Every inch of Grayson’s childhood bedroom was covered with pictures of aeroplanes, and every surface with models. Fantasy took over his life, in a world of battles ruled by his teddy bear, Alan Measles. He grew up. And in 2003, an acclaimed ceramic artist, he accepted the Turner Prize as his alter-ego Clare, wearing his best dress, with a bow in his hair.

Now he tells his own story, his voice beautifully caught by his friend, the writer Wendy Jones. Early childhood in Chelmsford, Essex is a rural Eden that ends abruptly with the arrival of his stepfather, leading to constant swerving between his parents’ houses, and between boys’ and women’s clothes. But as Grayson enters art college and discovers the world of London squats and New Romanticism, he starts to find himself. At last he steps out as a potter and transvestite.

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Structured thematically in broadly chronological order, the book introduces a lively cast of complex and entertaining characters operating in an array of different periods and settings. The Mesopotamian harlot Shamhat was powerful and respected, able to civilize the wild man Enkidu through her charms. In medieval London Elizabeth Moryng serviced clergy under the guise of an embroidery business, though was eventually jailed for being a prolific procuress and bawd. In Renaissance Venice the courtesan Veronica Franco published her poetry, rubbed shoulders with royalty and founded a charity for other courtesans. In the hedonistic floating world of Edo, Japan, kabuki actresses and then geishas entertained and pleasured their patrons. Three men were hanged in 18th-century London for buggery after being found in the Molly House of Margaret Clap. And at the turn of the century, in New Orleans, Lulu White ran Mahogany Hall, a four-storey building that housed up to forty sex workers.

Lister’s illuminating tales invite readers to look, listen and reconsider everything they thought they knew about the world’s oldest profession.

With 450 illustrations in colour

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OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, is a common and difficult condition characterised by intrusive thoughts which produce worry and the compulsive desire to carry out repetitive behaviours aimed at reducing anxiety. OCD symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can really impact upon our mental health and ability to enjoy life. Recovery from OCD is possible, however.

By picking this book up you’ve taken the first stride. Now, using the STEP system – a structured, CBT-based approach that delivers both support and proven techniques for combating obsessive thoughts – you can begin to transform your daily life. Written by an expert author with many years of clinical experience, this book will help you get a better understanding of your OCD, take practical steps to progress to a healthier, happier outlook – without fear of setbacks or relapse.

ABOUT THE SERIES
Everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes. When that happens, you need clarity of thought and practical advice to progress beyond the problem. The How To Deal With series provides structured, CBT-based solutions from health professionals and top experts to help you deal with issues thoroughly, once and for all. Short, easy to read, and very reassuring, these books are your first step on a pathway to a happier future. They are perfect for self-directed use and are designed so that medical professionals can prescribe them to patients.

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A practical, supportive and easy-to-read guide to help you understand and overcome anxiety, filled with helpful tips and actionable advice

Feeling overwhelmed? This little book is here to help.

How to Understand and Deal with Anxiety is a friendly, accessible guide with all the information and advice you need to identify the source of your struggles, and to take practical steps to reduce or manage the burden. By learning the science behind anxiety and understanding how it affects your mind and body, you’ll start to dismantle its hold on you. And with practical ways to manage the condition – including physical, medical and therapeutic perspectives – this book will help you work out the best ways you can support your mental health and improve your overall well-being.

By the end of this book, you will:
– Understand the science behind anxiety, how it manifests, what causes it, and how to identify symptoms and triggers
– Be armed with physical and practical steps you can take to alleviate anxiety, from breathing exercises and healthy lifestyle choices to problem-solving techniques and coping mechanisms
– Have a host of holistic remedies up your sleeve for when anxiety strikes, such as mindfulness, visualization and breathwork
– Know about the medical treatments and therapies available, and know how and when to seek professional help or support

With the right knowledge and guidance, you can learn to understand and manage anxiety so that you can get back to feeling like you again.

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#1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast’s new graphic narrative, exploring the surreal nighttime world inside her mind-and untangling one of our most enduring human mysteries: dreams.

Ancient Greeks, modern seers, Freud, Jung, neurologists, poets, artists, shamans-humanity has never ceased trying to decipher one of the strangest unexplained phenomena we all experience: dreaming. Now, in her new book, Roz Chast illustrates her own dream world, a place that is sometimes creepy but always hilarious, accompanied by an illustrated tour through “Dream-Theory Land” guided by insights from poets, philosophers, and psychoanalysts alike. Illuminating, surprising, funny, and often profound, I Must Be Dreaming explores Roz Chast’s newest subject of fascination-and promises to make it yours, too.

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‘A remarkable read’ – Woman’s Own
‘In My Stride is just as bubbly and positive as the woman herself’ – HELLO!
‘An honest record and reflection of a remarkable life’ – Cumbria Life

Helen Skelton is no stranger to doing hard things, from kayaking the entire length of the Amazon to competing in a boxing match for Sports Relief. Her ability to dig deep and find the inner strength and to carry on no matter the challenge – physical, mental, or emotional – is nothing short of remarkable. Helen grew up on a farm in Cumbria and credits her deep connection with nature and family for grounding her throughout the experiences in her life.

In My Stride explores the lessons Helen has learned through life and adventure, sharing how getting out in nature can help us heal, grow, and find the resilience to move through challenging times in our lives. It tells stories of finding confidence, authenticity, courage, resilience, acceptance, community, and freedom against the backdrop of life’s peaks and troughs and through the power of the natural world.

Helen shows us how putting one foot in front of the other – whether that’s on the Strictly dance floor or in the great outdoors – can help us to journey back to ourselves.

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A supportive guide filled with actionable tips and advice to open up the conversation around men’s mental health

The most powerful thing we can do to support our mental health is to talk about it

For all of us, our mental health is just as important as our physical health – so why do we feel so ashamed to talk about it? It’s time to end the stigma and the silence around mental health, and this clear, approachable guide is here to show you how.

From tips on navigating mental-health issues to advice on reaching out to others, this book is packed with guidance on how to look out for your well-being – as well as how you can help those around you.
Topics covered include:
– Anxiety, stress and depression
– Suicidal thoughts
– Self-care and mindfulness methods
– How to open up and communicate
– Where to seek further advice

With practical tips and valuable insights, this book will improve your awareness of mental health, offer tools and techniques to enable you to manage it better, and empower you to live a happier, healthier life.

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