Lived experience books

 Lived experience

Books by people who have lived through something extraordinary and want to share their story to help others. We can learn a lot from other peoples experiences. *some of these reviews are also shared on Goodreads

Sally Magnusson. Where memories go. A look at the realities of living with dementia in the family. Beautiful, powerful and poignant. This book should be on the reading list of all health care professionals.

Terry Pratchett. Shaking hands with death. His experiences of living with Parkinsons. The eloquence, dignity and reasoning of Terry Pratchett shine through this transcript of the Dimbleby lecture. His legacy is great and far reaching.

Sheri Fink. Five days at Memorial. Life and death in a storm ravaged hospital. A horrifying but well told account. Not an easy read.

Michael Rosen. Many different kinds of love. A story of life, death and the NHS. A first person account of being hospitalised by COVID from the author and poet Michael Rosen. Possibly the book I recommend most frequently to student nurses and those preparing to start their training.

Paul Collins. Not even wrong: Adventures in Autism. A very interesting blend of historical research and everyday life for the author. 

Jill Bolte Taylor. My stroke of insight: A brain scientists personal journey. A fascinating story of a stroke from the inside. Full of interesting information and a very human point of view. There is also lots of information which could be useful to anyone dealing with a stroke or helping stroke survivors.

Jeffery Archer. Hell. A prison diary. Jeffery Archer uses his story telling skills to shine light on the world within the walls of Belmarsh. He used writing as a means of surviving the ordeal he faced. With many serious messages within these pages ('...are you listening home secretary...') he shares his experience in order to try and help others.

Caroline Knapp. Drinking. A love story. Interesting, honest and insightful. A memoir of alcoholism and recovery.

Julie Gregory. Sickened: The memoir of a Munchausen by proxy childhood. Horrifyingly fascinating. A brave woman to come through her upbringing and a generous woman to share her insights with others, thank you. 

Jo Brand. Look back in Hunger. Good book. You can imagine her talking as you read it. Interesting to read her stories of mental health nursing, I can imagine she was very good.