This past week has been one of the most surreal weeks of my life, in the best possible way. On Monday, The Latte Years came out and I felt like I did when I was a little girl and it was my birthday - absolutely beside myself with excitement and like the world was just a little bit magical.
It has been amazing and frankly mind-blowing to see pictures of The Latte Years on shelves, on Kindles, in hands.
State Theatre bookshop, Hobart. Thank you Isabel for the photo!
As crazy as this sounds, it’s still sinking in that this is real. It’s a REAL book. Even seeing these pictures I have to pinch myself a little. Possibly because the book isn’t out in bookstores here in London yet (you can get it online though), all the excitement has been happening 17,000 kilometres away. But it’s still been incredible.
Fullers Bookshop, Hobart. Thank you Rae for the photo!
On Kindle! Thanks Mezz for the photo!
Readings Malvern, Melbourne. Thank you to my friend Leanne for the photo!
You can see a whole album of where The Latte Years has been spotted all over Australia and the world on my Facebook page.
As I sat alone in my study - almost this time last year - on the other side of the world, forcing myself back into Hobart of 2005 and Melbourne of 2006, and beyond, I wondered whether this was actually going to end up being anything worth reading, whether it would help anyone, whether I was doing the right thing.
Writing The Latte Years took everything I had. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. 100 marathons would have been easier and I'd have had a more toned backside to show for it! But already, after just one week, I feel I have been repaid a thousand times over. I know it was all worth it. I’ve just been blown away by how people have reacted to this book so far - it’s beyond anything I dared to hope for.
This book goes very well with coffee. Thank you to my friend Phillippa for the photo!
Every day I’ve been waking up to messages from people who have read it. People who stayed up until 1, 2 or 3am to finish it because they couldn’t put it down. People who have gone out and bought more copies for their friends. People who now feel less alone. People who are now inspired and fired up to do something outrageous and brave with their lives.
Which is exactly why I wrote it.
The enthusiastic and loving reception my book has had so far is so incredibly humbling. I don’t think I’ve ever said the words ‘thank you’ so much in my life but it’s something I feel with every fibre of my being right now - thankful. So very, very thankful.
Have a lovely week, friends! And if you've bought a copy of The Latte Years, thank you!
Much love, Phil xx