BCU Alumni Bookshelf

Books stacked on top of another in a library

Looking for your next great read? All of the books listed below have been written or illustrated by Birmingham City University, University of Central England, or Birmingham Polytechnic Alumni.

If you are a graduate of BCU and would like your book to be included, please email alumni@bcu.ac.uk with details of your book.

Waiting at Bloomsbury Park

by Casey Bailey, MA Teaching and Learning (2017)

'Waiting at Bloomsbury Park’ is about what it meant for him to grow up in Nechells, Birmingham.

published 2017

Adjusted

by Casey Bailey, MA Teaching and Learning (2017)

The theme of this poetry collection is about adjusting and adapting, telling the story of Casey’s journey in life so far.

published 2018

Please Do Not Touch

by Casey Bailey, MA Teaching and Learning (2017)

This poetry collection explores the irony of museums using the words ‘please do not touch’ around items that have been stolen from another land, that should have never been touched in the first place.

published 2021

Lies Our Mothers Told Us: The Indian Woman’s Burden

by Nilanjana Bhowmick, MA International Broadcast Journalism (2000)

Nilanjana’s debut explores India’s middle-class, taking a closer look at the gender inequality taking place using anecdotal evidence from real Indian women.

published 2022

How Not To Be A Superwoman

by Nilanjana Bhowmick, MA International Broadcast Journalism (2000)

This book explores the pressure felt by women to excel in every aspect of their lives, and the tolls this takes on them.

published 2024

8000 Holes: How the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Lost its Way

by Paul Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (1997)

With all proceeds from the book going to the Brittle Bone Society, it is about the tens of thousands of people who missed out on the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch.

published 2012

Magazine Editing: In Print and Online

by Paul Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (1997)

This book provides a comprehensive look at both print and online magazines, and includes case studies, interviews, and practical resources for aspiring editors.

published 2012

Scraping for Journalists

by Paul Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (1997)

Scraping for Journalists introduces you to a range of scraping techniques - from very simple scraping techniques to more complex challenges.

published 2013

Data Journalism Heist

by Paul Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (1997)

This short ebook introduces you quickly to key techniques of a 'Data Journalism Heist'. It's about getting in, getting the data, and getting the story out.

published 2013

Snapchat for Journalists

by Paul Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (1997)

A guide to using one of the fastest growing social-and-chat tools to report in compelling new ways for new audiences.

published 2016

The Online Journalism Handbook: Skills to Survive and Thrive in the Digital Age

by Paul Bradshaw, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (1997)

The Online Journalism Handbook offers a comprehensive guide to the ever-evolving world of digital journalism, showcasing the multiple possibilities in researching, writing, and storytelling provided by new technologies.

published 2023

How To Make It As A Student Nurse

by Claire Blake, BSc (Hons) Nursing (2020)

As a nurse and advocate, Claire Blake teamed up with her BCU lecturer Anne Marie Dodson to create a survival guide for student nurses.

published 2023

Birmingham’s Railways: A Decade of Change

by Kris Davies, BSc (Hons) Applied Software Engineering (1995)

Kris has compiled a photographic survey of the last decade of Birmingham’s railways, showcasing the immense changes the region has seen in the last ten years.

published 2024

Miley's Mind

by Katie Goodacre, BA (Hons) Education Studies (2021)

Miley's Mind introduces the concept of mental health in a child-friendly way. It highlights how abuse, bullying and grief impacts emotional well-being, and encourages children to talk about their feelings.

published 2020

Autism Is A Superpower

by Steff Hanson, BA (Hons) Media and Communication (2017)

Steff’s comic follows eight-year-old twins Hallie and James, who both have autism and show how Autism can affect people differently. They meet a chef with Autism who teaches them how their Autism can be their superpower.

published 2023

The Calls

by Olivia Hodgson, MA Creative Writing (2020)

Olivia’s first collection of poetry, The Calls, includes over 20 poems she wrote whilst completing her Master’s degree at BCU.

published 2022

Nicky & Candy’s Street

by Charlotte Jenkins (Illustrator), BA (Hons) Illustration (2021)

Written by Ben Andrews, the Better Places series raises awareness of the issues currently affecting disabled people and introduces these concepts to children at an early age.

published 2023

Mortal Veins

by Rhianna Levi, MEd Education (2022)

The wonders of existence are explored in Rhianna’s debut poetry collection.

published 2023

Life’s Wonders: An anthology

by Rhianna Levi, MEd Education (2022)

Collated in aid of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity, this poetry collection includes contributions from entrants to Rhianna’s Worcestershire Poet Laureate project.

published 2023

Growing bones and freckles

by Rhianna Levi, MEd Education (2022)

In this poetry collection, Rhianna explores the themes of positive body image, appreciating the body for what it does for us.

published 2023

Ghosts Hold Umbrellas in Rainfall

by Rhianna Levi, MEd Education (2022)

As the Worcestershire Poet Laureate for 2022-23, this is Rhianna’s collection of poetry exploring the connection between the land of the living and the parallel realm of spirits and hauntings.

published 2024

Torn

by David Massey, BA (Hons) Education with QTS (1996)

In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her?

published 2013

Taken

by David Massey, BA (Hons) Education with QTS (1996)

The trip of a lifetime turns into a fight to the death when six extreme athletes are taken hostage by pirates off the coast of Africa.

published 2014

Bone Surfers

by David Massey, BA (Hons) Education with QTS (1996)

When Fellin is wrongfully arrested for a string of murders there is only one person who can save her... but what if he is the killer? "Do you want to come bone surfing?"

published 2023

A Wiggle of Corgis

by Diane Maybey, MA Visual Communication (2015)

Created for the Queen’s Jubilee, an enthusiastic wiggle of corgis set off to make the Queen a cake, and yes, they added vegan sausages!

published 2022

Dream Animals

by Diane Maybey, MA Visual Communication (2015)

Let the golden dream animals invite you into a world of soothing lyrics and imagery. Dream Animals is a bedtime story for dream-time peace.

published 2023

Keeping You In Mind

by Diane Maybey, MA Visual Communication (2015)

Created in response to lockdown to support young children with their feelings when separated from others to know that they are being kept in mind.

published 2020

Olly the Brave (series)

by Diane Maybey, MA Visual Communication (2015)

Written and illustrated by Diane Maybey, the series was commissioned by the charity Molly Olly's wishes.

published 2014

Quirky Bird and Friends

by Diane Maybey, MA Visual Communication (2015)

Filled with colour and kindness, this collection of short stories is created to inspire children to be their most wonderful, brightest, creative selves.

published 2022

Warwick Bear: Tooting Trucks and Busy Bikes

by Diane Maybey, MA Visual Communication (2015)

Created to support young children with Road Safety.

published 2020

The Lion of St Andrews

by Katherine O’Shea, BA (Hons) Visual Communication (2010)

Illustrated by Katherine, the book follows James who is shocked to find a Lion in the walls of St Andrews.

published 2012

Sailing Bear of the East Neuk

by Katherine O’Shea, BA (Hons) Visual Communication (2010)

Illustrated by Katherine, the book is set in the East Neuk of Fife and followers Brodie Bear’s attempts to become a sailing bear.

published 2014

Molly’s First Festival

by Katherine O’Shea, BA (Hons) Visual Communication (2010)

This crowdfunded novel marks Katherine’s debut as writer, inspired by her daughter’s first music festival.

published 2023

The Book Wanderer

by Nato Pachuashvili, BA (Hons) English Literature (2008)

Written under the pseudonym Nata Leah, the book was was greatly inspired by the lectures and experiences Nato had at BCU.

published 2024

Litanies

by Naush Sabah, MA Creative Writing

Using Sufi prayers and sacred texts as a starting point, Litanies explores doubt, dissent and dislocation, seeking to replace prayer with poetry.

published 2021

The F Word: A personal exploration of modern female friendship

by Lily Pebbles, BA (Hons) Marketing, Advertising and PR (2010)

In The F Word, Lily explores and celebrates the essence of female friendship at different life stages and in its many wild and wonderful forms.

published 2018

Frank Skinner

by Frank Skinner, BA (Hons) English (1981)

From The Frank Skinner Show to co-writing the football's-coming-home classic Three Lions, his career has never been boring. Here, for the first time, Frank candidly tells us of the highs and lows of his fascinating life.

published 2002

Frank Skinner on the Road: Love, Stand-up Comedy and The Queen Of The Night

by Frank Skinner, BA (Hons) English (1981)

In this volume of memoirs, Frank Skinner describes his experience of going back on the road doing stand-up again, after many years spent working mainly on television.

published 2008

Dispatches From the Sofa: The Collected Wisdom of Frank Skinner

by Frank Skinner, BA (Hons) English (1981)

For several years, Frank Skinner wrote a weekly column for The Times. Dispatches from the Sofa is the brilliant result.

published 2011

How to Enjoy Poetry

by Frank Skinner, BA (Hons) English (1981)

Frank Skinner wants you to read more poetry. Frank's infectious passion for language, rhythm and metre will provide you with the basic tools you need to tackle any poem.

published 2020

A Comedian's Prayer Book

by Frank Skinner, BA (Hons) English (1981)

In this collection of prayers, comedian Frank Skinner blends candid reflections on faith, doubt, and various topics with humour and entertainment, providing a one-sided yet engaging and humorous dialogue with God.

published 2021

In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death & Duran Duran

by John Taylor, Art and Design foundation course (1979)

John Taylor met fellow founding member of Duran Duran, Stephen Duffy, while studying at Birmingham Polytechnic (now BCU).

published 2012

Zaibunnisa

by Maryam Wahid, BA (Hons) Visual Communication (Photography, 2018)

Publication of Maryam's photography series, Zaibunnisa, including diary entries from Maryam and essays from Bindi Vora and Rabbania Shirjeel.

published 2022

Pedagogy: Using Television Shows, Games, and Other Media in the Classroom

by Jess Wythe, Doctorate in Education (2021)

Chapter 3, Gamification in Education, is written by Jess.

published 2024