Review: The House That Joy Built

Title: The House That Joy Built

Author: Holly Ringland

Publisher: 29th November 2023 by 4th Estate AU

Pages: 288 pages

Genre: nonfiction, self help, creativity

Rating: 3.5 crowns

Synopsis:

An uplifting, powerful and inspiring book about breaking through fear and finding joy through creativity, from bestselling author, Holly Ringland.

The House that Joy Built is about how to give ourselves permission to be creative. It explores two big the fear that can block our creativity, and the permission we can meet that fear with - to not just create, but to revel in the life-changing wonder and joy of doing so. It offers a jump-start for the nervous heart of anyone whose desire to create is overruled by fear.It is a book for those people who yearn to write, as well as people who find their creativity gardeners, carpenters, sculptors, jewellery-makers, florists, songwriters, dancers, cooks, painters ... anyone who wants to make something but doesn't because they're afraid. Afraid of feeling vulnerable, of criticism and judgement from others, of not being good enough, of not having enough, of having 'bad' ideas, of being too much.It is for everyone who has ever felt stuck creatively, for those who don't know how to begin, for those who feel they have so much welling up inside and are just trying to find a way into themselves. This book is an openhearted clarion call to experience the joy and freedom of creating.

My Thoughts

Holly Ringland, author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding has penned her first nonfiction book, The House That Joy Built. Here Holly details a very personal recount of both the power and pleasure that comes from giving ourselves permission to create.  

This is a personal account in some respects, as Holly details her own steps through trauma, grief and even the seemingly simple self doubts surrounding daily living. She balances this with detailed ways of our innate need to create in whatever form that may take for each person. Holly speaks of the inner country of creativity and returning to the things you often loved to do as a child.

At times raw but also inspiring, Holly encourages readers to take back control of one’s creativity and carve both the time and space for it in this busy world. It is essential to a truly fulfilling life. 

Truth: at any age, at any time we can decide anew to return to the home of creativity inside ourselves.

Truth: it can be frightening to return.

Truth: the choice to create because we love to do it is ours.

Truth: it’s always fearful. Always joyful.

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This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.