Memoirs Books

Book Synopsis‘I always knew I was somewhat different without knowing exactly how. My earliest memory is being given a doll on my third birthday. One day around that time I am looking at a picture of a deer when it turns and runs towards me. There is a cushion with a peacock on it, it comes straight out at me. A woman in a painting turns her head to look at me, her eyes staring into mine until I squeak and run out of the room. It does not matter where I am – at home, my grandparent’s house or my aunt’s – pictures and paintings move around and then right themselves as soon as I attempt to show anyone. Whenever a picture turns itself into a television, I drag an adult by the hand to show them the magic painting, only to look like a liar when it fails to perform. I finally catch one in the act; my grandad John and I stand in front of the deer painting while it shakes its head and slowly stalks forward. “The deer isn’t moving, Nicola; it’s just your imagination,” he tells me. Next, come the voices.’

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Book SynopsisWhat do you do with impossible dreams? When do you let them go? Niamh Shaw, scientist, engineer and performer, had always felt that something was missing in her life. Stepping away from a full-time academic career, she initially thought that it might be acting. But when in that career, she knew that she still hadn't found what she was looking for. While making her first theatre show, looking at her life choices and childhood ambitions, the realisation that she still wanted to fulfil her childhood dream to go to space, but had done nothing to achieve this goal, was painful and disappointing for her. Why had she given up on this dream? She realised that if she didn't pursue it, she would spend the rest of her life regretting that she had given up on herself. And so this 40-year-old woman from Ireland began a journey she is determined to finish. Along the way she is also inspiring people to love science as much as she does. An account of her journey so far, Niamh's story reminds us that we must fight to be the person we are destined to be.

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Book SynopsisMy Name is Philippa: A Transgender Memoir of Love, Understanding and Transformation. Experience a heart-changing journey with Philippa Ryder as she transitions from male to female with the support of her family. This powerful and moving story explores the physical and emotional process of transitioning and provides answers to common questions about being transgender—a must-read for anyone seeking to understand and support the global movement towards gender freedom and empowerment.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword – Katherine E. Zappone Introduction The skirt – Age: 0–16 To boldly go ... Age: 17–21 Three questions – Age: 22 Wedding bells and bouncy baby – Age: 23–38 A new beginning – Age: 38–40 True beginnings – Age: 41–43 Progression – Age: 44 Resolve – Age: 45–46 Disclosure – Age: 47–48 Decisions – Age: 49 Rebirth – Age: 50 Aftermath and the future – Age: 51

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Book SynopsisWritten by a close friend of the subjects, Echoes from a Cornish Cliff is the heart-warming, true story of two pioneers of the The Good Life - Jean and Derek Tangye - who left glittering London careers and privileged lifestyles to take on the challenge of a derelict cottage and six scrubby, moorland acres on the edge of a cliff in west Cornwall, almost half a century before the idea became "fashionable". From an unpromising beginning they carved a cosy, self-sufficient home and productive market garden and in 1961, eleven years after taking up residence, Derek Tangye wrote the first of his best-selling Minack Chronicles, beautifully illustrated by his wife, Jean. Their dedication, fortitude and courage in the face of countless setbacks and financial disasters never wavered and they unlocked the secret of true happiness by being close to nature and taking pleasure in very simple things - the true values of life. You may already live in a rural area, or plan to escape to the country, or perhaps you have an interest in nature conservation or a self-sufficient lifestyle. You may simply care about Britain's beautiful natural landscape and wildlife. If you answer "yes" to any of the above, this book is for you.

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