A sweet book of inspiring, heart-lifting messages perfect for those who need a pick-me-up.
Feature image credit: Charlotte Preval-Reed
Though it has a reputation for being overly touristy and not quite as cool as other London markets, Portobello Road in Notting Hill is the kind of place where you can stumble upon absolutely anything. I went looking to buy some fruit and maybe a piece of costume jewellery to remember my trip to London, and the last thing I expected to come across was an author-illustrator and her dachshund sat at a stall selling a book called Positive Thoughts from Portobello Road. But I knew that this would make a much better keepsake as soon as I saw the charming stick-figure illustration of the author, Charlotte Preval-Reed, and her pup on the cover.
“I started creating positive thoughts to help me through depression,” Preval-Reed writes in the book’s blurb. “When I’d recovered I decided to turn some of my thoughts into this book, to help spread a little joy in the world.”
Positive Thoughts from Portobello Road delivers on its promise. Every page has a small yet powerful positive message accompanied by cute and often funny images. Some of the messages are simple, while others will make you think. But no matter where you are in life, everyone can take something away from these light-hearted little notes, even if it’s just a reminder that “true love starts with you” or “a change of perspective is as good as a rest.”
The messages don’t come in chronological order, so you can read this book in one go from start to finish, or come back to it as you feel the need, picking out pages that you feel drawn to. One of the most heart-warming touches is that some of the messages are delivered by recurring characters that Preval-Reed has created, including Clever Cat, The Shoeless Guru, and The Happy Hippy.
At the end of the book, the author includes a note about how the book came to fruition, explaining that she experienced mental illness in her 30s and began to write her own positive thoughts as part of her recovery. She initially shared them as her Facebook statuses before self-publishing a book that she sold to bookshops around London. Eventually, she took at stall at Portobello Road, which has given this book a significant launch into the world. Initially coming from a place of struggle, it’s now a source of happiness for thousands all over the globe.
While it’s definitely a great keepsake if you happen to be visiting London, you can also grab Positive Thoughts from Portobello Road online. This is the perfect gift for anyone who needs a pick-me-up or just a little inspiration.
Reviewed by Vanessa Elle
Instagram: @vanessaellewrites
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Charlotte Preval-Reed
Released: March 2023
RRP: $44.58
More News
