‘Locked-in syndrome: paralysed from head to toe, the patient, his mind intact, is imprisoned inside his own body, unable to speak or move. In my case, blinking my left eyelid is my only means of communication.’
In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French ‘Elle’ and the father of two young children, suffered a massive stroke and found himself paralysed and speechless, but entirely conscious, trapped by what doctors call ‘locked-in syndrome’. Using his only functioning muscle – his left eyelid – he began dictating this remarkable story, painstakingly spelling it out letter by letter.
His book offers a haunting, harrowing look inside the cruel prison of locked-in syndrome, but it is also a triumph of the human spirit. Views: 1 103
“I always hoped [Mary Williams] would tell her incredible story. She's a writer of uncommon clarity and humor, and the arrival of her memoir is cause for celebration."—Dave Eggers, author of What is the What
As she grew up in 1970s Oakland, California, role models for Mary Williams were few and far between: her father was often in prison, her older sister was a teenage prostitute, and her hot-tempered mother struggled to raise six children alone. For all Mary knew, she was heading down a similar path.
But her life changed when she met Jane Fonda at summer camp in 1978. Fonda grew attached to the bright girl and eventually invited her to become part of her family, becoming the mother Mary never had. Mary’s life since has been one of adventure and opportunity—from hiking the Appalachian Trail solo, working with the Lost Boys of Sudan, and living in the frozen reaches of Antarctica. Her most courageous trip, though, involved returning to Oakland and reconnecting with her biological mother and family, many of whom she hadn’t seen since the day she left home. The Lost Daughter is a chronicle of her journey back in time, an exploration of fractured family bonds, and a moving epic of self-discovery. Views: 983
Jockson Hawes is a detective with one very large problem - he is dead. Or rather; he isn't dead.He has woken up from a deep darkness and found himself sitting behind his desk, with flies buzzing around his face and no memory.In the chair across from him sits a Haitian priest, insisting that Jockson gets on with the task at hand, and talking of demons and talismans and a witch called Annie...Jockson Hawes is a private detective with one very large problem - he is dead. Or rather; he isn't dead.He has woken up from a deep darkness and found himself sitting behind his desk, with flies buzzing around his face and no memory.In the chair across from him sits a Haitian priest, insisting that Jockson gets on with the task at hand, and talking of demons and talismans and a witch called Annie."Do not forget, Mr Hawes. The talisman is your protection." Views: 954
An astonishing dispatch from inside the belly of bipolar disorder, reflecting major new insights
When Marya Hornbacher published her first book, Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia, she did not yet have the piece of shattering knowledge that would finally make sense of the chaos of her life. At age twenty-four, Hornbacher was diagnosed with Type I rapid-cycle bipolar, the most severe form of bipolar disorder.
In Madness, in her trademark wry and utterly self-revealing voice, Hornbacher tells her new story. Through scenes of astonishing visceral and emotional power, she takes us inside her own desperate attempts to counteract violently careening mood swings by self-starvation, substance abuse, numbing sex, and self-mutilation. How Hornbacher fights her way up from a madness that all but destroys her, and what it is like to live in a difficult and sometimes beautiful life and marriage -- where bipolar always beckons -- is at the center of this brave and heart-stopping memoir.
Madness delivers the revelation that Hornbacher is not alone: millions of people in America today are struggling with a variety of disorders that may disguise their bipolar disease. And Hornbacher's fiercely self-aware portrait of her own bipolar as early as age four will powerfully change, too, the current debate on whether bipolar in children actually exists.
Ten years after Kay Redfield Jamison's An Unquiet Mind, this storm of a memoir will revolutionize our understanding of bipolar disorder. Views: 872
A young woman's secret rendezvous is interrupted by the unwelcome sight of a witch and a mysterious lion.Lily and the Lion tells the story of a young woman who is thrust into an adventure when her secret rendezvous is interrupted by a witch and a lion. Views: 870
Adoption is a delicate art.‘Don’t let me lose myself.’Fifteen-year-old X thinks she is going to die. Shacked up in the cellar of an old farmhouse, she starts a journal to document her last few days. Much less than a few days if the uglies manage to get in.X is a post-apocalyptic short story from Jack Croxall, author of Tethers.Praise for XA luminous, captivating tale perfect for giving you one of those reading "moments".– Liz Loves BooksI was left with a genuine shiver down my spine.– D.M. Cain, author of The Phoenix Project Views: 858
Latome’s universe is stagnant and without direction. When peer pressure forces Latome to intervene in his universe, the results are not as expected.Short Story5,100 words +/-A post-apoc short/novelette, from "Envisioning". A young angel finds her place in a broken land with broken dreams. Sometimes, the truth hurts more than it enlightens. Views: 761
For years Declan McIver has been one of the IRA's most deadly operatives. But the war has changed him. Now he desires peace above all else and a second chance at life. But when word reaches him that the woman he loves is involved in a plan to detonate a bomb on the Queen's birthday, he takes it upon himself to save her and hundreds of others from certain death.For years Declan McIver has been one of the IRA's most deadly operatives. But the war has changed him. Now he desires peace above all else and a second chance at life. But when word reaches him that the woman he loves is involved in a plan to detonate a bomb on the Queen's birthday, he takes it upon himself to save her and hundreds of others from certain death. "Ian Graham writes the kind of stories I want to read. Full on, action packed, adrenaline fueled. Keep your eye on this author, he's going to be a big name in thrillers before long." - Matt Hilton (author of the Joe Hunter thriller series) Views: 744
Valentina Hunter's parents think they've just hit the jackpot; when her mother invents a product that makes her family millionaires overnight, they buy a new house and new cars, and enroll their daughter in the ultra-exclusive Palm Lake private school. The school comes with an excellent resume; more Palm Lake graduates go on to the Ivy League than any other private school in the area, ninety percent of them start college with at least a year’s worth of Advanced Placement credits, and they earn more perfect ACT scores per capita than the students at any other high school. Valentina’s mother and father are ecstatic, but Val doesn’t share the sentiment; she would rather go to the local public school with all her middle school friends. Events only increase her desire, as Valentina quickly finds herself embroiled in bitter social battles and hostile vendettas, leaving her to question whether she’ll even be able to survive the first month. Views: 718
Billy is a Bit, a tiny element in a home Computer's memory, and he's very bored! His life consists of standing and sitting on demand without ever understanding why. So, one day, when ordered to sit by Mr Write, he doesn't. He crouches!Utter confusion ensues: Billy is IN-DE-TERMINATE, and that means that the whole System cannot function properly. Is Billy's job is more important than he thinks?This is a tale of life inside a home computer, as seen from the viewpoint of one of its tiny components - Billy the Bit. He and the other inhabitants of the computer do the actual work of making things happen for its human user.If you have ever wanted to understand how a computer operates - without studying electronics and microcircuits - this story explains how, by telling the story of how one tiny element nearly brings the system to a halt.A painless way to learn the workings of a PC, which will enable readers to understand the basics of what is going on under the covers whilst enjoying an amusing tale. Although originally aimed at children, adult experts in the field may enjoy the author's visualisation of the functions of a computer's elements. Views: 718
Tom and Alyse get pulled into an international mystery after a chance meeting in Germany.Tom is pleased with the direction that his life has taken him, and enjoys his structured life as a young American soldier stationed overseas. Alyse is a beautiful young Canadian on summer vacation far from home. A chance meeting between the two while in Germany sets off a mysterious chain of events that will take them across continents and place them at odds with the most powerful people in the world. What the two uncover will shake their faith in the institutions that they believe in, and uncover shocking secrets that could cost them their lives. Views: 696
In Two of a Kind, twelve-year-old Faith, who has grown up in a home for orphans in the distant future, unexpectedly finds herself on the run with a youth named Fisher. Together, they must escape the government forces that hunt them to find hope, family and a new life.‘Don’t let me lose myself.’Fifteen-year-old X thinks she is going to die. Shacked up in the cellar of an old farmhouse, she starts a journal to document her last few days. Much less than a few days if the uglies manage to get in.X is a post-apocalyptic short story from Jack Croxall, author of Tethers.Praise for XA luminous, captivating tale perfect for giving you one of those reading "moments".– Liz Loves BooksI was left with a genuine shiver down my spine.– D.M. Cain, author of The Phoenix Project Views: 676
This is a series of essays on life— as it is, as it was or as it might have been— as seen from a singular perspective.The view of any aspect in life depends almost entirely from one's perspective. These views reflect mine.A strong influence on my perspective is age. I'm an old man of 85 and likely have been lied to by more politicians, college professors, merchants, news media and other assorted groups than you. I have also been the recipient of many profound truths from similar groups — and even the same ones.I hope you'll enjoy reading these viewpoints whether or not you agree with them.At least it won't cost you anything to find out. Views: 676
