Before I Forget

Before I Forget is more of a medley than a memoir. It chronicles the affairs of the American University of Beirut during an under studied period comprising and following the Lebanese civil war. In recording his perception of selective periods in his lifetime the author focuses on his AUB experience and documents his text with email exchanges with university officials.

He exposes his personal experience as a student, an administrator and faculty member of AUB during a period that spans over the administration of fourteen presidents (from John Paul Leonard to Fadlo Khuri), several of whom he was closely associated with. During this period, he served in central capacities including: president of the Faculty Association, President of the Worldwide Alumni Association, Assistant Dean and chair of the Senate Steering Committee. In his engaging style the author draws attention to what he considers an association of AUB with US interests.

The book also chronicles the difficulties and strivings the author faced since his family was forced to leave his homeland. It discusses the changes the author experienced moving from Lebanon to the US as a foreign student as well as the lifestyle adjustments he had to undergo when returning to Lebanon after graduation.

Before The Pearly Gates

Miles Appleby is a complicated and tormented soul. A successful oral surgeon at an exclusive practice in Chicago, he has always been driven by the high expectations of his father. Increasingly, he feels isolated and slowly comes to the realization that he leads an empty life. Miles, however, carries a secret that involved a woman who Bill, his close friend, had been seeing shortly before he suddenly left his homeland for another life in London.

Ever plagued by relationships that fail, Miles meets an engaging woman, Juanita, who finally ignites something in his life giving him warmth and meaning. In a strange turn of events while attending Bill’s untimely funeral near London, he gains a different perspective as to why certain events unfolded, and the secret that Miles had been so careful to protect is slowly revealed by a person called Laura. As the story reaches its zenith, the stories of these four characters finally become pieced together.

Behind the Crime

Whatever the crime, there is a human story behind it, and though many crimes are frightening and even horrifying, most of them are a story of human failure. In this book, Colin tells about his journey into crime from the safe environs of the Bank of England into the chaos of disordered lives. The book is full of people with whom he worked from the late 1960s to his move-on promotion to Reading in 1979. It was South London reeling from the power of the Krays and Richardson gangs and the coming of young children to join parents who had come to England from the Caribbean ten years before. For over two years it was the desperation of Holloway prison. They are only pen pictures and are not meant to go into great depth neither do they excuse the crimes that brought them to court. They are simply a look-behind the crime to meet the people. The events may be historical, but they are still being relived today.

Behind the Lines

The year 2020 marks the 75^th anniversary of the German surrender in World War II. The 10^th Mountain Division, the army’s first mountaineering unit, led the Allies to victory in Italy in 1945. Their soldiers are often celebrated for their heroism and ingenuity and remembered for their steep losses in the campaign to defeat Nazi Germany. Yet it has been estimated that no more than 14% of troops overseas in World War II ever saw combat.

Behind the Lines is the story of a 10^th Mountain Division soldier from the other 86%, someone who toiled to deliver munitions and supplies to troops on the battlefront and who documented his experiences in letters home to his wife in Minnesota. Narrated by the soldier’s daughter who, some 70 years later, finally read the correspondence between her parents and became acquainted with them as they were when she was a baby, the experiences of this soldier and of the wife he left behind reveal the day-to-day challenges of their plight, the tensions but also the unexpected rewards of their situation, and the all-too-common prejudices of a tumultuous era often dubbed ‘heroic’. Behind the Lines mines the correspondence to describe the anguish and the longing of a young couple separated by a war that would change the course of modern civilisation.

Behind the Mask I Wear

The NHS is a jewel in our crown, cherished by the British and envied globally, yet there’s a shadow lurking behind the gleam. This book unfolds the journey of a singular nurse and the alarming challenges she confronted. Encountering bullying, fraud, and sexual harassment, alongside profound sadness and personal loss, she navigated through the mental and physical turmoil to shield not only herself but also the patients and staff entrusted to her care. Spanning a career of over forty years, the adversities she faced will both astonish and shock you. This unspoken aspect of the NHS is brought to light, revealing moments that will make you smile amidst others that will tug at your heartstrings. This valiant nurse, now proudly bearing the title ‘Doctor’, continues to practice today, her remarkable journey showcasing the profound highs and lows nestled within the heart of the NHS.

Being Me

A true story of a woman with Asperger’s syndrome struggling to make sense of the world. A powerful and moving memoir of upheaval, renewal, and self-acceptance. Sad and inspirational, it will give hope to many. A good read that will be hard to put down. You will be wanting more. It is emotive and evokes a strong sense of empathy in the reader. The author has given honest description of incidences that have happened throughout her life and how they have impacted her due to Asperger’s syndrome. She reached the darkest depths but managed to overcome problems and move forward with life. She sees life in a positive way, even though she is still healing. Some people will relate to it and realise they are not on their own. There are others experiencing the same. Diversity should be celebrated and not denied. A must-read for those that are interested in learning the truth.

Being Watched

Have you ever felt like you’re being watched? It’s as if someone is constantly breathing down your neck, just far enough away that when you turn around they are not within view.

Drew and Siobhan know this feeling well. It all began when a bike ride led them to a chance encounter with an aged, mysterious house at the bottom of a hill. Their lives changed immensely when a text threat arrived and some unusual black birds started dropping by to torment them both.

Little did Drew know, but his family had a strange connection to the house and he found himself drawn to it, as its image lingered in his subconscious. Siobhan was the best friend he always relied on and it soon emerged that his feelings for her were far more than just platonic.

Could he break the spell conjured by the house and how would he cope with a death in the family? Time would definitely create more questions than answers.

Bella and Anton Enter The Dragon's Realm

The Dragon’s Realm is unknown to all except ‘the chosen’. It has existed long before humans walked the planet Earth. The Dragons are invisible except to those who enter their Realm. Bella and Anton enter the world of magic, travel, danger, adventure and the unknown. They are forced to face their greatest fears and insecurities if they are to achieve their destinies as revealed by RichStu the multi-coloured Dragon.

They visit countries beyond their wildest imaginings and discover hidden depths of courage and abilities that leave them stunned. They encounter challenges that test them to the limit.

Join them in the adventure of their lives and discover the secrets of the Dragon’s Realm.

Bella the Honeybee

We live in a world where the bees living in the wild are now almost a thing of the past. Bees in so many places now cannot live without our intervention and assistance. This series of books will hopefully simplify what a bee’s life is all about and there will be sprinkled throughout the books small things that we can do which will make such a long-term improvement to the bees’ lives and ultimately enrich our own. This series of books, while aimed primarily at children, can be easily read and enjoyed by adults time and time again. It is also a learning guide about bees’ daily lives.

Bella's Adventures

Who does not love an adventure? Follow me, Bella, on my trip around the Big Apple; who knew they were so many fun things to see and do for a little unicorn like me? When I found myself alone in one of the biggest cities in the world, I knew what I had to do. Katie, my best friend, told me all about the Big Apple and I cannot wait to tell you, so come on, what are you waiting for? Let us enjoy this adventure together.

Ben Baxter Investigates the Haunted Vicarage and Other Mysteries

As Ben Baxter continues to write his diary, we find him faced with several more curious crimes and the odd mystery. He is helped as usual by his pal Johnny, his sister Katie and Chippy. Ben and Johnny return to being store detectives; this time, however, they have been invited back by the store manager. Knowing they have solved crimes in the past, the manager has offered to show them his store’s crime prevention set up. However, things don’t run as smoothly as expected, which leads to a certain amount of danger and excitement all round!

Soon after this, Ben’s detective team gains a new assistant in the form of Millie. She is an ex-police sniffer dog who was injured during the course of her work. Although largely recovered from her injuries, the police decide she should be retired and rehomed. What better home to go to than Ben and Katie’s, where she will be well-loved and possibly help sniff out the odd crime? She does indeed prove valuable in this respect.

When it comes to investigating a haunted room in a local vicarage, even Millie’s hair is seen to stand on end. What on earth is behind this spooky business which we are told has been happening on and off over the last one hundred years?

Beneath the Filters

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. While they offer a way to stay connected with others and access information, they can also have detrimental effects on mental health, particularly for young people.

In Beneath the Filters: The Dangerous Effects of Social Media on Mental Health, author Francesca Salierno explores how the beauty standards perpetuated by social media can lead to a distorted sense of self-worth and body image issues.

Drawing on research and real-life stories, including her own, Francesca uncovers the toxic nature of social media and its impact on mental health. Through practical advice and guidance, readers will learn how to take control of their social media use and promote a healthier relationship with themselves and others.

This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the value of real beauty beneath the filters.