Publication #1

Trouble In Mind: Stories From A Neuropsychologist's Casebook Back copy: Remarkable human stories of brain disorders and the science behind them. For many years neuropsychologist Jenni Ogden worked in some of the world’s leading hospitals, assessing and treating patients with unusual, and often incredible, brain injuries and disorders. In this intimate memoir, she tells the stories of fifteen of her patients, uncovering what each is able to teach us about the human brain. Jenni’s patients include HM, the man with no memory, and the most studied case of his kind in the world; Luke, a gang member who loses his ability to speak but can still sing his favourite blues number; and Jason and Howie, two very different 16-year-olds who, after suffering concussions on the sports field, confront similar learning difficulties. Teacher Phillipa turns into a different person after a horrific brain injury; Janet’s brain ignores the left side of her world, and she sees only half a face in the mirror; Julian’s brain tumour wipes out his ability to locate his hands and his ears; and Sophie, a mother of three, faces the looming disintegration of her world through Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, despite the challenges of coping with a brain disorder, the courage, resilience, and determination shown by these patients is truly extraordinary. Told with warmth, compassion and insight, Trouble in Mind tells stories of disordered minds and disobedient bodies, and reveals the close relationship between a caring doctor and her patients. Reviews ‘In the spirit of Oliver Sacks, Jenni Ogden takes us on a remarkable journey into the inner workings of the human brain.’ Danielle Ofri, author of 'Medicine in Translation' and editor of 'The Bellevue Literary Review' ‘Brilliantly illustrates the role of the clinician as detective, combining the expertise of a neuroscientist, the insight of a psychologist, and the eye of a novelist.’ Michael Corballis, author of 'Pieces of Mind ‘Ogden amazes us with her insight and her tender humanity.’ Sue Woolfe, author of 'The Secret Cure'

Publication #2

Fractured Minds: A Case-Study Approach To Clinical Neuropsychology Fractured Minds introduces the reader to clinical neuropsychology through vivid case descriptions of adults who have suffered brain damage. On one level, this is a book about the courage, humour, and determination to triumph over illness and disability that many “ordinary people” demonstrate when coping with the extraordinary stress of a brain disorder. On another level, it is a well-referenced and up-to-date textbook that provides a holistic view of the practice of clinical neuropsychology. Included are reader-friendly descriptions and explanations of a wide range of neurological disorders and neuroscientific concepts. This informative and engaging book will be of interest to sstudents of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and neurology, health professionals who work with neurological patients, neurological patients and their families, and lay readers who are simple fascinated by the mind and brain. Reviews “The selected cases are extremely well presented, rich in detail, and unmatched in the presentation of the human aspect of neurological disease…” ‘Journal of the International Neuropsychologcal Society’. “The most remarkable feature of this volume lies in the author’s emphasis on bringing clinical practice back to neuropsychology….goes beyond diagnostic evaluation…sets goals on improving the quality of life for patients and their families…written with clarity and clinical sensitivity…” ‘Contemporary Psychology’

A Drop in the Ocean: A novel

From Jenni Ogden, author of Fractured Minds and Trouble In Mind, comes a novel that draws on her deep understanding of human psychology. On her 49th birthday, Anna Fergusson, Boston neuroscientist and dedicated introvert, arrives at an unwanted crossroads when the funding for her Huntington’s disease research lab is cut. With her confidence shattered and her future uncertain, on impulse she rents a cabin for a year on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. But Turtle Island, alive with sea birds and nesting Green turtles, is not the retreat she expected. Here she finds love—for the eccentric islanders who become her family; for Tom, the laid-back turtle whisperer; and for the turtles whose ancient mothering instincts move her to tears. But Anna finds that even on her idyllic drop in the ocean there is pain, and as the months fly past her dream for a new life is threatened by a darkness that challenges everything she has come to believe about the power of love. Reviews “…a quietly majestic book, taking on quests for identity, for connection, for love, for self - always with dignity and with an impressive breadth of understanding. Like the turtles whose lives and habits are tracked in these pages, the characters at the heart of A Drop in the Ocean move gently but with enormous consequence. Here is a book to lose oneself in - and then share, enthusiastically, right away.” —ROBIN BLACK, bestselling author of Life Drawing "A novel about turtles, the fragility of life, and the complexity of love, A Drop in the Ocean will transport you to remote islands with its lyrical natural imagery. This is a story to savor, discuss, and share.” —BARBARA CLAYPOLE WHITE, bestselling author of The Perfect Son “Readers will enjoy this novel of second chances, not only at love but at life, reminiscent of Terry McMillan’s ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” —BOOKLIST Endearing and enduring, everything a reading experience should be…” —JACQUELYN MITCHARD “…a sweeping journey, rich with unique characters and places, moving backward and forward in time, to reach the poignant and heartfelt lesson that love is about letting go.”—ANN HOOD “Evocative and thought-provoking, A Drop in the Ocean is a story about belonging—and the ripples that can flow from the family we choose to the family that chooses us.” —ANITA HEISS

The Moon is Missing: A novel

Publisher: Sea Dragon Press, August, 2020

Description:

From Jenni Ogden, author of multiple-award-winning A Drop in the Ocean, comes a page-turning tale of family secrets and mother–daughter conflict set in London, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and on a remote and spectacular island off the coast of New Zealand.

Georgia Grayson has perfected the art of being two people: a neurosurgeon on track to becoming the first female Director of Neurosurgery at a large London hospital, and a wife and mother. Home is her haven where, with husband Adam’s support, she copes with her occasional anxiety attacks. That is until her daughter, 15-year-old Lara, demands to know more about Danny, her mysterious biological father from New Orleans who died before she was born. "Who was he? Why did he die? WHO AM I?” Trouble is, Georgia can’t tell her. As escalating panic attacks prevent her from operating, and therapy fails to bring back the memories she has repressed, fractures rip through her once happy family. Georgia sees only one way forward; to return to New Orleans where Danny first sang his way into her heart, and then to the rugged island where he fell to his death. Somehow she must uncover the truth Lara deserves, whatever the cost.

"Jenni Ogden is a beautiful writer. In her newest, a tale of domestic suspense, Ogden tells the story of a neurosurgeon bedeviled by her own sophisticated brain and the memories of a long-ago tragedy that still has the power to destroy her and her family. Pick up The Moon is Missing. You won’t put it down."
—Jacquelyn Mitchard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the
Ocean; the book that began Oprah's Bookclub.

"With gripping scenes set during Hurricane Katrina and on a remote New Zealand island, this tightly-woven family drama—fueled by long-buried secrets and a daughter’s desperate need to answer the question, ‘Who am I?’ —is ripe for book club discussion."
—Barbara Claypole White, best-selling author of A Perfect Son & The Promise Between Us.
 

Call My Name: A Novel

Two women, bound together by opposite personalities, friendship, love and family—until motherhood rips them apart.

From Jenni Ogden, author of bestselling novel A Drop in the Ocean (Gold Nautilus Award for Fiction) comes a compelling family saga set in the Australian tropics and spanning the 1960s to 1990s.

Her mother dead from a drug overdose, thirteen-year-old Olivia is rescued by Cathie Tulloch, her mother’s friend throughout the years they were held captive in Japanese prison camps in Sumatra in WWII. Welcomed into the Tulloch’s remote family home in the Australian tropics, introverted Olivia is claimed by dramatic, generous, controlling Cassandra Tulloch as her sister and best friend. Moving to the UK at 18, Olivia finds her independence, and partner Ben. But in 1970, after five years away, she is homesick, and ready to fulfill her long-held dream: to make a family of her own. In Brisbane she and Ben share a hippie lifestyle with Cassandra and husband, Sebastian. But while earth-mother Cassandra effortlessly produces beautiful babies, for Olivia, becoming a mother is hard. Even harder is discovering the truth about her own mother. And when the unimaginable happens, destroying the friendship with Cassandra that has been her bedrock for so long, Olivia tells herself that she doesn’t deserve a family, nor a place to call home.

Praise from Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife & When the Stars Go Dark
"An emotionally piercing and absorbing account of turbulent female friendship over time, Call My Name is also a keen meditation on the powerful pull of connection and belonging—the places and people that shape and change us, forever calling us home."

Editorial Reviews
“A gripping story that’s hard to put down ...draws the reader into complex and deeply human questions...as her characters’ lives intertwine over three decades of joy, loss, grief, and—below it all, like a sustaining chord—loyalty and kindness. Call My Name reminds us that love calls us to be generous rather than possessive and that we can go on, even when terrible things happen, because we’re profoundly connected. Layered, sometimes shocking, yet shining with goodness and hope, it’s exactly the kind of story we need right now.”
—Barbara Linn Probst,Sarton and Nautilus award-winning author of The Sound Between the Notes & The Color of Ice

"Jenni Ogden's done it again -- given us a beautifully crafted novel filled with the complexities, mysteries and joys of human connection within a family and between sisters, lovers and friends. Filled with authenticity, compassion and grace, Call My Name will find its way deep into your heart and soul, and stay with you long after the last page has been turned."
—Sally Cole-Misch, Award-winning author of The Best Part of Us

“Vivid setting, dynamic plot, and likable characters come together beautifully to deliver an emotionally compelling tale of friendship, love, loss, and forgiveness. Call My Name is a fantastic read.”
—Jodi Wright, Award-winning author of How to Grow an Addict & Eat and Get Gas.

“This is a love story ... of couples, of friends, of families. A page turning saga that is fresh in its story, yet provides the warmth of an old-fashioned classic.
—Romalyn Tilghman, Award-winning author of To the Stars with Difficulties, 2018 Kansas Notable Book of the Year

"...so intense and raw that I choked up a few times…brings out the true essence of friendship… Powerful and inspirational.”—Readers Favorite, 5 Star Review

“…realistic, pulled at my heartstrings… unforgettable characters…A masterpiece.”— Readers Favorite, 5 Star Review