Mothertongue by Alex Morgan - #bookreview

1968

Everyone but me wants to go to the Moon. Sometimes, instead of reading to me at bedtime, Mum tells me a story about Rupert and Jiminy, two imaginary mice living under our shed who dream of being astronauts...

***

I am required to make it clear at the beginning of my reviews that I received this book for free from the author. I have not been paid for doing this and all opinions are my own. I am Bookshop.org affiliated, which means I earn a very small amount of money if you buy from there using my direct link. Although I include purchase links to Amazon, I am not affiliated with them. I include them to make it easy for you to navigate to them if you so wish.

***

The Blurb

A memoir about growing up in Scotland in the sixties and seventies with undiagnosed autism

Is it ever too late to discover your authentic self? Alex Morgan always felt different, she just didn't know why. As a child living above the family's Edinburgh dress shop, she learned from her mother that the world was filled with monsters - her father chief among them - and dreadful things could happen at any time. To stay safe, she spent almost sixty years trying to blend in, hiding her fear, pretending to understand and be like other people.

Then, exhausted and stuck in bed with Covid, she took an online neurodivergence test and came face-to-face with the real cause of her difference: she was autistic.

How had she and everyone around her failed to realise? Which parent did the crucial genes come from, and how could this new understanding help her build a better life? With unflinching honesty, Alex chronicles her journey to unravel how autism shaped her family's story and her own.

Along the way, she details the condition's history, causes and the diagnostic process, where decades of misogyny, combined with females' conditioning to conform, have left so many women undiagnosed. Studies suggest there may be 700,000 in the UK alone, many mislabelled with anxiety, depression, OCD or bipolar disorder and mis-medicated accordingly. Women struggling to play the part expected of them by society, with no idea of the actual issue.

By revealing what it feels like to be an autistic child, teen and adult - and recounting how she cast off her neurotypical mask - Alex demystifies a condition whose impact on women has been tragically underestimated.

My Review

I am ashamed to say that prior to reading this wonderful memoir, I knew very little about autism. It just hasn't crossed my path in life and, thus, has been a gap in my understanding and knowledge. However, having now read this book, I have a much better understanding of the subject, and in particular how it might affect women.

The author bravely sets out her life experience of living with autism. Undiagnosed until she was in late middle age, she had spent her lifetime pretending; trying not to be noticed, trying to appear neurotypical, and masking her every move.

Working as a journalist for many years, the author has written her book with skill. It is engaging and makes for compelling reading. 

I think her journey to diagnosis will aid some readers in making more sense of themselves, as the author did. Her step-by-step narrative of self-realisation, along with sourcing the help that she needed, will aid some readers in seeking diagnosis and help themselves.

This is a brave and candid account and I greatly admire the author for revealing so much about herself and her family. For myself, I found the book to be informative and it has given me a greater understanding of the world of autism.

This book is well worth reading and I highly recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1919254920

Publisher: Thorn and Haw Publications

Formats:  paperback

No. of Pages:  296

Purchase Links

Author Website

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Alex Morgan was diagnosed as autistic in 2022 at the age of fifty-eight. She is the founder of theautisticwoman.co.uk, the UK’s only comprehensive online autism resource written by an autistic woman, and blogs @theautisticwoman on Substack (links below.)

Alex spent almost forty years as a writer, sub-editor and editor on everything from women’s magazines to national newspapers. Her first novel, Tandem, won the 2013 Hookline Novel Competition judged by book groups from around the UK, and she co-authored A Practical Guide to Camping, published by White Owl in 2022. Mothertongue, which was shortlisted in the Northern Writers’ Awards, is her first work of narrative non-fiction. She is currently working on her second novel.

You can also find Alex at:

Author Website

Instagram

Facebook

Substack

X

(ARC and media courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

Wheels of Destruction: Death in Petra by Gina Cheyne - #bookspotlight #blogtour

I am so pleased to be shining the book spotlight on Wheels of Destruction: Death in Petra by author, Gina Cheyne today.

The Blurb

Where do you hide an escaped prisoner? On a wheelchair holiday perhaps.  Like a spoke in a wheel, the villain is seen but not seen.

Aspiring writer Sandy Blee is stuck in a dead-end receptionist job until she wins a working holiday to Jordan, pushing a wheelchair for Wheelchair Warriors Holidays. Even though she quickly realises she was the only entrant in the Blerglergle writing competition she is extremely excited about leaving England for the first time. 

However, after arriving in the pink city of Petra she discovers her fellow travellers are not all they seem, and most are not who they claim to be. Moreover, the whole group is under investigation by the SeeMs Detective Agency who have been sent out to search for an escaped convict.

When members of the group are kidnapped and one mysteriously dies, Sandy finds herself pulled into the SeeMs detectives’ investigation. Is she, who so wants to write bestselling crime stories, ready to take on a real-life mystery – one that might just turn deadly?

This book will be enjoyed by readers who like travel crime, plus devotees of Agatha Christie, Grease the movie and MM Kaye.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1915138200

Publisher:  Fly Fizzi Ltd

Formats:  e-book, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  274 (paperback)

Series:  Book 6 in the SeeMs Detective series

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

Like many authors Gina has had a lot of different jobs and careers. She has been a physiotherapist, a flying instructor and pilot, a dog breeder, and a journalist. This is her sixth book in the SeeMs Detective series: the agency that looks behind what seems to be true.

Gina had two lengths of time when she was in a wheelchair (after a car crash and a helicopter accident) and having experienced the difficulties of wheel chair travel first hand she wanted to write a book that showed the challenges for wheelchair users when travelling, not just steps and narrow doorways, for example, but unexpected things like the difficulties of traversing cobbles. 

When not writing or travelling Gina lives in Sussex with her husband and dogs.

You can also find Gina at:

Author Website

Instagram

Facebook

Reedsy

Tik Tok

(media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs by Victoria Williamson - Illustrated by James Brown - #blogtour #bookreview

If anyone can hear me, this is Skipper Malkin Maddox of the Skyfleet reporting from the New World colony base. It's been three years since our pioneer boat washed up on these uncharted shores, and all our attempts to contact the Old World by radio have failed. I'm continuing to broadcast in the hope that someone, somewhere, will pick up our signal and send us the help we need...

The Blurb

When the skies turn deadly, a young heroine must rise from the ashes...

Twelve-year-old Amberley Jain has faced incredible challenges since the crash that took her parents and paralysed her legs. Now, with her best friend Ricardo Lopez about to be sent away and a swarm of mutated insects closing in on the Skyfleet base, the stakes have never been higher. Something monstrous is driving the mutabugs north from the contaminated meteor site known as the Cauldron, and the only plane capable of stopping it - the Firehawk - lies in pieces in the hangar.

Determined to honour her parents' legacy, Amberley hatches a daring plan. With Ricardo's help, they stow away on a supply train, trading his most treasured possession for the parts needed to repair the Firehawk. After secret test flights, the legendary jet is ready for action. Now, Amberley and Ricardo must confront the deadly swarm and save their home, discovering their inner strength and the true meaning of friendship along the way.

Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs is a thrilling tale of adventure and resilience, perfect for middle-grade readers.

My Review

I am a big fan of Victoria Williamson's books and I've read and reviewed several. I'll pop links to them at the end of the review.

This book which is aimed at a middle grade readership is full of action and adventure.

The characters were easy to identify with. The main character, Amberley Jain has been through a lot in her twelve years. She has lost her parents in a crash which also left her with paralysed legs. She was a great character and she showed such courage. Her friend, Ricardo who is visually impaired was an equally interesting character and between them they made a great team in the way they helped one another.

The book is set in a futuristic New World. It is set in a dystopian future and its themes of friendship, grief and courage were well portrayed. I liked the way that characters with disabilities were portrayed with such strength and bravery.   It was a heartwarming and hopeful story that I enjoyed reading.

It is a fast paced, action packed adventure book which will have great appeal to both boys and girls. 

The book has been nicely illustrated by James Brown with occasional illustrations of the different space crafts.

Below are links to my reviews of other books by Victoria Williamson.

Red Runs the Witch's Thread

The Haunting Scent of Poppies

War of the Wind

The Whistlers in the Dark

The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams

Norah's Ark

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1837917044

Publisher: Tiny Tree

Formats:  e-book, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages:  198 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Blackwell's

Waterstones

About the Author

Victoria Williamson grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and has worked as an educator in a number of different countries, including as an English teacher in China, a secondary science teacher in Cameroon, and a teacher trainer in Malawi.

As well as degrees in Physics and Mandarin Chinese, she has completed a Masters degree in Special Needs in Education. In the UK she works as a primary school special needs teacher, working with children with a range of additional support needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, physical disabilities and behavioural problems.

She is currently working as a full time writer of Middle Grade and YA contemporary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, with a focus on creating diverse characters reflecting the many cultural backgrounds and special needs of the children she has worked with, and building inclusive worlds where all children can see a reflection of themselves in heroic roles.

Victoria’s experiences teaching young children in a school with many families seeking asylum inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of redemption and unlikely friendship between Glaswegian bully Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com 

You can also find Victoria at:

Good Reads

Twitter / X

Instagram

Blue Sky

(book and media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

(bookshop.org affiliated)

In Sickness and In Health/Yom Kippur in a Gym by Nora Gold - #bookreview

 

This flipbook comprises two novellas by the talented author, Nora Gold. 

***

Sickness is a foreign country. You are lost there, you don't know the language, no matter how many times you've visited before. Nothing is familiar. You are alone...

In Sickness and In Health   - Lily had epilepsy as a child, so her most cherished goal has always been to be “normal”. By age 45 she has a “normal” life, including a family, friends, and an artistic career, and no one, not even her husband, knows the truth about her past. But now some cartoons she drew threaten to reveal her childhood secret and destroy her marriage and everything she has worked so hard for. A moving novella about shame, secrets, disabilities, and the limits and power of love.

***

I am not new to the work of this author. In 2017 I read her book, The Dead Man, which was excellent and you can read my review here. With In Sickness and In Health, she has created an intelligent and mature novella that I was gripped by. 

The main character, Lily, suffers from an undiagnosed illness and the prose begins with her describing her symptoms and the effect that they are having on her life. In addition, we learn that as a child she suffered with epilepsy, but this is something that she has kept secret, even from her husband.

Lily's childhood was devastated by her disability and the way that those around her reacted to it. But more importantly, as an adult, she feels great shame about her past and carries this secret with her.

My heart broke for Lily.  It was an emotional read for me, and I wanted to reach into the text and hug her. She has much to come to terms with in order to ever find a level of self-acceptance.

This novella was a five star read for me. I felt profoundly moved by the author's beautiful writing. Every word is considered and perfectly placed. She writes with intelligence, compassion and sensitivity. She clearly understands Lily very well, and she has created a character who is both compelling and engaging. This is a fantastic novella and Lily is a character who will remain with me.

***

The gym is filling up with people in their finest, fanciest clothes. No, they have not come to work out in their suits, ties and dresses. They're here for Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur in a Gym  - Five strangers at a Yom Kippur service in a gym are struggling with personal crises. Lucy can’t accept her husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Ira, rejected by his lover, plans to commit suicide. Ezra is tormented by a mistake that ruined his career. Rachel worries about losing her job. Tom contemplates severing contact with his sisters. Then a medical emergency unexpectedly throws these five strangers together, and in one hour all their lives are changed in ways they would never have believed possible.

***

This was quite a different read to In Sickness and in Health but it was equally as good.

The narrative moves between six different characters at a Yom Kippur service. We briefly hear from the rabbi, and then the focus moves to five of the congregants. Whilst the service progresses, each has their own inner thoughts; it's a time of introspection and soul searching. 

Anyone, who has ever fasted for the twenty-five hours required for Yom Kippur will recognise themselves in one or other of the characters. It was easy to identify with how the minds of the characters could wander before coming back to the more serious aspect of the service. Added to that, an event happens during the service which throws these characters together in a life-changing way.

The author has such a good understanding of people, and this is excellently reflected in her characters. With different chapters being devoted to one or other of them, they became engaging and compelling. My sympathies were raised as they considered their hurts, heartbreaks and disappointments that life has thrown their way.

Ms. Gold writes with insight, and she excellently portrays the immersion and oft vulnerability required in the analysing and self-immersion of our own lives that Yom Kippur demands.

Both of these novellas deserve the rare five stars that I have given them. Both are truly worthy of them. 

ISBN:  978 1771838658

Publisher:  Guernica Editions

Formats: Paperback

No. of Pages:  200

 

About the Author:

Dr. Nora Gold is the prize-winning author of five books and the editor of the prestigious online literary journal Jewish Fiction, which has readers in 140 countries. 

Gold’s first book, Marrow and Other Stories, won a Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award and was praised by Alice Munro. Her novel Fields of Exile won the inaugural Canadian Jewish Literary Award for best novel and was acclaimed by Ruth Wisse and Irwin Cotler. The Dead Man was honoured with a Canada Council for the Arts translation grant and published in Hebrew. 18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages, an anthology of translated works, received glowing reviews from Publishers Weekly, Cynthia Ozick, and Dara Horn. Gold’s fifth book, In Sickness and In Health/Yom Kippur in a Gym (two novellas), was published just last week, and is already receiving international praise. 

For more information about Nora Gold, visit noragold.com.

(ARC and media courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)