Lindsay Nicholson is best known as the editor of 'Good Housekeeping' magazine but, during her long career, she worked with a number of other titles in what was then National Magazines. I was interested to see that she had written this memoir, though was surprised to learn that it is in fact her second book touching on the tragedies she has experienced in her life.

Running Britain's most successful lifestyle magazine, Lindsay Nicholson was held in great esteem. To me she seemed rather distant and unapproachable, due to the extent of her achievements and the poise and panache with which she carried out her professional life.  

Yet though she presented this perfect persona, she had in fact experienced the horrendous loss of losing both her husband and her eldest child to a rare cancer within a few months of each other.

Finding solace through her work, she pieced herself back together providing a home for her remaining daughter and building this incredible career in magazines. And she found love again. 

Then in just one year, she experienced two car crashes, lost her marriage, job and home, and was even arrested.

Ultimately she finds the answer to life. It isn't about being perfect, but enjoying each day for the friendship and activities that matter and which bring happiness. For her this turned out to be horseriding and she found new purpose through volunteering with the Riding for the Disabled Association.

In a very tidy conclusion to the book, she compares life to the format of a magazine. She had always worked for 'perfect bound' magazines, but now she has realised that she is so much happier when life is 'saddle-stitched'. 

This is an extraordinary book. I read it in an afternoon. It felt as if I was reading a letter from a friend. It's a great insight into the life and role of a magazine editor but it's also an important reminder that we have no idea what someone else might be going through at any one time, and also how much grief and tragedy some people experience. It was a phenomenal read which is ultimately uplifting and life-affirming.