Unexpected Review: ‘Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism’, by Eva A Mendes and Meredith R Maroney


Jessica Kingsley Publishers
21st January 2019
£13.99
978-1785927546

Blurb

Bringing together a collection of narratives from those who are on the autism spectrum whilst also identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and/or asexual (LGBTQIA), this book explores the intersection of the two spectrums as well as the diverse experiences that come with it. By providing knowledge and advice based on in-depth research and personal accounts, the narratives will be immensely valuable to teenagers, adults, partners and families. The authors round these stories with a discussion of themes across narratives, and implications for the issues discussed.

In the final chapter, the authors reflect on commonly asked questions from a clinical perspective, bringing in relevant research, as well as sharing best-practice tips and considerations that may be helpful for LGBTQIA and ASD teenagers and adults. These may also be used by family members and clinicians when counselling teenagers and adults on the dual spectrum. With each chapter structured around LGBTQIA and autism spectrum identities, Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism highlights the fluidity of gender identity, sexual orientation and neurodiversity and provides a space for people to share their individual experiences.

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Review: ‘The F#ck It Diet’, by Caroline Dooner

Blurb


The anti-diet bible that calls time’s up to poisonous beliefs about food, weight and worth.
DIETING DOESN’T WORK
Not long term. In fact, our bodies are hardwired against it. But each time our diets fail, instead of considering that maybe our ridiculously low-carb diet is the problem, we wonder what’s wrong with us.
But it’s time we called a spade a spade: Constantly trying to eat the smallest amount possible is a miserable way to live, and it isn’t even working. So f*ck it.
Caroline Dooner tackles the inherent flaws of dieting and diet culture, and offers readers a simple path to healing their physical, emotional, and mental relationship with food. What’s the secret anti-diet? Eat. Whatever you want. Trust that your body knows what it is doing. Oh, and don’t forget to rest, breathe, and be kind to yourself.
Irreverent and empowering, The F*ck It Diet is call to arms for anyone who feels guilt or pain over food, weight, or their body. It’s time to give up the shame and start thriving. Welcome to the F*ck It Diet. Let’s Eat.

My Review

Thanks to the publisher, HQ, for sending me a copy of this book. It’s much appreciated.

We’ve been told by the media and diet industry that we need to bee skinny and not eat, and if we just follow this diet or take this supplement we’ll be thin and happy and finally worthy of love and success. *Head-desk*

You may have noticed I’m fat. and yet I’m not diabetic, don’t have high blood pressure or cholesterol, and until my accident in 2012 I could shoot a bow all day, walk or swim for miles without rest, then get up and do it again the next day. Strange that. I should be a couch potato who never leaves the house and should be dead if not severely ill from ‘weight-related conditions’. And yet, I’m not. How odd.

Well, not really. Genetics and epigenetics has a lot more to do with our weight and health than a lot of things we do. Social beliefs can affect our bodies, and their reaction to food. Restrictive eating makes us obsessed with food because the body is in famine mode – we need to eat to survive and starving ourselves makes our brains go ‘must find food, now!’ until you eat – binge – and then you feel like crap. Been there, done that.

I have a history of dieting and binging, and have tried to stop it often but I still get into restrictive, punishing habits. These aren’t good for me. Mentally, I get obsessive, and physically, as I discovered reading this book, my body goes into famine mode, and I get obsessed with food. And I was always hungry! Seriously, Weight Watchers was seriously bad for my mental health

This book is the result of a moment’s existential misery and years of self-care, writing and reading. The author strongly supports the HAES movement and science-based health, and fat activists.

Caroline Dooner has written an easy to read, entertaining and thoughtful (if sweary) book about not dieting, anti-dieting. It’s probably good for your mental health to give it a read. I found parts of the book brought up some of my own struggles and I cried now and then.

Review: ‘Strays and Relations’, by Dizzy Greenfield

Blurb

Strays and Relations follows the story of Dizzy, whose search for her birth parents is sad, humorous, and in parts bizarre. Dizzy learns that she began life as a surviving twin, then was fostered until a permanent home was found.

Dizzy begins her search for her original identity. Why was she given up for adoption in the 1960s? Following a tenuous lead, she travels to Ireland with her best friend Sugar, but the trail takes a misleading turn. It ends in what they mistakenly believe is Dizzy’s mother’s grave.

Dizzy falls in love with Will, a blacksmith. But something is missing. Dizzy’s life changes when her birth father Tommy makes contact using a private detective. He reveals that her birth mother is alive and married to a man called Vernon. Now the bigger, trickier task lies ahead: working out how to fit the disparate bits of her life together. This is a book which will both amuse and touch readers’ hearts.

Strays and Relations manages sensitive subject matter with engaging wit and sharply-observed dialogue, and includes vivid descriptions of some rather unusual animals and people. It will appeal to readers who have encountered a recycled animal or family.

Purchase Links

https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/contemporary/strays-and-relations/

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Non-fiction Bonus Reviews #1

I haven’t been feeling great so my reviews are a bit behind. I have a stack of books next to my laptop that I need to tell you all about. I’ve got three Pen & Sword books for you and an indie about comic book history.

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Colouring book review: ‘Uzbekistan: An experience of cultural treasures to colour’

I do enjoy colouring in when I’m stressed. Or bored. And when this one came up, I just had to accept it.

My Review

The book pairs images of architecture, fabrics, mosaics, carvings and paintings from the last couple of thousand years with line images for the reader to colour in.

The paper is dense and high quality, and I’m scared to get my pencils anywhere near it. It’s so beautiful! And informative. As a cross-roads of cultures and civilisations, Uzbekistan has an artistic legacy that continues to this day.

Thanks to Rosie Crofts at Pen & Sword for sending me this book. I think I’m just going to stroke it a bit rather than try any colouring in.

Review: ‘Don’t Pack The Stress’, by Peter Black

Published By: Independently published
Publication Date: 28th December 2018
I.S.B.N.: 978-1792843594
Format: Paperback
Price: £6.99

Purchase Link

Blurb

Are you considering moving home? Are you starting to worry that the stress of a move is going to push you over the edge, or that you’ll make bad decisions? You are not alone. It is a fact that many people worry about the prospect of a move and whether it is right for them or their families. Many people also worry about the stress that might be cause by moving home. Which is where Don’t Pack the Stress comes in. This book is packed full of techniques and methods that take you through a step by step approach to moving home, in a concise and easy to read manner. This is not a 300 page technical manual, but it is a set of practical methods which help you to navigate the process of moving, from deciding whether to move, to picking up the keys to your new home. This book will almost certainly make the moving process less stressful and leave you feeling more confident about your choices. In this guide you’ll learn how to:

•Decide whether this is the right time for you to move

•Identify clear goals and expectations about your next home

•Get the best out of professionals helping you with your move

•Plan a calm, serene and productive move

•Avoid unnecessary stress, and feel content with your choices.

What are you waiting for? Read this book, apply the methods inside, and begin to plan and enjoy your calm home move today.

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Review: ‘Cool That Volcano’, by Peter Black

Published By: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Publication Date: 27th February 2018
Format: Paperback
I.S.B.N.: 9781986036115
Price: £6.99

Blurb

Are your children difficult to control? Are you starting to worry that their constant temper tantrums and explosive anger are getting out of hand? You’re not alone. It is a fact that many children experience difficulties in managing their emotions, and can express anger in a damaging way that causes problems for them, and others around them. Which is where Cool That Volcano comes in. This book is packed full of techniques and methods that take you through a step by step approach to teaching your children how to manage their emotions, in a concise and easy to read manner. This is not a 300 page technical manual, but it is a set of practical methods which help you to help your child stay in control of, and master their emotions. This will almost certainly improve their lives, and the lives of those who care about them. In this guide you’ll learn how to: Teach your child to recognise problematic emotions:Teach your child how to calm down and manage anger: Teach your child how to talk about their feelings: Teach your child how to achieve mastery of their emotions: Think about your own approach to emotional management. What are you waiting for? Read this book, apply the methods inside, and begin to improve your child’s life today.

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Bonus Review: ‘A History of Trees’, by Simon Wills

A History of Trees
Published by: Pen & Sword – White Owl
Publication Date: 12th December 2018
Format: Hardback
I.S.B.N.: 9781526701596
Price: £25.00
Purchase Link

Blurb

Have you ever wondered how trees got their names? What did our ancestors think about trees, and how were they used in the past? This fascinating book will answer many of your questions, but also reveal interesting stories that are not widely known. For example, the nut from which tree was predicted to pay off the UK’s national debt? Or why is Europe’s most popular pear called the ‘conference’? Simon Wills tells the history of twenty-eight common trees in an engaging and entertaining way, and every chapter is illustrated with his photographs.

Find out why the London plane tree is so frequently planted in our cities, and how our forebears were in awe of the magical properties of hawthorn. Where is Britain’s largest conker tree? Which tree was believed to protect you against both lightning and witchcraft?

The use of bay tree leaves as a sign of victory by athletes in ancient Greece led to them being subsequently adopted by many others – from Roman emperors to the Royal Marines. But why were willow trees associated with Alexander Pope, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Samuel Johnson? Why did Queen Anne pay a large sum for a cutting from a walnut tree in Somerset? Discover the answers to these and many other intriguing tales within the pages of this highly engrossing book.

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Review: ‘The Migraine Relief Plan’, by Stephanie Weaver

Blurb

The Migraine Relief Plan: An 8-Week Transition to Better Eating, Fewer Headaches, and Optimal Health

In The Migraine Relief Plan, certified health and wellness coach Stephanie Weaver outlines a new, step-by-step lifestyle approach to reducing migraine frequency and severity.

Using the latest research, her own migraine diagnosis, and extensive testing, Weaver has designed an accessible plan to help those living with migraine, headaches, or Meniere’s disease. Over the course of eight weeks, the plan gradually transitions readers into a healthier lifestyle, including key behaviors such as regular sleep, trigger-free eating, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques. The book also collects resources—shopping lists, meal plans, symptom tracking charts, and kitchen-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—to provide readers with the tools they need to be successful.

The Migraine Relief Plan encourages readers to eat within the guidelines while still helping them follow personal dietary choices, like vegan or Paleo, and navigate challenges, such as parties, work, and travel. A must-have resource for anyone who lives with head pain, this book will inspire you to rethink your attitude toward health and wellness.

Purchase Linkhttp://bit.ly/MRPlan

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Review: ‘It’s No Secret: Thriving After Surviving’, by Danielle Down

Published By: Published Independently
Publication Date: 15th November 2018
Format: Paperback
I.S.B.N.: 9781730823060
Purchase Link

Blurb

Danielle knew early on that she was not like most children at her school. With a chaotic home life riddled with violence, neglect, abuse and poverty she learned early on how to survive and adapt. Every challenge taught her a valuable lesson about resilience and self-motivation allowing her to develop an unshakeable positive mindset, along with a sense of humour. This book takes the reader on a journey detailing the life-changing events which tested Danielle’s resilience and willpower. She bravely shares the difficult choices she was forced to make in order to safeguard her precious family as long-forgotten secrets are revealed. This uplifting, shocking and empowering book chronicles Danielle’s story and her determination to never let her past define her future. It promises to inspire the reader that change and choice are absolutely possible and that nothing is ever insurmountable.

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