Book Review - The Last Days: A Memoir of Faith, Desire and Freedom by Ali Millar
Ali Millar’s memoir is a honest and raw account of her life as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Book Review - A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
Rob Delaney’s memoir is a deeply personal account of the short life and death of his much loved son Henry, who died just before the age of three with a brain tumour. This is a raw, emotional, darkly funny and deeply moving book.
Book Review - I May Be Wrong: And Other Wisdoms From Life as a Forest Monk - Björn Natthiko Lindeblad
Bjorn Natthiko gives up a promising career as an economist to live 17 years as a forest monk in the buddhist tradition. He shares what he has learnt in this wise and moving book.
Book Review - Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention - And How to Think Deeply Again - Johann Hari
‘Stolen Focus’ by Johann Hari is an impressively researched & passionately argued book about how our attention spans have collapsed, but it’s not our fault. Time to put the phone down and start the fight back.
Book Review - North to Paradise - Ousman Umar
Short but powerful book about a boys journey from a small village in Ghana to the streets of Barcelona, and the dangers he faces on the way.
Book Review - The Brain that Changes itself - Norman Doidge
Fascinating work of non-fiction of Brain plasticity, using case studies to explain new scientific discoveries in the field. An accessible and engaging work, even for those without scientific minds.
Book Review - Underland: A deep time journey by Robert Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlanes documents his subterranean explorations to places such as the Parisian Catacombs, ice caps in Greenland and caves in Norway. Lyrical but overly long.
Book Review - Rogues - Patrick Radden Keefe
12 collected pieces previously published in the ‘New Yorker’ about greed, corruption, the underworld and dark family secrets. Superbly researched and incredibly readable.
Book Review - When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
Paul Kalanitihi’s book is the story of a neurosurgeon who faces a terminal cancer diagnosis at the age of 36, and who moves from being a doctor to a patient. A brave, illuminating and rewarding book.
Book Review- Ghosts of the Tsunami - Richard Lloyd Parry
Fascinating and moving work of non fiction on the 2011 Japanese tsunami, focusing on a small village school where 74 children died, where unfathomable grief turns to anger.
Book review - This is Vegan Propaganda (and other lies the meat industry tells you) - Ed Winters
A powerful and persuasive book about how we can transform the world we live in by changing what we eat. I don’t think it’s possible to read this book and not become vegan.
Audiobook Review - The Science of Storytelling - Will Storr
This is a fascinating and useful book looking at the neuroscience and cognitive psychology behind storytelling. Another excellent addition to books about writing.
Book Review - I am an Island - Tamsin Calidas
A tough but inspiring memoir about surviving grief, loss and extreme loneliness on a remote Scottish Island.
Book review - The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present - Paul McCartney, edited by Paul Muldoon.
McCartney’s immersive memoir reads like he’s sitting down next to you, talking through his songs and showing you his handwritten lyrics and family photographs. Moving and thoughtful, an absolute delight.
Audiobook Review - Greenlights - Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey’s mix of memoir and homespun philosophy is an exuberant and infectious book, best enjoyed on audio.
Book Review - The Salt Path - Raynor Winn
Inspiring story of a couple who, after receiving devastating medical news and losing their home, set out on a journey of redemption through nature.
Book Review - Sing Backwards and Weep - Mark Lanegan
Mark Lanegan’s autobiography is a raw and unflinching account of a life lived as a singer and drug addict. Superbly written, it’s one of the best music autobiographies I’ve ever read.
Audiobook Review - The Lonely Century: How to Restore Human Connection in a World That's Pulling Apart - Noreena Hertz
Noreena Hertz’s book is well researched and incredibly readable about the growing threat of loneliness this century, full of fascinating statistics and anecdotes. But what can we do about it?
Book Review- Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times - Katherine May
A thoughtful and wise book about drawing on the power of winter to rest and recuperate.
Book Review -Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall
Tim Marshall’s ‘Prisoners of Geography’ is an engaging introduction to the world of geopolitics and explains a lot of the ambitions of global powers and how they are curbed by natural barriers.
