Recommended Reads
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A Child at War
Not everyone has the terrifying experience of living through a world war, with an enemy intent on destroying their way of life. In this short autobiography, covering my early years from ages 3 to 8, I have dug deep into my memories to share my wartime hopes and fears.
Perhaps my greatest fears occurred during the London Blitz (1940 to 1941), as we spent countless nights and some days taking cover in an Anderson shelter while the Luftwaffe relentlessly rained bombs down upon us. Later, I experienced a mix of fear, excitement, and adventure when the first of Hitler’s Vengeance weapons, the V1 flying bomb, appeared. Walking down the street after an air raid and seeing that a house or a pub had vanished filled me with anxiety for the future.
The second Vengeance weapon, the V2, a giant rocket filled with high explosives, was even more destructive but less terrifying than the V1, as you never saw or heard it coming; it traveled at three times the speed of sound. Tragically, one of these rockets struck my young playmate’s home, killing her and her entire family. If the third weapon, the V3, had not been destroyed by the RAF near the end of hostilities, the course of the war might have been very different.
Why not read more about life during the war for those, like me, who lived each day in fear for their lives?
£5.99 -
The Words That Gave Me Wings
Written between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, The Words That Gave Me Wings is a profoundly moving collection of poetry that encapsulates the tumultuous experience of blossoming into womanhood.
Divided into four chapters mirroring the life cycle of a butterfly: Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult, the poems chronicle the poet’s own metamorphosis. Just as a caterpillar transforms into a magnificent butterfly, the act of writing allowed the poet to shed her skin, embrace her true self, and finally take flight.
This collection is a testament to the enduring power of self-expression and the beauty of vulnerability, reminding us that every lesson, love, tear and triumph is worthy of poetry. It is a must-read for anyone who admires a soul being poured onto a page, has faced criticism for ‘feeling too deeply’ or needs the courage to prioritise their own needs when they know it is time to return to themselves.
£6.99 -
A Woodland Adventure – Part One
Is it true, or just a fanciful tale? Do fairies really exist? And if they do, could they be living in Chancel Wood, near Abbey Dene Primary School?
For many years, Nanny Agnes has captivated her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with stories of fairies in the wood. She believes every word of it, but those she’s told aren’t so sure – except for her great-granddaughter Amy.
Amy’s enchantment and willingness to believe in the fairies of Chancel Wood grow even stronger when she discovers a collection of old photographs and a handwritten letter at school, both offering proof of the tiny, magical creatures!
When Nanny Agnes hears about the discovery, she decides to reward Amy’s belief and curiosity. But the photographs and letter are nearly a century old. Will there be anything left to see in Chancel Wood? Will Amy’s faith in magic be rewarded, or will she face disappointment?
Only Nanny Agnes knows the truth…
£8.99 -
Toby
To Toby, a young basking shark, life in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland felt boring.
With seven seas to explore, he longed for adventure!
As he sets out on his journey, Toby discovers a vibrant underwater world brimming with colour and fascinating fishy creatures.
£7.99 -
Pepper Under My Nose
This is a tale of two seemingly ordinary people, Annette and Bob, who seek sexual adventure but struggle to become – or even appear to be – more than they truly are. Annette longs to embody the role of a wanton seductress, yet remains deeply repressed. Bob tries to play the part of a brutal, macho man, but he too is held back by his own inhibitions. The result is a messy and chaotic rapport between two individuals who might have loved each other but are unable, for different reasons, to surrender fully to love.
Annette and Bob often resemble zombified beings, moving through life without fully understanding why they act as they do – or even what they are doing. Their story raises profound questions about the nature of free will, suggesting that perhaps it is an illusion.
Yet, amidst their flaws and struggles, Annette and Bob remain undeniably human. It is their humanity, shining through the pages, which gives this novel its poignant and relatable edge.
£11.99 -
Before and After Eve
This collection of poems is inspired by personal journeys, the beauty of nature, and the mysteries of the unknown – inviting you to embark on your own imaginative voyage.
Among the featured works:
‘Friends of New Music Energy’ offers insight into the world of fellow musicians.
‘Traveller Friends and Countries’ explores the bonds of friendship across different places and cultures.
Altogether, this book presents 28 full poems to enjoy, each crafted to inspire, reflect, and resonate.
£6.99 -
The Struggles of Sleeping Rough
This is not a typical memoir. It’s an ordinary person’s story—one of hardship, resilience, and survival. From a traumatic upbringing to life overseas, his journey led him to homelessness, where he faced daily struggles, abuse, threats, and battles for a safe place to sleep.
This raw and powerful account sheds light on the human side of homelessness, revealing the fears, hopes, and strength of those living on the streets. A call for empathy, understanding, and change.
£5.99 -
Where Ya Goin'
In just 12 hours, a young lawyer’s life is utterly shattered.
Confronted with devastating choices, will he remain committed to his law career, succumb to the dark world of drugs, or forge an entirely new path to rebuild his future?
A gripping tale of resilience, temptation, and self-discovery.
£6.99 -
A Magic Wish
Lose yourself in this heart-wrenching young adult/adult novel that delves into early difficult family life from the perspective of a brother and younger twin sisters having to grow up before their time.
At the centre of the story is James, who craves the attention of his father but has to look to his granddad for affection and support.
He has to deal with his sisters making home life unbearable for him as their father favours them above him.
A chance meeting with Hailey while on holiday turns his young life upside down. Their friendship quickly develops into something deeper, but a potential life-threatening health condition stands in the way of their relationship going any further.
Facing this turmoil, they make a magic wish, which gives them some confidence that whatever is thrown their way, they will always be together.
The reader will easily feel some sympathy towards James with his feelings and emotions stretched to the limit, while also seeing his parent’s marriage fall apart and experiencing personal tragedy.
The emotional twists and turns will keep you captivated until the end, perhaps touching on personal experience.
£6.99 -
The Naked Gender Transient
Transgender and Intersex identities have long been portrayed as abstract phenomena, lacking a clear origin, purpose, or unified identity. Until now, no writer has dared to explore the key factors that affirm the humanity of a vast global community, often dismissed as nothing more than a marginal subculture.
Drawing on a lifetime of study, Phaedra J. Kelly – social anthropologist, human rights troubleshooter, historian, archaeologist, and theologian – illuminates these vital, overlooked aspects. In this groundbreaking work, Kelly uncovers a hidden cultural identity, establishes a historical timeline, and reveals a five-thousand-year genocide. On behalf of the TG/IS nations within nations, Kelly presents a mindset that challenges much of what has recently been enacted in the name of TG, offering a perspective from a faction that, until now, had no clear voice of its own.
Readers will be surprised, newly informed, and, for some, shamed.
£9.99 -
My Doodle and the Park Adventure
Doodle and her best friend Rosie go on another adventure together. However, the two girls find themselves in a spot of trouble when Doodle follows along with yet again one of Rosies crazy ideas.
‘Doodle always went along with Rosies crazy ideas, even if it did mean getting into trouble. That’s what was so great about their friendship; At least they were in trouble together.’
Come and join Doodle and Rosie on this adventure and laugh along with the mischief they get themselves into.
Although Doodle has Rett Syndrome, it does not mean she cannot live a life like anyone else and get herself into trouble just like another other child would!
Rett Syndrome is a unique genetic condition caused by the X chromosome having an abnormality. This then causes the brain to develop slightly dissimilar to other brains, which could leave some people without any speech and the ability to walk.
£7.99 -
My Sister's Shadow
Jake thought he had left the ghosts of his past behind, but the death of his father drags him back into the heart of a family fractured by secrets, loss, and betrayal. Once a bright and loving home, their sprawling estate now feels like a labyrinth of grief, where the memory of Lucy, Jake’s adopted sister who vanished without a trace, haunts every corner.
As Jake reconnects with his estranged family, he begins to uncover the tangled web of lies and resentment that shaped his childhood. His mother’s obsession with appearances, his father’s unravelling mind, and the mysterious figures who once orbited their lives all seem to point to the same dark truth: Lucy.
When strange visions of her begin to creep into his waking life, Jake is forced to question his own sanity. Is Lucy calling out for justice – or pulling him into the same despair that consumed his father?
In this psychological thriller, family loyalty collides with buried truths, and the cost of uncovering them might be more than Jake can bear. As time runs out, Jake must face a terrifying question: Is the past ever truly gone, or does it grow stronger the longer it stays hidden?
£9.99
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