SHORTLISTED FOR THE BARBELLION PRIZE 2021, this work is described as 'a manifesto for recalibrating' by the DAILY MAIL. It offers a profound redefinition of vitality, as noted by the FINANCIAL TIMES. Josie George, living in a small terraced house in the West Midlands with her son, has faced the challenges of a disabling chronic illness since childhood. Her world, however, is rich and dynamic. She observes the routines of friends at the community center, the neighborhood birds, and the subtle changes in her garden and her son. In January 2018, Josie embarks on a year-long journey to narrate her still life. As the seasons change and her body fluctuates, she reveals her history. In a society that prioritizes progress and productivity, she advocates for a radical appreciation of life in all its forms, celebrating both the extraordinary and the mundane. This work is described as full of kindness, with the power to inspire readers to become better people (CLARE MACKINTOSH). It is vivid, lovestruck, hopeful, and wise (MELISSA HARRISON). Josie George is recognized as an immensely talented writer whose work is both tough and tender, exploring the experience of existing in a body (ELLA RISBRIDGER). The book's timeliness and depth resonate strongly with readers (LINDA GRANT).
