It Will All Be OK brings Paolo Hewitt’s landmark memoirs together in one new powerful volume
Pre-order before 29 January for your chance to win an invite to the launch.
Limited number of signed copies.
The Looked After Kid and But We All Shine On united for the first time in a single edition, with a new introduction by the author.
For the first time, Sorrento Books presents We Will All Be Ok, bringing together both of Paolo Hewitt’s acclaimed memoirs, The Looked After Kid and But We All Shine On, into one definitive volume - two deeply moving accounts of childhood in care, resilience, friendship, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Starting with The Looked After Kid, Paolo's celebrated memoir of growing up in Burbank Children’s Home after a painful early childhood marked by abuse and instability. Sent into care at the age of ten, Hewitt finds himself among fellow outsiders, forging bonds that help him survive bruising fights, failed love, brushes with the law, and the search for belonging. Ultimately, salvation arrives through music and literature.
A testament to resilience, The Looked After Kid gives voice to children who “go to sleep at night believing the world to be a dark and terrible place,” yet emerge to illuminate their own lives — and the lives of others.
In But We All Shine On, Paolo revisits Burbank years later as he sets out to find the friends who shaped his childhood. Along the way, readers meet Des, Norman, David, and Terry — each carrying their own stories of survival, reinvention, and quiet heroism. Through these reunions, Paolo reflects not only on the struggles and triumphs of life after care, but on his own journey, and on the indomitable strength that carries people forward against overwhelming odds.
Praise for The Looked After Kid and But We All Shine On
“An uplifting story about refusing to give up on your dreams...real inspiration to loads of people who have had similar backgrounds to Paolo.” Irvine Welsh, author.
“I cannot tell you how moved, touched, horrified, and amused I was. I rate it with Catcher in the Rye.” Jilly Cooper, author.
“Powerful, moving, touching, and funny. Paolo Hewitt has given a voice to those who are often unheard. The characters stay with you long after you have turned the final page.” John Grace, The Guardian.
“With his pen Paolo projects light on the darkest path as he seeks the family that never was and unravels a tragic, comical, magical and moving story...We need Paolo Hewitt with his torch. Shine on, Paolo Hewitt. Shine on.” Lemn Sissay MBE, author.
Pre-order before 29 January for your chance to win an invite to the launch.
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Even a Fool Learns to Love: The story of My Way
Paolo Hewitt and Simon Wady
Special pre-publication price - for a limited time only! Signed by the authors.
Pre-order now for 25% off. Only £7.49 RRP: £9.99
Sorrento Books is proud to announce the release of Even a Fool Learns to Love: The Story of My Way, an exploration by acclaimed author and journalist Paolo Hewitt and Simon Wady into the fascinating history of one of the most iconic songs ever written: My Way.
From its origins as the French hit Comme d'habitude to David Bowie’s little-known failed attempt at an English adaptation, the book traces the extraordinary journey that ultimately led Paul Anka to write My Way for Frank Sinatra—and the birth of an anthem that would define generations.
But Even a Fool Learns to Love goes beyond the melody and lyrics. Hewitt and Wady delve into Sinatra’s own story, exploring how “doing it his way” reflected not just his artistry but also his complex politics and social liberalism, traits that often made him a controversial figure.
The book also uncovers the astonishing cultural afterlife of My Way:
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its countless cover versions across genres and decades,
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its enduring presence at funerals worldwide,
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the darkly infamous “karaoke killings” it inspired, and
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its unlikely echo in geopolitics through Mikhail Gorbachev’s “Sinatra Doctrine”
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and explores its future through social media.
Part biography, part cultural chronicle, and part musical detective story, Even a Fool Learns to Love is a deeply researched and entertaining portrait of how one song came to define individuality, defiance, and the human spirit itself.
Even a Fool Learns to Love is the first title in Sorrento Books’ new series, The Song of A Lifetime, where authors re-evaluate an artist’s life and legacy through the lens of a single song.
Published 30 January 2026. Available to order now at a special pre-publication price — for a limited time only. Signed by the authors.
Sorrento Books
Sorrento Books is an independent publisher dedicated to reviving the spirit of chapbooks, with a focus on popular culture from our leading contemporary voices.
Our chapbooks echo the rich tradition of these small, accessible booklets that once brought stories, ideas, and commentary to the masses.
We’re proud to launch with three chapbooks by acclaimed journalist and author Paolo Hewitt, part of his When My Soul Was in the Lost and Found series. Hewitt’s work captures the essence of music, culture, and personal reflection—perfectly aligning with the ethos of chapbooks as a platform for unique and compelling narratives.
Historically, chapbooks emerged in the 16th century from broadsides, offering folk tales, ballads, religious texts, and political commentary. Sold by itinerant “chapmen,” they were a lifeline between cities and rural communities and played a key role in making literature accessible.
Morning Glory Prosium
La Famiglia
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Neil Sheasby
Neil Sheasby is a founding member of the band Stone Foundation and has enjoyed a career in music spanning over four decades. Born and raised in Atherstone, Warwickshire—where he still lives—Neil is a lifelong music obsessive with an extensive vinyl collection that’s rarely out of reach.
He is the author of two previous books: Boys Dreaming Soul (2019) and Bass Notes: Life and Times on the Road with Stone Foundation (2023), an illuminating chronicle of life on the road with Stone Foundation, with whom he continues to tour the world, playing bass guitar and cowriting and producing a string of Top 40 albums.
Away from the stage, Neil is a proud father to three sons—Lowell, Sonny, and Mason—and has shared his life with his partner Claire for over 30 years. He’s a passionate DJ, hat collector, and devoted Leeds United supporter.
Neil divides his time between performing, writing, contributing to Paninaro magazine, and in his spare time helping out at Urban Village Records in Henley-in-Arden.
Janette Beckman
British-born photographer Janette Beckman began her career in the punk rock era working for music magazines The Face and Melody Maker. She shot bands from The Clash to Boy George as well as three Police album covers.
In 1983 she moved to New York to document the underground hip-hop scene photographing pioneers Run DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, LL Cool J, Slick Rick and many more.
Her work has been shown in galleries worldwide and is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Museum of the City of New York and the British National Portrait Gallery.
She has published five books, including Rap Portraits & Lyrics of a Generation of Black Rockers (1991), Made in the UK (2005), The Breaks Stylin’ & Profilin' (2008) and The MashUp (2018) a collaboration with iconic New York graffiti artists reinterpreting her hip hop images. Her monograph covering 40 years of photography Rebels From Punk To Dior was published by Drago in November 2021.
Janette continues to chronicle sub-cultures as well as photographing campaigns for brands like Dior and Levis . She is represented by the Fahey Klein Gallery.
Latest playlist
It's no surprise - we love music.
Every Monday, we publish a playlist of what we're listening to in the Sorrento Books office.
Check out all our playlists on our Spotify page.
Wed 25 MarLondonEach Soirée @ The Social is a celebration of the cultural moments we love, blending comedy, spoken word, conversation, live music, and DJs. You never quite know what the mix will be – and that’s half the magic.