and regret.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE CUT THAT WOULDN'T HEAL: The Cut That Wouldn’t Heal should be depressing, but it is in fact weirdly exhilarating, largely because the author tracks his own feelings, however untoward, with a darkly comical precision … What might, in other hands, have been simply macabre becomes peculiarly mesmerising. -- Craig Brown * The Mail on Sunday *Honest without oversharing, William Leith is such a perfect writer … The Cut that Wouldn’t Heal is a triumph and deeply moving. Wonderful. -- Justin WebbWilliam Leith is a very fine writer, defined by a compulsive honesty: not the heavily-curated oversharing of social media culture, but the real, uncomfortable thing. This book, which deals in the sometimes absurdist agonies of grief – and indeed of life – is his best yet. * Laura Thompson *A reckoning with the past by a writer whose past offers plenty to reckon with … Pacily written … satisfyingly structured -- Norma Clarke * Times Literary Supplement *An intensely readable study of love and regret. -- Ian JackAs mysterious and unsettling as a Cold War thriller – the search for self amidst the puzzle of a brilliant absentee father. -- Ed Needham * Strong Words Magazine *PRAISE FOR THE TRICK: The Trick takes all of Leith’s writing habits – his mazy streams of consciousness (few writers are quite so enamoured of, or good at, watching themselves think) and his love of axiom – and, if anything, ups the ante... Hugely enjoyable. * Observer *PRAISE FOR THE HUNGRY YEARS: Compulsively readable. I gulped it down in a couple of greedy bites ... It is a powerful memoir ... it has the unusual qualities of heart and daring. In the end, these are what stay inside you. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisClever, easy-to-follow tips for a fun and sustainable Christmas In the run-up to Christmas, it is all too easy to get overwhelmed by the rush to buy last-minute presents or feel pressurised into buying far more food than you can ever eat. At the same time, you know that tonnes of plastic will be making their way into landfill as a result of unwanted gifts or broken baubles. Not to mention the miles and miles of wrapping paper. If you’re ready for a change this December, then Green Christmas is here to help you bring the focus back to happiness and togetherness. So, slow down, take a breath and approach the season as you should: merrily. Every chapter in this book is brimming with tips to help you seek out sustainable but beautiful alternatives for the things you no longer feel you need, and come up with fun things to do with the people you care about. Once you start the journey of creating your own advent calendar, upcycling a novelty jumper or learning the art of furoshiki gift-wrapping, you’ll be beaming like a child at, well ... Christmas. It’s all about little changes that will bring you joy, year after year. The planet will thank you too!

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Book Synopsis'Bitingly funny, infectiously inquisitive and ferociously sharp. Adored!' ATTITUDE 'A fascinating interrogation' GRAZIA 'An incisive, witty and moving look at marriage - as an achievement, a compromise, a selling-out, a practical solution' REFINERY29 It was one thing to get married when your parents, your neighbours, your community insisted on it, when a sacred union for heterosexuals was not just one option but the only option. It’s quite another to keep doing it in when free of that societal and religious pressure. What is the allure of an institution grounded in patriarchy, in elitism, in white supremacy in the West, an institution that invalidated all but one kind of love till quite recently? Why do so many of us fight against these social ills while also posting pictures of proposals on Instagram? Is it possible to be married while subverting the institution by doing it one’s own way, or is marriage having the last laugh after all? Tom Rasmussen comes from a Northern, working class family, for whom marriage in the centrepiece of life. They are also a male-bodied, non-binary queer person in a relationship with a man. Journeying through wildly different weddings, visits to wedding planners, interviews with the much-married, those who have questioned their decision to marry, and those who would never consider matrimony, this is an incisive, witty and moving look at marriage - as an achievement, a compromise, a selling-out, a practical solution. Tom Rasmussen examines what marriage means across the spectrum of sexuality and class, and what the future looks like for this most historic and universal of institutions. 'An incisive, compassionate probing of the pleasures and pitfalls of marriage ... A deft deconstruction of normativity today' DAZED 'Tom Rasmussen is a smart and accomplished storyteller ... Anyone - queer or straight - who's considering marriage, or for that matter anyone who's deeply in love should read this unputdownable book' KATE BORNSTEIN 'I love Tom Rasmussen and adore their writing' TRAVIS ALABANZA 'An interrogation and an investigation ... A deeply funny and optimistic read' JUNO ROCHETrade ReviewBitingly funny, infectiously inquisitive and ferociously sharp. Adored! * ATTITUDE *Tom Rasmussen is a smart and accomplished storyteller ... Anyone - queer or straight - who's considering marriage, or for that matter anyone who's deeply in love should read this unputdownable book -- KATE BORNSTEINI absolutely loved this book. A fascinating, funny and ultimately moving exploration of marriage in the 21st century, voiced flawlessly - each interjection more perfect that the last -- EVIE WYLDI love Tom Rasmussen and adore their writing -- TRAVIS ALABANZAA fascinating interrogation * GRAZIA *An incisive, witty and moving look at marriage - as an achievement, a compromise, a selling-out, a practical solution * REFINERY29 *An interrogation and an investigation ... A deeply funny and optimistic read -- JUNO ROCHEAn incisive, compassionate probing of the pleasures and pitfalls of marriage ... A deft deconstruction of normativity today * DAZED *PRAISE FOR DIARY OF A DRAG QUEEN: A riotous portrayal of the contemporary queer experience * DAZED *Diary of a Drag Queen is a heartfelt memoir of queerness and non-conformity * VOGUE *Tom covers the nuance, doubt, and uncertainty of being a drag queen. Crystal covers the transcendence ... Charisma and quick intelligence - two qualities that have long been prerequisites for drag ... Diary puts on technicolor display * NEW YORKER *Truthful, revealing and obscenely hilarious […] Strident and unapologetic but really sweet, too * ATTITUDE *A proud voice for the non-binary community * GAY TIMES *This book honestly changed my life. Tom’s honesty, vulnerability and fearlessness jumps out of every page and every word. It is the queer bible I’ve always needed and I don’t remember life BT (before Tom) -- SAM SMITH

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Book Synopsis'A beautiful work that is in turn haunting, touching and redemptive' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE ‘A profoundly emotional book, and a brave one’ THE NEW YORKER 'Generous in spirit, devoid of self-pity, and an authentic literary achievement' ANDREW SOLOMON When Luiz Schwarcz was a child, he knew very little about his grandfather Láios, a Hungarian Jew. Only later would he learn that Láios had ordered his son, Luiz’s father, to leap from a train taking them to a Nazi death camp, while Láios himself was carried on to his death. What Luiz did know was that his father’s melancholia haunted the house he grew up in. Compassionate and tender, The Absent Moon interrogates a personal story of inherited trauma through a family history of murder, silence and the long echo of the Holocaust across generations. 'Brave, honest, devastating, and hopeful ... Schwarcz is a masterful storyteller’ ARIANA NEUMANN 'A lyrical and intimate portrait of the author’s lifelong, harrowing battle with depression' ABRAHAM VERGHESETrade ReviewFascinating, elegiac, heartbreaking and inspiring, this book is both a chronicle of the killing of the Holocaust, a memoir of unbearable suffering witnessed and felt for decades after; and an analysis of psychological trauma and memory – a beautiful work that is in turn haunting, touching and redemptive -- Simon Sebag MontefioreBrave, honest, devastating, and hopeful – a beautiful exploration of a man trying to understand his father, of how Holocaust trauma is passed down the generations and how we are all shaped by words and silences. Schwarcz is a masterful storyteller -- Ariana Neumann, author of WHEN TIME STOPPEDThis tender and lovely memoir of a child growing up in Brazil in a household whose characters were scarred by the Holocaust is unlike anything I can think of. It is also a lyrical and intimate portrait of the author’s lifelong, harrowing battle with depression -- Abraham Verghese, author of CUTTING FOR STONEIn this intimate and profound description of a life often marked by depression, Luiz Schwarcz touches on the insidious power of intergenerational trauma; on the terrible challenges of functioning despite a crippling disease; and on the burden of carrying a disability in relative silence. His is ultimately a book about identity, about how the author has managed, both despite and because of his depression, to inhabit a good marriage, an excellent career, a lovely family, and, perhaps most crucially, a coherent sense of self. It is generous in spirit, devoid of self-pity, and an authentic literary achievement -- Andrew SolomonA profoundly emotional book, and a brave one * The New Yorker *In The Absent Moon, Luiz Schwarcz, a legendary Brazilian publisher and global tastemaker, shares little of the glamorous life, focusing instead on the lifelong pain of clinical depression * New York Times *

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Book Synopsis'This book will set you free' STEVE LOPEZ 'Sheds light so eloquently on such a widespread and too easily trivialised affliction' SUNDAY TIMES 'Captivating, fascinating and wide-ranging' OBSERVER ___________________ Stage fright is one of our deepest fears, ranked higher than snakes or heights. But it can be tamed: Laurence Olivier, Salma Hayek, Paul McCartney and Adele have all battled it and learned to cope. As a child, Sara Solovitch studied piano and fell in love with it. But as a teen she was overwhelmed by stage fright and gave up any hopes of a musical career. In her late fifties, Sara gave herself one year to tame performance anxiety and play before an audience. Resuming music lessons, she explored remedies including meditation, exposure and cognitive therapy, biofeedback and beta-blockers. Finally, the day before her sixtieth birthday, she gave a formal recital. Drawing on Sara’s own journey as inspiration, Playing Scared is an insightful cultural history of performance anxiety and a tribute to pursuing personal growth at any age.Trade ReviewSolovitch is a skilled, self-deprecating, wry, and quizzical writer, who fills her account both with diligent research into all relevant fields – from psychology and medicine to sports history – and wonderful vignettes * The Times *Heartfelt and moving … Sheds light so eloquently on such a widespread and too easily trivialised affliction * Sunday Times *Captivating, fascinating and wide-ranging * Observer *This book will set you free -- Steve LopezGripping and compelling … Playing Scared will hold significance for anyone who fears the spotlight, whether in the boardroom, on the playing field or on stage. Masterfully done! -- Jennifer L. Eberhardt, Professor of Psychology at Stanford UniversityFascinating … We hear about music, sport, philosophy, psychology … and there are quite a few useful tips along the way -- Stephen Hough

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Book SynopsisAS SEEN ON BBC'S DON'T EXCLUDE ME. 'Such an important book, by someone who really understands the issues that young people face in today's world.' Dr Zoe Williams Right now, it is undeniably a tough time to be a parent. With so many pressures on your time, your energy and your resources, it can be difficult to give your child everything they need emotionally, and even more so when you’re faced with defiance, disruption or challenging behaviour. However, in this new book, Marie Gentles draws on decades of expertise supporting families to give you the toolkit you need to be the best parent you can be – and the best bit? The change starts with you. Just as when you’re on a plane and are advised to get your own oxygen mask on in an emergency before helping your child, the same applies when it comes to behaviour. So first in Marie’s toolbox is the need to take time for yourself: give yourself headspace, allow yourself time to adopt a healthy mindset and be the change you want to see. From establishing positive relationships that bring out the best in your child, to applying the tools you learn as a framework for your wider relationships, whether it be with friends, colleagues, your boss or even your inner child, this book will help you put Marie’s FIVE CS into practise when faced with any challenging moment: Communication: behaviour is communicating a need for emotional connection. Calm: this moment is a teaching and learning opportunity. Curious: what feeling is the other person seeking? Connect: how can I meet their emotional needs? Convey: what does my behaviour look like in this moment from the other person’s perspective? You don’t need to fit into a box with your parenting style, but using Marie’s gentle guidance, you’ll be equipped to raise a resilient child who in turn has the tools they need to deal with anything life throws at them – whether they are fifteen months or fifteen years, it's never too late to start.Trade Review'Such an important book, by someone who really understands the issues that young people face in today's world' * Dr Zoe Williams *

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Book Synopsis'I was riveted by Sweat and its extraordinary tale of the ups and downs of exercise over millennia' Jane Fonda ‘Does what all good history books should do: take the past and make it vastly more human’ The Times _________________________ From the author of Insomniac City 'who can tackle just about any subject in book form, and make you glad he did' (San Francisco Chronicle): a cultural, scientific, literary, and personal history of exercise Exercise is our modern obsession, and we have the fancy workout gear and fads to prove it. Exercise - a form of physical activity distinct from sports, play, or athletics - was an ancient obsession, too, but as a chapter in human history, it's been largely overlooked. In Sweat, Bill Hayes runs, jogs, swims, spins, walks, bikes, boxes, lifts, sweats, and downward-dogs his way through the origins of different forms of exercise, chronicling how they have evolved over time, and dissecting the dynamics of human movement. Hippocrates, Plato, Galen, Susan B. Anthony, Jack LaLanne, and Jane Fonda, among many others, make appearances in Sweat, but chief among the historical figures is Girolamo Mercuriale, a Renaissance-era Italian physician who aimed singlehandedly to revive the ancient Greek “art of exercising” through his 1569 book De arte gymnastica. In the pages of Sweat, Mercuriale and his illustrated treatise are vividly brought back to life. asHayes ties his own personal experience to the cultural and scientific history of exercise, from ancient times to the present day, he gives us a new way to understand its place in our lives in the 21st century.Trade ReviewI was riveted by Sweat and its extraordinary tale of the ups and downs of exercise over millennia. Who knew? -- Jane FondaPerhaps because exercise is such a universal - and universally humbling - part of our lives, Sweat does, seemingly effortlessly, what all good history books should do: take the past and make it vastly more human * The Times *There’s a skip to Hayes’ step throughout, and the book will certainly ground any January health kick in a grander context * Daily Mail *As a storyteller, Hayes is like Joe Frazier … I would have liked this book to go on longer. Erudite, ludic, eccentric, energetic and historically transporting, it’s like falling through a gym and landing in a joust -- Zoe Williams * Guardian *Bill Hayes’ peripatetic inquiry into the history of exercise is a delight ... You’re in for a treat. Hayes weaves his riveting findings in the archives with a revelatory memoir of physical exertion that begins to answer that most human of questions: what does the body mean? -- Alison Bechdel, author of 'The Secret to Superhuman Strength'Charming and idiosyncratic ... A distinctive, often moving blend of historical and memoirist writing ... Hayes’s exuberant book tells us what awaits if we can only make it so * NEW YORKER *One of a number of titles that promise to take a serious look at exercise * Financial Times, Books of the Year 2022 *Charming and compelling … Among the pleasures of Sweat, Bill Hayes’s idiosyncratic and delightful history of exercise, is learning about the sweat lives of the great and good * The Critic *Hayes fascinatingly traces exercise’s gradual evolution into the multibillion-pound industry it is now – by way of some genuine scientific breakthroughs and several passing crazes * Readers' Digest *A lovely weave of memory and science, great characters and compassionate humor. You will love it for its wisdom and wonderful writing -- Anne LamottLike the most rewarding kind of travel writer, Bill Hayes is both informative and personal as he takes us through the borderlands ... I'm grateful for the way this intimate, reflective, and factual guidebook captures the feeling of that terrain -- Robert PinskyPlayful and powerful ... profoundly moving ... Hayes writes with so much panache that reading this book is thrilling * Boston Globe *Bill Hayes has an unusual set of skills ... He is part science writer, part memoirist, part culture explainer * New York Times *A beguiling brew of fascinating scientific facts and illuminating, poignant anecdotes ... vital and pulsing with energy. * Entertainment Weekly *Exquisitely wrought, heartrending and joyous -- Joyce Carol OatesLike Patti Smith's haunting M Train, Hayes' book weaves seemingly disparate threads of memory into a kind of sanctuary - a secret place where one can shake off the treasured relics of past lives and prepare to be reborn anew * San Francisco Chronicle *Hayes's work is resoundingly about life - about being wide awake to possibility, to the beauty of every fleeting moment * Oprah.com *Taking us through the different forms of exercise and their origins, Hayes gives a cultural, scientific and personal history of human movement * Irish Independent, Books of the Year 2022 *All laud and honor to Hayes * Washington Post *He is, in his photos and writings, the great poet of the everyday -- Edmund WhiteA sweeping inquiry into the sometimes converging, sometimes colliding worlds of psychology, medicine, mythology, aging, and mental health -- Maria PopovaMemoir, history, and science come together and apart again in a book that reads very much like a dream, switching genre and subject with a beautiful logic of its own, illuminated now and then with flashes of gorgeous insight ... Read this one and savour it * Out *If there is one person in the modern world who can reinvigorate Mercuriale’s enormous unfinished labor and bridge the physical, the philosophical, and the poetic - bridge Whitman and Warhol, Plato and Peloton, Kafka and Curie, Tennessee Williams and Serena Williams; bridge the “immediate bodily now” of exercise with “the wisdom of the past that had faded from living memory” - it is Bill Hayes. And so he does, in Sweat: A History of Exercise — an expedition, both existential and historical, spanning two thousand years and three continents -- Maria Popova

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Book Synopsis‘A tender memoir of the challenges of bereavement ... I closed this book wishing I’d met her – but feeling that I almost had’ Daily Telegraph _______________ A memoir of a husband's grief, and an unforgettable portrait of a marriage; a profound examination of sorrow, and a great celebration of love - by the Sunday Times-bestselling author James Runcie James Runcie’s wife Marilyn Imrie died in August 2020. Their thirty-five year marriage had been miraculously happy – until, in the last two years of Marilyn’s life, she descended into the pain and humiliation of motor neurone disease. In the wake of her death, Runcie stumbled in the dark. How do you make sense of the decline and death of the most alive person you have ever met? And how do you go about building a life worth living in their absence? In Tell Me Good Things, Runcie tells the story of Marilyn’s illness and death – in all its moments of tragedy, rage, farce and surrealness – while painting a vivid portrait of her life and their marriage: a partnership defined by a shared love of beauty, conviviality and storytelling. And during that first year of loss, he awakens to the strange paradox of grief: that the way to survive Marilyn's death is to understand how very good she was at living. Tender, funny, profound and deeply true, Tell Me Good Things is an unforgettable story of life before death – and love beyond the grave. ‘A touchingly honest and tender memoir' The Times ‘A wonderful addition to the literature of bereavement’ Sunday TimesTrade ReviewJames Runcie’s account of losing his wife to MND is vivid, bleak and wonderful… Where Runcie is excellent is in laying bare his own grief, its narcissism and the ‘bizarre freedom’ is gives him not to care anymore… As an instructive examination of how to find hope in the thralls of depair, Tell Me Good Things is a wonderful addition to the literature of bereavement – and it is most definitely not just for its writer * SUNDAY TIMES *A tender memoir of the challenges of bereavement ... I closed this book wishing I’d met her – but feeling that I almost had * DAILY TELEGRAPH *In this beautifully written memoir, Runcie combines a glorious celebration of their love with an unsparing account of Marilyn’s swift decline, and the harsh reality of grief * DAILY MAIL *Tender, heart-breaking and funny by turns. Marilyn’s vibrant character leaps off the page * CHURCH TIMES *A touchingly honest and tender memoir ... Runcie generously fulfils the promise of his title … because his memoir is full of good things: stories that reveal Imrie’s sharp intelligence, her bold fashion sense, her glee at pricking the bubble of pretension * THE TIMES *Praise for James Runcie: ‘Runcie has the gift of the born storyteller * DAILY MAIL *Runcie has an expert imagination -- HILARY MANTELTremendous: shrewd, compelling and full of insight -- WILLIAM BOYDA triumph of inspired imagination -- FINANCIAL TIMES

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Book Synopsis''Poignant and often sad, the stories of Oskis's patients peel back the layers of the human mind and our attachment to people and things... What becomes clear as consommé is that food is humanity's original and universal love language'' The Mail on Sunday''I was editor of Psychologies Magazine for a long time, and I''ve had a lot of books across my desk, but nothing like this! Dr Oskis shows us that what's on our plate speaks volumes about our hearts'' Suzy Walker, Muddy StilettosThere is no better way to understand ourselves and our relationships with others than through what we eat.Me: When did you know he didn't love you anymore?'My patient: It wasn't when we stopped having sex. No, it was when he stopped eating dinner with me.'That was the lightbulb moment. That was when I discovered there is no better way to get inside people's lives than through their stories about food.Did you know that the food we eat reveals a lot about how we love?Psychologist Dr Andrea Oskis shows us how we connect with each other and how we can change our relationship recipes' for the better. Along the way, she also reveals her own food story about love and loss.Inviting us into her therapy room, she tells us:the real reason why comfort food comfortswhy dessert isn't a good idea when you're stressedwhat makes children feel obliged to eat their greenswhy you should never give a bottle of hot sauce to someone who has been rejectedBe prepared to never look at your plate in the same way again.

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Book SynopsisWhat is a migraine? If you asked five different migraine sufferers, you'd probably get five different answers. Why? Because migraines are different for everyone. Your migraine attacks are as unique as your fingerprints and the experience you have during an attack won't be the same as anyone else's. As there's no one way to get a migraine, there's also no one way to prevent or treat them. Researchers used to think migraine was a vascular condition, or one related to the blood vessels, but it's now classed as neurological, which means it's related to the nervous system. What's more, they don't yet know what causes you to get migraines, and there's no test you can have to get diagnosed. So migraines are a bit of a mystery. Frustrating, right? Don't worry. You don't need to know why you suffer from migraines to understand how to reduce the number of attacks you get or even avoid them altogether. The aim of this book is to help you figure out the best way to prevent your migraines. The first step is to try to understand your own experience. Then you'll be able to figure out how to reduce your attacks, or even stop them altogether.

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Book SynopsisSustainable Beauty is a collection of easy to follow recipes for you to create your fresh, head to toe zero waste beauty routine. Learn how to make everything from exfoliating scrubs to body butter, face wash bars to dry shampoo, Emilie's amazing natural deodorant recipe and everything in between. This book is full of simple recipes using sustainable, environmentally friendly ingredients to give you naturally beautiful skin.

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Book SynopsisThe world desperately needs parents who care deeply about parenting, who embrace their God–given role with humility, grace, commitment, a sense of stewardship, love, and a healthy dose of humor. This book takes a practical, biblical–theological approach to what a mom and dad can do together to parent in a realistic, relational and responsible way.Trade Review… positive, detailed, and exceptionally insightful teaching that is always supported by Scripture. There are specific suggestions, helpful summaries, and good questions for further consideration in each chapter, so a small group could study the book together with great benefit. -- Gary and Ann Wooley (Founders of Marriage Plus International, Denver, Colorado)My parents wrote this parenting book. Spoiler: they’re regular parents. And while they aren’t perfect, they sure did care for and invest in me. I turned out alright if I may say so myself – so give this book a read. I think you’ll find it to be an invaluable resource for you as you cope with your crazy kids. All that said, I give this book the official child–approved stamp! -- David Köstenberger (Son of Andreas and Margaret Köstenberger)Sleep–deprived, anxious, and uncertain about the daunting task of successfully raising a child to adulthood, new parents can’t help feeling overwhelmed. And that’s just in the first week. The glut of advice online only adds to the insecurity. Enter Parenting Essentials, a practical, readable, faithful guide through the sometimes perplexing, often fulfilling, and always sanctifying work of parenting. -- Steve and Candice Watters (Director of Communications, Truth78.org; Author of ‘Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Families’)Andreas and Margaret give a biblically robust yet simple framework to keep us on track as parents. Our family has been encouraged as we’ve watched them become more like Christ while their children have become more like them and so have become more like Christ. May this be true for each of us who read and apply the experiences they share in this book! -- Dave Miller (Church Planter, Leadership Coach, Great Commission Business Owner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)A great read—practical, biblical, and spiritually challenging. -- Josh Moody (Senior Pastor, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois)

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Book SynopsisWisdom from Jonathan Edwards on the journey towards death, with application for modern life. Death is inevitable. Whether we’re facing the death of a loved one, or our own passing from this world to the next, we cannot avoid it. Death is something we never get used to. But it is something that we can get ready for. Deborah Howard has taken Jonathan Edwards’ intensely encouraging sermon on the Christian Pilgrim and, drawing on her own experiences as a hospice nurse, has written this book to encourage us to live with our final destination in mind. Focussing on scripture truth, the reader is encouraged to think about the journey that leads us towards our final destination. How are we spending our lives, as we live in the light of eternity? This combination of classic sermon and modern application makes this book an essential addition to any Christian’s bookshelf.Trade ReviewDeborah has done us a great service with this book for the hurting, the struggler, and the biblical counselor. -- Dave Jenkins (Executive Director, Servants of Grace Ministries)Howard uses her personal experience as a hospice nurse to her advantage as she brings Edwards’ treasures alive for our day. She uses the Scripture well and adds helpful discussion questions at the end of each chapter. -- Michael Brunk (Pastor, Kathorus Bible Church, Johannesburg, South Africa)Deborah Howard has done it again. She’s written another compassionate work that points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. My wife and I think it’s fantastic. God has given her a gift which she uses to encourage, inform and inspire. What she has done with this Jonathan Edwards sermon is very fine, indeed. We heartily recommend this book to all believers. -- Wayne Mack (ACBC Academy member; Director, ACBC Africa; elder and pastor, Lynnwood Baptist Church, Pretoria, South Africa)Imagine, though, sitting with a friend, reading a page or two of Edwards, and talking together about what it means and how it applies. That is the sweet experience of reading this book, with Deborah Howard as our person guide to one of the greatest preachers of all time. -- Joel R. Beeke (Chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan)Drawing from her experience as a hospice nurse, attending to many who were in the process of dying, she causes us to think about our own eventual deaths, about preparing for death as a believer, and laying out before us the joys of what it will be like when we meet the Lord for an eternity. -- Curtis Thomas (Author, pastor and teacher)

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Book SynopsisA testimony to the sufficiency of God in the gruelling day–to–day reality of raising a child with a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders have become increasingly prevalent, especially in children and teenagers. Suicide is the 3rd highest cause of death in fifteen– to nineteen–year–olds around the world. This effect of the Fall has left thousands of families in despair, confusion, and impotent desperation. Leslie Schmucker knows this all too well. Writing to encourage other parents who find themselves in a similar situation, she explores different aspects of her and her family’s experience with their daughter, Jackie. Through violence and mayhem, joy and hope, intense isolation, shame and confusion, Leslie’s honest testimony to the goodness of God is humbling. Leslie’s testimony is split into four sections: Comfort from the God who Knows Sufficiency in the Fallout Guidance in the Storm Hope for the Journey Life in our post–Fall world is not always neat, not every story looks like a success, but Leslie shows us how the gospel is for every situation, the love of God is for everyone, and He can be trusted to write our stories. Whether you are raising a child with a mental health disorder or not, this book will challenge your comfortable Christianity and show you a love beyond measure.Trade Review… an accessible, authentic, hopeful book about clinging to God and His promises in the midst of some of the hardest, most painful circumstances a family could face. -- John Knight (Donor Officer, Desiring God)Never have I read a book that so powerfully owns the heart–wrenching realities of raising a child with severe mental illness, while simultaneously and fervently pointing the reader to truths of Scripture, the power of the gospel, and the love of God in Christ. -- Stephanie O. Hubach (Author, ‘Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability’; Research Fellow, Disability Ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri)If you have a child struggling with mental illness, this book will be like sitting down with a good friend who can relate to what you’re going through and has much wisdom to share. -- Keri Folmar (Author, Delighting in the Word Bible Study series and ‘The Good Portion: Scripture’ and co–host of Priscilla Talk)… a story of courage and trust that all parents would benefit from, not just adoptive parents. The story is not sugar–coated. Disney would never consider an ending like theirs. Brace yourself, reader, and learn from experience to rest in the Lord. -- Matt Schmucker (Elder, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; Director, CROSS Conference)

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Book Synopsis22 high-profile contributors, from a wide range of backgrounds, describe how they have all achieved extraordinary success in their lives. Each then share, through their brilliantly inspirational advice, precisely what we should do, to find success in ours -------------- A FEW WISE WORDS is the perfect guide for young people, young adults (and older adults too) on how to prepare for our personal journey towards success, purpose, and fulfilment in life. -------------- This book is for parents too - helping with the vital role that we must play, to inspire our children to get completely ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead -------------- Compelling, down-to-earth, and beautifully presented, A FEW WISE WORDS can help anyone to discover the best version of themselves, while learning how to navigate their journey ahead, with confidence and direction. -------------- WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM: Sir Ben Ainslie -- Frank Arnesen -- Zak Brown -- Ursula Burns -- Sir Roger Carr -- Sherry Coutu -- Pablo Ettinger -- Mikhail Fridman -- Stephen Fry -- Dame Katherine Grainger -- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson -- Anya Hindmarch -- Declan Kelly -- Baroness Martha Lane-Fox -- Joanna Lumley -- Dame Carolyn McCall -- Sir Keith Mills -- Vin Murria -- Danielle de Niese -- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks -- Shriti Vadera -- Sir Clive Woodward

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Book SynopsisHow it works? Colourful card tokens are traded for screen time (just like pocket money). Kids pick a Time Token, set the custom app timer, enjoy their screen time, and turn off when the time runs out. It’s that simple. No more squabbles! Each set includes everything you need to make getting kids off their devices as easy as possible. Including: 16 Time Tokens, access to a custom-built countdown timer app, a Promise Contract (designed to bring kids into conversations over screen time boundaries) and special Double & Golden Time Tokens which can be rewarded as weekly prizes to keep them on track. The beautifully illustrated guide to Screen Time written by leading Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, provides strategies to make healthy screen time possible for the whole family - without the arguments. If only there was something as fun to keep us grown-ups accountable too...Table of Contents16 Colourful card tokens in 4 time denominations (15, 30, 45 & 60 mins) Golden Token & Double It Token Promise Contract Custom-designed digital app timer (available on the Apple App Store & Google Play Store) An engaging 24-page guide with instructions, inspiration, and screen time information, tips & strategies from a leading child psychologist Beautifully designed and finished presentation box

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Book SynopsisEveryone has a purpose. And, according to Oprah Winfrey, 'Your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you are meant to be, and begin to honour your calling in the best way possible.' That journey starts right here. In her book, The Path Made Clear, Oprah shares what she sees as a guide for activating your deepest vision of yourself, offering the framework for creating not just a life of success, but one of significance. The book’s ten chapters are organized to help you recognize the important milestones along the road to self-discovery, laying out what you really need in order to achieve personal contentment, and what life’s detours are there to teach us. Oprah opens each chapter by sharing her own key lessons and the personal stories that helped set the course for her best life. She then brings together wisdom and insights from luminaries in a wide array of fields, inspiring readers to consider what they’re meant to do in the world and how to pursue it with passion and focus. Renowned figures such as Ellen DeGeneres, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brené Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert, Eckhart Tolle and Jay-Z share the greatest lessons from their own journeys toward a life filled with purpose.Paired with over one hundred awe-inspiring photographs to help illuminate the wisdom of these messages, The Path Made Clear provides a beautiful resource for achieving a life lived in service of your calling – whatever it may be.Table of ContentsIntroduction - i: Introduction Chapter - 1: The Seeds Chapter - 2: The Roots Chapter - 3: The Whispers Chapter - 4: The Clouds Chapter - 5: The Map Chapter - 6: The Road Chapter - 7: The Climb Chapter - 8: The Give Chapter - 9: The Reward Chapter - 10: Home Section - ii: Epilogue Section - iii: Contributors Acknowledgements - iv: Credits and Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisA heart-rending memoir of love, loss and the unique relationship twins share.More than thirty years ago, David Loftus’s cherished identical twin, John, passed away. Ever since, a day hasn’t passed without David feeling the loss. In 1987, after recovering from a brain tumour, John contracted meningitis and found himself back in hospital for treatment. David, as always, was by his side. They were opening their twenty-fourth birthday presents when a fatally miscalculated routine injection forced John into a coma. He died within two weeks. Over the past year, David has spent an hour every day remembering John and recording his story by hand. Diary of a Lone Twin is the product of that daily ritual – a powerful and deeply personal account that covers everything from enchanting and charmingly evoked childhood vignettes to the acute loneliness and raw pain that followed John’s death.In sharing this beautifully written diary, award-winning and internationally acclaimed photographer David Loftus provides a rare insight for anyone who wishes to understand the bond between identical twins, and the unique bereavement of a lone twin that few people will ever experience.Trade ReviewHauntingly powerful * Daily Mail *These diary entries fuel this moving exploration into the unique bond between twins and the grief when one dies. * Observer *Poignant and powerful -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *A beautifully written memoir full of poignancy, humour and wisdom. The conceit of using a diary written in the present as a touching off point for the reminiscences works excellently and adds a novelistic richness to what is already a powerful, stirring and uplifting testament to love. -- Ray Celestin, award-winning author of The Axeman's JazzBeautiful, emotional and somehow funny at times...David has put together something really special here, because of course there is such sadness, but mostly, there is love. -- Dawn O'PorterThis is as beautiful an account of loss as you will ever read, haunting and at times unbearably heart wrenching. A tribute to a lost brother and an excavation of the human heart in all its shades of light and dark. A gem. -- Rebecca FraynA gentle book by a gentle man about the loss of a twin brother. An intimate, searingly honest, deeply upsetting but also uplifting story of loss and love. -- Prue Leith

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times bestseller, Where's My Happy Ending? asks the questions you've always wondered: What is ‘happily ever after’? How do you make love last? Is there such a thing as ‘the one’?Maybe you’ve just had a first date with ‘the one’, maybe you’ve been married for ten years. Either way, it’s hard to know if they’re really meant to be by your side until you both wear dentures. In this book Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson, co-founders of the Mother Pukka website and authors of the Sunday Times bestseller Parenting the Sh*t Out of Life, set out to discover what it takes to make it to forever, by asking our greatest questions about love.They ask a former sex-worker and her ex-gigolo husband, celibate monks and free-loving hippies. They ask people who never wanted kids and people who have loads of them. They speak to couples, throuples and singles; gay, straight and anywhere in-between.And in asking these questions, they are forced to confront their own relationship after a decade of marriage. Join Anna and Matt on a searingly honest, belly-laugh inducing journey through love and relationships, social media and small children, expert advice and everyday exasperation, as they navigate the muddy waters of modern romance.Trade ReviewAs entertaining as it is instructive . . . Surprisingly funny and touching. * Evening Standard *Wise and funny * Stylist *As a divorced single mother, thank God there is none of that smug, married-couple twattery in this book. I loved it. -- Jane Garvey, BBC presenterThe honesty, wit and wisdom in this book makes it a joy to read. There’s a genuine drive to get to the bottom of our often questionable romantic philosophy. It’s painful and funny – and painfully funny. -- Emma FreudThey both write and engage with the reader so playfully and willingly. There’s such intimacy and lightness at the same time that there’s intensity and great substance. This is a delightful book that takes us into the depths of the modern human condition. An essential psychological exploration. -- Charlotte Fox Weber, Head of Psychotherapy at The School of LifeFunny, emotional, brilliant. -- Katie Piper * Psychologies *The book is a hoot – hilarious and heartfelt; Anna and Matt have done it again. I didn't know how much I needed to read this, a book that goes deep into the nitty gritty, beyond the Disney lies and "They Lived Happily Ever Afters". As someone about to get married, I absolutely loved this, and will keep it firmly on my bookshelf to remind me that life and love can be messy and hard, but it doesn't mean we're doing it wrong. -- Emma GannonThis book made us laugh, cry and remember where it all started for us. In a garage. With the smell of petrol in the air. Memories! -- Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Founders of Shagged, Married, Annoyed.A glorious mix of writing that’s both painfully honest and painfully funny. -- Ellie TaylorThis book left me laughing so very hard and equally blubbing with tears, often within a few pages. I've never read anything that so perfectly captures the questions we all have about family and life and happiness, and that leaves you with such an uplifting finish that you want to go and hug all your loved ones harder than ever. -- Jools OliverFantastically unsmug -- Woman’s Hour

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times bestseller, Where's My Happy Ending? asks the questions you've always wondered: What is ‘happily ever after’? How do you make love last? Is there such a thing as ‘the one’?‘As entertaining as it is instructive . . . Surprisingly funny and touching.’ - Evening StandardMaybe you’ve just had a first date with ‘the one’, maybe you’ve been married for ten years. Either way, it’s hard to know if they’re really meant to be by your side until you both wear dentures. In this book Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson, co-founders of the Mother Pukka website and authors of the Sunday Times bestseller Parenting the Sh*t Out of Life, set out to discover what it takes to make it to forever, by asking our greatest questions about love.They ask a former sex-worker and her ex-gigolo husband, celibate monks and free-loving hippies. They ask people who never wanted kids and people who have loads of them. They speak to couples, throuples and singles; gay, straight and anywhere in-between.And in asking these questions, they are forced to confront their own relationship after a decade of marriage. Join Anna and Matt on a searingly honest, belly-laugh inducing journey through love and relationships, social media and small children, expert advice and everyday exasperation, as they navigate the muddy waters of modern romance.Trade ReviewAs entertaining as it is instructive . . . Surprisingly funny and touching. * Evening Standard *Wise and funny * Stylist *As a divorced single mother, thank God there is none of that smug, married-couple twattery in this book. I loved it. -- Jane Garvey, BBC presenterThe honesty, wit and wisdom in this book makes it a joy to read. There’s a genuine drive to get to the bottom of our often questionable romantic philosophy. It’s painful and funny – and painfully funny. -- Emma FreudThey both write and engage with the reader so playfully and willingly. There’s such intimacy and lightness at the same time that there’s intensity and great substance. This is a delightful book that takes us into the depths of the modern human condition. An essential psychological exploration. -- Charlotte Fox Weber, Head of Psychotherapy at The School of LifeFunny, emotional, brilliant. -- Katie Piper * Psychologies *The book is a hoot – hilarious and heartfelt. As someone about to get married, I absolutely loved this, and will keep it firmly on my bookshelf to remind me that life and love can be messy and hard, but it doesn't mean we're doing it wrong. -- Emma GannonThis book made us laugh, cry and remember where it all started for us. In a garage. With the smell of petrol in the air. Memories! -- Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Founders of Shagged, Married, Annoyed.A glorious mix of writing that’s both painfully honest and painfully funny. -- Ellie TaylorThis book left me laughing so very hard and equally blubbing with tears, often within a few pages. I've never read anything that so perfectly captures the questions we all have about family and life and happiness, and that leaves you with such an uplifting finish that you want to go and hug all your loved ones harder than ever. -- Jools OliverFantastically unsmug -- Woman’s Hour

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Book SynopsisFrom the challenges of travelling when blind to becoming a parent for the first time, Kika & Me is the moving, heart-warming and inspirational story of Dr Amit Patel’s sight-loss journey and how one guide dog changed his world.'Inspiring and compelling . . . rekindles one's faith in human nature' - Andrew MarrAmit Patel is working as a trauma doctor when a rare condition causes him to lose his sight within thirty-six hours. Totally dependent on others and terrified of stepping outside with a white cane after he's assaulted, he hits rock bottom. He refuses to leave home on his own for three months. With the support of his wife Seema he slowly adapts to his new situation, but how could life ever be the way it was? Then his guide dog Kika comes along . . . But Kika’s stubbornness almost puts her guide dog training in jeopardy – could her quirky personality be a perfect match for someone? Meanwhile Amit has reservations – can he trust a dog with his safety? Paired together in 2015, they start on a journey, learning to trust each other before taking to the streets of London and beyond. The partnership not only gives Amit a renewed lease of life but a new best friend. Then, after a video of an irate commuter rudely asking Amit to step aside on an escalator goes viral, he sets out with Kika by his side to spread a message of positivity and inclusivity, showing that nothing will hold them back.'An incredible story of courage, perseverance and, ultimately love' - Sun'The most moving book of the year' - The Lady Trade ReviewAn entirely original, inspiring and compelling book, which is genuinely hard to put it down. Amit's story is nothing less than extraordinary, and rekindles one's faith in human nature . . . I think for millions of people, this will come to be an essential piece of reading. -- Andrew MarrAn incredible story of courage, perseverance and, ultimately love. * Sun *An uplifting read that highlights not only how we can all be better allies to disabled people but the importance of family and community support while navigating hardships. * Cosmopolitan *The most moving book of the year * Lady *

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Book SynopsisIncludes a foreword by Fearne Cotton.The Joy Journal for Magical Everyday Play by Laura Brand showcases fifty engaging activities for creative, everyday playtime to encourage a connection to nature, sense of joy and bonding with your kids, while nurturing your own inner child too.The activities are mindful, creative and, crucially, very easy things to make and do with children that you will enjoy as much as they will. From moon sand to flower soup and nature wands there are short, long, loud and quiet activities to take you from morning to evening – each with a focus on the risk factors: volume of effort vs child engagement and mess. Laura Brand has been testing these while writing and raising her two-under-two, and shares the happy accidents and road blocks she’s hit along the way in honest, open and often funny introductions to each of the exercises.This beautiful handbook will help you to inject fun, mindfulness and craft into bath-times, rainy afternoons, long journeys and play dates and to resist (as much as possible!) the temptation to succumb to screen time. Chapters take you through the seasons, with indoor, outdoor and on-the-go activities that are easy and fun every day.The Joy Journal will arm you with a variety of fun, focussed activities made with store cupboard and easily foraged supplies that you can turn to time and again. All activities are suitable for toddlers, pre-schoolers, grown-ups and everyone in between.Trade ReviewFull of ingenious and inspiring ideas for parents to entertain their children -- Elizabeth Day, You MagazineFrom wand making to flower soup, and from 30 minutes to the entire day, there’s an at-home craft to suit every family. * Sheerluxe *Full of wonderful creative DIY projects to make with your child (and most using household objects!) . . . gave me a whole new perspective -- The FrugalityPerfect for parents wondering how to pass yet another day with bored kids. * Grazia *

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Book SynopsisThe number one Wall Street Journal Business Book Bestseller and Top 10 New York Times Bestseller‘A must-read for anyone who wants to start a business, grow a business, or be inspired by those who do’ – Adam Grant, author of Originals Based on the highly acclaimed NPR podcast, How I Built This with Guy Raz, his book offers priceless insights and inspiration from the world’s top entrepreneurs on how to start, launch and build a successful venture. Great ideas often come from a simple spark: a football player on the New Zealand national team notices all the unused wool his country produces and figures out a way to turn it into shoes (Allbirds). A former Buddhist monk decides the very best way to spread his mindfulness teachings is by launching an app (Headspace). A sandwich cart vendor finds a way to reuse leftover pita bread and turns it into a multimillion-dollar business (Stacy’s Pita Chips). Award-winning podcast creator Guy Raz has interviewed more than 200 highly successful innovators from across the world, from the founders of Five Guys, Airbnb and Bumble to James Dyson and Reed Hastings of Netflix, to uncover amazing true stories like these. In How I Built This, he shares tips for every entrepreneur’s journey: from the early days of formulating your idea, to raising money and recruiting employees, to finding your market and, finally, to paying yourself a real salary. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting their own business or wondered how trail-blazing go-getters made their own dreams a reality. ‘These stories of founders and their companies are told with the same energy and openness it takes to be an entrepreneur’ – Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup ‘Guy Raz is supremely himself in this guide for aspiring entrepreneurs: brilliantly perceptive, incessantly curious, infectiously energetic and above all, a master storyteller’ – Angela Duckworth, author of GritTrade ReviewA must-read for anyone who wants to start a business, grow a business, or be inspired by those who do -- Adam Grant, author of OriginalsGuy Raz is supremely himself in this guide for aspiring entrepreneurs: brilliantly perceptive, incessantly curious, infectiously energetic and above all, a master storyteller -- Angela Duckworth, author of GritIf only this book would have come out years ago, building my business would have been so much simpler. At least we have it now! -- Simon Sinek, author of Start with WhyAn indispensable guide for anyone eager to challenge the status quo in pursuit of some new and better version of the world. Highly recommended -- Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and co-author of BlitzscalingAnyone who reads How I Built This will have an incredible advantage. Guy provides the compass, the map and the headlamp you need to navigate the wilderness of entrepreneurship -- Joe Gebbia, entrepreneur and co-founder of AirbnbGuy Raz has an extraordinary talent for not only unearthing the most powerful ideas in any story, but also translating those ideas into wisdom accessible for everyone -- Chris Anderson, head of TEDTruly remarkable stories . . . about truly remarkable people. Guy Raz captures their stories on the page to incredible effect -- Jennifer Hyman, CEO and founder of Rent the RunwayThis book is all about inspiration – told with blood, sweat and tears. You’ll come away refreshed. And ready to hit the ground running -- Mark Cuban, entrepreneur, 'shark' on Shark Tank, and proprietor of the Dallas MavericksThrough stories of passion, audacity and courage, Guy weaves together a shared business-building experience that’s both inspiring and real -- Lara Merriken, founder of LÄRABARA love letter to the idea of possibility . . . This book explores all the discrete nooks and crannies of an entrepreneur’s voyage through success and failure -- Alli Webb, Drybar founderIf you’re determined to reach for your dream, read this book -- Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group and ‘shark' on Shark TankWhat’s so remarkable about Guy’s book is not so much that all these individuals saw their dreams come true, but that as their stories of overcoming frustrations and hurdles unfold, you end up cheering for them to succeed -- Tony Hsieh, author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.comIf you enjoy the How I Built This podcast, you’ll love this book. You’ll identify with the ups, downs, and pivots that make up the proverbial roller coaster ride of entrepreneurs -- Stacy Madison, founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips and BeBOLD BarsGuy is clearly a person who is tapped into this community of entrepreneurs and shares stories of relevance to our community. Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs and small businesses need a curator of stories and Guy is that ‘guy’ -- Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s DaughterThese stories of founders and their companies are told with the same energy and openness it takes to be an entrepreneur -- Eric Ries, CEO of the Long-Term Stock Exchange and author of The Lean StartupI love Guy Raz’s How I Built This podcast and the book was just as great. There’s probably nobody else who could tell these inspiring stories as well as Guy. From page one I was fully invested -- LogicIt’s so inspiring it almost makes me want to start another business -- Sarah LaFleur, founder and CEO, M.M.LaFleurNow, more than ever, we need dreamers and builders – this book is full of them and their stories of inspiration -- Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and InitializedIf you’ve ever dreamed of starting a business, How I Built This is a must-read -- Michael Dubin, co-founder and CEO of Dollar Shave ClubGuy Raz has seen inside the brains of more founders and hyper-growth entrepreneurs than anyone I’ve ever met! What an incredible buffet of how-to-build-it-right-wisdom -- Brian Scudamore, founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and O2E BrandsI can’t think of a better placed person to tell us if starting and growing a company is really about hard work or good luck! -- Tim Brown, co-founder and co-CEO of Allbirds

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Book SynopsisIn a world where we’re more connected than ever, why is it that we’re also more lonely? Dip into this anthology of classic writing to reclaim the pleasure of your own company.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning pocket size classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is edited and introduced by writer and academic, Zachary Seager.The Art of Solitude shows some of the myriad ways in which people throughout history have understood their experiences of solitary life, or have counselled others to benefit from solitude. It contains poetry, essays, autobiographical pieces and short stories from writers such as Virginia Woolf, Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickinson and Ralph Waldo Emerson.These diverse works can teach us how to think in freedom, how to enjoy a profound inner life and how best to cope with the fact that, as the novelist Joseph Conrad put it, we live, as we dream – alone. Above all, they show how we might truly connect with ourselves and, in the process, how we can meaningfully connect with those around us, including the earth itself. Looked at in this way, solitude is always focused both outward and inward, towards the self and towards the world. The cure for loneliness is, in the end, the art of solitude.

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Book SynopsisSome friendships need celebrating, some are hard to navigate, and some need a bit of tender love and care. Delve into this anthology for a tour of all aspects of friendship by your favourite classic authors.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning pocket size classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is edited and introduced by writer, academic and historian, Michèle Mendelssohn.Why Friendship Matters is an inspiring collection that spans three centuries of writing and includes many favourite authors such as Michel de Montaigne, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Jane Austen. Readers will also discover lesser-known delights such as American writer Audre Lorde on her high school friendships and playwright Alice E. Ives writing about friendship between women. Contributors from across the globe celebrate and investigate all aspects of friendship; the strength of its bonds, how it can hurt and how it runs deep.

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Book SynopsisTrue leadership is about character – this is the key to winning ‘the right way’.In a world where we’re bombarded by messages of ‘winning at any cost’, dishonest politicians, CEOs committing fraud, disgraced military commanders and cheating athletes, integrity matters more than ever. The Character Edge explains the powerful role character plays in trust, culture and leadership, and offers readers tools to exercise and strengthen their own.Reaching from the battlefield to the classroom and beyond, former superintendent of West Point Robert Caslen and professor of psychology Dr Michael Matthews explore the vital link between strong character and strong leadership, and explain why the latter cannot exist without the former.‘Caslen and Matthews show how and why this fundamental inner architecture of leadership can – and must – be built’ - Jim Collins, bestselling author of Good to Great.Trade ReviewThe Character Edge is inspiring and practical in equal measure, drawing upon both scientific research and personal experience in how, and why, to develop strengths of heart, mind and gut. Only Mike Matthews and Bob Caslen could have written it. This will surely be an instant classic! -- Angela Duckworth, bestselling author of GritFew great leaders have charismatic personality, but all have character that inspires. Caslen and Matthews show how and why this fundamental inner architecture of leadership can – and must – be built -- Jim Collins, acclaimed author of Good to GreatIn The Character Edge, Caslen and Matthews offer the definitive guide to how individuals and organizations may build and utilize positive character to flourish and win. Corporations who ‘get’ this message excel, those that do not will fail in the long run -- Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEOWhat determines the importance and long-lasting impact of leadership? Lieutenant general and former West Point superintendent Caslen and psychologist Matthews examine the qualities of character that make a leader worth following . . . [their] combined experience culminates in a fascinating study of leadership * Booklist *If you ever aspire to effective leadership, whether at the tactical or strategic level, you’ll soon learn that the most important ingredient in effective leadership is character. Bob Caslen and Mike Matthews have captured this truth in both theory and application with moving and insightful stories and personal experiences. This book will both challenge you and motivate you to lead a life of integrity and honour, and in so doing, inspire the men and women you lead to the highest achievements they never thought possible. Bob and Mike have something very, very important here. I hope it goes viral in a big way -- Admiral William H. McRaven

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Book Synopsis'Laura is a fire starter of the revolution in how we think about food, eating and our bodies' - Red Free yourself from restrictive dieting, punishing exercise and food anxiety.Laura Thomas PhD shows you how to actually break the diet cycle and free yourself from restrictive dieting and punishing exercise, one step at a time.How to Just Eat It is a practical and interactive guide from bestselling author of Just Eat It and Registered Nutritionist Laura Thomas PhD. This book contains more than eighty activities – from journalling to self-care techniques – to help you reframe your approach to food and eating and find an escape from diets and restriction. Beginning with simple exercises for changing your mindset, Thomas shows how to use easy everyday tools to break free from diet mentality, understand fullness cues, and nurture a neutral, judgement-free approach to food.Thanks to expert step-by-step guidance and support through the principles of Intuitive Eating as well as other therapeutic practices, the book will prepare you with a range of personalised tools and skills that give structure to a new and better relationship with food and your body.Trade ReviewLaura is a passionate and intelligent voice of new thinking, a fire starter of the revolution in how we think about food, eating and our bodies. -- Brigid Moss, Contributing Editor, RedLaura is one of the most important voices in food today. She has a rare combination of impeccable academic credentials, clinical experience and a nose for the profound social justice issues at the heart of nutrition science. -- Anthony Warner - The Angry ChefLaura's work is game-changing. I don't know anyone else with her level of expertise who manages to educate others in such an accessible and deeply personal way. She really is blazing the trail in the new nutrition conversation. -- Megan Jayne Crabbe (BodyPosiPanda) author of Body Positive PowerLaura is the clear voice of reason in the world of nutrition and health, as she cuts through a lot of the confusion with hard facts and relatable, funny context. -- Poorna Bell, Journalist for the Guardian, Red, The Pool and former Executive Editor of HuffpostUK

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