ABOUT JO

Welcome to this literary space for people who love books, reading and writing.

I share book recommendations, literary discoveries, writing and journaling resources, and ideas for bringing more stories into our lives.

I also create journals and resources to help people explore their own stories and am working on my first novel (very slowly!).

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME?

Here are some quick facts to help us get to know each other better…

• I love reading multiple genres, from historical fiction to the classics, romance to fantasy, and all types of children’s books.

• I think reading is the most wonderful act of rebellion in an increasingly noisy and digital world.

• I believe that a love of books and reading is the best gift we can give any child.

• My favourite books growing up were anything by Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl, The Bogwoppit by Ursula Moray Williams, The Black Cauldron series by Lloyd Alexander, The Adventure Series by Williard Price, and Sweet Valley High - I’ve always been a lover of different genres.

• Once I hit my teens, I jumped into Jilly Cooper, Judith Krantz, Sidney Sheldon (it was the 80s and YA wasn’t a thing!), and discovered Jane Austen and Tolkien.

• I am a lover of all things simple and cosy - soft jumpers, blankets on the sofa, flowers on the side, reading by the fire or in a hammock, etc.

• I have a herbal tea obsession… and when I say obsession, I mean I have a drawer that is dedicated purely to herbal teas. I also have a mug-buying compulsion!

• I’m English, married to a lovely New Zealander I met in Hong Kong many moons ago. We have 3 children, all in their twenties - 2 living in England and 1 in NZ (yes, that sucks!)

• I have lived in 6 different countries (so far) and too many houses to count!

• I’m a bookaholic - when I was in early labour with my second child, I paced the floor for several hours while reading The Pelican Brief; both to keep contractions going and to make sure I finished it before she was born!

• I have Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and some related health conditions, which can make life challenging and require a slower approach to my days.

• Even though I didn’t like school, I loved learning and still do. I particularly enjoy history and anything to do with literature and animals.

• If I’m at a party, you’ll find me nosing around the host’s bookshelf or cuddling their dog/cat.

• I also love Autumn, Christmas, oversized jumpers and fluffy socks, the smell of rain, peonies, and laughing - lots!