Kirjahaku

An honest and uplifting account of a woman's life affected (but not defined) by the suicide of her husband and the deadly paradox of modern-day masculinity

A womanâ??s quest to shake off the status quo and redefine her own expectations of happiness, switching off the noise of the status quo, and finding peace in simpler things.

Winner of the Sunday Times Sports Book Award 2022If you are the girl, the woman who feels like she is never enough, that she will never be as strong, as good, as capable, I am here to tell you that you are enough. I am here to tell you that while it shouldn’t have been your burden, you can write a different story.Stronger will change what you think you know about strength and, most importantly, empower you to go on your own journey to discover what strength looks like for you.Now a competitive amateur powerlifter who can lift over twice her own bodyweight, Poorna Bell is perfectly placed to start a crucial conversation about women’s strength and fitness, one that has nothing to do with weight loss. In Stronger she challenges the notions taught to us as girls, and examines how all of us can tap into our reservoir of inner strength to make us our strongest selves mentally and physically. Describing taking up weightlifting after the death of her husband, she shows how discovering her own strength helped her to find the confidence that physical pursuits can amplify – the confidence that has been helping men to succeed for centuries – and that women can find too.In these pages, Poorna tells not only her own story but those of a range of women, investigating intersections of race, age and social background. Part memoir, part manifesto, Stronger explodes old-fashioned notions and long-held beliefs about getting strong and explores the relationship between mental and physical strength.Whether you’re into weightlifting, running, swimming, yoga or don’t consider yourself to be sporty at all, Poorna shows how finding strength can work for you, regardless of age, ability or background.

Winner of the Sunday Times Sports Book AwardStronger will change what you think you know about strength and, most importantly, empower you to go on your own journey to discover what strength looks like for you.'This book gives us permission to establish a healthy relationship with our bodies and strength' – Fearne Cotton, author of HappyIf you are the girl, the woman who feels like she is never enough, that she will never be as strong, as good, as capable, I am here to tell you that you are enough. You can write a different story.Having gone from hating P.E. to becoming a powerlifter who can lift over twice her own bodyweight, Poorna Bell is perfectly placed to start a crucial conversation about women’s fitness – one that has nothing to do with weight loss. In Stronger, she shows how all of us can tap into our inner strength and find the confidence that physical pursuits can amplify – the confidence that has been helping men to succeed for centuries – and that women can find too.In this updated edition with a new introduction, Poorna tells not only her own story but those of a range of women, investigating intersections of race, age and social background. Part memoir, part manifesto, Stronger explodes old-fashioned notions about getting strong and explores the relationship between mental and physical strength.Whether you’re into weightlifting, running, swimming, yoga or don’t consider yourself to be sporty at all, Poorna shows how finding strength can work for you, regardless of age, ability or background.‘A beautiful, inspiring book that will change the way you think about exercise. I only wish it had existed when I was younger.’ – Bryony Gordon

'It is a joy to read a debut that has such heart, humour, and pathos' Taylor Jenkins Reid'The book of the summer' Stylist'A witty, thought-provoking read' Woman and Home_______________________________________________Bel Kumar wakes up in hospital surprised and confused.Surprised to be told she had a near-fatal accident outside work. And confused as to why her ex-boyfriend is by her bedside.Bel's HR record still lists her ex as her next of kin, but she can't think of a less appropriate person to nurse her back to health.But who can she turn to in a crisis? Over-invested parents? A sister whose life has turned out perfectly? Friends she exchanges dating woes with over cocktails?If this experience has taught Bel anything, it's that she should reconnect with the most important people from her past. But that's going to be easier said than done because Bel has never been good at asking for help.And she's doing just fine on her own... Isn't she?!___________________________________________'An instant rom-com classic' Lindsey Kelk'Switching between the past and present, In Case of Emergency is a novel of self-realisation and the freeing power of defying both familial and societal expectations. It's simply impossible not to root for Bel' CultureFly'Fans of Dolly Alderton's Ghosts and Emma Jane Unsworth's Adults will adore IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. This book reminds us all that no matter how capable we might be, we're nothing if not properly connected to those around us. A remarkable and thought-provoking debut!' Laura Jane Williams'A gorgeous read full of warmth, humour and relatable moments that make you realise you're less alone in the world. The perfect book to curl up with this summer. I adored it' Salma El-Wardany'Funny and clever with a ton of swagger' Stacey Duguid'I inhaled this book. You really root for Poorna's characters. They're both relatable and relevant' Natasha Devon'We loved this warm and thoughtful read' Sun on Sunday'Journalist Bell writes with panache about a young woman finding herself... and finding what matters' Daily Mail'We predict [In Case of Emergency] is going to be the book of the summer' Stylist'Bel is wonderfully flawed and relatable, and this is a witty, thought-provoking read. Great 90's references too' Woman Magazine'There's a moment in which the author describes the first sparks of love, a feeling so small yet unstoppable, with such aching delicacy it took my breath away' Ranvir Singh

'I will read anything Poorna Bell writes!' Taylor Jenkins Reid'Gorgeous, affirming, an exploration of why and how we nurture' Pandora Sykes____________________________It might not be the stuff of dreams, but Padma and Wallace have spent ten years building a relationship that feels . . . fine. Until Wallace gives Padma an ultimatum about starting a family she's not sure she even wants.Padma's fifteen-year-old niece Myra is reaching her own crisis point. When she falls in with the wrong crowd and her life ends up in danger, it's the final straw for her parents.Now Padma will spend the summer with her niece - in a ramshackle, ivy-clad house on the Kent clifftops - running a DIY rehab of sorts.Will this be a pressure too far for her and Wallace? And how will she spend six weeks with a niece who, thanks to her sister, she barely knows?It's the last place they want to be.But this could just be the summer that changes everything . . .Praise for This Is Fine: 'This Is Fine is so much better than fine, it’s totally genius. The writing is compelling and insightful – not to mention hilarious – and the story moved me to tears more than once. I LOVE THIS BOOK!’ Lucy Vine'Light, funny and gorgeous - but also at times gritty and profound' Good Housekeeping'Heartwarming and funny' Heat Magazine'One of my favourite fiction reads of the year so far. . . this was my first book of Poorna's and what a great introduction it was' Jessica George'A perfect summer novel with endless entertainment and escapism. Warm, funny, charming and so brilliantly executed' Salma El-Wardany 'This witty, warm, beautifully written novel will both gladden and sadden; it'll crack open your heart and pour gold into it' Catherine Gray'A sweet, smart story about sisterhood, exploring complex themes courageously. I fell in love with Padma and Myra’' Daisy Buchanan'Heartwarming and poignant' Woman's Own‘A brilliant, highly relatable look at complex family dynamics and womanhood, This is Fine is a must-read this summer’ Olivia Petter'Warm, witty, wise and brimming with heart' Zing Tsjeng'[Poorna] taps into the crevice of every human emotion and brings out pure light and joy. A must read' Poppy Jay'Funny, insightful and ranges thoughtfully over all manner of subjects that matter' Natasha Poliszczuk'A thought provoking and delicate read with a great deal of warm humour too!' Stephanie Yeboah

Part memoir and part exploration, She Wanted More is a call-to-arms for women of all ages, and a radical rejection of the belief that we should be grateful for what we've been given. It charts the societal revolution taking place among mid-life women and older, where traditional norms are being dismantled in order to reclaim a fundamental part of themselves. The book will follow Poorna's own journey as a woman in her forties trying to figure out what life should look like now and in the future.

'I will read anything Poorna Bell writes!' Taylor Jenkins Reid'Gorgeous, affirming, an exploration of why and how we nurture' Pandora Sykes____________________________It might not be the stuff of dreams, but Padma and Wallace have spent ten years building a relationship that feels . . . fine. Until Wallace gives Padma an ultimatum about starting a family she's not sure she even wants.Padma's fifteen-year-old niece Myra is reaching her own crisis point. When she falls in with the wrong crowd and her life ends up in danger, it's the final straw for her parents.Now Padma will spend the summer with her niece - in a ramshackle, ivy-clad house on the Kent clifftops - running a DIY rehab of sorts.Will this be a pressure too far for her and Wallace? And how will she spend six weeks with a niece who, thanks to her sister, she barely knows?It's the last place they want to be.But this could just be the summer that changes everything . . .Praise for This Is Fine: 'This Is Fine is so much better than fine, it’s totally genius. The writing is compelling and insightful – not to mention hilarious – and the story moved me to tears more than once. I LOVE THIS BOOK!’ Lucy Vine'A perfect summer novel with endless entertainment and escapism. Warm, funny, charming and so brilliantly executed' Salma El-Wardany 'This witty, warm, beautifully written novel will both gladden and sadden; it'll crack open your heart and pour gold into it' Catherine Gray'A sweet, smart story about sisterhood, exploring complex themes courageously. I fell in love with Padma and Myra’' Daisy Buchanan'Light, funny and gorgeous - but also at times gritty and profound' Good Housekeeping‘A brilliant, highly relatable look at complex family dynamics and womanhood, This is Fine is a must-read this summer’ Olivia Petter'Warm, witty, wise and brimming with heart' Zing Tsjeng'[Poorna] taps into the crevice of every human emotion and brings out pure light and joy. A must read' Poppy Jay'Funny, insightful and ranges thoughtfully over all manner of subjects that matter' Natasha Poliszczuk'A thought provoking and delicate read with a great deal of warm humour too!' Stephanie Yeboah

Part memoir and part exploration, She Wanted More is a call-to-arms for women of all ages, and a radical rejection of the belief that we should be grateful for what we've been given. It charts the societal revolution taking place among mid-life women and older, where traditional norms are being dismantled in order to reclaim a fundamental part of themselves. The book will follow Poorna's own journey as a woman in her forties trying to figure out what life should look like now and in the future. It will also include interviews with Marian Keyes, Asma Khan, Hollie McNish, Mariella Frostrup, Dr Louise Newson, Heidi Clements, Luisa Dunn, Cindy Gallop, Seema Anand, Catherine Gray, Preet Chandi, Sari Botton, Sam Baker, Jennifer Cox and Salima Saxton.