Author:Tom Templeton
Discover the profound and moving portrait of one doctor's life and work in the NHS
'Wonderful - insightful and compassionate' Dr Richard Shepherd, bestselling author of Unnatural Causes
________
They can't teach you how to be a doctor at medical school . . .
As a junior doctor, Dr Tom Templeton learnt how to do his job from books, professors and other doctors and nurses. But the most important lessons - tolerance, kindness, resilience and bravery - he learnt from his patients.
Here, he shares the stories of just 34, and how they changed his life while he was helping theirs.
From a stillbirth to the old woman who lived a century, from the inhabitants of stately homes to the homeless, these stories whether heartwarming or heartbreaking, funny or tragic, are always inspiring and illuminating.
We are all patients, but discover for the first time how the doctors see us . . .
________
'An admirably told story' Spectator
'Informative and personal, humbling and healing' Observer
Wonderful - insightful and compassionate
—— Dr Richard Shepherd, bestselling author of Unnatural CausesAn admirably told story
—— The SpectatorInformative and personal, humbling and healing
—— ObserverPassionate about empowering children, young people and families to reclaim their attention, Louis is delivering a message of hope for the future without shying away from the very real existential challenges of today
—— David LammyA powerful and transformational guidebook, for this generation and the next ... showing each of us the way to a calmer mind and a more peaceful world
—— Andy PuddicombeThis is a book everyone needs to read. Whether we have children or not, we all grew up in this toxic soup and we're all carrying the scars. With integrity, authenticity and compassion, Louis shows that all of us can heal, and must, if we are to usher in a world we'd be proud to leave to our children.
—— Manda ScottWith Anxiously Attached, Jessica Baum shares relatable, real life insights into the underlying relationship issues faced by so many in our era of disconnection. Her empowering, actionable tools for becoming 'self-full' take the self-love and self-care movements to the next level.
—— Ruby Warrington, author of Material Girl, Mystical World and Sober CuriousJessica Baum's forthrightness, vulnerability and clinical sensitivity provide the foundation for a powerful journey of growth . . . Now you can learn to cultivate the skills of inner soothing provided in this excellent guide-and you'll discover how to "learn" or "earn" security in this science-backed yet practical set of steps to build the capacities that were not developed in your youth. Welcome to the challenge-and opportunity-to transform your life from the inside out!
—— Daniel J Siegel, bestselling author of Mindsight, IntraConnected, Aware and Mind''Wahala' means 'trouble' and there's plenty of it in this entertaining debut. A fascinating, funny and nuanced look at identity and female friendship
—— GUARDIANHas all the makings of a modern blockbuster
—— VOGUEPull up a seat at the brunch table for this delicious debut novel as the lives of three women are unsettled by a seductive interloper. WAHALA is like the best gossip with friends: witty, tense, addictive
—— ABIGAIL DEAN, author of GIRL AA fun and juicy read with a dash of drama, just like all the best friendships
—— GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGI just raced through Wahala. Nikki May writes so well about friendship, food, fashion and the many ways modern women can stumble in their careers and personal lives
—— CLARE CHAMBERS, author of SMALL PLEASURESWow, what a debut! I was left wanting more - more of Ronke, Boo and Simi and more of Nikki's brilliant writing about food and friendship. Warm and fun, I loved watching the more sinister side to the story emerge. Fantastic!
A funny, tragic, piercing portrait of modern women and friendship written in glittering and discerning prose
—— EMMA STONEX, Author of THE LAMPLIGHTERSWAHALA delivers! Nikki's style is warm and comforting on one page and razor-sharp on the next. There's a twist folks, and it's not one I saw coming.
—— LIZZY DENT, author of THE SUMMER JOB and THE SET-UPSometimes it's not enough to just read a novel, you actually want to climb inside it. I adored hanging out with Ronke, Boo and Simi and I miss them already.
—— CLARE POOLEY, author of THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECTBold, juicy and real! WAHALA is tense and powerful, it's friendship at its best and its worst, and it's THE book to read this year!
—— LAUREN NORTH, author of SAFE AT HOMESharp, precise, unapologetic, modern. In one word, Exquisite!
—— Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, author of IN EVERY MIRROR SHE'S BLACKDazzling and bursting with life. WAHALA is as joyous, complex and all-encompassing as female friendship itself. I loved it.
—— TAMMY COHEN, author of THE WEDDING PARTYLOVED Wahala. Funny and sharp - I completely fell in love with the characters. Definitely one to add to your list
—— LAURA MARSHALL, Author of FRIEND REQUESTDark, fresh, compelling - all about female friendship and with an outstanding cast of vibrant loveable (and not-so-loveable) characters
—— ELIZABETH KAY, Author of SEVEN LIESFast-paced and filled with witty dialogue, and the book explores the depth and complexity of friendships between women
—— INDEPENDENT: 10 BEST BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORSWildly entertaining
—— THE BOOKSELLERI LOVED this absolute cracker of a book about the cuckoo in the next and a toxic female friendship. Highly recommended
—— LIZ NUGENT, author of LYING IN WAIT and OUR LITTLE CRUELTIESI loved hanging out with Ronke, Simi and Boo. A brilliant portrayal of how complicated friendships can sometimes be
—— NINA POTTELLThis story draws you in and spits you out, breathless. Echoes of Atwood's The Robber Bride but so its own thing. A treat.
—— KATE SAWYER, author of THE STRANDINGA heady mix of friendship, dark comedy and murder. WAHALA is razor-sharp
—— OK! MAGAZINEMay's nuanced exploration of race and gender makes this refreshing. This will leave readers intrigued to see what May does next
—— PUBLISHER'S WEEKLYA terrific, witty debut
—— I-NEWSWAHALA hooked me from page one and kept me enthralled till the (TWIST!) end. A riot of colour and noise, friendships, enemies, secrets, lies and soul food. Written with a lightness of touch. Insightful, clever, and honest. I will read anything and everything she writes
—— ERICKA WALLER, author of DOG DAYSThis gripping debut is a journey of friendship, revenge and finding your true self
—— STYLIST MAGAZINENikki May builds a propulsive reading experience as she slowly reveals Isobel's manipulations while keeping the reasons behind them hidden. Compelling character studies of each of the women don't shy away from the jealousies and judgements that sometimes make the line between friend and enemy razor thin...A fascinating look at the dark side of female friendship
—— KIRKUSA funny brilliant read
—— BELLAThis will satisfy hungry appetites and blow your thriller taste buds. Deliciously spicy
—— HEAT MAGAZINE, Read of the WeekNikki May's sharp and funny debut novel is a delight on many levels. WAHALA bursts with life from start to finish
—— DAILY EXPRESS, 'Books of 2022'May seamlessly weaves love, betrayal, self-reflection, and Nigerian food, clothing, and customs into this fast-paced debut...Fans of domestic suspense will revel in this tale of friendship, family, and forgiveness, set in the cultural milieu of Lagos
—— LIBRARY JOURNALSharp and darkly witty
—— CULTURE FLYA rapid and wildly hilarious page-turner
—— COUNTRY AND TOWN HOUSEA hotly tipped debut for 2022
—— DAILY EXPRESSWAHALA combines a frank and daring exploration of modern female friendship with a dark, punchy thriller
—— WOMAN AND HOMEFabulously fun
—— PRIMA MAGAZINEMay's skill for weaving together entertaining personal problems with a wistfulness for Nigerian food, customs and culture is unparalleled. WAHALA is hard to put down - an energetic, entertaining interrogation of a fundamentally flawed friendship
—— I-NEWSRefreshing and original. Exhilarating
—— SUNDAY TIMES, Best Popular Fiction of 2022Contemporary female friendship goes glam in this lively debut novel with remarkable depth
—— WASHINGTON POSTI would definitely recommend this book to friends. I already have!
—— Recommended Read, BBC Radio 2 Book ClubSharply observed ... sophisticated and culturally adept ... May is a masterful chronicler of Black upper-middle-class lie and ennui in Britain. WAHALA is both great fun and extremely smart in how it captures some of the central issues in modern city living: women's evolving roles in home and work, interracial relationships and multicultural identity, the current competition that runs through so many friendships and daily interactions and, most of all, how easily intimacy can morph into enmity
—— NPR.ORGWitty-wity-edge. Its humour is pin sharp
—— THE SHIFT, Sam Baker's Summer ReadingA dazzling, rich and efferverscent read. It's relevant and full of life. The killer edge was unexpectedly shocking. Just fantastic in every way
—— NB MAGAZINEA glorious read
—— STYLIST MAGAZINE, 'The Style List'Spicy as Aunty K's moin moin, satisfying as a plate of Ronke's jollof rice
—— SAGA MAGAZINEPacy, fun and gripping ... May wanted to write "a brown Sex and the City, or a brown Big Little Lies" - we reckon WAHALA could be just as big
—— EVENING STANDARD, Faces of 2022Like "Sex and the City" but set in London. And with mystery. And murder
—— COSMOPOLITANThe upshot is a funny, slightly murdery story about three women and their wahala, or "trouble" - their boyfriends, their professional aspirations, and their weaves
—— GLAMOUR MAGAZINEThe novel's strength lies in May's attention to her main character's identities. May's breezy prose is well-suited to these moments of casual intimacy, unfolding over drinks, at the hairdresser's or at the kitchen table, where all the best gossip takes place
—— NEW YORK TIMESSome of the smartest reading fun I've had all year
—— DAISY BUCHANANIt was one of the most interesting books I've ever read[...] I came away a lot more enlightened and educated myself.
—— Marie ClaireThis is a fascinating, breathtaking memoir that you won't be able to put down.
—— Good HousekeepingA really remarkable story
—— VIP MagazineBreathtaking
—— StylistEducated is devastatingly entertaining. Morbidly fascinating. Educated is, without doubt, an essential read.
—— British Journal of General PracticeI found myself forcing onto other people just so I could talk to them about it.
—— VogueIt's brilliant.
—— Donna Air , Sunday TelegraphIn her beautifully written memoir, Westover explores her complex childhood and her heart-breaking decision to leave her family and pursue an education. It is proof of the transformative power of learning and the importance of second chances
—— Harper's BazaarI devoured this book. I loved it . . . It's such a good book
—— Sara JonesIt's amazing
—— Alex Jones