You Won't Believe This, But ...

Jane McCulloch was once dubbed a ‘Renaissance woman’ by the great American soprano Jessye Norman, and her long career as a playwright, theatre and opera director, producer, lyricist, poet and latterly novelist is certainly testament to this.
Jane’s has been ‘a life not without incident’ – to quote her husband, the theatre director Toby Robertson. Growing up with fiercely gifted but troubled parents, she found herself with a front-row seat during a golden age of British theatre before forging her own career, running theatre companies both in the UK and abroad and working with the likes of Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench.
Inheriting her father’s ability to ‘collect’ celebrities (to the occasional exasperation of her children), Jane proves a born raconteur, describing, amongst other things, how she met Jackie Kennedy Onassis in an accidental Valium haze or managed to charm both Noël Coward and John Betjeman while still a teenager. Beyond the clear-eyed, often moving stories, however, what emerges is an inspirational tale of a woman’s fight for her survival in a very tough profession.

God and Our Dirty Socks

God and Our Dirty Socks is a captivating exploration of everyday life, encompassing both the humorous and the poignant. From marriage and family dynamics to grief, loss, and the challenges of IVF treatment, this book delves into a wide array of topics, reflecting the intricate tapestry of human experience.

Each of the 41 chapters offers unique insights, concluding with a thoughtful reflection and a prayer. Readers may turn to this book during times of stress or uncertainty, seeking solace and guidance. Whether seeking calm, reflection, or simply a moment of respite, God and Our Dirty Socks offers a comforting presence on the bedside table, inviting readers to explore its pages and discover a sense of clarity, hope, and inspiration. 

May this book bring peace of mind, serenity of spirit, and a renewed appetite for life.

They Call Me Jake – 2

“We are all wanderers on this earth

Our hearts are full of wonder and

Our souls deep with dreams”

- Romany Gypsy saying

Jakob Smith was a sometimes wild and reckless youth whose passion in life was to travel to new countries. Wherever he went, he was interested in the local history, daily life and culture of the people. During the daylight hours, he enjoyed visiting museums, religious sites, zoos and national parks.

At night, contrary to his daytime wanderings, he would enjoy drinking beer and mixing with the local people in neighbourhood bars or restaurants. He would attempt to talk with anyone despite sometimes language difficulties. Frequently these conversations took place in places of ill repute where hookers and petty criminals made up the numbers. They conned him relentlessly but their stories, true or otherwise, were often amusing and worth the few drinks they cost.

Now somewhat more mature, he looks back on such times with fond memories. So many people met only once for just a few, sometimes drunken moments, but never forgotten. Despite the odd black eye and a couple of nights spent in lock-up, was it worth it? I must say yes, as if I had my youth over, I would probably go down the same path.

The few bad times fade into obscurity, and the many good times, prone to exaggeration, just seem to get better with age.

A travel story different from most,

Entertaining, informative at times,

Jakob quite simply loves travelling,

New places and new people are his life.

Fego Tales

Fego Tales is based on a true story that explores life in a West African boarding school in Nigeria. Fego Tales is narrated through short stories experienced by the author. This book navigates first love, bullying, the mysterious Iroko trees, culture, cruelty, romance, friendship, relationship, and the difficulties of navigating a back-to-basics existence.

Nobody Cares

In a world where the judgments and opinions of others often seem overwhelming, Nobody Cares offers a refreshing insight – the empowering realization that the thoughts of others have no control over your path. This memoir invites you into the author's compelling life, revealing their unvarnished experiences from a sheltered childhood to the unexplored realms of adulthood.

With raw honesty, the narrative traverses the peaks and valleys that epitomize human life, encompassing thrilling international escapades, the complexities of heartbreak, and the hope of second chances. The book intertwines humorous anecdotes and moving stories, crafting a tale that is as relatable as it is eye-opening.

Nobody Cares is a call to embrace your imperfections, celebrate your triumphs, and let go of the oppressive weight of external expectations. More than just a personal account, this book is a journey towards authenticity that will resonate with every reader. It’s an encouragement to cast off societal judgment and uncover the strength of self-acceptance, embarking on a journey that promises to transform your viewpoint, one unabashed step at a time. In the end, what truly counts is the narrative you choose for yourself.

Dangerous Ambitions

‘An exciting lifetime’ barely captures the extraordinary adventures of this boy-turned-86-year-old as he journeys from childhood to old age. His tales of diving throughout the wild, beautiful Pacific include terrifying encounters with large sharks, a feeding frenzy of orcas, and surviving a crush of whales. Touching stories humanize the fish and sea creatures he encountered while diving, building, and sailing his self-made ocean-going yachts along the Pacific Coast of NSW. The narrative vividly captures the region’s varied moods and beauty, from rough seas to dangerous rocks.

Sydney, with its stunning headlands, towering trees, unique wildflowers, and strings of white sand beaches, also plays a starring role. The extreme yachting opportunities of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park and Sydney’s four natural harbours – Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay, and Port Hacking – are celebrated as some of the most beautiful, diverse, and unique places in the world. Growing up here during WWII, with the freedom to explore and choose his path, shaped an extraordinary life filled with unparalleled adventures.

Into Africa – The Adventures of a Nobody

How I escaped death on numerous occasions remains a mystery to me.

Encountering famous personalities unexpectedly was astonishing, and some of the experiences I’ve had are still unbelievable.

Throughout my life, finding joy in helping others and sharing moments with them has brought me immense fulfilment.

Maxamillion the Great

Drawing on countless real-life stories from his embattled life, Maxamillion the Great is a captivating and moving autobiography told in the only way it could be, through the eyes of his beloved owner, author Barbara Goodier.

Taking the reader through the lows of his joyless puppyhood into the highs of his new found family, it persuades us to revisit the idea that miracles really do exist and sometimes even more than once.

Creative in its narration and affecting in its story, it will move you to re-evaluate what is important in your own life, will make you cry when you least expect it and lay bare the unbreakable bond between a dog and his mum.

Guns Piranha Lions No Visa No Problem!

A jet fight over Syria. A Cold War listening post in Turkey. An overland trek from Denmark to Thailand. A thriving weapons marketplace in remote Pakistan. An exotic Maasai Star Wars-style saloon in Kenya. Ultra-luxury casinos in Macau. Only in Miami idiosyncrasies. University polemics. The 1980 Moscow Olympics. Memorable World Series, Super Bowls, NBA and college gridiron contests. Civil rights activism. Challenging the Klan. Confronting FBI activities in 1960s Memphis. Encounters with the Clintons. A hurricane at sea. Giant turtles in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands. A Miami-bound plane commandeered by a heavily armed Haitian general.

Erroneously suspected of being a spy, Ken Lipner promises all this and more in his intriguing, serendipitous, eclectic life as a sports-loving, peace-promoting, justice-seeking, pet-rescuing public policy advisor and economics professor with a wanderlust that took him to 120 countries.

Vicariously accompany Ken as he makes his way on rust buckets, old buses, slow trains, and small planes, befriending people of widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, vocations, and interests.

Detained at the Bulgaria-Danube border crossing. Nearly arrested in Chile and Suriname. Just missing a terrorist attack in Tunisia and the Six-Day War in Israel.

For Kenny’s 6th birthday, his first Phillies game. A sports insider for a nanosecond, though as an aspiring athlete, he could never hit a high fastball.

Holy Moley!

Surviving the Asylum

In this raw and poignant memoir, Michael recounts his harrowing journey through the psychiatric system and his struggle to find purpose after losing custody of his beloved autistic grandson.

After a suicide attempt lands him in a geriatric psychiatric ward for the third time in recent years, Michael finds himself cut off from the outside world and the grandson he raised for three decades. Facing abuse and isolation, he contemplates ending it all.

But a lifeline appears in the form of his vocal coach and support worker, who encourage him to channel his pain into art. As Michael discovers new passions in singing, painting, and poetry, he forges an unexpected friendship with a fellow patient that reignites his will to live.

This powerful story of resilience and reinvention shows how creativity and human connection can offer hope even in the darkest of times. Michael’s journey reminds us that it’s never too late to find a new voice and a reason to keep singing.

Legally Omitted

Navigating the journey from zero to success is no small feat, a challenge that even the author doesn’t claim to have mastered – but is willing to explore. After graduation, life becomes a high-stakes race against time, filled with head-spinning ‘WTF’ moments. From tackling parenthood and self-doubt to dodging curveballs like talk shows, bills, and Hollywood drama, the author invites you to experience it all unfiltered.

Just when a glimmer of hope starts to shine, a myriad of obstacles including baby mama drama, encounters with celebrities, and wrangling with the ever-daunting IRS emerge. Amidst this chaos, can one find love, spiritual peace, and the elusive American Dream in today’s breakneck society?

In a world that takes a toll on our mental health, leaving many of us feeling Legally Omitted, this compelling narrative serves as a candid reflection on the complexities of modern life. Explore the rollercoaster that is the pursuit of success, happiness, and self-fulfilment, in a society that never hits the pause button.

Reflections on a Bathroom Mirror

The mirror has no preferences. Whoever peers into that pool of light sees a faithful image, albeit laterally inverted. The young boy had looked into the bathroom mirror perhaps a thousand times with casual confidence, but today, the reflection felt surprising and strangely alien. It had to mean something. Thus began a quest that spanned his entire life, filled with many kinds of adventures, both external and internal. His journey crossed continents and led him to explore the deepest places of the mind and heart. It required keen observation and demanded ultimate honesty. Sometimes he stumbled; other times, he rejoiced. Ultimately, his goal was to answer that age-old question: who am I and where do I fit into the scheme of things? This question is everyone’s question, and it suggests that by polishing our own mirrors, we might discover something wholly renewed.