January 2023

Orthorexia by Renee McGregor

Orthorexia explains to the reader why food avoidance of certain foods is not a good idea from a nutritional and health perspective.

This is an excellent insight into why 'clean eating' is not always a wise choice (obviously if there is a clinical / medical reason such as allergies then particular food avoidance is vital), but the author explains about how and why the human body needs food from all different food groups. She also covers contraversial matters such as veganism and fashionable fad diets and why these deplete the body of essential nutrients. Overall I would rate this book as a 9/10. It is an enjoyable read and extremely informative, but I have rated it a 9/10 as I felt that information and food groups that protect the heart was overlooked a bit.

August's Book of the Month

The Little Girl in the Radiator

by Martin Slevin (2012)

It has been a long time since I last read a book where I have expressed every emotion possible. I laughed throughout this book and I cried throughout this book. It is so articulately written that you feel compelled to keep reading, no matter how tired your eyes become.

Martin Slevin shares his emotive journey of having to deal with a marital separation at the same time of discovering his mother has Alzheimer's. His mother comes across as a wonderful, caring, lovely lady, someone who you would gladly welcome into your home with open arms.

I found this book facinating to read, especially with my background in nursing. I feel that everyone should be made to read The Little Girl in the Radiator. This is because there needs to be greater knowledge in how Dementia manifests itself, as it is different in every person. It's not just about being confused, it's all the other things that go alongside it, like as Martin says in his book, his mother would pin Martin's socks to the wall, she would shred towels into strips of material as this was what she used to do many decades back as a seamstress. The mind regresses back to an earlier period in their life.

Martin also shares with us the way in how people sadly exploit those who are deemed as mentally vulnerable. His poor mother was regularly forced into entering into a contract for building works, completely unaware of what it was she was signing up for. It is sad that despite Dementia affecting so many people in society, there is little public knowledge about this disease, with little support and resources out in the community for those who are suffering and the families that are affected.

I ended up discovering this book by many recommendations from my differnt bookgroups. I believe that this book is sadly, now no longer in print, however, it is obtainable through online secondhand websites. My fantastic local independent bookshop Warwick Books, sourced this copy for me. If you would like a copy of this book, please do feel free to contact Warwick Books, of which I have attached a copy of their website details in my 'Links' page. This is a 10/10.

July's Book of the Month

The One That Got Away by

Chris Ryan

Wow! What an explosive book - from beginning to end!

This is Chris Ryan's memoir about the SAS's Bravo Two Zero mission in Iraq in the early 1990's.

I love Chris's wit and humour throughout the book as well as his succinct way of writing. He tells his story captivatingly well.

Chris let's us delve into the hidden and secret world of the SAS, explaining how their mission went catastrophically wrong, with fatal consequences for some of the men.

Not once did I get bored or become uninterested on any page. In fact, the book was that engaging, I could not sit still when reading it, as well as constantly talking at the book (I'm not sure whether I should have admitted to that last bit. Lol).

It's hard to comprehend what Chris tells us. The SAS were sent out into the desert with incorrect kit, radios that didn't work, poor intellegence briefings and no form of adequate navigation. How could anyone possibly expect a group of men to do their job quickly and effectively without the necessary equipment? It was heart wrenching reading their struggle crossing the desert, espeically when their conditions started to rapidly deteriorate to the point the group became separated, leaving individuals to fend for themselves, with no food, no water and no communication.

It certainly made me, the reader, very angry to know that these guys were putting their lives on the line without any proper, working equipment. It is disgraceful that they were even put into that situation. It honestly beggers belief  when you start reading, as Chris will tell you it was one thing after another.....

This is another military memoir I give 10/10 to. Its an oldie, but a goldie. Read it today, you will NOT be disappointed.

June's Book of the Month

Losing the Battle, Winning the War

by Ben Parkinson MBE

Oh my goodness, buy this book NOW!

I have read many, many military books over the decades due to my previous military background, and this is BY FAR the BEST I have read. 

Unlike most military memoirs that take us through that authors narrative of being in a combat zone.......Ben quickly gets to the point. He tells us what we need to know and then lets his story unfold. Ben shares with us his experience of being severely injured by an IED, but then his own battle really began.

His inspriational mother who plays a big part in his memoir, fought on his behalf for the MoD to increase the measly amount of compensation a double amputee was awarded. Due to her fierce determination, she succeeded and ended up changing the law - the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. However, this wasn't the only thing his mother fought for, it was also Ben's care. He was repeatedly neglected and left by the wayside because when HM armed forces entered Iraq and Afghanistan, they did not accommodate receiving patients with such serious life changing injuries AND surviving! They simply didn't know what to do with him.

I read this book in super fast mode as I had to know what happened on the next page and so on and so on. Losing the Battle does not dissapoint in any way. Its nice to finally read a military memoir that is written from a different persective to that of the usual. It is an excellent read and another one that I would give 10/10 to.

May's Book of the Month

The Secret Magistrate

It has been a long time since I have read a non-fiction book and laughed out aloud whilst reading it.

The Secret Magistrate exposes the detrimental impact of decades of cost saving measures, which if anything, have had the complete opposite effect.

We read about how morale has steadily declined and the incentives for magistrates (who are volunteers), have pretty much faded away. Even the free biscuits were removed at one point! But were swiftly replaced after an uproar.

The book is written with wit and humour and brings what could technically be a depressing read of the 'once was' criminal justice system, to be a humerous insight into the world of magistrates. It is an eye opener, that's for sure.

This is a book that I would suggest anyone who is interested in the law, politics, or just has an overall general interest in the subject matter, to read this.

Welcome to the world of the magistrate in 2020.

April's Book of the Month

No Time Like the Future by

Michael J. Fox (2020)

This is Michael J. Fox's latest memoir, published only late last year. He brings us up to date with how his Parkinson's has progressed, and how his health has continued to deteriorate, but with the love and support of his family and friends.

It is written in a nice easy to follow way. No Time Like the Future encompasses the last couple of years, where we learn how Michael has actually spent more time behind the camera than in front of it, to the point he has now completely given up on the world of acting/directing/producing.

Also, he shares with us the turmoil of undergoing regular operations to delay the progression of his Parkinson's, as well as suffering some serious accidents along the way that required surgical intervention.

It is nice to also read about his charity that he set up specifically to help people with young onset Parkinson's. He formed the charity due to there being a lack of research in the USA for young people who suffer from Parkinson's. Therefore, his charity helps to fund these much needed research projects with a vision of hopefully one day curing Parkinson's.

I have always been a massive fan of Michael J. Fox and after reading both of his books, I just wanted to reach out and give him a big hug. He is and always will be my favourte actor.

Grab a nice mug of hot chocolate, sit back, relax and enjoy this book.

March's Book of the Month

Lucky Man a Memoir by

Michael J. Fox

After having seen this book recommended on many different Facebook book groups and the like, I decided to delve in and see what all the fuss was about. 

Wow! I can see why this book was so highly recommended. This has got to be one of the most facinating memoirs I have read. We the reader, are taken through the significant parts of Michael's life, including the filming for our all time favourite "Back to the Future" trilogy.

He explains in great depth how he had fought so desperately to keep his Parkinson's hidden during filming. But most staggeringly, the fact in how long it took to be accurately diagnosed with having Parkinson's because he had it at such an extremely young age. Luckily though, due to persistence, he was eventually diagnosed and therefore could start taking the right medication to help alleviate some of the signs and symptoms, so as not to draw attention to himself when on the filmset.

Michael explains to us how he got his name, how he became famous thanks to his school teacher and how he met and married the love of his life.

I didn't want this book to end and when it did, I went and searched for anything else he may have written......and then I found his second autobiography - 'No Time Like the Future'.

February's Book of the Month

This book was recommended to me by my favourite local independent bookshop, Warwick Books.

Chernobyl: A Stalkers' Guide just blows you away with the insight you are given into a 'once was' world. It is as if you are stepping straight into a dystopian land.

If you are yet to encounter photojournalism, then this is the book to start with!

The author has filled this book with hundreds of unseen photographs (that he has taken). You see the sadness captured in these pictures from the overgrown vegetation now covering desolate roads, through to abandoned personal items people had left behind in the rush to evacuate their homes; with the belief that they would be returning three days later. Darmon explains that over the years, sadly, a lot of these personal and sentimental items, have since been moved and placed into different positions by tourists and trespassers, simply for effect.

The author, also reports on a huge significant monument within the exclusion zone, that amazingly never got the deserved attention it requires, despite being referred to as 'Chernobyl-2'. I cannot believe that I had never heard of this, despite my interest in Chernobyl. It is the 'Duga' which is situated only a few kms away, but completely dominates the skyline. The Duga was a radar built to detect missiles from the other side of the globe. For those that have never heard the distinct noise this thing makes over the airwaves, you can hear it on YouTube on several of the videos that have been uploaded. Due to the distinct sound it makes, the Duga was nicknamed the 'Russian Woodpecker'.

I devoured every word, picture and page in this book as if it was the last thing I was ever going to read.

Darmon manages to get some once in a lifetime 'behind the scenes' trips with locals, who kindly share their stories about the night of the catastrophe. They also talk about the growing tourism to the area, as well as tourist companies now cashing in by providing tours for people coming from all over the world.

I have read many books on Chernobyl, but this is by far the best. I found that it was not only thought provoking, dignified and facinating, but it also wasn't dry with tons of facutal information which sweeps you up into a world of boredom and confusion. Darmon's reporting of events keeps things simple, factual, interesting, but above all else, is a stark reminder to the rest of the world that Chernobyl must never be forgotton.

Absolute 10/10 for this book. One of the best photojournalism books I have ever read. You'll struggle to put it down.

September's Book of the Month

All The Lonely People by

Mike Gayle

Well, what can I say? This is yet another fantastic read by Mike Gayle which I rate as a 10/10. He has this wonderful gift of being able to capture each characters personality with such strikingly accurate detail.

All The Lonely People is a story about Hubert Bird who came over to the UK during the Windrush generation. It takes us through Hubert's life, capturing all the highs and lows. We ride this roller coaster of emotions, including the deeply distressing, troubling and upsetting aspect of racism.

Mike Gayle manages to write about this emotive subject with such powerful scenes. At times I just wanted to jump into the book and give Hubert a big hug and tell him that everything will be okay.

But then one day, unknowingly, Hubert ends up buidling a lifelong friendship with one of his new neighbours who has just recently moved in.

This is the kind of book everyone needs to read before bed as it is a brilliantly uplifting story - not withstanding the final twist is yet to come!

I have to say that Mike Gayle has now become my ultimate favourite author of recent times. Every book of his that I have read, is so beautifully written.

Augusts Book of the Month

Dear Child by

Romy Hausmann (2020)

This book was originally printed in German under the title of "Liebes Kind" in 2019.

I really enjoyed this book as it has literally broken all the rules, or more accurately, broken all the cliches associated with modern day writing. For example, there are no chapters in the book, the style in how it is written is done so with excellence and accuracy, especially when portraying the young children and I loved how the innocence was captured. There also wasn't this constant switching between the past and current times, until they come together. I like a book that breaks the mould and stands out.

Dear Child is a crime/thriller about a young German woman who is kidnapped one evening on a night out. The story unfolds by a young child speaking to a nurse at the hospital, asking if she can now go and see her "mummy". As you turn each page, another little secret is revealed. Then the little girl discloses to the nurse that her younger brother is still left in the cabin all by himself, cleaning up the mess.....

Throughout the book there are several characters who I came to know in such a way, I felt as if they were my next door neighbour, or a very close friend. It was as if I had formed a close bond with them - even more so with the young children.

Dear Child has many twists and turns which you cannot see coming, nor predict. I tried guessing all throughout the book what would be the outcome, who would be the actual suspect, but trust me, if you like a book that keeps you guessing right until the very end, then this is the book for you.