Book recommendations

Looking for some great books to read or for presents – these might assist your searching:

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Semi-autobiographical account of Roberts who escaped a maximum security prison in Australia and spent ten years on the run in India and Afghanistan

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Follow the true-life journey of a young peasant boy plucked from his family in China to train as a dancer, rising to world-wide acclaim

Marching Powder by Rusty Young
The most amazing insight into life in a Bolivian Prison where entrepreneurship equals survival

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Share in the poignant and soul-shattering story of two young boys growing up together in Afghanistan

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Again, set in Afghanistan, enter the lives of two women pre, during and post Taliban rule; it will change your view of your own life forever more

Stolen Time by Sunny Jacobs
Condemned to death, along with her partner, for a murder they did not commit, Sonny spent five years in solitary on death row and twelve years in prison before being released The White Masai by Corinne Hofmann

German born and raised Corinne fell in love on sight with a Masai warrior on a visit to Kenya and returned to live with him, enduring endless challenges to be with the man she loved

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
The memoirs of a boy soldier recruited into the government army in Sierra Leone and forced to commit unspeakable acts of violence

Kilroy was Here by Kris Olsson
She was locked up and abused at 13, a mother a 17 and jailed for drug trafficking at 28, Kris ultimately became a relentless campaigner for women's rights in prison and was awarded the Order of Australia. 

Truth Imagined by Eric Hoffer
Blinded as a child, regaining his sight at 15, Eric Hoffer began to consume books and is truly a modern day philosopher.  Join him on his migratory travels throughout the USA during which he questions every basic assumption about human nature

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
A fascinating look at the world of the geisha behind the costume and the mask. Explore the mystery and the meaning of this dying phenomenon

Making Money Made Simple by Noel Whittaker
A down-to-earth, practical, readable, common sense look at how to maximise the money we earn. If only I had read it thirty years ago!  Still, it is never too late to start applying his simple principles

The World is Flat by Thomas L Friedman
Globalisation in the 21st century through technology is connecting people, resources and knowledge at a lightning-fast pace. Discover the implications for you and your business

Good to Great by Jim Collins
21 researchers, five years and 1435 Fortune 500 companies = compelling evidence on what it takes to take a company from good to great and keep it there. That is achieving 6.9 times cumulative stock returns over fifteen years.

Unlock Your Hormones by Dr Graeme Williams
A convincing and compelling read into the role hormones play in our lives and how to overcome the symptoms of menopause and andropause, PMS, excess weight, moods, anxiety, diabetes, osteoporosis, breast & prostate problems, stress etc

These on the other hand are not to be recommended;
· A Clifftop Saga, by Eileen Dover
· Stories from the North Pole, by I. C. Blast
· Garden Care, by Anita Lawn
· A Garlic Lover's Story, by Y. I. Malone
· A Stupid Person's Guide, by M. T. Head
· How to Joust, by Sally Forth
· How to Suck Blood from Humans, by Amos Quito
· Being Miserable, by Mona Lott
· The First Years of School, by L. M. Entree
· Embarrassing Hair Disorders, by Dan Druff
· Hurricanes and Their Causes, by Gail Force-Wynn
· Cannibalism, by Henrietta Man
· Insomnia, by Eliza Wake
· Barber Shop Management, by Aaron Floor