Memoirs Books
Penguin Books Ltd Philosophy for Polar Explorers An Adventurers
Book Synopsis''Erling Kagge transforms and consoles us'' Alain de Botton ____________________________Surviving extreme conditions can teach us to lead a fulfilled life. No one knows this better than Erling Kagge, who was the first man in history to reach all of the Earth''s poles by foot - the North, the South, and the summit of Everest. In Philosophy for Polar Explorers he brings together the wisdom and expertise he has gained from the expeditions that have taken him to the limits of the earth, and of human endurance.In sixteen meditative but practical lessons - from cultivating an optimistic outlook, to getting up at the right time, to learning to take pleasure in the small things and comfort in solitude - Erling Kagge reveals what survival in the most extreme conditions can teach us about how to lead a meaningful life. Wherever we may be headed. ____________________________''His wisdom will soothe and awaken'' Fearne CottonTrade ReviewHis wisdom will soothe and awaken * Fearne Cotton *An author for our noisy times, full of a rare and deeply redemptive languor and perspective * Alain de Botton *A wonderfully deft Swiss army knife of a book. One really feels the hard won wisdom at the book's heart, the graft and nouse of life lived in arctic extremis. Kagge's preternatural energy, warmth and sagacity shine - a cool-headed polar philosopher to treasure! * Dan Richards *A delightful book that explores the strange land between getting out of bed in the morning and reaching for the moon * Tristan Gooley *As an explorer Erling Kagge is world class; as a writer he is equally giftedA marvellous human being * Chris Evans *Essential survival and life lessons from polar explorer * Foyles newsletter *Silence braces a space within which we can hear ourselves think. Quietly, wisely, it makes a case for dumbing the din of modern life, and learning to listen again. Drawing on the experiences of Kagge's extraordinary life in wild places, this is a book of great concentration
£999.99
Penguin Books Ltd My Family and Other Animals
Book Synopsis
£999.99
Penguin Books Ltd Whatever Happened to Margo
Book Synopsis*With a foreword from Gerald Durrell* In 1947, returning to the UK with two young children to support, Margaret Durrell starts a boarding house in Bournemouth. But any hopes of respectability are dashed as the tenants reveal themselves to be a host of eccentrics: from a painter of nudes to a pair of glamorous young nurses whose late-night shifts combined with an ever-revolving roster of gentleman callers leading to a neighbourhood rumour that Margo is running a brothel. Margo''s own two sons, Gerry and Nicholas, prove to be every bit as mischievous as their famous Uncle Gerald - and he himself returns periodically with weird and wonderful animals, from marmosets to monkeys, that are quite unsuitable for life in a Bournemouth garden.
£9.49
Dialogue We Need to Talk About Sex
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£17.09
Oneworld Publications The Long Shot
Book SynopsisTrade Review'Bingham and Hames’s accessible, edge-of-the-seat account of how British innovators vaccinated the UK and much of the rest of the world is also a quiet, compelling, non-partisan argument for dialogue between business and politics.' -- Telegraph'Fast-paced and very compelling… The Vaccine Taskforce will always be remembered as British science at its very best.' -- Sir Jonathan Symonds, Chairman of GlaxoSmithKline'The Long Shot is a book about procurement — not normally a subject for a gripping tale. Yet in this case we are dealing with the most successful procurement exercise of our times. And luckily, Bingham delivers on her punchy promise in the prologue to "tell it like it is". As an outsider rooted in business, she offers strong and specific recommendations for transforming government. Most deliciously, she names names.' -- Financial Times'Written with compelling verve and complete authority, this book describes how Kate Bingham ensured that Covid-19 vaccines would be made available to the UK. But the book does more than that. It also demonstrates how science and the effective application of science are critical to solving the world’s problems, and that these solutions will only be delivered with a razor-sharp focus on outcomes rather than on following procedures.' -- Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Prize laureate'Frank and fascinating.' -- Nature'Kate Bingham’s new book, The Long Shot, is a gripping account of the UK Government Vaccine Task Force’s response to the pandemic by a remarkable, determined, thoughtful, and practical individual who was at the heart of the critical decisions that had to be made. I spoke with her frequently through 2020 as we battled logistical headwinds and the media storms in development of the Oxford vaccine and was always better for our chats, absorbing the positive energy that she emanates and benefiting from her wisdom. Her clarity of thought and action in a such a dark and turbulent time is a seam running through the book, and I know for certain that her efforts saved many lives. But I have to disagree with the title, because the book shows that it really wasn’t such a "long shot" with Kate at the helm.' -- Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford‘A blueprint of how industry, academia and government can work together to address a question of global importance, with lessons for other future crises.’ -- John Tregoning, author of Infectious'An excellent read… Capturing the exceptional pace and energy of everyone involved in discovering and producing effective therapies against Covid-19. All in all, this is a book I will treasure.' -- Sir Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca'Essential reading for anyone seeking to learn the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic.’ -- Matthew Partridge, Money Week‘An incisive behind-the-scenes look at the challenges Bingham faced in her role… The authors combine a lucid explanation of the scientific breakthroughs needed to create the first Covid vaccine with an insider look at the politics that hampered the taskforce’s efforts. The result is a valuable addition to the literature documenting the crisis.’ -- Publishers Weekly
£17.09
Softwood Books Even While They Sleep
Book Synopsis
£12.34
Headline Publishing Group Believe
Book Synopsis''I found my power when I realized it was within me, within my skin and within my soul. It just needed to be set free.'' Leigh-Anne Pinnock''s life changed overnight when she became part of the first ever girl band to win the X-Factor. The multi-platinum selling supergroup Little Mix, went on to become one of the biggest girl bands of all time.Launched into chart-topping global fame, Leigh-Anne was living her childhood dream of becoming a popstar. But behind the scenes, as a Black woman within an industry and team with little diversity, Leigh-Anne was struggling with her identity and felt completely lost. In her highly anticipated memoir, Leigh-Anne shares her journey from growing up in a mixed-race family in Britain to taking the pop world by storm. Honest and direct, she reveals the challenges and prejudices that stood in her path and how she overcame them by embracing her own power. Sharing the experiences and lessons that have sha
£18.70
Muswell Press The Hopeless Biker Who Went Twice Around the World
£21.25
Orion Publishing Co The Chain
Book Synopsis
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co Base Notes
Book Synopsis
£17.00
Hodder & Stoughton My Sporting Life
Book Synopsis''Like my father before me, I believe that both the playing and watching of sport can teach us important lessons about ourselves by providing practical instruction in co-operation, tests of resolve and temper''Michael Parkinson was destined to spend his life in sport. Introduced at a young age to cricket and football by his father, he rose through the ranks of Barnsley cricket alongside Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott. But while they went on to find fame on the field, he found a career watching, writing and talking about sport.My Sporting Life is Sir Michael''s love letter to sport, to the heroes and legends of his Yorkshire youth, to the characters of the international games he watched and wrote about, and to the very idea of sport itself. With warm, humorous anecdotes about many icons of sport, from Shane Warne to George Best and Muhammad Ali to Fred Trueman, Sir Michael Parkinson reflects on his life writing about his one great passion.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR MICHAEL PARKISON:A lovely kind of nostalgia, which colourises the black and white of yesteryear * The Oldie Review *He writes about them all with wonderful precision and a powerful evocation * Radio Times *A quietly impressive book, which does something most celebrity autobiographies shy away from: it seeks the truth and, more often than not, finds it * Mail, on Like Father, Like Son *A joyous, breezy read . . . It is also beautifully written * Daily Telegraph on Parky *Funny and self-deprecating and just as laid-back as he is on camera * Independent on Parky *Engrossing and entertaining * Irish Time on Parky *
£10.44
Little, Brown Book Group Sort Your Head Out
Book Synopsis''An honest, funny account of how we''re all capable of changing for the better'' SETH MEYERS''A great, motivating book that can really help - every bloke should read it'' SHAUN RYDERSam Delaney was Jack the Lad. He was confident, loud and funny; an absolute legend, to be honest. Or at least that was what he pretended to be.But when he reached his thirties, work, relationships and fatherhood started to take their toll. Like so many blokes who seemed to be totally fine, he often felt like a complete failure whose life was out of control; anxiety and depression had secretly plagued him for years. Turning to drink and drugs only made things worse. Sam knew he needed help - the problem was that he thought self-help was for hippies, sobriety was for weirdos and therapy was for neurotics.Keeping it all inside was what nearly dragged Sam under. Then he began to open up and share his story with others. Soon his life sTrade ReviewThis is a great book, and an important one. It's the one I would give to any friend who I observed struggling with those issues, as it's written in a genuinely human way, devoid of psychobabble, moralizing, victimhood embracing and judgement. It comes from a place of hard-won experience, told with total honesty. It will do more than just save lives, it will help those saved lives feel like they're genuinely worth living -- Irvine WelshAn honest, funny account of how we're all capable of changing for the better -- Seth MeyersThis book tells it like it is in an honest and down to earth way that men who find it hard to talk about mental health will be able to relate to easily. Sam really knows his stuff on this subject and is very frank about his struggles. A great, motivating book that can really help - every bloke should read it -- Shaun RyderA brave, vital and necessary book -- John NivenA funny, wise and above all valuable book. An arm around your shoulder from your next best friend -- Danny WallaceFinally, a book on mental health that strikes the right note * Reaction *This book is fantastic and could be such a great force for good in the world. Sam's reading of it adds to the whole relatability of his experiences too -- Ruth Jones
£11.69
Little, Brown Book Group SharkInfested Waters
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Stories of the Sahara
Book SynopsisThe book that has captivated millions of Chinese readers, translated into English for the very first time.''Hypnotic . . . A record of one person''s fierce refusal to follow a path laid down for her by the rest of the world'' Tash Aw, Paris Review Books of the YearSanmao: author, adventurer, pioneer. Born in China in 1943, she moved from Chongqing to Taiwan, Spain to Germany, the Canary Islands to Central America, and, for several years in the 1970s, to the Sahara.Stories of the Sahara invites us into Sanmao's extraordinary life in the desert: her experiences of love and loss, freedom and peril, all told with a voice as spirited as it is timeless.At a period when China was beginning to look beyond its borders, Sanmao fired the imagination of millions and inspired a new generation. With an introduction by Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti, this is an essential collection from one of the twentieth century's most iconic figures.''Every story conveyTrade ReviewA role model far ahead of her time . . . Now, mainland-born and Taiwanese-raised Sanmao is taking her rightful place in the pantheon of female travel writers with the English-language publication of Stories of the Sahara . . . Her confessional style, which can be painfully honest but is always self-aware and shot through with humour, fits perfectly in the age of #MeToo, despite the book being written five decades earlier . . . Her candidness about her marriage and life, along with her love of challenging convention, explains why Sanmao has been a heroine for Chinese women . . . Sanmao deserves all the praise, even if it has been a long time coming -- David Eimer * South China Morning Post *Reading their stories on this rain-swept island, far from either Taiwan or the Sahara, what seduced me most was the combination of Sanmao’s voice and her indomitable spirit – a spirit that manages to reconcile her dream to be "the first female explorer to cross the Sahara" with the reality of the grinding hardship of settled life in a wasteland * Spectator *Stories of the Sahara has endured for generations of young Taiwanese and Chinese women yearning for independence from conservative social norms … Her prose, which oscillates between memoir and fiction, has a laconic elegance that echoes the Beat poets. It can also be breezy, a remarkable quality at a time when her homeland, Taiwan, was under martial law * New York Times *A hypnotic meditation on love and loneliness in a foreign place. Writing with frankness and vulnerability, Sanmao’s constant questioning of her insecurities and flaws is remarkably human, and nothing remains beyond the boundaries of her probing eye . . . Mike Fu’s gorgeous translation brings to live Sanmao’s evocative descriptions of the Sahrawi communities in which she lives, along with her wit and her gift for capturing life’s absurdities. Stories of the Sahara is a record of one person’s fierce refusal to follow a path laid down for her by the rest of the world, but it is also a celebration of the complexities of being an outsider, and ultimately, an ode to freedom -- Tash Aw * Paris Review Books of the Year *Ground-breaking . . . Sanmao wrote breezily but she captured the complexities of ‘learning the art of living here’ . . . A compelling tale of someone who was enraptured but uneasy, and Sanmao’s pluck is admirable -- GeographicalGround-breaking . . . Coloured by Sanmao's memories, this travelogue takes us from eye-opening experiences in desert bathhouses to divine rainstorms, while reminding us that adventures into the unknown are key * Wanderlust *Riveting reissue aged like a good wine . . . A valuable record * Irish Times *An enduring cultural icon and figure of quixotic fascination . . . Every story conveys Sanmao's infectious capacity for wonder -- Sharlene Teo, author of 'Ponti'
£12.83
Pan Macmillan Homage to Catalonia
Book SynopsisHomage to Catalonia remains one of the most famous accounts of the Spanish Civil War. With characteristic scrutiny, Orwell questions the actions and motives of all sides whilst retaining his firm beliefs in human courage and the need for radical social change.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is introduced by Helen Graham, a leading historian on the Spanish Civil War.When George Orwell arrived in Spain in 1936, he signed up to fight with the Republican army against Fascism. Homage to Catalonia is his bracing personal account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War. From the front line he describes, with brutal honesty, the frustrations and inefficiencies of battle; he is caught up in vicious street fighting in Barcelona and must flee for his life when Republican factions turn on each other.Trade ReviewHomage to Catalonia belongs in any list of important books on the Spanish civil war -- Paul Preston * Observer *[Homage to Catalonia] has become, in the years and for generations that have followed, a landmark text of the 20th century and an indispensable read . . . Few stories of conflict manage to stir together such a moving admixture of horror, grace, brutality and, yes, even humor. * NPR *With his commitment to honesty in the face of lies and treachery; with his moral and intellectual integrity in the face of cynicism and euphemism; and with his willingness to face down bullies of all stripes, Orwell bequeaths to us in his writings the tools we could well do with ourselves. * Mancunian *Orwell's report is as exciting as it is meditative. With his quiet exactitude the midnight skirmishes, the political issues, and the utter futility of war come clearly into focus. * Kirkus Reviews *
£10.44
Ebury Publishing Diary of a Young Naturalist: WINNER OF THE
Book SynopsisWINNER OF BOOK OF THE YEAR, NARRATIVE NON-FICTION BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2021Rediscover the natural world with the multi-award winning phenomenon and youngest ever major literary prize winner in UK history.'Miraculous memoir . . . profoundly moving' Observer 'Dara is an extraordinary voice and vision: brave, poetic, ethical, lyrical' Robert Macfarlane 'It's a diary but essentially timeless . . . It's really, really special' Chris PackhamALSO WINNER OF: THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING 2020, AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARD FOR NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2020, BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION 2020; SHORTLISTED FOR: WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 & LONGLISTED FOR: THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2020 ___________ 'This diary chronicles the turning of my world, from spring to winter, at home, in the wild, in my head.'Evocative, raw and lyrical, this startling debut explores the natural world through the eyes of Dara McAnulty, an autistic teenager coping with the uprooting of home, school, and his mental health, while pursuing his life as a conservationist and environmental activist.Shifting from intense darkness to light, recalling his sensory encounters in the wild - with blackbirds, whooper swans, red kites, hen harriers, frogs, dandelions, Irish hares and more - McAnulty reveals worlds we have neglected to see, in a stunning world of nature writing that is a future classic.Diary of a Young Naturalist is a powerful and scintillating portrayal of the beauty of the natural world, as it shines a light on autism and of overcoming severe anxiety. It is a story of the binding love of family and home, and how we can help each other through the most difficult of times. ___________ BIG ISSUE BOOK OF THE YEAR HAY FESTIVAL BOOK OF THE YEARA TIMES NATURE BOOK OF THE YEAR 'An extraordinary diary' The Times'A torrent of pure, unmediated fervour . . . This is writing at its wild and unruly best' Dr Rachel Clarke 'Diary of a Young Naturalist is not only one of the finest pieces of modern nature writing produced on this island in recent years, McAnulty is one of our best young writers in any genre' Irish Independent'An exceptional new voice. Dara McAnulty celebrates nature in such a fresh way and illuminatesour understanding of autism' Martha Kearney, chair of the Baillie Gifford Prize 2020'One of the most talented and passionate writers of our era' Steve Silberman, award-winning author of NeuroTribes ___________Trade ReviewDara's is an extraordinary voice and vision: brave, poetic, ethical, lyrical, strong enough to have made him heard and admired from a young age. * Robert Macfarlane *It's a diary but essentially timeless. It's about enduring, it's about passion, beauty and connection. It's really, really special. * Chris Packham *Dara is only 16 and autistic, and is already on his way to becoming one of the most talented and passionate writers of our era. * Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes *Feeling illuminates every page of this miraculous memoir ... His portrait of loving parents raising three neurodivergent children on poetry, punk and puffins is profoundly moving ... intimate, sensitive, deeply felt * Observer *Like reading William Blake or Ted Hughes, it really is a strange and magical experience...surely one of the most talked about nature books, or any books, this year * Daily Mail *
£11.39
Hodder & Stoughton The Missing Musk
Book Synopsis''Utterly fascinating and intriguing''NEIL ANSELL, author of The Last Wilderness''Captivating''LEE SCHOFIELD, author of Wild Fell''A joyful celebration''LEV PARIKIAN, author of Into the Tangled Bank''A perfect mix of whodunnit and wonder''JAMES ALDRED, author of Goshawk SummerTo the Victorians, the musk plant was prized for its intoxicating perfume. Yet in 1913 all the musk plants in the world suddenly stopped smelling.Unable to resist the lure of the mystery, Bob Gilbert turns detective. From the London Underground to Scotland''s Pentland Hills, from uncovering a possible murder to confronting the unsettling silence of the yew tree, The Missing Musk mixes history, nature writing and science to uncover the truth behind six of nature''s great enigmas.
£12.34
Muswell Press From Mohair Suits to Kinky Boots
Book SynopsisAs the lead singer of Modern Romance, he toured the world, as the screenwriter of Kinky Boots he conquered Hollywood, now comes Geoff Deane s latest act as a quite brilliant and witty ranconteur in his memoir From Mohair Suits to Kinky Boots .
£10.44
Brio Books Better Man
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£15.29
Vintage Publishing Winter: From the Sunday Times Bestselling Author
Book SynopsisFrom global literary superstar Karl Ove Knausgaard, an achingly beautiful collection of daily meditations and love letters addressed directly to Knausgaard’s unborn daughterIn Winter, we rejoin the great Karl Ove Knausgaard as the birth of his daughter draws near. In preparation for her arrival, he takes stock of the world, seeing it anew. While new life is on the horizon, the earth is also in hibernation, waiting for the warmer weather to return. In his inimitably sensitive style, he writes about everything from the moon, winter boots and messiness, to owls and birthdays. Taking nothing for granted, he fills these everyday familiar objects and ideas with new meaning. Startling, compassionate, and exquisitely beautiful, Knausgaard's writing is like nothing else. Somehow, he shows the world as it really is, at once mundane and sublime.Trade ReviewThe second volume of his autobiographical quartet based on the seasons is even more beautiful than the first... Hauntingly translated by Ingvild Burkey, Winter will reward every curious reader. Insightful, giddy and full of energy, Knausgaard's memoir throbs with the miraculous imminence of new life and the thrill of just being. * The Economist 1843 *When Knausgaard exposes himself in the manner of his autobiographical novel My Struggle... it’s interesting enough. But he becomes more charming and persuasive when he wanders into quizzical speculation – about, say, why coffins don’t have windows or how sex is like cannibalism. -- Anthony Cummins * Observer *The author casts the world in a holy glow of surprise and compassion… A winningly interior journey into the most interior of seasons. * Starred Kirkus review *It sounds mad, and often is, but it’s also sweet, funny and brimful of wide-eyed seasonal wonder. -- Anthony Cummins * Metro *
£10.44
Random House Cloistered
Book Synopsis''A profoundly moving memoir which gripped me'' Mark HaddonDiscover Catherine Coldstream's evocative account of life as a nun in the 1990s, and the dramatic events which led to her flight from the monastery.**A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK**After the shock of her father's death, twenty-four-year-old Catherine was left grieving and alone. A search for meaning led her to Roman Catholicism and the nuns of Akenside Priory.Here she found a tight-knit community of dedicated women and peace in an ancient way of life. But as she surrenders to her final vows, all is not as it seems behind the Priory's closed doors. Power struggles erupt with far-reaching consequences for those within.Catherine comes to realise that divine authority is mediated through flawed and all-too-human channels. She is faced with a dilemma: should she protect the serenity she has found, or speak out?A love song to a lost community and an honest a
£17.00
Jessica Kingsley Publishers Out of the Madhouse: An Insider's Guide to
Book SynopsisOnce upon a time, there lived a happy family called the Maitlands. Iain, the father, was a writer. Tracey, the mother, worked at a nearby school. They had three bright and charming children, Michael, Sophie and Adam. It looked like the perfect family life. Until October 2012, when Iain received a message. Michael had been taken to hospital. Years of depression, anxiety and anorexia had taken their toll, and he had pneumonia and a collapsed lung. The doctors weren't sure if he would make it.Told with humour and frankness through Michael's diary entries and Iain's own reflections, Out of the Madhouse charts Michael's journey to recovery from entering the Priory and returning home, to becoming a mental health ambassador for young people. Sharing tips and techniques that have helped them and others to self-manage, this is an essential resource for anyone experiencing depression, anxiety, OCD and similar issues.Trade ReviewI love this book; profoundly moving, beautifully written and above all incredibly important. I read it in one sitting, often nodding, often crying and ultimately I was left feeling wonderfully hopeful. -- James Withey, founder of The Recovery Letters project, editor of 'The Recovery Letters'This reflective book presents Michael's recovery from the multiple clinical effects emanating from abject low self-worth and loneliness. Whilst both traditional treatment as well as self-help and lifestyle strategies have helped him, the overriding ingredients that stand out in making positive change and enhancing resilience are the warmth of his connections, both family and friends, and the power of communication - spoken, written and art. -- Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Founder & CEO stem4Out of the Madhouse confronts the shocking bleakness of mental illness head on. Michael's diary of his battle to equip himself with both the tools and the will required to rejoin something approaching mainstream existence is sobering ... and Iain's tips and explanations are a big positive. -- Charlie Mortimer, Author of 'Dear Lupin' & 'Lucky Lupin'The Maitlands provide a brave, retrospective recount of a socially sensitive topic, where its strength lies in the powerful nature of the book's dual perspective. An honest and touching approach with advice grounded in invaluable, personal experience. Out Of The Madhouse is an excellent exploration of the phenomenology of mental illness and its wider impact. -- Joshua Fletcher Psychotherapist & Author of 'Anxiety: Panicking about Panic'Table of ContentsPreface. A Fairy Story. Part One - Into the Priory. Another Fairy Story. Part Two - Back Home. Part Three - Inside the Maitland Family.
£16.16
Pushkin Press Days in the Caucasus
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Pushkin Press The Madmans Guide to Stamp Collecting
Book SynopsisAcclaimed historian and novelist Robert Irwin begins his book with a caveat: '[it] will be of little or no practical use or interest to stamp collectors. It does not deal with the subject's practicalities'. Instead, Irwin takes us on a fascinating, wayward journey through a wealth of literary texts that cast a surprising light on stamps and the curious activity of collecting them. Drawing on writers from Sigmund Freud to Ellery Queen, Irwin charts an erudite path that encompasses the psychology and psychopathology of collecting, classification, nostalgia, anal retentiveness, secrecy and subversion, boredom and death. As his sources take him from the colonial history of stamp imagery to the bizarre trade in stamp forgeries, Irwin builds a unique and compelling portrait of the art of collecting, and of himself as collector.
£15.29
Head of Zeus Letters to Margaret
Book SynopsisA sequence of letters from Hunter Davies to his late wife Margaret Forster, chronicling the ups and downs of his life since her death by turns confessional, gossipy, touching, funny and bittersweet.
£11.69
Canongate Books The Sick Bag Song
Book SynopsisThe Sick Bag Song chronicles Cave's 22-city journey around North America in 2014. Racked by romantic longing and exhaustion, Cave teases out the significant moments - the people, the books and the music - that have influenced and inspired him, and drops them into his sick bag.The book began its life scribbled onto airline sick bags and later evolves into a restless contemporary epic, exploring love, loss, inspiration and memory.Trade ReviewAbout as rock'n'roll as you can get . . . [The Sick Bag Song] is shot through with fantasy, fiction, apocalyptic musings and tall stories * * The Sunday Times * *An epic narrative poem about his travels across North America . . . Cave is experimenting with a new literary form - a mash-up of prose, poetry, song lyrics and autobiography * * New York Times * *Part tour diary and part free-ranging rumination on the business of performance. Capture[s] the mind-frazzling disorientation of 'the road' * * Guardian * *A page turning mash up from the prince of darkness * * Independent * *Lyrical, hallucinatory and laced with sly wit, The Sick Bag Song is a revelation and a pleasure -- Hari KunzruNick Cave goes the distance with The Sick Bag Song * * LA Times * *Mad and amazing -- Ian RankinFar from your typical diary; snapshots of mundane reality (traffic jams, reading in a park) melt into disturbing visions peppered with flashbacks from his childhood. There are heated exchanges between Cave and his muses, and unsettling encounters with a few of his musical heroes (Bryan Ferry, Bob Dylan) that cause Cave to ponder the "vampiric" nature of creativity * * Rolling Stone * *The narrator's obsessive thoughts about his young self facing death juxtaposed with the illusions of fame . . . offer an interesting perspective on mortality * * Sunday Herald * *Biblical, slightly manic and distinctly berserk; it's also touching, poignant and utterly absorbing -- Jason Steger * * The Age * *
£9.49
Atlantic Books Bibliomaniac: An Obsessive's Tour of the
Book Synopsis***A Waterstones Best Books of 2022 pick***'A unique, funny picture of Britain... A love letter to bookshops and the vagaries of public transport.' Richard Osman'Ince's love of books is infectious.' 'Books of the Year', IndependentWhy play to 12,000 people when you can play to 12? In Autumn 2021, Robin Ince's stadium tour with Professor Brian Cox was postponed due to the pandemic. Rather than do nothing, he decided instead to go on a tour of over a hundred bookshops in the UK, from Wigtown to Penzance; from Swansea to Margate.Packed with witty anecdotes and tall tales, Bibliomaniac takes the reader on a journey across Britain as Robin explores his lifelong love of bookshops and books - and also tries to find out just why he can never have enough of them. It is the story of an addiction and a romance, and also of an occasional points failure just outside Oxenholme.Trade ReviewA unique, funny picture of Britain... A love letter to bookshops and the vagaries of public transport. -- Richard OsmanWonderful... This is one of the most delightful books I have ever read. -- Eric IdleI like books and if you're reading this you almost certainly like books too. But Robin Ince really, really, really likes books, and this tome takes us on a whirlwind adventure around Britain's bookshops and inside the head of a bibliomaniac who also happens to be a fine travel writer and generous raconteur. (Includes the funniest line about Margaret Rutherford ever written, unless the lawyers took it out.) -- Ian RankinRobin Ince is a book-lover's book-lover, a man who responded to publishing his last volume by visiting over 100 bookshops in 100 days. He is a reader without prejudice, a lover of every type of fiction and non-fiction, able to find something that interests him in everything: the sure sign of a man with a curious mind. You need Robin Ince in your life; you need his book on your shelves. -- Natalie HaynesA lovely celebration of the consoling and inspiring power of books. * Daily Mail *You may think you have a book problem but, as likely as not, comedian Ince's will dwarf it... There's some nice travel writing here as he wends his way from Wigtown to Penzance, along with cosy anecdotes about the folk he encounters and some madcap tangents, invariably prompted by his eclectic reading habits. * Observer *The comedian and podcaster's account of a whirlwind tour of more than 100 stores is full of wry anecdotes and shines with his love of reading. * Independent *Bibliomaniac is joyous, irreverent and more than a trifle eccentric - liberating and life-affirming. * Times Literary Supplement *Table of Contents1: Out of Lockdown and Into the Wicker Man Wigtown to Laugharne 2: It All Began at the End of the World Chorleywood to Bristol 3: I Only Play in the Finest Freezer Cabinets Sidmouth to Birmingham 4: Pity the Llama Oxford to Norwich 5: Mermaids and Mermonks? Okehampton to Shoreham 6: What is Avuncular Knitwear? Margate to Southwold 7: Where Orwell Ate His Chips Southwold to Leeds 8: Black Holes Drowned Out by the Bells of God Chippenham to London 9: Hurricanes at the Benighted Inn Malvern to Malton 10: Important Lessons from a Porpoise Edinburgh to Hull 11: From the End of the Line to the Girl Guides' Hall Hull to Hungerford
£10.44
Golden Duck (UK) Ltd From the Devil to the Deep Blue Sea
£13.29
Lexus Ltd To this Northern Shore: Pieces of a life from
Book SynopsisFrom a small Scottish seaside town a man looks back on his life, from a boyhood in Algiers, through provincial France and Paris to Brighton, London and Oxford. He acknowledges that he had to come to terms with being born and raised on the wrong side of history during the bloody tail-end of French colonialism. In so doing, he writes candidly about what it meant to be a pied-noir, exiled from Algeria, unwelcome in France, and about the indelible imprint a childhood in a time of war has left on him. As a student in Paris, he was eye-witness to, and participant in, the May 1968 protests that almost toppled President de Gaulle's government. He then moved to England, making it his home for almost half a century. This not-Algerian man from Algeria and not-quite-French man from France fell in love with Britain and its culture. He soon chose to take up British nationality. This puts him in a privileged position to make perspicacious observations about the much commented on, but in his view often misread, relationship between the British and the French. We follow his experiences as a teacher, to a long career in book publishing, from editor to director, ending up in the digital world as a Microsoft content provider, with life-affirming experiences as a volunteer psychotherapist along the way. Following Brexit, there is a final move to Scotland as a more congenial environment. He finds himself attracted to the positive aspect of the bid for independence, and a potential reconnection with Europe. The journey between what was then and what is now incorporates bitter-sweet coming-of-age stories, not a little hilarious humour, as well as tales of adventurous travel in Western Africa. The author touches on themes that will resonate with many: the sensual pleasures of cooking, the romance of wine, the place of music in our lives, the need for friendship and conviviality, the importance of human resilience, especially in the face of ageing. It is a story about embracing life fully and also reflecting on it, told with verve and lucidity, in clear and often elegiac language that will entertain, move and inspire.Table of Contents1. On a northern shore 3 2. Auld Lang Syne 4 3. "Where do you come from in France?" 5 4. Beachcombing 6 5. Life can be a beach, briefly... 8 6. From one river to another 10 7. What's in a name? 13 8. The multifarious triggers of memory 16 9. On the shoulders of short men 18 10. What can never be shed 20 11. The madness of crowds 21 12. The strange case of the absence of regrets 23 13. Childish pursuits 24 14. Scorched earth 27 15. One up, one down 28 16. Jack the lad - part one 30 17. Suitcase or coffin 31 18. Different welcomes 33 19. Double dose of adolescent spleen 36 20. Mother, martyr and matriarch 39 21. Jack the lad - part two 43 22. Awakened by the Master 46 23. The old ways of a French provincial town 49 24. Another world across the road 50 25. Lesson drawn, with help... 53 26. In limbo - flux and uncertainty 56 27. On the road 58 28. At last... 60 29. The 'Duke of Zellidja Award' 63 30. In Graham Greene's footsteps 65 31. In the time of fear - part one 70 32. Fitting in 72 33. "Sois jeune et tais-toi" 74 34. Spiral 77 35. "Imagination has seized power" 78 36. In the Gray zone 82 37. In praise of pubs 83 38. A sense of community 85 39. A Brighton honeymoon 87 40. The power of parsley 89 41. A view of the 70s from my seventies 91 42. In the time of fear - part two 94 43. Lost in the labyrinth of language 95 44. From school to books 99 45. Throwaway thoughts 105 46. Discovering the New World 108 47. The romance of wine 112 48. Listening to the secrets of strangers 118 49. Myths and legends 121 50. My first vote 125 51. The random pursuit of happiness 128 52. The lure of imagination 131 53. A glimpse into the hinterland 133 54. My generation 135 55. Time for a last good-bye 137 56. A thread of beads 141
£11.69
Little Toller Books Island Years, Island Farm
Book SynopsisUnhappily land-locked in his early adult life, Frank Fraser Darling's fortunes changed when he began visiting Scotland's west coast in the 1930s. Surviving treacherous boat journeys, a broken leg, and hell-bent storms, he made temporary homes with his family on some of the remotest Hebridean islands so he could study the habits of grey seals and seabirds. The family finally settled on an abandoned croft in the Summer Isles, on Tanera Mor, and started farming the barren land. They repaired a ruined herring fishery and its stone quay. They fertilised the ground with seaweed, cut peat for the fires, planted a garden behind sheltered walls. Slowly, they brought life back to the island. Little Toller republishes classic books about nature and rural life.
£14.40
i2i Publishing Ruby: The Struggles and Success of an Inspiring
Book SynopsisSucceeding in a professional career can be challenging for anyone – how much more so for a Sikh woman facing the restrictions and traditions imposed by her family and culture and also the unjust limitations caused by racism at work. In her latest book, Satwant Rait narrates the inspiring life story of Ruby, a Sikh woman born in India who migrated to England. Ruby faced many challenges throughout her life, both cultural and institutional. She overcame these hurdles through her constant hard work, dedication, and perseverance along with maintaining her Sikh faith and family values. As a young girl, Ruby had to struggle to be allowed the opportunity to study at university, yet she achieved her goal and gained many qualifications as well as developing a successful career in libraries. She was rewarded with the post of a lecturer along with working in a full-time job as a school librarian) Under the Sikh tradition, a girl’s parents would choose her husband. Ruby accepted her parents’ decision and married Rajan. The couple then migrated to England, where Ruby had two children, resumed her library career and continued to study. In achieving her academic and career success, Ruby was a pioneering woman in her Sikh community. Ruby broke cultural barriers and proved that women can have satisfying careers as well as a family. Ruby had a change of vocation in her retirement during and after her husband’s illness and death, working in hospital chaplaincy. As in her library career, however, she found that racism existed in her new field which not only shocked her but also hurt her as this work became her passion. This led Ruby to research hospital chaplaincy provision and to publish her findings, advocating for greater access to pastoral care for Sikhs and other minority faiths. Ruby believed that to bring equality and equity, words are not enough and there is a need for firm commitment and meaningful actions.
£11.03
Crumps Barn Studio Give Me The Mountains
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£11.69
Pointed Leaf Press Uncross Your Legs: A Life in Fashion
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£45.00
Walker Books Ltd Dreams from My Father Adapted for Young Adults A
Book SynopsisBRAND-NEW EDITION of the multi-million-copy bestseller, now adapted for YA readers and complete with never-before-seen colour photos. A revealing portrait of one of the most important voices in America long before he became president: a young Black man asking questions about self-discovery and belonging.Barack Obama brings readers along as he faces the challenges of high school and college, living in New York, becoming a community organizer in Chicago and travelling to Kenya. On his journey to adulthood from a humble background, he forges his own path by trial and error while staying connected to his roots, determined to lead a life of purpose, service and authenticity. Obama''s powerful and enduring memoir has been skilfully abridged to make it accessible and engaging for young readers, giving them the opportunity to reflect on where they have come from and where they are capable of going.Trade ReviewListed in Pen&Inc, highlighting the best in diverse children's books, June 2022 * Pen & Inc *Featured in 'Best New Books' * The School Librarian *
£7.19
Aurum The Heart of the Woods
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£15.29
John Murray Press Journeys to the Other Side of the World
Book SynopsisThe further adventures of a young David Attenborough - from Madagascar and New Guinea to the Pacific Islands and the Northern Territory of AustraliaTrade ReviewAbundantly good * TLS *With charm, erudition, humour and passion, the world's favourite natural history broadcaster documents some of his expeditions from the late 1950s onwards * Sunday Express *This book is a wondrous reminder of Attenborough's pioneering role and the often hilarious difficulties he faced . . . A century ago, we learnt about exotic creatures from intrepid explorers in pith helmets. Now we learn from slick, professional TV presenters. David Attenborough has led the way from one style to the other and this book is full of delightful tales from the period of transition. * Daily Express *Engaging and evocative but ultimately poignant . . . Attenborough is a fine writer and storyteller * Irish Times *An adventure that sparked a lifetime's commitment to the planet * The Lady *Fascinating * OK! *With his usual charm and generosity, Attenborough allows us along for the ride * Irish Examiner *An in-depth look at the beloved naturalist's momentous voyage made in his youth across the globe * Woman's Weekly *Pure gold . . . the story of a journey to discover the fugitive, mythical, 'other': Paradise * Wild at Home *A beautifully written book . . . it retains all the trademark Attenborough magic. * WI Magazine *In his May 2018 introduction to these books first published in the early '60s, the great broadcaster naturalist recalls a much changed planet . . . But Attenborough's lust for all types of life remains undimmed as in those distant days * RTE Guide *
£11.69
Hodder & Stoughton Echolands
Book Synopsis''A masterly evocation of the bloodiest year in British history.'' Alice Roberts''Evocative, authoritative . . . rich storytelling.'' Cat Jarman''An engaged, informed companion for the armchair time traveller...captures the thrill and the difficulties of interpreting the past''. TLS''Duncan has written a masterpiece - a journey and an investigation that fuses landscape and history, chasing the echoes of Boudica''s rebellion and finding its physical traces that still surround us today.'' Nicholas Crane''A brilliant imagining of the past. Mackay''s knowledge is profound, but lightly worn, his writing elegant and witty, and his enthusiasm infectious. A joy to read.'' Dr Harry Sidebottom, University of Oxford, author or THE MAD EMPEROR''Mackay''s journey into the past is hugely enjoyable.'' BBC History Magazine''The places that Mackay visits, trav
£11.69
Penguin Random House Group The Inherited Mind
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£21.25
Faber & Faber Miss Dior
Book SynopsisMiss Dior is a story of freedom and fascism, beauty and betrayal, roses and repression, and how the polished surface of fashion conceals hidden depths.
£17.00
Simon & Schuster Ltd Dogs and Their Humans
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£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Highest Duty
Book SynopsisReveals the important lessons Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger learned through childhood, in his military service, and in his work as a commercial airline pilot.
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co Call The Midwife
Book SynopsisJennifer Worth''s tales of being a midwife in 1950s London, now a major BBC TV series.Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the 1950s. The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings, but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humour. She also earned the confidences of some whose lives were truly stranger, more poignant and more terrifying than could ever be recounted in fiction. Attached to an order of nuns who had been working in the slums since the 1870s, Jennifer tells the story not only of the women she treated, but also of the community of nuns (including one who was accused of stealing jewels from Hatton Garden) and the camaraderie of the midwives wTrade ReviewRe-released to tie in with a new BBC adaptation, you must read this superbly moving but also witty story. * CLOSER *This is a funny, at times disturbing, memoir of a world that has now changed beyond measure. * HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER *A poignant, funny and enlightening book -- Charlotte Vowden * DAILY EXPRESS *If you loved the TV adaptation, why not read the original books of Jennifer Worth's stories of being a midwife in London in the '50s? The characters you will meet, both colleagues and patients, stay with you for a long time * WOMAN *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Governor
Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERAs seen on This MorningBack in the day, I was Governor of Security and Operations for HMP Wormwood Scrubs. If you're easily shocked or offended, you best look away nowHaving worked for 16 years in a high-security women's prison dealing with the likes of Rosemary West and Myra Hindley, Vanessa Frake thought she'd seen it all. That was until she was transferred to the notorious Wormwood Scrubs.Thrust into a man's world', her no-nonsense approach and fearless attitude saw her swiftly rise through the ranks. From dealing with celebrity criminals and busting drug rings, to recruiting informers and being subject to violent attacks, this hard-hitting but often humorous memoir reveals all about life behind bars in unflinching detail.Now, for one last time, The Gov opens the prison gates. Prepare for the madness and horror of daily life with the UK's most ruthless criminals.
£999.99
Headline Publishing Group The Little Book of London Style: The fashion
Book SynopsisAn inspiration to countless designers and the stomping ground of fashion's in-crowd, London is the capital of subculture.From Mary Quant to Alexander McQueen, from punks to goths, and from Twiggy to Naomi Campbell, Little Book of London Style is the beautifully illustrated guide to the essential brands, trends and people that make up the style DNA of this unique city.Table of ContentsIntroduction • Birth of a style capital • Fashion designers • 1960s: The Swinging Sixties • 1970s/1980s: flower power to shoulder pads • 1990s: extravagant luxe • 2000s-present day: fashion for a new millennium • Style icons • Street style • Subcultures • Contemporary street style • Style destinations.
£11.69
Orion Publishing Co How Animals Saved My Life Being the Supervet
Book SynopsisTHE MASSIVE NUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERIt has been 30 years since Noel Fitzpatrick graduated as a veterinary surgeon, and that 22-year-old from Ballyfin, Ireland, is now one of the leading veterinary surgeons in the world. The journey to that point has seen Noel treat thousands of animals - many of whom were thought to be beyond help - animals that have changed his life, and the lives of those around them, for the better.If the No.1 Sunday Times bestseller Listening to the Animals was about Noel''s path to becoming The Supervet, then How Animals Saved My Life is about what it''s like to actually be The Supervet. Noel shares the moving and often funny stories of the animals he''s treated and the unique ''animal people'' he has met along the way. He reflects on the valuable lessons of Integrity, Care, Love and Hope that they have taught him - lessons that have sustained him through the unbelievable highs and crushing lows
£10.44
Pan Macmillan The Invisible Girl: The True Story of an Unheard
Book SynopsisFrom Torey Hayden, the number one Sunday Times bestselling author of One Child comes The Invisible Girl, a deeply moving true account of a young teen with a troubling obsession and an extraordinary educational psychologist's sympathy and determination to help.Eloise is a vibrant and charming young teen with a deeply caring nature, but she also struggles with a worrying delusion. She’s been moved from home to home, and her social workers have difficulty dealing with her habit of running away. After experiencing violence, neglect and sexual abuse from people she should have been able to trust, Eloise has developed complex behavioural needs. She struggles to separate fact from fiction, leading to confusion for the social workers trying to help her.After Torey learns of Eloise's background she hopes that some gentle care and attention can help Eloise gain some sense of security in her life. Can Torey and the other social workers provide the loving attention that has so far been missing in Eloise's life, or will she run away from them too?Trade ReviewHayden is a fine storyteller, recounting the touching bonds that form among children and between Hayden and her students. * Washington Post *Torey Hayden deserves the kind of respect I can’t give many people. She isn’t valuable, she’s incredible. The world needs more like Torey Hayden. -- Boston Globe
£9.25
Daunt Books I Saw Ramallah
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£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Autobiography of My Mother
Book SynopsisXuela Claudette Richardson is recalling the last seventy years of her life, and so she must begin with her birth, and the accompanying death of her mother.Xuela’s vivid, visceral recollections of the lonely, unsettled life that follows the trauma of her arrival include that of her distant father, who sends her away to another household at the earliest opportunity; of her passion for the stevedore Roland, who fulfils her sexually but not intellectually; and of her husband, who provides her with status and a wealthy lifestyle but whom she is incapable of loving.Poetic and disturbing, The Autobiography of My Mother is one of Kincaid’s most powerful statements of Afro-Caribbean women’s struggle for identity and independence, against a hostile backdrop of sexism and colonialism.Part of the Picador Collection, a new series showcasing the best of modern literature. Trade ReviewFierce, incantory. . . lyrical. . . powerful and disturbing -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *Kincaid, always an elegant stylist, makes this story of a simple woman extraordinary...filling her prose with rich, poetic detail. . . An unforgettable account of singular survival * San Francisco Chronicle Book Review *A book that comes both to haunt and to dazzle us . . . [Kincaid] writes like an angel: with enviable lucidity and precision and a lyric touch that frequently aspires to the condition of poetry * Boston Sunday Globe *What a writer – elegant, uncompromising, simultaneously direct and layered and complex. * Ali Smith *
£9.49
