Wasted by Mark Johnson
‘Misery memoirs’ are not for me. One or two have been worth the pain and anguish of reading; clearly shining a light into dark corners society would rather remain hidden, but too many are jumping on the band wagon, however cruel and heartless that may seem. While they are no doubt great therapy for the writer, quite what the reader is meant to gain I’m not sure. So when my reading group presented me with two books, I ended up reading Wasted only because I disliked the alternative too much.
Words like raw, brutal, and agonising, spring to mind in describing this book, but so do tender, brave, and honest. Mark doesn’t take us on a full journey through his life from childhood, through addiction and rehabilitation to the ‘green pastures’ he now finds himself in. He doesn’t pull his punches but writes simply and honestly about his years of abuse, addiction and offending. Although I have had experience in talking about drugs and addiction, I have never understood the attraction. No-one has ever been able to give me an explanation as to why the buzz is so attractive - until now. Mark’s vivid description of a high, made me sit up and take notice. So that’s how it feels – that’s why they go back for more.
This is an amazing book. Every parent, social worker, teacher, probation officer, in fact anyone who works with for and on behalf of children, should read it.
Showing posts with label Mark Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Johnson. Show all posts
All Things New and Wonderful
I’ve been off work for the last two weeks. It was holiday but for various reasons we didn’t go away. Just as well as DTS was ill…however, I haven’t done any of things I meant to do, except help DTF with her Uni work. I have, however, been discovering lots of new things.
Thursday night, I attended a really fab Book Swap event at the Firestation Arts Centre in Windsor. Scott Pack, (Friday Project, columnist, ex-Waterstones, and Me and My Big Mouth blogger) had the idea and organised the whole thing. He jointly hosted with ‘Gods Behaving Badly’ author Marie Phillips, and had arranged for authors to come and talk:
Robert McCrum, former editor-in-chief at Faber & Faber and literary editor for the Observer. He wrote My Year Off, about life after a stroke, sounds dismal but is compelling reading.
Jessica Ruston who has just published her debut novel, Luxury . She is also author of Heroines: The Bold, the Bad and the Beautiful about some of the greatest women in history.
It was unlike any book/literary event I have ever been too – and I've been to/organised hundreds. The ‘stage’ was set like a living room, with sofa, cushions, chairs, lamps, rugs – even tea and coffee (authors only) and cake. These were made by Scott’s lovely wife (congratulations) Rhian – everyone had some. I opted for one of my favourites – marcaroons – delicious! She also makes beautiful ceramics - check out her website. There was great conversation, book swapping, questions, all very relaxed and informal. The questions were meant to be of a non-book variety, and some of the best included cat worming, worst experience at Infant School, and one about a rat in a loo. All very surreal but fun.
Half way to the event, I realised my chosen book was maybe not going to be the easiest swap. Not because it isn’t worth reading, but it rather falls in the ‘misery memoir’ category - I had decided on Wasted by Mark Johnson. This was a reading group offering and as the point of the group (for me) was to read something I would never choose for myself - this was a recent choice. (See review to come). My fears were realised as several people screwed their noses up at it. My explanation that it had the best and most brilliant description of the high taking certain drugs raised some interest - and some eye-brows. I finally did swap it for Kim by Rudyard Kipling which I realised I have never read but really want to. I discovered that someone had brought an even more difficult swap than mine - a book about child abuse in the Pitcairn Islands. Those of you familiar with the Mutiny on the Bounty story, will know this is where the mutineers made their home.
It was so much fun at the end talking to new people. I was staggered at how far some had travelled. (Hi to Stuart and Andrea from East London!) The event even got a review in the Independent. Roll on September’s swap!
The joy of trolling around the internet, is finding new things and I have discovered a new band - Mumford and Sons. I have not as yet found an album to purchase, but I have listened to some of their songs on line and I like.
I'm curious about them and I would even go so far a to buy tickets to see them live - if I can find them at a venue I can get to that does not require logistcal planning of military campaign proportions! I tried to get tickets to see them at the End of the Road Festival in Dorset, (close to Salisbury and Blandford where I could stay with family), but sadly they're sold out! Seeing bands at this stage in their careers mean I can actually afford the ticket price. Given the costs of travel and refreshments on top, I rarely go to gigs anymore. I'm not mean - just poor!
I have reviews to write, so I'm away - in the meantime, enjoy the books and music - or not.
Thursday night, I attended a really fab Book Swap event at the Firestation Arts Centre in Windsor. Scott Pack, (Friday Project, columnist, ex-Waterstones, and Me and My Big Mouth blogger) had the idea and organised the whole thing. He jointly hosted with ‘Gods Behaving Badly’ author Marie Phillips, and had arranged for authors to come and talk:
Robert McCrum, former editor-in-chief at Faber & Faber and literary editor for the Observer. He wrote My Year Off, about life after a stroke, sounds dismal but is compelling reading.
Jessica Ruston who has just published her debut novel, Luxury . She is also author of Heroines: The Bold, the Bad and the Beautiful about some of the greatest women in history.
It was unlike any book/literary event I have ever been too – and I've been to/organised hundreds. The ‘stage’ was set like a living room, with sofa, cushions, chairs, lamps, rugs – even tea and coffee (authors only) and cake. These were made by Scott’s lovely wife (congratulations) Rhian – everyone had some. I opted for one of my favourites – marcaroons – delicious! She also makes beautiful ceramics - check out her website. There was great conversation, book swapping, questions, all very relaxed and informal. The questions were meant to be of a non-book variety, and some of the best included cat worming, worst experience at Infant School, and one about a rat in a loo. All very surreal but fun.
Half way to the event, I realised my chosen book was maybe not going to be the easiest swap. Not because it isn’t worth reading, but it rather falls in the ‘misery memoir’ category - I had decided on Wasted by Mark Johnson. This was a reading group offering and as the point of the group (for me) was to read something I would never choose for myself - this was a recent choice. (See review to come). My fears were realised as several people screwed their noses up at it. My explanation that it had the best and most brilliant description of the high taking certain drugs raised some interest - and some eye-brows. I finally did swap it for Kim by Rudyard Kipling which I realised I have never read but really want to. I discovered that someone had brought an even more difficult swap than mine - a book about child abuse in the Pitcairn Islands. Those of you familiar with the Mutiny on the Bounty story, will know this is where the mutineers made their home.
It was so much fun at the end talking to new people. I was staggered at how far some had travelled. (Hi to Stuart and Andrea from East London!) The event even got a review in the Independent. Roll on September’s swap!
The joy of trolling around the internet, is finding new things and I have discovered a new band - Mumford and Sons. I have not as yet found an album to purchase, but I have listened to some of their songs on line and I like.
I'm curious about them and I would even go so far a to buy tickets to see them live - if I can find them at a venue I can get to that does not require logistcal planning of military campaign proportions! I tried to get tickets to see them at the End of the Road Festival in Dorset, (close to Salisbury and Blandford where I could stay with family), but sadly they're sold out! Seeing bands at this stage in their careers mean I can actually afford the ticket price. Given the costs of travel and refreshments on top, I rarely go to gigs anymore. I'm not mean - just poor!
I have reviews to write, so I'm away - in the meantime, enjoy the books and music - or not.
