Suleika Jaouad, author of the bestselling memoir Between Two Kingdoms and The Book of Alchemy, shares her journey of navigating fear and vulnerability. She discusses how journaling can transform anger and anxiety into empowerment. Suleika emphasizes that journaling is a collaborative process, offering prompts that encourage emotional expression and introspection. The conversation also dives into the healing power of storytelling and the importance of connecting personal narratives to foster empathy and self-discovery.
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insights INSIGHT
Turning Illness Into Creative Material
Suleika has lived through three leukemia recurrences with journaling as emotional support.
Her public memoir and writings provide a window into living creatively through illness.
insights INSIGHT
Focus on Present Not Future
Life interruptions require improvisation and creativity, not worry about unknown future.
Anxiety stems from overfixating on future; focus on the present to reduce it.
insights INSIGHT
Vulnerability Both Draws and Repels
People's attraction and repulsion to vulnerability in stories often come from the same source.
Sharing personal stories reduces shame by bringing them into the light.
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Eat, Pray, Love
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In 'Eat, Pray, Love', Elizabeth Gilbert chronicles her journey as she leaves behind her outwardly successful but inwardly unfulfilling life in the United States. The book is divided into three parts, each set in a different country: Italy, where she seeks pleasure and indulges in the local culture; India, where she delves into spiritual practices and meditation; and Bali, Indonesia, where she aims to find a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. The memoir is a personal and introspective account of Gilbert's struggles, growth, and self-discovery during her travels.
Between Two Kingdoms
A Memoir of a Life Interrupted
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In 'Between Two Kingdoms,' Suleika Jaouad recounts her life-altering experience with acute myeloid leukemia. Diagnosed at 22, she undergoes extensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The book is divided into two main parts: her time in the 'kingdom of the sick' and her journey back to the 'kingdom of the well.' After recovery, Jaouad embarks on a 100-day, 15,000-mile road trip across the country to meet people who supported her during her illness. The memoir explores themes of survivorship, identity, and the challenges of reentering the world after a life-threatening illness.
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Night Boat To Tangier
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Kevin Barry's "Night Boat to Tangier" is a darkly humorous and poignant novel that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of a bustling port city in Morocco, the story centers on two aging Irish criminals who find themselves caught in a web of deceit and betrayal. Barry's writing is characterized by its sharp wit and evocative prose, creating a sense of atmosphere and immediacy. The novel's exploration of themes of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in life resonates deeply with readers. The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable, their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more human and relatable. The novel's ending is both surprising and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
The Book of Alchemy
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How journaling can transform negative emotions into meaning and agency.
Suleika Jaouad is the author of the instant New York Times bestselling memoir, Between Two Kingdoms, which has been translated into over twenty languages, and her highly anticipated new book, The Book of Alchemy, forthcoming in April 2025. She writes the popular weekly newsletter, the Isolation Journals.