Tag Archives: memoir

Strong Female Character

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 ofContinue reading “Strong Female Character”

Different, Not Less

I was gifted a digital copy of Different Not Less by Netflix’s Heartbreak High star and disability advocate Chloe Hayden as part of a Random Things Blog Tour. Growing up, Chloé Hayden felt like she’d crash-landed on an alien planet where nothing made sense. Eye contact? Small talk? And why are you people so touch-oriented?Continue reading “Different, Not Less”

If you think you know trees, think again!

Thirteen Ways to Smell a Tree: A celebration of our connection with trees is a small, easy-to-read non-fiction book packed with facts and insights – both historical and modern-day. The author, David George Haskell, took me around the world to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most marvellous trees, including oneContinue reading “If you think you know trees, think again!”

A book celebrating the joy of front gardens

This book heroes 20 commonly found plants growing in the front gardens of one road in London. Ben’s observations in Grove Park – such as hollyhocks growing at number 92 being ‘serotonin for the summer soul’ – are insightful and full of joy. Ben takes us with him as he walks up and down theContinue reading “A book celebrating the joy of front gardens”

A no-holds-barred extreme health memoir

Life & Death Decisions by Dr Lachlan McIver packs a punch and gets a five-star rating from me. It gave me everything I want from a memoir, containing jaw-dropping stories, a reminder of human resilience and fragility and a warning about the very real consequences of climate change. The medical challenges Lachlan has faced asContinue reading “A no-holds-barred extreme health memoir”

A reminder to be kind, always

I’ve read many books this month (July 22), giving the majority a five-star rating. What links them is their exploration of relationships. How we are treated as children, as adults, and then as we deteriorate with age can profoundly impact the quality of our lives. In these books, there are horrific acts, humour, kind deedsContinue reading “A reminder to be kind, always”

Are we ever ‘fixed’?

I’m just one of the many writers who has penned a memoir saying something like, hey, I had something terrible happen to me but I’m ok now and you can be too. The reality is that none of us is ever completely fixed are we? Granted those writers who are in remission from cancer orContinue reading “Are we ever ‘fixed’?”

April Reads – taking me to the Amazon, Guyana, a magical London & back in time

I was unable to choose a book of the month for April, so have instead awarded it to two titles, which I’ve added to my pile of green books (covers and content). First up was Life Lessons From The Amazon by Pip Stewart, who really is an inspiration. Whenever I read adventure books I amContinue reading “April Reads – taking me to the Amazon, Guyana, a magical London & back in time”

Best Self-Published Memoir in the UK!

I’m absolutely buzzing after my memoir, The Cactus Surgeon, was announced as the winner of the Selfies UK Book Awards in the memoir/autobiography category yesterday! These national awards recognise the UK’s best indy-published books. There were just eight titles shortlisted, and winners were announced at the London Book Fair. The judges praised “the simplicity ofContinue reading “Best Self-Published Memoir in the UK!”