Alex O'Brien Books

The story follows fourteen-year-old Chris, who struggles with depression despite appearing average to his peers. After quitting hockey due to self-blame, he takes up soccer, which begins to uplift him. However, complications arise when former teammate Trent questions Chris's emotional state, jeopardizing his recovery. As they prepare for a summer tournament, Chris grapples with the decision to hide his depression, facing the challenges of stigma and the fear of losing his team's support.

Set in rural Innisfil, the story follows Zoey as she joins the Bantam girls' Barrie Sharks hockey team despite her family's financial struggles. Determined to fund her participation, she confronts her shyness and impresses her coach and teammates, including the captain and goalie. However, her rising talent puts her at odds with the wealthy Mel, while her rural background becomes a source of embarrassment, leading to bullying and challenges both on and off the ice. Themes of perseverance, identity, and teamwork are woven throughout her journey.

Uncertainty, risk, ambiguity, emotion, non-verbal behaviour - in so many ways life is like a game of poker. So approach it like a poker player, with critical thinking.In The Truth Detective, science journalist and competitive poker player Alex O'Brien shows how we can survive and prosper in a world full of uncertainty and incomplete information. It's a book about getting to the truth.You'll meet a host of experts who break down the science of navigating a world in which fact and fiction are becoming increasingly hard to tell apart. Presenting evidence from psychological research and a range of professionals - from FBI agents and behavioural economists to poker aces and bounty hunters - O'Brien assembles strategies we can all use to analyse the information that surrounds us every day.Tackle life like a poker player. Let your critical thinking guide you through the jungle of disinformation - and on to success in the game of life.