In 2009 I was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND). The symptoms, including severe and uncontrolled twitching and spasms, came from the body not functioning because of faulty brain signals. There were no structural changes to be seen on a scan.
I had a diagnosis, but whilst I now had a name for it, the path back to good health wouldn’t be easy. Had I been diagnosed earlier – before I’d found my own way through – the hospital would apparently have provided occupational therapy, psychiatry and physiotherapy. When they told me what was wrong, I was already sorting myself out by other means. Happy for me to continue on my own path, they discharged me.
The journey to diagnosis had been highly stressful. If I’d been told from the offset what was wrong, I doubt it would have gotten so bad. For me, uncertainty bred anxiety and depression, which made the FND worse. The NHS is good at ticking things off lists, and, of course, this needs to be done. Many doctors admit that they are good at treating illness but often can’t help people who are unwell with something that is not adequately understood. Still physically in crisis, the doctors left me to wait for this glitch or imbalance to evaporate.
I am sometimes contacted by people who have been diagnosed with FND and are not receiving adequate care and support via the NHS. Things are improving, and there are some excellent consultants and departments doing brilliant work, but sadly others are still left to go it alone.
So, here is my quick guide to helping yourself whilst you wait for support:
Check out these excellent online resources – neurosymptoms.org and FND Hope. They will help you get your head around your diagnosis. I found it important to try and accept the diagnosis.
Find something to give you a break from the negative thoughts and the worry you will have about your situation. When I was ill I went for a walk every day (not easy when walking sets off the symptoms) and told myself I had to take one good photo every day. This made me really absorb myself in nature for a while, which I am sure helped me.
Accept help if it’s offered, and be specific about what you need.
If you have the budget available, consider alternative therapies. I had acupuncture and cranial-osteopathy, which gave me regular appointments with practitioners who cared for and supported me in ways the NHS team couldn’t. Anything that relaxes you and makes you feel more in control must be good.
It’s also good to consider talking therapies. I found counselling invaluable both in terms of offloading emotions I’d been holding onto for years but also in coping with being off work and on a very uncertain journey with my health. NHS waiting lists can be long, but there are other avenues which you can find out about on the MIND website.
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 book I read in 2025. I loved it all. The characters, the strong sense of place, and the observation of familial relationships, as well as the way the story builds over decades.
The Correspondent, Virginia Evans
Stories told through letters. Each letter reveals more about the main character, Sybil, and those around her, but also leaves you wanting to know more.
Learning to Swim, Clare Chambers
Intriguing story about Abigail and her relationship with The Radleys. Explores how different families can be, and how surprising and beguiling that can be when you are young. A romance with some wonderful characters.
Shy Creatures, Clare Chambers
Set in the 1960s, I loved the characters Clare created – especially Helen – and how the mystery of William unfolded.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt
I picked up this book in a charity shop because I was curious about the fictional story of a woman’s friendship with an octopus. It gripped me from the start, with its strong characters.
Wavewalker, Suzanne Heywood
Susanne tells the true story of how she ended up living on a yacht for ten years from the age of seven. It’s a story of an unconventional childhood and survival under the toughest of conditions.
The Women of Troy trilogy – Pat Barker
Powerful retellings of characters from Greek mythology, focusing on the women and their roles in the war.
The Huntress, Kate Quinn
Historical fiction set in the Second World War. I loved learning about the Night Witches, an all-female bomber regiment.
I also reread some five star reads from my two favourite fantasy writers.
Wyrd Sisters and Maskerade, Terry Pratchett
The Fitz and the Fool books, Robin Hobb
You can see all my ratings for the books I have read this year on Goodreads.
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 in the absence of any recent in depth blog reviews, here is a quick round up of some of my best books from 2023! I have only listed some of my five star reads. I hope it inspires you to try one of them.
Non-fiction:
Thank You For The Kiss by Beth Jordan
Memoir set in Cuba. I was lucky enough to read an early draft of Thank You For The Kiss and was blown away by this story, inspired as it is by real events. The book starts out with heady, hopeful days in the seductive streets of Cuba. I danced with Gina as I read the book and felt her excitement.
We then move towards something much darker and shocking, especially at the end. I was completely hooked. The book sat with me for days afterwards, and I found it very thought provoking.
Grasping The Nettle by Tamsin Westhorpe
Memoir for gardeners and country folk. I giggled and smiled my through this charming book. There were many stories I could personally relate to and they were all told in such a lovely way. Tamsin has had many interesting experiences, and each chapter is a standalone story in its own right, making it very easy to read. Putting it down when it was time for bed was much harder!
Rooted by Sarah Langford
Memoir of moving from Barrister to Farmer. This is a great read. Sarah skilfully combines the micro with the macro. She shares her own experiences as well as summarising the stories of a range of other farmers. This is interspersed with Sarah’s research into farming, helping us to understand faming as it has been, where we are now and how it could (or should!) be in order to tackle both climate change and rapidly declining biodiversity.
It is a non-judgemental view of farming, acknowledging the interplay between generations. Many of us in our drive towards a more sustainable life, would relate to this – “…sometimes they cannot alter it [the farm] either, for there are still old heads around the table who believe that experience trumps ideas.”
Sarah is understanding of why we are where we are, but also doesn’t accept the status quo. Knowing Suffolk quite well, I felt a connection to the land she describes and loved her overriding optimism. I loved this, “…change is also infectious. It is catching. All it takes is someone brave enough to start and soon the ideas will roll out to their neighbours, and their neighbours, outwards in waves until there is nobody left to say ‘that won’t work here’, because it already has.”
I hope this book helps turn the tide.
The Last Tree by Luke Adam Hawker
Sometimes I am sent a book to review, and upon opening it, I immediately know it will take a place on the shelves I reserve for books I will always keep. The Last Tree is definitely a keeper. It tells the tale of Olive, a young girl living in a world without trees. My heart sinks at the thought of such a place, and should encourage us all to double down on our mission to reverse the damage we have inflicted on our planet. Young Olive visits The Last Tree Museum and there embarks on a magical journey of discovery.
The book is full of valuable life lessons. The words are great, but the hand-drawn illustrations are incredible. They are scribbly in places and neat in others. The lines are repetitive, soothing and mesmerising. Engaging vignettes, well-observed close-ups, and epic wide shots draw me into the detail. In these, I see something different each time I flick through the pages. It makes me want to pick up a pencil or drawing pen. Luke’s background as an architectural designer before becoming a full-time artist in 2015 shines through. Some of you may also recognise his drawing style from his recent appearance on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of The Year.
I am often cautious of over-hyping a book, lest readers are subsequently disappointed. There is no such concern here. The Last Tree is set to become a classic. It’s a celebration of life, trees and our responsibility to keep Earth alive.
My ten-year-old daughter also read it. She says the story is sweet and heart-warming and that the illustrations are beautiful.
It’s certainly a book for the young and old and everyone in between.
Duck Out of Water by Helen Johns
Memoir sharing Helen’s story of caring for her Mum. This is such an important book. It will help anyone working in the care sector to improve their patient care. It will help anyone with relatives in a care home to know if their loved one is receiving the best care possible. I hope Helen realises the impact she will have by sharing her writing and through her wider consulting work, a continuation of the positive impact she clearly had on care during her Mum Rita’s time in her care home.
Helen was absolutely dedicated to her mum and her love for her shines through. Then there is Helen’s amazing ability to organise, influence others and seek solutions. This has resulted in an engaging book with heart-warming and honest writing, giving practical advice. Part 4 – A Better Way for All of Us is extremely clear and influential and the tips are all the more likely to be taken up because Helen’s personal experiences precede them.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
It’s my stop on the blog tour for Strong Female Character by comedian Fern Brady, known for her recent Taskmaster appearance and no-nonsense Scottish humour. She has written an open and honest memoir about growing up and not knowing she is autistic but knowing she is very different from others. She is kicked out of home, hates school and, whilst at university, finds freedom in strip clubs where she can be herself as she works. She doesn’t need to make small talk. She suffers abuse in a toxic relationship. She turns to alcohol and drugs.
“If you’ve ever been on a night out where you got blackout drunk and have laughed the next day as your friends tell you all the stupid stuff you said, that’s what being autistic feels like for me: one long blackout night of drinking, except there’s no socially sanctioned excuse for your gaffes and no one is laughing.”
Fern has had to write a book to tell her peers, the TV industry and her fans that she is autistic. She has had to write a book to explain her meltdowns and what causes them. She didn’t want to be the person in the public eye to explain meltdowns where she smashes up furniture, but no one else stepped up.
It’s the second such book I have read this year, having equally enjoyed Chloe Hayden’s Different Not Less. Chloe’s memoir is more like a self-help book, whereas Fern’s takes us through her chaotic life as a way to boost awareness of what it’s been like to be autistic. Her straight-talking is funny but eye-opening, intriguing but shocking.
We need more stories like this. This is just one person’s account, possibly throwing up more questions than answers. This has to be positive, and I salute Fern for being so frank in her writing. I’m sure many people will find this relatable, and be glad she has been brave enough to put her head above the parapet.
The Red of My Blood by Clover Stroud
Clover’s writing always pulls me in until I am entirely immersed. As I’m reading, I feel like I know her. I want to hug her and take her pain away. She is unflinchingly honest, and her unravelling thoughts are almost (but not quite) too much to bear. Death will come to us all, but it is still a taboo topic. I welcome the opportunity to learn more about how it can make you feel, and it helped me to understand how others may be feeling after the loss of someone they love and adore. I was fascinated by Clover’s heightened sense of colour.
Fiction:
A Terrible Kindness by Joe Browning Wroe
Contemporary. I adore books which teach me something about worlds I know nothing about. This novel is so descriptive. It taught me much about funeral directors’ work and a little about the Aberfan disaster. William is a flawed character due to his experience at Aberfan. He carries his trauma with him and makes mistakes because of it. It’s a coming-of-age novel exploring loss, redemption and healing. Keep the tissues handy.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Historical fiction. I can see why this has been such a popular read. I was transported to Renaissance Italy and fully invested from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down. It was intense and in parts I was almost holding my breath and crossing my fingers. I did not predict where the story would end. Maggie’s writing is so rich and beautiful, this is surely her best work to date?
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Contemporary. A reading list written on scraps of paper is found by many different people. In bringing them to the library, and sharing some wonderful books, the author of the list magically brings people together from afar – when they most need each other. It’s a heart-warming, uplifting read and it was the perfect holiday read. You will particularly enjoy it if, like me, you are an avid reader. You don’t need to have read all the books that are referenced though.
The Invisible Women’s Club by Helen Paris
Contemporary. This five star read celebrates the power of connection and demonstrates the strength women can muster to achieve the impossible.
The book’s main character, Janet Pimm, is used to being invisible. 70 something, with her beloved allotment for company, she simply doesn’t need anyone else.
But when the local council threaten to close the allotments, Janet will do anything she can to try to save them – even enlisting the help of her irritatingly upbeat and interfering neighbour, Bev.
As the two women set off on a journey together, Janet begins to realise that perhaps she isn’t so happy to blend into the background after all. And that maybe there’s more to Bev than she first thought. As the bulldozers roll in and they fight to save the place Janet loves most, both women find their voice again and no-one can silence them now…
I was drawn to the allotment plot (!) and enjoyed the descriptions of the plot holders, particularly FbK (Felicity bloody Kendall) “closely resembling a blousy mophead hydrangea in some flounce of a dress, an artisan willow-woven trug of perfectly arranged shop-bought flowers swinging from her forearm.”
Janet cuts a lonely figure, not really bonding with anyone and we see her pushing away some olive branches of friendship. Then Bev offers her a lift and we start to see a different Janet. Both women are fed up of being over-looked, invisible. By connecting and opening up to each other they blossom. It’s a lesson for us all, that us ladies are definitely better together. The likes of Davina McCall and Dr Louise Newson have done us a great service, encouraging us to talk about the menopause (or peri-menopause) and to speak up if things are not right. The way we openly talk to our friends and colleagues about menopause is changing for the better, so it’s great to see this reflected in contemporary fiction. And Helen Paris weaves it into her storyline in an empowering way.
It’s a heart-warming novel, particularly perfect for days where you have time to get lost in a whole book or for bedtime, when you need an upbeat read. I can see this being a big success. It’s perfect for today’s uncertain times. Read and rejoice!
Isaac and The Eggby Bobby Palmer
Contemporary. Today it’s my stop on the blog tour for a book which is like nothing else I have ever read. Isaac and the Egg is a tale of grief and recovery. Of love and friendship. Of life and loss. It’s hard to believe this is Bobby Palmer’s first novel. It’s easy to read, like The Rosie Project or The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Every chapter left me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down.
The book starts with a description of Isaac, who is not in a good place, and his discovery of Egg. From the moment they met, I was completely hooked. I didn’t predict how the story would conclude because it’s so creative. If you like linear, predictable books, this one won’t be for you. If you don’t like vagueness and uncertainty, it’s probably not going to float your boat. However, if you are prepared to put real life to one side and soak up the imagery, ideas and emotion in Bobby’s writing, you will love it. It’s a book you should discover for yourself, so I am loathe to write too much here.
So what can I tell you? I loved Egg. He is fun, endearing and unique. I cared about what happened to Isaac, even when his character was hard to like. I enjoyed Bobby’s exploration of loss and grief. Isaac was way below rock bottom, and that comes through in spades. Because of this, it is not easy to read in parts but stick with it, and I promise you will be rewarded.
You can see all my ratings for the books I have read this year on Goodreads.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction. After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
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 from the rural point of view. Having grown up on a farm and having visited many farms for her work, she can pick out the stories that bring each chapter to life.
Like Anna, I grew up in the countryside but then moved to urban areas, first to Reading while I was at University and then to London. Eventually, my family and the business we now run together pulled me homeward. I found comfort in being surrounded by a more rural landscape. My husband was a true city boy, with experience of living in Birmingham and London. When we moved to North Essex, I saw the countryside through his eyes but also through the lens of a town dweller. How we drive anywhere to go for a walk, compared to living in London where we walked everywhere from the front door. How I can’t go to the supermarket without bumping into someone I know, and how every tradesperson we use has some connection to my family or our local business. Initially it drove him crazy, but he is used to it after twelve years and no longer wishes he was back in the city. I found so many parallels between Anna’s journey and my own.
I admired how Anna didn’t attempt to polarise the argument and that in each chapter Anna shares a variety of viewpoints. She is very balanced.
These paragraphs particularly struck a chord with me, “The biggest lesson I learnt is the divide only exists when you see parties and belief systems and groups. When you break it down to individuals and people, it melts away, making you wonder if it exists at all… …Town and country people live and think differently – and that’s OK, so long as we understand why. And we can only do that by asking each other and finding out.”
Whilst the book will appeal mostly to those who have grown up in rural areas, and, like Anna and I, also experienced city life it is a book for all. It should be read by policy-makers and anyone interested in the farmers who grow their food.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction. After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
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 from a father’s point of view and one from another midwife. They have all been eye-opening and, while they each have very different stories, I admire them all for sharing their stories. In doing so they will no doubt help others feel they are not alone when going through something similar.
Sophie is incredibly open and honest about her physical and mental health during this period. I felt very connected to what she was going through, just from reading her words and despite having no personal reference to most of what she experienced. She uses the memoir to highlight ways the health profession could better support vulnerable mums. She is a catalyst for change because her perspective, as both midwife and mother, is invaluable.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who has experienced infertility and baby loss, but also for those supporting someone going through it. And, for anyone who is curious about the world around them. I enjoy reading books that give me a different perspective. I will remember Sophie’s experience, and have added it to a list of life experiences I have never gone through but now know something about. It might one day help me to connect with someone who is going through an unbelievably tough experience.
Similar memoirs I’ve reviewed that you may also be interested in:
Frontline Midwife by Anna Kent – tales of a nurse and midwife who works in war-torn and poor countries. Reflects on the differences between countries, but also the strength of women which is common in all locations.
Low Road – historical fiction, which follows the path of a child whose mother is born after she is raped, and the baby dies.
Trigger warning: The book explores themes such as baby loss and infertility which may be triggering for some people.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction. After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
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 of homelessness and Adam lives in a huge house. Regardless of their differing situations they could both do with a friend, and their paths cross after they both see a nest of baby birds that needs protecting.
The book cleverly navigates themes of friendship, poverty, health and parenting styles. Adam and Norah take it turns to narrate a chapter. I think for any child, it would be a good reminder that wealth is not a marker for happiness, and that absolutely anyone can find themselves needing a bit of help. Whichever end of the spectrum they are at (or somewhere in between) there are lessons to be learned. Not least, that nature is something to be nurtured and that pets, independence and access to wild spaces can be helpful for children going through a tough time. It’s a sweet, endearing and eye-opening read. It made me think more deeply about the plight of many UK children living in temporary accommodation.
All this is set against a backdrop of intriguing mysteries that need to be solved, and there are also a few dramas along the way. What’s more 20% of royalties are being donated to the homelessness charity, Shelter.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction. After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
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 that are not too graphic in their depiction of crime and violence but which allow you to play detective and guess who the perpetrator is.
Here is the official book blurb…
Steph Williams has landed her dream gardening job working for the wealthy, gated community of Beaulieu Heights. With her beloved dog Mouse for company, she’s quite content to be left alone to tackle the weeds and tend the flowers. There might be one resident who keeps a locked shed to which Steph is forbidden access, and secret feuds she happens to overhear, but it’s none of her business. That is, until she’s called in front of the neighbourhood committee, accused of blackmailing the residents with notes disclosing their darkest secrets. Now, she’s swapping gardening gloves for a detective’s notebook, with just ten days to clear her name and save her job. The seeds of suspicion have been planted. But when Steph’s investigation leads her to discover some freshly disturbed earth in the shape of a grave, it becomes a race against time to unearth the true culprit’s identity before it’s too late…
But, what did I think? I loved the backdrop of the Beaulieu Heights gardens, and, like when I garden myself, I found the passages of writing where Steph was working in them very relaxing. Whilst these were not too long the book would definitely be more enjoyable if you have a passion for plants and gardening.
The characters were interesting and varied and it’s nice to hear there is a second book, as there is more to come from the lead character, Steph. The star of the show, however, is Mouse her faithful dog! He is almost human-like and it’s a great way to bring in a secondary lead character without over complicating the plot. I was kept guessing who was behind the ‘goings on’ right until the end. Just like in Midsummer Murders, the multiple events and back stories are fantastically ridiculous for one small community.
I recommend you read it whilst reclining in the garden on a warm day. The perfect way to enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction.
After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
It’s my stop on the blog tour for The Low Road by Katherine Quarmby. this read will sit with me for a while – surely the sign of great writing?
The book starts off in Norfolk in 1813. After her mother Mary Tyrell is staked through the heart after her death by suicide, Hannah is sent sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London. Here she is trained for a life of domestic service but all the while her past sits brooding inside her. She meets and falls in love with a fellow resident but from here things start to fall apart. Ultimately they both end up being transported to Botany Bay but are separated. We learn of their fates in Australia and how female transportees were treated there, for good and for bad.
It’s a brutal tale at times, tenderly told. Katherine has based this novel on the true story of Mary Tyrell and her research gives the writing wonderful depth. After the first few chapters I truly felt like I was the narrator – Hannah – as I was reading. I could feel her emotions and clung to every sentence hoping everything would turn out ok. The plot is excellent and the relationships bind the book together like the threads in my clothes. Katherine explores the ups and downs between friends and lovers, mothers and their children. And shares how young girls and women were tied to those who look after or imprison them. The dark horrors of Victorian England for women in particular were hard to read about. Rape is followed by motherhood, which is in turn followed by shame and babes being torn from the bosom to be given away. Choice and empathy is not an option. Women are imprisoned for pilfering when all they need is help. They are sent away from villages, refuges or even their own country because of the power of men, or for the weakest of crimes.
Yet throughout, friendship and love shines out, making it an uplifting and gripping read. It makes me thankful to be a women in modern times. We may not have fixed everything but we’ve certainly come a long way. Fans of historical fiction such as Marriage Portrait or Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell or older titles The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay will enjoy The Low Road.
Katherine Quarmby, author and journalist
Katharine Quarmby has written non-fiction, short stories and books for children. The Low Road is her first novel. Her non-fiction works include Scapegoat: Why We Are Failing Disabled People and No Place to Call Home: Inside the Real Lives of Gypsies and Travellers. She is also an investigative journalist and editor, with particular interests in disability, the environment, race and ethnicity, and the care system. Her reporting has appeared in outlets including the Guardian, The Economist, The Atlantic, The Times, the Telegraph, New Statesman and The Spectator. Katharine lives in London.
Katharine’s family moved to Harleston, Norfolk, when she was seven. She still retains links with the area and she is a member of the local Historical Society. The book came about when Katharine and her family, all good walkers, discovered a new local walk which brought them across the tragic story of Mary Tyrell. Katharine researched the book whilst resident in Harleston making many visits to local archives and museums.
Blogger Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction. After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
This a gentle and uplifting memoir. Sam intersperses the story of his life with his tales of traversing the West Highland Way. Each passage is fairly short and cleverly leaves you wanting more.
Sam is an actor, and the star of Outlander. Before reading I hadn’t seen any of his work (sorry, Sam!) but this didn’t take anything away from my enjoyment. It was interesting to hear about his path to success, with its many twists, turns and rejections along the way. Sam is open about the low points that contrast his highs, and the affect that growing up without a father has had on him. He finds many parallels with the twists and turns of his 96 mile walk. I enjoyed learning about the Highlands, and could relate to how liberating it is to walk alone and contemplate. In our busy lives, most of us give ourselves too few opportunities to stop and reflect.
Sam comes across as a humble, down to earth guy. As I finished reading I felt like I’d sat down with him for a series of cosy fireside chats. A comforting, unchallenging read.
More about the book:
In this journey of self-discovery, Sam Heughan sets out along the West Highland Way to explore his heritage and reflect on the personal waypoints that define him. The result is a love letter to the wild Scottish landscape that means so much to Sam, and a charming, funny, wise and searching insight to the world through his eyes.
The walk itself is the backdrop for this narrative, which tells the story of Sam’s life while exploring his outlook, values and interests. Sam is a figure of fascinating contrasts, a Hollywood star with deep roots in rural Scotland, he’s both outgoing and content in his own company. He has strong connections with his fans while recognising the fragility and value of anonymity. In this book, while charting a path through a stunning wilderness, Sam maps out the moments that shaped his views on dreams and ambition, family, friendships, love and life.
I was gifted this book in return for an honest review.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction. After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
It’s my stop today on the blog tour for The Invisible Women’s Club by Helen Paris. This five star read celebrates the power of connection and demonstrates the strength women can muster to achieve the impossible.
The book’s main character, Janet Pimm, is used to being invisible. 70 something, with her beloved allotment for company, she simply doesn’t need anyone else.
But when the local council threaten to close the allotments, Janet will do anything she can to try to save them – even enlisting the help of her irritatingly upbeat and interfering neighbour, Bev.
As the two women set off on a journey together, Janet begins to realise that perhaps she isn’t so happy to blend into the background after all. And that maybe there’s more to Bev than she first thought. As the bulldozers roll in and they fight to save the place Janet loves most, both women find their voice again and no-one can silence them now…
I was drawn to the allotment plot (!) and enjoyed the descriptions of the plot holders, particularly FbK (Felicity bloody Kendall) “closely resembling a blousy mophead hydrangea in some flounce of a dress, an artisan willow-woven trug of perfectly arranged shop-bought flowers swinging from her forearm.”
Janet cuts a lonely figure, not really bonding with anyone and we see her pushing away some olive branches of friendship. Then Bev offers her a lift and we start to see a different Janet. Both women are fed up of being over-looked, invisible. By connecting and opening up to each other they blossom. It’s a lesson for us all, that us ladies are definitely better together. The likes of Davina McCall and Dr Louise Newson have done us a great service, encouraging us to talk about the menopause (or peri-menopause) and to speak up if things are not right. The way we openly talk to our friends and colleagues about menopause is changing for the better, so it’s great to see this reflected in contemporary fiction. And Helen Paris weaves it into her storyline in an empowering way.
It’s a heart-warming novel, particularly perfect for days where you have time to get lost in a whole book or for bedtime, when you need an upbeat read. I can see this being a big success. It’s perfect for today’s uncertain times.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction.
After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
It’s my stop today on the blog tour for Frontline Midwife by Anna Kent. I was blown away by this book. It is so raw and honest, and I couldn’t put it down. Should they choose to have children, childbirth should be one of the most liberating and empowering moments of a woman’s life. Yet Anna shows us a darker side. Her accounts are not for the faint hearted, and there are very graphic descriptions of what happens when things go wrong. All because Anna is nursing in war-torn and poor countries where resources are minimal and what we might see as simple complications in the UK can be fatal in those conditions. We hear about women in South Sudan, Haiti and the Rohingya in Bangladesh. These terrible tales are not easy to shake off, and I am acutely aware that I am only reading about them. For Anna, these experiences stay with her, haunt her and colour her life choices.
For Anna’s tale is a very personal one, and I don’t want to share too much here in case you want to read it. I recognised parallels with Life & Death Decisions by Dr Lachlan McIver, a doctor who like Anna finds himself working in medicine in countries with huge issues. Like Anna he had a personal reason for being drawn to, and finding solace in, emergency care and alcohol. Anna and Lachlan both write very honestly, even brutally at times.
Anna’s enduring connections with James and Anita are touching. Compare this with the fleeting connections she has with the women she treats, trying to cut through politics, patriarchal society and personal doubt to help the women and their babies. It doesn’t always work out but her care and determination in such circumstances shines through. It is inspiring to hear how Anna and the women she cares for move forward in the most desperate of situations. Anna’s life is a rollercoaster, and I hope the book was a cathartic process for her. She says in her acknowledgements she has started to heal some very old wounds. I don’t think I am spoiling anything by saying I was relieved to find her in a better place at the end of the book.
This is a great book for anyone embarking in medical studies or a career in aid. It’s also a great read for anyone who, like me, enjoys making sense of the world. Comparing my safe, secure world to the brutal world many others face every day is helpful to me. It helps me to face my own challenges with a sense of perspective.
Be aware the book does come with trigger warnings around baby loss, gender-based violence, birth-related injuries and maternal death. Reading it won’t be right for everyone.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up in a garden centre, her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of the capital, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction.
After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
