Category: <span>HOT Blogs</span>

Using exercise as medicine (plus literary events from 11 Feb onwards)

We are so familiar with the old saying that exercise is good for you that we no longer pay any attention to it. But it’s true! There is a deluge of recent research demonstrating the benefits of exercise – a wonder drug, they say. Exercise benefits both our bodies and our minds. Makes us live longer, feel more cheerful, sleep better. Angela J. Phillip goes in search of some books that offer information and guidelines about how to move more and move better.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Feb 11, 2020 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Adam Campbell Alex Hutchinson Angela J. Phillip Bill Bryson book groups Cardio or weights exercise as medicine John Ratey Oxygen Advantage Patrick McKeown SPARK T. McCall The Body: a guide for occumpants Women's Health writing groups Yoga as medicine

Free NHS health checks and more from your local library (plus literary events from 4 Feb 2020)

Check if you are eligible for the free NHS health check that is being held in libraries across East Sussex (details below), go for an NHS app session or get some computer help. There is a whole lot of events planned for the next few weeks reports The East Sussex Library and Information Service.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Feb 4, 2020 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Angela J. Phillip NHS app NHS health check

How to use food as medicine (2) – ward off Alzheimer’s and lower blood pressure

Can you use certain foods to increase cognitive function? To help prevent or delay Alzheimer’s? And what about bringing down blood pressure – can you modify your diet to achieve this? Angela J. Phillip investigates.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Jan 28, 2020 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Angela J. Phillip brain food lowering blood pressure ward off Alzheimer's

How to use food as medicine (1) – heart health and strong bones

Is there food for specific health conditions? Does it work? What kind of food should we eat? And how much? What about recipes? Books about food and health are today’s bestsellers so Angela J. Phillip goes in search of answers.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Jan 21, 2020 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Angela J. Phillip

‘At a Stroke’ by Harold Lawrence – a survivor’s tale told with hope and humour (plus literary events from 14 Jan 2020)

He couldn’t believe it. Harold Lawrence had had a stroke. In an instant, his normal, busy life was transformed into a frightening, uncertain place that was hard to deal with. He talks to Angela J. Phillip about his decision to write about the journey.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Angela J. Phillip At a stroke Harold Lawrence stroke survival

Have you been to the library lately? (plus literary events from Jan 7, 2020)

Sex, power and money – yes, please! A list of the latest must-read books, new DVDs, the East Sussex Children’s Book Award, Supernova magnification and software for the blind and partially sighted – this is the news from East Sussex County Council. And there’s an app for your phone so you can stay in touch and manage your membership wherever you are.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Jan 7, 2020 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Angela J. Phillip East Sussex Library Service

Plot matters (plus literary events from 1 Jan 2020)

Why do we tell stories? Why do we listen to them, watch them, read them? The plot is at the heart of things. How do you devise one to keep your readers gripped? In a good novel, there are endless ups and downs as well as unexpected twists. Angela J. Phillip goes in search of how to construct a perfect plot.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: 7 basic plots Angela J. Phillip Christopher Booker how to plot novel

Happy Christmas! Whoops – careful with that book gift (plus literary events from 24 December 2019)

A book can be the best gift ever, but there are pitfalls. Angela J. Phillip offers brief comments on five questions raised by an article from The Guardian on the etiquette of giving books.

Posted 09:00 Tuesday, Dec 24, 2019 In: Hastings Bookchat Tags: Angela J. Phillip book gift