Memoirs Books

Book Synopsis'Read any history of the Nineties in Britain and you will read about Britpop, Blair, the birth of the Premier League and the rise of new lads. I played no part in any of these events. Growing up in a tiny rural village on Dartmoor, no bands came within 100 miles, all the local farmers voted Tory, our nearest football team was in the fourth division, and the closest I got to being a new lad was when my older brother let me drink some of his Hooch.' In Watching the Nineties, much-loved comedian Josh Widdicombe tells the story of a strange rural childhood, the kind of childhood he only realised was weird when he left home and started telling people about it. From only having four people in his year at school, to living in a family home where they didn't just not bother locking the front door, they didn't even have a key. Using a different television show of the time as it's starting point for each chapter Watching the Nineties is part-childhood memoir, part-comic history of 90s television and culture. It will discuss everything from the dangers of recreating Gladiators in your front room, to Josh's belief that Mr Blobby is one of the great comic characters, to being the only vegetarian child west of Bristol. Together it tells the story of the end of an era, the last time when watching television was a shared experience for the family and the nation, before the internet meant everyone watched different things at different times on different devices, headphones on to make absolutely sure no one could watch it with them.Trade ReviewYou know when your mate does something really impressive, and you look at them with a renewed sense of admiration? That's how I feel about Josh's book. Beautifully written, cleverly crafted and charmingly funny. -- Adam HillsIf you read only one book by Josh Widdicombe this year, make it this one -- Jack DeeA wonderful blend of nostalgia, hilarity and personal anecdotes that only Josh Widdicombe could deliver -- James AcasterBrilliantly observed -- Romesh RanganathanWarmth, wit and Widdicombe - with big laughs and pure nostalgia at its heart. Made me want to watch Neighbours with him. Twice.' -- Danny WallaceThis book is genius -- Dawn O'PorterFantastic -- David BaddielA '90s TV throwback dream -- Katherine RyanAnnoyingly very funny -- Sean WalshRetro heaven -- Alan CarrBrilliantly funny and nostalgic -- Russell Kane

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE 2024 ''Essential reading for anybody who wants to understand rural life'' Patrick Galbraith, author of In Search of One Last Song ''This is a book of life and why we should celebrate our roots before it is too late'' John Connell, author of The Cow Book Where Are the Fellows Who Cut the Hay? is an ode to rural life, charting traditions of the past, how they were lost and why we need to reconnect. Exploring the relationship between everyday items and the communities that make them, Robert Ashton provides a snapshot of twenty-first century England. Where are the people who grow barley, milk cows and produce wool? How have their farming methods become less ethical, sustainable and natural over time? And what are we doing today to reverse that change? Inspired by George Ewart Evans's Ask the Fellows Who Cut the Hay, Ashton gives vo

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Book SynopsisNot a Fictional Mum makes sure no woman gets left behind' Giovanna Fletcher In this inspiring, topical and painfully funny memoir, Not a Fictional Mum asks what it is that really makes a mum? What Makes a Mum? is a less conventional journey of being mothered and reaching motherhood, from teenage foster care, struggling with infertility and navigating the adoption process. Not a Fictional Mum reveals the policies and statistics that led her to campaign for change, and what emerges is a picture of resilience, determination and hope. A personal account and a manifesto for change, What Makes a Mum? looks at family beyond genetics and offers a guiding hand to anyone in the long and sometimes agonising pursuit of becoming a mother. Funny, clever . . . but above all else real and beautifully written' Lisa Faulkner Opened my eyes to a whole other part of being a mother' Rochelle Humes

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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

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Book SynopsisA fascinating and revelatory cultural history of hypochondria, from Hippocrates to wellness influencers - for fans of Andrew Solomon and Siddhartha Mukherjee

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Book SynopsisIn this bold and intimate memoir Ariel Anderssen charts her journey from a strict religious upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness to her current position as one of the most widely recognised BDSM performers in the world. Her route between the two includes a period as a wretchedly miserable, teenage political activist, a phase touring with a Christian theatre group, and accidentally discovering a talent for posing for art nude photography. This surprising and unconventional career path led her to a life-altering introduction to BDSM-themed erotic artwork and a whole world she never imagined existing.This is a book about BDSM, and about sexuality, but most of all it is about one woman’s struggle for self-acceptance and the rewards that come from confronting who you are with honesty and compassion.TRIGGER WARNING: this book contains descriptions of sexual violence that some readers may find upsettingTrade Review'In Playing to Lose, Ariel Anderssen creates an erudite and witty insight into the world of BDSM modelling, but more than that, it is a deeply felt exploration of freedom: what it takes to be free, and what it looks like' Ali Millar, author of The Last Days'Moving and heartfelt, an utterly brilliant whirlwind of a book' Rebecca Reid, author of The Power of Rude'Often hilarious, frequently moving, sometimes disturbing and even harrowing, above all fearlessly honest, Playing to Lose guides us through a journey from repression to liberation that may well liberate the reader too. It’s a brave book by a brave writer, full of challenges and insights. Like all good writing, it makes us look again at things we thought we knew or took for granted, and to some readers it may reveal a world they never knew existed or one they hoped was real' Ramsey Campbell, author of The Lonely Lands

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Book SynopsisGaia was groomed, abused and enslaved but then she fought backGaia Cooper is just 14 years old when she is groomed by a criminal gang and forced to commit organised credit card fraud.Despite being placed in care somewhere Gaia should feel safe she is left even more vulnerable, and is horrifically abused and exploited by the men manipulating her.Will the authorities save Gaia or will she have to save herself?

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Book Synopsis'A magnificent, beautifully written memoir. Unsentimental but heartbreaking, the voice – true and clear. Brilliant.' Nina StibbeIn 2014 I moved back to the United States after living abroad for fourteen years, my whole adult life, because my father was dying from cancer. Six weeks after I arrived in New York City, my father died. Six months after that I learned that I had inherited the gene that would cause me cancer too.When Jean Hannah Edelstein's world overturned she was forced to confront some of the big questions in life: How do we cope with grief? How does living change when we realize we're not invincible? Does knowing our likely fate make it harder or easier to face the future? How do you motivate yourself to go on your OkCupid date when you’re struggling with your own mortality?Written in her inimitable, wry and insightful voice, Jean Hannah Edelstein's memoir is by turns heart-breaking, hopeful and yet also disarmingly funny. This Really Isn't About You is a book about finding your way in life. Which is to say, it’s a book about discovering you are not really in control of that at all.Trade ReviewDeft, witty and profound, this is a true story about how to let go, and when to hold on. Jean Hannah Edelstein's writing glows with a peerless clarity that had me turning the pages all night. A stunning book. -- Jessie BurtonJean Hannah Edelstein is one of the most brilliant writers of her generation, as witty, wry and unsentimental as Nora Ephron. This is a magnificent book, about families, mortality, love and the hard, necessary work of becoming an adult. -- Olivia LaingNever sentimental, this memoir is by turns extremely funny and extremely sad; Edelstein is a wonderful writer, and this is a stunning book. * Stylist *A most magnificent, beautifully written memoir. Unsentimental but heartbreaking, the voice – true and clear. Brilliant. -- Nina StibbeA very funny and charming and bittersweet book. -- Jami Attenberg, author of All Grown Up[This] debut book does everything I love about memoir: it hits you with the truth, it reads as enthrallingly as fiction can, and it leaves you changed.' * Elle *One of Red’s favourite essayists, Jean Hannah Edelstein’s memoir is a work of deceptive simplicity and heart-crushing truths . . . by the end, you’ll never want to let her go. -- Sarra Manning * Red *Jean Hannah Edelstein is an exceptional writer, simultaneously wry and heartbreaking. She has this incredible ability to extrapolate moments of grace and sadness from the everyday. And this memoir about cancer, mortality, shifting ideas of home and love is no exception. -- Nikesh ShuklaThis isn’t the heroic narrative about a fight for life against the odds, but instead it’s about getting on with things, maybe not in the most heroic way, but in a way that’s funny and real and quietly profound. This Really Isn't About You is wry and poignant and true, and I loved it. -- Julie CohenInsightful and charming, this is a breathtaking exploration of grief and becoming -- Laura Jane Williams, author of ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFASTIt’s a wonderful, warm and funny dissection of grief and life that left me feeling like Jean was a friend I never made, and wishing I had. -- David Whitehouse, The Long ForgottenThis Really Isn’t About You really isn’t about me, but it resonated in all sorts of ways: as a woman, as a writer, as a daughter. It is funny and serious, moving yet entirely unsentimental, and bracingly truthful. Jean Hannah Edelstein considers life in all its complexity with great clarity, grace and wit. -- Lisa Owens, author of Not WorkingA bold and unusual meditation on loss, instability, freedom and home. Engrossing, funny and brave. -- Kate Murray-Browne, author of The Upstairs RoomA powerful debut about a woman who is diagnosed with a genetic cancer syndrome shortly after her father’s death from cancer. Read if you’re into: memoirs, powerful tales written by Jewish women, and heartbreakingly funny writing. * Alma magazine *Jean Hannah Edelstein has written an elegant, beautiful book about a time in her life that was messy and ugly. It's strange to say such a sad story was "a joy", but her gift as a writer is that it was. -- Emma Forrest, author of Your Voice in My HeadShe writes about the biggest and most recognisably tiny aspects of humanity with such detail – and she’s darkly hilarious. -- Daisy Buchanan * Sheer Luxe *

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Book Synopsis'A beautiful love letter to the diaspora, Haramacy is an essential collection of essays that push the conversation forward on issues to do with visibility, mental health, race and class' Nikesh Shukla'A superbly crafted collection of essays. Often elegant, often visceral, always essential' Musa OkwongaJournalism in the UK is 94 per cent white and 55 per cent male, while only 0.4 per cent of journalists are Muslim and 0.2 per cent are Black. The publishing industry’s statistics are equally dire. Many publications will use British Black, Indigenous People of Colour when it’s convenient; typically, when the region the writer represents is topical and newsworthy. Otherwise, their voices are left muted.Haramacy amplifies under-represented voices. Tackling topics previously left unspoken, this anthology offers a space for writers to explore ideas that mainstream organisations overlook. Focusing on the experiences of twelve Middle Eastern and South Asian writers, the essays explore visibility, invisibility, love, strength and race, painting a picture of what it means to feel fractured - both in the UK and back home. Appreciating both heritage and adopted home, the anthology highlights the various shades that make up our society.The title, Haramacy, is an amalgamation of the Arabic word ‘haram’, meaning indecent or forbidden, and the English word ‘pharmacy’, implying a safe, trustworthy space that prescribes the antidote to ailments caused by intersectional, social issues. The book features contributions by novelists, journalists, and artists including Aina J. Khan, Ammar Kalia, Cyrine Sinti, Joe Zadeh, Kieran Yates, Nasri Atallah, Nouf Alhimiary, Saleem Haddad and Sanjana Varghese, as well as essays by editors Dhruva Balram, Tara Joshi and Zahed Sultan.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating slice of social history - Jennifer Worth''s tales of being a midwife in 1950s London, now a major BBC TV series.Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the 1950s. The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings, but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humour. She also earned the confidences of some whose lives were truly stranger, more poignant and more terrifying than could ever be recounted in fiction. Attached to an order of nuns who had been working in the slums since the 1870s, Jennifer tells the story not only of the women she treated, but also of the community of nuns (including one who was accused of stealing jewels from Hatton Garden)Trade ReviewWorth's books are full of fascinating social history: about living conditions in east London, the scale of poverty and violence, the realities of postwar medicine and the workhouse * NEW STATESMAN *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Wintering, Katherine May, The Electricity of Every Living Thing is a life-affirming and poignant exploration of nature, and how reconnecting to wild landscapes can create peace in our unquiet minds.''A windswept tale, beautifully told'' Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path ''A manifesto for the value of difficult people. I loved it'' Amy Liptrot, author of The OutrunIn August 2015, Katherine May set out to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path. She wanted to understand why she had stopped coping with everyday life; why motherhood had been so overwhelming and isolating, and why the world felt full of inundation and expectations she can''t meet. Setting her feet down on the rugged and difficult path by the sea, the answer begins to unfold.The Electricity of Every Living Thing tells the story of the year in which Katherine comes to terms with a diagnosis which shakes

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Book SynopsisA work of fiction, memoir and history and love.

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Book Synopsis''Priestdaddy caused a sensation when it hit bookshelves in 2017'' Vogue ''Glorious'' Sunday Times''Laugh-out-loud funny'' The Times''Extraordinary'' Observer''Exceptional'' Telegraph''Electric'' New York Times''Snort-out-loud'' Financial Times''Dazzling'' Guardian''Do yourself a favour and read this memoir!'' BookPageWINNER OF THE THURBER PRIZE FOR AMERICAN HUMOURThe childhood of Patricia Lockwood, the poet dubbed ''The Smutty-Metaphor Queen of Lawrence, Kansas'' by The New York Times, was unusual in many respects. There was the location: an impoverished, nuclear waste-riddled area of the American Midwest. There was her mother, a woman who speaks almost entirely in strange riddles and arnings of impending danger. Above all, there was her gun-toting, guitar-riffing, frequeTrade ReviewGlorious * Sunday Times *Extraordinary * Observer *Electric * New York Times *Exceptional * Telegraph *Snort-out-loud * Financial Times *Dazzling * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974, transforming a generation and continuing to inspire millions. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. Resonant with the confusions of existence, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a touching and transcendent book of life.Trade ReviewProfoundly important...full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas * New York Times *Mr Pirsig has written a work of great, perhaps urgent, importance... Read this book * Observer *The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby Dick are patent * New Yorker *Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an unforgettable trip * Time *Disturbing, deeply moving, full of insights...this is a wonderful book * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisA poetic meditation on life and death, by one of the most renowned and respected film-makers and intellectuals of our time. In November 1974, when Werner Herzog was told that his mentor Lotte Eisner, the film-maker and critic, was dying in Paris, he set off to walk there from Munich, ‘in full faith, believing that she would stay alive if I came on foot’. Along the way he recorded what he saw, how he felt, and what he experienced, from the physical discomfort of the journey to moments of rapture. It is a remarkable narrative – part pilgrimage, part meditation, and a confrontation between a great German Romantic imagination and the contemporary world. This edition of the book is being published for the first time as a classic piece of proto-psychogeography, to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the legendary director’s walk.Trade Review'Surely the strangest, strongest walking book I know, it tells the story of a winter pilgrimage, made in desperation and in hope. At once a diary, a blizzard of weather and memories, and the record of a ritual: only Herzog could have written this weird, slender classic.' Robert Macfarlane * Robert Macfarlane *Herzog's pilgrimage is a fugue and an absurdist comedy as rich as anything in his cinema'. Iain Sinclair * Iain Sinclair *

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Book Synopsis'Kenny's story shows us that we all have the potential to achieve extraordinary things. What a hero.' Bear Grylls'If you are compelled by a hero's journey, then Kenny Imafidon is a hero for this generation.' Simon SinekFor fans of Poverty Safari and Skint Estate, That Peckham Boy is a real-life manifesto calling for positive change for those on the fringes of society.'When you're writing the story of your life, make sure you're holding the pen. In this life you can be whoever you want to be.'Two days after his eighteenth birthday, Kenny Imafidon was charged with the murder of a seventeen-year-old boy in south-east London. The middle child of a single mother with ambitions for her children, Kenny grew up near an estate in Peckham where deprivation and hopelessness were rife, and gang culture flourished in his community. Kenny faced a minimum of thirty years behind bars - longer than the life he had lived.When the case against Kenny collapsed, he quickly realised that his name was still inextricably linked with a horrific crime he hadn't committed. He decided to rewrite his story. It began with The Kenny Report, which he delivered to the House of Commons and which detailed the experiences of marginalised young people who drift into gangs, and has led to extensive work with charities, communities and policy-makers that is helping to change the narratives of other young people just like Kenny.A candid and unfiltered take on some of the most challenging topics that define our times, That Peckham Boy is a personal manifesto exploring what it means to be young, Black and poor in the city. It is shaped by Kenny's difficult childhood, his transformative time in prison, and the people and conversations that took him from being on trial for murder into the company of some of the most successful people in the world.Trade Review'A clean-hearted guy, even through the BS' -- Giggs'A very real, honest and inspiring book that demonstrates an understanding of the real world while providing hope and inspiration for a better one. Kenny Imafidon's real-life experiences and hardships growing up in the hood of south London are tragic but enlightening. In his inspiring new book, That Peckham Boy, Kenny openly and honesty shares the obstacles, disadvantages and devastating consequences that typically accompany those who grow up on the streets in poverty and need. From drug deals to racial targeting to being wrongly accused of murder, Kenny reveals the flaws and weaknesses of a broken system that we all pay into. But most importantly, he exemplifies how one person's determination and resolve against all odds can triumph and succeed! A remarkable read!' -- Stephen M. R Covey * The New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and Trust & Inspire *If you are compelled by a hero's journey, then Kenny Imafidon is a hero for this generation. His story is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of making a better life for themselves and having a positive impact on those around them. -- Simon Sinek * New York Times Bestselling author of Start with Why and The Infinite Game *'Shows that sometimes the hardest choices lead to the biggest and brightest outcomes... Kenny's story is now part of the solution that stops stereotypes limiting potential.' * Tim Campbell MBE *Breathtaking * The Observer *

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Book SynopsisDiscovered at twelve years old, Madison Beer was one of the first artists to have her entire life documented online. Over the past decade, she has navigated the spotlight as a child, through her teenage years, and now as a young woman in her twenties.In The Half of It, Madison pulls back the curtain to show the behind-the-scenes of her journey, from reckoning with mass hate online and the time her private pictures were leaked, to battling suicidal thoughts while making her highly acclaimed debut album, Life Support, and her recovery since then. This memoir is an honest and unflinching account of self-love, mental health, and advocacy from one of the fastest-rising musical voices and most influential social media presences of her generation. It hammers home the point, more striking and urgent than ever, that no matter how close the internet may make us feel to people, we truly don''t know the half of it.

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Book SynopsisAs I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning is the moving follow-up to Laurie Lee''s acclaimed Cider with RosieAbandoning the Cotswolds village that raised him, the young Laurie Lee walks to London. There he makes a living labouring and playing the violin. But, deciding to travel further a field and knowing only the Spanish phrase for ''Will you please give me a glass of water?'', he heads for Spain. With just a blanket to sleep under and his trusty violin, he spends a year crossing Spain, from Vigo in the north to the southern coast. Only the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War puts an end to his extraordinary peregrinations . . .''He writes like an angel and conveys the pride and vitality of the humblest Spanish life with unfailing sharpness, zest and humour'' Sunday Times ''There''s a formidable, instant charm in the writing that genuinely makes iTrade ReviewA beautiful piece of writing * Observer *The vivid sensitive, irresistibly readable story of what happened after he left home * Daily Mail *A poet's book * Sunday Times *He writes like an angel and conveys the pride and vitality of the humblest Spanish life with unfailing sharpness, zest and humour * Sunday Times *There's a formidable, instant charm in the writing that genuinely makes it difficult to put the book down * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis''This honest, engaging memoir shares such gems . . . the perfect read for anyone who dreams big'' The Times and Sunday Times, Books of the Year The powerful, urgent memoir and manifesto on never giving up from Booker prize-winning trailblazer, Bernardine EvaristoIn 2019, Bernardine Evaristo became the first black woman to win the Booker Prize since its inception fifty years earlier - a revolutionary landmark for Britain. Her journey was a long one, but she made it, and she made history.Manifesto is her intimate and fearless account of how she did it. From a childhood steeped in racism from neighbours, priests and even some white members of her own family, to discovering the arts through her local youth theatre; from stuffing her belongings into bin bags, always on the move between temporary homes, to exploring many romantic partners both toxic and loving, male and female, and eventually finding her soulmate; from setting up Britain''s first theatre company for Black women in the eighties to growing into the trailblazing writer, theatre-maker, teacher, mentor and activist we see today - Bernardine charts her rebellion against the mainstream and her life-long commitment to community and creativity. And, through the prism of her extraordinary experiences, she offers vital insights into the nature of race, class, feminism, sexuality and ageing in modern Britain.Bernardine Evaristo''s life story is a manifesto for courage, integrity, optimism, resourcefulness and tenacity. It''s a manifesto for anyone who has ever stood on the margins, and anyone who wants to make their mark on history. It''s a manifesto for being unstoppable.''Raw and emotive . . . a powerful account of how Evaristo got to the top of her game - it''s moving, but there''s also much humour and joy'' Independent ''Bernardine Evaristo is one of those writers who should be read by everyone, everywhere'' Elif Shafak ''Bernardine Evaristo is one of Britain''s best writers, an iconic and unique voice, filled with warmth, subtlety and humanity. Exceptional'' Nikesh ShuklaTrade ReviewThis honest, engaging memoir shares such gems . . . the perfect read for anyone who dreams big * The Times & The Sunday Times, Book of the Year *Raw and emotive . . . a powerful account of how Evaristo got to the top of her game - it's moving, but there's also much humour and joy * Independent *Manifesto combines the personal with the practical to powerful effect * The Guardian *Bernardine Evaristo is one of those writers who should be read by everyone, everywhere -- Elif Shafak, author of the bestselling The Island of Missing TreesA bold memoir. Prepare to be inspired * Psychologies *A meditation on personal transformation, cultural inequalities, activism, belonging, love and friendships - and above all, the power of creativity * New Statesman *Bernardine Evaristo is one of Britain's best writers, an iconic and unique voice, filled with warmth, subtlety and humanity. Exceptional -- Nikesh Shukla, author of Brown Baby and The Good ImmigrantHow I wish when I was 18, that someone - if not necessarily my school - had also thrust Manifesto into my hands * Evening Standard *Shimmers with unfailing self-belief and a strong vein of humility * The Spectator *This humorous and eye-opening memoir is fascinating . . . and beautifully told * Sunday Telegraph, Five Books That Will Make You See the World Differently *The autobiographical parts of the book serve as vivid lessons about the power of change, growth and self-confidence * The Daily Telegraph *The most striking feature of this moving and enjoyable book is her fearless openness. When the publishing world looked closed to her she prised it open with her daring fiction * The Sunday Times *Bernardine Evaristo is the most daring, imaginative and innovative of writers -- Inua EllamsManifesto serves as not only a beautifully written, measured companion piece to the fictionalised lives of Girl, Woman, Other, but as a testament to Evaristo's own trailblazing commitment to creativity, education and activism * Buzzfeed *

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Book SynopsisNeneh Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper and producer who first achieved global success, in 1988, with 'Buffalo Stance', her sound a groundbreaking mix of music genres. She has released six critically acclaimed studio albums and won two Brit Awards, a MTV Europe Music Award and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She has collaborated with artists including The Gorillaz, Gang Starr, Michael Stipe, Cher and Four Tet. The Versions, an album consisting of reworked songs from her back catalogue by artist such as SIA, Robyn and others, was released in 2022.

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Book Synopsis'THE BEAUTY MYTH' FOR THE INSTAGRAM GENERATIONWomen Don't Owe You Pretty is the ultimate book for anyone who wants to challenge the out-dated narratives supplied to us by the patriarchy.Through Florence's story you will learn how to protect your energy, discover that you are the love of your own life, and realise that today is a wonderful day to dump them.Florence Given is here to remind you that you owe men nothing, least of all pretty.WARNING: CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT (AND A LOAD OF UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS). THE FEMINIST BOOK EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT.'An incredible mouthpiece for modern intersectional feminism.' - Glamour'A fearless book.' - Cosmopolitan 'A hugely influential young woman.' - Woman's Hour 'Rallying, radical and pitched perfectly for her generation.' - Evening Standard*OUT NOW Florence Given's DEBUT NOVEL, GIRLCRUSH *Trade ReviewRead the book - it'll change your life. * Mae Muller *

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Book SynopsisOn 7 April 1986, Annie Ernaux's mother, after years of suffering from Alzheimer's disease, died in a retirement home in the suburbs of Paris. Shocked by this loss which, despite her mother's condition, she had refused to fathom, Ernaux embarks on a daunting journey back through time in an effort to recover the different facets of a woman whose openness to the world and appetite for reading created the conditions for the author's own social ascent. Mirroring A Man's Place, in which she narrates her father's slow rise to material comfort, A Woman's Story explores the ambiguous and unshakeable bond between mother and daughter, its fluctuation over the course of their lives, the alienating worlds that separate them and the inescapable truth that we must lose the ones we love. In this quietly powerful tribute to the last thread connecting her to the world out of which she was born, Ernaux attempts to do her mother the greatest justice she can: to portray her as the individual she was.

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Book Synopsis THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Many people wonder if they can still have fun without alcohol... Gray tackles this misconception.' - The New York Times 'Gray's tale of going sober is uplifting and inspiring' - The Evening Standard 'An icon of the Quit Lit movement' - Condé Nast Traveller 'Fascinating' - Bryony Gordon 'Not remotely preachy' - The Times 'Jaunty, shrewd and convincing' - Sunday Telegraph 'Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying' - Alice O'Keeffe, Guardian 'Truthful, modern and real' - Stylist 'Brave, witty and brilliantly written' - Marie Claire 'The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober came to me at a time when I much needed it... The book became my best friend, and got me through, and took me on a journey.' - Sadie Frost 'Particularly lovely, because it's not a deep and dark dive into someone's terrible addiction. It's a celebration of everything that she has gained from not drinking' - Laura Donnelly Ever sworn off alcohol for a month and found yourself drinking by the 7th? Think there's 'no point' in just one drink? Welcome! There are millions of us. 64% of Brits want to drink less.Catherine Gray was stuck in a hellish whirligig of Drink, Make horrible decisions, Hangover, Repeat. She had her fair share of 'drunk tank' jail cells and topless-in-a-hot-tub misadventures.But this book goes beyond the binges and blackouts to deep-dive into uncharted territory: What happens after you quit drinking? This gripping, heart-breaking and witty book takes us down the rabbit-hole of an alternative reality. A life with zero hangovers, through sober weddings, sex, Christmases and breakups. In The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Catherine Gray shines a light on society's drink-pushing and talks to top neuroscientists and psychologists about why we drink, delving into the science behind what it does to our brains and bodies.Much more than a tale from the netherworld of addicted drinking, this book is about the escape, and why a sober life can be more intoxicating than you ever imagined. Whether you're a hopelessly devoted drinker, merely sober-curious, or you've already ditched the drink, you will love this book. 'Haunting, admirable and enlightening' - The Pool 'A riveting, raw, yet humorous memoir with actionable advice. A truly unique blend of storytelling and science that holds a universe of hope.' - Annie Grace, author of This Naked Mind 'Like listening to your best friend teach you to be sober. Lighthearted but serious, it's packed with ideas, tools, tips and, most importantly, reasons for living a sober life. This book is excellent.'- Eric Zimmer, host of podcast The One You Feed 'Gray's fizzy writing succeeds in making this potentially boring-as-hell subject both engaging and highly seductive' - The Bookseller 'Catherine Gray is an exceptional writer. Her exquisitely crafted thoughts on the joys of being sober are not only deeply honest and pragmatic, but she manages to infuse tons of humor. This is a delightful, informative, and compelling read for all those who are sober or seeking sobriety.' - Sasha Tozzi, Huffington Post columnist 'Catherine's writing style and voice captivate me. She has a way of translating her story into an experience I don't want to end. I want to drink every drop she produces.' - Holly Whitaker, founder of Hip Sobriety School and co-presenter of Home podcast 'This book is great. A balanced, informative and entertaining mélange of memoir, sociology and psychology. I identified very strongly with huge sections of it.' - Jon Stewart, guitarist of Sleeper and Leaving AA, Staying Sober blogger > 'Sober is too often equated with "sombre" in our culture. Gray's book turns that idea on its head. Her experience of sobriety is joyful and life-affirming. A must-read for anyone who has a nagging suspicion that alcohol may be taking away more than it's giving.' - Hilda Burke, psychotherapist and couples counsellor 'Catherine Gray really captures the FUN we can have in sobriety. This book challenges the status quo; sobriet sounds as liberating as taking a trip to the jungle. Fun and inspirational. What an important book for our time! A joy to read.' - Samantha Moyo, founder of Morning Gloryville 'No other author writes about sober living with as much warmth or emotional range as Catherine Gray. Her deep insight into the subtle psychologies of drinking, and of life, means that everything she writes is both utterly relatable and stretches our minds. Hers is a rare wisdom.' - Dr Richard Piper, CEO, Alcohol Change UK

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Book SynopsisWhen barefoot running guru Christopher McDougall takes in a neglected donkey, his aim is to get Sherman back to reasonable health. But Sherman is ill-tempered, obstinate and uncooperative - and it's clear his poor treatment has made him deeply fearful of humans. Christopher knows that donkeys need a purpose - they are working, pack animals - and so when he learns of the sport of Burro Racing or running with donkeys, he sets out to give Sherman something worth living for. With the aid of Christopher's menagerie on his farm in rural Pennsylvania, his wife Mika and their friends and neighbours including the local Amish population, Sherman begins to build trust in Christopher. To give him a purpose, they start to run together. But what Sherman gains in confidence and meaning is something we all need: a connection with nature, the outdoors, with movement. And as Christopher learns, the side benefits of exercise and animal contact are surprising, helping with mental and physical health in unexpected ways.Trade ReviewFrom the first page to the last, Running with Sherman is a delight, full of heart and hijinks and humour. I quickly fell in love with Sherman and the colorful cast of two- and four-legged characters that surrounded him. Christopher McDougall is a gifted storyteller who gets to the heart of the human-animal connection. -- John Grogan, author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst DogPraise for Born to Run: Part how-to manual, part scientific treatise but throughout a ripping yarn, this book will inspire everyone who reads it to think on their feet. * Independent *A fascinating and true adventure story, destined to become a classic -- Ranulph FiennesNot just a book for runners, but for anyone who has dreamed of venturing beyond their comfort zone -- Tim ButcherA really phenomenal book -- Jon StewartPraise for Natural Born Heroes: 'A fascinating edifice of ideas ... But the pleasures of the book are as much to do with the fascinating panoply of characters, war heroes all, British, Commonwealth and Cretan, whose exploits contributed so much to Hitler's downfall. * Independent *An undeniably ripping yarn. One for sofa surfers and adventurers alike. * Independent on Sunday *A marvellously eclectic book ... the perfect tonic for the paunchy, jaded He-Man in your life and comatose inner heroes everywhere * the Times *

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Book Synopsis*A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*''Moving and powerful. Should be essential reading for mental health professionals and anyone with autism in their lives.'' - FERN BRADY, author of Strong Female Character''This book will bring so many readers self-recognition and comfort.'' - DEVON PRICE, author of Unmasking Autism''Vulnerable, affecting and deeply personal.'' - Elle McNicoll, bestselling author''A brilliant, thorough exploration of autistic experience, delivered with humanity, compassion and vivid clarity.'' - Pete Wharmby, author of UntypicalTo the outside world, Emily looks like a typical girl, with a normal family, living an ordinary life. But inside, Emily does not feel typical, and the older she gets, the more she realises that she is different.As she finally discovers when she is 16, Emily is autistic. Girl Unmasked is the extraordinary story of how she got there - and how she very nearly didn''t. Still only 21, Emily writes with startling candour about the years leading up to her diagnosis. How books and imagination became her refuge as she sought to escape the increasing anxiety and unbearable stresses of school life; how her OCD almost destroyed her; how a system which did not understand autism let her down; and how she came so close to the edge that she and her family thought she would never survive.In this simple but powerful memoir, we see how family and friends became her lifeline and how, post-diagnosis, Emily came to understand her authentic self and begin to turn her life around, eventually becoming a mental health nurse with a desire to help others where she herself had once been failed.Ultimately uplifting, Girl Unmasked is a remarkable insight into what it can be like to be autistic - and shows us that through understanding and embracing difference we can all find ways to thrive.Sunday Times bestseller in week of 08/04/2024.

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Book SynopsisWhen Alice Jolly's second child was stillborn and all subsequent attempts to have another baby failed, she began to consider every possible option, no matter how unorthodox.Shot through with humour and full of hope, Dead Babies and Seaside Towns is an intensely personal account of the search for an alternative way to create a family. As she battles through miscarriage, IVF and failed adoption attempts, Alice finds comfort in the faded charm of Britain's crumbling seaside towns. The journey ultimately leads her and her husband to a small town in Minnesota, and to two remarkable women who offer to make the impossible possible.In this beautifully written book, Alice Jolly describes with a novelist's skill the events that many others have lived through – even if they may feel compelled to keep them hidden. Her decision not to hide but to share them, without a trace of self-pity, turns Dead Babies and Seaside Towns into a universal story: one that begins in tragedy but ends in joy.Trade Review 'The miracle is that this powerfully written book is not only bearable but compulsively readable. It should be grim but it is absolutely not. Jolly's resolute determination to tell the whole, exhausting truth, however searing, emotional, unfashionable, unpalatable or savagely humorous, keeps is turning the pages, well into the night, and cheering her on' Financial Times 'Her account is astonishingly moving and her prose nothing short of hypnotic' Independent 'Beautifully written and brutally honest' Sunday Times 'So beautifully written that you can't stop reading' Woman and Home 'Alice's writing is so precise and courageous it transforms her grief into a deeply powerful sense of hope and defiance' Rowan Pelling 'Painful but also funny, hopeful and ultimately joyful. A really honest account of womanhood and motherhood' The Pool

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids 'Magical' GUARDIAN 'A gripping tale of the search for meaning in times of turbulence - expressed with Smith’s signature poetic flair' VOGUE 'Extraordinary ... A tense, teasing mix of reality and dream' SUNDAY TIMES 'Her willingness to look closely at life’s closing chapters makes for a magical book' WASHINGTON POST, 'The 10 books to read in September' Following a run of New Year’s concerts at San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore, Patti Smith finds herself tramping the coast of Santa Cruz, about to embark on a year of solitary wandering. Unfettered by logic or time, she draws us into her private wonderland, with no design yet heeding signs, including a talking sign that looms above her, prodding and sparring like the Cheshire Cat. In February, a surreal lunar year begins, bringing with it unexpected turns, heightened mischief, and inescapable sorrow. In a stranger’s words, “Anything is possible: after all, it’s the year of the monkey.” For Patti Smith - inveterately curious, always exploring, tracking thoughts, writing the year evolves as one of reckoning with the changes in life’s gyre: with loss, aging, and a dramatic shift in the political landscape of America. Smith melds the Western landscape with her own dreamscape. Taking us from Southern California to the Arizona desert; to a Kentucky farm as the amanuensis of a friend in crisis; to the hospital room of a valued mentor; and by turns to remembered and imagined places - this haunting memoir blends fact and fiction with poetic mastery. The unexpected happens; grief and disillusionment. But as Patti Smith heads toward a new decade in her own life, she offers this balm to the reader: her wisdom, wit, gimlet eye, and above all, a rugged hope of a better world. Riveting, elegant, often humorous, illustrated by Smith’s signature Polaroids, Year of the Monkey is a moving and original work, a touchstone for our turbulent times.Trade ReviewBoth mundane and magical … Moves constantly between reverie and memory … Portents and symbols lurk in unexpected places, and everyday objects become freighted with meaning … A reflection both on mortality and of the times in which Smith finds herself, but rich in detail * Guardian *A gripping tale of the search for meaning in times of turbulence - expressed with Smith’s signature poetic flair * Vogue *A moving account of the emotional stumbles, physical and intellectual wanderings and deep losses Smith experienced in her 70th year * Independent *Some rock stars shut themselves away from life, but Smith’s engagement with the world only deepens, as this dreamy memoir shows * Daily Telegraph *Extraordinary … A tense, teasing mix of reality and dream … It’s a drifter’s book, in time, space and the imagination * Sunday Times *A picaresque voyage through her dreams and life as she faced 70, dealing with flashes of “sorrow’s vertigo” as she remembers all the loves and rock contemporaries who are gone, with a kaleidoscope of references from “Mr. Robot” to Marcus Aurelius to Martin Beck mysteries to Maria Callas’s Medea -- Maureen Dowd * International New York Times *A profoundly beautiful book, poetic in its prose and metaphysical in its meaning, it’s quite a stunning read * Financial Times *The narrating voice is the voice of Smith's music, twisting between the incantations of a priestess and laconic poetry … There is plenty of wonderful in this small, sly, mystic book * Spectator *A beatnik Alice in Wonderland, measured out in black coffee and Polaroids, it’s full of quiet puzzles, small epiphanies, more little clues how to live * Q Magazine *Arresting … Diverting and often unexpected, fresh and diverting * Literary Review *A profoundly lyrical, digressive mapping of her fame-and-family decades … This third memoir finds Smith unhomed, at times almost unhinged, as she does her utmost to ward off those Beaten Generation blues * Mojo *Elegiac … A strikingly intimate portrait of a woman growing older and missing those who are no longer with us but remaining wide awake to the world and hopeful for its future * Sunday Express *A melancholy mood and poetic language distinguish Smith’s third memoir * BBC *Poet and performer Smith’s latest memoir zooms in tight ... Her willingness to look closely at life’s closing chapters makes for a magical book * Washington Post, 'The 10 books to read in September' *Lovely ... a slim volume [with a] minor-key melancholy * Entertainment Weekly *Patti Smith’s brilliant new memoir about love, loss and growing older … I’m already captivated by her poetic prose * Daily Mirror *Smith’s grace and erudite philosophy is a welcome balm in these times * Town & Country *Smith’s reflections on a wrenching yet grace-filled year are elegiac, vital, and magical. … Smith’s large, loyal following will seek out this spellbinding memoir, just as they embraced Just Kids (2010) and M Train (2015) * Booklist *Luminous ... Smith casts a mesmerizing spell with exquisite prose * Publishers Weekly *This is the modern-day Patti Smith: older, wiser, seeing the world, and reporting it all back to us in only the way she can. You can’t read this and not feel inspired after you put it down * Inside Hook *An incantatory, ambulatory travelogue * New Statesman *Captivating ... Redemptive * Kirkus *She weaves the threads of her thoughts and past relationships together, creating a dreamy memoir on the passage of time and our changing world * Wanderlust *One of the great diarists of her, or any other time, with an exquisite voice which manages to somehow transform even the most ordinary event into something otherworldly … An enchanting hitchhike through 2016 … Every occurrence sears into the reader’s psyche in vivid detail … Time spent in the company of Patti is always a pleasure * Classic Pop *A rock-star prophetess … Meditative, messy, poignant, deeply personal, allusive, occasionally bombastic and, crucially, still defiant, Year of the Monkey is a mercurial fusion of the mundane and visionary that only an unconquerable spirit like Patti Smith could write * Herald *She can find artistic endeavour in the mundane; or bone-deep comfort in a cup of black coffee and a cinnamon doughnut … Incredibly moving … As much a glimpse of a troubled year in Patti’s life, as a portal into our own * Record Collector *

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Book Synopsis*INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*Extraordinary' The ObserverA stupefyingly pleasurable book to read' New YorkerLewis's storytelling is as good as ever' The EconomistFrom the #1 bestselling author of The Big Short and Flash Boys, the high-octane story of the enigmatic figure at the heart of one of the 21st century''s most spectacular financial collapses''I asked him how much it would take for him to sell FTX and go do something other than make money. He thought the question over. One hundred and fifty billion dollars, he finally said-though he added that he had use for infinity dollars...''Sam Bankman-Fried wasn''t just rich. Before he turned thirty he''d become the world''s youngest billionaire, making a record fortune in the crypto frenzy. CEOs, celebrities and world leaders vied for his time. At one point he conside

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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 *

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Book Synopsis''Arresting and vivid, raw and breathtaking...told with stunning originality'' DOLLY ALDERTON, author of EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE''Annie Lord tells us a story at once both specific and universal'' SHON FAYE, author of THE TRANSGENDER ISSUE''An electrifying debut'' CAROLINE O''DONOGHUE, author of THE RACHEL INCIDENTDark, fierce and raw, Notes on Heartbreak is a love story told in reverse...Reeling from a broken heart, Annie Lord revisits the past - from the moment she first fell in love, the shared in-jokes and intertwining of a long-term relationship, to the months that saw the slow erosion of a bond five years in the making. Charting her attempts to move on, Annie explores the ups and downs of being newly single, from disastrous rebound sex to sending ill-advised nudes, stalking your ex''s new girlfriend on Instagram and the sharp indignity of being ghosted.Trade ReviewIt's good, all of this - nearly everyone knows the specific, towering grief of being walked out on by the person whose limbs they woke up tangled in in the morning, but few write about it so directly, so unblinkingly. * The Times *A book on love and loss to get the emotions (read: tears) flowing. One of this summer's most anticipated books * Bustle *She writes about intimacy in a way that's relatable, poetic and makes you think that maybe your own heartbreaks are really as quietly earth-shattering as you thought they were... It's a sparkling and deliciously indulgent read which gets right into your chest and stays with you afterwards. It's someone else's story, but it will make you think about your own. * VICE *The book is cleverly structured and written with unflinching honesty * THE IRISH TIMES *Annie Lord's unhinged but unflinchingly honest memoir delivers up some relatable introspection when it comes to love and loss, ripe for exploring one of the most universal experiences in humanity * REFINERY29 *A deep meditation on the anguish of a modern heartbreak, where Lord's unique writing helps the emotions fly * The Candid Bookclub, The Guardian *Annie Lord released her debut book in 2022 and, if you've ever been through a breakup, it's sure to get you in your feels. This release charts the ups and downs of a long-term relationship and explores the ways it slowly began to come apart - all with a precise, unsparing eye. * COSMOPOLITAN *An unflinching and raw exploration of a relationship and its ending, taking in all the joy, pain and messiness of being in love * SHEERLUXE *Your perception of love, life and starting afresh will be altered for the better * The I Paper *It's painful, cathartic and beautifully written - The Best Books of 2022 * TIME OUT *Vogue dating columnist Annie Lord's debut, Notes on Heartbreak, is a visceral yet funny recollection of the breakdown of her five-year-relationship, told in her distinctive, lyrical style . . . It's difficult to write about experiences as complex as love and heartbreak without sounding either cheesy or melodramatic, but somehow, Lord nails it. Anyone who's ever been unceremoniously dumped will find themselves furiously underlining the book's most resonant passages * The Best Books of 2022 - DAZED *Raw and beautifully tender * Suitcase Magazine *Annie Lord's visceral exploration of love and heartbreak will resonate with us all. * STYLIST *The debut book from Vogue's dating columnist is heartbreaking, touching, funny - and one to be shared around all your friends who despair about modern dating, whether they're recovering from heartbreak or not * GRAZIA *Notes On Heartbreak is a seamless transition from columns to books for Annie Lord, who maintains her magnetic writing style over a longer form . . . Watch out for people crying, laughing and reciting passages to friends and family, as they cling to this book * THE HERALD *It is an unflinchingly honest reminder of the simultaneous joy and pain of being in love that will resonate with anyone that has ever nursed a broken heart * RTE Online *Free of pretence and painfully relatable for anyone who has ever dealt with heartbreak, this cathartic retelling acts as a reminder of the dichotomies of love - the euphoric highs and crushing lows - and its beautiful, messy realities * Luxury London *

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Book SynopsisYou might think you leave such a life behind, but it holds you in its grip. It will never leave you. This is how I came to be what I was, why, and where I am going. And it is all true. Every word of it.

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Book SynopsisI was saying things in songs that female singers didn't really say back then. I wasn't submissive or begging him to come back, I was kicking his ass, kicking him out, kicking my own ass too. My Blondie character was an inflatable doll but with a dark, provocative, aggressive side. I was playing it up, yet I was very serious.'BRAVE, BEAUTIFUL AND BORN TO BE PUNKDEBBIE HARRY is a musician, actor, activist and the iconic face of New York City cool. As the front-woman of Blondie, she and the band forged a new sound that brought together the worlds of rock, punk, disco, reggae and hip-hop to create some of the most beloved pop songs of all time. As a muse, she collaborated with some of the boldest artists of the past four decades. The scope of Debbie Harry's impact on our culture has been matched only by her reticence to reveal her rich inner life until now.In an arresting mix of visceral, soulful storytelling and stunning visuals that includes never-before-seen photographs, bespoke illustrations and fan art installations, Face It upends the standard music memoir while delivering a truly prismatic portrait. With all the grit, grime, and glory recounted in intimate detail, Face It recreates the downtown scene of 1970s New York City, where Blondie played alongside the Ramones, Television, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop and David Bowie.Following her path from glorious commercial success to heroin addiction, the near-death of partner Chris Stein, a heart-wrenching bankruptcy, and Blondie's break-up as a band to her multifaceted acting career in more than thirty films, a stunning solo career and the triumphant return of her band, and her tireless advocacy for the environment and LGBTQ rights, Face It is a cinematic story of a woman who made her own path, and set the standard for a generation of artists who followed in her footsteps a memoir as dynamic as its subject.Trade Review‘In this whirlwind tour of her life, Harry deploys an irreverent style well suited to her story. Her tales are intermixed with interludes that capture the eclectic and electric passion she has for the creative process. In a narrative that feels simultaneously heartfelt and spontaneous, Harry recounts close encounters with violence and harassment with the same immediacy as the moments that catapulted Blondie to worldwide fame. Readers will find reflection on life with a budding band and an uncensored view of what it took to succeed.’Kirkus ‘Blondie fans will love its piquant atmospherics and the energy and honesty of Harry’s take on her singular saga.’Entertainment Weekly ‘The ultimate rock’n’roll memoir’Sunday Times ‘A rollercoaster ride that music lovers will adore’Good Housekeeping ‘An entertaining reveal-all read’Woman & Home ‘Extra special’Red ‘[This] autobiography documents, brilliantly and brutally, the lawless, druggy streets of early 70s New York, living the hazy cosmic jive of the legendary downtown loft scene’Stylist ‘Harry offers a vivid portrait of a seedy, bohemian scene in late-60s New York… Engaging’Guardian ‘Face It: Debbie Harry’s cool and forthright memoir… The Blondie singer is a reluctant memoirist and what drove her to write this is unclear – but thank God she did’New Statesman ‘Intoxicating… This candid memoir is an absorbing read.’Daily Mirror, book of the week ‘Face It is a rollicking, riotous read, taking in Blondie’s ascent from gritty downtown New York to pop superstars to the band’s nosedive of heroin addiction, bankruptcy and break-up, and phoenix-like return to the top of the charts in 1999… a real page-turner… often jaw-dropping’NME ‘An astonishing memoir’The i ‘Debbie has us in raptures … Its tone is matter-of-fact, honest, self-aware and often humorous’Daily Express ‘An eye-opening memoir’The Times

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Book SynopsisDiscover one woman''s solo journey from Land's End to Greece, embracing solitude, self-discovery, and resilience**Good Housekeeping recommended ''20 uplifting memoirs by remarkable women'', June 2024****Wanderlust magazine best travel books of 2024**''A lesson on how to live, how to heal, how to grow and how to fly' - Gordan Buchanan''A beautiful, wise and open-hearted odyssey through life, loves and the sea'' Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles''I didn''t know a love song between a woman and her boat could transport, and transfix me. The Half Bird made my heart whole'' Rhik Samadder, author of I Never Said I Loved You''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''In 2016, Susan Smillie quit her job to sail round the British Isles aboard her beloved yacht Isean. Yet when it came to rounding the tip of Cornwall, she unexpectedly headed south, leaving home in her wake.Over the next three years she sailed the continent, living with only the basics she had aboard, by her wits, and via the kindness of the people and beauty of the coasts she encountered.But Susan's travels were just the beginning of her spiritual journey. Could she make the wild, unruly sea her home?Praise for The Half Bird''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''Told with all the invigorating energy of a crisp wind under a cloudless sky'' Charlotte Higgins, Chief culture writer, GuardianSmillie finds a freedom, beauty, and joy in amongst the rolling waves and shifting tides of loss, illness, and grief. The Half Bird is an immensely enjoyable ocean adventure, but what emerges is a deeply inspiring story about the quiet strengths that reside within us all' Will Millard

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Book SynopsisAnthony Bourdain''s long-awaited sequel to Kitchen Confidential, the worldwide bestseller''As ferociously rude as anything Bourdain has done before'' GuardianTerrific ... his love for his subjects - both the food and the cook - sings'' TelegraphBourdain has insight, access and good taste, and he''s a naturally engaging writer'' New York TimesA lot has changed since Kitchen Confidential - for the subculture of chefs and cooks, for the restaurant business - and for Anthony Bourdain.Medium Raw explores these changes, moving back and forth from the author''s bad old days to the present. Tracking his own strange and unexpected voyage from journeyman cook to globe-travelling professional eater and drinker, Bourdain compares and contrasts what he''s seen and what he''s seeing, pausing along the way for a series of confessions, rants, investigations, and interrogations of some of the most controversial figures in foodTrade Review'As ferociously rude as anything Bourdain has done before' * Kathryn Hughes, Guardian *‘Terrific ... his love for his subjects - both the food and the cook - sings as it once did in Kitchen Confidential' * Daily Telegraph *‘Bourdain has insight, access and good taste, and he's a naturally engaging writer ... [he] is a hopeless romantic when it comes to food and the people who cook' * New York Times *‘Bourdain is a vivid, bawdy and often foul-mouthed writer. He thrills in the attack, but he is also an enthusiast who writes well about things he holds dear' * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisIn our lives, terrible things may happen. Michael Rosen has grieved the loss of a child, lived with debilitating chronic illness, and faced death itself when seriously unwell in hospital. In spite of this he has survived, and has even learned to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy.In Getting Better, he shares his story and the lessons he has learned along the way. Exploring the roles that trauma and grief have played in his own life, Michael investigates the road to recovery, asking how we can find it within ourselves to live well again after - or even during - the darkest times of our lives. Moving and insightful, Getting Better is an essential companion for anyone who has loved and lost, or struggled and survived.Trade ReviewIn some ways, this is a quirky and intimate memoir. But Rosen has become that curious thing, a national treasure, and this book perhaps reflects the national mood - and the national need, even - better than a grander account of Covid might—The TimesLike having a cup of tea and a chat with Michael himself. Just full to the brim with wisdom, truth and beautiful silliness.—Cariad LloydIf I could prescribe Getting Better to the entire nation, I would. It's so gloriously full of the warmth, wisdom and incredible honesty that mean Michael is loved by adults and children alike. It's a book that inspires hope, courage and belief in humanity. Basically, it reminds you how to live. I loved every single word.—Dr Rachel ClarkeFunny and very moving *****—Daily MailA survivor's manual—Guardian

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Book SynopsisExplore the wonderful world of some of the most incredible natural forms on our planet – fungi.At the centre of countless superstitions, folkloric tales and magical beliefs, as well as appearing in recipes and medicines both traditional and modern, mushrooms have incredible powers.Featuring images of over 100 fascinating species, sourced from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Magic of Mushrooms shows that from saving lives to expanding the mind, the potential of these fascinating organisms should not be underestimated.Trade Review'A beautifully illustrated and entertaining read ... A feast for the eyes' * Gardens Illustrated *'The author has risen magnificently to the challenge of this huge area of scholarship ... This well-turned out book would adorn your bookshelf' * The Garden *Table of ContentsIntroduction • The human history of fungus • How Toadstools work • Fairy rings • Fungus in food • Art and beauty • Flying high • The cunning woman's stillroom • Bad guys • The dark mirror • The future of fungus • Bibliography • Index

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Book Synopsis

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