Two women are sharing their passion for books in very different ways, with one using her experiences of tragedy and resilience to encourage others, while the other is bringing a creative twist to reading through mystery book packages.
Appearing on West Bremer Radio’s Get Your Arts Into Gear, author Maureen Martin discussed her deeply personal book, A Trek of Faith, while local creative Kylie introduced her new venture, A Not Knowing Book.
The interviews highlighted how writing, reading and creativity can provide connection, encouragement and an opportunity to navigate life’s challenges.
A personal journey of grief and resilience
For Maureen Martin, writing A Trek of Faith began as a way to process a series of devastating events that changed her life.
Maureen lost her eldest son, aged just 23, in a shark attack on the Gold Coast.
Only six months later, her husband suffered a horse-riding accident that left him with a brain injury.
She described the period that followed as a devastating chapter of her life.
“I went through a period that I called the horror run, where everything that could have gone wrong went wrong,” Maureen said.
“I was trying to make sense of it.”
While searching for a way to process what had happened, Maureen discovered a book called Healing Through Writing.
It inspired her to begin recording her experiences, thoughts and feelings.
“I thought maybe I should just start writing down all of the stuff that’s going through me as I’m trying to process all of these tragedies that have happened,” she said.
Although she had never previously attempted creative writing, Maureen found the experience enormously beneficial.
“I started writing and I just found that very cathartic,” she said.
Over several years, her personal reflections gradually developed into what would become A Trek of Faith.
She described the finished work as her healing captured in a book.
Turning personal hardship into helping others
Maureen’s experiences also led her towards a new professional direction.
Having navigated grief, loss and the challenges associated with her husband’s brain injury, she began considering how her experiences might help other people facing difficult circumstances.
She volunteered with Lifeline, completing its training and spending seven years supporting people in need.
During that time, she discovered an ability to connect with people experiencing hardship.
“I thought, perhaps what I’ve learned through dealing with this journey of grief and loss might be able to help some other people,” she said.
Maureen subsequently completed a social science degree with a major in counselling.
That qualification opened the door to a 14-year career with a counselling organisation, where she worked with families experiencing distress.
Her work also extended into men’s and women’s prisons, supporting people whose lives had taken difficult turns.
“As a result of all the grief and loss and brain injury and hardship I’d been through, I found I could really connect with people who were going through a difficult time,” she said.
From private reflections to published book
Despite spending years writing about her experiences, Maureen initially had no intention of publishing her work.
Her original motivation was to create something meaningful for her family and future generations.
However, she began wondering whether the manuscript might be too confronting for readers.
She sought advice from an editorial guide, who encouraged her to continue and reassured her that the story balanced difficult experiences with positive moments.
After completing the manuscript, Maureen returned for further advice.
The recommendation was unexpected.
“She said, ‘I think you should pitch it to a publisher,’” Maureen recalled.
Having never attempted to publish a book, Maureen was uncertain how to proceed.
With guidance, she approached seven publishers.
One responded with an offer to publish her work.
The book was released about two years ago and received positive feedback, although Maureen admitted she had done relatively little promotion since its publication.
She is now hoping to introduce the book to a wider audience.
A message of encouragement
While A Trek of Faith recounts significant personal hardship, Maureen hopes readers will take away a message of resilience and encouragement.
She said difficult experiences did not have to define a person’s future.
“Life deals out really horrible stuff at times, but I’m going to get through this,” she said, describing the attitude she hoped the book would inspire.
“I’m not going to let it define me. I’m going to keep moving forward. I’m going to give it all I’ve got to get through this.”
Maureen said she wanted readers to recognise that there could still be positive experiences ahead, even after significant hardship.
“I know we all have hard times, but don’t give up on life,” she said.
The book is available locally through the gallery featured in the interview for $25, with copies also stocked at Avid Reader Bookshop in Brisbane.
Maureen said she was grateful for the positive response from people who had already read her story and hoped it would continue reaching those who might find encouragement in it.
Mystery books bring a new adventure to reading
The second half of Get Your Arts Into Gear introduced a very different approach to books.
Local creative Kylie has launched A Not Knowing Book, a venture that invites readers to choose a book without knowing its title or author.
Instead, each book is wrapped and presented with a handful of clues about the story inside.
Kylie said the concept was designed to bring an element of surprise back to reading while encouraging people to enjoy something tangible in an increasingly digital world.
“People are looking for something tangible, and to sit down and read a book is definitely tangible,” she said.
“So this is about taking you on an adventure.”
Readers can choose from genres including crime, mystery, non-fiction and biography, with clues on the packaging helping them decide what type of story they might enjoy.
However, the identity of the book remains a mystery until the wrapping is opened.
Creativity and wellbeing behind the idea
Kylie said she was drawn to the concept because she wanted to pursue something creative.
She acknowledged that mystery book packages were already popular overseas, particularly in America, but wanted to develop her own version.
“I just wanted to do something creative because we all know that creative stuff is very good for mental health,” she said.
“I really liked that idea. I can get creative, make them really beautiful and see how they go.”
The packages feature both new and pre-loved books, with each presented differently.
Pre-loved books are wrapped in local newspaper, while new books are wrapped in brown paper.
Kylie also adds small extras such as tea bags, pencils and other items to help readers settle in and enjoy their purchase.
The additional items are not clues to the story but are designed to make the reading experience more enjoyable.
Each package is individually prepared, with Kylie creating the decorations and stickers herself.
The concept also makes the books suitable as gifts, particularly for people who love reading but can be difficult to buy for.
Where to find A Not Knowing Book
Kylie’s mystery book packages are already available at Eyes on Brassall at Brassall Shopping Centre, with plans to expand into additional retail locations, including the local community gallery.
They can also be purchased online at wasteknotwhatknot.com.
Prices are:
- Pre-loved mystery books: $25
- Brand-new mystery books: $40
Kylie said she hoped the packages would encourage people to rediscover the enjoyment of reading while providing a creative and thoughtful gift option in the lead-up to Christmas.
Both interviews demonstrated the different ways books can connect people with stories and experiences.
For Maureen, writing became a way to work through tragedy and share encouragement with others.
For Kylie, wrapping books in mystery has created an opportunity to celebrate creativity and introduce readers to something unexpected.
And for the Get Your Arts Into Gear team, both projects offered another example of the diverse creative talents and ideas being shared across the Ipswich community.
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