Memoirs Books

Book SynopsisThere are only few human beings who can adapt, survive and thrive in the coldest regions on earth. And below a certain temperature, death is inevitable. Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent much of his life exploring and working in conditions of extreme cold. The loss of many of his fingers to frostbite is a testament to the horrors man is exposed to at such perilous temperatures. With the many adventures he has led over the past 40 years, testing his limits of endurance to the maximum, he deservedly holds the title of ''the world''s greatest explorer''. Despite our technological advances, the Arctic, the Antarctic and the highest mountains on earth, remain some of the most dangerous and unexplored areas of the world. This remarkable book reveals the chequered history of man''s attempts to discover and understand these remote areas of the planet, from the early voyages of discovery of Cook, Ross, Weddell, Amundsen, Shackleton and Franklin to Sir Ranulph''s own extraordinary fe

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Book SynopsisThe book opens on the day Hemingway''s close friend Pop, a legendary hunter, leaves him in charge of the camp. Tensions have heightened among the various tribes and news arrives of a potential attack on the hunters, forcing Hemingway not only to take on his new role of leader but, equally important, to assist his wife Mary in pursuing the great lion she is determined to kill before Christmas. Passionately detailing the African landscape, the excitement of the chase, and the heartfelt relationships with his African neighbours, Hemingway, a master of dramatic fiction, weaves a tale that is rich in laughter, beauty and insight.Written when Hemingway returned from his 1953 safari, and edited by his son Patrick, True At First Light is a rich blend of autobiography and fiction, a breathtaking final work from one of this century''s most beloved and important writers.Trade ReviewCaptures the beauty of the African landscape and the thrill of the hunt, in true Hemingway style * Red *This is writing of a high order; sympathetic, luminous, hypnotic, humane * Caledonia *

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Book SynopsisThis unique edition brings together for the first time Austen-Leigh's memoir of his aunt Jane Austen, together with shorter recollections by James Edward's two sisters. It also includes Jane's brother Henry's two biographical accounts.Trade Reviewa must for lovers of Austen's work * Choice Magazine *A very good introduction by Kathryn Sutherland * Derwent May, the Times, *

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Book SynopsisBorn a free man in New York State in 1808, Solomon Northup was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., in 1841. He spent the next twelve years as a slave on a Louisiana cotton plantation. During this time he was frequently abused and often afraid for his life. After regaining his freedom in 1853, Northup published this gripping account of his captivity. As an educated man, Northup was able to present an exceptionally detailed description of slave life and plantation society. Indeed, this book is probably the fullest, most realistic picture of the ''peculiar institution'' during the three decades before the Civil War. Northup tells his story both from the viewpoint of an outsider, who had experienced thirty years of freedom and dignity in the United States before his capture, and as a slave, reduced to total bondage and submission. Very few personal accounts of American slavery were written by slaves with a similar history. This extraordinary slave narrative, new to Penguin Classics, has a new introduction by prize-winning historian and author Ira Berlin, an an essay by Henry Louis Gates Jr.Trade Review“I could not believe that I had never heard of this book. It felt as important as Anne Frank’s Diary, only published nearly a hundred years before. . . . The book blew [my] mind: the epic range, the details, the adventure, the horror, and the humanity. . . . I hope my film can play a part in drawing attention to this important book of courage. Solomon’s bravery and life deserve nothing less.” —Steve McQueen, director of 12 Years a Slave, from the Foreword“Frightening, gripping and inspiring . . . Northup’s story seems almost biblical, structured as it is as a descent and resurrection narrative of a protagonist who, like Christ, was 33 at the time of his abduction. . . . Northup reminds us of the fragile nature of freedom in any human society and the harsh reality that whatever legal boundaries existed between so-called free states and slave states in 1841, no black man, woman or child was permanently safe.” —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., from the Afterword “For sheer drama, few accounts of slavery match Solomon Northup’s tale of abduction from freedom and forcible enslavement.” —Ira Berlin, from the Introduction“If you think the movie offers a terrible-enough portrait of slavery, please, do read the book. . . . The film is stupendous art, but it owes much to a priceless piece of document. Solomon Northup’s memoir is history. . . . His was not simply an extraordinary story, but an account of the life of a great many ordinary people.” —The Daily Beast“An incredible document, amazingly told and structured. Tough, but riveting. The movie of it by Steve McQueen might be the most successful adaptation of a book ever undertaken; text and film complement each other wildly.” —Rachel Kushner, The New York Times Book Review“The best firsthand account of slavery.” —James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom, in The New York Times Book Review“Northup published a memoir of his 12-year nightmare in 1853, the year after Uncle Tom’s Cabin came out, and it was so successful that he went on to participate in two stage adaptations. The book dropped from sight in the 20th century, but the movie tie-in will certainly reestablish its virtually unique status as a work by an educated free man who managed to return from slavery.” —The Hollywood Reporter

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Book SynopsisA NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEARFrom one of our greatest living writers, comes a remarkable memoir of a forgotten England.''The war went. We sang in the playground, Bikini lagoon, an atom bomb's boom, and two big explosions. David's father came back from Burma and didn't eat rice. Twiggy taught by reciting The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Charge of the Light Brigade and the thirteen times table. Twiggy was fat and short and he shouted, and his neck was as wide as his head. He was a bully, though he didn't take any notice of me.'In Where Shall We Run To?, Alan Garner remembers his early childhood in the Cheshire village of Alderley Edge: life at the village school as a sissy and a mardy-arse''; pushing his friend Harold into a clump of nettles to test the truth of dock leaves; his father joining the army to guard the family against Hitler; the coming of the Yanks, with their comics and sweets and chewing gum. From one of our greatest living writers, it is a remarkable and evocative memoir of a vanished England.Trade Review Praise for Where Shall We Run To: ‘In old age childhood memories become vivid again and it’s the present that disappears behind a confusion of vivid fragments. In this book, Garner, now old, has faced that pattern and in place of the bewildering, wonky memory of old age, produced something precise and fresh as flowers. He has become – as we’re told we must – as a little child. He’s also produced one of the best things he’s ever written.’ Frank Cotterell-Boyce, New Statesman ‘Its encounters are vivid and immediate, but it is also an examination of class and change in the England of those years.’ Erica Wagner, Financial Times ‘Every street, every house, every carved stone, mysterious well, dark pond and perilously steep cliff-edge is remembered and described, as Garner roams through it, with a succession of companions…. Garner’s detailed recall of so many characters and events is extraordinary’ Sue Gaisford, The Tablet ‘In this slight but charming memoir about his wartime childhood in Alderley Edge, Garner has pulled off the same trick – making the Cheshire landscape feel fresh, while bringing a new perspective to a tried and tested literary form..and Oh, what language’ Ben Lawrence, Sunday Telegraph ‘This is a book very much about reading and writing, about the marks that we use to give life meaning, whether they are a tramp’s chalk-mark on a wall or the comics and Arthur Mee’s The Children’s Encyclopaedia that allow young Alan to get past block capitals and closer to Real Writing. It is also a book written without a single scrap of hindsight, or rationalisation of the past. This, then, is a writer’s memoir’ Brian Morton, Herald Praise for Alan Garner: ‘ I salute him with the most heartfelt respect and admiration’ Philip Pullman

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Book SynopsisOne night in 1974, a young Frenchman secretly - and illegally - rigged a tightrope between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. At daybreak, he gave the high-wire performance of all time, making eight crossings over the course of an hour, 110 floors up above the earth, as a hundred thousand people gathered on the ground to watch.In To Reach the Clouds, now filmed as The Walk, Philippe Petit re-creates a six-year quest to realise his dream, an adventure as thrilling as the walk itself. In an unforgettable memoir he tells the story of how he conspired, connived, improvised, and insisted his way to this ''coup'', abetted by a motley crew of accomplices, the occasional miracle, and his own unflagging passion. He reveals himself to be not only a virtuoso of the air but also a bold and inspired performer on the page. Animated by never-seen photographs and Petit''s ingenious sketches, To Reach the Clouds is a tour de force of the imagination and a serenad

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Book Synopsis WINNER OF THE MARCO POLO OUTSTANDING GENERAL TRAVEL THEMED BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE 2018 EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS The story begins in a public square in New Delhi. On a cold December evening a young European woman of noble descent appears before an Indian street artist known locally as PK and asks him to paint her portrait – it is an encounter that will change their lives irrevocably. PK was not born in the city. He grew up in a small remote village on the edge of the jungle in East India, and his childhood as an untouchable was one of crushing hardship. He was forced to sit outside the classroom during school, would watch classmates wash themselves if they came into contact with him, and had stones thrown at him when he approached the village temple. According to the priests, PK dirtied everything that was pure and holy. But had PK not been an untouchable, his life would have turned out very differently. This is the remarkable true story of how love and courage led PK to overcome extreme poverty, caste prejudice and adversity – as well as a 7,000-mile, adventure-filled journey across continents and cultures – to be with the woman he loved.Trade Review'A feel-good story that’s so feel-good it makes other feel-good stories feel bad.' * New York Times Book Review *'A wonderful love story.' * National Geographic’s Best Books of 2017 *'A beautiful, epic tale of love and perseverance.' * Booklist *‘Charming…epic…a journey repeatedly facilitated by the kindness of strangers, but also fraught with danger and pitfalls…[a] 7,000-mile journey across continents, lasting almost five months – all in the name of love.’ * Daily Mail *'Often filled with sumptuous prose.' * Publishers Weekly *‘[This] is one of those genuinely illuminating stories that come along once in a while. At heart an against-all-odds love story, this wonderful book does so much to explain why Indian society is the way it is. The story of PK, growing up an 'untouchable' at a time when such labels should have been abolished, is touching, harrowing and ultimately enlightening. The writing is humorous and tender, the cast of characters joyous, and best of all – it's all true.’ * Vaseem Khan, author of The Baby Ganesh Detective Agency Series *‘A must-read because you won’t find any other love story that is so beautiful, touching, and – above all – true’ * Grazia *'This is a story of human connection that spans continents, class, and race.' * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisIn 1971, Michael Blakemore joined the National Theatre as Associate Director under Laurence Olivier. The National, still based at the Old Vic, was at a moment of transition awaiting the move to its vast new home on the South Bank. Relying on generous subsidy, it would need an extensive network of supporters in high places. Olivier, a scrupulous and brilliant autocrat from a previous generation, was not the man to deal with these political ramifications. His tenure began to unravel and, behind his back, Peter Hall was appointed to replace him in 1973. As in other aspects of British life, the ethos of public service, which Olivier espoused, was in retreat. Having staged eight productions for the National, Blakemore found himself increasingly uncomfortable under Hall''s regime. Stage Blood is the candid and at times painfully funny story of the events that led to his dramatic exit in 1976. He recalls the theatrical triumphs and flops, his volatile relationship with Olivier incl

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Book SynopsisEvery life has the power to change the world. Ndaba Mandela was raised by his grandfather, Nelson Mandela. It is easy to forget that legendary figures like Mandela were first and foremost human beings, flawed and unique, but in Ndaba's account we have a rare and personal insight into the man behind the myth.In 11 Life Lessons, Ndaba shares with us his memories – charming, intimate and sometimes surprising – to illuminate Mandela’s much-loved principles for how to become the people we want to be. Always call out injustice – even when we see it in ourselves Freedom must be given as much as it is taken Strive to do what is right rather than to prove you are right Anger has its place, even in a kind heartInspired by Mandela's remarkable stories, 11 Life Lessons from Nelson Mandela offers a profound and rewarding pathway to changing your world.__________________________Previously published as 'Going to the Mountain'Trade ReviewOne of the most interesting books of the year. * The Church of England Newspaper *

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Book SynopsisDiana Athill helped shape some of the most celebrated books in modern literature. For nearly five decades, she edited (and nursed and coerced and coaxed) writers including Jean Rhys, V. S. Naipaul and Philip Roth. From the pleasures, intrigues and complexities of a life spent among authors and manuscripts to an account of Diana's own turn to writing, this is the story of an illustrious career.

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Book Synopsis''A fascinating story of courage, doubt and defiance across three generations'' SARAH WATERS''A fierce and beautiful book'' EDMUND DE WAAL''Heartfelt and upfront... A grieving daughter rediscovers her mother''s political past'' BLAKE MORRISON, Guardian''A compelling reconstruction of her mother''s life as a young anti-nuclear activist defying her suburban parents'' CATHERINE TAYLOR, Financial Times''Eloquent, piercing, gloriously humane'' PHILIPPE SANDSAfter the sudden death of her mother at age 75, Natasha Walter was thrown into a time of bewilderment and sadness. It was only when she began to search back through Ruth''s history, that she began to understand how her life led to death by her own hand. She learns that Ruth had been brought up to be a conventional young woman, but chose to take huge risks and even break the law for her beliefs in the nuclear disarmament movement of the 19

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Book Synopsis** The true story that inspired the stage adaptation of the Amiri family's journey from Afghanistan to the UK **A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK 29 JUNE - 3 JULY 2020 READ BY SANJEEV BHASKAR (GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME, THE KUMARS AT NO. 42 AND MORE) 'Enthralling ... A fascinating insight' Daily Mail'An inspiring read' Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 LiveA powerful tale of a family in crisis, and a moving love letter to the NHS.Herat, Afghanistan, 2000. A mother speaks out against the fundamentalist leaders of her country. Meanwhile, her family's watchful eyes never leave their beloved son and brother, whose rare heart condition means that he will never lead a normal life.When the Taliban gave an order for the execution of Hamed Amiri's mother, the family knew they had to escape, starting what would be a long and dangerous journey, across Russia and through Europe, with the UK as their ultimate destination.Travelling as refugees for a year and a half, they suffered attacks from mafia and police; terrifying journeys in strangers' cars; treks across demanding terrain; days spent hidden in lorries without food or drink; and being robbed at gunpoint of every penny they owned.The family's need to reach the UK was intensified by their eldest son's deteriorating condition, and the prospect of life-saving treatment it offered.The Boy with Two Hearts is not only a tale of a family in crisis, but a love letter to the NHS, which provided hope and reassurance as they sought asylum in the UK and fought to save their loved ones.Trade Review'Enthralling ... A fascinating insight' -- Daily Mail'I was swept away by this important story about the power of family, resilience and love - in total admiration.' -- Jasbinder Bilan, Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2020'An inspiring read' -- Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 Live'A powerful read. Truly epitomises the strength of the human spirit' -- Asifa Lahore - Britain's First Out Muslim Drag Queen and LGBT+ activist

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Bestseller'A beautiful book' Giovanna Fletcher'Will stay with you long after you have put it down' Jools Oliver'Bold, compelling... will blow you away' Marina Fogle'Heartbreaking... such an important read' Sarah Turner (The Unmumsy Mum)***********************************************What do you do when the unthinkable happens?Elle Wright had an admittedly easy pregnancy, and in May 2016 she and her husband welcomed their son, Teddy, into the world. Just a few hours later, they woke to find him cold and unresponsive, and the happiest day of Elle's life had turned into every parent's worst nightmare. Three days after delivering him into the world, she sat with Teddy as he took his last breaths, and tucked him in for the final time.Ask Me His Name is a moving account of Elle's pregnancy, Teddy's life, and what happens when a mother leaves hospital with empty arms. In the UK, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, but conversations about the heartbreakingly frequent experience are few and far between. In this honest and hopeful exploration of mothering, Elle shows us how she navigated a parenthood no one had prepared her for.* A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Tommy's charity. Reg. (1060508) *

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Book SynopsisWritten with the passion of an obsessive, Nicotine addresses a life of addiction, from the epiphany of the first drag to the perennial last last cigarette. Reflecting on his experiences as a smoker from a young age, Gregor Hens investigates the irreversible effects of nicotine on thought and patterns of behaviours. He extends the conversation with other smokers to meditations on Mark Twain and Italo Svevo, the nature of habit, the validity of hypnosis, and the most insignificant city in the United States, where he lived for far too long. With comic insight and meticulous precision, Hens deconstructs every facet of the dependency and offers a brilliant disquisition on the psychopathology of addiction.Trade Review‘If Nicotine has a literary progenitor I would say that it is In Search of Lost Time […] an extraordinary act of literary finesse […] [with] tinkling little notes of comedy […] [a] dark, lovely, funny book.’ — Joan Acocella, The New Yorker ‘[W]hen Nicotine stays dry, earthy and combustible, like a Virginia tobacco blend, it has a lot to say and says it well.’ — Dwight Garner, New York Times‘A satisfying wisp of an essay about tobacco, addiction, first cigarettes, last cigarettes, breathing, kissing, hypnosis, literature, memory, and marking time […] Nicotine is a smoke ring, blown perfectly in a single puff, or – better? – a wafting trail of vapor. Will Self contributes a foreword, a rapid monologue punctuated with vigorous little twists, as though he were grinding out a stub with yellow-stained fingers.’ — Christine Smallwood, Harper’s

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Book Synopsis''A fascinating from-the-heart memoir'' Nigel Slater''A revelatory honest read'' Red magazineFUNNY, HEART-WRENCHING, GENEROUS AND TRUE, IN FINDING MY VOICE NADIYA HUSSAIN SHARES THE UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE MADE HER THE WOMAN SHE IS TODAY.''I am writing this for everyone who was told no. ''No, you are not rich enough. No, that is not credible. No, you can''t. No, you won''t. No, you are not allowed. No, that is not appropriate. I was told, No, you do not belong. Finally, I am saying, Yes, I do.''From the moment Nadiya Hussain was born, she has been questioning her role in life. But the irony is, she never wanted to be a trailblazer. She just wanted to follow a ''normal'' path. But life kept telling her ''you can''t''. And so she found her own way, beyond anything she dared to drTrade ReviewA tale of honesty and joy from one of Britain's most influential women . . . Unflinchingly honest ... in this memoir, she writes openly and comfortingly about the mental health issues we all face. * Stylist *A revelatory honest read . . . She writes with clear-eyed insight . . . There's no doubt that the book will make an impact and enable young girls to question the boxes society places them in and to dream bigger than the previous generation thought possible. -- Elizabeth Day * You Magazine, Daily Mail *Each chapter explores a different role Hussain has played in her life so far . . . this is far from a smug "you too could have it all" manual for the modern woman. It is more about Hussain's long struggle to find her place in the world. * iNews *[Finding My Voice] explores difficult issues like her anxiety and traumas of her childhood. * Daily Star *Her first foray into telling her life story, Finding My Voice sees Nadiya discuss life with mental health issues as someone who suffers with panic attacks. * Metro *An honest discussion of anxiety, Nadiya Hussain's book is a real comfort read. * Stylist *Featuring personal recipes and childhood memories, [Nadiya] lets us into her life for the very first time. Her journey to capturing our hearts on our television screens has been far from an easy one, as she explains that this book is for everyone who has been told 'no' and had their dreams stunted by others. Pick up Finding My Voice to discover how her background shaped her to become the woman she is today. * Health & Wellbeing *Since winning Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya has become a TV favourite . . . Only 34, Nadiya has been through a lot and in her memoir she touches on some of the most important roles in her life . . . Each chapter begins with a poem and ends with a recipe and both offer insights into Nadiya's mind. It's a moving and funny book. * the Sun *One of the most compelling autobiographies I've read . . . the most influential Asian woman in the UK, the most popular baker in Britain and the most unexpected, surprising, five-foot nothing kickass of a woman.' * Emma Freud at The Royal Festival Hall *Nadiya Hussain has become a household name as a cookbook writer, author and television presenter. Her memoir is the warm and inspiring tale of a young woman who felt she lacked opportunities but defied the way society tried to pigeonhole her. Also delving into Nadiya's issues with anxiety, it is an honest and uplifting autobiography. * S Magazine, Sunday Express *Finding My Voice is courageous; she's written with unflinching honesty about her upbringing . . . This is no banal celeb memoir; it's Nadiya tackling her life - the light as well as dark - head on . . . It's a brave book, but then Nadiya has already broken many moulds. * Clover Stroud, Red Magazine *Honest and absorbing * Woman & Home *A fascinating from-the-heart memoir * Nigel Slater *Raw and revealing . . . She is disarmingly funny * Heat Magazine *You called it Finding My Voice and it's you talking to me. I know I say this a lot when people are on but not everybody writes a book where I'm hearing them. * Lorraine, ITV *Wonderful . . . a book for everyone. You'll love it. * Tan France *

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Book SynopsisAngie, 6, and sister Polly, 4, are utterly distraught when they arrive to stay with foster carer Cathy Glass. Their older half-sister Ashleigh has accused their father of something horrible, and the two young sisters have been removed from home to keep them safe.Cathy tries to comfort the girls, but they are inconsolable. They just want their mummy and daddy, whom they love dearly.The girls appear to have been well looked after, but as they settle and start to talk of life at home, it becomes clear something is badly wrong. Then a chance remark sets in motion a chain of events that eventually changes everything.

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Book Synopsis'A must-read for all the people who loved Oliver Sacks's books. The ending made me cry' -- Temple Grandin"Dear Dr. Sacks . . . You asked me if I could imagine what the world would look like when viewed with two eyes. I told you that I thought I could . . . But, I was wrong."When Susan Barry first wrote to Oliver Sacks, she never expected a response, let alone the deep friendship that blossomed over ten years of letters.Sue, herself a neuroscientist, wrote to share an extraordinary development in her own medical history. Born with problems with her vision, Sue had been told she would never acquire the ability to see in 3D - and yet she did, a development at odds with decades of research. Within days, Oliver replied, "Your letter fills me with amazement and admiration."Sharing an interest in visual perception and a deep love of science, Sue and Oliver began writing back and forth, delving deeper into the mysteries of sight and marvelling at the adaptive capacity of the human body.But in a painful twist of fate, as Sue's vision improved, Oliver's declined, and his characteristic typed letters shifted to handwritten ones. Sue later recognised this to be an early sign of the cancer that ultimately ended his extraordinary life.A funny, fascinating, and intimate glimpse of the great Oliver Sacks, Dear Oliver is also a love letter to scientific inquiry, and a testimony to the power of friendship at any time in life.Trade Review'A must-read for all the people who loved Oliver Sacks's books. The ending made me cry' -- Temple Grandin'A charming book ... [Sacks' and Barry's] mutual wonder at the physical wonders of the universe is infectious. Their witty, affectionate puns made me laugh ... very moving' * The Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisLowell Sheppard had a life-long dream: to buy a sailboat, live on it, learn how to sail, and then cross the Pacific Ocean…solo and by the time he was 70. When he finally announced that he was going to do just that, he was at the ripe age of 64…because he “dared to dream”. Based on Lowell’s own experience, this book provides important insights on to how to redesign your life, awaken dormant dreams, create audacious goals, and take high-stake risks to achieve them. It examines the anatomy of a dream and shares a four-step (DARE) program to realize high-stake dreams. Lowell has learned from both success and failure, but most of all, he has learned the benefits of pure grit and tenacity. This book will not only inspire the reader to have the courage to reach for the sky but also equip them with the tools to navigate into a better future.

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Book Synopsis''What defines the car-saddo condition is not being able to recall a time when the toy-car-era of your life actually ended. Because for us sufferers, it never does.'' Nobody knows cars like Chris Harris does. He calls it ''unhinged geekery'', but the rest of the world call it infectious enthusiasm, adrenaline fuelled escapism and rigorous journalistic integrity.And then there are his famous skills at the wheel, from city cars to rally cars, not forgetting the Guinness World Record 3.4km sideways in an electric car.And now for the first time, Harris takes us down the road of his lifelong obsession with the automobile - along surprising diversions, around hazards and obstructions, down the fast lane collecting Gs and back to the lock-up to prep the stock.From the six-year-old who could recite the stats from What Car? magazine to the YouTube car guru whose honest reviews got him banned by Ferrari. From the Scalextric track of his childhood, to podiums as a racing driver out in the world. From behind his garage doors to the floodlit Top Gear studio.Variable Valve Timings brings you an incredibly engaging story of adventure and petrolhead joy, told with wit, warmth and disarming honesty. This book is a true one-off, just like Chris.

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Book Synopsis'Unlike anything I've read . . . Remarkable.' Roxane Gay'An audacious sojourn through the terror and beauty of refusing to explain yourself. ' New York TimesIn letters addressed to their friends, to members of their family - both biological and chosen - and to fellow storytellers, Akwaeke describes the shape of a life lived in overlapping realities. Through heartbreak, chronic pain, intimacy with death, becoming a beast, this is embodiment as a nonhuman: outside the boundaries imposed by expectations and legibility. This book is an account of the grueling work of realignment and remaking necessary to carve out a future for oneself.The result is a Black spirit memoir: a powerful, raw unfolding of identity.

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - AND THE GIFT THAT WILL BE ON EVERY BRUCE AND BARACK FAN''S WISH LIST!Two long-time friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly-produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast, featuring more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material.Renegades: Born in the USA is a candid, revealing, and entertaining dialogue between President Barack Obama and legendary musician Bruce Springsteen that explores everything from their origin stories and career-defining moments to their country''s polarized politics and the growing distance between the American Dream and the American reality. Filled with full-colour photographs and rare archival material, it is a compelling and beautifully illustrated portrait of two outsiders-one Black and one white-looking for a way to connect their unconventional searches for meaning, identity, and community with the American story itself.It includes: Original introductions by President Obama and Bruce Springsteen Exclusive new material from the Renegades podcast recording sessions Obama''s never-before-seen annotated speeches, including his Remarks at the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Marches Springsteen''s handwritten lyrics for songs spanning his 50-year-long career Rare and exclusive photographs from the authors'' personal archives Historical photographs and documents that provide rich visual context for their conversation.In a recording studio stocked with dozens of guitars, and on at least one Corvette ride, Obama and Springsteen discuss marriage and fatherhood, race and masculinity, the lure of the open road and the call back to home. They also compare notes on their favourite protest songs, the most inspiring American heroes of all time, and more. Along the way, they reveal their passion for-and the occasional toll of-telling a bigger, truer story about America throughout their careers, and explore how their fractured country might begin to find its way back toward unity.Trade ReviewThere is a lot to be enjoyed as they dig into a subject that has underpinned their very different careers: the gap between the glowing aspiration and cracked reality of the so-called American Dream . . . there is some serious political and philosophical content here. Springsteen and Obama are articulate and idealistic orators, and the conversation relentlessly pushes towards the shared goal of reclaiming a liberal, progressive vision of America in post-Trumpian times * Daily Telegraph *This new book of conversations, photos and speeches is a beautifully presented, coffee table-friendly smorgasbord of uplift . . . Annotated versions of Obama speeches on their original notepaper, most movingly his passionate and compassionate eulogy for civil rights activist John Lewis ("like John, we have to keep getting into good trouble"), feel like a window on to history, as, to a lesser extent, do rather more pristine, handwritten Springsteen lyrics * iNews *One may be a songwriter and the other a politician but Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama are both gifted storytellers who have crafted a story about themselves and their nation . . . Renegades reminds us that despite the hardness of the world and the challenges that demand to be faced there still exists the promise of better days -- Sarfraz ManzoorIn this beautifully curated coffee-table book, which bulks up the extended podcast transcripts with photographs, annotated speeches and handwritten song lyrics to lend a degree of polished intimacy, these American heavyweights find the silver linings adorning even the darkest of clouds * The Times *Renegades: Born in the USA is human, vulnerable, smart, and passionate . . . Obama and Springsteen admire their country while considering its shortcomings and still come out the other side with a sense of patriotism and hope that spills over the bounds of a book * Associated Press *A collection of intimate and thoughtful conversations between the President and the Boss * Los Angeles Times *Do you dream of scoring an invitation to Springsteen's Colts Neck compound? Maybe strumming on those guitars, riding horses, riffing on the American experiment in the recording studio? Unless you're an American president, you're going to have to get in line. But in between daydreams, pick up Renegades. It's the closest thing to being a fly on the wall of an incredible friendship * Esquire *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Act of Love, Cathy Rentzenbrink's Dear Reader is the ultimate love letter to reading and to finding the comfort and joy in stories.'Exquisite' - Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups'A warm, unpretentious manifesto for why books matter’ - Sunday ExpressGrowing up, Cathy Rentzenbrink was rarely seen without her nose in a book and read in secret long after lights out. When tragedy struck, it was books that kept her afloat. Eventually they lit the way to a new path, first as a bookseller and then as a writer. No matter what the future holds, reading will always help.A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how books can change the course of your life, packed with recommendations from one reader to another.Trade ReviewCelebrates reading as a means of connection and a vehicle for escapism . . . a heartfelt reminder that, for all the wholesome effects that reading arguably has, the first reason to do it is for pleasure. Fittingly, Dear Reader is a pleasure to read * Times *I will never, ever forget the way Dear Reader made me feel: it is profoundly tender, generous, joy-filled, love-filled and compassionate. I have read so many wonderful books this year but this is the one I would buy and give away to everyone in the world if I could -- Daisy Buchanan, author of How to Be a Grown-UpIf you love books or if you need companionship during a difficult patch in your life or if you simply want to be taken by the hand by a writer who is kind, wise, funny, generous, insightful and profound, then this is the book for you -- Elizabeth DayExquisite. Dear Reader is touching, beautiful and contains countless excellent book recommendations! -- Marian KeyesCathy Rentzenbrink’s exploration of reading books and the comfort they bring in Dear Reader feels like art in your hands * Stylist, 'Best Gift Books this Christmas' *Joyful, poignant and essential reading for people who love books . . . it is a book to cherish -- Nina StibbeBeautifully written and a joy to read, Dear Reader is a best friend of a book -- AJ Pearce, Sunday Times bestselling author of Dear Mrs BirdThis love letter to reading, which is packed with recommendations, is pure joy * Good Housekeeping *Dear Reader restored my soul -- Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie LangtonA companion for readers everywhere . . . intimate, kind and self-effacing, it feels like someone is sitting right next to you, holding your hand and sharing their secrets. I loved it -- Kit de Waal, author of My Name is LeonA warm, unpretentious manifesto for why books matter * Sunday Express *Dear Reader is the best thing I’ve read for ages and it will stay with me forever -- Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did)Your first port of call if you’re looking for a book to recommend or just a bit stuck on what to choose next. But it’s more than a reference book; it’s a personal account of how books have comforted the author and what they can do for the soul -- Kit de Waal * New Statesman, Books of the Year *A wonderful warm bath of a book. Perfect for all bookworms to sink into -- Jenny Colgan, author of Meet Me At The Cupcake CaféThis is a book that shows what can happen when reading becomes one of the foundation stones in someone’s life, how it miraculously reveals a map when you’ve lost your path and how it will always provide a connection to the world when we feel alone . . . Cathy, prepare for adulation -- Diane Setterfield, author of The Thirteenth TaleDear Reader is a comfort, an inspiration and a gift of a book for readers, reluctant readers and anyone who wants to feel better about themselves and the world. I applaud Cathy Rentzenbrink, she is a truly brilliant writer -- Julia Samuel, author of Grief WorksYour first port of call if you’re looking for a book to recommend or just a bit stuck on what to choose next. But it’s more than a reference book; it’s a personal account of how books have comforted the author and what they can do for the soul -- Kit de Waal, 'Books of the Year' * New Statesman *Comfort reading has been to the fore lately, and you'll find it in abundance in this joyous memoir of a life immersed in the pleasures and consolations of books by the author of The Last Act of Love . . . It's chock-full of Rentzenbrink's splendid reading recommendations, from "Children's Books I Love to Reread" and books about "Bad Love", to "Posh People Behaving Badly" and "Helpful Non-Fiction", which her own book most certainly is -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisIf I had to lose my record to anyone, I couldn't be happier that it was Jonathan. Family connections aside, there is nobody more talented, more determined or more deserving.' Carl FogartyWithin the staggeringly dangerous and high-pressure sport of professional motorcycling, Jonathan Rea's achievements are unprecedented. A legendary World Superbike Champion withmore race wins than any rider in history, Rea's trailblazing success shows no sign of slowing down.Now, for the first time, this remarkable sportsman tracks his life and career. Seemingly destined for the racing world, Jonathan grew up in the paddocks his grandfather was the first sponsor of five-times World Champion Joey Dunlop and his dad was a former Isle of Man TT winner. He owned his first bike before his hands were big enough to reach the brakes.But while racing may be in his blood, it is through sheer determination and relentless perseverance that Rea has gained huge victories in this ultra-competitive world. Topping sevTrade Review‘An entertaining insight into the huge amount of not only skill, but relentless dedication, drive and obsession required to get to the top.’ – The Mirror

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Book SynopsisA heart-breaking and hilarious memoir about the author's fight to be true to themselfWINNER OF THE POLARI FIRST BOOK PRIZE 2020WINNER OF A SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARDAmrou knew they were gay when, aged ten, they first laid eyes on Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. It was love at first sight.Amrou's parents weren't so happyFrom that moment on, Amrou began searching in all the wrong places for ways to make their divided self whole again.Life as a Unicorn is a hilarious yet devastating story of a search for belonging, following the painful and surprising process of transforming from a god-fearing Muslim boy to a queer drag queen, strutting the stage in seven-inch heels and saying the things nobody else dares to .Trade Review‘Astonishingly brave and engaging’ Joanna Lumley 'Amazing .. it provides so much nuance to the multiverse of identity’ Gay Times ‘This book is as rare, fabulous and beautiful as the creature it is named for. A masterpiece of psychology, a major study of Islam and a definitive study of drag, it made me cry, it made me rage and it made me hoot. Full of anger, insight and philosophy, along with some cracking great gags, this is a magnificent and essential document of the twenty-first century. It moved my heart and soul’ Russell T Davies ‘A heartbreaking, healing book. it will make you better' Simon Amstell ‘Amrou’s book is slightly magical, I think. They are a survivor, a storyteller and yes, a unicorn’ Juno Dawson ‘Amrou's story is at times painful, at times hilarious, but always completely resonant. If you've ever felt like an outsider, or caught among several identities, this book is a light in the dark and a soothing balm on the pain of loneliness and alienation’ Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani ‘This is a masterpiece, an incredible emotional voyage, moving, funny, provocative, educational, a book you must read whatever your ethnicity or your sexual or gender identity. Beautifully written by an author whose voice must be heard’ Owen Jones ‘Amrou writes with a confidence and lightness of touch, meaning you will laugh and you will cry and you will see real tender moments in a life fully lived. An incredibly adept writer and performer, Amrou brings to readers an important story unlike anything else you will read for a long, long time, and yet so incredibly universal.’ Nikesh Shukla, author of Coconut Unlimited and editor of The Good Immigrant

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Book SynopsisBut all this time he struggled not to be overwhelmed by another story, his acute âcomplex post-traumatic stress disorderâ, a condition arising from exposure to multiple instances of trauma experienced over a long period.Trade Review‘A brutally honest exploration of what motivates Keane to keep reporting on atrocities despite the toll on his mental health… Gentle but unflinching’ Guardian, Book of the Day

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Book SynopsisHe found a country broken by the Civil War, but the totems of indestructible Spain survive: the Christ in agony, the thrilling flamenco cry-the pride in poverty, the gypsy intensity in vivid whitewashed slums, the cult of the bullfight, the exultation in death, the humour of hopelessness-the paradoxes deep in the fiery bones of Spain.Trade ReviewHe has a nightingale inside him, a capacity for sensuous, lyrical precision * Guardian *One of the great writers of the last century whose work conjured up a world of earthly warmth and beauty * Independent *Out of a winter in Southern Spain, Mr Lee has spun a magnificent book, outstanding even in a field where the competition is oppressively brilliant' * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis“One of the Finest Memoirs Ever Written” –The New Yorker The highly acclaimed memoir of one of the most original American storytellers of the rural SouthA Penguin ClassicHarry Crews grew up as the son of a sharecropper in Georgia at a time when “the rest of the country was just beginning to feel the real hurt of the Great Depression but it had been living in Bacon County for years.” Yet what he conveys in this moving, brutal autobiography of his first six years of life is an elegiac sense of community and roots from a rural South that had rarely been represented in this way. Interweaving his own memories including his bout with polio and a fascination with the Sears, Roebuck catalog, with the tales of relatives and friends, he re-creates a childhood of tenderness and violence, comedy and tragedy.  Trade Review“Reading Crews, I found the courage to tell the stories I’d been amassing my whole life.” —Mary Karr “This memoir is for everyone. It’s agile, honest and built as if to last. Like its author, it’s a resilient American original.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times“…the memoir is flawless, one of the finest ever written by an American….[it] answers some specific questions, namely where its author came from and how he became a writer, but it asks broader ones, too: why anyone becomes anything, how we square our pasts with our futures, and why certain things—a book, its author—are rescued from oblivion.”—Casey Cep, The New Yorker“Critics and awards anoint some authors as legends. Others depend on word-of-mouth and prose that stands the test of time….There is nothing folksy, never mind pastoral or genteel, about Crews. With caustic and fabulist writing, he exhumed the ghosts of America’s original sin…..Crews captured the raw essence of humanity in both fiction and nonfiction. Side by side, these reissues form the complete picture of an imperfect man who charged hard into extremes to escape his cultural inheritance.”—Lauren Leblanc, Los Angeles Times“Of all of Crews’ magnificent output, it is A Childhood: The Biography of a Place, first published in 1978 that is the most memorable and is written in a language that will sear the mind and memory…. There are startlingly wild scenes written with hair raising power….This review cannot begin to capture the power of the writing of Harry Crews nor the essence of this portrait of the life of a sharecropping family in the Great Depression. All that can be said is, read it. The power of the written word will never be made more clear.”—New York Journal of Books

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Book SynopsisEscape into nature with Matt Baker''s fascinating journey through the natural year and family life on the farm''A delight'' Countryfile Magazine_______Matt Baker finds his calm on the farm.Surrounded by nature with his family, dogs, array of sheep, Mediterranean miniature donkeys and a whole host of wildlife in the farm''s ancient woodland, Matt shows us how the power and beauty of the countryside can bring joy to us all.Following the ever-changing seasons of the year, we see woodland animals emerge after a long winter of hibernation and lambs begin to gambol in April. We hear the dawn chorus in the height of summer and see the preparations unfold for the harsh and wild winter months.Peppered with hand drawn sketches, unforgettable moments from Matt''s TV career and stories of a landscape you''ll fall in love with - from its sun-soaked pastures to 6ft snow drifts - Matt reveals how the outdoors has made him who he is today.Trade ReviewA delight -- Margaret Bartlett * Countryfile *Delightful * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SUMMER TRAVEL BOOK OF 2024**Good Housekeeping recommended ''20 uplifting memoirs by remarkable women'', June 2024****Wanderlust magazine best travel books of 2024**______Discover the incredible story of one woman''s solo journey, from Land''s End to the shores of Greece, exploring the unexpected joy of solitude, self-discovery and resilience''It's hard to read The Half Bird without wondering whether you could do it too. It may be better to start by pondering Smillie's wider message that to work out what will truly make you happy, you first need to stop and smell the air around you'' Guardian__________''We have no idea how much resilience there is inside us until we have to draw on it. We learn that we grow through adversity only as we go through it. That we crave happiness like plants leaning toward the light''When Susan qu

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Book SynopsisThe follow up to My Family and Other Animals and the second book in The Corfu Trilogy, the beloved books that inspired ITV''s television series The Durrells.In this second collection of tales concerning the Durrell family on the island of Corfu, young Gerry continues to be captivated by the fascinating flora and fauna of their adopted home - much to the bemusement and upset of his long suffering siblings and mother.Whether it''s lamp fishing by night or roving the countryside with his mentor Theodore, Gerry encounters intoxicated hedgehogs, tarantulas, dung beetles, water spiders and other animals, some of which become the family''s very unwanted pets.''A wild and amusing chronicle'' Daily Express''This book, an evocation of a budding naturalist''s life as a boy on Corfu, will delight many readers, even those who can''t stand spiders...'' Evening Standard''Delightful, charming, funny''Trade ReviewDelightful, charming, funny * The Times *A wild and amusing chronicle * Daily Express *

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Book Synopsis** The North Pole: The History of an Obsession by Erling Kagge is out now **''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 Cotton''A delightful book that explores the strange land between getting out of bed in the morning and reaching for the moon Tristan Gooley''A wonderfully deft Swiss army knife of a book'' Dan Richards''As an explorer Erling Kagge is world class; as a writer he is equally gifted'' Sir Ranulph Fiennes''Erling Kagge is a philosophical adventurer - or perhaps an adventurous philosopher'' The New York Times''An author for our noisy times, full of a rare and deeply redemptive languor and perspective'' Alain de BottonTrade 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

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Book SynopsisIn the tradition of THIS BOY'S LIFE and THE LIAR'S CLUB, a raucous, poignant, luminously written memoir about a boy striving to become a man, and his romance with a bar.Trade ReviewSimply a wonderful book about a heaven of a life that had everything going against it except intense love -- James Salter, author of All That IsMoehringer has crafted a yearning, lyrical account of his fatherless youth and the companionship he found . . . among the Dickensian characters at a neighborhood bar * Los Angeles Times Book Review *The Tender Bar will make you thirsty for that life - its camaraderie, its hilarity, its seductive, dangerous wisdom * Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls *A beautiful, gravelly love letter * New York Times Book Review *Supremely great -- Graydon CarterJ R Moehringer has found a new perfect * Esquire *Moehringer writes with a survivor's wisdom . . . The Tender Bar is a memoir, but has the texture of a novel. * Sunday Telegraph *'The best memoirist of his kind since Mary Karr wrote The Liars' Club . . . hilarious stumblebum wisdom and born raconteur's ease. Highly entertaining . . . constructed as skilfully as a drink mixed by the author's Uncle Charlie.' * New York Times *The best memoirist of his kind since Mary Karr wrote The Liars' Club . . . hilarious stumblebum wisdom and born raconteur's ease. Highly entertaining . . . constructed as skilfully as a drink mixed by the author's Uncle Charlie. * New York Times *A straight-up account of masculinity, maturity and memory that leaves a smile on the face and an ache in the heart. * Kirkus Reviews *In his gimlet-eyed memoir, The Tender Bar, J.R. Moehringer lovingly and affectingly toasts a boyhood spent on a barstool. * Vanity Fair *The best thing about The Tender Bar is that it is many stories in one. Moehringer has hours and hours of stories that any bar hound worth his stool would bend both ears to drink in. Thankfully, the writer has opted to put them down on paper. * Entertainment Weekly *The only thing wrong with this terrific debut is that there has to be a closing time. * Newsweek *

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Book SynopsisIn 2008, Dr Eben Alexander''s brain was severely damaged by a devastating case of bacterial meningitis, and he lapsed into a weeklong coma. It was almost certainly a death sentence, but Dr Alexander miraculously survived - and brought back with him an astounding story. During those seven days in coma, he was plunged into the deepest realms of consciousness, and came to understand profound truths about the universe we inhabit. What he learned changed everything he knew about the brain mind, and consciousness and drove him to ask a question confounding the entire scientific community: How do you explain the origins of consciousness if it is not a byproduct of the brain? In Living in a Mindful Universe, the New York Times bestselling author of Proof of Heaven and The Map of Heaven shares his insights into the true nature of consciousness. Embracing his radically new worldview, he began a committed program of personal exploration into non-local consci

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Book SynopsisLennina Ofori is a force of nature. A teen mother, a supportive older sister, a PhD student, a support system, a working woman, a survivor, above all, she is an Advocate. She has spent her life working for those who do not have a voice, for those relegated to the margins, and in this book, she lends her voice to them.Starting with her own life story, from her beautiful family, to her hardest struggles, Ofori opens the door to intersections that are familiar to many: race, class and gender, and uses her expertise to explain and embolden readers to make active change in their own lives. Utilising expertise from across the globe, from the teachings of bell hooks to government reports, Ofori makes accessible topics that are so often ignored. From her unique perspective as a Black woman who has lived many lives, Ofori is a daring voice for change, and a voice for hope, in modern life.Advocate is a tale of personal resistance, but also a manifesto for action.Trade ReviewAdvocate offers vital and illuminating perspectives on various marginalised experiences, bringing rigour and insight to conversations that we, as a society, need to be having. I felt empowered and grateful to share in Lennina's story and lived experiences. Advocate is a book that is equally generous and insightful, putting much of modern British narratives into sharp perspective. Anyone with any interest in areas of social justice and the numerous intersections with identity needs to read this book. It's a gift. Highly recommended. -- Jeffrey Boakye, author of Black, Listed and I Heard What You Said

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Book SynopsisThe FBI’s chief hostage negotiator recounts harrowing standoffs, including the Waco siege with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, in a memoir that inspired the miniseries Waco, now on Netflix.“Riveting . . . the most in-depth and absorbing section is devoted to the 1993 siege near Waco, Texas.”—The Washington PostIn Stalling for Time, the FBI’s chief hostage negotiator takes readers on a harrowing tour through many of the most famous hostage crises in the history of the modern FBI, including the siege at Waco, the Montana Freemen standoff, and the D.C. sniper attacks. Having helped develop the FBI’s nonviolent communication techniques for achieving peaceful outcomes in tense situations, Gary Noesner offers a candid, fascinating look back at his years as an innovator in the ranks of the Bureau and a pioneer on the front lines. Whether vividly recounting showdowns with the radical Republic of Texas militia or clashes with colleagues and superiors that expose the internal politics of America’s premier law enforcement agency, Stalling for Time crackles with insight and breathtaking suspense. Case by case, minute by minute, it’s a behind-the-scenes view of a visionary crime fighter in action.

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Book SynopsisTwo decades ago, Not Without My Daughter (a global phenomenon made into a film starring Sally Field) told of the daring escape of an American mother and her six-year-old child from an abusive and fanatical Iranian husband and father. Now the daughter tells the whole story, not only of her imprisonment and escape but of life after fleeing Iran: living in fear of re-abduction, battling recurring nightmares and panic attacks, taking on an assumed name, surviving life-threatening illness-all under the menacing shadow of her father.This is the story of an extraordinary young woman''s triumph over life-crushing trauma to build a life of peace and forgiveness. Moving from Michigan to Tehran, from Ankara to Paris, Mahtob reveals the profound resilience of a wounded soul healed by her faith in God''s goodness and his care and love for her

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR NEW TV SERIES: CAROL DRINKWATER''S SECRET PROVENCESecond in the bestselling Olive Farm story from the bestselling author of THE FORGOTTEN SUMMER''She writes so well you can almost smell the sun-baked countryside'' BELLA''Vibrant, intoxicating and heart-warming'' SUNDAY EXPRESS''I scan the terraces, planted with row upon row of ancient olive trees. It is April, late spring. Here in the hills behind the Cote d''Azur the olive groves are delicately blossomed, with their tiny, white-forked flowers. Beyond them, perched halfway up the slope of the hill, our belle epoque villa comes into view. Abounding in balustrade terraces, nestling among cedars and palms, facing out at a south-westerly angle, overlooking the bay of Cannes towards the sun-kissed Mediterranean, there it is, Appassionata, awaiting us...''THE OLIVE FARM told how Carol Drinkwater and partner Michel fell in love with and bought an abandoned Provencal oTrade ReviewDrinkwater is a rare writer who tackles other people brilliantly...Vibrant, intoxicating and heart-warming * SUNDAY EXPRESS *A spellbinding memoir * CHOICE *One cannot resist Drinkwater's courage and joie de vivre, nor the enormous appetite and enthusiasm for her subject * DAILY MAIL *The new leader of the pack * THE TIMES *Refreshingly honest, this book brings alive the unknown side of Provence, and, as always, ensnares readers in a web of sheer delight * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *She writes so well you can almost smell the sun-baked countryside * BELLA *I love Carol Drinkwater's Olive Farm series about her life in Provence. I read them on the beach, thinking how wonderful a summer in France would be -- Jane Brown * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the defeat of the Taliban in 2001 Amir joined the Afghan Army becoming an officer. For the next five or so years he is involved in fighting the resurgent Taliban alongside American, British and other coalition soldiers. During an operation to capture a district in Faryab province, his friend Jawad and several other of his soldiers are killed in an ambush and he berates the Afghan Brigade Commander in front of other senior officers, including some from the coalition. Arrested on suspicion of sympathy with the Taliban he faces Court Martial until a US Marine who had been an adviser attached to the Afghan battalion defends him, producing evidence that the Afghan Brigade Commander deliberately suppressed intelligence because the Taliban were holding some of his family hostage. Amir is acquitted but is advised that many senior Afghan officers distrust him for what they see as a betrayal leading Amir to transfer to Special Forces where he is put in command of his own team. On one

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Book SynopsisNew in paperback - Love with No Tomorrow shares a spark of light by sharing true love stories of the Holocaust. This heart-wrenching book uses hundreds of hours of interviews with survivors and their children to present first-hand accounts of the relationships that blossomed in extermination camps, sparking hope in the darkest of times.Trade Review‘Love With No Tomorrow, through its compelling stories of love and affirmation in the darkest of contexts, relates important history about individual lives. It confirms that there is a strength and power in the human spirit that, even in the most inhuman of circumstances, can animate and ennoble. It is a testament to the exponential power of survival.’ -- DAVID G. MARWELL, PhD, Director Emeritus of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and author of Mengele: Unmasking the ‘Angel of Death’

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Book SynopsisGreg Marshall''s early years were pretty bizarre. Rewind the VHS tapes (this is the nineties) and you''ll see a lopsided teenager limping across a high school stage, or in a wheelchair after leg surgeries, pondering why he''s crushing on half of the Utah Jazz. Add to this home video footage a mom clacking away at her newspaper column between chemos, a dad with ALS, and a cast of foulmouthed siblings. Fast forward the tape and you''ll find Marshall happily settled into his life as a gay man only to discover he''s been living in another closet his whole life: he has cerebral palsy. Here, in the hot mess of it all, lies Greg Marshall''s wellspring of wit and wisdom.Leg is an extraordinarily funny and insightful memoir from a daring new voice. Packed with outrageous stories of a singular childhood, it is also a unique examination of what it means to transform when there are parts of yourself you can''t change, a moving portrait of a family in crisis, and a tale of resilieTrade ReviewThis hilarious and wholly unique memoir by Greg Marshall tackles many subjects: disability, family relationships, and coming out (twice). With signature wit and humor, Marshall takes material that could be morbid in the hands of a lesser writer, and dares his readers not to laugh. He knows he's had an unconventional life, but there's no self-pity here. Instead, he embraces the absurdity of it all and leans into it, making one hell of an entertaining book. * Buzzfeed, Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Book of 2023 *Smart and heartfelt ... His honesty and clarity in writing about disability makes this debut one to watch. * LitHub, Most Anticipated Books of 2023 *Greg Marshall's Leg has all the ingredients of an addictive memoir. But what separates this book from the pack is Marshall's rich and rare perspective navigating the world as a queer disabled person. Marshall delves into his unique life experiences to illustrate the all-too-relatable struggle to be your authentic self and he does it with unflinching honesty. He's one of the most exciting new voices in non-fiction. I could get lost in his brilliant brain forever. * RYAN O’CONNELL, author of Just by Looking at Him *

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Book Synopsis______________Wonderfully written, humorous and humane, and beautifully evocative of the time'' - Independent Summer ReadsSmith''s writing exudes wisdom and humour, and her descriptions ... are vividly drawn'' - Times Literary SupplementHope and energy radiate from every sentence of this lovely volume as it emerges into the light after its long sojourn in the cemetery of forgotten books'' - Daily Mail______________A classic and unforgettable tale of three girls who abandon their middle-class comforts for an adventure of a lifetime during the Second World WarIn 1943 Emma Smith joined the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company under their wartime scheme of employing women to replace the boaters. She set out with two friends on a big adventure: three eighteen-year-olds, freed from a middle-class background, precipitated into the boating fraternity. They learn how to handle a pair of seventy-two foot-long canal boats, how to carry Trade Review'It must have been an astonishing imposition for the canal people when war brought them dainty young girls to help them mind their business, clean young eager creatures with voices so pitched as to be almost impossible to understand." So begins this joyous and rare memoir of a time when a group of girls ‘in the deep sea of adolescence' work the barges in England during World War Two. One envies Emma Smith's precise and sly humour in her portrait of life on the canals, the details on the opening of a lock, and most of all the catching of that era and that adventure that now will live forever' * Michael Ondaatje *‘It's wonderfully written, humorous and humane, and beautifully evocative of the time' * Independent Summer Reads *‘Hope and energy radiate from every sentence of this lovely volume as it emerges into the light after its long sojourn in the cemetery of forgotten books' * Daily Mail *‘Smith's writing exudes wisdom and humour, and her descriptions of the main activities involved [...] and of the accidents and frustrations, as well as the moments of teenage revelation, exhilaration and joy - are vividly drawn' * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book Synopsis''An absolute stunner: frank, funny, self-aware, constantly surprising ... One of the most insightful representations I've read of what it feels like to be alive these days'' GEORGE SAUNDERS________________________A memoir of finding where you are - so you know where you're goingOne day Heidi Julavits sees her son silhouetted by the sun and notices he is at the threshold of what she calls the end times of childhood.' Who is my son becoming, she asks herself and what qualifies me to be his guide? The next four years feel like uncharted waters. Rape allegations rock the university campus where Julavits teaches, unleashing questions of justice and accountability, education and prevention. Julavits begins to wonder how to prepare her son to be the best possible citizen of the world he's about to enter. And what she must learn about herself to responsibly steer him. Using the past and present as points of orientation, D

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Book SynopsisAs a bored, moody teenager, Emma Beddington came across a copy of French ELLE in the library of her austere Yorkshire school. As she turned the pages, full of philosophy, sex and lipstick, she realized that her life had one purpose and one purpose only: she needed to be French. Instead of skulking in her bedroom listening to The Smiths or trudging to Betty's Tea Room to buy fondant fancies, she would be free and solitary, sitting outside the Café de Flore with a Scottie dog at her feet, a Moleskine on the table and a Gauloise trembling on her lower lip. And so she set about becoming French: she did a French exchange, albeit in Casablanca; she studied French history at university, and spent the holidays in France with her French boyfriend. Eventually, after a family tragedy, she found herself living in Paris, with the same French boyfriend and two half-French children. Her dream had come true, but how would reality match up? Gradually Emma reTrade ReviewTender, funny, sad, and brutally honest, I devoured this book like I would have eaten Parisian patisserie. I loved every page (as did my husband!) -- JoJo MoyesI totally loved this gorgeous, funny, honest, adorable book: formidable. -- Jenny ColganSearingly funny, searingly honest, searingly good cake. -- Sarah Franklin, Costa Prize judge and director of Short Stories AloudI loved We'll Always Have Paris. Love, grief & cake. Often sad and hellishly funny. -- Lissa Evans, author of A Crooked HeartCharged with love, longing and lots of cake, Emma Beddington's warm and witty memoir of her romance with the City of Light is a treat for anyone whose Parisian dreams encompass café crème at Les Deux Magots, macaroons at Ladurée ... and instinctively recognising the gender of a lave-vaisselle. -- Kathryn FlettWe'll Always have Paris is a joy. So much resonated as I read it in a café wearing my Breton t-shirt. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkExtremely funny, emotionally acute and often very moving. Writing about yourself and your life without giving in to navel gazing or self- interest is a rare trick and one Emma Beddington pulls off with aplomb; instead she turns her sideways gaze on the world and its absurdities with a wink and a wry smile. We'll Always Have Paris has all this, but in addition a big dose of genuine warmth and wisdom. -- Jess Ruston'I loved Emma Beddington's funny, poignant memoir, which made me laugh - and cry. -- Nina StibbeA sumptuous ode to Gallic philosophy, patisserie and joie de vivre, and also a poignant account of relationships, loss and identity. -- Zahra Saeed * Independent *Emma writes frankly and with self-deprecating humour about depression, motherhood, her Paris dreams and their soul-crushing reality, and cake. There's so much cake in this delightful, thoughtful book. -- Sarra Manning * Red *

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Book Synopsis'Everything you would expect of a James Naughtie book - droll, absorbing and wonderfully perceptive.' Bill Bryson'A revealing and at times spellbinding tapestry of a nation...It is thought-provoking, constantly surprising and hugely entertaining. Sublime stuff.’ Michael Simkins, Mail on Sunday'An insightful account of living through momentous times...much to enjoy in Naughtie's astute memoir.' Martin Chilton, Independent James Naughtie, the acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster, now brings his unique and inquisitive eye to the country that has fascinated him and drawn him across the Atlantic for half a century. In looking at America, from Presidents Nixon through to Biden, he tells the story of a country that is grappling with a dream. What has it come to mean in the new century, and who do Americans now think they are?   Drawing on his travels

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