I am an author and sometimes book blogger. I am always looking to learn more about nature, health & happiness. In my day job I help run three garden centres.
Author of The Cactus Surgeon: Using Nature to Fix A Faulty Brain
Living in London, I suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help me, I found my own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, my childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where I became unwell. In searching for the answers to my illness, I wondered whether being torn from my pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason my body started to malfunction.
After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, my ‘green recovery’ continued.
The Cactus Surgeon is a nature and health memoir full of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
If you want to read my tips on how to deal with FND, this is a good place to start.
Five star reviews for The Cactus Surgeon.
Buy The Cactus Surgeon today!
It is available via Amazon and other e-reader stores.
If you live outside the UK please order via Amazon or your normal book store.
Keep in touch
Follow me on Instagram for my latest nature photos.
About The Author
Hannah Powell (née Bourne) is Communications and HR Director for the Perrywood Garden Centres she runs with her dad and two brothers. When she was six years old, she wanted to be a cactus surgeon.
Before coming back into the family business, she had a successful career in PR and marketing, running high-profile campaigns for clients, including Barclaycard and Domino’s Pizza. She was part of the team that launched Global Entrepreneurship Week, an annual campaign to encourage young people to set up businesses worldwide.
She now lives in North Essex with her husband, daughter and many plants.
Hannah is media trained and available for interviews, Q&As, signings and podcasts.
You can contact her via cactussurgeon@gmail.com
My five star reads in 2025
Best books of 2025 – my five star reads I haven’t had time to write reviews this year, so I apologise for the brief, factual write-ups. If nothing more, it will hopefully give you somewhere to start if you are looking for a new read… The Unwilding, Marina Kemp Brilliantly written, this is the best…
My Best Reads – 2023
Earlier in the year I decided to take a break from book blogging. The imminent deadlines were causing stress where there didn’t need to be any. I love reading and writing, but writing about why I love a book is sometimes quite difficult. It requires time and thought which I had in short supply. So…
A balanced look at the town vs. country divide
Divide by Anna Jones is a memoir (but so much more!) exploring the many differences between town and country. Each chapter covers a theme – including politics, diversity, food and environment. Anna’s pedigree as a journalist and interviewer shines through. Whilst Anna has lived in both town and country, this book is told much more…
Moving and eye-opening
Sophie is a midwife. And she is also infertile. This moving memoir follows Sophie’s quest to become a mother. She experiences some terrible lows. It’s hard to imagine how anyone can experience traumatic pregnancies whilst also helping mothers bring their new-borns into the world. I’ve read a couple of memoirs which explore similar themes. One…
An entertaining and educational read for children
I always accept offers to review books about my two favourite topics – nature and health. This time, I’ve been gifted Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson. It’s a book for children (around 8-12) and in it we meet Norah and Adam. Their lives couldn’t be more different. Norah is in temporary accommodation on the edge…
Cuddle up to a cosy gardening murder mystery
Every month I am sent details of books I can review, and when Seeds of Murder dropped into my in-box I said yes straight away. I generally go for books which are nature or health-based and this is described as a gardening murder mystery. I also enjoy this type of cosy crime mystery – novels…