It’s certainly been an eventful life for the current Visiting Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Surrey. Ruby has been a ubiquitous and sometimes controversial fixture on British television screens for over three decades, her seemingly brash American persona bulldozing through our English reserve like a wrecking ball through concrete. Mostly renowned for the alternative comedy that brought her to a wider audience Ruby is a classically trained actress and one time member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We’ll always love her subtle as dynamite interviews, especially our favourite conducted with Imelda Marcos. Watch it here. Ruby has written extensively about her own depression and mental health issues in general for which she has been awarded an OBE. This is a wonderful chance to hear Ruby discuss this and her latest book  ‘A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled’, a work that endeavours to equip readers for the stress of modern life.

Fri 13 Jan 6.30pm at Waterstones, 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL £8.99 (inc. book) www.waterstones.com/