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Where the Hearth Is: Stories of Home
Kate Humble has a knack for sharing her own journey towards a more pleasing and purposeful life in a way that inspires readers, enables them to reassess their own lives and helps them achieve their personal goals. Having encouraged readers to reconnect with nature in Thinking on My Feet and simplify their lifestyles in A Year of Living Simply, she turns now to reimagining whatever we consider 'home' - examining her own experiences and expectations, ideals and memories, and considering the views of others living uniquely, extraordinarily, happily. She's gaining insights from some unexpected quarters - including the animal kingdom.
As our time spent in office buildings and other traditional workplaces shrinks forevermore, feeling happy, healthy, productive and content in our homes (be they castles or caravans, flat-shares or farms, fixed or temporary, inner city/out of town/beyond) is more important to get right than ever before. Where the Hearth Is will resonate with all those seeking to make the most of their lives during the many hours we all spend at home - whether it's a case of tiny adjustments while staying put, moving out, living differently or dreaming of building something new.
As our time spent in office buildings and other traditional workplaces shrinks forevermore, feeling happy, healthy, productive and content in our homes (be they castles or caravans, flat-shares or farms, fixed or temporary, inner city/out of town/beyond) is more important to get right than ever before. Where the Hearth Is will resonate with all those seeking to make the most of their lives during the many hours we all spend at home - whether it's a case of tiny adjustments while staying put, moving out, living differently or dreaming of building something new.
- GenresNonfictionLifestyle
8 pages, Audible Audio
Published September 28, 2023
23 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 10, 2023
4.5. I really liked the variety of the stories covered in the book, and the storytelling was, as always with Kate, faultless.
March 15, 2024
3.75 Stars
February 2, 2025
Beautiful, thought provoking book that resonated so much with my many thoughts on the concept of home ❤️
March 1, 2025
This book was like a big hug ☺️ It was thought-provoking, informative and well written. I love it when a book opens me up to reflection and this is exactly what this little gem did for me: what makes a house a home? There are some lovely small chapters about how wildlife maintain their homes/nests too which I found really enjoyable (especially the snail one). The stories from the people that Kate met and wrote were fascinating too.
February 18, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book. I heard the author speak about her book at the Hay Festival last year and I decided to read it. It is a fascinating book which explores the meaning of home for different people.
Home means so many different things.
My home is a tiny two up two down in London. It means a lot to me because it is my bolt hole from a demanding job and a noisy world. My home is home because of family, although I only live with one family member, my many relatives know that my home is always their home.
Home means space, peace and a place where I can be me. It is a place of creativity, of reading, of writing, of reflecting, of cooking, of baking and of attempts at gardening.
The best times in my home are the early dawn mornings when the geese in the nearby nature reserve call out to each other, and the magpies fight for water from the gutters on the building next door. Sometimes they are joined by the local flock of parakeets who moved into the neighbourhood some years ago, and every now and again this cacophony of noise is joined by the screeching of foxes.
I lie there at dawn feeling warm, safe and content, as I listen to the natural world in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world.
I listen and I am grateful because I am home.
A beautiful book which enabled me to reflect and be thankful.
Home means so many different things.
My home is a tiny two up two down in London. It means a lot to me because it is my bolt hole from a demanding job and a noisy world. My home is home because of family, although I only live with one family member, my many relatives know that my home is always their home.
Home means space, peace and a place where I can be me. It is a place of creativity, of reading, of writing, of reflecting, of cooking, of baking and of attempts at gardening.
The best times in my home are the early dawn mornings when the geese in the nearby nature reserve call out to each other, and the magpies fight for water from the gutters on the building next door. Sometimes they are joined by the local flock of parakeets who moved into the neighbourhood some years ago, and every now and again this cacophony of noise is joined by the screeching of foxes.
I lie there at dawn feeling warm, safe and content, as I listen to the natural world in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world.
I listen and I am grateful because I am home.
A beautiful book which enabled me to reflect and be thankful.
February 2, 2024
Who doesn’t like Kate Humble? She’s so wholesome and outdoorsy and chatty, warm and friendly. When this book came my way with its charming title I wanted to pick it up and hug it.
When you’re mainly a novel reader like me, at first these real-life stories about what ‘home’ means can seem a little brief. However, the strength of the book lies in Kate’s ability to connect with her subjects and convey their stories with empathy. Each vignette feels like a personal conversation, as if she’s inviting you to share in the wisdom and gratitude towards ‘home’ from the people she encounters; this genuine connection adds poignancy to the stories and elevates them to something more than just anecdotes.
Kate’s appreciation for the simple joys of home, wherever that might be is infectious and encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences: it made me appreciate my big old end Victorian terraced with its drafts and age-old flaws. Yes it has its faults but it’s home, the place I’ve been happiest in!
A really lovely book that celebrates the joy of ‘home’, nature and simple pleasures. I’ll reach for her other books when I need a dose of positivity and a reminder to appreciate life’s small joys. Bravo!
When you’re mainly a novel reader like me, at first these real-life stories about what ‘home’ means can seem a little brief. However, the strength of the book lies in Kate’s ability to connect with her subjects and convey their stories with empathy. Each vignette feels like a personal conversation, as if she’s inviting you to share in the wisdom and gratitude towards ‘home’ from the people she encounters; this genuine connection adds poignancy to the stories and elevates them to something more than just anecdotes.
Kate’s appreciation for the simple joys of home, wherever that might be is infectious and encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences: it made me appreciate my big old end Victorian terraced with its drafts and age-old flaws. Yes it has its faults but it’s home, the place I’ve been happiest in!
A really lovely book that celebrates the joy of ‘home’, nature and simple pleasures. I’ll reach for her other books when I need a dose of positivity and a reminder to appreciate life’s small joys. Bravo!
January 4, 2025
In theory, the premise of this book is definitely my cup of tea: a collection of accounts from different people from all walks of life on what 'home' means to them. The reality is that it's all just a bit boring. I like the Romany gypsy's story, but I can't really remember any of the others - my mind wandered: not a good sign!
To be fair, my opinion may be tainted by the fact that I listened to most of the audiobook whilst feeling unwell. Maybe 2.5 stars is fairer.
To be fair, my opinion may be tainted by the fact that I listened to most of the audiobook whilst feeling unwell. Maybe 2.5 stars is fairer.
December 20, 2023
Very thought provoking on the importance of having the security and comfort of a home. Something so many of us take for granted, so don't value enough. With so many people essentially 'homeless' this is a welcome piece of realism. And I particularly like the accounts of how animals and insects make homes. Highly recommended.
February 26, 2024
Page after page of glib, flowery, meaningless, drivel.
If you ever longed for a book seemingly written for those who watch television programs that would insult the intelligence of a three month old beagle then this may well be the book for you.
If you ever longed for a book seemingly written for those who watch television programs that would insult the intelligence of a three month old beagle then this may well be the book for you.
April 13, 2024
Home Is Where The Heart Is
This book is fascinating, particularly the information about animals and their homes. Home is such an important aspect of our lives and this book captures this perfectly.
This book is fascinating, particularly the information about animals and their homes. Home is such an important aspect of our lives and this book captures this perfectly.
December 13, 2023
2.5 rounded up...
December 13, 2023
Vaguely interesting but every chapter and vignette was too short and superficial to be satisfying. Probably closer to 2.5 than 3 stars...
February 5, 2024
A joy to read!
February 29, 2024
It's such a beautiful book. Beautifully contemplative, beautifully written. I loved the variety of stories described - they were so interesting and looked at the idea of home from different angles. Also, even though I was a bit surprised by "nature stories" of home here and there, they gave the book a lot of character. It made me think hard what home means to me. A wonderful read.
May 5, 2024
Lovely listen. The stories of other people's lives were really interesting.
June 2, 2024
I would love to read a book-length version of the « Childhood » chapter.
June 18, 2024
A gentle book to read whilst sitting in your own 'home space' 😊
January 1, 2025
A beautifully written book which explores what makes a home through stories of people and animals creating their own.
April 18, 2025
Made a change from reading novels and contained some interesting stories of peoples homes. I felt towards the end that I was looking forward to finishing and ready to start a new book.
June 22, 2025
Really beautiful
March 18, 2024
It wasn’t exactly as I imagined the book to be, I thought it was going to be about what it takes to make home but instead it was about how different things make a home for different people, it’s not linear and what works for one does not work for all.. and when I got my head round that I really enjoyed it, I am obsessed with what makes a home and while this didn’t give me the answer it did tell me that my home will be my home because I will make it so.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews