What do you think?
Rate this book
All Boats are Sinking: Navigating Life, Love and Locks on a Narrowboat
All Boats Are Sinking is a memoir of love, life and chaos on a narrowboat, perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton, Helen Fielding and Phoebe Waller-Bridge
"All boats are sinking, Hannah, just at different rates."
After a break-up, some hit the gym; some cut their hair; others have a one-night stand. In the aftermath of her break-up, Hannah bought a narrowboat.
Newly single and plunged into life on the water, Hannah had to learn quickly how to grapple with exploding toilets, disappearing hulls, and the curious glances and questions from pedestrians on the towpath. But when career burn-out, a global pandemic and an ill-advised rebound relationship threatened to sink her, Hannah felt the need to escape. In a bid to let go of the past and restore her sense of self-worth, she embarked on a narrowboat odyssey which took her from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil yet dramatic waterways of West Yorkshire.
Suffering from an apparent magnetism to drama but buoyed by her brilliant friends, Hannah tells of the challenges of off-grid life as a single 30-something on the water. All this as she tries to balance the tension between owning her singledom and giving in to a deep desire to find love.
Peppered with lists, recipes, maps, footnotes and diagrams, and spanning hundreds of miles of the British waterways, it's an uplifting and often hilarious story of adventure and personal growth, and of a woman trying to keep her boat and life afloat. And to answer that perennial yes, it's cold on the boat in winter.
"All boats are sinking, Hannah, just at different rates."
After a break-up, some hit the gym; some cut their hair; others have a one-night stand. In the aftermath of her break-up, Hannah bought a narrowboat.
Newly single and plunged into life on the water, Hannah had to learn quickly how to grapple with exploding toilets, disappearing hulls, and the curious glances and questions from pedestrians on the towpath. But when career burn-out, a global pandemic and an ill-advised rebound relationship threatened to sink her, Hannah felt the need to escape. In a bid to let go of the past and restore her sense of self-worth, she embarked on a narrowboat odyssey which took her from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil yet dramatic waterways of West Yorkshire.
Suffering from an apparent magnetism to drama but buoyed by her brilliant friends, Hannah tells of the challenges of off-grid life as a single 30-something on the water. All this as she tries to balance the tension between owning her singledom and giving in to a deep desire to find love.
Peppered with lists, recipes, maps, footnotes and diagrams, and spanning hundreds of miles of the British waterways, it's an uplifting and often hilarious story of adventure and personal growth, and of a woman trying to keep her boat and life afloat. And to answer that perennial yes, it's cold on the boat in winter.
- GenresNonfiction
365 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2024
9 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Pierce
2 books1 followerHannah Pierce trained as an actor before writing, producing and performing in theatre for young people and adults across the UK and abroad. She has worked a number of roles since, but a common thread of presenting live arts is always central to her career. As a writer, Hannah has written for the stage, and her one-woman show on the valiant adventures of an online dater received critical acclaim. All Boats are Sinking is her first book. Hannah looks forward to taking on her next writing project, and intends to find inspiration through her imminent foray into a little-known thing called "motherhood". She now lives in South London with one foot still firmly rooted on her narrowboat Argie Bargie, moored somewhere in the UK.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 2, 2024
Her relationship had been unravelling for a while and now it was finished. When there was no more to say, she stood up and left the flat. It was over and untangling thier lives would take time, but in this exact moment, she had nowhere to live. It was time to call on some friends for help.
Piece knew that she would never be able to afford to live in London by herself. Just a flat in certain areas of London costs at least £1200 a month, well beyond her means. Then she remembered her friend, Megan. She had started a theatre company with her a while ago, and while that had now finished, they remained friends, but Megan was living in London on a narrow boat. Perhaps that was an affordable option and a way of staying in London?
She mentioned it to her mum who is slightly aghast at the thought of it. After a little while they come around to the idea, so much so that her dad is doing all sorts of research on narrow boats. The hunt for a suitable boat begins and they find one that looks ideal. So she is the proud owner of Argie Bargie.
Living on a narrow boat brings a lot of delights and an equal number of challenges. One of the conditions of living on the London waterways is that you have to move every fortnight to a new mooring and it has to be a minimum distance away from the previous mooring. She had to do regular maintenance on the vessel, ensure that the prop was clear, learn how to steer the boat and to operate the locks on the canals.
She begins to fall in love with the way of life on the canals. Not only is it a low-cost way of living in the capital, but she starts to form meaningful friendships with other narrowboat owners. Romance is again in the air, as she begins to get involved with one of her managers at work. Life was very much on the up compared to a few months ago.
But life has a way of throwing curve balls. This curveball was one that was going to affect the entire planet. The pandemic had arrived…
The lockdown that was imposed on the country meant that movements on the canal were suspended, she could only move to get waste and dispose of waste. This meant that she could get to know her nautical neighbours so much better. They had each other’s back too, helping where they could in this uncertain time. She was made redundant from her job, but that was then revoked as the company furloughed the staff instead, Life was suddenly very different for her.
Having this extra time gave her time to think about and reconsider lots of things going on in her life. She wanted to head out of London on the canals and go north to visit her brother and his family. She also had to consider her current relationship as the guy she had hooked up with sounded an unpleasant type who was using his senior position to exploit her and others.
I thought that this was an enjoyable book full of Pierce’s watery escapades. Not everything that she does goes smoothly, and that makes for entertaining reading, but she does convey just how much fun it can be on a narrowboat. If you like travel books with more of an emphasis on the people and their relationships and interactions then this book is going to be right up your canal…
Piece knew that she would never be able to afford to live in London by herself. Just a flat in certain areas of London costs at least £1200 a month, well beyond her means. Then she remembered her friend, Megan. She had started a theatre company with her a while ago, and while that had now finished, they remained friends, but Megan was living in London on a narrow boat. Perhaps that was an affordable option and a way of staying in London?
She mentioned it to her mum who is slightly aghast at the thought of it. After a little while they come around to the idea, so much so that her dad is doing all sorts of research on narrow boats. The hunt for a suitable boat begins and they find one that looks ideal. So she is the proud owner of Argie Bargie.
Living on a narrow boat brings a lot of delights and an equal number of challenges. One of the conditions of living on the London waterways is that you have to move every fortnight to a new mooring and it has to be a minimum distance away from the previous mooring. She had to do regular maintenance on the vessel, ensure that the prop was clear, learn how to steer the boat and to operate the locks on the canals.
She begins to fall in love with the way of life on the canals. Not only is it a low-cost way of living in the capital, but she starts to form meaningful friendships with other narrowboat owners. Romance is again in the air, as she begins to get involved with one of her managers at work. Life was very much on the up compared to a few months ago.
But life has a way of throwing curve balls. This curveball was one that was going to affect the entire planet. The pandemic had arrived…
The lockdown that was imposed on the country meant that movements on the canal were suspended, she could only move to get waste and dispose of waste. This meant that she could get to know her nautical neighbours so much better. They had each other’s back too, helping where they could in this uncertain time. She was made redundant from her job, but that was then revoked as the company furloughed the staff instead, Life was suddenly very different for her.
Having this extra time gave her time to think about and reconsider lots of things going on in her life. She wanted to head out of London on the canals and go north to visit her brother and his family. She also had to consider her current relationship as the guy she had hooked up with sounded an unpleasant type who was using his senior position to exploit her and others.
I thought that this was an enjoyable book full of Pierce’s watery escapades. Not everything that she does goes smoothly, and that makes for entertaining reading, but she does convey just how much fun it can be on a narrowboat. If you like travel books with more of an emphasis on the people and their relationships and interactions then this book is going to be right up your canal…
July 21, 2024
Ahoy and all that
Hannah has come to a crunch point in her life and after looking realises even with her Parents help re a deposit cannot afford a flat in London and so decides to look for a narrowboat instead, the excitement and her new life starts…
I did enjoy most of this book although at times I found myself at odds with Hannah’s way of thinking, for instance she hires an expert to help her on day 1 as she starts her journey ( journeys! ) and then is frustrated and cross with him when he does exactly as she has asked of him
However that aside the writing was easy and quick to get into and the stories flowed well ( I know I know 😀)
I remember as a young teen sending off for the ‘Hoseasons brochure’ and trying to convince Mum and Dad we needed to go on a boat holiday, I think the idea of boats/water etc appeals to many and so 100% understand why the author chose this adventure
It did make you feel like you wanted to ditch the London apartment life and go find a narrow boat and do as Hannah had done,loved the parts on setting up the interior and was in my mind placing my things in ours…
Also really enjoyed her going ‘Up North’
A different read and one that conjured up scenes of a great way of life all the way through although of course the reality of narrowboat living is not always as romantic as it would seem and the not so good realities were covered too
Hannah has come to a crunch point in her life and after looking realises even with her Parents help re a deposit cannot afford a flat in London and so decides to look for a narrowboat instead, the excitement and her new life starts…
I did enjoy most of this book although at times I found myself at odds with Hannah’s way of thinking, for instance she hires an expert to help her on day 1 as she starts her journey ( journeys! ) and then is frustrated and cross with him when he does exactly as she has asked of him
However that aside the writing was easy and quick to get into and the stories flowed well ( I know I know 😀)
I remember as a young teen sending off for the ‘Hoseasons brochure’ and trying to convince Mum and Dad we needed to go on a boat holiday, I think the idea of boats/water etc appeals to many and so 100% understand why the author chose this adventure
It did make you feel like you wanted to ditch the London apartment life and go find a narrow boat and do as Hannah had done,loved the parts on setting up the interior and was in my mind placing my things in ours…
Also really enjoyed her going ‘Up North’
A different read and one that conjured up scenes of a great way of life all the way through although of course the reality of narrowboat living is not always as romantic as it would seem and the not so good realities were covered too
July 15, 2024
3.5 🌟 - a good read about community and trying something new
July 18, 2024
I loved this book!
Hannah’s epic journey through the English canal network is a story of overcoming adversity, self-discovery, personal growth and triumph. The journey is documented against the backdrop of the beautiful English countryside and the spectre of the Covid pandemic, but interspersed with witty stories and anecdotes from Hannah’s colourful life. A joyous and uplifting read.
Hannah’s epic journey through the English canal network is a story of overcoming adversity, self-discovery, personal growth and triumph. The journey is documented against the backdrop of the beautiful English countryside and the spectre of the Covid pandemic, but interspersed with witty stories and anecdotes from Hannah’s colourful life. A joyous and uplifting read.
August 30, 2024
A sordid breakup and a precarious financial situation force a young Hannah Pierce to reevaluate her life. Determined to establish an independent footing for herself and buoyed by the example of her friend, Megan, Ms. Pierce lands on a remarkable decision – buying a boat and calling it home! The result, Argie Bargie, a 45-foot ex-leisure cruiser in royal blue, moored in Teddington, West London. All Boats are Sinking is a life affirming memoir of candour, conviction, confession and camaraderie.
The book is not only about the nuances and techniques of living on a boat. It is primarily about taking the adversities hurled by life at an unsuspecting person head on. Ms. Pierce faces a daunting prospect when after impulsively purchasing the boat, she is required to comply with a set of extremely demanding regulations and conventions. For example, a boat needs to be moved every fortnight from its original mooring place to a new one. Then there is the fundamental issue of waste disposal. As the author herself writes in the book, an invariable question posed by curious acquaintances, being “how do you dispose off your poop?” Caring two hoots for squeamishness, Ms. Pierce proceeds to provide a detailed overview of the “options” a “boater” has in getting rid of bodily waste.
The book is a carefully thought about blend of wit and reminiscence. Replete with lists and hacks, it also acts as an invaluable primer for all adventurous souls thinking about calling a boat home. The ‘lists’ span an entire spectrum from the silly to the sublime. There are lists of things that have contacted water, only to be irretrievably lost, culinary delights prepared within the confines of the boat, boat-themed gifts received by the author, the worst things about living on a boat, culinary disasters, and necessities which one must always be mindful of while navigating a boat, amongst others.
The reader also gets a healthy insight into the tightly knit boating community where fellow boat owners help their neighbours in the maintenance and upkeep of boats, freely dispensing invaluable advice and timely tips. The core of the book, however, dwells on an audacious journey undertaken by the author when she takes her boat up north from London to Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Navigating more than 250 “locks” (a length of water with gates at each end where the level of water can be changed to allow boats to move between parts of a canal or river that are at different heights), Ms. Pierce manages to accomplish the impossible. In between she also squeezes in time for a virtual run of the London Marathon (the original being cancelled on account of the COVID-19 pandemic).
The long journey is an agglomeration of thrills and spills. From getting stuck in a very complicated lock and facing the prospect of drowning, to meeting some incredible personalities on the way (boxing legend Tyson Fury being one such persona), the author undergoes a cathartic experience.
All Boats are Sinking – a compelling and energetic read! I would be sure to pay a visit to the Argie Bargie when I happen to be in London next!
The book is not only about the nuances and techniques of living on a boat. It is primarily about taking the adversities hurled by life at an unsuspecting person head on. Ms. Pierce faces a daunting prospect when after impulsively purchasing the boat, she is required to comply with a set of extremely demanding regulations and conventions. For example, a boat needs to be moved every fortnight from its original mooring place to a new one. Then there is the fundamental issue of waste disposal. As the author herself writes in the book, an invariable question posed by curious acquaintances, being “how do you dispose off your poop?” Caring two hoots for squeamishness, Ms. Pierce proceeds to provide a detailed overview of the “options” a “boater” has in getting rid of bodily waste.
The book is a carefully thought about blend of wit and reminiscence. Replete with lists and hacks, it also acts as an invaluable primer for all adventurous souls thinking about calling a boat home. The ‘lists’ span an entire spectrum from the silly to the sublime. There are lists of things that have contacted water, only to be irretrievably lost, culinary delights prepared within the confines of the boat, boat-themed gifts received by the author, the worst things about living on a boat, culinary disasters, and necessities which one must always be mindful of while navigating a boat, amongst others.
The reader also gets a healthy insight into the tightly knit boating community where fellow boat owners help their neighbours in the maintenance and upkeep of boats, freely dispensing invaluable advice and timely tips. The core of the book, however, dwells on an audacious journey undertaken by the author when she takes her boat up north from London to Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Navigating more than 250 “locks” (a length of water with gates at each end where the level of water can be changed to allow boats to move between parts of a canal or river that are at different heights), Ms. Pierce manages to accomplish the impossible. In between she also squeezes in time for a virtual run of the London Marathon (the original being cancelled on account of the COVID-19 pandemic).
The long journey is an agglomeration of thrills and spills. From getting stuck in a very complicated lock and facing the prospect of drowning, to meeting some incredible personalities on the way (boxing legend Tyson Fury being one such persona), the author undergoes a cathartic experience.
All Boats are Sinking – a compelling and energetic read! I would be sure to pay a visit to the Argie Bargie when I happen to be in London next!
June 18, 2024
All Boats Are Sinking
By Hannah Pierce
Memoir can be a tricky pond to fish in. The big shouty ones either have the lure of deliciously, gossipy reveals or are mired in layers of trauma and strife, otherwise how do they get all the attention? They don't always work for me, because my spidey sense gets triggered when I feel manipulated or get a whiff of exploitation. I seem to fare better with the more under-the-radar titles that often come on my radar from trusted sources, or peer out self consciously from between the titles on Netgalley, as in the case of this little gem.
It's all in the voice.
Hannah is in her 30s, in relationship purgatory and questionable financial stability. She needs to live in London, but can't afford the exorbitant cost of rent there, until she becomes aware of a community who live on the river and canal system on barges, and with some inspo from a friend and a little help from her parents she invests in her own narrowboat.
This is the story of how she adjusts to the nomadic, self reliant life, how she uses the confines of boat life to realise freedom, especially during the recent pandemic, how she gains confidence in her abilities and herself to navigate the canal system, which is not always female friendly, and how to navigate the relationships she chooses, which also aren't always female friendly.
Written in a chatty style that reveals it's journal-entry inception, it is touching and honest and I found myself completely charmed by Hannah. It might feel a little slow and repetitive in parts, especially as she describes the various canal and lock operations, but as a well worn nomad, (albeit it in campervan rather than boat), I recognise the dichotomy of mundanity and access to jawdropping experiences.
Reading this book has inspired me to research a canal trip from London to Oxford. I only wish there were photographs, but my copy is an uncorrected egalley. If someone has the paper copy, let me know if there's any.
For me, the narrative drive is the change in Hannah's tone from self depreciating and insecure to self assured, sanguine and hopeful. She swept me along on her journey and I did a little happy dance for her Lock 22 triumph.
Publication date: 20th June 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Summersdale for the ARC
By Hannah Pierce
Memoir can be a tricky pond to fish in. The big shouty ones either have the lure of deliciously, gossipy reveals or are mired in layers of trauma and strife, otherwise how do they get all the attention? They don't always work for me, because my spidey sense gets triggered when I feel manipulated or get a whiff of exploitation. I seem to fare better with the more under-the-radar titles that often come on my radar from trusted sources, or peer out self consciously from between the titles on Netgalley, as in the case of this little gem.
It's all in the voice.
Hannah is in her 30s, in relationship purgatory and questionable financial stability. She needs to live in London, but can't afford the exorbitant cost of rent there, until she becomes aware of a community who live on the river and canal system on barges, and with some inspo from a friend and a little help from her parents she invests in her own narrowboat.
This is the story of how she adjusts to the nomadic, self reliant life, how she uses the confines of boat life to realise freedom, especially during the recent pandemic, how she gains confidence in her abilities and herself to navigate the canal system, which is not always female friendly, and how to navigate the relationships she chooses, which also aren't always female friendly.
Written in a chatty style that reveals it's journal-entry inception, it is touching and honest and I found myself completely charmed by Hannah. It might feel a little slow and repetitive in parts, especially as she describes the various canal and lock operations, but as a well worn nomad, (albeit it in campervan rather than boat), I recognise the dichotomy of mundanity and access to jawdropping experiences.
Reading this book has inspired me to research a canal trip from London to Oxford. I only wish there were photographs, but my copy is an uncorrected egalley. If someone has the paper copy, let me know if there's any.
For me, the narrative drive is the change in Hannah's tone from self depreciating and insecure to self assured, sanguine and hopeful. She swept me along on her journey and I did a little happy dance for her Lock 22 triumph.
Publication date: 20th June 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Summersdale for the ARC
September 3, 2024
I read this book as part of a book tour on Instagram with Randomthingstours and what a journey it’s been with "All Boats Are Sinking"! As someone who dreams of holidaying on a canal boat, this memoir instantly caught my attention—and it didn't disappoint.
Hannah Pierce’s memoir is everything I hoped for and more: inspirational, informative, emotional, and even laugh-out-loud funny. She offers a fascinating and honest look into the highs and lows of living on a canal boat. From learning to navigate the waterways of London and beyond to embracing the tight-knit community of boaters, Hannah’s story is both heartwarming and eye-opening. 🌊
I felt like I was right there with her—through every season, every challenge, and even the lockdowns. Her hilarious little lists, like “Things I’ve Lost to the Canal,” had me chuckling, and I can’t wait to try her Hot Spiced Cider recipe. 🍷
It’s such a shame that not all communities are as warm and welcoming as the one Hannah describes. She seems like the kind of friend everyone needs—someone you could easily share a tequila (or four!) with. 🥂
Hannah Pierce’s memoir is everything I hoped for and more: inspirational, informative, emotional, and even laugh-out-loud funny. She offers a fascinating and honest look into the highs and lows of living on a canal boat. From learning to navigate the waterways of London and beyond to embracing the tight-knit community of boaters, Hannah’s story is both heartwarming and eye-opening. 🌊
I felt like I was right there with her—through every season, every challenge, and even the lockdowns. Her hilarious little lists, like “Things I’ve Lost to the Canal,” had me chuckling, and I can’t wait to try her Hot Spiced Cider recipe. 🍷
It’s such a shame that not all communities are as warm and welcoming as the one Hannah describes. She seems like the kind of friend everyone needs—someone you could easily share a tequila (or four!) with. 🥂
July 2, 2024
Books about people’s profession or way of life are always an interesting read, a book about life living on a canal boat seemed like the perfect summer read.
The section covering how the boat purchase came about was interesting and I’m sure many of us have experienced doing the splits with one leg on a boat and the other on land (Mine was in a canoe).
Stories of life during the pandemic are soon enough that it filled me with unease, I did however love the ‘Brasso’ idea.
A very readable book, it did seem at times to me more of a life blog rather than living on a boat.
The book really took off for me in the second half as the author headed north, this is what I really wanted to read. I loved the stories, the surprise meeting with a celebrity and the Huddersfield narrow canal incidents had me on the edge of my seat.
I did really enjoy the book, I read an ARC on my phone and was sorry that it didn’t include a selection of photos.
The section covering how the boat purchase came about was interesting and I’m sure many of us have experienced doing the splits with one leg on a boat and the other on land (Mine was in a canoe).
Stories of life during the pandemic are soon enough that it filled me with unease, I did however love the ‘Brasso’ idea.
A very readable book, it did seem at times to me more of a life blog rather than living on a boat.
The book really took off for me in the second half as the author headed north, this is what I really wanted to read. I loved the stories, the surprise meeting with a celebrity and the Huddersfield narrow canal incidents had me on the edge of my seat.
I did really enjoy the book, I read an ARC on my phone and was sorry that it didn’t include a selection of photos.
July 29, 2024
After things go wrong in Hannah's life, she puts her best foot forward and buys a narrowboat. What Hannah does not realise is that narrowboats need a lot of work doing to them to keep them stay afloat basically like what she is doing. She is determined to view places in England she has never seen before but she faces new challenges along the way. I have to say it was not a book I thought I would enjoy but I really got to know Hannah through out this story and really felt as though she was a friend at the end. My knowledge on narrowboats is barely existent so it was wonderful to read about and learn something new. It is a mixed emotion bag where one minute you feel sorry for Hannah and then the next you are laughing along with her. A must read for anyone who is thinking about navigating their life on a different path.
August 29, 2024
After becoming single, Hannah knew she wasn't going to be able to afford the prices of somewhere to live in London, even with help from her parents. What she did next surprised everyone, Hannah decided to buy a narrowboat. But it's not as simple as buying the narrowboat and sailing away, Hannah soon finds out there is a lot more to it and a lot of work as well.
Even though Hannah started on the water in London, she soon felt she needed to escape from everything. As she navigates the network of canals and locks along the English countryside, even through the Covid pandemic, Hannah puts her journey down on paper. Hannah's journey wasn't just a journey on water but also a story of personal growth and self discovery, especially at a time when we were all worried about what was going on in the world and around us. I found it an interesting and enjoyable read
Even though Hannah started on the water in London, she soon felt she needed to escape from everything. As she navigates the network of canals and locks along the English countryside, even through the Covid pandemic, Hannah puts her journey down on paper. Hannah's journey wasn't just a journey on water but also a story of personal growth and self discovery, especially at a time when we were all worried about what was going on in the world and around us. I found it an interesting and enjoyable read
July 13, 2024
(Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC)
I have lived in towns where there are lots of canal boats (including Todmorden which was in the prologue!) and I've always had so many questions about life on the waterways so I was really looking forward to reading this.
This memoir was a beautiful mix of friendship, relationships, new beginnings and helpful boat info. The way Hannah told her story had me invested in her experiences as a first time boat owner. Her bravery in navigating her post breakup life and being on her own really inspired me and made me want to take more chances in life.
If you want a light hearted and fun read then this is for you.
I have lived in towns where there are lots of canal boats (including Todmorden which was in the prologue!) and I've always had so many questions about life on the waterways so I was really looking forward to reading this.
This memoir was a beautiful mix of friendship, relationships, new beginnings and helpful boat info. The way Hannah told her story had me invested in her experiences as a first time boat owner. Her bravery in navigating her post breakup life and being on her own really inspired me and made me want to take more chances in life.
If you want a light hearted and fun read then this is for you.
August 29, 2024
All The Boats Are Sinking by Hannah Pierce.
💖 Blurb -
All Boats Are Sinking is a memoir of love, life and chaos on a narrowboat, perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton, Helen Fielding and Phoebe Waller-Bridge
"All boats are sinking, Hannah, just at different rates."
After a break-up, some hit the gym; some cut their hair; others have a one-night stand. In the aftermath of her break-up, Hannah bought a narrowboat.
Newly single and plunged into life on the water, Hannah had to learn quickly how to grapple with exploding toilets, disappearing hulls, and the curious glances and questions from pedestrians on the towpath. But when career burn-out, a global pandemic and an ill-advised rebound relationship threatened to sink her, Hannah felt the need to escape. In a bid to let go of the past and restore her sense of self-worth, she embarked on a narrowboat odyssey which took her from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil yet dramatic waterways of West Yorkshire.
Suffering from an apparent magnetism to drama but buoyed by her brilliant friends, Hannah tells of the challenges of off-grid life as a single 30-something on the water. All this as she tries to balance the tension between owning her singledom and giving in to a deep desire to find love.
Peppered with lists, recipes, maps, footnotes and diagrams, and spanning hundreds of miles of the British waterways, it's an uplifting and often hilarious story of adventure and personal growth, and of a woman trying to keep her boat and life afloat. And to answer that perennial yes, it's cold on the boat in winter.
💜 Review -
I loved following Hannah's journey through this book, which Is a story about self discovery and personal growth. I found the story interesting and Hannah's writing flowed along easily as it was easy to follow. I also loved the place setting in the book, which was in the English countryside and Hannah's attention to detail was spot on. Overall a brilliant and uplifting read that I would recommend to other readers.
💖 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, Hannah Pierce for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
💖 Blurb -
All Boats Are Sinking is a memoir of love, life and chaos on a narrowboat, perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton, Helen Fielding and Phoebe Waller-Bridge
"All boats are sinking, Hannah, just at different rates."
After a break-up, some hit the gym; some cut their hair; others have a one-night stand. In the aftermath of her break-up, Hannah bought a narrowboat.
Newly single and plunged into life on the water, Hannah had to learn quickly how to grapple with exploding toilets, disappearing hulls, and the curious glances and questions from pedestrians on the towpath. But when career burn-out, a global pandemic and an ill-advised rebound relationship threatened to sink her, Hannah felt the need to escape. In a bid to let go of the past and restore her sense of self-worth, she embarked on a narrowboat odyssey which took her from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil yet dramatic waterways of West Yorkshire.
Suffering from an apparent magnetism to drama but buoyed by her brilliant friends, Hannah tells of the challenges of off-grid life as a single 30-something on the water. All this as she tries to balance the tension between owning her singledom and giving in to a deep desire to find love.
Peppered with lists, recipes, maps, footnotes and diagrams, and spanning hundreds of miles of the British waterways, it's an uplifting and often hilarious story of adventure and personal growth, and of a woman trying to keep her boat and life afloat. And to answer that perennial yes, it's cold on the boat in winter.
💜 Review -
I loved following Hannah's journey through this book, which Is a story about self discovery and personal growth. I found the story interesting and Hannah's writing flowed along easily as it was easy to follow. I also loved the place setting in the book, which was in the English countryside and Hannah's attention to detail was spot on. Overall a brilliant and uplifting read that I would recommend to other readers.
💖 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, Hannah Pierce for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2024
Charming, Evocative, Evolving……
Hannah Pierce has the happy ability to bring time and place alive for her readers. She is self-deprecating - recounting her difficulties without self-pity, her successes without vanity and bringing her years of adventure to us as a story of human growth. An excellent first book and a charming read. This book will lift your spirits….
Hannah Pierce has the happy ability to bring time and place alive for her readers. She is self-deprecating - recounting her difficulties without self-pity, her successes without vanity and bringing her years of adventure to us as a story of human growth. An excellent first book and a charming read. This book will lift your spirits….
July 19, 2024
A sweet memoir about community, self reliance and living on the canals. An easy but lovely read
August 20, 2024
A beautiful exploration of what it means to find yourself again after a break up. Not only is this book funny but it's loving and it's inspiring. I'll reread this book for many years to come
December 28, 2024
A light and frothy read.
March 2, 2025
All Boats Are Sinking is a memoir that follows the author after a bad breakup leads her to packing up her life and moving on to a narrow boat.
The book is a funny, poignant in parts and informative story about her life on the boat and the trials and tribulations of living on the water.
I really enjoyed the writing and found her writing style quite similar to Dolly Alderton’s which I also love. I breezed through it as the writing was like listening to a friend recount tales from her life.
It also had a great cameo from Tyson Fury which was unexpected but brilliant.
I’m very guilty of slacking with reading non fiction often choosing to pick up a fiction book as a matter of escapism but this book reminded me how much I do love memoirs and this was a great one!
The book is a funny, poignant in parts and informative story about her life on the boat and the trials and tribulations of living on the water.
I really enjoyed the writing and found her writing style quite similar to Dolly Alderton’s which I also love. I breezed through it as the writing was like listening to a friend recount tales from her life.
It also had a great cameo from Tyson Fury which was unexpected but brilliant.
I’m very guilty of slacking with reading non fiction often choosing to pick up a fiction book as a matter of escapism but this book reminded me how much I do love memoirs and this was a great one!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews