“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” ― Mark Twain

Who Killed John Lennon? – Lesley-Ann Jones

‘LAJ’ turns her eloquent prose and encyclopaedic Rock & Roll knowledge to the life, loves, trauma and making of the legendary John Lennon from a female perspective. Encompassing psyche analysis and insights from those who knew him and/or was there. I was enthralled and lapped up LAJ’s words, intrigued and engrossed in his phenomena.

A beautiful and exceptional example of history which highlights ever importantly, how we never know the reality of an individual’s situation and reasons to be who they are.

Listen to my ‘Get Booked’ interview with Lesley-Ann Jones for Women’s Radio Station below:

 

Accept How You Feel, Mind What You Think - Dr Karen Gaye Graham

There are so many elements of this book that I wish to put into action to assist in changing my mind-set, from the language I use introspectively to breathing techniques when I’m feeling angry, hopeless or anxious or feel that a situation may arise resulting in negative thought processes. Reframing is such a powerful tool, but it takes practice.

An interesting point that struck me which in hindsight is obvious, is that what we look for in others is what we often find, as that is all we are searching for. If you are looking for those who are smiling at you, that is who you will notice more, the same with recognising positivity, it’s a mindset. Unfortunately likewise, if you are looking for people who may be judging you, that will be all you notice too. Think of what you are missing.

A great book highlighting how we can adjust our thought processes and our own narrative to help impact how we can handle what life throws at us with easy tasks/exercises to try too.

 

My Face – Kevin Landt

A short story of the overpowering nature of social media. Scarily a believable and not unlikely a concept. Where our lives are lead and influenced by fake personas, a need to be noticed, loved and validated.

Worth a read and being short is great for those not wanting to commit too much of their time.

 

Band Bang You’re Dead - Evan Baldock

This is one of those books that test your perception on morality. Murder is bad, vigilanteism is dangerous and the police are there to protect us, that is their role, not ours to take matters into our own hands. But oh how nice it is to imagine if we could get our hands on the person that mugged our grandma and punched her in the face or the addict that threatened our child with an infected needle for their phone. Or maybe even the drug dealer that stop us all from feeling safe outside our front door. It’s an emotive subject, especially when politics, policing cutbacks and unfathomable laws that protect these people from being brought to justice get in the way. Evan Baldock, an ex policeman has really brought this to the fore with bang bang you’re dead in a cutesy murderous grandma kind of way.

Listen to our radio interview here:

 

Previous Book Blogs:
‪“People who need help sometimes look a lot like people who don’t need help.” ― Glennon Doyle