Book Review ~ Crotch Height Perspective - It's Just the Way It Is by Steph Derham - Authobiography

Title - Crotch Height Perspective - It's Just the Way it is

Author - Steph Derham

Genre - Autobiography

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS
My name is Steph. I was born with the condition known as Spina Bifida and I am writing to tell the world about my life as a disabled person living in a non disabled world. Having said that this is by no means intended to be a book of self pity or of being a victim. But a story of changing times and acceptance, both in the medical world, the law and in people's minds. My book is intended to be honest, humorous and at times bittersweet. The title is “Crotch Height Perspective” as I believe this suggests to you an insight into how it is to see everything around you at Crotch Height.I hope to make you smile, frown and maybe shed a small tear but above all I hope to show you that we are all still people on the inside, no matter what you see on the outside. My story begins in 1961 when my mum gave birth to me and my parents were given little hope that, even if I were to survive, I would ever even sit up.My story hasn't ended. I’m still here.

 BOOK REVIEW 

Not ever having been in a wheelchair, I was intrigued in this book, not only for it's amazing title, but also because I have never known what life would be like in a wheelchair. 

Steph comes across as a strong character, as she leads you through her life as a young lady who ended up in a wheelchair.  She talks about her childhood and her private school. Her parents seemed very loving and supportive. She seemed to have some great friends throughout her life, who never treated her any different. Three Husbands too! 

She talks about the discrimination she received from many quarters, most noticeably from her job in the Police Force, which was heartbreaking. 

As a person from the outside looking in, Steph has had a really interesting life. Some great highs, but some terrible lows too. 

The book is written in chapters of her life, although I did find that it kept going backwards and forwards sometimes and was a bit disjointed, I thought it was a really good read, especially as it was her debut book.  It will make you laugh a lot, cry some and more importantly make you realise that despite the visible barrier of a wheelchair, Steph is just like any other person. 

All in all a great read from a different perspective.

Check out the buy link above or visit your local library.

BOOK RELEASE & AUTHOR INTERVIEW - Carrie May Lucas, author of "Where Fault Lies: A Survivor's Story of Game, Shame" & Blame"

Welcome to my blog, the Author Carrie May Lucas, Author of "Where Fault Lies: A Survivor's Story of Game, Shame and Blame".

Published - 1st June 2014
Pages - 326

ISBN - 0615886914 (ISBN13: 9780615886916)

SYNOPSIS - 

When divorced single-mom Carrie Lucas moved to Seattle she knew it was time to start living life on her own terms, and stop playing by the rules of everyone else. While exploring her new city she falls for Sayid, a charismatic lawyer who has life figured out. But one traumatic night, Carrie discovers evil doesn’t come in the package she expected. Afterwards, she struggles to make sense of what’s real and understand ultimately who is at fault for the tragedy that unraveled her life.

In a gripping and powerful narrative, Carrie tells the true story of how falling for the wrong person can cause so much more than heartbreak.Where Fault Lies is a chilling exploration of memory through trauma, trust in humanity, and a captivating story of strength and survival that appeals to the hearts of fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and men and women alike.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - 

            Your book has a strong and powerful message. Did you find it cathartic writing the book?

When I started writing, it was purely for catharsis. I was in shock and wanted to really understand what happened; I didn't write to helps others, I only wrote to help myself. In the first eleven days I wrote 80,000 words. That’s a short novel. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, I wasn't being a mother. I just wrote. I wrote to understand, and it was catharsis.
But once I decided I wanted to share my story, and give other victims a voice, the process became very different. I had to face parts of my experience that I was ashamed of, afraid of, and embarrassed by. And this didn't mean sitting down with my therapist for an hour session and opening up. No, it meant reliving it over and over until I had it to an excruciatingly finite detail. And then working with my editor who picked apart my sentence structure, metaphors, character development, and story telling. But this wasn’t a story, she was picking apart my life.
There were parts when I needed to step back and take a break. Parts where I wanted to give up, or erase entire chapters like I wanted to erase them from my life. But when I didn’t, when I faced them instead, I learned what real growing was about. Not only did it change me as a person, but being so transparent in my writing has connected me with a community of survivors that can reach through the pages and relate to my experience. Because even though each person’s story is unique, connecting to other survivor’s is how we feel less alone.
My book is now so engrained in my mind that I will never forget it. I will never forget the man that did this to me, that I loved him, and all that he took from me. But I will keep writing. If my story can save even one life, can relate to even one victim, and help them see there is life on the other side, then it is worth it.

Through my day job and my previous volunteer role as a Domestic Violence counsellor, I have encountered many women who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. How has your book been received by others in a similar situation?
I wrote my book while I was still living my experience, which explains the raw emotion and connection I had to the assault. But it also makes it very triggering for victims, especially those who have been recently assaulted. Those who are in a place where they are ready to read such an emotional story, have felt deeply impacted by it. I think there are some truths in my book that can unilaterally speak to any survivor of domestic violence or sexual abuse. I have received touching letters, and people reaching out just to tell me their own story. Some friends, some strangers. And some of these people have never told anyone else. My story may have helped them, but by sharing their stories too, my readers have had an even greater impact on me.

Has the writing of this book spurred you on to write more, and if so would you stick to non-fiction?
Absolutely. I always enjoyed writing, but never had inspirations of writing a book. Now that I have, and have a taste for how this art can reach people, I have plans for more books. I’d love to write fiction, but in the short term I have a few ideas of non-fiction pieces I want to write first. I have found that there are so many people out there who have unique stories to tell but are not necessarily writers. So, the book I’m working on now is the non-writers guide to writing and professional self-publishing a memoir. I learned so much during this experience that I want to share it with others willing the tell their stories, because I truly believe incredible things happen to average people everyday.

What are your top reads so far for 2014?
Keeping Faith, Lovely Bones, and Behaving Like Adults.

What was the last book you bought and was it a tree book or an e-book?
I buy books all the time, and they are all ebooks. I prefer tree-books, but I usually get them on trade at my local coffee shops or from friends. I have been reading Jodi Picoult lately and just started My Sister’s Keeper.  It’s about a young girl who was born for the sole purpose of saving her sister’s life by giving her an organ. Eventually, she fights back against the family that only had her for that reason and sues her parents. It has some other plot twists (like all Jodi Picoult books do!) and they made a movie out of it. I haven’t seen the movie; I always read the book first.

If you could trade places with someone famous for a week, who would it be and why?
A female senator. I really want to better understand how laws are written and passed. I am very interested in the political process and trying to find ways to impact my community through legislation. There are so many things about the world that frustrate me and keep me up at night, but knowing that we are (slowly) moving towards progress gives me the hope I need to keep fighting for social justice and equal rights across the globe.


If someone was to play you in a movie, who would you like it to be?

Mila Kunus. First of all, she smoking hot, and secondly I like her punchy, coy sense of humor. She’s adorable with the right amount of sass.

Quick fire questions.

1) Early Bird or night owl?

Early bird by default; my three year old is my alarm clock.

2) Crime or Romance novels? 

I try to live my life in a romance novel but for some reason it keeps turning into a crime drama.

3) Cats or Dogs? 

I am not a fan of either. A little chewy for my tastes.

Some great answers there Carrie. Thanks for joining me on my blog. I've seen the movie, My Sisters Keeper, but the book is far better in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your story.

Buy Links

Amazon //Amazon UK //  Create space

About the Author

Carrie May Lucas is an American author living in Seattle, Washington with her daughter. As a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau, she works to educate and inform the public on sexual violence. Through her writing she inspires other survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and helps give a voice to their struggles. In her spare time, Carrie May Lucas likes to dance, run, and do yoga, and is currently getting a Master’s degree in Education.

To find out more about Carrie May Lucas and her book, please check out the following:-

Goodreads // Website // Twitter

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway - The Old Rectory by Julia Ibbotson - Autobiography/Memoir

The Old Rectory ~ Autobiography/Memoir

Paperback: 128 pages

Publisher: New Generation Publishing (8 Mar 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1909593753

ISBN-13: 978-1909593756

  

When author Julia Ibbotson and her husband first saw the old Victorian rectory in dire need of renovation, a mile out of the nearest village in the midst of the English moorlands, they fell in love with it and the lifestyle it represented, with its farmhouse kitchen range at its heart. This delightful memoir describes the trials and tribulations of their quest to make their vision come true.

 They hoped they could make the sad, neglected house glow again and that they could integrate themselves into the small traditional village, with its cottages, hall and outlying farms. The Old Rectory focuses on the centrality of the kitchen as the pulse of the family and home, and shows the importance of food and cooking throughout the changing seasons, history and moods of the countryside as the couple strive to live the dream.

The Old Rectory: Escape to a Country Kitchen, a true story of renovation – of a house and of lives, of finding what is important in life – and with the added delight of recipes to feed the soul.

  

Award winning memoir, with five stars on Amazon.com and Amazon UK

Praise for The Old Rectory

 "the book is a wonderful blend of personal story (one so many of us can identify with), enchantingly told, with recipes…It all spreads happiness. Lovely!” Bel Mooney, author and journalist

“destined to become a classic…I adored this book and think you will too…” Rebecca Johnson

“what a jewel this book is…truly a delight…a great writer…a delightful read, all the way to the end…loved it!”  Peggy Fellouris

“a most talented writer…a charming story written by a writer with a wonderful voice”   Nancy Mills

“a beautiful tale …delightful” Vicky DeCoster

“an inspirational tale that offers many surprises…” Carol Hoenig

About the Author

Julia Ibbotson is the award-winning author of The Old Rectory: Escape to a Country Kitchen, first published to acclaim in the USA and now re-launched with a brand-new cover by her new English publisher in the UK. Julia has been writing creatively all her life (unpublished!) but her day jobs to pay the mortgage have been as a school teacher and latterly a university academic, gaining her PhD at the age of 57. She delights in being a wife and mother to four, with four little grandchildren. She loves reading, gardening, growing food, cooking for family and friends and country life. Having published many academic texts and papers, she came late to actually publishing her creative writing, at the age of 60 plus, when she was persuaded to write the story of the renovation of her Victorian rectory in The Old Rectory. She has combined memoir, history, research, story and recipes in this first published book, which has won a number of international book festivals in the biography category, gained 5 star reviews on Amazon, and has been widely featured (along with her house) in the media. She has begun to delve into the world of blogging, Facebook and now has her own website at www.juliaibbotson.com  at which she also posts blogs regularly, about writing, life and her passions. Her new project is a trilogy of novels following the life story of a new character, Jess, through from fleeing to West Africa as a volunteer teacher/nurse in the 1960's to the millennium. The first of the series, Drumbeats, is due to be published later this year. You can find out more on her website and on her author page on Amazon. Her global internet book tours start soon!

MY REVIEW
This is an unusual concept for a book. Tales of the Authors renovation of her new home, interspersed with recipes of good home cooking. 

I found the authors description of the rectory before, during and after the renovations, very well written and I would have just loved to have seen some photos of it. I also loved how she delved into the history of the rectory and uncovered it's previous residents and the things they did to the rectory too. I could just imagine ghosts of former residents watching over the changes being made to the rectory. 

I enjoyed the tales of village life and how the author immersed herself into life with the locals, hosting parties and joining in with local activities. I did however feel that at times the author came over as if she was in a completely different class to me, and that sometimes put me off as some things made her sound a bit boastful, although I'm sure she didn't mean it so come across that way and it was just the way it made me feel. She seems a friendly person who everyone in the village warmed to. 

I loved some of the recipes the author included in the book which often related to the events she had been talking about in the chapter, and at the beginning of each chapter she would mention which recipes would follow. However, I would have preferred them to be at the end of the book. I tended to just flip past them and read them when I finished the book. I found they got in the way of the story that was being told about the rectory. 

All in all an interesting read. Not sure I would have enjoyed it so much without the recipes, as I found that added substance to the book. The two together though made it a nice read. 

 

Author Links:

 Website

Twitter

Facebook Author Page

Amazon UK Author Page

Amazon US Author Page

YouTube book trailer


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