What do you think?
Rate this book
The House that Joy Built: How to Harness the Power and Pleasure of Creativity
The House That Joy Built is about how to give ourselves permission to be creative. It explores all the big fears that can block our creativity, and the permission we can meet those fears with – not simply to create, but to revel in the life-changing wonder and joy of doing so.
It offers a jump-start for anyone whose desire to create is ruled by fear. For those who yearn to write, or find creativity in other ways – gardeners, sculptors, florists, songwriters, dancers, cooks, painters – anyone who wants to make something but doesn't because they're afraid. Afraid of feeling vulnerable, of criticism and judgement from others, of not being good enough, of not having enough, of having 'bad ideas', of being 'too much'.
In lyrical, inspirational prose, Holly Ringland examines her own sometimes difficult journey to a successful writing career and offers a wealth of encouragement for anyone who wants to unlock their imagination. This audiobook is an empowering clarion call to overcome doubt and experience the joy and freedom of creating.
It offers a jump-start for anyone whose desire to create is ruled by fear. For those who yearn to write, or find creativity in other ways – gardeners, sculptors, florists, songwriters, dancers, cooks, painters – anyone who wants to make something but doesn't because they're afraid. Afraid of feeling vulnerable, of criticism and judgement from others, of not being good enough, of not having enough, of having 'bad ideas', of being 'too much'.
In lyrical, inspirational prose, Holly Ringland examines her own sometimes difficult journey to a successful writing career and offers a wealth of encouragement for anyone who wants to unlock their imagination. This audiobook is an empowering clarion call to overcome doubt and experience the joy and freedom of creating.
Audible Audio
Published March 5, 2026
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Holly Ringland
9 books1,274 followersHOLLY RINGLAND grew up in her mother's tropical garden on the east coast of Australia. When she was nine years old, her love of landscapes, cultures and stories was deepened by a two-year journey her family took in North America, living in a camper van and travelling from one national park to another.
In her early twenties, Holly worked for four years in a remote Indigenous community in Australia’s western desert. Moving to England in 2009, Holly obtained her MA in Creative Writing from the University of Manchester in 2011.
After wanting to be a writer since she was three years old, Holly’s debut novel The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart was published in 2018 when she was 37 years old, and has since become an international bestseller. Publication rights have sold in 30 territories. In May 2019, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart won The Australian Book Industry Award General Fiction Book of the Year.
In February 2020, Holly signed a new two-book deal with HarperCollins Publishers Australia. Her second novel, The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding, will be published in October 2022.
Throughout 2020, Holly travelled Australia to film Back To Nature, a new, visually stunning 8-episode factual lifestyle series she co-hosts with Aaron Pedersen. Back To Nature premiered on ABC TV + ABC iView in August, 2021. All episodes are now streaming on ABC iView.
In May 2021, Amazon Prime Video announced their commission of a television series adaption of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, to stream globally. The seven-part series, a tale of female resilience, friendship, and the power to overcome tragedy, will star Sigourney Weaver, produced by Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content. Production is underway with filming currently taking place in Australia.
Prior to the pandemic, Holly divided her time between Australia and the UK, where she had Australian native flowers growing in both places. In 2020, Holly bought a 1968 Olympic Riviera caravan, named ‘Frenchie’, her Plan B writing office based on Yugambeh land, southeast Queensland. In which Holly currently spends most days writing Esther Wilding’s story.
In her early twenties, Holly worked for four years in a remote Indigenous community in Australia’s western desert. Moving to England in 2009, Holly obtained her MA in Creative Writing from the University of Manchester in 2011.
After wanting to be a writer since she was three years old, Holly’s debut novel The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart was published in 2018 when she was 37 years old, and has since become an international bestseller. Publication rights have sold in 30 territories. In May 2019, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart won The Australian Book Industry Award General Fiction Book of the Year.
In February 2020, Holly signed a new two-book deal with HarperCollins Publishers Australia. Her second novel, The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding, will be published in October 2022.
Throughout 2020, Holly travelled Australia to film Back To Nature, a new, visually stunning 8-episode factual lifestyle series she co-hosts with Aaron Pedersen. Back To Nature premiered on ABC TV + ABC iView in August, 2021. All episodes are now streaming on ABC iView.
In May 2021, Amazon Prime Video announced their commission of a television series adaption of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, to stream globally. The seven-part series, a tale of female resilience, friendship, and the power to overcome tragedy, will star Sigourney Weaver, produced by Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios and Endeavor Content. Production is underway with filming currently taking place in Australia.
Prior to the pandemic, Holly divided her time between Australia and the UK, where she had Australian native flowers growing in both places. In 2020, Holly bought a 1968 Olympic Riviera caravan, named ‘Frenchie’, her Plan B writing office based on Yugambeh land, southeast Queensland. In which Holly currently spends most days writing Esther Wilding’s story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2026
he House That Joy Built is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to give ourselves permission to create. Holly Ringland writes with lyrical warmth about the fears that so often stifle creativity—fear of failure, judgement, vulnerability, or simply not being “good enough.” Through reflections on her own journey toward becoming a writer, Ringland offers encouragement not just for writers, but for anyone who longs to make something:
However, I listened to the audiobook, and that experience unfortunately fell flat for me. The narration felt quite monotone, lacking the emotional nuance the subject matter deserved. Instead of lifting the writing and pulling me into the author’s journey, the flat delivery made it harder to stay connected and fully absorb the inspiration behind the words. I suspect I might have enjoyed this book much more had I read it in print, where the richness of the writing could shine without being overshadowed by the narration.
Overall, The House That Joy Built offers thoughtful, empowering reflections on creative fear and the joy of expression—but for the best experience, I’d recommend reading it rather than listening.
However, I listened to the audiobook, and that experience unfortunately fell flat for me. The narration felt quite monotone, lacking the emotional nuance the subject matter deserved. Instead of lifting the writing and pulling me into the author’s journey, the flat delivery made it harder to stay connected and fully absorb the inspiration behind the words. I suspect I might have enjoyed this book much more had I read it in print, where the richness of the writing could shine without being overshadowed by the narration.
Overall, The House That Joy Built offers thoughtful, empowering reflections on creative fear and the joy of expression—but for the best experience, I’d recommend reading it rather than listening.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a really beautiful book, with key points about how to find your own paths toward creativity.
The House That Joy Built opens with this dedication:
"To the wild mystery of our ideas. Those we've dared to honour and make. And those waiting, impatiently, for us to create."
As it progresses, the themes of fear, failure, procrastination, resilience, and belonging are addressed in a personal way by the author, who shares who stories of survival and finding her voice again.
The book's design is user-friendly and attractive. It's a book that draws you in.
As a Bookseller I would recommend this book to those who are looking to welcome more creativity into life.
Many thanks to Emily at Abrams & Chronicle Books for providing a copy of the book for an independent Bookseller review.
The House That Joy Built opens with this dedication:
"To the wild mystery of our ideas. Those we've dared to honour and make. And those waiting, impatiently, for us to create."
As it progresses, the themes of fear, failure, procrastination, resilience, and belonging are addressed in a personal way by the author, who shares who stories of survival and finding her voice again.
The book's design is user-friendly and attractive. It's a book that draws you in.
As a Bookseller I would recommend this book to those who are looking to welcome more creativity into life.
Many thanks to Emily at Abrams & Chronicle Books for providing a copy of the book for an independent Bookseller review.
March 19, 2026
Requested this ARC because I love the cover, ended up devouring it because I loved the feeling it gave me. Holly’s introspection here really reaches into the core of my creative internal country and creates life in a landscape I forgot I had. Will be buying a physical copy for my shelf.
Review of advance copy
Lots of freeing words
Read
March 18, 2026Not my cup of tea. I was hoping that it would be less of the author's personal story, and more about tapping into creativity.
March 16, 2026
**Listened to the audio book**
The premise of this book sounded right up my street, I love books about creativity and love audiobooks read by the author. However, on this occasion I really disliked this book.
I found the structure to be all over the place and couldn't always follow or fully understand why certain points were being made.
I also found the narration to be incredibly dull! It was very monotone, and didn't spark any 'creativity' in me - I'm unsure whether or not the narrator was the sole cause of my dislike for this book but it definitely played a big part in it!
Overall I found this book a bit pointless.
The premise of this book sounded right up my street, I love books about creativity and love audiobooks read by the author. However, on this occasion I really disliked this book.
I found the structure to be all over the place and couldn't always follow or fully understand why certain points were being made.
I also found the narration to be incredibly dull! It was very monotone, and didn't spark any 'creativity' in me - I'm unsure whether or not the narrator was the sole cause of my dislike for this book but it definitely played a big part in it!
Overall I found this book a bit pointless.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews