Books of 2020

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Even though this was a year filled with lots of time at home, it was not a year where I felt able to throw myself into reading (not like me!). However, I did manage to read a few books over the course of the year and I thought I would share my insights with a mini-review.

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

I adore Brené Brown as her books are filled with open and honest insights about being human, and how we can improve our personal situation by leaning into the truth of who we are. We are flawed! And by learning to embrace our vulnerability, we grow stronger. Be inspired and dare to be who you really are and find out it makes for a happier life.

The Electricity of Every Living Thing by Katherine May

Katherine’s story of walking the South West Coast Path, sharing her experiences and insights along the way. She also is open about learning that she is autistic and her relief at finally understanding who she is. Sometimes we have to go on a journey to find ourselves.

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

A perfect read for a book lover. Light and charming. It is a heartwarming adventure set in Scotland. Characters you will love and a book that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, just what we needed in 2020!

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

I cried and laughed reading this book. A story of triumph over the tragedy of ending up homeless and the crazy idea of walking, and living, the South West Coast Path. Raynor tells her true tale with dignity that beautifully captures imagery to inspire. From the depths of despair to a depth of learning. Everyone needs to read this book and realise that when life turns sour, there is always HOPE when you get off your sorry ass and go grab your hiking boots.

Wintering by Katherine May

The perfect book for 2020! Katherine May could not have envisioned that her book would capture the feeling of 2020 across the globe, but she did. Wintering is about stepping away from the world and learning to slow down and go with the flow. It is about rituals and the little things that make us feel good. If you haven’t read it, you should. We all have periods of Wintering in our lives… and many of us are doing that right now.

Your Mind is Your Home by Kamran Bedi

How many of us suffer with a mind that tortures us constantly? If you do, then read this book. Kamran is a Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner (to the stars) and he shares his insights into how our minds can trick us. He shares some easy to follow steps to transform our minds from torturer to best friend. I love the references to social media, which makes his approach fresh and up-to-date.

A Wedding at the Beach Hut by Veronica Henry

What wrong with a bit of romance set by the sea? Absolutely nothing. This was a lovely light read, perfect for a summer’s day sitting by the sea with the backdrop of a row of brightly coloured beach huts. Enjoyable. Fun. A real treat.

The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club by Katie May

An eclectic group of women are thrown together to form an open water swimming club. Might seems a little boring, but the relationships and the characters of the members are far from it. This books will have you laughing. You too will feel drawn in to their antics… and you never know, you too may want to jump in.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Would you chose to live a different life if you could? Well, that’s what happened to Nora when she ends up in the Midnight Library and gets the opportunity to try other ‘what could have been’ lives. Matt Haig is so clever – a great story to read, while being a thought provoking book about life. No wonder it is an international bestseller. Love it!

The Whitstable Pearl Mystery by Julie Wassmer

Get to know Pearl Nolan and the seaside town of Whitstable, as Pearl is embroiled in finding out why her friend was murdered. The first in the series by Julie Wassmer (former script writer on Eastenders). If you enjoy ‘cozy mysteries’ you will love these books. Even better the books are being adapted for TV (due for release 2021).

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

If you love Matt Haig’s imagination, then this children’s book does not disappoint. Parents, read this to your children and enjoy the magic. Matt Haig is the new Terry Pratchett of our times. Just announced, this book will be released as a movie in December 2021.

UPLIFT – Book 1 compiled by Janet Groom

Well, I couldn’t let this one go by… When the pandemic forced us into lockdown at the beginning of 2020, I reached out across the UK with the call for stories, art, poems and little bits of hope to share in a book. 30 incredible people took part and the UPLIFT Book was released in May. It is a colourful book infused with hope with the aim of raising spirits. It also raised money for three key organisations who supported, and continue to support, people at this time of COVID. I am truly honoured to bring this book into the world.

Stories are a bonds that unite us, bringing us together.

Words are whispers of hope in the storm, guiding us safely home.

Songs are the voices of angels, protecting us with their love.

TOGETHER WE UPLIFT THE WORLD

— Janet Groom

All books are available to purchase on Amazon

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2019 in Review

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Tiny Tim: God bless Us, Every One!

— Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’

Oh my goodness, it is hard to believe we are coming to the end of yet another year. Where does the time go? It has been a rollercoaster ride of a year for me and I wanted to share with you some of my literary highlights. And keep scrolling to the bottom where you will find a little extra Christmas story for you…

I re-publishing the first book in THE NAKED KNITTING CLUB series. I was delighted to bring the first book back out into the world under my own terms, and all is aligned for me to continue to write the follow-on books (yes, it is a series…) and publish with ALP House Publishing. This has taken the pressure off and I feel much happier to have control. Book 2 will be released in the first part of 2020 – click here to sign up to the mailing list to be kept informed.

I enjoy writing and 2019 also saw the ‘birth’ of two fiction books by Janet Groom. The first was WRITE TO HEAL, an opportunity for me to tell my own personal trauma to triumph journey (my old stories) and share 10 amazing techniques to aid healing using the power of WORDS and WRITING, from working on mindset through to forgiveness. In 2020, I am planning to set up an online course to accompany the book, and hold some ‘live’ workshops focussing on some of the key techniques and how to use them.

Then I has the privilege to work with ELLIE J. HART to assist her to produce her beautiful book of 52 quotes on the topic of ‘I CHOOSE…’. I adore this book and love that you can flick through and use the quote as a positive prompt for your day ahead. Ellie was inspired to write her book after reading the amazing story of Holocaust survivor Dr Edith Eger’s book ‘The Choice’, as it helped her transform her own life from victim to winner.

Then I discover an ebook I had written a few years ago LIVE THE RAINBOW, and decided to update it and re-release it. It is a bright book about using the power of colours to influence our lives in a positive and uplifting way. It includes a basic introduction to CHAKRA, CRYSTALS, and even rainbow-coloured FOODS.

Finally, the year ended on a high note as I was honoured to be part of an anthology book ‘VOICES OF HOPE’ compiled by Brenda Dempsey. It felt good to share my own personal journey from victim to finding my way to a happier life through books, words and writing. You can read my story, along with 30 other stories, in the book and be inspired that even when life throws you a curveball there is still HOPE to shift things around and create a life you enjoy. Oh, I am a now an Amazon Bestselling author!!

So, I am excited to get going with 2020, book 2 in The Naked Knitting Series is underway, and I have ideas for a few more books – some fiction and a few more non-fiction. Additionally, watch out for Creative Writing workshops and Retreats happening in the UK next year, and get started with writing your own books. If you are interested in writing your book or joining a workshop/retreat, please contact me – click here

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY WRITING IN 2020

With Love & Blessings

Janet

Janet Groom
Author, Writer, Book Coach & Transformational Life Coach
www.janetgroom.com

A Little Christmas Cheer For You!

A little Christmas Cheer for you. A short heartwarming tale with Luna and a few of the other naked knitters.
BUY NOW and support the homeless this festive season – includes some extra Christmas Gifts especially for you!

Perhaps you are ready to boost your business with a book.
Let’s have a cuppa and a chat

Click here to email Janet

Tune into The WRITE Word Show and listen to great interviews with authors who have published their inspirational books into the world, and get excited to step up and join them… THE WRITE WORD SHOW

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A Christmas Story

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A Story of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy

A story of Love, Peace, Hope and Joy

“Christmas isn’t a season; it is a feeling.” 
– Edna Ferber (Novelist, Writer & Playwright)

The Story of Christmas

I grew up hearing about the birth of the baby Jesus and his humble beginnings in a stable, being watched over by the animals as he was lovingly laid in a stall by his mother, Mary. The shepherds came to worship him, followed by the three Wise Men from the East to bring gifts to the new-born King. I love the nativity story, and the joy of watching children retell this unique story. It is part of my Christmas tradition.

Now I know that not everyone has the same Christmas story, and there are so many beautiful traditions celebrated around the world. Perhaps not the same story of the Christ child, but often stories of hope to inspire generations.

Believing in the Magic

For me at this time of year, it is a period to reflect on the year drawing to an end, while enjoying quality time with friends and family, sharing together the spirit of Christmas – love, hope and joy. It is also a time to exchange gifts with loved ones, and, of course, find a little something from Santa Claus– hopefully!

Somewhere along the way, commercialism has muscled in on the act, and now expectations are high, and letters to Santa grow longer with more and more demands. It is a shame that so many have lost the Magic of Christmas, with stress rising and many spending far beyond their means.

I love that the Swiss adopted a more straightforward approach to the festive season and they have their particular traditions with their own version of Saint Nicholas. The Christmas period is time for the family to get together for a meal on 24 December and gifts are small, often homemade cookies or chocolates, and because of that, they are appreciated all the more. 

Perhaps we can all learn from the Swiss, and bring back the MAGIC of Christmas into our festive celebrations, by refocussing on the parts that make it JOYFUL.

A Story of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy

Many of the Holiday period traditions are about bringing families, friends and communities together, to offer fellowship through LOVE and connected energy to bring PEACE.

In the winter, and I’m talking about the Northern Hemisphere here, the tradition of putting up lights around your home, sending out a warm and welcoming glow, is heart-warming to witness. The twinkling fairy lights on the Christmas tree brightens up the long dark winter nights, and along with the flickering candles, they representing HOPE – shining LIGHT across the world in even in the darkest of times.

Being with others we care about at this special time, is sharing LOVE; and in giving thoughtfully chosen gifts, we are opening our hearts to JOY. And that feeling grows in our hearts as we reach out and give to strangers whose need is more than our own. When you walk past a homeless person on the street who is cold and hungry – go and buy them something hot to eat and drink. When you see a stressed Mum battling with a pram and a tired and irritable child – offer them help. 

Share the love and even a simple smile of acknowledgement and understanding can go a long way. By caring and supporting one another in the spirit of ‘LOVE’, we are sharing the ‘Spirit of Christmas’, and perhaps this is something we can all continue to do throughout the new year ahead.

What Christmas Story are you Telling Yourself?

As we shift gear into the Christmas season, stop and think about your Christmas Story. What are your traditions, and what do they mean to you? Where do you bring the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ alive? Do you reach out and share the love to not only your family and friends but to the strangers in your daily lives?

Make this Christmas extra special by doing something extra special for someone who you don’t know – offer HOPE, share LOVE and bring them JOY!

Make this your best Christmas ever!

Wishing you all a Christmas filled with Love, Peace, Hope and Joy!

Click here to find out more about Janet’s debut novel
Click here to go to The WRITE Word Show

COMING IN 2019… The Year of You!

Starting with Self-Love, Self-Care and Self-Compassion

I am excited to let you know that next year will bring a new series of episodes on The WRITE Word Show, when I will be talking with some incredible and inspiring women about the importance of Self-Love, Self-Care and Self-Compassion.
This is a topic that many of us ignore, putting ourselves so far down our list that we often forget about ourselves, and as many of us find out the hard way, this often leads to issues of self-worth, low self-confidence and may even lead to health problems and possibly depression. 

Make 2019 the year you put yourself top of your list!
Click here to check out the show episodes > https://janetgroom.com/thewritewordshow/

“After all, self-care is not selfish, it is recharging your battery so you have more to give. Learn to FLY by First Loving Yourself!”

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