Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.

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The Big J vs The Big C: issues, experiences and poems in the battle against breast cancer

Poet, author and activist Janine Booth was part of the ranting poetry movement in the 1980s, performing as ‘The Big J’. In late 2016, she discovered a strange indentation in her right breast and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer.

This book is a collection of candid and enthralling journal extracts, poetry, meticulous research and substantive politics, in which Janine details her journey from detection and diagnosis, through surgery, to ‘getting over it’.

Buy it here, from Flapjack Press.

if you would like Janine to speak at your event about her experience with breast cancer, please email Janine.

What They Are Saying About 'The Big J vs The Big C'

Submitted by Janine on 07 February 2020 at 12:42

This book is a must for all health care workers - doctors, nurses, students, caterers, cleaners, porters - the team needed by patients facing The Big C.
Stage 2a, stage 3b, stage 4 are numbers which tell us about diagnoses and planning treatment.The numbers do not tell us about who is on zero hours contracts or in insecure housing at risk of losing work and home, who is fretting about bus fares, who is caring for children or parents, the disruption to study and relationships, the time, the time, the time.
This book does tell us about people, the numbers and the NHS. Read it for your patients and yourself, to celebrate our part in this amazing service which is there for everyone when people need it.
Dr Coral Jones, GP and Chair of Hackney South and Shoreditch Labour Party

The Big J vs The Big C: Manchester launch

Submitted by Janine on 29 October 2019 at 16:08
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Book Launch The Big J vs The Big C: Issues, Experiences and Poems in the Battle Against Breast Cancer by Janine Booth

Venue: Manchester Central Library, St. Peter's Square M2 5PD

6.30pm - 8pm (doors open 6pm)

Free entry & refreshments provided

Author reading and book signing

mcrlaunch.jpg86.94 KB

WordSpace Leeds

Submitted by Janine on 02 September 2019 at 20:36
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Venue: WordSpace, 135 New Road Side, Leeds LS18 4RJ 

As WordSpace launches its writers' anthology, Janine interrupts with a slot warming up for her The Big J (and the NHS) vs The Big C tour.

The Big J (and the NHS) vs The Big C

Submitted by Janine on 12 August 2019 at 11:11
BJvBC tour leaflet

Poet, author and activist Janine Booth was part of the ranting poetry movement in the 1980s, performing as ‘The Big J’. In late 2016, she discovered a strange indentation in her right breast and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her new book is a collection of candid and enthralling journal extracts, poetry, meticulous research and substantive politics, in which Janine details her journey from detection and diagnosis, through surgery, to ‘getting over it’.
Janine will be reading from the book at a series of events around the country, where she will be joined by comedian Kate Smurthwaite, local poets, and/or speakers from local campaigns in defence of the NHS.

Details of each event: www.janinebooth.com/events-BigJvsBigC

Thursday 12 September: Doncaster
Friday 20 September: Reading
Friday 4 October: Liverpool 
Thursday 10 October: Forest of Dean
Tuesday 15 October: Windsor
Thursday 17 October: Hackney, east London
Wednesday 23 October: Portsmouth
Thursday 14 November: Harrow
Thursday 21 November: Doncaster
Wednesday 18 December: Cardiff

More dates to follow!

Cardiff: The Big J vs The Big C

Submitted by Janine on 12 August 2019 at 10:32
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@Company of Words presents The other side of Christmas with guest poets Janine Booth and Alix Edwards with Open Mic

@ fabulous new cafe:
CafeGo
28 Tudor St, Cardiff CF11 6AH

Tired of lists, Christmas shopping, stuffing the freezer and bierkeller vomit?

Come and enjoy some great performance poetry from Janine Booth, stories from Alix Edwards - and share some of your own Christmas gems!!

Hackney: The NHS vs The Big C

Submitted by Janine on 11 August 2019 at 18:48
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Hackney women activists present the case for defending our NHS, in a meeting to which everyone is welcome.

In a venue next to Homerton Hospital, where her breast cancer surgery took place, Janine Booth reads extracts and poems from her new book, 'The Big J vs The Big C'.

Kate Smurthwaite aims some feminist comedy at austerity and sexism.

Windsor CLP: The NHS vs The Big C

Submitted by Janine on 11 August 2019 at 15:21
Event Date
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Janine reads extracts and poems from her book, The Big J vs The Big C: issue, experiences and poems in the battle against breast cancer.

Local trade unionists and campaigners will also speak.

Hosted by Windsor Constituency Labour Party.

Venue: Waterman’s Arms, Eton. SL4 6BW

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