Preview
  • Making It

  • How Love, Kindness and Community Helped Me Repair My Life
  • By: Jay Blades
  • Narrated by: Damian Lynch
  • Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

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Making It

By: Jay Blades
Narrated by: Damian Lynch
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Publisher's summary

The Sunday Times bestseller, Making It is an inspirational memoir about beating the odds and turning things around even when it all seems hopeless, by Jay Blades, the beloved star of hit BBC One show The Repair Shop.

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 audiobook, 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.

©2021 Jay Blades (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd
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Critic reviews

"Lynch dramatically conveys the diverse cultures, personalities and accents of Blades's world, and recounts how he coped with dyslexia and learned to 'upcycle' - repair items from a dump for resale - then taught homeless kids this marketable skill. Most memorable is Lynch's delivery of Blades's honesty, self-deprecating humour and can-do motto: If something's broken (including life), you can always find a way to put it together." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Making It

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Great story! Great man!

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Jay’s life. He faced a lot of struggles, and came out swinging (both literally and figuratively). I was drawn to Jay as a person long before I knew his full story. I have even more respect for him now after hearing what he has overcome to get where he is today, and all of the things he has done to help others that are facing similar challenges in their life. He is a truly amazing person, and he is making a difference. Much love and respect to Jay.

The performance was great, and really helped immerse the listener in the story.

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Wow!

This is an amazing human being who had an amazing life. So glad he shared it with the world. Narrator is fantastic (although I wish Jay could have narrated).

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Amazing story!

Riveting story! Jay Blades is a remarkable multi-talented individual. He has led an amazing life so far!

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Striking similarities

Very well orientated and very well put together story of Jay Blades, I was amazed by the similarities in lifestyles between blacks in England and America share and I have personally experienced many of the setbacks that the author has been through, I was deeply touched by his upbringing because I grew up the same way. Great story!

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love it

really love this and it make me thing that I can do something in my life more as I am dyslexic too and I didn't say anything thought out my child hood. u think that u are the only one going thought this. I think this book is amazing to read and see what u went thought thank u jay and keep up the good work though out your life x

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His obvious bad choices and battles

The story was very good. I could’ve done with a lot less swearing, but on the other hand, it was interesting to listen to what happened to him. It gave me a very different view of the guy that I see on the show.

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Amazing

The adaptability and perseverance is stunning. How many people have the ability and adaptability to also make these changes. If only we can offer them a tiny bit of encouragement. Which this book has soundly done. Thank you so much for being yourself and sharing it with us!

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So real

I loved this book so much, I will read it more than once. Very inspiring.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Perfect timing

Reading this book ended up being the perfect timing for me because it was a reminder that life does suck sometimes, but you just have to keep putting that one foot in front the other and carrying on and people who care about you can help you.

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ruined it by using the name of Jesus as a curse

disliked profanity. I love Jay but I love Jesus more! It was Just so unnecessary!

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