This week, it’s London Fashion week (16th – 21st September). A huge event in the sartorial calendar. And although I’m not a massive follower of fashion myself, I do appreciate it as a form of self expression. Just look at Rhianna’s street style. The bold colours, daring hemline and creative styling all suggesting a woman … Read more
After a little holiday last week, I’m back. Feeling fully refreshed and raring to go with another fiction review. This week I present to you Other People’s Clothes. The background to the book This novel promised to be right up my street. I judged it not by its cover, but by its title and blurb, … Read more
There seems to be a collective feeling, even though it’s the middle of summer, that life is actually flat and grey. Lockdown’s long gone, and the freedom we’d all fantasised about is finally here. But there’s no big relief. Instead many people are feeling apathetic, regretful and isolated. I, for one, am still working at … Read more
Today I am in a buoyant mood, because I’ve spent a lovely week reading Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. It’s a character based story. So no complex plots, no narrative arc and no unexpected twists. Just an honest, yet surprisingly comedic look, at generations of a family impacted by mental illness. Sorrow and Bliss … Read more
The summer holidays are here, so for the next three weeks I’ll be relaxing and reviewing non- fiction with a mental health theme. First up is The Therapist by B A Paris. It’s a murder mystery. The pretty blonde therapist, Nina, is dead and the reader needs to keep awake while the plodding plot reveals … Read more
Ambition may no longer be a dirty word but as a desirable, female quality it certainly doesn’t feel squeaky clean. I asked my friends what the term ‘ambitious woman’ conjured up for them, and they reported the following: Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl, stiletto heels, Dior Poison perfume and being a bitch to get ahead. … Read more
It’s not easy to write a review of Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book. Not because it’s badly written, or dull or unoriginal. But just because it’s all so pleasant and reassuring, that there’s not a lot to say. The book is ideal for the coffee table, the bedside table, or as a gift for friends. … Read more
The complete title for this book is a long one. So, deep breath; Re-educated. How I changed my job, my home, my husband and my hair. Before I began this book I was fascinated to discover how the author had successfully managed so much change. Change, whether planned or not, is one of the key … Read more
It may be good to talk, but for some people it can feel really bad. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve experienced trauma, take a while to trust or just come from a family that don’t ‘do’ feelings. Speaking out loud about your inner world can be frightening. I have to admit that when I first … Read more
As a therapist I believe in the healing power of talking. But for some people, speaking about how they feel is an almost impossible task. They withdraw into a world of their own, and silence becomes their sanctuary. Harriet Shawcross’s book, Unspeakable The Things we Cannot Say, takes a look at the limits of language … Read more
Hopefully you’ve now had time to heal your heartbreak over England not winning the Euros (although, I’d guess you’re probably still devastated about the racism and domestic violence). But whatever your thoughts on football, daring to embrace your dream only to have it snatched away is painful. A proper stomach sinking, tightness in the chest, … Read more
My very first counselling placement was within bereavement. Where I listened as clients explored their grief. Often they spoke of shock, sometimes abandonment and occasionally a sense of overwhelm. Reflecting on this work, I’m struck by how inept words are to express the raw, desperate, profound feelings that death can deliver to those left behind. … Read more