I know it’s dull, but it’s necessary to start the book review of Joan Didion Notes to John with some background information. Otherwise the title is more likely to confuse than clarify. As you probably know Joan Didion was an American writer, whose sparse and incisive style, was much sought after. Her husband was John … Read more
The Kitchen Shrink, by Dr Andrea Oskis, is a sumptuous and satisfying book. Oskis, a psychologist and award winning cook, takes her two favourite subjects and skillfully blends them to serve up a treat. In each chapter Dr Oskis recounts her work with a different counselling client, looking specifically at the role of food and … Read more
I was a little apprehensive as I opened Do Nourish, How to Eat for Resilience by Sarah Bayliss. Although I’ve long been interested in the intersect between optimum nutrition and mental health, I’m also quickly irritated by the sanctimonious attitude that some nutritional experts adopt. I’m exhausted by thoughtless talk about beach bodies, bone broth … Read more
Directional Living by Megan Hellerer (pictured) did not exist when I was in my twenties. But had it, I’m confident I could have saved myself a lot of grief throughout a particularly dire decade. Because I too could have done with some support in getting unstuck, finding career fulfillment and discovering a life that was … Read more
Not Just Mum is the book you need if you’re planning to launch your own business. But still intending to parent a small person too. Because the author Claire Antill, has done just that, and with great success. She’s a mother of three, marketing agency owner and expert in growing small businesses. And now she’s … Read more
The Power of Closure by Gary McClain explores the very human craving for closure. The yearning for freedom and acceptance that only this elusive condition can bring. But then he flips it round and asks, is closure really all its cracked up to be? In fact is it even necessary? There was a time in … Read more
Summers ended, September’s here, so it’s off the sun lounger for me, and back to some serious reading. And I’ve kicked off the academic year with a bit of existential therapy courtesy of It’s On Me by Dr Sara Kuburic. Kuburic is an existential therapist, and if you’ve not heard that term before it simply … Read more
How to Know a Person by David Brooks taps into the psychological theory, that the quality of our relationships has the biggest single impact on our life satisfaction. Forget money, worldwide recognition or achieving our goals. All these things pale in comparison to the massive impact meaningful connections with friends and family provide. In his … Read more
Toxic by Sarah Ditum, isn’t for the faint-hearted. So, if you’re feeling brave today, fearless, even, then grab my hand and I’ll take you back to the early noughties. Because the new millennium was a terrifying time for young women. The term abuse of power wasn’t yet in every day parlance. There was scant awareness … Read more
If you’re feeling like your life’s a mess – mayhem all around, not enough money to pay the bills and mental health hanging by a hair’s breadth – then In Pursuit of Happiness will chime with you. Written by fashion journalist Stacey Duguid, it’s an unflinching account of her battles with self-esteem. Starting with her … Read more
When I was younger, and watched Neighbours religiously, I thought I knew everything possible about affairs. Upon discovery of a romantic wrongdoing in Ramsey Street there would be tears, door slamming, and bitter recriminations. But then the cheating partner, fortunately always with somewhere to go, would leave. And that would be that. The marriage done, … Read more
There’s no denying that girls walk a thin, winding and poorly lit path on their journey to womanhood. The demands stack up like a game of Tetris. Be hardworking but not overly ambitious; make the best of yourself but don’t veer into vanity. Never become a ‘pick me’ girl, but beware! Assertiveness is equally unattractive. … Read more