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.

-

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