Welcome to my first "good read" blog, I've been reading and listening to a lot lately so I thought I best share them now as I know in the first few days, weeks or even months the days seem long and the nights seem even longer when you can't sleep and depending what medication you may or may not be taking, sleep deprevation can be a killer, infact in some countries depriving people of sleep is actually a form of torture and I know there were nights I spent pacing the house, walking from one room to another and back again until the sun came up and although my body was physically tired, I just couldn't shut my head up long enough to fall asleep. In rehab more or less the whole group identified with me on this, no matter what their substance of choice, and the one thing we all agreed was that it was definitely one of the worst parts of getting clean and sober. Lack of sleep made me what my family call, ratty with everyone, I'd bite someones head off for asking me a simple question and then during the day I found my self with so much time on my hands I thought I was going to go mad, infact one of my friends in AA told me when I was sick of watching TV but I felt bored or as she put it "at a loose end" it can be a dangerous situation to find yourself in. I remember someone saying, why don't you go for a walk and my reply was "no" as I was aware that even the short walk to the park and back I would have to pass 3 shops each way, all of which served alcohol and the fact that my thinking was what got me in this situation in the first place, I knew that even going round to the park may really have been a rouse to get to the shop without even knowing it, so instead i would try and read a chapter of a book, cup of tea a fag in the garden, whilst every so often being thrown a sly look by mum who had become an unofficial detective since i left rehab! Anyway, i'd switch between reading a book and blocking out the world by putting in my headphones and listening to a self help / addiction audio book whilst, as Dad put it, "lolling" on the sofa for an hour or so. The good thing about
audio
nd recommendations on it, however, I decided to get this post out
(scroll further down for general extra information regarding audiobook sources etc..)
March 2021 - Today's Recommendations
⭐₌ Highly Recommended, A Must Read!
Recovery Books
All from Audible
- Drug Addiction Recovery (Rewire Your Brain And Grow) by Laura Kruger
- High Achiever, The incredible True Story of One Addict's Double Life by Tiffany Jenkins
- American Drug Addict by Brett Douglas
- Healing The Scars of Addiction by Gregory L. Jantz Ph.D
True Crime Audiobooks :
Both by Audible
- Jack The Ripper: Case Closed by Gyles Brandreth
- My Life With Murders by Professor David Wilson
Self Help Book both from Borrow Box
- How to come alive again by Beth McColl
- Help Me! by Marianne Power⭐
Click here to "Help Me" on Amazon, where you can have a free brief listen.
. Total Law of Attraction by Dr David Che🌟
Preview pages of The Total Law of Attraction by David Che
If you are interested in learning more about the LOA then you won't find a better book to learn from than the Total Law of Attraction by David Che. Generally attempting to understand most books written about the LOA is extremely difficult especially when the Author begins to discuss Quantum Physics and where it fits into to the whole thing. Dr Che's book is written both simply and practically, he provides an insight into what it is, what it's for, how it should be used, how it works, how to practice it, the do's and the don't and when it comes to the quantum physics, he writes "quantum physics is an essential part of the LOA, however, I will only write what you need to know, you don't even need to know how it works, as long as you understand what it is and that it works then that's all that you need to know".
For my thoughts and insights on the LOA read my blog page about it, LOA & Me.
. Total Law of Attraction by Dr David Che🌟
Preview pages of The Total Law of Attraction by David Che
If you are interested in learning more about the LOA then you won't find a better book to learn from than the Total Law of Attraction by David Che. Generally attempting to understand most books written about the LOA is extremely difficult especially when the Author begins to discuss Quantum Physics and where it fits into to the whole thing. Dr Che's book is written both simply and practically, he provides an insight into what it is, what it's for, how it should be used, how it works, how to practice it, the do's and the don't and when it comes to the quantum physics, he writes "quantum physics is an essential part of the LOA, however, I will only write what you need to know, you don't even need to know how it works, as long as you understand what it is and that it works then that's all that you need to know".
For my thoughts and insights on the LOA read my blog page about it, LOA & Me.
I do enjoy reading, however, I never seem to make the time for it, instead, I only pick up my current book when I get into bed. I switch on my book light, which by the way I would recommend without hesitation, they clip onto your book, the head is attached to an adjustable arm.
Another plus is that you will not go through dozens of batteries as it is charged by USB and last but not least, there's no need to get out of bed to turn the light off, just click the head of the light and it turns off. Do I hear voices of sceptics around the globe saying "I have a bedside lamp so I don't need to get out of bed to turn my light off anyway," to these I would respond, I too have a bedside lamp however I find they are normally too bright, they only shine from one side and the lamps tend to put out a fake white colour light which is more likely to keep you and anyone else in the room awake.
Another plus is that you will not go through dozens of batteries as it is charged by USB and last but not least, there's no need to get out of bed to turn the light off, just click the head of the light and it turns off. Do I hear voices of sceptics around the globe saying "I have a bedside lamp so I don't need to get out of bed to turn my light off anyway," to these I would respond, I too have a bedside lamp however I find they are normally too bright, they only shine from one side and the lamps tend to put out a fake white colour light which is more likely to keep you and anyone else in the room awake.
The colour light the book lamp produces is a warm glow, therefore, should you have a partner next to you trying to sleep, unlike the beaming bedside lamp they will certainly be able to sleep with this on due to its warm glow and if they can't, remind them there is always the sofa downstairs if they are going to moan about it!
The problem with only reading once in bed, by this time, I am tired and on a good day may reach 5 pages before I am physically straining to keep my eyes open, I've often woke up in the morning, in the same position, with a book still in hand. Not ideal.
Press read more to find out how I overcome only reading 5 pages a night, advice, generally useless info but more importantly my recommendations for books and podcasts you shouldn’t be missing out on...
Press read more to find out how I overcome only reading 5 pages a night, advice, generally useless info but more importantly my recommendations for books and podcasts you shouldn’t be missing out on...
I decided to join Audible last year, it is an online audiobook and podcast fest, their subscription includes, 1 credit a month which can be spent on any ebook or audiobook regardless of the original purchase price and the ability to download as many podcasts as you could want will set you back £7.99 per month. Normally, I am not one for subscriptions as I don't like the thought of taking out a contract that I am tied into and can only get out of by paying over the odds cancellation fee however Audibles cancellation policy is simple, all that is required is that you give them a month notice in writing (email) and the best bit is that they allow you to keep anything that you have downloaded until the contract is up, so tip: download as many free podcasts as you can in the month's notice.
Also, Keep an eye out for their promotions that is when I decided to take a contract out. The promotion they were offering was 3 months subscription for £.3.99 same conditions. The best thing about Audible is if you use your 1 credit per month on a book and you feel the book is not as advertised or described, or even if you honestly thought it was a pile of doggy doo and you feel you wasted your credit and you were honestly disappointed then fear not! Audible will delete that book from your library and give you another credit to use giving you the ability to chose another book in its place free of charge. It gets better, there is not a defined amount of times you can use this feature as they rely on their customers being honest and I am sure they monitor each customer account to make sure people are using this feature only when necessary and should a customer try and use it multiple times for their own selfish gain then I expect Audible would be on this quicker than me chasing a Cadbury's creme egg downhill. and that my friend is Olympic fast! Lastly, I had to speak to Audibles customer services department via online chat and email and feel that their service was so good it deserved a mention, considering recently I've had the misfortune of dealing with various insurance companies regarding 1) damage to an outbuilding and its contents due to weather damage and 2) A Car accident claim not my fault may I add, MR I DONT KNOW HOW TO LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE PULLING OUT is to blame for that one. He was a very nice, apologetic gentleman however I'm afraid I am one of those people who think that there should be a cut off age for driving. The decision to revoke a person's licence should be whatever age the individual is when they can't see the car in front of them or failing to stop when a person is crossing the road using the pedestrian crossing, you know, the ones with the black and white posts either side, with a huge yellow ball perched on the top that flash on and off in a bright yellow colour! However, the sign for immediate action to be taken by a SWAT team bursting through their door to confiscate their licence is:
failing to notice what colour the traffic lights were or worst still saying "what traffic lights?"
I found them incredibly helpful, if I could I would recommend them for Customer Service Advisors of the Year, they were pleasant, helpful and lastly, nothing seemed too much trouble to them and that in itself is worth £7.99 of anyone's money per month!
Also, Keep an eye out for their promotions that is when I decided to take a contract out. The promotion they were offering was 3 months subscription for £.3.99 same conditions. The best thing about Audible is if you use your 1 credit per month on a book and you feel the book is not as advertised or described, or even if you honestly thought it was a pile of doggy doo and you feel you wasted your credit and you were honestly disappointed then fear not! Audible will delete that book from your library and give you another credit to use giving you the ability to chose another book in its place free of charge. It gets better, there is not a defined amount of times you can use this feature as they rely on their customers being honest and I am sure they monitor each customer account to make sure people are using this feature only when necessary and should a customer try and use it multiple times for their own selfish gain then I expect Audible would be on this quicker than me chasing a Cadbury's creme egg downhill. and that my friend is Olympic fast! Lastly, I had to speak to Audibles customer services department via online chat and email and feel that their service was so good it deserved a mention, considering recently I've had the misfortune of dealing with various insurance companies regarding 1) damage to an outbuilding and its contents due to weather damage and 2) A Car accident claim not my fault may I add, MR I DONT KNOW HOW TO LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE PULLING OUT is to blame for that one. He was a very nice, apologetic gentleman however I'm afraid I am one of those people who think that there should be a cut off age for driving. The decision to revoke a person's licence should be whatever age the individual is when they can't see the car in front of them or failing to stop when a person is crossing the road using the pedestrian crossing, you know, the ones with the black and white posts either side, with a huge yellow ball perched on the top that flash on and off in a bright yellow colour! However, the sign for immediate action to be taken by a SWAT team bursting through their door to confiscate their licence is:
failing to notice what colour the traffic lights were or worst still saying "what traffic lights?"
I found them incredibly helpful, if I could I would recommend them for Customer Service Advisors of the Year, they were pleasant, helpful and lastly, nothing seemed too much trouble to them and that in itself is worth £7.99 of anyone's money per month!
I just hope that people do not use this feature simply for their own gain and listen to a book through to the end and although they thought the book was ok, ask for it to be changed as it was a terrible read, so bad they gave up on it halfway. If enough people are so selfish as to misuse Audible's service, o they will be given a replacement book for free, to listen to free a month, otherwise Audible will no doubt stop this superb feature.
So far I have downloaded numerous free podcasts and I have used my 1 credit per month wisely.
The kind of books I enjoy are Recovery books, mainly those about the brain or how and why certain people become addictions, the ... of is addiction a disease, an illness or just a habit or books that tell the story of an addict what they have been through and what steps they took to live a life of abstinence.
The other kind of book I enjoy is True Life Crime. Books about Murders, Well Known Serial Killers, FBI Profilers, Child Killers, Jack The Ripper and Gangsters / Drug Trafficking. The only type of fiction book I enjoy is normally those about Gangsters, for example, I've read most of Martina Cole books. I would rarely enjoy a Chick Book, which is a classic form of labelling, however, I don't know what else to call them, I called them that after the "chick flick" which is what a girlie film is called, the one where the two main characters who argue all the way through and are with other characters end up together living happily ever after, however recently I have tried to be a bit more open-minded and have read some fiction and non-fiction books aimed at women that I have enjoyed and lastly there are the wellbeing books, the self-help books, I just can't seem to keep away from them, It's like I almost enjoy having someone tell my how to live my life! What steps I need to take to ensure I am living the life I dreamed of, making more out of my days, having more self believe and how I can be the best I can be! On a serious note, there are too many self-help books out there, there are books that cover every subject from parenting, Get Rid of Anxiety, How to Stop Worrying so Much and lastly how to Leg Go of your troubles and How to be Happy in this fucked up world! I believe reading too many of these books especially the parenting ones can make you feel a failure, no one knows how to be the perfect parent, let's face it you could read 100 of those books however when the time comes and the baby is here most of us just Wing IT! out the window goes everything I read in the military parenting book by Gina Ford, in fact at this point seems a good time to set the fucker on fire, I'm not sure if she is talking about bringing up a baby or a robot!
One other piece of useful information for you all that I was unaware of and since finding out it has been extremely beneficial and money-saving. If you join your local library, which is free to join you just need to pop in there give them some details and they issue you with a library card which you can use to take out any books for free or for a small charge hire DVD's for a week at a time. They also issue you with 4 digit PIN and login details for their online library service called "Borrow Box" where once you have logged in you can access hundreds of eBooks or Audiobooks for free, all categorised into genres such as Romance, Thriller, Comedy, searches can be filtered into adult or children etc and if as if that isn't impressive enough each account holder can download 4 EorAudiobooks and reserve up to 4 books at a time all for absolutely free. My Dad would say nothing in this world is free, what's the catch? But, he should stand corrected, as I have been using Borrow Box for over 3 years now and it hasn't cost me a penny. You cant even take it back late and incur charges due to late return fees. The books give you a warning how many days you have left before it is Automatically returned and, my god this just keeps on getting better and better, if you haven't finished it and want to keep it longer, you can extend the amount of time you have it for, it automatically adds on a couple of weeks and then if you finish it before the required return date you just press the return button and that's it it's gone, back to its cyber bookshelf in the wide world web.
So, just for your pleasure, I have devised a list of the books or podcasts that I have listened to or read that have made an impact on me. I will list the Books Title and its Author, I will put next to it where I got it from ie Audible, Borrow Box or Amazon etc, I will separate them into eBook's and Audiobook's and lastly should I find a link to a webpage for the book I will attach that also. I will add new books daily.
I will pretty much do everything for you except read it, and that's only because I already have!
