FRIEND, Norris

Apr 15, 2021 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Autobiography, Design

ISBN 978-1-922527-55-4
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Trapped

A book of Survival and Freedom

COMING SOON

In this little volume, Friend draws on his courage and talks about a grim father-son relationship, sexuality, differences and the dangers of trying to conform, religion and nervous breakdowns – all difficult topics, and set in a very different time from now.

“My mission,” he says, “is to share my experiences, in the hope I can save others from the pitfalls.”

Norris Friend tells his story with honesty, respect, gentleness and care, at times with reverence, and never with anger or from ego. He knows the pain of emotional abuse and worse, but he stands back from the memories to stress that forgiveness is paramount. He shares very private and painful experiences with no talk of redress or vengeance, no seeking of sympathy, but the aim of offering insight, because he has learned that healing occurs if you understand why things happened.

Simple, honest and brief, this book is so much more accessible and refreshing than long-winded self-help manuals. For me, the insights it offers are spot on. – Lisa Lark, editor

McCLURE, Stephen

Mar 5, 2021 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Autobiography, New South Wales, Poetry, Psychology \ Mental Health, Self-help \ Personal Development

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ISBN 978-1-9225-63-9
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Oz, Becoz!

This book is basically an Australian’s autobiography origins, personal growth, and development, including living with schizophrenia medication, ie “how I survived the baby boom.” My philosophical thoughts, protestant Christian Bible interpretation, and descriptions of my travel experiences are on display, mingled with “good humour.”

Never really an “Ocker,” I have always had a love of our English language: it’s always a surprise, its rules always mysterious and rhyming poetry is a wonderful challenge. Describing our world is best kept simple. I do like Kipling, for example, but here is my own style of Poetry, using rhyme, rhythm and colloquial English.

About the Author

He has sought, from ninety-nine,
His “one” to save, His choice , not mine; We cannot earn His Grace divine.
It’s long ago He planned a line

Of people He would call “elect,” It’s not the way you would expect; It’s all “on Him” – we have no say – Not “what we do,” “He is the Way!”

Our Jesus died for all our sin, Atonement made, “to let us in,” And only He could qualify –
God’s Son that they would crucify.

To prove all this, He rose again,
To live in Heav’n, eternal reign:
This completed, saving us,
We want to spread the Word – It’s thus:

No other “faith” a future gets, New bodies for us, no regrets; To worship Him, how wonderful, He’s ev’rything, “His cup is full!”

CHI, Tony

Mar 1, 2021 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Autobiography, Christian, New South Wales

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ISBN 978-1-922527-99-8
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Led by His Light

Diary notes and personal reflection from the journals of Tony Chi.

This book is not meant to be one of those autobiographies written by a retiree – scores of books and authors already do that. It is designed as a personal testimony of the reality and availability of Almighty God.

Our gracious Father God is constantly watchful. He has His eye on us – not to penalise, punish or condemn us, but to ensure we remain in his care and divine protection. Our God willingly and purposefully journeys with us. His divine light is always available.

“Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life?” said Jesus (John 8:12).

The author found this to be true in his life and ministry. It is hoped that as you read the book, you will likewise experience God’s guiding light. Walk in His light.

MCDOUGALL, Peter

Jan 28, 2021 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Autobiography, New South Wales

Author David Alomes' new book The death of Violence

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ISBN 978-1-922452-89-4 PAPERBACK

She Wouldn’t Eat the Mushrooms

An Autobiography

This tome was commenced in late 2016 when, after retiring from full time work and before I had committed myself to a couple of days a week as a catechist teaching scripture to Catholic children at local state public primary schools under the auspices of St John Bosco Parish, I found myself with time on my hands.

I honestly can’t tell you why I started it but as my ramblings emerged I thought that it could be of interest to my children to learn things about me that I’m sure they don’t know. Some of it they know of course if they were involved.

The title of this memoir may be confusing to those who aren’t aware of a story I have become infamous for relating whenever I get a responsive audience. It concerns the history of my totally non-existent first three wives and is told with a sad expression and mournful tone. The longer it takes to build suspense the better but briefly this is how it goes.

“I was married quite young and Mary and I were just 21. We had a small farm outside of Townsville and at the bottom of the paddock grew a batch of wild mushrooms. Now, I don’t eat mushrooms but Mary did and a few months after our marriage she picked a bunch and boiled them up for herself.

Within 24 hours she was dead!

Now this was long time ago and there were no such things as post mortems, so life just went on.

About three years later, I married again and this time Cynthia did the same as Mary, picking the mushrooms and boiling them up, and she suffered the same fate.

At this point some in the audience may be becoming a bit suspicious so a sob doesn’t go astray. This usually allays their fears.

Then, “My third wife died of massive head injuries!”

And in answer to the querulous looks,

“SHE WOULDN’T EAT THE MUSHROOMS”

FIGG, Marcia

Jan 27, 2021 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Autobiography, Memoir, South Australia

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ISBN 978-0-648490-53-1
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The Battle Within: Chapter One

In Aukland, 1974, a baby girl is handed out of a hospital window to an old man in a taxi. Her name is Marcia, not a Maori name like her sister’s, which often made her wonder. But then, there were to be many more occasions that made Marcia wonder.

Based on the first thirteen years of Figg’s life, The Battle Within is an evocative collection of memories. Reflecting on the events that shaped her, Figg produces immersive moments-in-time, balancing the innocence and lightheartedness of a child with the harshness of society.

“Strikingly deft in its tale, the piece has the opportunity to grab the reader by the scruff of the neck and force them to listen, such is its sadness and portrayal of familiar abuse in a hermetically recognisable environment. Still, there are fine words, crafted with care as the storm settles down and courage resurges once more. Memorable.”
– Austin Macauley Publishers

GUNASEKERA, Mohini Indira

Jan 21, 2021 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Autobiography, Melbourne, Victoria

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ISBN 978-1-922527-06-6
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An Inconsequential Journey

Mohini Indira Gunasekera AM is an Honours Graduate from University of London, Barrister-at-Law Lincolns Inn UK, a Retired Barrister NSW, retired solicitor NSW. Born in Unawatuna, a village in Sri Lanka, she did her primary and secondary schooling in Sri Lanka. She graduated from the London University with an Honours degree in Economics, as an external student. Travelling to London with her husband she worked for a while, and later, she was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn.

Returning to Sri Lanka she practiced as an Advocate for a while.

She joined the Ministry of Justice as Assistant Secretary where she was in charge of Conciliation Boards, until she left to join her husband in Australia. She has contributed Articles on various topics to a newsletter called ”Thora Thuru” catering to Australians of Sri Lankan origin.

She has assisted numerous charitable organisations to set up in Australia. She is a member of WIN Women’s Interfaith Network based in Sydney and meeting at Parliament NSW, as well as WCRP World Conference of Religions for Peace, also meeting at Parliament NSW. She has two sons: Chanaka, who is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and one time Lawyer an Associate at Dawson Waldron – now Ashhurst Sydney; and Hasantha, who is Associate Professor Sydney University as well as Consultant Paediatrician Westmead Childrens’ Hospital.

She founded the University Buddhist Education Foundation with the objective of promoting Buddhist studies at Tertiary level.

Now in retirement, she enjoys reading, travel, sports, and the Theater.

In retirement she is actively engaged with many social groups and travel groups, as well as pursuing her other interests, Tennis and Bridge.