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Notice Me
Notice Me is a compelling and thought-provoking book that delves into the challenging journey of living with autism, dyslexia, bullying, alcohol, and violence, and having a hearing impairment. This powerful narrative explores the experiences of individuals facing multiple adversities and their relentless pursuit of success.
Through heartfelt storytelling, Notice Me offers an intimate look into the characters’ daily struggles, triumphs, and emotional turmoil. The book sheds light on the unique challenges and stigmas associated with autism, dyslexia, and hearing impairments, fostering an understanding and empathy among readers.
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In the Steps of Alan Turing: Working in the Digital Age
Computing has developed at an astonishing pace over the last 40 years and Professor Alty has been involved in most aspects from working at the bits/bytes level to higher level management. As a member of the Computer Board for Universities and Research Councils between 1976 and 1981, he chaired a very influential working party on microtechnology which had a major impact both in universities and in industry. One commentator wrote, “This report should be tattooed on the DTI’s backside”! In 1976, he and his team were the first to recognise that the postcode was much more important than assisting the posting of letters, and they pioneered its commercial use. He spent a great deal of effort making computers easier to use for the average person. Between 1984 and 1990, he was Executive Director of the Turing Institute for Artificial Intelligence and became very involved with artificial intelligence research around the world. Between 1990 and 2000, his research team made significant improvements to critical computer interfaces in power stations and aircraft. In the 1990s, Professor Alty examined the techniques of musical composition and showed that they could be used in computer interfaces. In 1996, he pioneered the commercial use of digital radio, producing with Roberts Radio the first successful DAB radio, one of which is on display in the British Science Museum. Finally, in 2000 he and his team performed some important research into dyslexia, which is still highly quoted even today. This book provides an interesting insight into working in the digital age.
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A Strange Fish Swimming in a Foreign Sea
Sierra Leone prior to and post-Independence in the early 1960s, seemed a place of tranquillity to Tim May, just twenty-one years old. He and his companions worked and played hard but Tim was labelled a failure in Freetown, in work and in health and as his manager Mr Enk said, ‘I’m sending you to manage Port Loko branch, you will bloody well sink or swim.’ It was the time-honoured treatment of a failure in the old Empire.
Management was a daunting prospect, especially without a knowledge of Bank accounting, but Tim faces the future with fatalistic hope. Immature and wracked by personal problems the prospect is bleak, particularly dealing with the wily, cunning mostly Lebanese customers who grubbed a living thousands of miles from their nation’s internecine wars. It is not only the customers Tim has to combat, but the climate, diseases and general ill health and his mental state, a strange fish in a foreign sea. It seemed the bugs and creatures, the customers, his fellow expatriates and most of all his real persona all combined to defeat him.
Tim though is a strong fish swimming amongst predators and escapes to fight other.
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Rebirth
Picture a social misfit who has stumbled through life, making every conceivable mistake along the way. Despite his best efforts to find stability and understanding in a world that seemed to elude him, he remained stubborn and uncompromising, clinging to a deep-seated attitude of non-conformity. His headspace had no room for compromise, and as a result, he had never experienced a meaningful relationship of any kind. But unbeknownst to him, there were people working on him – not professionals, religious figures, or members of a sect – but ordinary individuals with caring hearts who must have taken pity on him. They never gave up on him, even when he gave them no reason to continue.
These compassionate souls never sought gratitude or anything in return, and the dropout never offered it. Yet, he kept returning to them, knowing deep down that they were his only chance at redemption. He understood that they were always a few steps ahead, and he was constantly playing catch-up. Just when he thought he had nearly caught up, they would present him with a new challenge, leaving him frustrated at times. But it was a game he grew to love, and sometimes, when he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he found himself smiling – a rare occurrence in his life. He knew that these people were catalysts for the necessary changes within him, and he embraced the journey, learning about love and the warm feeling it ignited in his chest.
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Back in Three Months
Join us on a true story of a seven-year cruise from Norwich to Africa aboard a 25-year-old motor cruiser. The decision to sacrifice a comfortable middle-aged life for an impractical and seemingly impossible dream led to many ups and downs, much humour, some drama, and even tragedy. This isn’t a tale of heroics or ocean crossings, but rather the story of two ordinary people who find themselves in a variety of unexpected situations, striving to cope with whatever life throws at them.
The book traces their 1,000-mile journey through the French waterways from Dunkerque to Séte on the Mediterranean. The serene beauty of the rivers and canals was breathtaking, culminating in a winter spent with a small, quirky international boating community in Provence, where they participated in some unexpected activities.
The following spring brought their first taste of the Mediterranean Sea. Wild and unpredictable, it was far from the flat calm pond they had imagined. They encountered rough seas, thick fog, pirates, tsunamis, Spanish paratroopers, and even the French Foreign Legion. A near-death experience and abandoning ships in a marina were certainly not part of their plan. However, the variety of people they met, the places they visited, and the incredible sights of large pods of dolphins, whales, turtles, and a two-ton sunfish made it all worthwhile. The whole experience gave them the best and worst times of their lives.
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May to May – My Journey to Self-love with God
One of society’s main problems today is a lack of self-love; this is evident in the way most people live their lives – sadly, I was also part of the statistic. The fact that I was not living life to the full bothered me in many ways. I was not running my own race; I constantly compared myself to others; I had not accepted myself for who I was, and I had not taken full responsibility for my life. I was merely alive and confused. Although everything on the outside looked good, I felt miserable. I learned the hard way that what goes on inside us is more important than what people can see. A lack of self-love impacted most areas of my life negatively - I knew something needed to change.
Once I had surrendered my life to God, He helped me see my own value. I started May to May – My Journey to Self-love with God to move my life in the right direction. After discovering the 20 components that lead to self-love, my life has never been the same. I could finally accept myself just as I was. I am proud to say there is no other race I would rather run than my own. I needed to love myself first, so I could truly live.
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Heavy Luggage
“My brother Mark and I wake in the night to the sound of gunfire... The open window, with its mosquito-netting casement, allows us to hear male voices speaking outside, hushed and urgent. Then another volley of shots and bullets spray the side of the house. There is a soft thud against the wall above the bed on the opposite side of the room, where a few minutes earlier my brother had been sleeping. At the same time, a loud metallic twang outside is followed by the frightened bray of a donkey. Our donkey!”
Whether caught in a war zone in Lebanon, living in a castle in Hong Kong, or coping with extreme heat in a remote Arabian outpost, such experiences were normality for Philippa and her brother. Thought-provoking, humorous and poignant, Heavy Luggage is the extraordinary story of their adventure-filled childhood in the 1950s and 60s as they and their parents travelled on troop ships with the British Army to some of the remotest places on the globe.
Offering a glimpse into a bygone era towards the end of British Colonialism, when military families followed the Drum to wherever they were posted, Philippa and Mark take us on a personal voyage, exploring their unconventional upbringing. Their parents’ and grandparents’ similarly remarkable life stories are also woven into this unique memoir that examines a family legacy shaped by history.
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East to West across Russia: The Long Journey Home
Embark on a captivating journey across the vast Russian steppe aboard the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway in this modern tale of self-discovery and introspection. The narrator, known only as D, begins his westward voyage in Vladivostok, traversing the ever-changing landscapes that unfold before him. As time moves inexorably onward, the everyday lives of the passengers intertwine with the rhythmic churning of the train’s propellers, contrasting sharply with the raw silence of the natural world beyond the windows.
As the journey progresses, D’s physical expedition takes an unexpected turn, delving into the depths of his own psyche. A haunting presence, N, permeates the narrative, her essence imbued in the natural world, particularly at the breathtaking Lake Baikal in Siberia. N represents the one who got away, leaving a void and a profound fragility within D’s soul, scattering her ghostly influence across the many places his footsteps tread.
Immersed in the tranquil vistas of the external world, D finds himself enamoured by the everyday characters he encounters along the way. As he navigates the complexities of his inner turmoil and the beauty of his surroundings, the narrator embarks on a transformative odyssey. The D who began his journey in Vladivostok will inevitably be different from the one who arrives in Moscow at journey’s end, but what will this transformation entail? Join D on this introspective voyage as he unravels the mysteries of his past, present, and future on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
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Jane Austen in the Thames Valley
Discover a fresh perspective on Jane Austen in Jane Austen in Thames Valley. This book delves into Austen’s lesser-known association with the Thames Valley, a connection that has received minimal attention due to scant evidence.
A significant focus of this guide is on the often-underestimated influence of Austen’s mother, Cassandra Leigh. It compellingly illustrates how Mrs. Austen’s impact profoundly shaped Jane Austen’s outlook on life.
The Thames Valley, a region frequently overlooked in Austen studies, actually harbours numerous ties to the beloved author, more than initially apparent. This thoroughly researched and meticulously documented book unveils these connections. Accompanying the narrative are three detailed excursions designed to help readers explore and uncover the links between Jane Austen and the Thames Valley.
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The Servant of the People
This book describes the 18 years during which Den Dover had the privilege to serve the people of Chorley, in Lancashire, as their Member of Parliament. He entered Parliament in 1979 when Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and left in 1997 when Tony Blair won a massive victory for New Labour.
Where the author has omitted to mention certain happenings, it has been in an effort to focus the minds of readers on the important matters – not to obscure what really happened. Indeed, Den’s main aim has been to allow readers to make up their own minds on the very important principles, procedures and proceedings described.
Underpinning everything else is the overwhelming requirement for elected representatives of the people to act in the best interests of all their constituents. They should never seek to benefit, financially or otherwise, from being granted the greatest honour in life, namely to work on behalf of their constituents.
At all times, elected representatives must listen to the needs of the people they represent and deal with their problems to the best of their abilities.
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The Four Ships
In this poignant and compelling true story, Tanya Mullins opens the door to her heart, sharing a journey marked by unimaginable loss, unyielding strength, and the enduring pursuit of survival. As she grapples with the devastating death of one of her children, Tanya faces the harsh reality of poverty and mounting bills, her world shrouded in shadows.
Amidst the trials of life, Tanya discovers an inner strength that propels her forward. Just when it seems that life has granted her the gift of true love, tragedy strikes once again, plunging her into a vortex of grief, loss, and the profound challenges of mental health. Yet, against the tempest of despair, Tanya’s resilience shines through.
Reluctantly compelled to engage with life’s relentless lessons, Tanya confronts her deepest fears and inner demons, seeking redemption in the face of adversity. Her story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure, learn, and emerge stronger. Through the darkness and into the light, Tanya’s journey is a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone grappling with the complexities of life, loss, and the arduous path to healing.
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Plane Speaking
For the last decade of his career, Peter dedicated himself to traveling the globe, attempting to show that shared information benefits the entire company more than isolated data. However, this book isn’t about his professional mission; it’s about the adventure of travel itself.
Travel is divided into four essential parts:
- Planning the trip.
- Getting there.
- Being there.
- Getting home.
While all four parts are covered, it’s ‘Being there’ that takes center stage, as that’s where the real excitement happens.
Peter’s journeys through diverse countries, encountering different peoples, cultures, and landscapes, only deepened his love for travel and humanity. Yet, post-9/11, the joy of travel has been marred by the extensive time spent navigating airport security. Sometimes, it feels like more time is spent in airports than in the air.
Join Peter in rediscovering the joy of travel. Let’s bring the fun back into our journeys.
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