What do you think?
Rate this book
She Wanted More
Hardcover
4 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Poorna Bell
15 books110 followersI'm an award-winning journalist of 21 years, author and a digital editorial expert, having previously worked as UK Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. I’ve also published three non-fiction books and my second novel is out in 2024.
I specialise in women’s issues, diversity, fitness, pro-ageing and mental health, and have freelanced for The Times, The i Paper, Grazia, The Guardian, Red magazine, and Stylist among others. I work across written features, video and podcasts.
I’m an experienced public speaker, from doing keynotes to moderating events for FTSE 100 companies, hosting and running seminars for corporations. I’m also accomplished in broadcast, having spoken on Channel 5, ITV, and BBC News, and am a regular fixture on BBC radio.
And, did I mention I’m a competitive powerlifter?
I specialise in women’s issues, diversity, fitness, pro-ageing and mental health, and have freelanced for The Times, The i Paper, Grazia, The Guardian, Red magazine, and Stylist among others. I work across written features, video and podcasts.
I’m an experienced public speaker, from doing keynotes to moderating events for FTSE 100 companies, hosting and running seminars for corporations. I’m also accomplished in broadcast, having spoken on Channel 5, ITV, and BBC News, and am a regular fixture on BBC radio.
And, did I mention I’m a competitive powerlifter?
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 3, 2026
Mandatory reading for everyone!
As I've been following Poorna Bell's IG for a while I knew this book was coming and I've been eagerly awaiting it's release. For me the timing of this release is perfect as it coincides with a big personal step that falls in the category She Wanted More, which is why I really appreciate this book but not why I feel everyone should read this book.
In She Wanted More Poorna Bell takes a closer look at the (un)written rules that society expects all of us to live by and offers alternatives that are more representative of our changing modern society. Through a survey and various interviews Bell has asked women in their 30's and older what they would like to change to create a future on their own terms but also what advice they would have for their younger self. It is also part memoir as Bell shares anecdotes about how she rebuild her life after the loss of her husband and the unwritten rules she came across during that time and still does.
This book deals with all most subjects women come across their lifetimes, (romantic) relationships and heartbreak, motherhood, aging & menopause, sex &sexuality, role models, and healing. Through all the input Bell received this book is a balanced account of the various choices women have but also how some women didn't feel like they had a choice, where some women are perfectly content with their lives others wish their lives would be different, and some learned their lessons and decided it was time for a change. One of the things in this book that struck me is that their is no judgement, not from the author, those she interviewed, and those who participated in the survey.
These days it feels like media is trying to polarise opinions, this book shows that there is support amongst women for the different choices they make and that despite the different choices there is room for each other in our lives. It is great to see that the women Bell interviewed have become role models for their peers but also younger generations of a life that is possible outside of the traditional societal roles.
Whether you are looking for more from life or you're perfectly happy, this book has something for everyone. Although not everything in this book was directly relevant to my life, I learned something from each chapter, and hope other readers will too!
"Women are not perfect creatures filled with love and light, but when we come together to help each other, we are unstoppable" Poorna Bell - She Wanted More
As I've been following Poorna Bell's IG for a while I knew this book was coming and I've been eagerly awaiting it's release. For me the timing of this release is perfect as it coincides with a big personal step that falls in the category She Wanted More, which is why I really appreciate this book but not why I feel everyone should read this book.
In She Wanted More Poorna Bell takes a closer look at the (un)written rules that society expects all of us to live by and offers alternatives that are more representative of our changing modern society. Through a survey and various interviews Bell has asked women in their 30's and older what they would like to change to create a future on their own terms but also what advice they would have for their younger self. It is also part memoir as Bell shares anecdotes about how she rebuild her life after the loss of her husband and the unwritten rules she came across during that time and still does.
This book deals with all most subjects women come across their lifetimes, (romantic) relationships and heartbreak, motherhood, aging & menopause, sex &sexuality, role models, and healing. Through all the input Bell received this book is a balanced account of the various choices women have but also how some women didn't feel like they had a choice, where some women are perfectly content with their lives others wish their lives would be different, and some learned their lessons and decided it was time for a change. One of the things in this book that struck me is that their is no judgement, not from the author, those she interviewed, and those who participated in the survey.
These days it feels like media is trying to polarise opinions, this book shows that there is support amongst women for the different choices they make and that despite the different choices there is room for each other in our lives. It is great to see that the women Bell interviewed have become role models for their peers but also younger generations of a life that is possible outside of the traditional societal roles.
Whether you are looking for more from life or you're perfectly happy, this book has something for everyone. Although not everything in this book was directly relevant to my life, I learned something from each chapter, and hope other readers will too!
"Women are not perfect creatures filled with love and light, but when we come together to help each other, we are unstoppable" Poorna Bell - She Wanted More
Displaying 1 of 1 review