Alexandra Heminsley Books

What happens when life doesn't go to plan? From the author of Running Like a Girl and Leap In comes a remarkable memoir about gender, body-image and the re-configuring of her own family 'Today I sat on a bench facing the sea, the one where I waited for L to be born, and sobbed my heart out. I don't know if I'll ever recover.' This note was written on 9 November 2017. As the seagulls squawked overhead and the sun dipped into the sea, Alexandra Heminsley's world was turning completely inside out. Alex's husband had decided to transition. The news had been delivered while their baby slept quietly in the next room. But this vertiginous moment represented only the latest in a series of events that had left Alex feeling more and more dissociated from her own body, turning her into a seemingly unreliable narrator of her own reality. Some Body to Love is Alex's profoundly open-hearted memoir about losing her husband but keeping a friend whilst bringing a baby into the world. Its exploration of what it means to have a human body, to feel connected or severed from it, and how we might learn to accept our own, makes it a vital, level-headed contribution to the incendiary debates on body-image and gender.

'A treatise on empathy and grace in extraordinary circumstances' Jojo MoyesWhat does it mean to be a woman? To live in a woman's body?Alexandra Heminsley thought she knew, but then her world turned inside out. Having just resurfaced from fertility issues, childbirth and early parenthood, she was told her then-husband was going to transition.Some Body to Love is Alex's profoundly open-hearted memoir about losing a partner but gaining a best friend, and together bringing up a baby in a changing world. By baring her own unique scars, Heminsley makes a vital manifesto on the unifying resilience that can be found in modern motherhood. ______________________ Praise for Some Body to 'Insightful and wise, generous and kind' David Nicholls'A brave, thoughtful and timely book' Naomi Alderman'A testament to how family and love can be whatever shape we want them to be' Red'It took my breath away' Bryony Gordon'A book with a wild, deep, joyous, tender love of people at its heart' Emma Jane Unsworth

'If you've ever wept, "Why Do I Want To Run?" your answer is here.' Caitlin Moran Alexandra Heminsley had high hopes: the arse of an athlete, the waist of a supermodel, the speed of a gazelle. Defeated by gyms and bored of yoga, she decided to run. Her first attempt did not end well. Six years later, she has run five marathons in two continents. But, as her dad says, you run with your head as much as with your legs. So, while this is a book about running, it's not just about running. You could say it's about ambition (yes, getting out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning counts), relationships (including talking to the intimidating staff in the trainer shop), as well as your body (your boobs don't have to wobble when you run). But it's also about realising that you can do more than you ever thought possible. Very funny, very honest and very emotional, whether you're in serious training or thinking about running for the bus, this is a book for anyone who after wine and crisps for supper a few too many times thinks they might . . . just might . . . like to run like a girl.

I absolutely love Alexandra Heminsley's writing, her attitude towards exercise and her passion for swimming' - Sarah on Goodreads, 5 starsan inspirational and encouraging read' - Stephanie on Goodreads, 5 starsthe author's enthusiasm is contagious... one cannot help but yearn to join in.

The stunning, emotional literary debut from Sunday Times-bestselling author, journalist and broadcaster Alexandra Heminsley sees two half-sisters who have never met before battling to survive a year on a remote, dangerous but beautiful Norwegian island.

Three strangers. Ten miles. One life-changing day... A fantastically uplifting, moving and utterly relatable novel that captures an unprecedented moment in our nation's history - queuing for the Queen

An honest and achingly funny account of the horrors of being dumped, this memoir finds comedy in love's most painful moments. We've all experienced it: one moment you're in a loving relationship or on a promising date, and the next, you're facing rejection, choking back tears on your way home. Alexandra Heminsley has been dumped in various locations—restaurants, stairwells, and even graveyards—each instance bringing the same excruciating pain. In this intimate and witty narrative, she shares her journey from helpless dejection to rebound flings and failed relationships, ultimately leading her to recovery. Along the way, she offers insights on the effects of heartbreak on hormones and decodes the meaning behind phrases like "It's not you, it's me." She also humorously advises on hair choices post-breakup and highlights the healing power of music, warning against getting stuck in the Mary J. Blige Contemplative Stage or attempting the Eurythmics' "Thorn in My Side" too soon. Most importantly, Alexandra reveals that being dumped should not be a source of shame but rather a badge of honor, as taking risks in love is essential for finding true connection.