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Hope: My Inspirational Life
In March 2022, much-loved pop star, father and son Tom Parker died from incurable brain cancer. This story is his legacy, in his own words.
A proud working-class lad from Bolton, he rose to chart-topping fame with The Wanted and even took America by storm. A loving father to Aurelia and Bodhi and a devoted husband to Kelsey, his life after pop superstardom was all about family, friends and finding new purpose.
After his diagnosis in 2020, he become a prominent campaigner for brain cancer research, appearing in the House of Commons as well as holding a massively successful concert in aid of Stand Up to Cancer in the Royal Albert Hall.
Throughout it all, Tom had hope. This inspirational memoir shows how far hope and daring to dream can carry you, no matter what cards you're dealt.
A proud working-class lad from Bolton, he rose to chart-topping fame with The Wanted and even took America by storm. A loving father to Aurelia and Bodhi and a devoted husband to Kelsey, his life after pop superstardom was all about family, friends and finding new purpose.
After his diagnosis in 2020, he become a prominent campaigner for brain cancer research, appearing in the House of Commons as well as holding a massively successful concert in aid of Stand Up to Cancer in the Royal Albert Hall.
Throughout it all, Tom had hope. This inspirational memoir shows how far hope and daring to dream can carry you, no matter what cards you're dealt.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2022
46 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Tom Parker
90 books3 followersLibrarian note:
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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
May 26, 2022
I’ll preface this review by telling you that I am wholeheartedly and unashamedly biased. I became a huge fan of The Wanted when I was twelve, following their release of their first single, All Time Low. I’ve been lucky enough to follow them through their entire career, including going to their reunion tour aged 23 this year. Even during their hiatus I kept up with them, both physically supporting their ventures, alongside continuing to follow them on social media. As someone who has practically grown up idolising Tom, I can tell you how incredibly lucky I feel to have been a huge fan of such a genuinely good man.
This book is an incredible achievement for Tom. To have written a book about his life whilst in the throws of battling cancer is genuinely mind-boggling to me. This book summarises Tom’s life before The Wanted, during it, his career and domestic life during the bands hiatus, and delves into his diagnosis and treatment with / for Stage 4 Glioblastoma.
It’s a devastatingly short book for me, I would’ve lapped up a book five times its length, which feels so metaphorical for the unfair hand Tom was dealt with his diagnosis. Despite this, the book manages to be uplifting, offering insight into how positivity and hope were such strong traits throughout Tom’s life, and how they ultimately came to be some of his biggest allies whilst fighting his illness.
For fans of The Wanted, this book is a beautiful, sometimes funny, but heart-wrenching look into a life that we admired so much, and offered an outlook into Tom's life that I feel many of us haven't seen before. To those who perhaps didn’t know of Tom as well, or didn’t know him at all before his diagnosis, this is a simple, sometimes funny, often poignant, look at the trials and tribulations of life, and how positivity can do so much.
I’m truly so grateful to have been a fan of this man for so long, and I really do hope that I’m able to be more Tom Parker in my mentality and outlook on life going forward.
This book is an incredible achievement for Tom. To have written a book about his life whilst in the throws of battling cancer is genuinely mind-boggling to me. This book summarises Tom’s life before The Wanted, during it, his career and domestic life during the bands hiatus, and delves into his diagnosis and treatment with / for Stage 4 Glioblastoma.
It’s a devastatingly short book for me, I would’ve lapped up a book five times its length, which feels so metaphorical for the unfair hand Tom was dealt with his diagnosis. Despite this, the book manages to be uplifting, offering insight into how positivity and hope were such strong traits throughout Tom’s life, and how they ultimately came to be some of his biggest allies whilst fighting his illness.
For fans of The Wanted, this book is a beautiful, sometimes funny, but heart-wrenching look into a life that we admired so much, and offered an outlook into Tom's life that I feel many of us haven't seen before. To those who perhaps didn’t know of Tom as well, or didn’t know him at all before his diagnosis, this is a simple, sometimes funny, often poignant, look at the trials and tribulations of life, and how positivity can do so much.
I’m truly so grateful to have been a fan of this man for so long, and I really do hope that I’m able to be more Tom Parker in my mentality and outlook on life going forward.
May 27, 2022
Devastatingly short, but so was Tom’s life. His courage and positivity shines through from page 1 until the end.
May 29, 2022
I will preface this by saying I am biased as a fan of The Wanted, and of Tom as a person, but honestly believe that this book can be impactful universally.
It was really nice to learn about Tom's life before TW and how he got into music. It's always nice to see someone who grew up in a similar background who has managed to do so well for themselves. Tom made it really clear what changed his attitude towards life and work and what actually got him out there and inspired. I enjoyed hearing about that and then his attitude changes at different points in his life, with TW, with Kelsey, with the kids.
Tom has been very open and honest about his journey with cancer since he went public with his diagnosis and the second part of this book is no different. It was an honour and a privilege to be let into his life before this and still is to be let in via this book. Something that has really struck me while reading this is how positive he was about life. He was determined to live his life to the fullest no matter what and I think that's really admirable in anyone, never mind someone in his position.
I loved seeing his words again and I know we all miss him a lot. I'm so bloody proud of him and everything he did. I hope this book continues to spread awareness about brain cancers and will be spreading the word too, for him.
It was really nice to learn about Tom's life before TW and how he got into music. It's always nice to see someone who grew up in a similar background who has managed to do so well for themselves. Tom made it really clear what changed his attitude towards life and work and what actually got him out there and inspired. I enjoyed hearing about that and then his attitude changes at different points in his life, with TW, with Kelsey, with the kids.
Tom has been very open and honest about his journey with cancer since he went public with his diagnosis and the second part of this book is no different. It was an honour and a privilege to be let into his life before this and still is to be let in via this book. Something that has really struck me while reading this is how positive he was about life. He was determined to live his life to the fullest no matter what and I think that's really admirable in anyone, never mind someone in his position.
I loved seeing his words again and I know we all miss him a lot. I'm so bloody proud of him and everything he did. I hope this book continues to spread awareness about brain cancers and will be spreading the word too, for him.
June 18, 2022
I thought this book may be a bit depressing but I wanted to read it as I was interested in his story being so young with this awful condition. But I was very surprised at his positive outlook on life after he was diagnosed. He was a bit of a bad boy in his younger days of which he’s the first to admit but life turned out good for him until this awful brain tumour. But he has gone on to help many others by raising money and in doing this he will help people in the future - he has left two beautiful children and a wife behind who will hopefully keep his memory alive.
May 29, 2022
A lovely insight to this courageous young man
July 30, 2022
5 stars for a man who lived life right until the end, and who's positivity I will strive to have. This book is tragically short, just as his life was. I don't have enough words to say how much I'm glad I picked the wanted to love when I was growing up, seeing Tom live is now something I am privileged to say. Please read this book and understand what a truly amazing man Tom was.
RIP, Tommy P.
RIP, Tommy P.
May 27, 2022
I’m not Crying your crying !!!!!!!
This book is far too short and over far too
Quickly just like Toms life! Goosebumps!
BUT what an inspiration to us all.
Just unbelievable I still get tears at him leaving us down here! His poor wife and kids!
What a guy! I hope he gets his wish and more money is made in his honour from this book to get funding on this awful incurable illness ⭐️
This book is far too short and over far too
Quickly just like Toms life! Goosebumps!
BUT what an inspiration to us all.
Just unbelievable I still get tears at him leaving us down here! His poor wife and kids!
What a guy! I hope he gets his wish and more money is made in his honour from this book to get funding on this awful incurable illness ⭐️
May 31, 2022
What an incredibly inspirational man!!! He packed so much into his too short life and it’s cruel that he’s been taken away so soon, leaving Kelsey a widow and the children without their amazing father. I have huge respect for the way he dealt with such a devastating diagnosis and only I hope I could be half as positive if I found myself in that situation.
May 31, 2022
Such an inspiring book. You never realise how much he actually went through in his life until you read this. How strong is was from the start to the end never giving up and giving everything he had to raise awareness about Brain Cancer. RIP🤍
May 27, 2022
A beautiful book for a beautiful soul. Tom, I miss you more than words can say. Sleep tight Parker 🤍
Read
May 30, 2022no rating but this made me sob. the wanted have been my favourite band for the past decade and i’ve had the absolute privilege of meeting and knowing tom. his positivity and optimism shines through this book so clearly, his gratefulness of everything he’d experienced was so beautiful to read. this book is devastatingly short but it was lovely to read his words and know how much it meant for him to perform for the last time. tom achieved so much in his life and i hope this book and his documentary continue to encourage an increase in funding and education for brain tumour research.
i will never forget that last show in liverpool and the most amazing ten years of supporting tom through every step of his journey, it was an absolute honour <3
i will never forget that last show in liverpool and the most amazing ten years of supporting tom through every step of his journey, it was an absolute honour <3
January 16, 2023
I borrowed this book off my mum who ordered it this year, I have wanted to read it since his passing to get an insight into his life and how his cancer affected and inspired him. This book definitely did that, the sections (part one and two) helped to distinguish his story and think it really shows how people with cancer and also their families view the persons life before and after cancer - whether this is what he intended I am not sure.
The reason it isn’t a five is because in my opinion it really centred around his time in the wanted, the writing style wasn’t my favourite in terms of how it was written (not the parts as I already said I like this). Just more of it being about the wanted I wish there was a bit more detail in the book but as a man writing this with a brain tumour I think he did really well and it was a brave thing to do
The reason it isn’t a five is because in my opinion it really centred around his time in the wanted, the writing style wasn’t my favourite in terms of how it was written (not the parts as I already said I like this). Just more of it being about the wanted I wish there was a bit more detail in the book but as a man writing this with a brain tumour I think he did really well and it was a brave thing to do
January 19, 2023
Incredible read, really brought back memory's with losing my mum of the same cancer.
May 27, 2022
Tom, you were and will always be incredible. I was so excited to receive this book and I was not disappointed. Your strength and willingness to find the happiness in life blows me away and I feel grateful that you felt able to share your story with us. You truly lived a hundred lives in one (can’t believe the story about Mackenzie!) and you can see how much you were truly loved. I will take your message of living life to its fullest with me always. Rest easy.
May 31, 2022
One of the most incredible men to exist and it hurts that we now live in a world without him in it. ❤️
October 6, 2022
This is so heartbeakering Tom parker was my all-time favourite from the wanted had tears in my eyes have tissues ready if you read this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2022
Hope by Tom Parker. What an inspirational guy who we were blessed to have in this world. Tom Parker was one fifth of The Wanted, husband to Kelsey Parker and Dad to Aurelia and Bodhi.
What an inspiration he was - writing a book while battling a brain tumour. THAT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT IN ITSELF. Hope summarises Tom’s life before he joined The Wanted, his career, his domestic life, his kids, his wife and his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
I was so excited to read this book and I was not one bit disappointed. Your strength and willingness to find happiness in your life whilst battling a stage four aggressive brain tumour is beyond me. But it shows just how amazing you were and will continue to be throughout the darkest of times. You’ve shown how to stay positive amidst the worst times of your life. I will take your message of living life to the fullest always.
Rest easy Tom
What an inspiration he was - writing a book while battling a brain tumour. THAT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT IN ITSELF. Hope summarises Tom’s life before he joined The Wanted, his career, his domestic life, his kids, his wife and his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
I was so excited to read this book and I was not one bit disappointed. Your strength and willingness to find happiness in your life whilst battling a stage four aggressive brain tumour is beyond me. But it shows just how amazing you were and will continue to be throughout the darkest of times. You’ve shown how to stay positive amidst the worst times of your life. I will take your message of living life to the fullest always.
Rest easy Tom
May 31, 2022
Tom Parker (and the rest of the wanted boys) has been a major part of my life since 2012 (if not even slightly earlier) and I was absolutely devastated hearing the news of his passing, especially since I’d watched him on the stage for the bands final show just 2 weeks previous.
Even though Tom’s battle is over, this book does a beautiful job at not only sharing his life but also his battle and how he is raising both money and funding against brain cancer. My only issue with it is how short it is, I could have read another 1000 pages of Tom’s life but I guess in a way the short length of the book reflects Tom’s unfairly short life.
I’ve laughed and cried at this book and it’s definitely Tom’s, I could even hear his voice reading some of the lines. I’m so incredibly proud of you Tom and I always will be, I just wish you were still here to celebrate this book with us all 🦋x
Even though Tom’s battle is over, this book does a beautiful job at not only sharing his life but also his battle and how he is raising both money and funding against brain cancer. My only issue with it is how short it is, I could have read another 1000 pages of Tom’s life but I guess in a way the short length of the book reflects Tom’s unfairly short life.
I’ve laughed and cried at this book and it’s definitely Tom’s, I could even hear his voice reading some of the lines. I’m so incredibly proud of you Tom and I always will be, I just wish you were still here to celebrate this book with us all 🦋x
May 29, 2022
Tom’s optimism throughout his journey with cancer is utterly inspirational. I struggled to get through this book without crying at every hard hitting word. I’m honoured to be able to say I’ve met this beautiful soul and heartbroken to know that he isn’t with us anymore. The joy that he and the rest of The Wanted brought to me when they reunited and announced the TWAT tour is something I will be forever grateful.
June 4, 2022
This book was way too short, but so was his life. Tom was so strong, and his story is so inspiring and powerful. He should be so proud of himself, he was a wonderful father, husband, bandmate and idol to look up to.
And also, thankyou Kelsey for always being there for him, you were his rock, and he had so much love for you. He speaks so highly of you in this book, thank you. ❤
And also, thankyou Kelsey for always being there for him, you were his rock, and he had so much love for you. He speaks so highly of you in this book, thank you. ❤
September 21, 2022
Tom packed so much into his too short life. Lots of admiration for him on how he managed to pull through the dark times and have hope to keep so positive and raise more awareness of brain tumours. A very emotional read. Taken too soon and in such a cruel way.
May 27, 2022
Tom Parker (2022) HOPE
London. Blink Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "In March 2022, much-loved pop star, father and son Tom Parker died from incurable brain cancer. This story is his legacy, in his own words. A proud working-class lad from Bolton, he rose to chart-topping fame with The Wanted and even took America by storm. A loving father to Aurelia and Bodhi and a proud husband to Kelsey, his life after pop superstardom was all about family, friends and finding new purpose. After his diagnosis in 2020, he become a prominent campaigner for brain cancer research, appearing in the House of Commons as well as holding a massively successful concert in aid of Stand Up to Cancer in the Royal Albert Hall. Throughout it all, Tom had hope. This inspirational memoir shows how far hope and daring to dream can carry you, no matter what cards you're dealt."
=====
This got me feeling really sad. Sad that he was done such a wrong. Why do such bad things happen to such fundamentally decent people. You could tie yourself in knots trying to find an answer to that one. Sad or not, it's well worth reading Tom's book - it humbles you - it's a leveller. Credit where credit is due, to Tom and to his family. 😭😭😭
=====
#TomParker #Hope #TheWANTED #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads
London. Blink Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "In March 2022, much-loved pop star, father and son Tom Parker died from incurable brain cancer. This story is his legacy, in his own words. A proud working-class lad from Bolton, he rose to chart-topping fame with The Wanted and even took America by storm. A loving father to Aurelia and Bodhi and a proud husband to Kelsey, his life after pop superstardom was all about family, friends and finding new purpose. After his diagnosis in 2020, he become a prominent campaigner for brain cancer research, appearing in the House of Commons as well as holding a massively successful concert in aid of Stand Up to Cancer in the Royal Albert Hall. Throughout it all, Tom had hope. This inspirational memoir shows how far hope and daring to dream can carry you, no matter what cards you're dealt."
=====
This got me feeling really sad. Sad that he was done such a wrong. Why do such bad things happen to such fundamentally decent people. You could tie yourself in knots trying to find an answer to that one. Sad or not, it's well worth reading Tom's book - it humbles you - it's a leveller. Credit where credit is due, to Tom and to his family. 😭😭😭
=====
#TomParker #Hope #TheWANTED #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads
May 31, 2023
In 2010, sat on the field at my school, I fell in love with a band called the wanted. My friends and I were sat watching their new video for all time low on our phones. For the next few years, being a fan of the wanted was my entire personality. Fast forward to 2020 (and being 6 months pregnant) I was driving to work and heard the heartbreaking news that Tom Parker had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. I sobbed until my class came in.
When this book was released, I got a page into it the day it arrived and realised I was not ready yet. I’m so glad I waited to read it. Tom’s optimism and hope resonate through every page. There are multiple quotes I want to frame in my house. And yes, I did cry at this.
When this book was released, I got a page into it the day it arrived and realised I was not ready yet. I’m so glad I waited to read it. Tom’s optimism and hope resonate through every page. There are multiple quotes I want to frame in my house. And yes, I did cry at this.
January 27, 2024
5 estrelas para o Tom
Os The Wanted foram uma banda muito importante no início da minha vida de jovem adulta e mesmo depois da separação da banda fui acompanhando a vida dos seus membros.
Foi muito bom, mas muito duro e triste ler sobre a experiência do Tom… Como é óbvio chorei em alguns momentos com esta leitura.
Descansa em paz, querido Tom!
“Say my name like it's the last time
Live today like it's the last night
We want to cry, but we know it's alright
'Cause I'm with you and you're with me”
Os The Wanted foram uma banda muito importante no início da minha vida de jovem adulta e mesmo depois da separação da banda fui acompanhando a vida dos seus membros.
Foi muito bom, mas muito duro e triste ler sobre a experiência do Tom… Como é óbvio chorei em alguns momentos com esta leitura.
Descansa em paz, querido Tom!
“Say my name like it's the last time
Live today like it's the last night
We want to cry, but we know it's alright
'Cause I'm with you and you're with me”
Read
January 29, 2023Some days, stay gold forever ✨
A very impactful story about Tom’s life before and during his diagnosis with Cancer.
Being a fan of The Wanted since 2013, I felt like I owed it to Tom to read his book. It was a interesting read but also very sad. My favourite parts was hearing about his time in The Wanted and when he talked about his wife Kelsey. Rest in peace Tom ❤️
(I didn’t give a rating as it’s an autobiography).
A very impactful story about Tom’s life before and during his diagnosis with Cancer.
Being a fan of The Wanted since 2013, I felt like I owed it to Tom to read his book. It was a interesting read but also very sad. My favourite parts was hearing about his time in The Wanted and when he talked about his wife Kelsey. Rest in peace Tom ❤️
(I didn’t give a rating as it’s an autobiography).
January 3, 2023
Feels mean to give only 2 stars to this. Tom seems like a nice guy and to get brain cancer is terrible. I guess it was written for fans of The Wanted and for everyone else, I don’t think it’s of much interest.
April 22, 2024
May be biased here as I have always been a The Wanted fan, but to read and learn more about Tom and his life was utterly heartbreaking whilst also inspiring. Would be lying if I said i didn't she'd a tear or two at the things he faced
June 12, 2022
An emotional read.
August 3, 2022
The most amazing book i have ever read tom that was one inspirational book
January 3, 2023
Omg wow. I was shaking goosebumps trying not to cry. Lovely book. Loved the wanted when I was growing up and still do.
Be gold forever Tom. RIP x
Be gold forever Tom. RIP x
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews