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Making It: How Love, Kindness and Community Helped Me Repair My Life
The Sunday Times bestseller by Jay Blades, the beloved star of hit BBC One show The Repair Shop. Making It is an inspirational memoir about beating the odds and turning things around even when it all seems hopeless.
We had our hardships, and there were times that we didn’t have a lot of food and didn’t have a lot of money. But that didn’t stop me having the time of my life.
In his book, Jay shares the details of his life, from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney, to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school, to being brutalized by police as a teen, to finally becoming the presenter of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop .
Jay reflects on strength, weakness and what it means to be a man. He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today. An expert at giving a second life to cherished items, Jay’s positivity, pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love, anything can be mended.
We had our hardships, and there were times that we didn’t have a lot of food and didn’t have a lot of money. But that didn’t stop me having the time of my life.
In his book, Jay shares the details of his life, from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney, to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school, to being brutalized by police as a teen, to finally becoming the presenter of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop .
Jay reflects on strength, weakness and what it means to be a man. He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today. An expert at giving a second life to cherished items, Jay’s positivity, pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love, anything can be mended.
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2022
83 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Chou
10 books1 followerCynthia Chou, Associate Professor with Special Qualifications (Lektor msk), social anthropologist, Head of Southeast Asian Studies, KU-ToRS. She is internationally known for her pioneering study of the life and lifestyles, as well as identity and change, of the indigenous Malays in Southeast Asia. She single-handedly built the Malay maritime life collection for the Singapore National Museum and has published highly cited books in this area which are used by several universities as textbooks. At KU, she initiated and directed several innovative programs of co-operation, both in research and education, with leading international institutions for which she has won various international prizes. Courses that she has been teaching at the University of Copenhagen include "The Anthropology of Food and Eating in Southeast Asia," "Modernisation and Development: The Human Landscape of Southeast Asia," and "Introduction to Southeast Asia Culture."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
May 7, 2021
The autobiography of popular television presenter Jay Blades.
Although some of the aspects covered in Making It like the author’s dyslexia, have been alluded to, or even well documented, in recent times, Making It is a wonderful, detailed insight into the life and personality of Jay Blades.
I loved the honest, conversational style achieved with ghost writer Ian Gittins. What impressed me most was that Jay Blades doesn’t spare himself from an intense, unforgiving spotlight that sometimes belies the jovial cheeky chap we know from his television programmes. There are passages in Making It that are violent, brutal and very frequently accompanied by surprising expletives that, far from alienating the reader, draw them in and have the effect of making them love, admire and respect Jay Blades all the more. He has made mistakes, some of them quite appalling, and yet he comes across as the kind of man you’d want in your life. Even though I know the author is now a successful celebrity, I frequently felt tense as I read, wondering how he was going to overcome the latest obstacle life was throwing his way.
The themes and topics of the fifty years of Jay Blades’ life covered in Making It are sadly all too familiar in today’s society. The author deals with family and relationships of all kinds, including absentees fathers; with drugs and racism, violence and education, homelessness and the need to belong, with convincing and frequently emotional and touching clarity. But as Jay Blades says in his introduction, this is by no means a self pitying book. The more the reader reads, the more they comprehend what it means to be a warm, intelligent, black man simply trying to do his best. My heart went out to the author, particularly because of his dyslexia, and his work with the disadvantaged and displaced made me respect him completely.
However, aside from being entertaining, interesting and engaging, I think Making It is an important book. Through his own, very personal experiences, Jay Blades gives permission for readers, especially men, to show and accept their vulnerability without embarrassment. He gives hope to all that, rather like the items that feature in the television programme The Repair Shop, for which he is most well known, there is always the possibility to create something new and beautiful from something – or someone – broken or damaged.
I finished reading Making It feeling as if I had been on quite a journey with Jay Blades, that I had been given a privileged insight into a life and world that I would never otherwise have known and that I had been given the gift of something uplifting and positive. I thoroughly, thoroughly, enjoyed every word.
Although some of the aspects covered in Making It like the author’s dyslexia, have been alluded to, or even well documented, in recent times, Making It is a wonderful, detailed insight into the life and personality of Jay Blades.
I loved the honest, conversational style achieved with ghost writer Ian Gittins. What impressed me most was that Jay Blades doesn’t spare himself from an intense, unforgiving spotlight that sometimes belies the jovial cheeky chap we know from his television programmes. There are passages in Making It that are violent, brutal and very frequently accompanied by surprising expletives that, far from alienating the reader, draw them in and have the effect of making them love, admire and respect Jay Blades all the more. He has made mistakes, some of them quite appalling, and yet he comes across as the kind of man you’d want in your life. Even though I know the author is now a successful celebrity, I frequently felt tense as I read, wondering how he was going to overcome the latest obstacle life was throwing his way.
The themes and topics of the fifty years of Jay Blades’ life covered in Making It are sadly all too familiar in today’s society. The author deals with family and relationships of all kinds, including absentees fathers; with drugs and racism, violence and education, homelessness and the need to belong, with convincing and frequently emotional and touching clarity. But as Jay Blades says in his introduction, this is by no means a self pitying book. The more the reader reads, the more they comprehend what it means to be a warm, intelligent, black man simply trying to do his best. My heart went out to the author, particularly because of his dyslexia, and his work with the disadvantaged and displaced made me respect him completely.
However, aside from being entertaining, interesting and engaging, I think Making It is an important book. Through his own, very personal experiences, Jay Blades gives permission for readers, especially men, to show and accept their vulnerability without embarrassment. He gives hope to all that, rather like the items that feature in the television programme The Repair Shop, for which he is most well known, there is always the possibility to create something new and beautiful from something – or someone – broken or damaged.
I finished reading Making It feeling as if I had been on quite a journey with Jay Blades, that I had been given a privileged insight into a life and world that I would never otherwise have known and that I had been given the gift of something uplifting and positive. I thoroughly, thoroughly, enjoyed every word.
May 20, 2021
Loved this book and learnt a lot about the man behind Jay Blades. Love him even more now knowing what he's gone through in his life. He should be very proud of what he has achieved in his life and the man that he has become.
A great read and insight into this man.
A great read and insight into this man.
March 28, 2023
This is a quick and easy account of the life of Jay Blades, presenter of the BBC programme, "The Repair Shop".
It would seem from the book that he has done some amazing work with boys on whom most people have given up, helping them to acquire skills and crafts that should enable them to earn a living and avoid a life of crime.
I have a major question, however, viz. how, given that undiagnosed dyslexia had left him more or less unable to read or write, he was accepted into university to study Philosophy and Criminology. Surely he should have acquired adequate reading skills first?
He appears to be highly thought of in the UK (he has been awarded an MBE) yet his book highlights a propensity to begin things with great enthusiasm, only to move on to something else some time later. This is true of his schemes to help disadvantaged youth, of which three are described in detail (Mr. Blades is now only involved in the third one, but more distantly as his TV work increases and takes up more of his time). It also applies to his relationships, yet he expresses no regrets or remorse for successive failures and break-ups.
I have to say that this book left me somewhat perplexed. I felt as if I should be expressing much greater admiration for what he has achieved yet I am unable to do so and am equally unable to explain why. This being so, I leave readers to make up their own minds.
It would seem from the book that he has done some amazing work with boys on whom most people have given up, helping them to acquire skills and crafts that should enable them to earn a living and avoid a life of crime.
I have a major question, however, viz. how, given that undiagnosed dyslexia had left him more or less unable to read or write, he was accepted into university to study Philosophy and Criminology. Surely he should have acquired adequate reading skills first?
He appears to be highly thought of in the UK (he has been awarded an MBE) yet his book highlights a propensity to begin things with great enthusiasm, only to move on to something else some time later. This is true of his schemes to help disadvantaged youth, of which three are described in detail (Mr. Blades is now only involved in the third one, but more distantly as his TV work increases and takes up more of his time). It also applies to his relationships, yet he expresses no regrets or remorse for successive failures and break-ups.
I have to say that this book left me somewhat perplexed. I felt as if I should be expressing much greater admiration for what he has achieved yet I am unable to do so and am equally unable to explain why. This being so, I leave readers to make up their own minds.
May 16, 2021
An absolutely wonderful read!
A very moving account of life's adversity and the author's strength of character and ability to overcome it. Very emotional in places. I found it hard to put down.
A very moving account of life's adversity and the author's strength of character and ability to overcome it. Very emotional in places. I found it hard to put down.
May 18, 2021
Beautiful inspirational story
Thanks for sharing your story Jay. It is a beautiful story with many powerful messages. I just couldn’t put it down. Yet it’s a book that has made me feel happiness. Thanks
Thanks for sharing your story Jay. It is a beautiful story with many powerful messages. I just couldn’t put it down. Yet it’s a book that has made me feel happiness. Thanks
April 9, 2022
Absolutely loved reading "Making It". Jay's life has been full of ups and downs that have led him to be where he is today. I won't go into details because you really have to read it to truly appreciate his story. I highly recommend you read "Making It"!
February 14, 2022
Didn’t know about how violent he became due to racism as a kid .. didn’t know about his community work with homeless people and disadvantaged kids ! Didn’t know a great deal about him as it turns out ! He is such a talented and inspirational individual ! Imagine doing a degree whilst not being able to read ! Also amazing he didn’t start upholstery until 2010 ! Amazing man great book !
April 26, 2021
I don't read biographies very often, I love the idea of them but rarely the actual books. I have to be in the mood to pick one up or to really love the person whose story is being told.
'Making It' is exactly what I look for when I pick up a biography or memoir. It was honest and open and almost intimate in tone. It wasn't polished and over edited, it was informal in narrative so it felt like Jay was sitting opposite me just telling me the stories.
Jay has certainly had a colourful life, and it was a roller coaster reading through the highs and lows. At times I liked him, his passion and compassion, his drive and determination earned my respect, and then at times I couldn't understand his choices and wanted to shake him. Either way, I was totally invested in his life. It was an engaging and compelling memoir.
Personally for me the writing style let it down a little. There was such an over use of exclamation marks and it - perhaps irrationally - annoyed me. It felt like everything was being shouted or exaggerated. Though admittedly I think this exclamation enthusiasm decreased in the second half of the book, either that or I noticed it less.
Definitely glad that I read 'Making It'.
'Making It' is exactly what I look for when I pick up a biography or memoir. It was honest and open and almost intimate in tone. It wasn't polished and over edited, it was informal in narrative so it felt like Jay was sitting opposite me just telling me the stories.
Jay has certainly had a colourful life, and it was a roller coaster reading through the highs and lows. At times I liked him, his passion and compassion, his drive and determination earned my respect, and then at times I couldn't understand his choices and wanted to shake him. Either way, I was totally invested in his life. It was an engaging and compelling memoir.
Personally for me the writing style let it down a little. There was such an over use of exclamation marks and it - perhaps irrationally - annoyed me. It felt like everything was being shouted or exaggerated. Though admittedly I think this exclamation enthusiasm decreased in the second half of the book, either that or I noticed it less.
Definitely glad that I read 'Making It'.
May 7, 2021
This is a brilliant book! I’ve been a fan of Jay’s for years as an avid viewer of The Repair Shop, but I didn’t really know anything at all about the Jay underneath the flat cap!
In one book, Jay shows the very best and the very worst of society - the amazing impact Gerald and his family have had on Jay, through to his absent father and the horrific racism and prejudices that have sadly followed him throughout his life. So many people in similar circumstances would have given up and not even tried to make anything of their lives, but fortunately for Jay (and for us!) he has often had the support and the love of the right people at the right time in his life.
Despite being humorous at times and showing a lot of Jay’s cheeky personality, this book isn’t a rose-tinted view of the world by any means - Jay addresses the ongoing racism issues in society, and he is brutally honest about his own life experiences with dyslexia. But he is a real inspiration and a big success story of how to overcome difficulties and adversity to flourish and succeed.
With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Bluebird for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
In one book, Jay shows the very best and the very worst of society - the amazing impact Gerald and his family have had on Jay, through to his absent father and the horrific racism and prejudices that have sadly followed him throughout his life. So many people in similar circumstances would have given up and not even tried to make anything of their lives, but fortunately for Jay (and for us!) he has often had the support and the love of the right people at the right time in his life.
Despite being humorous at times and showing a lot of Jay’s cheeky personality, this book isn’t a rose-tinted view of the world by any means - Jay addresses the ongoing racism issues in society, and he is brutally honest about his own life experiences with dyslexia. But he is a real inspiration and a big success story of how to overcome difficulties and adversity to flourish and succeed.
With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Bluebird for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2021
I love Jay have watched him since I first saw him on Money for Nothing, there is something very warm, honest and open about him and his presenting style. This is full of humour and showing a lot of Jay’s cheeky personality, he is also brutally honest about his dyslexia, his childhood, he is very open about his past including how he hasn’t always treating women the way he should when he was younger. This covers the issue of racism in Britain today, obviously also covers his experiences with racism. It’s a very honest book and it’s like having a chat with jay himself, I really enjoyed how open he was and without rose tinted glasses, which is so rare. A wonderful read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
May 18, 2021
An honest story of a man who has struggled
It is an inspiring book giving a voice to a man of colour who has had the courage to tell his story. He paints it with honesty not shying away from telling his word and successes. I love the repair shop and have done quite of amateur upholstery myself and with my husband up cycle many items of furniture
It is an inspiring book giving a voice to a man of colour who has had the courage to tell his story. He paints it with honesty not shying away from telling his word and successes. I love the repair shop and have done quite of amateur upholstery myself and with my husband up cycle many items of furniture
March 22, 2024
This is an excellent book. Jay was brought up on a council estate and dealt with racism from an early age. Jay is very honest about his colourful upbringing and explains how he devoted his time to help others. Having got the breaks in his life by sheer hard work, Jay absolutely deserves his success. He is still investigating ways to help others. Listened to this on audiobook. Highly recommended.
June 22, 2022
This is the very insightful memoir of the popular BBC presenter on The Repair Shop and Money for Nothing.
Jay looks back and talks about his upbringing from a small child in Hackney, his teenage years where he had to deal with racism and violence, and up to him now being the popular host of the BBC hit show The Repair Shop. He has had a roller coaster of a life, and luckily, when he needed it, there was caring people that helped him out along the way.
I am a big fan of The Repair Shop, and when I stumbled upon this book, I was eager to give it a read. I did not know that much about his upbringing other than watching the Jay Blades: No Place Like Home documentary show.
Even though he had a fairly violent past, Jay comes across as a genuinely kind person, that really wants to help others.
I enjoyed this book immensely.
Jay looks back and talks about his upbringing from a small child in Hackney, his teenage years where he had to deal with racism and violence, and up to him now being the popular host of the BBC hit show The Repair Shop. He has had a roller coaster of a life, and luckily, when he needed it, there was caring people that helped him out along the way.
I am a big fan of The Repair Shop, and when I stumbled upon this book, I was eager to give it a read. I did not know that much about his upbringing other than watching the Jay Blades: No Place Like Home documentary show.
Even though he had a fairly violent past, Jay comes across as a genuinely kind person, that really wants to help others.
I enjoyed this book immensely.
December 26, 2022
Making it: how love, kindness and community helped me repair my life
Jay Blades with Ian Gittins
Life's unexpected turns are in full evidence in this memoir.
It's also nice to learn that the team on The Repair Shop are really like they appear.
Reading directly after Malorie Blackman's memoir added depth.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jay Blades with Ian Gittins
Life's unexpected turns are in full evidence in this memoir.
It's also nice to learn that the team on The Repair Shop are really like they appear.
Reading directly after Malorie Blackman's memoir added depth.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 23, 2023
What a wonderful book! I absolutely love Jay Blades on The Repair Shop, and this book brings to the reader the story behind the kind and dapper guy we see on the show. Powerful, heartwarming, thought-provoking and funny. Everything one could need in a memoir. This one will stay with me for a long time.
May 16, 2022
The theme of this book is it's raw honesty. Jay doesn't shy away from the unpleasant times in his life. What you see is what you get. He'd be a great friend but you wouldn't want him as you boyfriend!!
May 16, 2021
Amazing
Such a great book,very interesting,short but very in detail. Well done any keep up the good work.great book well worth the read
Such a great book,very interesting,short but very in detail. Well done any keep up the good work.great book well worth the read
May 14, 2021
Really inside the repair shop
I really enjoy seeing Jay on tv. Would never have guessed that he had to overcome such hardships to get where he is. Admire his efforts to help young people.
I really enjoy seeing Jay on tv. Would never have guessed that he had to overcome such hardships to get where he is. Admire his efforts to help young people.
May 13, 2021
Uplifting
A great read, uplifting and honest, the feel good factor is there in spades. Enjoyed reading it and will recommend it.
A great read, uplifting and honest, the feel good factor is there in spades. Enjoyed reading it and will recommend it.
January 11, 2022
An easy read, the enthusiastic style reflecting the personality we see on television. I can see why he was recently awarded an MBE.
November 25, 2021
The Repair Shop was a true lifeline for me (and many others) during the bleakest days of quarantine. It’s such a sweet, easy going and rewarding show. It was a soothing balm when I desperately needed an escape from my endlessly whirling mind (and the horrifying news cycle) and couldn’t continue consuming the gut wrenching, emotionally shredding content I generally gravitate towards. I saw a meme a while back that said Netflix needed a programming category entitled “People Being Nice to Each Other Over Low Stakes Situations.” This a perfect choice. (British Bake Off and Queer Eye were also on this list).
Anyways, I have a big crush on Jay Blades, the charming and dapper host of The Repair Shop and I was intrigued to hear more about how he got into restoration. I was surprised to hear about Jay’s lifelong struggle with dyslexia and illiteracy. He also talks very openly about his experiences with racism, violence, police brutality, toxic masculinity and generational trauma. His path to personal and professional success has been fraught and winding - he ultimately fell into restoration through his activism to educate and empower marginalized youth. And throughout these pages his charisma, optimism and humor shine brightly even when addressing the darkest topics. I loved spending time with Jay and I was grateful for his candor. Also I was amused to hear that he’s always been quite the ladies man. No kidding! Swoon. 🥰
This is a quick read and an important one - also the British slang cracked me. One of my favorites of the year!
Anyways, I have a big crush on Jay Blades, the charming and dapper host of The Repair Shop and I was intrigued to hear more about how he got into restoration. I was surprised to hear about Jay’s lifelong struggle with dyslexia and illiteracy. He also talks very openly about his experiences with racism, violence, police brutality, toxic masculinity and generational trauma. His path to personal and professional success has been fraught and winding - he ultimately fell into restoration through his activism to educate and empower marginalized youth. And throughout these pages his charisma, optimism and humor shine brightly even when addressing the darkest topics. I loved spending time with Jay and I was grateful for his candor. Also I was amused to hear that he’s always been quite the ladies man. No kidding! Swoon. 🥰
This is a quick read and an important one - also the British slang cracked me. One of my favorites of the year!
September 2, 2022
Hmmm... well overall I could appreciate the memoir and his story about him overcoming so many struggles from racism, literacy, growing into maturity and finding his place and passion in the world. As someone who also repairs furniture and upholstery, I also appreciated the story from that aspect and will be checking out his new DIY book. I did take notice of the contrast between his battle with racism and his shall we say "type" when it came to women. I mention this only because he did. It was interesting to me that he describes the racial makeup of each of the women he was romantic with. My question if people are people (which at the end of the day they are) then why would it matter? Why describe their race at all? In NO way does his preference cancel out racism he or any other black person faced. But it just seemed to me that maybe color had more of an impact on his dating preference, and are we really looking at everyone equally when it comes to love. Just saying.
May 26, 2021
Written in a completely unpretentious way, Jay's honesty shines through even to the point of referring to using a ghost writer (who has done an excellent job) - what would you expect for someone with significant dyslexia? It's not a long read, it lasted me a day however it is fairly unputdownable.
The honesty of the book makes it very moving especially as Jay does his best but struggles to find his direction in life, his conditioning within a racist society almost takes him down routes to disaster he manages to pull himself back from the brink and is fortunate to have caring friends around him to help. He possesses an innate intelligence and sense of justice as well as never writing off the underdogs.
The book also shows me how, despite being bought up by a single parent, my white privilege offered inbuilt advantages and multiple chances. I continue to try "to be good".
The honesty of the book makes it very moving especially as Jay does his best but struggles to find his direction in life, his conditioning within a racist society almost takes him down routes to disaster he manages to pull himself back from the brink and is fortunate to have caring friends around him to help. He possesses an innate intelligence and sense of justice as well as never writing off the underdogs.
The book also shows me how, despite being bought up by a single parent, my white privilege offered inbuilt advantages and multiple chances. I continue to try "to be good".
June 29, 2021
After seeing Jay on The One Show, I was keen on reading his book.
I was fortunate to bump into Jay at the Weald & Downland Living Museum a couple of weeks ago, he was very obliging and let me have a photo taken with him at a social distance. What a friendly, chirpy man he is. Bumping into him prompted me to download his book on my kindle, boy am I pleased I did. I couldn't put my kindle down!!
What an eye opener it is. No one should EVER experience what he did.
The book is a powerful, interesting and heart breaking read.
I admire him, on how he turned his life around, and how he helped young people to improve their lives.
How little did he know as a young lad that he was a bright, talented person
I was fortunate to bump into Jay at the Weald & Downland Living Museum a couple of weeks ago, he was very obliging and let me have a photo taken with him at a social distance. What a friendly, chirpy man he is. Bumping into him prompted me to download his book on my kindle, boy am I pleased I did. I couldn't put my kindle down!!
What an eye opener it is. No one should EVER experience what he did.
The book is a powerful, interesting and heart breaking read.
I admire him, on how he turned his life around, and how he helped young people to improve their lives.
How little did he know as a young lad that he was a bright, talented person
May 22, 2021
WHAT an amazing honest and interesting book! Only having seen Jay on TV it’s such a revelation to read his life story. I have huge respect for him after reading about his successes, failures and how he’s persevered through it all to arrive at the place he’s now at.
We get a very one dimensional view of ‘celebrities’ sometimes.
Jay always has such a kind, sympathetic and insightful manner when talking to people on TV, when I saw his autobiography I didn’t hesitate in buying it. I wasn’t disappointed and could hardly put it down.
Well done for everything Jay.
The title says it all....
We get a very one dimensional view of ‘celebrities’ sometimes.
Jay always has such a kind, sympathetic and insightful manner when talking to people on TV, when I saw his autobiography I didn’t hesitate in buying it. I wasn’t disappointed and could hardly put it down.
Well done for everything Jay.
The title says it all....
October 11, 2021
Best book on how to live!
I, like most people, have appreciated Jay and the Repair Shop. The show is one of the best that's ever been on TV. Has Jay has shared his story from start to finish, I have gotten to know why I like him and the show so much. He's a real person telling a story that needs to be heard. His compassion for others is phenomenal. His ability to communicate with folks like me is a wonderful gift that he uses for us all.
Read this book, open your mind and open your heart, then you will come to an understanding of how we ought to live too.
I, like most people, have appreciated Jay and the Repair Shop. The show is one of the best that's ever been on TV. Has Jay has shared his story from start to finish, I have gotten to know why I like him and the show so much. He's a real person telling a story that needs to be heard. His compassion for others is phenomenal. His ability to communicate with folks like me is a wonderful gift that he uses for us all.
Read this book, open your mind and open your heart, then you will come to an understanding of how we ought to live too.
March 9, 2024
The importance of kindness
A really interesting read.
Jay came from a rough area and suffered racism from an early age. He dealt with this by learning to fight and he continues to fight injustice, though now without using his fists.
He admits he has made mistakes but when you read what he has been through it is not surprising.
A sad reflection on schooling in the 1970's, although sometimes I wonder how much has changed when kids still leave school unable to read and write.
I like you even more now Jay, though I still don't like your odd leg thing!
A really interesting read.
Jay came from a rough area and suffered racism from an early age. He dealt with this by learning to fight and he continues to fight injustice, though now without using his fists.
He admits he has made mistakes but when you read what he has been through it is not surprising.
A sad reflection on schooling in the 1970's, although sometimes I wonder how much has changed when kids still leave school unable to read and write.
I like you even more now Jay, though I still don't like your odd leg thing!
April 11, 2024
Like most people who read this, I’m a big fan of The Repair Shop and wanted to know more about Jay Blades’ life. I was hooked by this. To say Jay has lived multiple lives during his one on this earth is an understatement. The raw honesty he shows in this book is incredible to read about. Very pleased I decided to pick this one up.
June 14, 2024
If you love watching the UK series “The Repair Shop” as much as I do, this book is a must. Jay is the long time presenter of the show (although he is a furniture restorer himself) and shares how he came to this point in his very up and down life. It is a very honest and personal memoir which does not sidestep the difficulties including racism that he has experienced. Well-written!
July 31, 2021
Love his spirit! Jay’s voice comes through, and the story unwinds with a mix of hope and despair and victory that’s wonderful to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews