Love the story of sweet in the moment connection I feel like those moments are what make life (and story so rich) it’s these I’ll never see you again moments that are so meaningful not just the arc of our characters.
I absolutely loved reading your book-shop story Holly - how awesome to be there looking for the books you wanted, enjoying the shared love of books and reading, being sidetracked by the ‘call’ of other books in the space, and then being recognised. I could feel your joy in the impromptu book signing and talking with others in the store, I feel lifted by your story and your shared joy will stay with me all day - thank you, and have a joyous day :) !!
Holly - Thank you for being so generous as to share your Notes to Self with us. I can relate to just about all of them. It made me feel understood to have someone put voice to so many things I feel. I had to chuckle at number 7 - I'm still figuring out the Do not Disturb functions! :) Here's to more days enjoying great t-shirts and magical bookstores!
I’m glad my words could be with you on a heavy hearted day, Laura. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. I hope the heaviness has lifted or shifts soon. 💖
Thank you so much for your kind words about my artwork! It’s beautiful to connect! Found you via Beth Kempton and am so glad to have found you and your beautiful work!
Thank you for sharing full essays without a paywall. While I understand the need to monetise all the work that goes into writing, as a seeking writer I love inspiration and guidance from those more experienced than I am and find it so frustrating to be tempted in by an interesting article and then cut off unless I upgrade. Those now all get deleted. I will, and do, subscribe to those who inspire me but I want to make that choice and not be forced into it. I am more likely to seek out your books once I have got to know you better through your essays. So thank you for your generous spirit.
Thank you for reading, Miranda, I appreciate it ❤️ The paywall thing is tricky, I know. My notes to self are free to read every month, and I regularly share free content in addition to paid content. Balance and moderation, I try to keep in mind, as my Granny loved to remind me!🌟
Hello Janelle, thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. Thanks also for your question - I have very exciting news to share about UK publication very soon! I'll share it here first, so please stay tuned. Take care x
Thanks so much for reading, Julie. It was such a beautiful and unexpected experience. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and share what you loved from my story 💖
I so loved the ‘post it’ note comments and that photo. I too do that to my books and love going back seeing what I’ve liked/wanted to remember. A while back I read an incredible book called Unique, it explained ADHD really well and I had post it notes throughout. It was a book I would definitely be referring to again. I mentioned it to a new friend, (the book, not the post it’s) and she asked to borrow it. I left the notes in and told her I hope they were not too distracting for her. Six weeks later no mention of my book, so I asked her about it - oh I’m still reading it. Almost a year later I got my book back, well not my book, there were no post it notes anymore. I think maybe she bought me a new book as she lost my copy. Yes lesson learnt. Anyway just wanted to share a funny or different post it note story. I will now read again and put on new post it notes!
Love the story of sweet in the moment connection I feel like those moments are what make life (and story so rich) it’s these I’ll never see you again moments that are so meaningful not just the arc of our characters.
I absolutely loved reading your book-shop story Holly - how awesome to be there looking for the books you wanted, enjoying the shared love of books and reading, being sidetracked by the ‘call’ of other books in the space, and then being recognised. I could feel your joy in the impromptu book signing and talking with others in the store, I feel lifted by your story and your shared joy will stay with me all day - thank you, and have a joyous day :) !!
What a beautiful way to start my day, reading your gorgeous words. From one Holly to another, Thank you 😌💚🙏🏻✨
Holly - Thank you for being so generous as to share your Notes to Self with us. I can relate to just about all of them. It made me feel understood to have someone put voice to so many things I feel. I had to chuckle at number 7 - I'm still figuring out the Do not Disturb functions! :) Here's to more days enjoying great t-shirts and magical bookstores!
qbd loves you holly! (as you'd know of course, hahaha). my manager shouted to me across the store when they posted you to our common room space x.
Ruby, this has made me smile my face off, thank you, you treasure 💖
I have just started a heavy hearted day. Your words warmed my heart. Thank you, always. I hope I can read one of your books soon❤️
I’m glad my words could be with you on a heavy hearted day, Laura. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. I hope the heaviness has lifted or shifts soon. 💖
Such a joy to read! So exciting and inspiring, Holly!!!!
Thank you so much, Juliette, it brings me joy to know you found joy here. And thank you for sharing your art! It’s wonderful 💖
Thank you so much for your kind words about my artwork! It’s beautiful to connect! Found you via Beth Kempton and am so glad to have found you and your beautiful work!
How lucky those people were to meet you in the bookshop! Needed this essay today, thank you Holly 🫶
What a kind thing to say, thanks for reading, Sian 💖 I’m so glad this essay found you when you needed it.
Thank you for sharing full essays without a paywall. While I understand the need to monetise all the work that goes into writing, as a seeking writer I love inspiration and guidance from those more experienced than I am and find it so frustrating to be tempted in by an interesting article and then cut off unless I upgrade. Those now all get deleted. I will, and do, subscribe to those who inspire me but I want to make that choice and not be forced into it. I am more likely to seek out your books once I have got to know you better through your essays. So thank you for your generous spirit.
Thank you for reading, Miranda, I appreciate it ❤️ The paywall thing is tricky, I know. My notes to self are free to read every month, and I regularly share free content in addition to paid content. Balance and moderation, I try to keep in mind, as my Granny loved to remind me!🌟
Aww this book shop story is everything 😭💓
Do you have a suggestion of how best to get The House that Joy Built in the UK?
Thank you Holly! x
Hello Janelle, thank you for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. Thanks also for your question - I have very exciting news to share about UK publication very soon! I'll share it here first, so please stay tuned. Take care x
Oooooh! 👀🤩
Thanks Holly and congratulations!
LOVE this list. And as for booksellers..xxx
They’re thee bees knees, duck’s nuts, monkey’s eyebrows! 🤣❤️
So grateful we still have bookshops we can visit, where we can hold a physical book in our hands and browse through the pages! 🤗
Me too, Gaby ❤️
Thanks For a wonderful newsletter! I absolutely adored the story of the older man bookshopping and then the booksellers calling out to you 😍
Thanks so much for reading, Julie. It was such a beautiful and unexpected experience. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and share what you loved from my story 💖
I literally welled up <3
You’re not alone, Janelle, I was weepy in store!
I so loved the ‘post it’ note comments and that photo. I too do that to my books and love going back seeing what I’ve liked/wanted to remember. A while back I read an incredible book called Unique, it explained ADHD really well and I had post it notes throughout. It was a book I would definitely be referring to again. I mentioned it to a new friend, (the book, not the post it’s) and she asked to borrow it. I left the notes in and told her I hope they were not too distracting for her. Six weeks later no mention of my book, so I asked her about it - oh I’m still reading it. Almost a year later I got my book back, well not my book, there were no post it notes anymore. I think maybe she bought me a new book as she lost my copy. Yes lesson learnt. Anyway just wanted to share a funny or different post it note story. I will now read again and put on new post it notes!
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment, Toni. You’ve reminded me why I never love to lend anyone my books! 😃 Happy Post-It-Noting 🌟