Memoirs Books
HarperCollins Publishers Wild Swans Three Daughters of China
Book SynopsisFew books have had such an impact as Wild Swans: a popular bestseller which has sold more than 13 million copies and a critically acclaimed history of China; a tragic tale of nightmarish cruelty and an uplifting story of bravery and survival.Through the story of three generations of women in her own family the grandmother given to the warlord as a concubine, the Communist mother and the daughter herself Jung Chang reveals the epic history of China''s twentieth century.Breathtaking in its scope, unforgettable in its descriptions, this is a masterpiece which is extraordinary in every way.Trade Review‘It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this book.’ Mary Wesley ‘Everything about “Wild Swans” is extraordinary. It arouses all the emotions, such as pity and terror, that great tragedy is supposed to evoke, and also a complex mixture of admiration, despair and delight at seeing a luminous intelligence directed at the heart of darkness.’ Minette Marrin, Sunday Telegraph ‘Immensely moving and unsettling; an unforgettable portrait of the brain-death of a nation.’ J. G. Ballard, Sunday Times ‘“Wild Swans” made me feel like a five-year-old. This is a family memoir that has the breadth of the most enduring social history.’ Martin Amis, Independent on Sunday ‘There has never been a book like this.’ Edward Behr, Los Angeles Times
£11.69
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Stranger in the Woods
Book Synopsis*THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* Could you leave behind all that you know and live in solitude for three decades? This is the extraordinary story of the last true hermit - Christopher Knight. 'This was a breath-taking book to read and many weeks later I am still thinking about the implications for our society and - by extension - for my own life' Sebastian Junger, bestselling author of The Perfect Storm 'A wry meditation on one man's attempt to escape life's distractions and look inwards, to find meaning not by doing, but by being'Martin Sixsmith, bestselling author of Philomena and Ayesha's Gift 'Not all heroes wear capes. My latest one is a man called Christopher Knight – a silent idol for anyone who has felt the urge to just sack it all off and live the life of a her
£9.49
New World Library Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change
Book Synopsis
£15.29
HarperCollins Publishers Inc It Worked for Me
Book SynopsisTrade Review"An entertaining read from a charming, accomplished man... A delightful book." -- The Washington Times
£12.80
Headline Publishing Group World Football Records 2025
Book SynopsisThe best-selling collection of football facts, stats and stories is back for another fully updated edition!World Football Records 2025 offers lively, fun and fascinating facts and stats from the world of international football. Focusing on all the major world and continental tournaments, national team records, exceptional matches and the stars who made it all possible, this exhaustively researched annual tells the stories of these key moments and the players and coaches behind them.This new edition includes updated stats and facts for all recent major tournaments, awards and international teams. You''ll also find the latest record-breaking achievements of more than 35 featured nations from around the world, including a sidebar with key stats, as well as updates and records for most of the other 170+ FIFA members.
£17.00
Headline Publishing Group The Little Book of Versace: The Story of the
Book Synopsis'Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress...' - Gianni VersaceFrom Elizabeth Hurley's safety pin dress to Jennifer Lopez's plunging green gown, Versace has always been a brand at the cutting edge of fashion. With a foot firmly placed in pop culture, Versace is beloved by fashionistas and celebrities alike, providing iconic moments like Lil Nas X's gold armour at the 2021 Met Gala, many of Elton John's eclectic tour outfits and the gown worn by Lady Diana in her posthumous tribute in Harper's Bazaar.Exquisitely illustrated and expertly written, this book explores the story of the brand, from its creation in 1978 by Gianni Versace to its iconic status today. Featuring images of red-carpet moments, key pieces and stunning catwalk shows, this is a fabulous collection of all things Versace.
£12.59
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Hustle Harder Hustle Smarter
Book Synopsis
£18.00
Random House All the Beauty in the World
Book SynopsisPatrick Bringley worked for ten years as a guard in the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Previously, he worked in the editorial events office at the New Yorker magazine. He lectures widely at museums and leads public and private tours of the Met (more information can be found at patrickbringley.com). He lives with his wife and children in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. All the Beauty in the World is his first book.
£10.44
Random House USA Inc They Called Me a Lioness
Book SynopsisA Palestinian activist jailed at sixteen after a confrontation with Israeli soldiers illuminates the daily struggles of life under occupation in this moving, deeply personal memoir.“I cannot even begin to convey the clarity, the intensity, the power, the photographic storytelling of They Called Me a Lioness.”—Ibram X. Kendi, internationally bestselling author of How to Be an AntiracistONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Kirkus Reviews“What would you do if you grew up seeing your home repeatedly raided? Your parents arrested? Your mother shot? Your uncle killed? Try, for just a moment, to imagine that this was your life. How would you want the world to react?”Ahed Tamimi is a world-renowned Palestinian activist, born and raised in the small West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, which became a center of the resistance to Israeli occupation when an illegal, Jewish-only settlement blocked off
£13.49
HarperCollins Focus Make Life Beautiful Extended Edition
Book SynopsisUPDATED & EXPANDED EDITION of the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, including A full-color, sixteen-page insert with photos that capture Syd & Shea’s journey An epilogue about life and business post-pandemic and the success of the hit Netflix show Dream Home Makeover Make Life Beautiful is the autobiography from Syd and Shea McGee, which offers fans a new and intimate look into how they built their business.Want to live the best version of your life? Read this book and learn how Syd and Shea prioritized their values, defined their goals, and put their dreams into action--going from flat broke to design superstars--all while following their motto to “make life beautiful.” Most importantly, discover how you can do the same!For the one million-plus followers who turn to Syd and Shea McGee for advice on building a beautiful home and life, Make Life Beautiful is a behind-the-scenes look into how the couple transformed Shea’s small room of fabric samples and big dream of becoming a designer into one of the most successful and fastest-growing interior design businesses in the country.Both longtime and new fans will not only gain insight into how the McGees built such a successful company but also be inspired to build an authentic life by applying design principles such as Embrace the process Get to the next level Find balance Elevate the everyday This is an essential book for Entrepreneurs Interior designers Working parents Couples building family and career Self-starters Anyone chasing their dreams
£18.00
HarperCollins Publishers Let Me Tell You What I Mean
Book Synopsis Twelve early pieces never before collected that offer an illuminating glimpse into the mind and process of Joan Didion. Trade Review Praise for Let Me Tell You What I Mean: ‘The peripheral, the specific, the tangible – or, as the writer Hilton Als notes in his foreword, “the Didion gaze”, the penetrating prose of a reporter who writes with a scalpel – is by far the most compelling theme in Didion’s latest collection of essays’ Vogue ‘The clarity of Didion's vision and the precision with which she sets it down do indeed feel uncanny … Reading her now, she does seem prophetic, as manifested, for instance, in her concerns in 1968 about the weaknesses of the “traditional press”, whose unspoken attitudes and “quite factitious ‘objectivity’” come “between the page and the reader like so much marsh gas”. Perhaps those iconic sunglasses were really X-ray specs’ Independent ‘Didion’s dogged pursuit of the truth in her writing is more vital than ever in our era of fake news, echo chambers and political turmoil. This is an essential read that reminds us of her magic’ i Paper ‘The slighter these pieces are, the more remarkable they seem: they’re so deft and enigmatic … A sentence by Didion, whether it sticks to 39 characters or articulates possibilities in multiple dependent clauses, is always a marvel of magical thinking’ Observer ‘One of the most celebrated, influential and pioneering writers of the past 60 years. As the great chronicler of US cultural, societal and political movements, Didion’s prose illuminates understanding of what connects and divides a nation … It’s a treat for Didion fans but also serves as an introduction to the writing that would become legendary’ Irish Times ‘A valuable addition to the literature of self-doubt and self-awareness, an elegant untangling of what and why we remember and forget’ Francesca Wade, Guardian
£9.49
Canongate Books The Sick Bag Song
Book SynopsisTHE SICK BAG SONG chronicles Cave's journey with his band the Bad Seeds on a twenty-two-day, North American tour. It is a highly personal account that blends memories, musings, poetry, lyrics, flights of fancy and road journal.Drawing inspiration from Leonard Cohen, John Berryman, Patti Smith, Sharon Olds, folk ballads and ancient texts, THE SICK BAG SONG takes the form of an epic quest, turning over questions of inspiration, creativity, loss, death and romantic love. It is also a companion piece to his feature documentary 20,000 Days on Earth. THE SICK BAG SONG explores and develops the mystique of Nick Cave.The book began its life scribbled onto airline sick bags, which are reproduced in the book alongside the text.Trade ReviewAn 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 * *Lyrical, hallucinatory and laced with sly wit, The Sick Bag Song is a revelation and a pleasure -- Hari KunzruMad and amazing -- Ian RankinNick Cave goes the distance with The Sick Bag Song * * LA Times * *Far 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 * *The stories twist and turn like mad dash through the dark forest that is Nick Caves imagination. It's very revealing, but I guess it's too dreamlike to be called a diary or journal, and yet I came away understanding more about Nick Cave than ever -- Tom OdellBiblical, slightly manic and distinctly berserk; it's also touching, poignant and utterly absorbing -- Jason Steger * * The Age * *
£13.50
Simon And Schuster Group USA My Time to Stand
Book Synopsis
£22.94
Little, Brown Book Group Proof of Heaven A Neurosurgeons Journey into the
Book SynopsisTHE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING ACCOUNT OF A NEUROSURGEON''S OWN NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE.Internationally acclaimed neurosurgeon Dr Eben Alexander always considered himself a man of science. His unwavering belief in evidence-based medicine fuelled a career in the top medical institutions of the world. But all this was set to change. One morning in 2008 he fell into a coma after suffering a rare form of bacterial meningitis. Scans of his brain revealed massive damage. Death was deemed the most likely outcome. As his family prepared themselves for the worst, something miraculous happened. Dr Alexander''s brain went from near total inactivity to awakening. He made a full recovery but he was never the same. He woke certain of the infinite reach of the soul, he was certain of a life beyond death. In this astonishing book, Dr Alexander shares his experience, pieced together from the notes he made as soon as he was able to write again. Unlike oTrade ReviewDr Eben Alexander's near-death experience is the most astounding I have heard in more than four decades of studying this phenomenon. In my opinion, Dr Alexander is living proof of an afterlife. * Dr Raymond Moody, bestselling author of Life After Life *Dr Alexander's neuroscience career taught him that near-death experiences are brain-based illusions, and yet his personal experience left him dumbstruck. His honest struggle to make sense of this unforgettable journey is a gripping story, unique in the literature of spiritual experiences that may well change how we understand our role in the universe. * Dr Bruce Greyson, Carlson Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine; co-editor of The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences *An interesting account of how a man's spiritual beliefs were fundamentally changed by an unforeseen and nearly fatal event * Glasgow Herald *I don't know whether Heaven exists, but I do believe that Eben's account is real and that he witnessed a part of the Universe that most of us haven't seen * Anthony Peake, author of Is There Life After Death?: The Extraordinary Science of What Happens When We Die and Making Sense of Near Death Experiences *A man of science coming out for life after death has extra resonance, rather like Richard Dawkins saying 'God bless.' Based on his own life experience after falling into a coma, it's a fascinating read whatever your own opinions * Belfast Telegraph *
£15.29
Chelsea Green Publishing Co One-Straw Revolutionary: The Philosophy and Work
Book SynopsisOne-Straw Revolutionary represents the first commentary on the work of the late Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka (1913 – 2008), widely considered to be natural farming’s most influential practitioner. Mr. Fukuoka is perhaps most known for his bestselling book The One-Straw Revolution (1978), a manifesto on the importance of no-till agriculture, which was at the time of publication a radical challenge to the global systems that supply the world’s food, and still inspires readers today. Larry Korn, who apprenticed with Mr. Fukuoka in Japan at the time, translated the manuscript and brought it to the United States, knowing it would change the conversation about food forever. The One-Straw Revolution, edited by Korn and Wendell Berry, was an immediate international success, and established Mr. Fukuoka as a leading voice in the fight against conventional industrial agriculture. In this new book, through his own personal narrative, Larry Korn distills his experience of more than thirty-five years of study with Mr. Fukuoka, living and working on his farm on Shikoku Island, and traveling with Mr. Fukuoka to the United States on two six-week visits. One-Straw Revolutionary is the first book to look deeply at natural farming and intimately discuss the philosophy and work of Mr. Fukuoka. In addition to giving his personal thoughts about natural farming, Korn broadens the discussion by pointing out natural farming’s kinship with the ways of indigenous cultures and traditional Japanese farming. At the same time, he clearly distinguishes natural farming from other forms of agriculture, including scientific and organic agriculture and permaculture. Korn also clarifies commonly held misconceptions about natural farming in ways Western readers can readily understand. And he explains how natural farming can be used practically in areas other than agriculture, including personal growth and development. The book follows the author on his travels from one back-to-the-land commune to another in the countryside of 1970s Japan, a journey that eventually led him to Mr. Fukuoka’s natural farm. Korn’s description of his time there, as well as traveling with Mr. Fukuoka during his visits to the United States, offers a rare, inside look at Mr. Fukuoka’s life. Readers will delight in this personal insight into one of the world’s leading agricultural thinkers.Trade ReviewCHOICE- "This book brings fascinating insight and perspective to the contributions of Masanobu Fukuoka (1913-2008), the founder of the worldwide natural farming movement. Written by a former student and farm intern of Fukuoka, it recounts his life and work, and documents the author's own travels in Japan and early experiences working on Fukuoka's farm in the 1970s. It goes on to discuss natural farming techniques using Fukuoka's farm as a case study, and describes the writing and publication of The One Straw Revolution (1975) and the resultant rise in international interest in natural farming. As it compares natural farming with indigenous farming, traditional Japanese agriculture, permaculture, and modern-day organic farming, the direction of the book changes from memory and reflection to an oversimplified discussion of agricultural theory. As a memoir it is compelling.”“Larry Korn shines a light on the path that Fukuoka discovered integrating indigenous agriculture with a deep reverence for the land and natural processes. Many revolutions of the sun later, it is clear that the continued illumination of this path is necessary to bring about a stewardship culture of soil, plant, animal, and human. We are fortunate to have a torch bearer in Korn who embodies the words of Taoist sage, Lao T’zu, ‘what you do is what you are.’”--Don Tipping, founder of Seven Seeds Farm and Siskiyou Seeds“This mind-opening book will provide the proper contextual knowledge and understanding on how nature works for any practitioner involved in farming, ranching, ecosystem restoration, or natural-resource management.”--Ray Archuleta, conservation agronomist, Natural Resources Conservation Service“Larry Korn virtually brings Masanobu Fukuoka back to life in One-Straw Revolutionary by highlighting his experience of more than thirty-five years of study with Mr. Fukuoka. Here we not only get a new look at Mr. Fukuoka’s natural farming but also his life in general. For those who have or have not read the insightful The One-Straw Revolution, I highly recommend this delightful book about one of the world’s great agricultural thinkers.”--John P. Reganold, Regents Professor of Soil Science & Agroecology at Washington State University“One-Straw Revolutionary is a profound sharing of the essential philosophy of natural farming translated through the friendship between Larry Korn and Masanobu Fukuoka. Larry’s engaging story offers wise insights into authentic practices that honor the community of all life. I deeply resonate with both the author’s perspectives and Fukuoka’s clear understanding of a revolutionary pathway for creating abundance by honoring the natural patterns of our earth.”--Katrina Blair, author of The Wild Wisdom of Weeds“In One-Straw Revolutionary, Larry Korn revisits his experiences with Masanobu Fukuoka, one of the most important thinkers in agricultural history. This book is a sort of sequel to Mr. Fukuoka’s The One-Straw Revolution, clarifying and amplifying that book and then going on to reveal Mr. Korn’s own intriguing contributions to the new social and agricultural order.”--Gene Logsdon, author of Gene Everlasting and A Sanctuary of Trees “I still think The One-Straw Revolution is the best book Rodale ever published, and we can thank Larry Korn for bringing it to us. Larry’s deep insight into Fukuoka-san’s Zen-like approach to farming threw a new light on the organic method of farming and gardening for me, as I was then an editor of Organic Gardening magazine. Through Larry, I was able to see that the question is not, ‘What can I do next?’ but rather, ‘What can I stop doing without diminishing the results?’ This impulse toward simplicity is the master’s great gift to the world, carried forth into the world by Larry Korn.”—Jeff Cox, author of twenty books, including the best-selling From Vines to Wines and the James Beard Foundation-nominated The Organic Cook’s Bible, and former managing editor of Organic Gardening magazine
£14.24
Pan Macmillan Alone on the Wall: Alex Honnold and the Ultimate
Book Synopsis‘Riveting . . . Honnold is neither crazy nor reckless. Alone on the Wall reveals him to be an utterly unique and extremely appealing young man’ - Jon Krakauer, bestselling author of Into the Wild.This updated edition contains the account of Alex's El Capitan climb, which is the subject of the Oscar and BAFTA winning documentary, Free Solo. Alex Honnold is one of the world's best ‘free solo’ climbers, he scales impossible rock faces without ropes, pitons or any support of any kind. Exhilarating, brilliant and dangerous, there is a purity to Alex's climbs that is easy to comprehend, but also impossible to fathom; in the last forty years, only a handful of climbers have pushed themselves as far, ‘free soloing’ to the absolute limit of human capabilities. Half of them are dead. From Yosemite's famous Half Dome to the frighteningly difficult El Sendero Luminoso in Mexico, Alone on the Wall explores Alex's seven most extraordinary climbing achievements so far. These are tales to make your palms sweat and your feet curl with vertigo. Together, they get to the heart of how – and why – Alex does what he does. Exciting, uplifting and truly awe-inspiring, Alone on the Wall is a book about the essential truth of being free to pursue your passions and the ability to maintain a singular focus, even in the face of mortal danger.Trade Review[Honnold] is the foremost practitioner of the dark art of free solo rock climbing - ascending extremely difficult cliffs hundreds, sometimes thousands, of feet tall without ropes or protection hardware of any kind. That is every bit as stupefying as it sounds * Wall Street Journal *Riveting . . . Honnold is neither crazy nor reckless. Alone on the Wall reveals him to be an utterly unique and extremely appealing young man -- Jon Krakauer, bestselling author of Into the Wild.Honnold has free-soloed the longest, most challenging climbs ever. Most peculiar of all, even to elite rock climbers, Honnold does this without apparent fear, as if falling were not possible. * New York Times *Alex Honnold spends his life cheating death * New York Times Magazine *Honnold here recounts his ascents on some of the world's most dangerous rock walls. You'll come away questioning his sanity for choosing this controversial sport…but it's also impossible not to feel awe * People *Honnold blows wide open any conventional understanding of the term 'comfort zone' . . . He engagingly conveys his love of climbing -- Barbara J. King, NPRAlone on the Wall is set to inspire multitudes [of climbers]. With his off-the-charts abilities and laconic, whip-smart, no-B.S. persona, Honnold has made climbing cool * Men's Health *[Honnold's] ability to connect with a larger audience and bring a humble perspective to his many accomplishments makes him a great ambassador to the sport . . . Reading the vivid descriptions captured by Honnold and Roberts will surely cover the book's pages in a fine layer of palm sweat * Gripped Magazine *The world's most daring free climber * The Times *
£11.69
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 *
£11.04
Penguin Books Ltd The Penguin Lessons
Book SynopsisSOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM, THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A FLIGHTLTESS BIRD AND A TEACHER OUT OF HIS DEPTH . . . ''I can''t remember the last time I read a book that made me smile so continuously'' 5***** Reader Review ''How could a penguin transform so many lives? Read it and see. You''ll not regret it'' 5***** Reader Review ''Delightful, uplifting, enjoyable, fun and beautifully written'' 5***** Reader Review _______ Tom Michell is in his roaring twenties: single, free-spirited and seeking adventure. He has a plane ticket to South America, a teaching position in a prestigious Argentine boarding school, and endless summer holidays. What he doesn''t need is a pet. What he really doesn''t need is a pet penguin. But while on holiday in Uruguay he spots a penguin struggling in an oil slick and knows he has to help. And then the penguin refuses to leave his side . . . ClearlyTrade ReviewA much-beloved tale about a much-beloved bird ... heartwarmingly eccentric.... It's bound to be a hit * Guardian *Entrancing ... the writing is a delight, the story itself so touching that I didn't want it to end. I really loved this book -- Michael Bond, creator of Paddington BearFantastic, fantastic - I have been glued to The Penguin Lessons ... it's so good. A magical story -- Dj Nihal * BBC Radio 2 Fact Not Fiction Bookclub *His tone suits the material perfectly ... you believe every word ... No fool, this penguin. No fools these publishers, who have unleashed such a delightful and charming book just in time for Christmas * Daily Mail *An uplifting true story about author Tom Michell's years as a teacher in Argentina and the penguin he adopted as a pet * Good Housekeeping *Warm and unique ... it's hard not to wish you were there ... a lovely story about a remarkable trip to the other side of the world and a gorgeous friendship between one man and his penguin * The Bookseller *While Michell devotes much of his time to heartwarming penguin antics, he also recalls the less idyllic elements of his time in Argentina, including runaway inflation and a military coup. Michell's crisp, intelligent voice is equally at home chatting about motorcycling through the Argentine countryside and hiding a penguin for the duration of a bus trip. His classic dry British wit provides the perfect counterbalance to the inherent sweetness of the penguin's remarkable devotion. Animal lovers and travel fans alike will find Michell's adventures bright and charming * Shelf Awareness *Lively and endearing ... In clever, entertaining vignettes accompanied by simple yet engaging illustrations, Michell ... interweaves introspection, travel tales, and penguin facts in a charming story that also reveals the charismatic nature of this gregarious and increasingly endangered species * Publishers Weekly *One of the most touching tales we've read all year * Heat ***** *Packed full of funny, heart-warming anecdotes and peppered with interesting details of the political and economic picture of Argentina, this would make a perfect Christmas stocking filler * Irish Examiner *Tom Michell seems like the sort of fellow you'd like to have dinner with sometime. He would no doubt regale you with fascinating tales of life in Argentina during the 1970s: living with high inflation and the collapse of the Perónist government, hiking in the high Andes, wandering the snowy, pine-covered wilderness of Tierra del Fuego. Oh, and he might tell you a little bit about a Magellanic penguin he used to know * Washington Post *A crazy, witty, enchanting story * Woman & Home *
£10.44
Silver Press My Mother Laughs
Book SynopsisIn 2013, the filmmaker Chantal Akerman's mother was dying. My Mother Laughs is both the textual distillation of the themes Akerman pursued throughout her creative life, and a version of the simplest and most complicated love story of all: that between a mother and a daughter.
£13.49
Atlantic Books Mortality
Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of The YearA Mail on Sunday Book of The YearAn Independent Book of The YearA The Times Book of The YearDuring the US book tour for his memoir, Hitch-22, Christopher Hitchens collapsed in his New York hotel room to excoriating pain in his chest and thorax. As he would later write in the first of a series of deeply moving Vanity Fair pieces, he was being deported 'from the country of the well across the stark frontier that marks off the land of malady.' Over the next year he underwent the brutal gamut of modern cancer treatment, enduring catastrophic levels of suffering and eventually losing the ability to speak. Mortality is the most meditative collection of writing Hitchens has ever produced; at once an unsparingly honest account of the ravages of his disease, an examination of cancer etiquette, and the coda to a lifetime of fierce debate and peerless prose. In this eloquent confrontation with mortality, Hitchens returns a human face to a disease that has become a contemporary cipher of suffering.Trade ReviewCharacteristic of his elegant wit: philosophical, literary, ironic, sardonic, reflective and resentful * The Times *His unworldly fluency never deserted him, his commitment was passionate, and he never deserted his trade. He was the consummate writer, the brilliant friend. In Walter Pater's famous phrase, he burned 'with this hard gem-like flame.' Right to the end. -- Ian McEwanHitchens's voice remains civilised, searching and ready to vanquish all his enemies -- Colm TóbínA trenchant, learned, iconoclastic and splendidly witty commentator on public life and, as here, on his own private triumphs and travails... unremittingly elegant, a master of graceful prose -- John Banville
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd Myself and Other Animals
Book Synopsis
£17.00
Pan Macmillan From Here to the Great Unknown A Memoir
Book SynopsisLisa Marie Presley was a singer and songwriter who was born in Memphis and raised at Graceland as the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. She released three studio albums throughout her music career To Whom It May Concern, Now What, and Storm & Grace, the first of which was certified gold. Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023.Riley Keough is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award-nominated actress. She is known for her work in Daisy Jones & the Six, Zola, and more. She also co-directed War Pony (2022), which won the Caméra d'Or for best first feature at Cannes, and cofounded the production company Felix Culpa with Gina Gammell. She is the eldest daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and sole trustee of Graceland.
£21.25
Octopus Publishing Group The Twins of Auschwitz: The inspiring true story
Book Synopsis THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The Nazis spared their lives because they were twins.In the summer of 1944, Eva Mozes Kor and her family arrived at Auschwitz.Within thirty minutes, they were separated. Her parents and two older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, while Eva and her twin, Miriam, were herded into the care of the man who became known as the Angel of Death: Dr. Josef Mengele. They were 10 years old.While twins at Auschwitz were granted the 'privileges' of keeping their own clothes and hair, they were also subjected to Mengele's sadistic medical experiments. They were forced to fight daily for their own survival and many died as a result of the experiments, or from the disease and hunger rife in the concentration camp.In a narrative told simply, with emotion and astonishing restraint, The Twins of Auschwitz shares the inspirational story of a child's endurance and survival in the face of truly extraordinary evil.Also included is an epilogue on Eva's incredible recovery and her remarkable decision to publicly forgive the Nazis. Through her museum and her lectures, she dedicated her life to giving testimony on the Holocaust, providing a message of hope for people who have suffered, and worked toward goals of forgiveness, peace, and the elimination of hatred and prejudice in the world.Trade ReviewEva Mozes Kor has written a very moving and vivid account of an extraordinary and horrific experience. It is an important document showing the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to forgive. She should be commended for having the courage to write about her traumatic childhood, leading to the forgiveness that freed her from hatred and brought her peace. May it inspire others to emulate her. -- Archbishop Desmond TutuThis remarkable story is an important entry point in the teaching of Holocaust History and the many issues which emerge from it, not least of all the triumph of the human spirit. -- Richard Freedman, National Director, South African Holocaust Foundation
£8.99
Simon & Schuster Go Higher
Book SynopsisMulti-platinum artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Big Sean shares his five key practices for inner work and self-acceptance in this interactive guidebook on maintaining daily mental wellness. Sean Anderson, better known as Big Sean, has reached incredible levels of success in his music career. And while, from the outside, his life looks like a collection of enviable achievements, in truth, he has experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows that come with anxiety and depression. At the age of eighteen, Sean decided to forgo college to sign with Kanye West’s record label. Even though he saw his wildest dreams coming true, almost like a rap fairytale, he found himself contemplating taking his own life. It was in this, his darkest moments, that he started applying the spiritual practices he’d witnessed his mother embrace throughout his childhood from books like The Four Agreements, The Secret, and many more. From that moment on, Sean has been on a journey of inward reflection, self-acceptance, and continual work to become the best version of himself every day. In these pages he walks you through the five practices—accepting, strategizing, trying, trusting, and manifesting—that have given him the skills and confidence to become the beloved father, musician, and man that he is today. This book is a clarion call for the next self-help movement, poised to meet the complexities of the moment we’re in. Go Higher dares to ask the question: If we worked on our self-care regularly, instead of only when we were in crisis, how much higher could we go? Filled with step-by-step instructions for the tools Sean has been using on a daily basis for the last decade—journaling, agreements, affirmations, and meditation, as well as prompts to guide you on your own journey of self-reflection, Go Higher is a spiritual guidebook for our times, proving that investing in yourself isn’t something that drains your energy, but is something that gives you the energy to reach your fullest potential.
£13.49
John Blake Publishing Ltd Do the Birds Still Sing in Hell?: A powerful true
Book SynopsisAn incredible tale of one man's adversity and defiance, for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.Horace Greasley escaped over 200 times from a notorious German prison camp to see the girl he loved. This is his incredible true story.A Sunday Times Bestseller - over 60,000 copies sold.Even in the most horrifying places on earth, hope still lingers in the darkness, waiting for the opportunity to take flight.When war was declared Horace Greasley was just twenty-years old. After seven weeks' training with the 2/5th Battalion, the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, Horace found himself facing the might of the German Army in a muddy field south of Cherbourg, in northern France, with just thirty rounds in his ammunition pouch.Horace's war didn't last long. . . On 25 May 1940 he was taken prisoner and so began the harrowing journey to a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland. Those who survived the gruelling ten-week march to the camp were left broken and exhausted, all chance of escape seemingly extinguished.But when Horace met Rosa, the daughter of one of his captors, his story changed; fate, it seemed, had thrown him a lifeline. Horace risked everything in order to steal out of the camp to see his love, bringing back supplies for his fellow prisoners. In doing so he offered hope to his comrades, and defiance to one of the most brutal regimes in history.
£9.89
Pan Macmillan Lost & Found: Reflections on Grief, Gratitude and
Book Synopsis'Extraordinary . . . a profound and beautiful book . . . a moving meditation on grief and loss, but also a sparky celebration of joy, wonder and the miracle of love . . . Witty, wise, beautifully structured and written in clear, singing prose' – Sunday TimesEighteen months before Kathryn Schulz’s beloved father died, she met the woman she would marry. In Lost & Found, she weaves the stories of those relationships into a brilliant exploration of how all our lives are shaped by loss and discovery - from the maddening disappearance of everyday objects to the sweeping devastations of war, pandemic, and natural disaster; from finding new planets to falling in love.Three very different American families form the heart of Lost & Found: the one that made Schulz’s father, a charming, brilliant, absentminded Jewish refugee; the one that made her partner, an equally brilliant farmer’s daughter and devout Christian; and the one she herself makes through marriage. But Schulz is also attentive to other, more universal kinds of conjunction: how private happiness can coexist with global catastrophe, how we get irritated with those we adore, how love and loss are themselves unavoidably inseparable. The resulting book is part memoir, part guidebook to living in a world that is simultaneously full of wonder and joy and wretchedness and suffering - a world that always demands both our gratitude and our grief.A staff writer at the New Yorker and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Kathryn Schulz writes with curiosity, tenderness, erudition, and wit about our finite yet infinitely complicated lives. Crafted with the emotional clarity of C. S. Lewis and the intellectual force of Susan Sontag, Lost & Found is an uncommon book about common experiences.'An extraordinary gift of a book, a tender, searching meditation on love and loss and what it means to be human. I wept at it, laughed with it, was entirely fascinated by it. I emerged feeling a little as if the world around me had been made anew.' – Helen Macdonald, author of H Is for HawkTrade ReviewExtraordinary . . . A profound and beautiful book . . . a moving meditation on grief and loss, but also a sparky celebration of joy, wonder and the miracle of love . . . Witty, wise, beautifully structured and written in clear, singing prose * Sunday Times *Luminescent . . . Deft, roving and elegantly written . . . Lost & Found is itself a marvel of a meditation. It left me moved, inspired and ultimately elated * Financial Times *Eloquent and tender . . . a breathtakingly beautiful set-piece, a celebration of the ordinariness and sublimity of our most fundamental connections: to parents, to children, to lovers. * Observer *An extraordinary gift of a book, a tender, searching meditation on love and loss and what it means to be human. I emerged feeling a little as if the world around me had been made anew. -- Helen Macdonald, author of H is for HawkA deeply moving, richly illuminating exploration of loss and bliss. Schulz is never anything but the very best company, speaking nuanced truths from and about the deepest reaches of the heart. -- Leslie Jamison, author of The Empathy ExamsIn Lost & Found, she moves between the philosophical and the intimate, turning a memoir of love and death into an exploration of the way chance becomes fate and grief intertwines with gratitude. -- Jia Tolentino, author of Trick Mirror An unfolding astonishment to read -- Alison Bechdel, author of Fun HomeIn this profound mediation on loss and revelation, on how we relinquish those we love and learn to love others, Kathryn Schulz has created a masterpiece of metaphysical insight, at once richly lyrical and piercingly specific. -- Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday DemonLost and Found is the most daring of books: a memoir by a happy person. Deeply felt and exquisitely written, it's an absorbing exploration of love and loss -- not to mention meteorites, Dante and bears. The prodigiously talented Kathryn Schulz has written about her life in a way that will change yours. -- Andy Borowitz, author of The Borowitz ReportOur lives do indeed deserve and reward the kind of honest, gentle, brilliant scrutiny [Schulz] brings to bear on her own life. The book is profound and beautiful. -- Marilynne Robinson, author of Housekeeping and GileadPulitzer Prize-winner Kathryn Shulz's grief memoir offers clarity and wisdom on how loss and discovery are never far apart from one another. * Esquire *
£11.63
Atlantic Books Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found
Book SynopsisAt twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's rapid death from cancer, her family disbanded and her marriage crumbled. With nothing to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to walk eleven-hundred miles of the west coast of America - from the Mojave Desert, through California and Oregon, and into Washington state - and to do it alone. She had no experience of long-distance hiking and the journey was nothing more than a line on a map. But it held a promise - a promise of piecing together a life that lay in ruins at her feet. Strayed's account captures the agonies - both mental and physical - of her incredible journey; how it maddened and terrified her, and how, ultimately, it healed her. Wild is a brutal memoir of survival, grief and redemption: a searing portrayal of life at its lowest ebb and at its highest tide.Trade ReviewClear, honest, and quietly riveting * Marie Claire *A spectacular book... Both a literary and a human triumph * New York Times *A deeply honest memoir about mother and daughter, solitude and courage, and regaining footing, one step at a time * Vogue *Strayed's language is so vivid, sharp and compelling that you feel the heat of the desert, the frigid ice of the High Sierra and the breathtaking power of one remarkable woman finding her way - and herself - one brave step at a time. * People *Table of ContentsPART ONE: THE TEN THOUSAND THINGS 1: The Ten Thousand Things 2: Splitting 3: Hunching in a Remotely Upright Position PART TWO: TRACKS 4: The Pacific Crest Trail, Volume 1: California 5: Tracks 6: A Bull in Both Directions 7: The Only Girl in the Woods PART THREE: RANGE OF LIGHT 8: Corvidology 9: Staying Found 10: Range of Light PART FOUR: WILD 11: The Lou Out of Lou 12: This Far 13: The Accumulation of Trees 14: Wild PART FIVE: BOX OF RAIN 15: Box of Rain 16: Mazama 17: Into a Primal Gear 18: Queen of the PCT 19: The Dream of a Common Language
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC I Shall Not Hate
Book SynopsisHeart-breaking, hopeful and horrifying, I Shall Not Hate is a Palestinian doctor''s inspiring account of his extraordinary life, growing up in poverty but determined to treat his patients in Gaza and Israel regardless of their ethnic origin. A London University- and Harvard-trained Palestinian doctor who was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and who has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians'' (New York Times), Abuelaish is an infertility specialist who lives in Gaza but works in Israel. On the strip of land he calls home (where 1.5 million Gazan refugees are crammed into a few square miles) the Gaza doctor has been crossing the lines in the sand that divide Israelis and Palestinians for most of his life - as a physician who treats patients on both sides of the line, as a humanitarian who sees the need for improved health and education for women as the way forward in the Middle East. AnTrade Review'This story is a necessary lesson against hatred and revenge.' * Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate *'In this book, Doctor Abuelaish has expressed a remarkable commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation that describes the foundation for a permanent peace in the Holy Land.' * President Jimmy Carter *‘A remarkable study of compassion, and of daily life in the Gaza Strip' * Sunday Times *If there is to be peace in the Middle East, it will come through men and women of his giant moral stature and epic capacity for forgiveness. I urge everybody to read this wonderful book.' * Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph *
£11.69
Vintage Publishing What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Book SynopsisIn 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he''d completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a slew of critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing. Equal parts travelogue, training log, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and settings ranging from Tokyo''s Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvellous lens of sport emerges a cornucopia of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back.By turns funny andTrade ReviewMurakami gives me a reason. It might seem romantic, but it's true. I had to run…but I didn't enjoy running. I do enjoy, however, running with Murakami. -- Ioan Marc Jones * Huffington Post UK *Murakami distils his own process of writing fiction in this layered and meditative memoir. * Big Issue *A wonderful exploration of work, place and life’s meanders. * Geographical *It’s an inspiring, reflective read that’ll make you want to dust your trainers off -- Andy McNicoll * Professional Social Work *An outstanding read -- Peter Sharkey * Eastern Daily Press *
£8.54
Unbound How to Come Alive Again
Book Synopsis'Essential reading, not just for anyone struggling with mental illness, but for anyone who knows someone who needs support. That's all of us' Daisy Buchanan, author of *How to Be a Grown-Up'An essential, wondrous WOW of a book' Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**kIt doesn't matter that you've lived in the shadows, that you've slept through years of your life, that you've done things you're shamed to admit even to yourself. It doesn't matter that you're an anxious mess with a shouty monster brain that keeps you from conforming to society's definition of normal.How to Come Alive Again is a relatable, honest, joyous and above all practical guide for anyone who has a mental illness – or anyone who knows and loves someone who does.Beth McColl shares what's worked for her and what hasn't, and what she wishes she'd known from the start: from advice on how get through a bad day to the truth about medication and what to expect from a partner.Here are the basics for mending your life, accepting yourself, and learning to live again.Trade Review'McColl’s practical and loving book is full of insight and useful steps for making it through and giving yourself a break . . . There will always be something it can give you' Stylist
£11.63
Penguin Putnam Inc Get the Picture
Book SynopsisAN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERNAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2024 BY NPR, TIME, AND THE ECONOMIST?Get the Picture is one of the funniest books I?ve read . . . Brilliant.??The Washington Post ?A gripping and often hilarious investigation into the art world. . . . Bosker goes full Tom Wolfe.??TIME ?Funny, whip-smart, and gorgeously written, Get the Picture will forever transform the way you see. . . . I loved every word.??Suleika Jaouad, New York Times bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms The New York Times bestselling author of Cork Dork takes readers on another fascinating, hilarious, and revelatory journey?this time burrowingdeep insidethe secretive world of art and artistsAn award-winning journalist obsessed with obsession, Bianca Bosker?s existence was upended when she wandered into the art world?and couldn?t look away. Intrigued by artists who hyperventilate around their favorite colors and art fiends who max out credit cards to show hunks of metal they think can change the world, Bosker grew fixated on understanding why art matters and how she?or any of us?could engage with it more deeply.In Get the Picture, Bosker throws herself into the nerve center of art and the people who live for it: gallerists, collectors, curators, and, of course, artists themselves?the kind who work multiple jobs to afford their studios while scrabbling to get eyes on their art. As she stretches canvases until her fingers blister, talks her way into A-list parties full of billionaire collectors, has her face sat on by a nearly-naked performance artist, and forces herself to stare at a single sculpture for hours on end while working as a museum security guard, she discovers not only the inner workings of the art-canonization machine but also a more expansive way of living.Probing everything from cave paintings to Instagram, and from the science of sight to the importance of beauty as it examines art?s role in our culture, our economy, and our hearts, Get the Picture is a rollicking adventure that will change the way you see forever.
£18.45
Oneworld Publications Three Worlds
Book SynopsisA unique coming-of-age story from the lost world of Arab-JewsTrade Review'This remarkable upside-down tale… A personal story, not a polemic… provocative… His personal odyssey confers on Shlaim an exceptional authority for his words; he can say things that others of us cannot… his thesis deserves to be considered with respect.' —Max Hastings, The Sunday Times'At the heart of this riveting and profoundly controversial book is Shlaim’s investigation into the Baghdad bombings against Jewish targets in 1950 and 1951… This is a beautifully written book which artfully blends the personal with the political. The recollections of family life in both its glory and its anguished tribulations are vividly recreated. Shlaim’s is a powerful and humane voice which reminds us that the Palestinians were not the only victims of the creation of Israel in 1948.' —Spectator'Three Worlds, by the Oxford historian of the modern Middle East Avi Shlaim, is an often enchanting memoir of his childhood in Baghdad... A gripping account... A lost world in Iraq, which is brilliantly brought back to life in this fascinating memoir.' —David Abulafia, Financial Times'[An] absorbing, contentious memoir… Even if it “cannot be rebuilt”, Three Worlds, quite marvellously, brings [the old world of Iraq] back to life.' —TLS'An intimate and engaging life story that forces the reader to re-examine three very different worlds – Iraq, Israel and Britain – in the middle decades of the twentieth century. A reflective and insightful plunge into the identity politics of the Arab-Jew by one of Britain’s greatest public intellectuals. But also the best book I’ve read all year.' —Eugene Rogan, author of The Arabs'This memoir is an engrossing personal narrative as well as a historian’s penetrating reflection on the misfortune of the "other victims" of Zionism: Jews exiled from their old Arab homelands where they were well integrated, and transplanted to Israel, to serve as a subaltern class of the Hebrew settler nation.' —Moshé Machover'Three Worlds juxtaposes a fascinating family story, unfolding across Iraq, Israel, and the UK, with an intriguing historical account of Iraqi Jews during an especially calamitous period. Here the preeminent scholar of the Arab–Israeli conflict furnishes a precious personal glimpse into a past in which Arab-Jews figure prominently, generating a more subtle and multilayered picture of the partition of Palestine and its aftermath.' —Ella Shohat, author of On the Arab-Jew'[Shlaim’s] mizrahi roots and experience produce a raw nerve, the emotional and psychological wellspring of his later oeuvre and politics… His personal story is moving, and it is told with atypical, engrossing candor… Three Worlds is very readable, like everything that Shlaim writes.' —Benny Morris, Tablet'In this detailed, resonant account, historian Shlaim recalls the complexities of growing up as an Arab Jew in Iraq and Israel… Those interested in alternative Jewish attitudes toward Zionism will find this illuminating.' —Publishers Weekly'Sharply observed, and without stridency, in making a case for an ecumenical Israel.' —Kirkus‘Brave… Well written and informative, this is a fascinating glimpse into a forgotten world.’ —Tablet'Vivid… This luminous memoir… offers readers a chance to reimagine life not ruled by force, fear, deceit and exclusion.' —Middle East Eye'Avi Shlaim’s intriguing, ideologically-driven book, Three Worlds, is a bitter-sweet autobiography of an accomplished Iraqi Jew who left his homeland under duress, an impassioned look back at Iraq’s lost Jewish community, and a stinging critique of Zionism and Israel.' —Times of Israel
£21.25
Little, Brown Book Group The Forgotten Highlander
Book SynopsisAlistair Urquhart was a soldier in the Gordon Highlanders captured by the Japanese in Singapore. He not only survived working on the notorious Bridge on the River Kwai , but he was subsequently taken on one of the Japanese ''hellships'' which was torpedoed. Nearly everyone else on board died and Urquhart spent 5 days alone on a raft in the South China Sea before being rescued by a whaling ship. He was taken to Japan and then forced to work in a mine near Nagasaki. Two months later a nuclear bomb dropped just ten miles away . . .This is the extraordinary story of a young men, conscripted at nineteen and whose father was a Somme Veteran, survived not just one, but three close encounters with death - encounters which killed nearly all his comrades.Trade ReviewA book you must read * DAILY MAIL *Riveting, powerful, moving * OBSERVER *A remarkable memoir * FINANCIAL TIMES *
£11.69
Simon & Schuster Bad Mormon: A Memoir
Book SynopsisDrinking and Tweeting meets Unorthodox in this vulnerable memoir about The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star’s departure from the Mormon Church, and her unforeseen success in business, television, and single motherhood. Straight off the slopes and into the spotlight, Heather Gay is famous for speaking the gospel truth. Whether as a businesswoman, mother, or television personality, she is unafraid to blaze a new trail, even if it means losing family, friends, and her community. Born and bred to be devout, Heather based her life around her faith. She attended Brigham Young University, served a mission in France, and married into Mormon royalty in the temple. But her life as a good Mormon abruptly ended when she lost the marriage and faith that she had once believed would last forever. With writing that is beautiful, sad, funny, and true, Heather recounts the difficult discovery of the darkness and damage that often exists behind a picture-perfect life, while examining the nuanced relationship between duty to self and duty to God. Exposing secrets she once held sacred, Bad Mormon is an unfiltered look at the religion that broke her heart. A revealing and ultimately hopeful memoir, Bad Mormon is a captivating read in the vein of Untamed, Educated, and Me Talk Pretty One Day.Trade Review"A spicy debut...by turns cheeky and reflective...Real Housewives disciples will relish these unfiltered revelations." —Publishers Weekly“A thoughtful, smart, and funny handbook for apostates.” —Kirkus Reviews“Frank, funny, and irreverent, Bad Mormon captures the spirit of the woman millions have come to love/hate on TV. Even those unfamiliar with the show will be fascinated by her detailed descriptions… The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is a TV sensation, and Gay is the breakout star, so expect a lot of interest in her story of her religious journey.” —Booklist“Gay’s book is raw and revealing, an eye-opening firsthand account of religious indoctrination told with candor and sincerity.” —Interview Magazine“Gay’s book has major stakes: In tracing her journey from aspiring housewife to capital-H Housewife, she writes about Mormonism’s sacred rituals in manner that is not only grounds for excommunication in the church but also risks ostracization from the entire community she held dear for so long.” —Bustle“[A] confident debut.” —The Daily Beast“No stone goes unturned.” —PEOPLE“[Gay’s] charismatic personality shines on the show. That same charm is also abundantly evident in her memoir…Recommended for fans of the show, of course. This memoir will also appeal to [those] who enjoy reading about women successfully navigating adulthood and motherhood.” —Library Journal“Gay’s story and internal battle will likely resonate with anybody who grew up having a complicated relationship with organized religion.” —The Cut“Heather Gay’s Bad Mormon pulls back the curtain on LDS – and – Real Housewife-hood.” —New York Magazine, Approval Matrix
£18.04
Pan Macmillan J Memoir
Book SynopsisThe Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern was elected the fortieth prime minister of New Zealand at the age of thirty-seven, becoming the country's youngest prime minister in more than 150 years. Since leaving office, Ardern has established the Field Fellowship on empathetic leadership. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University, continues to work on climate action, and is the Patron of the Christchurch Call to Action to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. Ardern also works on a number of projects that support women and girls, but considers her greatest roles to be those she will hold for life, including that of mum and proud New Zealander.
£21.25
Sort of Books A Parrot in the Pepper Tree A Sequel to Driving
Book SynopsisChris Stewart''s Driving Over Lemons told the story of his move to a remote mountain farm in Las Alpujarras - an oddball region of Spain, south of Granada. Funny, insightful and real, the book became an international bestseller.A Parrot in the Pepper Tree, the sequel to Lemons, follows the lives of Chris, Ana and their daughter, Chloë, as they get to grips with a misanthropic parrot who joins their home, Spanish school life, neighbours in love, their amazement at Chris appearing on the bestseller lists . . and their shock at discovering that their beloved valley is once more under threat of a dam.A Parrot in the Pepper Tree also looks back on Chris Stewart''s former life - the hard times shearing in midwinter Sweden (and driving across the frozen sea to reach island farms); his first taste of Spain, learning flamenco guitar as a 20-year old; and his illustrious music career, drumming for his school band Genesis (sacked at 17, he never quite became Phil Collins), and then for a circus.Trade ReviewIt is everything that made the first book so hugely successful - endearing, heartwarming, self-deprecating, sometimes surreal. * Evening Standard *
£8.99
Thomas Nelson Publishers Same Kind of Different as Me
Book SynopsisMeet Denver, raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped---in the 1960s. Then, after another 18 homeless years, God moved, and a godly woman named Deborah prayed, listened, and obeyed. Mountains began to move, beginning with her husband, Ron, an international art dealer accustomed to the world of art-collecting millionaires.
£12.59
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Art of Memoir
Book Synopsis“Karr is a national treasure—that rare genius who’s also a brilliant teacher. This joyful celebration of memoir packs transcendent insights with trademark hilarity. Anyone yearning to write will be inspired, and anyone passionate to live an examined life will fall in love with language and literature all over again. ” — George SaundersCredited with sparking the current memoir explosion, Mary Karr’s The Liars’ Club spent more than a year at the top of the New York Times list. She followed with two other smash bestsellers: Cherry and Lit, which were critical hits as well.For thirty years Karr has also taught the form, winning teaching prizes at Syracuse. (The writing program there produced such acclaimed authors as Cheryl Strayed, Keith Gessen, and Koren Zailckas.) In The Art of Memoir, she synthesizes her expertise as professor and therapy patieTrade Review"Karr is a national treasure-that rare genius who's also a brilliant teacher. This joyful celebration of memoir packs transcendent insights with trademark hilarity. Anyone yearning to write will be inspired, and anyone passionate to live an examined life will fall in love with language and literature all over again. " -- George Saunders "Could have been called 'The Art of Living.'" -- San Francisco Chronicle "Mary Karr has written another astonishingly perceptive, wildly entertaining, and profoundly honest book-funny, fascinating, necessary. The Art of Memoir will be the definitive book on reading and writing memoir for years to come." -- Cheryl Strayed "Should be required reading for anyone attempting to write a memoir, but anyone who loves literature will enjoy it too." -- Wall Street Journal "Terrific and deliciously readable guide." -- Entertainment Weekly, "Must List" "Full of Karr's usual wit, compassion and, perhaps most reassuringly, self-doubt. Her fans should be delighted-and they can't go wrong reading the books she discusses, including her own." -- Washington Post "From a contemporary luminary of the form, Mary Karr's The Art of Memoir examines our enduring drive to make memory speak and to 'wring some truth from this godawful mess of a single life.'" -- Vogue "The Art of Memoir is passionate and irreverent-and reminds us why we love a good memoir." -- Elle "Mary Karr strikes a vein in The Art of Memoir." -- Vanity Fair "Karr is such fun to read-who else would combine the name Nabokov and the phrase "out the wazoo" on her very first page?" -- New Yorker "Engaging." -- Chicago Tribune "A veritable blueprint for the genre... Lovers of the form and aspiring scribblers alike will relish this comprehensive appreciation of and guide to 'writing the real self.'" -- O: The Oprah Magazine "With a trio of notable memoirs ("The Liars' Club," "Cherry," and "Lit"), Mary Karr is exquisitely qualified to write this book, a kind of compendium of advice, warning, and deep insight into what makes a personal history stick in a reader's mind." -- Boston Globe "Karr really is an artist. The Art of Memoir attests to how hard she works at getting her words just right and how deeply she understands the way great writing works." -- Slate "Whip-smart." -- Philadelphia Inquirer "As useful for those of us who want to be better friends and lovers as it is for those of us who want to pen our life story." -- More "A master class on memoir, from a memoirist who pulls no punches." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune "Lots of practical advice, a great reading list, examples you can bite into." -- Houston Chronicle "Karr's own voice is consistent and authentic, as vivid, down-home, smart, profane and self-deprecating as it is in her own memoirs." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A celebration of the creative life." -- Austin American-Statesman "Enlightening...Fresh and heartfelt...Instructs and inspires through example and a love for the art of memoir." -- Library Journal, starred review "Karr write[s] exquisitely...and without pretense, often with raw authenticity...a must-read." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "Snappy and witty, humorous just when it needs to be, yet plainspoken in the best way." -- Shelf Awareness "Karr's sassy Texas wit and her down-to-earth observations about both the memoir form and how to approach it combine to make for lively and inspiring reading. A generous and singularly insightful examination of memoir." -- Kirkus
£13.01
Orion Publishing Co A Child Called It: The book that broke a million
Book Synopsis'Immensely powerful and is an extraordinary testament to the human desire for survival' Daily MailA harrowing and inspiring true story of a young boy's abusive childhood, from internationally bestselling author Dave Pelzer. Brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother - Dave became a slave; he was no longer a boy, but an 'it'. His bed was an old army cot in the basement, his clothes were torn and unwashed, and when he was allowed the luxury of food it was scraps from the dog's bowl. The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare played out behind closed doors. But throughout Dave kept alive dreams of finding a family to love him. This book covers the early years of his life and is an affecting and inspirational book of the horrors of child abuse and the steadfast determination of one child to survive. It is the first book in the My Story trilogy.'Heartfelt... cannot fail to move you' HeatTrade ReviewThis heartfelt true story of one child's courage to survive cannot fail to move you - HEATHis tale will both break and warm your heart - DAILY MIRRORA remarkable true story... Truly touching, and emotionally shocking. A marvel - BESTWhat has made Dave Pelzer's story a bestseller is that it is also a story of redemption. It is a story where love, kindness, patience and endurance triumph - DAILY MAIL
£8.99
Gallery Books Running Against the Tide
Book Synopsis
£14.44
Canongate Books Exit Wounds
Book SynopsisPeter''s mother is dying. Born in England and having spent most of her adult life as a doctor in Zimbabwe, she now lies on a hospital bed in the partitioned living room of his sister''s London apartment, her accent having overnight become posher than the Queen''s. Unsentimental, fiercely stubborn and at times hilarious, she finally drops her guard, losing all fear of conflict to become the family provocateur.While confronting the revelations of what his family was - and wasn''t - and the stoicism that sometimes threatened to destroy them, Peter also mourns the ending of his long marriage. At this point of rupture and healing, Peter reflects on his family''s legacy of exile and their tenuous hold on home.In Exit Wounds: A Story of Love, Loss and Occasional Wars, Peter Godwin considers, with both tenderness and candour, the life of émigrés, exiles and refugees, and grieves the many losses that make life both magnificent and unbearable. He brings us into the spac
£17.00
The History Press Ltd Life of a Concorde Pilot: From The Orphanage to
Book SynopsisJohn Tye’s job at British Airways was supposed to be only temporary, a way for him to pass the summer before starting university. Instead, it would kickstart a forty-six-year career in aviation and take him all over the world.Told in an irrepressible and infectious style, Life of a Concorde Pilot is the story of how, despite a somewhat turbulent start to life in a Middlesex orphanage, John would go on to fly the world’s only supersonic airliner.A true insight to the life of an airline pilot, with many amusing anecdotes along the way, it follows his ups and downs from his career on the ground at BA to flying with Dan Air and then back to BA, through to Covid and his reluctant retirement at the end of 2022. Full of the fascinating details only a pilot can give, this is a memorable journey to the edge of space and beyond.Trade Review'Nicely written and well illustrated, John Tye’s autobiography blends private life and professional flying career – including a fascinating, detailed account of flying Concorde – in fine style.' Philip Whiteman, Editor, *Pilot *magazine
£19.00
Fitzcarraldo Editions The Years – WINNER OF THE 2022 NOBEL PRIZE IN
Book SynopsisConsidered by many to be the iconic French memoirist’s defining work, The Years is a narrative of the period 1941 to 2006 told through the lens of memory, impressions past and present, cultural habits, language, photos, books, songs, radio, television, advertising and news headlines. Annie Ernaux invents a form that is subjective and impersonal, private and collective, and a new genre – the collective autobiography – in order to capture the passing of time. At the confluence of autofiction and sociology, The Years is ‘a Remembrance of Things Past for our age of media domination and consumerism’ (New York Times), a monumental account of twentieth-century French history as refracted through the life of one woman.Trade Review‘The Years is a revolution, not only in the art of autobiography but in art itself. Annie Ernaux’s book blends memories, dreams, facts and meditations into a unique evocation of the times in which we lived, and live.’ — John Banville, author of The Sea‘One of the best books you will ever read.’ — Deborah Levy, author of Hot Milk‘The author of one of the most important œuvres in French literature, Annie Ernaux’s work is as powerful as it is devastating, as subtle as it is seething.’ — Édouard Louis, author of The End of Eddy‘Ravishing and almost oracular with insight, Ernaux’s prose performs an extraordinary dance between collective and intimate, “big” history and private experience. The Years is a philosophical meditation paced as a rollercoaster ride through the decades. How we spend ourselves too quickly, how we reach for meaning but evade it, how to live, how to remember – these are Ernaux’s themes. I am desperate for more.’ — Kapka Kassabova, author of Border‘I admire the form she invented, mixing autobiography, history, sociology. The anxious interrogations on her defection, moving as she did from the dominated to the dominant classes. Her loyalty to her people, her fidelity to herself. The progressive depersonalisation of her work, culminating in the disappearance of the “I” in The Years, a book I must have read three or four times since its publication, even more impressed each time by its precision, its sweep and – I can’t think of any other word – its majesty. One of the few indisputably great books of contemporary literature.’ — Emmanuel Carrère, author of The Kingdom‘The technique is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. She illuminates a person through the culture that poured through her; it’s about time and being situated in a certain place in history and how time and place make a person. It’s incredible.’ — Sheila Heti, author of Pure Colour‘I find her work extraordinary.’ — Eimear McBride, author of Strange Hotel
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Somebody I Used to Know
Book Synopsis_______________A RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICKTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEKSELECTED AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMESSELECTED AS A SUMMER READ BY THE SUNDAY TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES, DAILY TELEGRAPH, THE TIMES AND THE MAIL ON SUNDAY_______________''Anyone who knows a person living with dementia should read this book'' - The Times''Revelatory'' - Guardian''A miracle'' - Telegraph''Remarkable'' - Daily Mail''A landmark book'' - Financial Times_______________How do you build a life when all that you know is changing?How do you conceive of love when you can no longer recognise those who mean the most to you?A phenomenal memoir, Somebody I Used to Know is both a heart-rending tribute to the woman Wendy Mitchell once was, and a brave affirmation of the woman dementia has seen her become.Trade ReviewThe world could do with more Wendy Mitchells ... This is a book from which we can all learn -- Jackie Annesley * Sunday Times *With humour, truth and grace, this book [gives] a unique insight into what it’s like to live with Alzheimer’s * Spectator *Remarkable ... Mitchell gives such clear-eyed insight that anyone who knows a person living with dementia should read this book -- Siobhan Murphy * The Times *A landmark book * Financial Times *Revelatory * Guardian *Usually the experience of someone living with dementia is lost; known only partially even to their loved ones. The miracle of this work is that it managed to capture the experience, and hold it up for the rest of us to see * Telegraph *A lucid, candid and gallant portrayal of what the early stages of dementia feel like ... This memoir, with its humour and its sense of resilience, demonstrates how the diagnosis of dementia is not a clear line that a person crosses; they are no different than they were the day before -- Nicci Gerrard * Observer *I am so impressed with Wendy Mitchell’s attitude and ability to explain her experience - she is both an inspiration and a guide. I think this book will be extremely helpful to people who are trying to come to terms with dementia, in their own lives, or the lives of their family and friends -- Michael PalinHow does it feel to start to lose your memories, your identity? Mitchell, who discovered at the age of 58 that she had early-onset dementia, tells us in this remarkable book -- Summer Reads * Mail on Sunday *Fluent, lucid and illuminating ... The difficulties are clearly daunting and distressing, the future unpredictable and frightening. Yet Mitchell’s sparkling book is hugely positive and uplifting. It should be required reading for all health professionals and anyone touched by dementia * Literary Review *An absolutely compelling account of life with dementia ... A testimony to human spirit and ingenuity -- Jan R Oyebode, Professor of Dementia Care, University of BradfordA remarkable memoir – remorselessly honest yet with more mirth than misery. Though she is fully aware that her story will not end well, the author describes vividly how she works around her growing mental disability with the help of family and friends -- Summer Books of 2018 * Financial Times *An extraordinary book about a little-understood disease. Awe-inspiring, courageous and insightful. I would recommend it to everyone -- Rosie Boycott, writer and activistNothing is more frightening than dementia, says Wendy - and yet, every day, she chooses to face her fears head on. By sharing her story Wendy challenges assumptions and ignorance about dementia. Read this amazing book. It will change a lot of people’s minds about what it means to have the disease -- Professor Pat Sikes, University of SheffieldA brave and illuminating journey inside the mind, heart, and life of young-onset Alzheimer's disease -- Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and author of 'Still Alice'This is an eloquent and poignant book. Those of us who have gone on the heartbreaking journey of losing a loved one to dementia have wondered what they were feeling. Wendy Mitchell's courageous and unflinching account lets us know -- Patti Davis, author of 'The Long Goodbye'In Somebody I Used to Know [Mitchell] describes life after her diagnosis – one that, despite looming loss, remains full of purpose * Radio Times *The only memoir of Alzheimer’s disease written by someone suffering from the illness. Wendy Mitchell describes what it’s like to begin to forget who you are. Heartbreaking stuff * Love It! *Extraordinary … [Mitchell] decided to chronicle her experiences of living with dementia to show others what it really feels like and the result is a rare and moving memoir about losing memories, no longer recognising people you love, and saying goodbye to her career and independence. It also energetically and vividly affirms the reality of the new woman that Mitchell has had to become -- Radio Choice, Book of the Week * Daily Telegraph *Remarkable … Frank, angry, practical and, just occasionally, funny -- Gillian Reynolds * Sunday Times *Fascinating and groundbreaking … Her urgent present tense articulation of her day-to-day struggles, set against fragmented memories of the woman she used to be, is so close to the bone that it’s chilling. At the same time, however, it’s also an amazing testament to Mitchell’s tenacity, an account of how she’s developed coping mechanisms to continue living as independent a life for as long as possible * National *Astonishingly acute … For all the honest rage, Mitchell has written a remarkably hopeful book. Her mission is to remind readers that people can live with dementia as well as suffer from it … Mitchell is a mine of practical tips … Making this book is both a testament to the author’s intense will to live, and also a living will -- Helen Brown * Daily Telegraph *[Mitchell’s] amazing memoir is a real insight into what living with dementia is really like. It’s very poignant and beautifully written * Woman's Weekly *One of the bestselling new books this year is Somebody I Used to Know, Wendy Mitchell’s assiduous account of her early onset dementia … In the same way that people seek out cancer chronicles in the hope that they might prove instructive, so Mitchell’s has resonated for similar reasons: the longer we live, the more likely dementia becomes. We read to see how others cope in the hope that, if our time comes, we might cope, too -- Nick Duerden * Guardian *Astonishingly acute -- Summer Reads * Daily Telegraph *Wendy Mitchell’s Somebody I Used to Know was not only sad, but also should be required reading by all professional carers, and especially by doctors and medical staff. Who better to help us understand dementia than the person themselves, as demonstrated by Wendy Mitchell in her brave account of her experience of living with the illness * Radio Times *An unusual memoir … Life is tough when your memory is going and you are having hallucinations. Brave woman -- Summer Books * The Times *
£10.44
John Murray Press Love Warrior Oprahs Book Club
Book SynopsisWhat came before #1 New York Times bestseller UNTAMED, Glennon Doyle's journey of self-discovery after the implosion of her marriage.Trade ReviewA testament to the power of vulnerability... It's as if she reached into her heart, captured the raw emotions there, and translated them into words that anyone who's ever known pain or shame can relate to * Oprah Winfrey (Oprah's Book Club selection) *I have long admired the work of Glennon Doyle both her writing and her mission but with Love Warrior, she has outdone herself. She has reached a depth of truth and power and emotional gravity that is rarely seen in the world, and even more rarely spoken aloud. Her story about the resurrection of her marriage (a tale of a woman daring to come into her body, and a man daring to come into his mind, and the two of them daring with outrageous courage to trust each other) is something beyond merely inspirational; it is epic. Melton has, indeed, become a love warrior. This book will change lives, and I am incredibly grateful that it exists. * Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of EAT PRAY LOVE and BIG MAGIC *This is a book about what it means to be human to wrestle with love, hurt, addiction, vulnerability, intimacy, and grace. Love Warrior blew me away. We can all find pieces of our own stories reflected in Glennon s powerful words. We are so lucky to have her courage and wisdom in the world. We need this kind of truth-telling if we are ever going to find our way back to each other. * Brené Brown, bestselling author of RISING STRONG and DARING GREATLY *Love Warrior is a book with so much painful truth packed into its pages that every person who's ever married or plans to marry should really give it a read * Chicago Tribune *How can I do justice to this book? Moving and brilliant and funny and shocking and heartbreaking and inspiring, Love Warrior raises provocative questions about just what is possible for a person, a marriage, a family, a life. At the heart of this story is the insistence that we don't have to settle we can explore our shadows, and we re not just going to survive it, but we re going to come out the other side a whole new person with new love, new hope, new strength, and maybe even a new marriage. This is a big, stunning, buoyant, honest, raw glimpse into the life of an astonishing woman, but it is also a punch in the face to anyone anywhere who believes that this is just how it is and it's not going to get any better. * Rob Bell, bestselling author of LOVE WINS *This elegant, moving memoir is about one woman's marriage, but also much more than that. Glennon writes about a hunger for love that all of us feel and the only food that ultimately feeds us. She understands the unique relationship between spiritual and romantic love, and in finding one, she masters the other. Truly a wonderful book. * Marianne Williamson, bestselling author of A RETURN TO LOVE *Candid, brave, and generous * Kirkus *
£10.44
Simon & Schuster I'm Your Huckleberry
Book SynopsisIn this New York Times bestseller, legendary actor and star of the acclaimed documentary Val shares the stories behind his most beloved roles, reminisces about his star-studded career and love life, and reveals the truth behind his recent health struggles in a remarkably candid autobiography.Val Kilmer has played many iconic roles over his nearly four-decade film career. A table-dancing Cold War agent in Top Secret! A troublemaking science prodigy in Real Genius. A brash fighter pilot in Top Gun. A swashbuckling knight in Willow. A lovelorn bank robber in Heat. A charming master of disguise in The Saint. A wise-cracking detective in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Of course, Batman, Jim Morrison and the sharp-shooting Doc Holliday. But who is the real Val Kilmer? With I’m Your Huckleberry—published prior to the highly anticipated sequel Top Gun: Maverick, in which Kilmer returns to the big screen as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky—the enigmatic actor at last steps out of character and reveals his true self. In this uniquely assembled memoir—featuring vivid prose, snippets of poetry and rarely-seen photos—Kilmer reflects on his acclaimed career, including becoming the youngest actor ever admitted to the Juilliard School’s famed drama department, determinedly campaigning to win the lead part in The Doors, and realizing a years-long dream of performing a one-man show as his hero Mark Twain. He shares candid stories of working with screen legends Marlon Brando, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Robert De Niro, and recounts high-profile romances with Cher, Cindy Crawford, Daryl Hannah, and former wife Joanne Whalley. He chronicles his spiritual journey and lifelong belief in Christian Science, and describes travels to far-flung locales such as a scarcely inhabited island in the Indian Ocean where he suffered from delirium and was cared for by the resident tribe. And he reveals details of his recent throat cancer diagnosis and recovery—about which he has disclosed little until now. While containing plenty of tantalizing celebrity anecdotes, I’m Your Huckleberry—taken from the famous line Kilmer delivers as Holliday in Tombstone—is ultimately a singularly written and deeply moving reflection on mortality and the mysteries of life.
£15.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Madam Secretary
Book SynopsisFor eight years, during Bill Clinton's two presidential terms, Madeleine Albright was an active participant in some of the most dramatic events of our time-from the pursuit of peace in the Middle East to NATO's humanitarian intervention in Kosovo. This title tells the story of former Secretary of State.Trade Review"One of the most diverting political bios in recent memory." -- Entertainment Weekly "Her portraits of foreign leaders are lively and evocative... The result is a book that creates a sense of policy made by real people." -- The New Yorker "Madeleine Albright has written a different kind of memoir... It's Albright unplugged." -- USA Today "Albright is frank, assertive... straight-shooting." -- The New York Times "The fascinating story of a remarkable person who has served her country well." -- The Dallas Morning News
£12.34
Little, Brown Book Group Our LadBaby Journey
Book SynopsisAn inspirational and hilarious autobiography by music chart-topping, social media sensations LadBaby, AKA Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, telling the unbelievable, drama-filled story of how they became the nation''s favourite family and the rollercoaster highs and lows of their life.LadBaby have millions of fans around the world, but the journey to success has been anything but easy. For the first time ever, LadBaby will pull back the curtain to share the truth about how they came from nothing, raised millions for charities and achieved success - against all odds. A working-class family who started off living on 20 a week and ultimately became record-breaking musicians, household celebrities and bestselling children''s authors, together Mark and Roxanne have overcome dyslexia, music industry rejection, death threats, betrayal and more - and now they''re ready to tell their sausage roll-filled story.From childhood stories, Mark and Rox''s first meeting,
£18.70