november book of the month
BRAINSTORM Richard Scolyer , Garry Maddox
$ 34.99 $ 29.99
A dedicated doctor . A devastating diagnosis . A chance for a medical revolution . Revealing his fight against a diagnosis of ‘ incurable ’ brain cancer , this is the remarkable story of 2024 co-Australian of the Year , Richard Scolyer . As an internationally respected leading clinician and researcher , Richard was never going to accept the status quo . He instead chose to undertake world-first experimental treatment based on melanoma science . His brave decision could shorten his life or save it – the only certainty is that it will advance scientific understanding and ultimately help save the lives of others .
Congratulations on being the Non- Fiction Book of the Month ! Can you tell readers a bit about your book ?
My passion to share my story was triggered soon after I was diagnosed with a supposedly incurable brain cancer called glioblastoma . Despite my knowledge and experience as a cancer clinician and cancer researcher for more than 25 years , to suddenly become a cancer patient turned my life upside down . To be faced with the worst of the worst when it came to cancers and knowing that outcomes hadn ’ t improved in nearly 20 years was devastating . My friend and colleague Professor Georgina Long presented to me a plan to apply , for the first time , outcome improving treatment strategies pioneered in melanoma to brain cancer . Despite the risks , to me it was a ' no brainer ', to embark upon . The book describes the opportunities , challenges and outcomes so far on my treatment journey . It also provides details of my background and how I became who I am today .
You chose to undergo an experimental treatment based on the melanoma research you had contributed to which has changed the field . How did you make such a difficult ( and courageous ) decision ?
When faced with the nastiest subtype of brain cancer it seemed like a tremendous opportunity to see if we could utilise some of the recent life-saving discoveries in melanoma and test them in brain cancer . This would certainly generate scientific data which would provide some evidence addressing whether it is worth exploring them further to determine whether such treatment of brain cancer can improve patient outcomes . There were certainly some risks associated with this treatment and there was worry that it could make my life end sooner or cause me to develop problems that would make my remaining life of lower quality and less enjoyable .
Your life is an incredibly busy one . You are a clinician , researcher , father , and have undergone extensive cancer treatment . This year you ’ ve also represented Australia both as Australian of the Year ( with your colleague Professor Georgina Long ) and as a competitor in the World Multisport Championships . How did you find the time and motivation to write this memoir ?
It makes me laugh to hear this question . Life is always busy for everyone . We all want to make the most of our lives . The main driver for me to work with Garry Maddox to write this memoir was to document my cancer journey for my three amazing children , Emily , Matthew and Lucy and my wonderful wife Katie and also my many other relatives , friends and colleagues from around the world . For these reasons , I was highly motivated to find the time to produce the book .
What insights do you hope readers will take away from your memoir ?
I hope readers will enjoy learning about my life and the journey I am on . I am proud of what our team at Melanoma Institute Australia has achieved and the lives that have been saved . I hope it encourages people to think outside the box . To think big . Be courageous . And don ’ t just lean in to make things happen . Leap in . That is how you can make changes that really matter .
biography & memoir
SONNY BOY Al Pacino
$ 55.00
Sonny Boy is the memoir of a man who has nothing left to fear and nothing left to hide . All the great roles and the important relationships are given their full due , as is the vexed marriage between creativity and commerce . The book ’ s golden thread , however , is the spirit of love and purpose .
CITIZEN : MY LIFE AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE Bill Clinton
$ 65.00 $ 59.99
available 19 nov
A powerful , candid , and richly detailed memoir from an American icon , Citizen is Clinton ’ s front-row , first-person chronicle of his post-presidential years and the most significant events of the twenty-first century . Clinton pens a clear-sighted account of American democracy on a global stage , offering a frank reflection on the past and a fearless embrace of our future .
THE POSITION OF SPOONS AND OTHER INTIMACIES Deborah Levy
$ 45.00
available 19 nov
In The Position of Spoons , Deborah Levy invites the reader into the interiors of her world , sharing her most intimate thoughts and experiences , as she traces and measures her life against the backdrop of the literary and artistic muses that have shaped her . Each page draws upon Levy ’ s life in exalting ways .
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