A Book Prescription: Books dealing with Cancer

Everyone knows that reading books can have many benefits; from helping you sleep better, reduce stress, provide escapism from a busy day, enhance empathy, improve mood, improve intelligence and also perhaps even ward of debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's.

It can also encourage you to interact with other people, either through reading with your family, your pets, a reading groups, library visits or even chatting to a bookseller, books can bring a lot of pleasure whether you read alone or read with others.

While helping Nicola Bourne with the development of her book, "The Fabulous Woman's Guide Through Cancer", she asked me to put a list of books together that might appeal to anyone receiving treatment for cancer. Here are some of the titles I recommended.

Out Of Darkness Comes The Sun: Books/Projects Inspired by the Battle Against Illness

"Tea and Chemo" Jackie Buxton 
A collection of blog posts developed by Buxton into a novel about her battle with Breast Cancer. Upbeat, readable, friendly and honest.

·      “One Million Lovely Letters” Jodi Ann Bickley 

All good Bibliomaniac’s know that words have the power to heal. After recovering from a life threatening brain infection and having to relearn many of life’s basic skills, Bickey decided to write letters to people who were stuck in a dark place and need to hear that they were fabulous. This book records her inspirational project to cheer up suffering and hurt people around the world. 

·      “Knickers Model’s Own: A Year of Frugal Fashion” Caroline Jones 

When Jones’ mother died from cancer, she wanted to start a campaign to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Jones decided to wear clothes bought from her local Cancer Research shop every day for a whole year, posting a photo of her outfit on Facebook every morning. This book is the story of that year. With a photograph of every outfit, top tips for shopping in a charity shop, style advice and articles from celebrities, this is a beautiful book to dip in and out of which will challenge people’s perception of charity shops. Jones shows us that pre-loved clothes can be worn anytime, anywhere, anyhow; not only allowing you to constantly update your wardrobe on a budget , but also raise essential funds for an important cause. Available direct from Cancer Research UK with 100% of the cover price going to the charity. 

·      “When Breathe Becomes Air” Paul Kalanithi 

Neurosurgeon Kalanithi became diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer when he was 36 years old. This book of his memoirs charts his experience as a doctor and a patient; he seeks to explore the difficult questions about how to live life in the face of death and has written an affirming, deeply moving read about facing death and experiencing cancer both from both sides of the Doctor’s desk. Tragically he lost his battle but his book is an amazing legacy.

 Books For When You Want To Let Someone Else Take Centre Stage: Protagonists with Cancer

                                                                                                                         

 

   “Ways to Live Forever” Sally Nicholls

11 year old Sam collects facts and the answers to difficult questions. He also has leukaemia. This is his quest to collect facts about death and cancer. Powerful, uplifting, funny and honest.

·      “My Sister’s Keeper” Jodi Picoult 

The heart-breaking story of Anna; conceived to provide her terminally ill sister with healthy bone marrow and her attempts to convince her parents that she should no longer merely be defined by this lifesaving role. Devastating family drama raising plenty of thought provoking and ethical questions.

·      “A Monster Calls” Patrick Ness

Conor struggles to cope with his mother’s battle with cancer and his nights become filled with terrifying visits from a monster who will not stop until he has the truth. 

·      “Before I die” Jenny Downham 

Terminally ill Tessa has a “Things to do before I die” list which starts with “sex”. Time is running out for Tessa and she is desperate to be like a “normal” teenager. This novel shares her emotional journey as she grapples with relationships, siblings, parents and trying to be normal. 

·      “The Fault In Our Stars” John Green

Hazel and Augustus meet at the Cancer Kid Support Group. Both terminally ill, this books explores the funny and tragic business of being alive and being in love. 

Books For When You Want To Hear About Someone Else’s Fight: Protagonists with a Terminal Illness or Depression 

·      “Me Before You” Jojo Moyes

The main character Will is paraplegic. He has lost all interest in life and has made plans accordingly. Vivacious and fun loving Lou has lost her job. She’s about to erupt into Will’s life and neither of them is prepared for the profound change they are going to have on each other.  

·      “One” Sarah Crossan 

A novel written in free verse where the main characters are conjoined twins faced with the most difficult of all decisions. Moving and equisite. 

·      “Still Alice” Lisa Genova

An incredible piece of work about Alice’s descent into the confusing world of Alzheimers. An intellectual academic and working mother, Alice is shocked at her diagnosis. Genova writes with immense skill as she captures Alice’s fast changing world of Alice through her eyes.  

·      “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” Stephen Chbosky 

Famous coming of age novel following introvert and socially awkward Charlie’s final years at high school as he rides the teenager rollercoaster of study, friendships and relationships. 

·      “The Bell Jar” Sylvia Plath

American classic and world famous book about Esther Greenwood’s descent into insanity. Extraordinary, harrowing and completely palpable. 

·      “All The Bright Places” Jennifer Niven 

All Theodore thinks about is how to kill himself. All Violet thinks about is how to get away from this small town, her family and the shadow of her sister’s tragic death. They meet on the ledge of a bell tower and their paths suddenly seem to become entwined, unable to escape each other and unable to see how each is saving the other. 

For When You Need A Bit Of Extra Calm: Books about Anxiety and Stress

·      “Reasons to Stay Alive” Matt Haig

Haig is an established fiction writer who openly struggles with severe depression. This book is a mixture of personal anecdotes, statistics, lists but most importantly, a book about how to love life again from someone who will not patronise or judge you.

·      “Sane New World” Ruby Wax

Comedian, writer, academic student, mental health campaigner and manic depressive Ruby Wax has written this accessible “manual” to try and explain how your brain is wired and how we can learn to control this and reroute it to calm ourselves and cope with a fast paced, high pressured, modern lifestyle. 

·      “Handbag Meditations” Alice Nancye 

Mindfulness is the new buzz word and this very slim, short volume can be easily stowed away in a coat pocket or handbag. It provides you with easy to use mindfulness exercises for beginners that you can do in the shower, on the way to the shops or while cooking a meal. It aims to reduce stress and induce calmness. 

·      “Stressed, Unstressed: Classic Poems to Ease the Mind” Jonathan Bate

This is a lovely collection of a wide variety of famous classic poems. Each section is organised in to different themes depending on your particular mood / need with a very readable introduction about how to approach poetry and how to use it to create a calm space, to empty your mind and rebalance your focus. 

·      “The Happiness Project” Gretchen Ruben

This book is separated into 12 different sections; one for each month of the year. Within each section are ideas for how to focus on one small aspect of your life and how by making tiny adjustments you will actually generate more happiness for yourself. Ruben is realistic, entertaining and relatable. Lots of simple ideas! 

·      “Staying Alive” / “Being Alive” ed Neil Astley 

A collection of poems selected on these themes.

I hope there is something helpful in these suggestions. For more recommendations and reviews please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk)

Don't forget to look out for Nicola's fabulous guide for fabulous women. It really is an excellent reference book written with kindness, honesty and with a very supportive voice.



Nicola Bourne's "The Fabulous Woman's Guide Through Cancer" publishes today 18th November 2016. Available via Amazon.

**Q&A** Nicola Bourne "A Fabulous Woman's Guide Through Cancer"

The Fabulous Woman’s Guide Through Cancer

Nicola Bourne

The Fabulous Woman’s Guide Through Cancer is a down to earth, friendly and informal book for any woman who is being affected by cancer. It is not about the medical details, the statistics and the science behind the illness, but about how having cancer will affect your life.

• ·       How do you explain cancer to a toddler?
• ·       What do you need for a hospital visit?
• ·       How do you survive a social event when you have just finished a round of chemo?
• ·       How do you find out about financial and legal support?
• ·       What can you do to stay sociable when you’re not feeling up to a big night out with the girls?

The Fabulous Woman's Guide Through Cancer gives real advice from real women who have had real cancer.

Written with compassion, sensitivity and warmth this book is full of clearly presented information, tips, check lists and advice making it an invaluable companion to refer to again and again throughout the time it is needed.

It is my great pleasure to welcome Nicola to my blog today. 

Nicola wrote the first edition of this book in 2015 and since it's publication she has received a lot of positive feedback about how valuable women are finding it. Amongst the feedback, there were also a lot of requests for more information, more detail and more advice with certain aspects of the topics discussed. Nicola decided to respond to this by updating the book - little did she know how much more she actually had to say! 

This new second edition is almost double in length than it's original. It retains the essence of the first edition but the layout is much improved making it easier to locate specific sections. The text is neatly broken down into bite size chunks, boxes, italics and bullet points. There are some new chapters and there is more practical information included as well. 

Nicola's style strikes a great balance between the chatty, informal, supportive voice of a friend as well as being clear, practical and pragmatic. It is an invaluable companion for any woman going through cancer and for any friend looking to support the fabulous woman in their life. 

So thank you Nicola for appearing on my blog and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

What gave you the idea for writing a guide through cancer for fabulous women?

When I was diagnosed with cancer I looked for a book, a source for all the information I needed, but couldn’t find one that answered the questions I had. I found cancer books were either very medical, or memoirs. I was only thirty-one when I was diagnosed and I had a two-year old and a three-month old baby. My concerns were how do I explain cancer to my children? What should I pack for hospital? How can I stay social when I can’t go out? How will I cope with the bodily changes I am about to experience? I wanted real advice from real women who have really had cancer.  As my journey continued I met other women with cancer who had also found a lack of this sort of information. That is when I knew that as a writer, I had to write this book, for all the fabulous women with cancer.  To give a first-hand viewpoint, with a deep understanding and personal experience of what they are going through.  Plus, I have a genuine passion for helping other women who are affected by this awful illness.

What is the one thing you would like fabulous women to get out of your book?
As well as all the practical tips, I think it is for women to know that they are not alone, that there are other women who have been through this and who may be able to help in some way.

What was the most fabulous thing about writing this guide? Or the most fabulous thing that has come out of the experience?

So many fabulous experiences have come out of writing this book.   The Fabulous Woman’s Guide Through Cancer was a labour of love and nothing compares to the getting wonderful, heartfelt messages from ladies who have been touched or helped in some way from reading it.  It wasn't always easy writing a book about one of the worst experiences I’ve had to encounter. I remember when writing about the emotional side of cancer and reliving the moments when I was so low I wanted to give up, that I came away from my computer crying.  However, knowing that I have been able to use my love of writing and turn something so negative into something positive that can helps others, is quite simply amazing.

In your book, you mention a few resolutions you made about things you wanted to achieve once you had survived cancer. Have you been able to make those changes? What has been the most fabulous thing about making these changes? 

Yes!  I have said before it's a shame that it took having cancer to put my life so harshly into perspective but it really did.  When I didn't know if I was going to survive or not, I wished I had gone to university to read English Literature and Creative Writing. I wished I had had the courage to try and publish some of my writing and I wished I had travelled more.  So, once I got the 'all clear' I knew exactly what I was going to do and set about making those things happen.  I'm currently in my final year of university and about to have the 2nd edition of my book published - as well as having had several articles and pieces of short fiction and plays also published- so far, it's all going to plan!

In your book you talk about an Anti-Bucket list. What has been the most fabulous thing you have done on this list and what is the next thing you are looking forward to doing from that list?

I love my Anti-Bucket List!  It's an 'Anti-Bucket List' because Bucket Lists are something you complete before you die -I am completing this list because I am alive!  

The most fabulous thing was probably going to Marrakesh with my husband.  It was my first trip with a colostomy bag and I was so nervous, so that felt like a particularly large milestone.  Next, I would like to take my children to see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in the West End.

What do you think makes a fabulous woman? What do you think are fabulous qualities in a woman?

Self-belief I suppose.  It is SO easy for everyone to let fear stop them from doing something they want to do or achieve, I think fabulous women go out there and do it anyway.

In your opinion, can you tell me who you consider to be a fabulous woman? 

I think Emma Watson is completely fabulous.  The way she keeps feminism at the forefront with HeForShe and her feminist book club Our Shared Shelf is inspiring.  

Another fabulous lady that I was lucky to meet earlier this year is Jaime Thurston, founder of the amazing charity 52 Lives.  Every week, 52 Lives posts a story about someone in need of help via their website and social media. People then offer anything they can that will support this person.  Jaime has now also set up Project Kindness which goes in to schools teaching children about how small acts of kindness can literally change lives.  Jaime is definitely one fabulous woman.  

I'm really lucky because I feel like I know so many fabulous women!  My mum, grandmothers and sister are without a doubt the most fabulous women I've met, but I would definitely say many of my friends are too.  

What’s next for your fabulous self?

Sleep!  :)  As I said I am in my final year of university and after that you will hopefully be seeing a lot more fiction work from me.  I am due to have another short play performed in 2017 and the plan is to have my first fiction novel published in late 2017 / early 2018.  Watch this space!

If it’s possible, can you finish by sharing your one top tip for fabulous women who maybe fighting cancer? 
To anyone who had or has cancer I just want to say… 

You are so strong. Especially on the days that you don’t think you are, the days when you want to give up. Those are the days when you are actually the strongest, because you keep going.  

You are going to do things you only dreamt of before.  You are going to be even more amazing because at one point you were stripped of everything and (if not now, in time) you will rebuild.  

Give yourself time and be kind to yourself, let the magic of life unfold.

Thanks so much Nicola for a fabulous interview! The book is a fantastic achievement and even though we all wish no one ever had to have the need for such a book, I hope it is able to offer real support the women who need it. I wish you well in your career with fiction writing and look forward to having you back on the blog to talk about your novel in 2017!

I'm just going to finish with one of my favourite reviews of the book from Amanda Innes who posted this on Amazon in 2015. It captures the book so well. 

I can't recommend this book highly enough! Bourne openly describes her own heroic battle with cancer and offers an abundance of tips and suggestions for women facing similar battles. She also gives guidance for those supporting friends or loved ones who have received a diagnosis of cancer with top tips on what to say or not to say, and suggestions on how to help. Reading this book is like sitting down for a cup of tea with the author; her tone is incredibly friendly, supportive, and ultimately fabulous!

About the Author:

Nicola was diagnosed with an advanced colorectal cancer in 2012. After being told she may not survive, Nicola has been 'all clear' since 2014.

Nicola writes for many publications on the topics of Women's Health, Cancer, Living with a Colostomy and Parenthood.

She lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her husband and two children.

To connect with Nicola you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter or via her website:

www.nicolabourne.com          @njbrn           @nicolabournewrites

For more recommendations and reviews from me, you can follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk) 

"My Story" Jo Malone (Autobiography)

Jo Malone's autobiography was published on 6th October 2016 and just before that I heard her talking about it on Woman's Hour (BBC Radio 4). As soon as the interview finished, I preordered the hardback. Not something I do very often! Listening to Jo Malone, I was struck with her honesty, humility, passion and intelligence. Reading her book has only confirmed this further. Without wanting to sound too saccharine - despite probably being very guilty of developing a fan-girl crush!!! -this woman really is inspirational, a wonderful role model for all women and a truly fabulous person.

I've been putting off writing my review as I'm worried I can't do the book justice or that my review will run on into thousands of words. As you can see from the photo, I noted just a few quotes! Well, here goes.....



Jo Malone is the inspirational British businesswoman responsible for creating her globally renowned beauty business and, more recently, her new brand 'Jo Loves'. This, her first autobiography, tells in full her incredible journey from modest beginnings as a teenager, struggling with dyslexia and leaving school with no qualifications, to becoming an international brand name and one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs.
  Jo's lively story explores how her fascination with smell teamed with her natural ability to create world-famous blends such as 'Lime, Basil & Mandarin', revolutionised the way we think about fragrance.
  Her unique talent for pioneering innovation and originality within her field is unrivalled. Yet, despite her success, she has faced huge challenges with courage and determination, including being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37 and told she only had nine months to live, and her decision to go it alone after selling the original Jo Malone brand to the Estee Lauder Corporation and walking away in 2006.  Jo's commitment and down-to-earth approach to life, work and family makes her one of the most likeable and well respected personalities in British retail and her honesty, hard work and entrepreneurial grit are an inspiration to all. (inside cover blurb) 

Malone's early family life is quite unhappy. As soon as she was old enough, she was under pressure to take on more responsibility within the household and by looking after her sister as her parent's marriage crumbled and her mother's mental health deteriorated. From the outset, Malone approaches these challenging times with determination and focus, using the housework as a way of establishing order and control. There is nothing pitiable about her, nor is she seeking it. 

The one thing her upbringing did reinforce was that "I don't want to live like this when I'm older. I won't. I can't." And that flicker of grit, resilience, hard work and focus is alight. Sadly she does say that she "learned to detach myself and place sad thoughts into mental boxes that I'd push away and refuse to open", but then this also taught her to "not look back and to keep moving forward" which again, reflects the incredible drive Malone has to follow her passion and what has ensured she's managed such a successful company. 

Malone is tough on herself. She is meticulous in creating a product with integrity and settling for nothing less than outstanding. When she began to experiment with making fragrances she learnt three lessons: 

"always find Tracey (her younger sister) something to do, never take your eyes off the ball, and be willing to toss it out and start again if it's not absolutely perfect."

However, she is not a cold person. The way she talks about her husband and son is extremely warm, moving and loving, showing them to be an integral part of who she is and intrinsic to her life. On many occasions she explains how she would be nothing without Gary's support and love. The strength of their relationship is impressive and I found it very poignant when Malone explained that Gary was the first person to offer her unconditional love, security and constancy.

What I also loved about this autobiography is that the writing is very honest, sometimes blunt, humorous, and exceptionally readable. You can't help but admire and respect this woman and despite her global recognition and wealth, the book is incredibly down to earth and chatty in its tone of voice. Except perhaps when she talks about fragrances and creating oils! Her absolute passion for scents and smells seems to be so intuitive, so overwhelming and such an obsession for her that the passages about this are lyrical and effusive. 

"When I start to develop the idea for a fragrance, I am, in my mind, creating a unique character that breathes on its own, with a heartbeat, soul and personality: whispering to me its capabilities, strengths and weaknesses; hinting whether it will be dominant in a room or more reserved, and whether it will turn heads or slowly grow on people. But however it behaves socially, one thing is guaranteed: each one will make its charm and presence felt, stirring moods, memories, emotions.....and our senses." 

"I'm like a conductor pulling in different instruments and musicians to create a symphony"

And perhaps the best thing about the book is that Malone includes the failures, the mistakes, the cringing, the moments of sheer panic - all with a light touch of humour and humility. This is particularly pertinent, seeing as she often uses music as a metaphor for her work, when she recounts the moment of the "Jo Malone version of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture" when the bottles lining a beautiful shelf display in the shop had been filled a little too full of oil! 

Jo Malone has overcome many difficulties and challenges in her life, but never does she blame, rant or become negative about them. She has a real sense of perspective and appears very grounded. At school, she struggled and although later diagnosed with dyslexia, it was too late to help her with her education. 

"There were no neuroscientists referring to the hidden potential of dyslexics, no Alan Sugars or Norman Fosters to trump the stigmas; no books like "The Dyslexic Advantage" to explain how individuals with dyslexia are't defective; they're simple different. None of that."

It was interesting hearing how she had learned to overcome this challenge in her working life and how she and her team sought ways of making spreadsheets, presentations and any documents she may be faced with, accessible for her. This really is a determined woman who seeks to positively solve problems rather than let them floor her. And all this pays off. As she quotes: 

"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life - Confucius"

And she is also a woman who embraces challenges. At various stages of her career she's been dealt a curve ball and had to rethink, re-plan, re-budget, restructure and even start again and every time, Malone starts right at the bottom. She doesn't behave as if she is entitled to anything. As she says when she decides to set up Jo Loves: 

"How does anyone get started? Easy. You start by getting off your arse and making difficult calls." 

"Skin doesn't recognise class and there's something about the intimate space between the 'face girl' and client that is a great leveller." 

The Jo Malone brand is incredibly distinctive, as is her new brand Jo Loves. Malone clearly has a very clear approach to what her brands stand for and her she explains this: 

"Simplicity sums up my approach. I believe that the hallmarks of quality and luxury are discernment, not fuss, not razzmatazz, not bells and whistles. Understated. Subtle. Like a scent that gradually makes itself known and quietly commands attention." 

The hardest challenge that Malone faced was being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. Yes, this is a bleak time for her, yes she is desperately ill, yes she describes how difficult, upsetting and dreadful this time was for her but even throughout this devastating ordeal she remains pragmatic, focussed and resolute.

"To ask 'why me?' would be to wish that it was on someone else, and that didn't seem fair. Life doesn't always deal the good fortune cards."

"It's important to share my story......the more we shine light into the darkest, scariest of places, the more acceptable it seems and the less alone we have to be."

And I totally loved this sentence from the end of the section talking about her illness: 

"Cancer doesn't define me. It only signifies eight months and three chapters in my life story."

Jo Malone is brave. She is inspiring. She is iconic. She is a fantastic role model. She is a successful business woman. She is an artist. She is a mother and a wife. She also seems like someone you could easily spend an afternoon chatting to over tea and cake- or maybe a glass of wine one evening! I highly recommend this autobiography. I think it's pretty clear how I felt about it and I think I'm probably in danger of being reprimanded by Simon & Schuster for over-quoting! 

Oh but I just can't stop.....!! If any book will make you feel like you can conquer the world, this one will! If any person can make you feel like you should get out there and chase your dream, this one will! 

"Find a ladder. Or find a way to climb over the wall. Or dig a tunnel. Just find a way."

For Malone it's not about money, status, recognition, fame. She is just chasing a dream to make fragrances, chasing a dream to make something she is proud of herself rather than waiting to be affirmed by someone else. Her use of the words "integrity", "creativity",  being "true to yourself", "vocation", "resilience" and "passion" ultimately reflect the fundamental beliefs on which she has built her marriage, her family, her friendships and her business. Even if Jo Malone had not become one of the most recognised brands in the beauty industry - or even since it has -I think we would always find her somewhere, working out of whatever room she could find, doing facials and making people feel good about themselves. 

And there is a lovely, genuine sense of humility about Jo Malone too. I want to finish by quoting her last sentence in her acknowledgements: 

"Lastly I'd like to express my gratitude to every person across this world who, over the last thirty years, has bought a product I've created, be it a fragrance, a bath oil, candle or face cream - thank you for making a shopkeeper's dream come true." 

This is a very easy read, engaging and totally fascinating read. It's like having Jo Malone in the room with you for a few hours, chatting away and provides a real insight into her personal and professional world. I will read it again. And, thanks to the scented page inside the front cover and the sensory overload about her creative process, my Christmas list will be mainly made up of products from her new company Jo Loves! 

For more recommendations and reviews, please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacuk)