Holly Ringland is the author of two of my favourite books: [b:The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart|35424630|The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart|Holly Ringland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507613604l/35424630.SY75.jpg|56800567] and [b:The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding|54540797|The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding|Holly Ringland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663320855l/54540797.SX50.jpg|85101224]. It is her first non-fiction book, exploring creativity and what stops us following our creative dreams.

Ringland uses her own rocky road to writing her first novel as an example of how our creativity can be sabotaged by external, and internal factors. The nine chapters discuss the negative influences and their kryptonite! For example: Fear + Play; Inner Critic + Inner Fan and Imposter Syndrome + You Belong Here. Each chapter finishes with some prompts that will lead the reader to explore more deeply, if they wish.

My copy of this book is littered with post-it notes. Ringland gives so many useful tips and tricks to move in the direction we truly want to go. She is not a Pollyanna about choosing to be creative, stating that it can be a very challenging journey. But overcoming these roadblocks will ultimately lead to a life lived with more joy.

This book is not just for reader in the creative arts, but for everyone who yearns to access their inner well of creativity and mine its resources.

Holly’s enthusiasm and zest for life is contagious, and the book constantly reinforces her primary message: you are allowed to experience joy as an integral part of your life.

The House that Joy Built does exactly what it’s sub-heading claims: it empowers the reader to explore the pleasure and power of giving themselves permission to create - with joy.

Holly Ringland has bewitched me again. I finished The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding not wanting to leave the magical world she created.
She has woven a beautiful tapestry with threads of indigenous wisdom, Danish folklore and familial love, embellishing it with a respect for mythology and country. She explores the many ways grief can manifest itself, and how we can find grace in unexpected places.
I’m not going to give you a synopsis of the plot, I’m just going to strongly urge you to read this book.

Such a beautifully rendered story. Holly Ringland has created a character in Alice Hart who feels so real, it’s hard to believe this is not an autobiography. The women are the heroes here. In fact, if I had a criticism, and it’s tiny, it’s that the male characters in this novel are nearly all, well, bastards.
Ringland’s language is sublime. I felt I did it a disservice towards the end, as I raced to find out how it would finish. I feel I should now revisit the last chapters with a little more grace!
I loved this description of how Ruby is inspired to write her poetry: “The new poem came down from the stars, looking for her as most of her poems did. It tumbled over the sand dunes and fluttered across her mother’s country, bringing earth, smoke, love and sorrow.” As I said - sublime.
This is a stunning and accomplished first novel. Alice Hart will live long in my heart.