Cold Hands, Warm Heart: One Woman's Story of Ten Years in the Alaskan Wilderness


Marilyn Moore-Shaver - 2016
    Moore-Shaver, with her husband and children, spent ten years in the Alaskan bush where they lived a simple but satisfying lifestyle with all the attendant challenges and adventures. She and her family lived in the Interior of Alaska where winter temperature drop as low as -60 degrees or more and stay there for weeks on end. The summers are three months long, and everything must be done during that short season to prepare for the following winter. She tells of encounters with bears, surviving spring floods, and setting her husband's broken leg while looking at a first-aid book. Her desire to learn the skills of bush life led her to tan moose hides, catch fish in nets, snare rabbits for dinner, and much more, most of which was learned through trial and error. The average contact with others was about every three months when a friend might fly out to visit and maybe bring mail. Loneliness was never a problem, says the author, but it was exciting to see someone after a long stretch of isolation. Growing up near Boston, Massachusetts, hardly prepared Ms. Moore-Shaver for such a rough and primitive life, but her love of nature and her interest in learning all she could about this back-to-basics way of life come through in the pages of her book. She tells her story just as it happened and includes journal entries she made at the time.

Narrow Escape - A Year of Highs and Lows on Narrowboat Minerva (Narrow Boat Books)


Marie Browne - 2013
    This month by month account of one family’s liveaboard year takes a firmly tongue in cheek look at what it takes to enjoy the ‘idyllic’ lifestyle.

Orphans of an Angel: A tragic but true story of four boys who lost everything Motherless, Fatherless, Homeless and Unloved


Jay Aston - 2020
    

Paperboy: An Enchanting True Story of a Belfast Paperboy Coming to Terms with the Troubles


Tony Macaulay - 2011
    The city lies under the dark cloud of the Troubles, and hatred fills the air like smoke. But Tony Macaulay has just turned twelve and he’s got a new job. He’s going to be a paperboy. And come rain or shine – or bombs and mortar – he will deliver…Paperboy lives in Upper Shankill, Belfast, in the heart of the conflict between Loyalists and Republicans. Bombings are on the evening news, rubble lies where buildings once stood, and rumours spread like wildfire about the IRA and the UDA.But Paperboy lives in a world of Doctor Who, Top of the Pops and fish suppers. His battles are fought with all the passion of Ireland’s opposing sides – but against acne, the dentist and the ‘wee hoods’ who rob his paper money. On his rounds he hums songs by the Bay City Rollers, dreams about outer space and dreams even more about the beautiful Sharon Burgess.In this touching, funny and nostalgic memoir, Tony Macaulay recounts his days growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, the harrowing years which saw neighbour fighting neighbour and brother fighting brother. But in the midst of all this turmoil, Paperboy, a scrappy upstart with a wicked sense of humour and sky-high dreams, dutifully goes about his paper round. He is a good paperboy, so he is.Paperboy proves that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times; it is a story that will charm your socks off, make you laugh out loud and brings to life the culture, stories and colourful characters of a very different – but very familiar – time.

Keith Earls: Fight or Flight: My Life, My Choices


Keith Earls - 2021
    

No Regrets


Coleen Nolan - 2013
    As a member of the Nolan sisters, Coleen Nolan was born into the spotlight and has stayed there ever since. She has now become one of the nation's favourite TV presenters and is used to newspapers and magazines claiming to have the inside story of her private life. In No Regrets Coleen finally reveals the truth of what really happened during the last few rollercoaster years, truly the worst of her life. Whilst it's certainly been a traumatic time for the whole family, Coleen is a survivor. First and foremost, she is a mum and is determined to hold her family together. The Nolans finally put aside their infamous feud to rally round their beloved sister Bernie, who tragically lost her fight with cancer on the 4th of July last year, aged just 52. In this memoir, Coleen movingly describes her struggle to deal with the emotional scars that come from losing someone so close and the effect it has had on her own life. In this incredibly candid memoir, Coleen writes with raw honesty about her family troubles, her career highs and lows, and her struggle with her body image. In recent years, Coleen has found herself in both a plastic surgeon's office looking at a £20,000 bill to 'fix her face' and at a breast cancer clinic asking for the removal of her healthy breasts to avoid becoming the fourth sister in the family to be struck down by cancer. Wonderfully warm and moving, and brilliantly funny and honest, No Regrets will take you from laughter to tears and back again as you share in Coleen's very personal journey.

Undercover - Ajit Doval in Theory and Practice


The Caravan Magazine - 2017
    His designation grants him sweeping powers over the Indian security and intelligence apparatuses, and a say in foreign relations that he has exercised vigorously, particularly when it comes to the country’s neighbours. His outlook combines strident Hindu nationalism with habits learnt over his decades in the Intelligence Bureau. The results have been far from extraordinary—yet large sections of the media continue to laud him. Doval’s public persona as a super-spy and statesman may be too good to be true. The Caravan -India's finest magazine of politics, culture and business. Since its relaunch in 2010, The Caravan has earned a reputation as one of South Asia's most sophisticated publications, a showcase of the region's finest writers, with a distinctive blend of masterful reporting, unique criticism and stunning photo essays.

Confessions of a Good Girl: My Story


Andrea McLean - 2012
    The honest, entertaining and often surprising autobiography of one of our favourite Loose Women.

Anything But Khamosh: The Shatrughan Sinha Biography


Bharathi S. Pradhan - 2015
    So did Shatrughan Sinha (SS) who achieved the impossible twice over. The youngest and the most pampered in a family of academics and doctors where four sons were named after the four brothers of the Ramayan, SS stood out defiantly different. He was born for applause and the limelight; he was besotted with Raj Kapoor and cinema. In the face of stiff opposition from disciplinarian father Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Sinha, mother Shyama Devi’s chhutka bauwa (little darling) set out for the Film Institute of India (now FTII) in Poona. Bombay was the next logical destination. Without Kapoorian good looks or any connection with the Hindi film industry, the unknown scarface from Patna went on to create history on celluloid. In politics too, with no known surname or family to power his entry, he set a record as the first film star from India to be sworn-in as a Cabinet Minister. Quotes Anything But Khamosh: The Shatrughan SinhaBiography, is a rivetingly honest read that retraces the hurrahs and heartaches of India’s most popular BihariBabu. “Do not attempt to change him. Of the 1.25 crore people of India, he stands out as unique” – Amitabh Bachchan, superstar, Hindi cinema “They used to call me the Shatrughan Sinha of the South” – Rajinikanth, superstar, Tamil Nadu “I became an actor because of Shatrughan Sinha” – Chiranjeevi, superstar & Congress-I leader, Andhra Pradesh “Ours is an Eklavya-Dronacharya story. He is my guru” – Ambareesh, superstar & Minister for Housing, Karnataka “A person who joined the Jan Sangh or the BJP when it was in the Opposition, had to be gutsy. Shatrughan is” – LK Advani, Senior Leader, BJP “I would give him sanyam ki salaah (advice on patience)” – Sushma Swaraj, Minister for External Affairs “I find there’s no chaploosi (sycophancy) in him. Our doors are open 24/7 to him” – Lalu Prasad Yadav, Leader, RJD “If the Bihari Babu is hurt, the whole of Bihar is hurt” – Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar “If we had Shatrusaab on our side, we wouldn’t need anybody else on our team” – Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister, Pakistan About the Author Renowned columnist, critic and author Bharathi S Pradhan has written both fiction and non-fiction. Mr Bidi – the life story of an industrialist; Heartfelt: The inspirational story of Medha Jalota; Colas, Cars & Communal Harmony on secularism and Valentine Lover, an adult novel, are some of her well-received books. She scripted a documentary on Mughal-e-Azam and ideated for Balaji Telefilms. She has been Chairperson, National Awards (for best writing on cinema), and has been on the jury of diverse awards committees. She was also on the jury of the Indian Panorama of IFFI 2015. Bharathi has edited a variety of magazines and contributed to several publications that include Reader’s Digest, Mid-day, Savvy, Femina and Movie. She continues to be a Sunday columnist with The Telegraph. She lives in Mumbai with Sanjaya, her Chartered Accountant husband and Siddhesh, her son who is currently studying Law. Talking Points - The authorised biography of Shatrughan Sinha - 7 years, 37 interviews and over 200 hours of taped conversations - Photographs from the Sinha family’s private archives

The Inside Track


Jake Humphrey - 2012
    Flying around the world presenting Formula 1 to 6 million people is not a bad occupation. And there is plenty that the viewer doesn't get to see, quite a lot of it rather surprising too. Travelling around the globe in the F1 bubble, Jake brings you close to the action. With his unique access to the key characters in the sport he reveals a side of figures such as Jenson and Hamilton, Schumacher and Ecclestone not seen before. From techie heaven driving the Red Bull simulator to witnessing moments of great sporting triumph, Jake brings you behind the scenes in the paddock to behold the changing face of F1 and his life as a TV presenter permanently walking the tightrope of public humiliation.

My Rebbe


Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz - 2014
    During his forty years of leadership, Rabbi Schneerson transformed Chabad into a global movement marked by extensive outreach activities and a closeknit network of emissaries stationed around the world. His passionate devotion to education, social change, and acts of charity and kindness inspired countless people to embrace spirituality in their daily lives.In My Rebbe, celebrated author and thinker Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz shares his firsthand account of this extraordinary individual who shaped the landscape of twentieth-century religious life. Written with the admiration of a close disciple and the nuanced perceptiveness of a scholar, this biography-memoir inspires us to think about our own missions and aspirations for a better world.

Man and Ball: My Autobiography


Stephen Ferris - 2015
    It was, however, preferable to his day job of paving driveways, and that day in 2005 saw the start of an incredible journey for Ferris, Ulster and Ireland rugby. A Celtic League title in his very first senior season with Ulster. A Grand Slam in 2009, followed by a sensational Lions breakthrough. A starring role in Ireland's greatest World Cup win, over Australia in 2011, when Ferris famously picked up Will Genia and carried him ten yards. And leading Ulster from nowhere to the Heineken Cup final.Stephen Ferris had an incredible rugby career, tragically ended by ankle injuries so severe they will never properly heal. He is an inspiration to the population of Ulster, an emblem of the sport that serves as such a positive expression of its culture and identity, and earned the respect and admiration of fans across Ireland for his strength, pace, skill and courage. Fearless, funny and full of an incredible array of stories from behind the scenes of Ulster, Ireland and the Lions, this is the must-have rugby book of the year.

Kate Middleton: Our Princess


Irene Bell - 2013
    With her easy-going charm, and natural manner, she took the world by storm -- and brought a breath of fresh air to the sometimes stuffy royal family. But how did a shy middle-class girl from an ordinary background become 'Our Princess'?In this concise, insightful biography, Irene Bell charts Kate's transformation -- and shows how fairytale romances really can come true.She tells the real story of Kate’s life, and describes the highs and lows of her remarkable journey as she emerges from the chrysalis of a shy schoolgirl into a stunning young lady who has captured the hearts of a nation. Kate has become a true princess for the people.And 'Our Princess' is the perfect biography for anyone who wants to know more about the real woman behind the image.

Original Spin: Misadventures in Cricket


Vic Marks - 2019
    Apart from Richards, 'all of us were eighteen years old, though Botham seemed to have lived a bit longer - or at least more vigorously - than the rest.'In this irresistible memoir of a life lived in cricket, Vic Marks returns to the heady days when Richards and Botham were young men yet to unleash their talents on the world stage while he and Roebuck looked on in awe. After the high-octane dramas of Somerset, playing for England was almost an anti-climax for Marks, who became an unlikely all-rounder in the mercurial side of the 1980s. Moving from the dressing room to the press box, with trenchant observations about the modern game along the way, Original Spin is a charmingly wry, shrewdly observed account of a golden age in cricket.

Mummy's Boy


Larry Lamb - 2011
    'Mummy's Boy' is by turns heartrending as Larry recalls the relationship broken beyond repair with his father.