Author – Ian Harvey
Life Support – and Other Weird Stories
Life Support and Other Weird Stories is Ian Harvey’s irreverent, laugh-out-loud memoir that dares to find humour in hospitals, hope in health scares, and wisdom in wildly inappropriate moments. Drawing from his own misadventures in medical mayhem, Harvey takes readers on a bumpy, bedpanned ride through surgeries, stents, and the strange twilight world of recovery wards.
But this isn’t just a tale of tubes and tests. Between the IV drips and disapproving nurses, Harvey weaves in sharp reflections on mortality, marriage, and the maddening kindness of family. You’ll meet oddball doctors (including the gloriously unqualified Dr. Fritz Heckler), rogue body parts, and fellow patients with enough quirks to make a sitcom cast jealous.
Written with warmth, wit, and a raised eyebrow at life’s more fragile bits, Life Support and Other Weird Stories is part comedy, part confession, and entirely human. It’s the perfect read for anyone who’s ever found themselves flat on their back wondering, “Is it too late to ask for the anaesthetist with the good jokes?”
You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you’ll probably check your health insurance.
Author – Ian Harvey
Our Roman Holiday
Our Roman Holiday is a witty, heartfelt travel memoir by Ian Harvey that chronicles a romantic getaway turned chaotic misadventure. Ian and his wife Ranine, both seasoned travellers with a knack for attracting the absurd, set off on a long-dreamed-of cruise through the Mediterranean—only to be derailed by illness, confusion, and the unpredictable charms of Italy.
When Ranine is suddenly hospitalised with not one but two serious illnesses in Rome, Ian finds himself navigating the labyrinth of Italian healthcare, language barriers, and his own rising panic. What follows is a rollercoaster of bureaucratic battles, lost translations, and moments of hilarity and tenderness as Ian attempts to secure her release and keep his own nerves intact.
Told with Ian Harvey’s signature dry humour and observational wit, Our Roman Holiday is a tribute to resilience, love, and the sheer ridiculousness of being human in a foreign land. It’s a story that proves even the worst travel disasters can become the most memorable adventures—especially when told with honesty and a raised eyebrow.
Author – Marilyn Waddington
Why Do I Keep Going Back?
by Marilyn Waddington is a poignant memoir that chronicles the author’s journey from enduring abusive relationships to achieving personal healing and empowerment. Drawing from her experiences as both a trauma counselor and a survivor of domestic violence, Waddington offers readers an intimate look into the challenges of breaking free from destructive patterns.
Spanning from post-war England to the sunlit landscapes of Queensland, the narrative delves into the complexities of trauma, the grip of shame and guilt, and the transformative power of faith. Through candid introspection and unwavering determination, Waddington illustrates how confronting one’s past can lead to a future defined by authenticity and resilience.
This memoir serves not only as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for recovery but also as a guiding light for others seeking to navigate their own paths to liberation and self-discovery.
Author – Ian Harvey
The Secret to Inner Peace by Dr. Fritz Heckler
How the emergent cyclical double helix model of adult human biopschosocial behaviour juxtaposes with new age thinking
This book might just surprise you. In fact, you won’t have to get very far before you stumble across the actual, honest-to-goodness Secret to Inner Peace.
The real question is—can you handle it? Because it’s dangerously simple. So simple, in fact, that many people reject it outright in favour of the more socially acceptable method of making their lives a tangled, stress-ridden circus of chaos and car payments.
Want to live forever? Or at least outlive your in-laws?
Start by laughing. According to Norman Cousins—journalist, optimist, and honorary chuckle champion—“Laughter is inner jogging,” and “The greatest force in the human body is the natural drive to heal itself”—especially when paired with a belief system that doesn’t involve yelling at traffic.
So grab this book, flex those facial muscles, and prepare to laugh your way to better health. Warning: side effects may include joy, optimism, and an increased tolerance for relatives.
Compiled by Ian M. Harvey with contributions from:
Michael Finder, Ranine Beaumont Harvey, Keith Jones, Charlotte Helsham, Deb Bell and a bunch of other well-meaning but clearly also mis-guided people.
Author – Ian Harvey
Relationships by Dr/ Fritz Heckler
How the emergent cyclical double helix model of adult human bio-psycho-social behaviour confirms the current understanding of Einstein’s theory of general relativity
From subatomic particles to intergalactic space junk, everything in the universe is tangled up in an elaborate cosmic group hug. Understanding this baffling web of connections is, apparently, the secret to world peace, inner harmony, and possibly remembering where you left your car keys.
Lovingly cobbled together by Ian M. Harvey with contributions from Ranine Beaumont Harvey, Jenny Hepburn, Keith Jones, Mike Harvey, Michael Finder, Charlotte Helsham, Ray Testa, AI, and a rotating cast of well-meaning but equally bewildered humans.
Don’t be intimidated by the fancy subtitle—that’s just bait for the intellectuals. My wife calls this book ‘deep and meaningless,’ and honestly, that’s the most accurate review we’ve had. Inside you’ll find a gloriously unfiltered mix of quotes, jokes, and anecdotes, all expertly arranged to tickle your funny bone and distract you from doing anything remotely productive.