Pink Camouflage by Gemma Morgan

Rating:

5 Stars

Themes:

Non-Fiction, Memoir, Mental Health, Trauma

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an amazing read. I have to admit I never really thought too much about the experiences of women in military training and their long term effects so this was a real eye opener for me there. While I know more about trauma and the wars it was still great to read Gemma’s experiences to see how the two were interwoven. The later half/third of the book tackled her experiences of PTSD and not only how she handled it but how many others treated her due to it such as the military doctors being dismissive to protect the institution to the mans wife after the first invictus who told her that old teammates claimed she was always ‘unhinged’ and even those in the BBC who failed to provide long term support to the veterans who were bearing their prior trauma for their show.

Favourite Quote:

"Disposing of my anonymity has been akin to sending up a flare. But knowing that I might help others also helps me to regain some confidence. It helps my healing."

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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