Postcards from Hawaii
What's inspiring me now, giveaways, events, and more...
Hello, Dear Friends,
I’ve just returned from a two-week trip to visit family, and it was one of the most untraditional Thanksgivings I can remember. This year, instead of the usual flurry of cooking, cleaning, and rushing, I found myself in Hawaii with my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters. My husband and youngest son, too —a Thanksgiving that was less about tradition and more about presence.
For most of the day, I actually forgot it was Thanksgiving at all. Without the familiar hustle, the day unfolded in an entirely new way. It felt… well, unfamiliar to let go of all the busyness. Somewhere along the way, I’d adopted the belief that relaxation equates to laziness, but I’ve been working on unlearning that. Slowly, I’m undoing the mindset that tells me every moment has to be productive.
Hawaii is where my daughter fell in love almost a decade ago—first with the island, then with her now-husband. She moved here, married, and started a family on a piece of land that feels like something out of a dream. Their home is surrounded by lush greenery, fruit trees, flowers I can’t name, and winding paths that lead to a wild stream. There’s even a cow who provides fresh milk, which I’ve used to make butter and cottage cheese (yes, really!). I’ve swum in the ocean, hiked along the ridge of a volcano, and sat for hours on their lanai, staring out at Hilo Bay with absolutely no agenda.
I visit this magical place at least once a year, but often, I find myself juggling work while I’m there. Not this time. Or at least, not as much. These two weeks were a reminder that when we ignore our wellbeing, we do so at our own peril. While I’m still learning how to simply “do nothing,” this trip I put aside my to-do lists and instead focused on moments that truly matter—stringing bead necklaces with my granddaughters, sewing leis, cooking together, and marveling at the wonder of this wild, beautiful world.
I walked into the volcano valley where cracks in the earth emitted vapor, descended into Waipio Valley and stood in awe of its sacred beauty. I watched the Banzai Pipeline with its epic waves. I built sandcastles, swam in the ocean, and even took in a performance of Wicked with my daughter—just WOW. (You can see some of these moments captured on my Instagram!)
This trip was a lesson in giving myself permission to stop hustling, if only for a little while. It’s not easy, but it’s so necessary.
Soon, I’ll be announcing book tour dates and sharing exciting updates. But, for now, this newsletter is dedicated to my usual What Is Inspiring Me Now—and this time, it’s about embracing the pause. Also you’ll find some announcements and news below.
Warmly,
Patti
JUST ANNOUNCED—Book Launch Event!
Monday, March 17, 2025, 6:00pm—We’ve also just locked in all the details for the launch party extravaganza for The Story She Left Behind. Join me and my Friends & Fiction sisters in crime (Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel & Kristy Woodson Harvey) as we all gather in-person on St. Patrick’s Day for an F&F LIVE event to celebrate my new book release at the Atlanta History Center. Full details and ticketing link to come, but for now save this date: March 17, 2025. See you in Atlanta!
What’s Inspiring Me Now
Podcast — David Whyte on Tetragramatan with Rick Rubin. One of my favorite poets with one of my favorite creativity teachers. Yes, please. Listen HERE.
Movie — Wicked. Yes, okay, I am not the only one to be wowed and blown away by this movie, but I am all those things. Take the time – go see it!!!
Book — Something in the Forest Loves You. This is a beautiful memoir about the power of nature in our lives. I can’t get enough of it.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Did you see that I announced that Julia Whelan and Theo Solomon are narrating The Story She Left Behind audiobook (out March 18th)?
COMING UP—A Special F&F Online Event!
My Friends & Fiction sisters and I are hosting an exclusive virtual Ugly Sweater Party on Wednesday, December 18th at 5pm Eastern!
This event is open ONLY to our PAID subscribers on Substack. All attendees who submit pics of their ugly sweaters in advance will be entered to win prizes. Each of F&F’s four host authors — Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and I — will choose one winner. Each host will award their pick with a bookish prize live on the Zoom. That's four lucky winners! You must be present on the Zoom to win and claim your prize!
Good news! We are currently running a 20% off sale when you upgrade to paid status for our Substack. This means that for just $4/month you will get access not only to this fabulous private virtual event, but you'll also start receiving all of our extra bonus content including in-depth Q&A's with our weekly guests, exclusive green room footage, and roundtable chats with us and our author friends about all sorts of things like what makes a beach read, why readers like to be scared, what libraries mean to us, and why we are drawn to WWII stories.
Sign up for our paid Substack by Fri 12/13. All paid subscribers will be sent the Zoom link in advance of the Wed 12/18 live session. And the exclusive live Ugly Sweater Party will kick off at 5pm ET, before our 12/18 7pm live episode with guests Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb.
The Friends & Fiction 2025 Subscription Box
At Friends & Fiction we are offering another subscription box in 2025—available exclusively through Oxford Exchange!
When you sign up for the flat rate of $110, you will receive three shipments next year, each containing autographed first edition hardcover copies of the forthcoming 2025 books by me, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Kristin Harmel on their pub dates, plus a special gift of an F&F car magnet and custom-made F&F friendship bracelet—available only in this bundle!
As a special holiday bonus, if you order before Deceber 10th, you will also get a special holiday card from the four F&F founders/hosts, a holiday ornament, and a gift certificate detailing what will be coming your way in 2025. This makes the 2025 Box an ideal holiday gift as you’ll have something to wrap up and present to your favorite book lovers this holiday season. Get those orders in soon to get in on the holiday fun!
To see F&F’s weekly web show and podcast schedule—and any other information you’d like about F&F—visit our website for all the details and links to everything in the F&F universe.
A Gift for You!
Atria and I have put together a fabulous gift for my readers who pre-order The Story She Left Behind before its March 18 pub date.
We’ve made up a gorgeous digital flip-book travel journal that captures all the amazing pictures and stories from my research trip to London and to England’s Lake District during which I interviewed, toured, hiked, and immersed myself in the area and took loads of photos.
We’ve also made up beautiful specially designed library bookplates that allow you to label your copy of The Story She Left Behind as belonging only to you. This makes your copy into your own keepsake and helps ensure you’ll get your book back if loaned to a friend.
When you pre-order my forthcoming book in any format from any retailer and fill out the claim form, you’ll be e-mailed the travel journal and snail-mailed your own bookplate!
News
Meanwhile, you can check out all my latest news right HERE! Including…
The Story She Left Behind was named to NetGalley’s list of 30 Highly-Anticipated Books Hitting Shelves in 2025. It’s never too early to start planning next year’s TBR. This amazing list will lend you a hand. I’m proud to be in such great company. See the full list HERE.
Events
I will be announcing book tour in the next couple of weeks, but wanted to let you all know about this incredible event in January!
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11am – Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 2pm — I’ll be together with Kristin and Kwame Alexander at the 20th Annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend hosted by Mary Alice Monroe. Info & tickets HERE.
Always keep an eye on the EVENTS PAGE on my website for the latest news and visit the TOUR page on the Friends & Fiction website to see what fun group events we have planned together.
Now it’s back to putting the finishing touches on my 2025 book tour for The Story She Left Behind—and plotting the book after that!
That’s all for now, my friends. More soon!
Love,
PCH
ABOUT PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY
New York Times Bestselling Author and Podcast Host
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author of seventeen novels and a podcast host. Patti is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly web show, podcast, and online community, Friends & Fiction.
She lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband. Her newest novel, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND will be released on March 18th, 2025
Be sure to follow Patti on social media and visit her website for the latest updates and announcements!
Loved reading about your trip! We love Hilo! One of our favorite places in the Islands. In fact, we named our dog, Hilo, when we thought she was laidback. LOL. We learned quickly she wasn't. But it's a gorgeous area. Thanks again for sharing! :)
Leanna Ellis
Another beautiful newsletter, Patti! I especially loved your thoughts about 'pausing'. (I struggle with always 'being productive' as well.) Keep enjoying the moments! (And I've got my subscription box ordered! So excited!)