If speaking in public is stressful, then this is the book to read. Your voice is your calling card: how to power-charge your voice, boost your confidence and speak with joy, ease and conviction by Suzann Rye acknowledges the difficulties many have when called upon to present, perform or debate. Looking at ways of overcoming nerves and stage fright, along with other practical advice will lead to confident speaking in any situation.

Featuring women’s poetry from 1900 through to the present, Women’s work: modern women poets writing in English has a selection incorporating aspects of women’s lives including work, children, God and lust!  This title includes work from authors as diverse as Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath and Carol Ann Duffy.

New Zealander David Haywood’s unusual title My first stabbing is described as a collection of “strange meanderings”. Reviews of the book have said it is biting, very funny and written by one of the best new writers to have come on the scene for a while.

Enjoy these books and others covering television reviews, spiritual writings, Keats and Kurt Vonnegut in this month’s Literature Recent Picks.