Just after the birth of my daughter, I had the privilege of being asked to beta read Sally’s book. This was something I had been asked to do by aspiring authors numerous times in the bookstore – and I had agreed a few times with trepidation and with vastly differing results. Luckily Sally’s book was captivating and I found myself wanting to know more and experiencing that lovely feeling all readers seek – the need to keep turning the page! This was especially important to a very sleep deprived new mum.

This relatively quiet, unassuming woman has had some marvellous adventures, grand escapades and survived a terrifying life threatening accident. She came out of this with strength and vulnerability and knowledge of herself, and doesn’t shy away from any of this with her readers.

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Sally Smith is the bravest most adventurous traveller I know. She goes to ordinary places and does ordinary things in the most extraordinary way. What is most extraordinary is that she travels on her own but takes all of us with her. I’ve had the fun of being her beta reader and reading her early drafts. Each time, I haven’t been able to put them down. One draft took me 12 hours straight reading with only one forced break for a physio appointment (the physio wasn’t needed as a result of reading her book, but it could have been). Some good books leave you sad that they end. Not Sally’s. Sally’s book leaves me warm and happy and smiley like I’ve just got back to my cosey hotel after an exhilaratingly exhausting day, stepping out of my shoes and contemplating a glass of wine and some Greek home cooking, and wondering where the cat has been all day….

… as the book unfolds, I am getting to know you more. I am particularly enjoying the parts where you open up about your history (your mum in particular) and seem to be sharing a little about your memories of her and your own pathways in comparison to hers (social change / women’s independence / role changes) using her diary entries as catalysts. I am loving the parts where I can actually smell the aromas of your travel, hear the sounds, experience your fear and pain, see the colours around you and feel the texture of the landscape in my hands, as this is the essence of travel … Your writing makes me want to get to know you better, so it must be good!  … You have obviously put great time, effort and thought into the books and your passion and sense of adventure shine through.

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