If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that books are one of the things I love the most. You will also know that writing is one of the things that brings me peace and joy, whatever is going on in my life and the world. It is how I make sense of things, how I mourn, and how I celebrate. Over the past few years, I have been putting together a book of my reflections and poetry: The Joy Scrapbook. As my summer holiday project (my day job is teaching), I decided to publish it!

The book is available on Amazon, in paperback and on Kindle, and I will also be running a few small, down-to-earth events based on the material in the book.

Writing this book has been personal and therapeutic. This makes it a little ‘niche’, in some ways. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that is OK, because I have written it primarily for the joy of writing. Nevertheless, it has brought me joy and hope, and if I can share a little of that through my words on the page, then why not?

It feels a little vulnerable putting my story out there, and I have had to make peace with its imperfections, but I am proud of myself for making something I love, and offering it to you.

I truly hope that the words in this book land with people who need them, and that readers will find them to be honest, kind and uplifting.