Biographies

My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding	A nice take on an autobiography by combining events in the author's life with the animals she had during that period. It's a nice insight into her early life and you can see where she gets her passion for animals and sport from that make her such a good presenter. It is a very warm and engaging book and you get the impression that she is too. (A great take on the title of the book also)! Definitely worth a read if you have watched her on TV. Sheila/March 2014
A Street Cat Called Bob by James Bowen	The story of James Bowen, the invisible face of London life if you have no money, job or home. Meeting Bob the Cat helped to turn James's life around from drug addict to normal member of society. It's a very heart warming tale and I loved reading it. James feels completely a non person busking round London as everyone rushes past, until he befriends Bob and takes him with him. Suddenly everyone sees him for the first time and stops and takes interest. Great story (love following Bob on Twitter as well). Sheila/March 2013
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth	Unusually for me, I watched the TV programme first, but once I had read the books, realised what brilliant casting! Nursing in the Docklands in the 1950s with conditions that were horrifying by today's standards, but accepted with a grim determination back then, the stories that Jennifer narrates are funny, disturbing and immensely moving. A great read. Sheila April 2013
Barefoot Soldier by Johnson Beharry	Autobiographies have to be exceptional for me to add to the list, and this one is. Usually you read modern auto biographies about people that are in films, sport or politics and they always seem to be promoting themselves or have hidden agendas. This is the story of someone from a desperate background, manages to enrol in the British Army and goes on to be awarded the Victoria Cross for actions in Iraq. An ordinary person, just doing his job and then going back to being an ordinary person - truly inspirational. Well written, amusing, descriptive and if looking for an autobiography -definitely recommended. Sheila/March 2007
The Luxury of Time by Mike Tomlinson	Wasn't going to put this on as it is an autobiography of a UK couple, but it was so amazing just had to add it. Jane was diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live back in 2000. Still alive today and having completed 3 London Marathons, US and UK triathlons, been presented with numerous awards - it is really an inspirational read about how a very ordinary family copes with extra-ordinary events - Sheila/January 2006 (Footnote - sadly Jane died in 2007).