Non Fiction

I am always a little suspicious of books claiming to show mere mortals how to emulate other, more successful people. There is a great tendency to think that if only someone would only do X, Y, and Z, they too could be a great success. The reality is, that many of us cannot replicate what others have done because we are not them and do not necessarily have their assets, traits or brain wiring. ..read more

Brian King is a Cinical Social Worker who is himself on the autistic spectrum, as are his three children and wife. He is therefore ideally placed both professionally and personally to write a book about how to relate to people on the spectrum.

The book offers ten strategies which King has devised after years of struggling to find a way of coping with life. His suggestions are just as relevant to those on the spectrum as they are to neuro-typicals.

One very popular hobby in the UK, indeed large parts of the planet, is that of tropical fish keeping - and as with any hobby, there is a plethora of books on the subject aimed at aspects of the hobby, from the beginner, to the specialist, to the niche market, and so on.

As a long time tropical hobbyist myself, I also have a number of books, magazine articles, and other sources of information - after all, we are looking after living creatures here and it we are morally bound to give them our best attention, which sadly isn't always the case.

Having watched Ina Garten on her Barefoot Contessa shows on the Food Network channel, and very much enjoyed her laid back approach to cooking, it was with great pleasure that I opened this book, to be greeted with the simple sumptuousness of the food photography that really entices me to want to try each and every recipe.

This is a very couragous book written by Australian doctor Dr Ern Crocker. As a Christian and having seen many miracles happen for his patients through prayer, he decided to interview fellow Christian doctors to get their experiences as well.

In Britain sharing your Christian belief with a patient or even being found to pray for a patient will get you suspended by the GMC - how different the two countries are. In Dr Crocker's country of Australia there are even Christian GP surgeries! These doctors do not have to fear being hauled through the courts just for sharing their faith!

Any student of history will probably be aware of the ongoing controversy and debate surrounding the Royal Air Force's strategic bombing campaign during the Second World War. Primarily that debate focuses on the attack by the RAF and US 8th AAF's raids on Dresden in the spring of 1945 - and despite that raid being the factor that polarises, it is only one small part of the story.

I found 'A Tolkein Tapestry' absolutely fascinating. I had never heard of Dutch artist Cor Blok before, but I would say that this is an extraordinary book on how a story (Lord of the Rings trilogy) can effect and inspire one man to produce this body of work which was exhibited in the Hague in 1961. Tolkein was so impressed by the five paintings his then publisher sent him that he even bought some - and went on to meet the artist as well.

Matt Whyman's 'Oink' is warm hearted anecdotal story of life with two minipigs, chickens, cats and a dog, not forgetting the wife and kids!!

Love this book with Roxi and Butch the two minipigs who are quite a couple of characters always on the lookout for mischief and mayhem! But they are intergrated into the family taking up sofa and floor space, not forgetting the garden and the rest of the menagerie.

Matt has lots of laugh out loud moments with these lovable rogues especially when they get roaring drunk on next door fermenting apples!!

I enjoyed this book a lot, and found it very funny. It's basically a selection of silly one liners to scenarios like Rejected Exam Questions, Unlikely Lines from a Political Memoir or Bad Things To Hear in a Costume Drama, just like the last round on each episode of the TV series. If you're familiar with the show then the humour is often close to the bone, and a bit silly at times, so may not be for everyone.

This book is the result of a collaborative effort from three members of the staff at 'The Groden centre' an educational and treatment facility for people on the autistic spectrum and also by the founder of ‘Browns Child Centre'. All the authors are experienced in developmental disorders and in putting theory into practise.

The key objectives of the book are to help people on the spectrum and their carers/educators to develop character traits that will facilitate a happy outlook and the necessary resilience and skill base to cope with and reach their full potential.