our lives
These short and inspirational books provide ideal reading material for those who want to improve their English language and literacy skills and will also appeal to anyone interested in the moving stories of refugees and migrants.

They are written by people from different cultures about their experiences in their own countries and in Britain. The first five titles, by women from Somalia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and the Canary Islands, were first published between 1987 and 1994. Then in 2007, with the help of a grant from the Get London Reading Campaign, a competition was run to encourage students of English to tell their own stories, and the three winning entries were published in the series.

New editions of the three most popular early titles are now available, bringing them up to date.

Finding the Unexpected
By Babush Tesfay

After the tragic death of his sister and parents, Babush's happy childhood was shattered. He describes his struggle to survive as a boy and young man in Ethiopia, and how he travelled to neighbouring Eritrea where his life was transformed when he met the English girl who was later to become his wife. Find out more...

Achieving Against the Odds
By Helene Ramazani

Helene escaped from Congo where she was in danger of her life, leaving behind her three children.  She tells how she built a life for herself in England, learnt English and found work.  She had two more children who brought her great joy and finally succeeded in bringing her three children from Congo to join her. Find out more...

Never Give Up
By Kristy Krasniqi

When Kristy Krasniqi refused to marry the man chosen by her parents, she was 'sold' by her father to two men and trafficked from Albania to Italy, France and Belgium. Find out more...

From Sound to Silence
By Rashida Abedi

Rahida is a profoundly deaf woman who grew up in Quetta in Pakistan and now lives in South Norwood, London. As a young woman engaged to be married she became deaf as a result of meningitis, and came to Britain in 1981 in search of a cure, unfortunately without success. Find out more...

Standing on My Own Two Feet
By Faizia Zaman

Faizia grew up in Bangladesh, with a childhood she remembered as idyllic. She came to Britain as a young bride and was happily married - until her husband suddenly died, leaving her with five young children. Find out more...

So Many Things I Could Have Written
By Asha Mohammed

Asha grew up in Somalia, learning survival skills in a difficult environment. Though she had no formal education she supported herself and her family through running a trading business, with camels and trucks crossing deserts. Find out more...

From East to West
By Linh Hoa

Linh grew up in Vietnam during the war. As a young student she escaped by boat to Hong Kong and eventually arrived in England. Encouraged by teachers in her English class she wrote her story to share with others Find out more...