Other books that might interest you

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  Octopus Mind

  Rachel Carney

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  Octopus Mind plays with an array of rich and original metaphors to explore the intricacies of neurodiversity, perception and the human mind. These poems articulate the desire to understand and be understood by oneself and others in a complex world. They observe the nuances of creativity, art, relationships, and self-expression through the lens of neurodiversity, reflecting on the poet's experience of being diagnosed with dyspraxia as an adult. They delve into the challenges of neurodiversity, but also reveal its gifts.
  Poems respond to visual artists like Gwen John, whose paintings break new ground for women representing their own visions of themselves. Other poems suggest that this can be a struggle however, as Pablo Picasso paints not a woman but his own despair in 'Blue Nude', while Elizabeth Siddal reflects on her own image, fetishized by the Pre-Raphaelite painters, and Henri Rousseau's painting becomes an outlet for self-deception and frustration. 
  Some of the most stunning poems in this collection perform a kind of magic or sleight of hand, as dyspraxia is explored through unique and remarkable metaphors, including a series of artefacts in a museum, a walk along the seashore, and a swaying tree. The 'Octopus Mind' evokes the possibilities of what it means to be human, through obsession, self-deception, realisation, and acceptance.
  The speaker in Octopus Mind is endearingly humble and we journey with them beyond self-criticism to reclaiming the self. In 'Growing', the narrator declares 'I will grow // into myself, climbing, steady, / grip by grip, leaf by leaf'. In 'Understood' the narrator describes the complex process of re-imagining one's place in the world, armed with new knowledge: 'Slowly, we adjust / our own soft ignorance / unroll our prejudice / in gentle waves.' 
  "A poet of multiple uncanny self-portraits, of the 'octopus mind', who explores the gaps between mind and body, and body and world, with deft, diverse diagnoses."Damian Walford Davies
  "Extraordinary poems of self-encounter, of divergence, of bruised bodies out of balance with themselves, laid bare – and of new-found identities, and joyous release." Richard Marggraf Turley 
  "Rachel Carney's debut collection delights in its curiosity and surrealism. This is a collection that 'swims out into deep ocean currents' to explore the workings of the mind and the impacts of this on the self." Katherine Stansfield

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  Wellington 24

  Rachel Harper

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  An upbeat and empowering wartime tale about teamwork, collaboration and beating the odds.
  It's 1943, World War II rages on, and the men are gone. It's left to the 'women in the workmen's boots' to pick up the pieces in the factory. They're being relied upon to build the planes that could win the war, and they take the responsibility seriously.
  On this particular day, they're attempting to build a Wellington bomber in record-breaking time: under twenty-four hours. As temperatures rise and prejudices bubble up, will they be able to pull together in time? 
  Rachel Harper's play Wellington 24 was first performed by the students at Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton, as part of the Write the Girl project.
  The Nick Hern Books Multiplay Drama series features large-cast plays specifically written to be performed by and appeal to young people. For more information, visit www.multiplaydrama.co.uk.

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  Miss Julie & The Stronger

  August Strindberg

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  Two of the most influential and early feminist plays to have ever graced the stage, we have have Miss Julie and The Stronger. 
  Miss Julie is a one act tragedy that finds itself in a similar vein as Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabbler" and "A Doll's House," in which the main woman of the play (Miss Julie) tries to take hold of her own destiny and break away from the system that has failed to meet her needs, but is unable (or unwilling) to see the consequences of her own actions--a desperate cry for legitimacy to a society that seems indifferent to her struggle. 
  The Stronger, in comparison, is a ten minute play about the fallout of such a decision, and confronting that catalyst many years later--a contemplation on the manipulation of thought (both of the main character and the object of her insecurities) and the forgetfulness of coping.

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  A Rhyme A Dozen ― Christmas...

  Sara Teasdale, G K Chesterton,...

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  ‘A dime a dozen’ as known in America, is perhaps equal to the English ‘cheap as chips’ but whatever the lingua franca of your choice in this series we hereby submit ‘A Rhyme a Dozen’ as 12 poems on many given subjects that are a well-rounded gathering, maybe even an essential guide, from the knowing pens of classic poets and their beautifully spoken verse to the comfort of your ears. 
  1 - A Rhyme a Dozen - 12 Poets, 12 Poems, 1 Topic.  Christmas Carols - An Introduction 
  2 - Wondrous Sight For Men and Angels by Ann Griffiths 
  3 - Angels From the Realms of Glory by James Montgomery 
  4 - A Christmas Carol by Aubrey De Vere 
  5 - A Christmas Carol by G K Chesterton 
  6 - Christmas Carol by Sara Teasdale 
  7 - A Carol. I by Mildmay Fane, Earl of Westmorland 
  8 - A Christmas Carol by Samual Taylor Coleridge 
  9 - Carol by Ben Jonson 
  10 - In The Bleak Midwinter by Christina Georgina Rossetti 
  11 - Go, Tell It on the Mountain by John Wesley Work Jr 
  12 - The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy 
  13 - We Three Kings of Orient Are by John Henry Hopkins Jnr

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  Patricia Gets Ready (for a date...

  Martha Watson Allpress

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  Patricia has spent a year recovering from an abusive relationship. But when she bumps into her ex on the street, she accidentally agrees to go to dinner with him that night.
  Now she's got some big decisions to make. What to wear? What to say? And... whether or not to go?
  Martha Watson Allpress's Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her) is a play for one actor that was first seen at VAULT Festival 2020, directed by Kaleya Baxe and performed by Angelina Chudi, then at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021, winning numerous awards and receiving rave reviews. It was revived on a UK tour in 2022, performed by Yasmin Dawes, including a run at Brixton House, London.
  'The standout production of this EdFringe' - The Stage
  'Brilliant... A script that refuses to simplify, to be neat and tidy, to apologise, to paint Patricia as just a victim. Rather, she is bold, funny (very funny) and sexually confident' - Guardian

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  Embers

  Uzma Hussain

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  In ‘Embers’, Uzma Hussain presents a bold and deeply resonant debut collection of poetry that delves into the raw realities of love, loss, and survival. With striking honesty and vulnerability, these verses guide readers through the pain of longing and the quiet resilience that follows heartache, making Embers an unforgettable reading experience.
  Though this is her first book, Uzma’s work carries the emotional depth and maturity of a seasoned poet. Her writing captures the universal struggle of heartbreak and the weight of unspoken pain. ‘Embers’ offers a powerful voice for those seeking meaning and solace in the aftermath of emotional wounds.

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