The First 1,000 Days

This book traces the history of the child’s brain during the 270 days of pregnancy plus the first two years of life. Its author, the neurobiologist Yehezkel Ben-Ari, is one of the most renowned specialists in autism and childhood epilepsy. It gives us the keys to learning to detect disorders linked to brain development. Contrary to popular belief, many neurological and psychiatric illnesses occur before the age of two, particularly during pregnancy and birth! A decisive period to prepare for the health of the future child, provided you have the right information.

This great scientist also tells us the story of his life, which shaped his work as a researcher, guided by the sense of commitment and a non-conformist spirit essential to innovation in science.

Naked Truths: Adventures in Art

An erotic and often humorous memoir of a male life model in the UK. This is the story of a man’s unconventional upbringing in the Australian outback, a boy who became obsessed with art books, art, and ballet. He was introduced to these creative outlets by his mum, who recognised that as a ‘hyperactive’ kid, he was only ever still when he had his nose in art books. His mum also recognised the need to combine and focus his creative interests with disciplined physical activity. She therefore saw fit to introduce him to ballet classes at the age of six.

The story unfolds, building on the influence of women in his early life, as he completes his ballet exams and moves to live and work in the UK as a dancer, actor, and life model. What was intended as a ‘gap year’ in the UK became his permanent country of residence. An early, fortuitous meeting with a professional female artist in London led him to become immersed in the art world as a professional male life model, initially to supplement his income but mainly to satisfy his first love of expressive, figurative art. This, in turn, led him into a number of erotic and sometimes bizarre sexual encounters and situations with female creatives, in environments where they felt adventurous and secure enough to express and indulge in their own fantasies with him.

Third Time's a Charm

Have you ever wondered what really happens at nursing executive level in the Australian acute private health sector? Join Fiona for a look behind the curtain at what really occurs with the hiring and firing of executive nurse leaders, and learn from her mistakes with her top tips guide for any new nurse leader. Enjoy her humorous, and often unflinchingly honest account of her forty years nursing and leadership career, as well as her inspiring journey through an ovarian cancer diagnosis and her cha cha cha with this terrible disease.

Fiona sadly passed away on August 22^nd, 2024. This was her final cha cha cha.

Oh Carole

This is a non-fiction love story with a tragic end, played out in the 1960s and 70s in Worcestershire, on the Hampshire-Surrey border, in the old county of Huntingdonshire and in Wiltshire.

On the way, the author sheds light on the Worcester of their courtship in the early 1960s with its pubs, coffee bars, new innovative Chinese and Indian restaurants, funfairs, a jazz club, concerts at the Gaumont Cinema and the Victor Sylvester Dance Studio free sessions on Friday nights, as well as the Cambridge of the mid-1970s and its noted resident Syd Barrett.

The author is not immune to getting sidetracked into waxing lyrical about his other main interests: music and cars.

Carole, with her quirky, childlike personality and lilting West Country banter, could turn any situation into a joyous, enchanting memory, and the author has tried to reflect this in her story. She had her own unique way of dealing with life’s challenges, like marriage, cooking, childbirth, motherhood, her husband’s “career moves” from one end of the country to the other, driving lessons, learning to swim, DIY, and being a parish councillor.

In meeting her final daunting challenge, she showed great fortitude, courage and consideration for others.

Mr Movie Man

Films. Cinemas. Movies.  

They capture our imagination throughout our lives for whatever reason. Everyone has a different memory to associate with a film title or cinema name. Be it your very first experience at a young age, your first date and that kiss and cuddle in the back row or perhaps even a film that scared the life out of you!  

This book brings back to life a distant memory to each and every one for their own reason. Be it your favourite movie star or that musical’s song that wouldn’t leave your head for weeks, that journey to a far distant galaxy or just being chased by a giant man-eating shark.  

Cinema is the only place to capture all these adventures.

My Sage

Clouds pass and so do our opportunities… 

Have you ever met a sage? 

Can you see the extraordinary in your daily life? 

Did you observe the spark of clairvoyance in the modern days?

A sage can revolve you to experience the extraordinary and you will then see the daily miracle. 

A sage can give you many tales to keep a secret with a miraculous edge. 

In this book, you will find some of these extraordinary events from real-life experiences in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Sharki and the Naked Travellers

Travelling with one’s partner in a campervan for a year provides an excellent, if not gruelling, test for newly married couples; it amounts to “couples therapy” on wheels but without the therapist. Not only does one learn a tremendous amount about one’s partner but also about oneself. There are a few endeavours that couples should avoid; three that come to mind are wallpapering, navigating, and being in each other’s company 24/7. After travelling for a year with my partner, I can say with absolute authority that putting up wallpaper with one’s partner is nothing short of life-threatening. Navigating and constant companionship did put us to the test a few times but fortunately there were no casualties. None that I noticed.

Think “Fawlty Tourists on Wheels” and that would accurately sum up our year-long meanderings in Sharki, our trusty wannabe 4x4 campervan that took multiple terrains in her 2.8-litre stride.

If one has a year to spare, I highly recommend throwing caution to the wind and embarking on a zero-itinerary adventure with an open mind, a strong stomach and your very best friend at your side.

The 50-Year Secret

This is a true story of physical, mental and sexual abuse of a child by someone who you trust the most – a father. Taking place in the ’60s where this sort of crime was unheard of, let alone reported as nobody believed that it happened, this book is full of funny stories and anecdotes but also sadness as the story unfolds eventually ending up in Crown Court.

The Boy Who Refused to Die

On 17 December 2007, 13-year-old Alby Dobinson left his home to make his daily journey to school. Later that day, during his return journey, something happened that would change his life forever.

This story charts the remarkable journey undertaken by Alby and those closest to him. Life is always a mixture of good times and bad, laughter and sadness, and Alby’s story reflects this rainbow of human emotion, from suffering to euphoria.

As a biography, written in the style of a novel, this book details years of rehabilitation as family members recount their own experiences with humour, regret and acceptance, plumbing the depths of despair and soaring to the heights of joy.

The Daily Mail headline “The boy who wouldn’t die” was detested by Alby’s family. However, a small change to it illustrated Alby’s determination. He did not travel his road alone but was accompanied by his mother and stepfather, Lisa and Mark; his younger brother, Jimmy; and his grandparents. What happened to Alby had a profound effect on them all and each has their own special story, including the amusing tale of how Lisa and Mark met and the response to Mark’s declaration that he would run the London Marathon: “You’ve never done more than run for a bus!”

This is a story that will amaze and inspire. It is tinged with sadness but the overwhelming message is one of courage and the triumph of one very determined young man and his family.

The Weird Way Round

A 40-year-old Sydney-based Englishman at a personal and professional crossroads in his life embarks on four months of solo global travel, which he resolutely refuses to accept might be best described as an exercise in ‘finding himself’. Epic landscapes, humorous encounters with an eclectic mix of Airbnb hosts, a late-in-life induction into dating apps and a keen eye for the curious and bizarre combine to turn the trip into a thought-provoking adventure. From unexplained crimes in Panama, sex tourism in Costa Rica and disastrous dating in Guatemala through to hire-car burial in the Californian desert and an encounter with a toothless lady in a bar in San Francisco, it’s a story about strange and unpredictable things that happen when you hit the road in search of the unknown. 

Weed Out the Scumbags: The Art of Finding Your Soulmate

This book is a testament to the knowing that soulmates do usually find each other, in one way or another, as the universe deems. The author’s story is meant to enlighten and give credence to those who are desperate to encounter their one and only soulmate. Your soulmate is very likely to appear, but the catch is to sometimes make it happen on your own—as this author has done. Had she not ‘bit the bullet’ by taking certain actions to bring her soulmate to her—unbeknownst to him—this book might not have been written. Her tactics were clear and steadfast, and her story is evidence to her truth that almost anyone can find their soulmate, anywhere in the world. She did. Why not you?

The Chronicles of Donald Drinkwater

Donald invites you along on his diverse travels through life. Experience his humble beginnings and the challenges growing up in post-war Britain. The story is packed with all the thrills and spills of a long and varied career. In these pages you’ll discover:How to identify your own true value and make the best of yourselfHow to stop being the victim of bulliesHow to be a team player whilst maintaining your individualityHow to break free from situations that own youHow to understand other people and their nature.Join him in his work as a hotel porter. Come aboard the ships of the British Merchant Navy and experience his maritime tales that will warm the cockles of your heart. Take the back seat in the Daimler as he chauffeurs you in comfort. Accompany him as he opens a fish and chip shop. For all animal lovers, follow Donald in his crusade to help animals when he enrols as an RSPCA inspector. Travel with him when he comes to the rescue of animals and birds.Work with Donald in his administrative role as marine personnel officer and experience his interaction with many colleagues. Above all, just enjoy!