Psychological

There are many books out there on Self Compassion, but none I truly as indepth as Dr Kristin Neff's is. I wondered how hard could it be, to be compassionate to ourselves - it actually turns out to be quite hard indeed. We actually love to beat ourselves up at the first available opportunity, and that's because we are so competitive in this day and age, and with the extra adage of trying to be over and above perfect, no wonder we have difficulty here!

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver is a ghost story of the highest order, which starts of innocuously enough with the preparations for an expedition to Norway for five men and their huskies - but what could go wrong? Should they listen about the myth of - something is out there and wants to get them!

As the cover says, this is a story about a boy and girl who go missing 16 years apart. The common link is Sarah Finch and we first meet Sarah as a child when her brother disappears. Looking at the story through her childish eyes, and with the use of flashbacks throughout this book we begin to understand the devastation and destruction that such a tragedy can cause to an ordinary family - particularly to Sarah's mother who is a horrible character, but very well written so that you feel great sympathy for her.

A short prologue introduces us to Scott and his wife, as their son dies unexpectedly and unexplained. We then meet the main character, Scott Henderson, again three years later. Scott has turned his back on his once affluent life, divorced and moved to the beach. His life is pretty boring - he gets up, goes to work, goes home, doesn't sleep much and then gets up and goes to work again at a local restaurant - as a waiter and sometimes chef; and although anyone would be screwed up after the death of their child, we learn more about his guilt as the story progresses.

This book is based on actual trends in neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science. Despite all the controversies - and there are many - one fact has managed to rise above the fray we are not what we think we are. This is the Author's note inside the start of the book.

This is a real chiller of a thriller about the after effect of rape. Sophie Hannah has a wonderful way of telling a story which is so well written; and the way the chapters are headed from police records and other information either by date or from statements, it is astoundingly realistic, and if I had been just told the story I would have said no it could never happen.

I have never been able to read Stephen King's books but this one I just could not put down.

The book is set in Duma Key, which is off the Florida Keys. The story is about a man who has a horrendous accident and decides to go and recuperate at Duma Keys where he starts to paint. He paints the most amazing paintings and through these he opens up a new life for himself.

Many times whilst reading North I could feel the similarity to the Greek Tragedies. It is a beautifully written book about the teenager North, the Narrator and four other characters entwined in North's psychological manipulations. I was utterly fascinated in where Brian Martin was going to take his story and would there be a sequel.