Welcome to the second series of The Bibliotherapists, and our seventh episode, featuring Jennie Godfrey, the Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things.
This is a lovely conversation on reinvention, recovery, and the power of words to change lives (our own and others).
🎧 5 takeaways from our conversation with Jennie
1. It’s Never Too Late to Begin
Jennie started writing her debut novel aged 49, after leaving a corporate HR role. Her midlife reinvention led to a Sunday Times number-one bestseller.
“I realised I prefer uncertainty to unhappiness.”
2. There are Commonalities Between the Writing and the Recovery Process
The Artist’s Way (which encourages a spiritual approach to overcoming creative blocks)was a transformative tool for Jennie (also in recovery), helping her unlock creativity, reconnect with herself, and build a sustainable writing practice.
3. Substack as a Creative Lifeline
After the success of her first book left her frozen with pressure, writing weekly on Substack was a way to unlock writer’s block, find her voice again, and begin novel number two.
4. Writing = Discipline + Joy
Jennie treats writing like a job, but also calls it her ‘treat’. Her routine includes early morning journalling and meditation, and bedtime reading.
“Reading is how I soothe myself. Writing is how I make sense of it all.”
5. Fiction as Comfort
From To Kill a Mockingbird to comforting Yorkshire dialect in The Secret Garden, Jennie’s favourite books have offered escape, identity, and connection.
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The Bibliotherapists is a podcast celebrating the healing power of words, hosted on - and featuring writers and creatives from - the Substack platform.
Find Jennie on Substack > https://substack.com/@jenniegodfrey
Toni (The Shelf Help Clubhouse) on Substack > https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/
Tanya (withEase) on Substack > https://tanyalynch.substack.com/
WATCH THE VIDEO
Video recordings of The Bibliotherapists interviews are available exclusively to our Substack subscribers.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebibliotherapists.substack.com
