That the problem exists is obvious; its nature and extent are not. Obesity can be measured on scales. But how to weigh an emotion? Researchers start by distinguishing several related conditions. Loneliness is not synonymous with social isolation (how often a person meets or speaks to friends and family) or with solitude (which implies a choice to be alone). Along the way he pals up with Jan, a divorcee craving companionship, and reignites an old friendship with a fellow Jamaican immigrant, Gus, also living alone and suffering with his mental health. The beauty of going to the library and scanning the 'new release' shelves, we often stumble across new authors. Ashleigh was just annoying and pushy.... and leaving her adored baby girl with a virtual stranger? Really??

When I saw the cover of this book, I fell in love! Hubert Bird sitting in his chair, hat on, Puss on his lap, the small table with the blue rotary phone and his journal positioned close-by waiting for Rose's weekly call. My heart was already heavy! Eleanor Rigby” is a song about loneliness and depression representing a departure from their early pop love songs. In the last couple of years public awareness of loneliness and the impact that being persistently lonely can have on well-being and quality of life has grown with campaigns such as Age UK’s No One Should Have No One, the work of the Jo Cox Commission and the Government’s appointment of a Minister for Loneliness. For further information, please visit here.Side note: The reference to Weight Watchers Points ... I've been there HAHAHA - this made me laugh out loud!

Romanong Kurong from PhilippinesThe guitar introduction thrills me to no end. The low vocals—“this is for all the lonely people, thinking that life has passed them by”—never allowed me to know why I was literally lonely in those days after my mother died. However, you do not have to be on your own all the time to feel lonely. Many people feel lonely in a relationship or while spending time with friends or family. Loneliness is usually best explained as the result of individual factors such as disability, depression, widowhood or leaving home without your partner. Yet some commentators say larger forces, such as “neoliberalism”, are at work. Where do they all come from? So author Mike Gayle (a former journalist and agony uncle) strikes a chord with this novel, which explores loneliness through a cast of varied characters who find themselves becoming unlikely allies in the fight against this seemingly common problem.Hubert’s life now consists of weekly phone calls with his daughter and conversations with his cat. But he is shaken out of this limited existence by his new neighbour, a young single mum new to the area who is fighting her own battle with loneliness. Ashleigh is originally from Wales and has struggled to make new friends since having her young daughter Layla. You might find it hard to explain to people why you feel this way, but talking to someone could help you find a solution.

Isolation is increasing in other ways, too. From 1985 to 2009 the average size of an American’s social network—defined by number of confidants—declined by more than one-third. Other studies suggest that fewer Americans join in social communities like church groups or sports teams.The whole Rose story was quite good but again I felt there was something off with how she remembered every detail of Hubert's "friends" and I felt a bit let down by the reveal. I'm not sure why that had to be the case.... it just seemed like piling on unnecessary tragedy! And what actually happened to David? I'm not sure if he died too...was the body in the river his? Maybe I skimmed the bit that explained what happened to him? With the help of a young single mother named Ashleigh and her daughter, Hubert will start to realize he’s not the only lonely person out there, and that loneliness isn’t anything to be ashamed of. But he’ll also need to come to terms with the things that led him to seek isolation, and figure out if it’s too late for him to start again.