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Glass Half Full: Our Australian Adventure Kindle Edition

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 353 ratings

Striving to keep their Glass Half Full, this expat family struggle to cope with loss and grieving, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the devastating Brisbane floods. Life is never without its challenges, but how many life-changing events can one family endure before they reach breaking point? Find out in this heart wrenching and touching true story. After enduring divorce and numerous child custody battles, Sarah Jane knew that moving to Australia was their only chance of future happiness and that as a family they were making the right decisions. Living the Australian dream in Alice Springs was everything they hoped for until life-changing events started to test the foundations of this resilient family. Using every ounce of positive thinking they could muster, they struggled on. However, just as they thought the worst was over Mother Nature intervened and washed away the roots to their new life during the Brisbane floods of 2011. This story lets you experience Australian life with an inspirational woman and her courageous family, as they struggle to survive challenging life events and keep their dreams alive. Here's what readers on Amazon are saying about Glass Half Full: Our Australian adventure. "An incredibly well-written book, full of emotion, and very descriptive. I feel I have travelled this journey with Sarah and her family." "Sometimes the author made me feel so close to her situations by her brilliant descriptions that I almost felt I had witnessed it first hand. Very clever writing." "It is amazing what people can withstand and still move forward. Their youngest was on a great adventure. As life gets in the way of happiness this couple keeps picking themselves up and moving forward. A must read for those intending to take up life in Australia or Tasmania." "With vivid descriptions of people and places, this riveting story is about a family who leave England for a better life in Australia. They carefully plan each step of their long term goals; to get permanent residency in Australia, become financially secure, and maintain a happy and healthy relationship with their large and scattered family.Glass Half Full, our Australian adventure. Everything goes as planned until a sequence of life-changing events stops them in their tracks, and then mother nature devastates their carefully laid out master plan. An amazing journey of people living life to its fullest. Inspirational!" Reader feedback is appreciated by all authors. As a result, in late 2014 Glass Half Full underwent a specialist memoir edit, the addition of 47 photographs from our journey and now has a professionally commissioned new book cover. I hope you enjoy the changes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sometimes the author made me feel so close to her situations by her brilliant descriptions that I almost felt I had witnessed it first hand. Very clever writing. I do look forward to the next chapter in her life." John F Smith
"As life gets in the way of happiness this couple keeps picking themselves up and moving forward. A must read for those intending to take up life in Australia or Tasmania" S, Jackson
"Ive just finished reading this book and felt compelled to review it because I found the whole story quite moving. I feel inspired by the author as with every situation she has faced in life seemingly has been turned into a positive situation. I cant wait for her next novel." Mme Julia James
"An incredibly well written book, full of emotion, and very descriptive. I feel I have travelled this journey with Sarah and her family." Ian Woodley

From the Author

Glass Half Full is my debut book, a true account of how my family and I have survived some of life's most challenging tests. I hope some people will find inspiration from our story to overcome the difficulties in their lives, and the motivation to seek more from their lives in the future. Life is precious, we do not know how long we have so every day deserves our best attention.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GP1T7GQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rukia Publishing (November 15, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 15, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6302 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 353 ratings

About the author

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Sarah Jane Butfield
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Sarah Jane Butfield, was born in Ipswich and raised in rural Suffolk, UK, and is a busy mother, grandmother, and international award-winning independent author. After combining a successful clinical nursing and nurse management career and navigating her way through three divorces and parenthood, she is an experienced modern-day mum to her 'Brady Bunch' and she loves every minute of their convoluted lives.

Known as the 'roving Florence Nightingale,' Sarah Jane has travelled across the world in the pursuit of her dreams and continues to do so now that her children are grown up, working as a travel writer/blogger.

She is the author of an award-winning travel memoir series set in Australia and France.

Glass Half Full: Our Australian Adventure,

Two dogs and a suitcase: Clueless in Charente

Our Frugal Summer in Charente

These books, and the boxset, are regularly found high in the Amazon rankings, categories include ex-pat life, parenting, grief, PTSD, step-parenting, cooking, gardening, Australia and France travel.

In addition, Sarah Jane has also written the first three books in a series of self-help literature for aspiring and new self-published authors:

The Accidental Author,

The Amateur Authorpreneur

The Intermediate Authorpreneur,

Book one is permanently FREE to help any aspiring author get started on their writing and book promotion journey.

Sarah Jane's most successful series is the aptly titled, The Nomadic Nurse Series, consisting of:

Ooh Matron!

Bedpans to Boardrooms

Having it All

These nursing memoirs have won three book industry awards and have attracted 5-star reviews from the publishing industry and readers around the world.

Book 4 is due for release in 2023!

Sarah Jane loves to interact with her readers and fellow writers so feel free to connect on social media:

Twitter:

@SarahJanewrites

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/SarahJaneswriting

www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahJaneButfield

www.facebook.com/Twodogsandasuitcase

www.facebook.com/OurFrugalSummerinCharente

www.facebook.com/Ooh-Matron-1646665865549530/timeline/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sarah_jane_rukia.publishing/

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
353 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and informative. They find it entertaining and humorous, with a great picture of the pursuit of a dream. The lifestyle is described as idyllic and outdoor. Opinions are mixed on the story quality, with some finding it amazing and descriptive, while others find it boring and repetitive. There are also mixed views on the writing quality, with some finding the prose well-written and enjoyable to read, while others find it repetitious and wordy.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

7 customers mention "Insight"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative. They say it's interesting, but some feel the writing is amateurish. The memoir holds their attention despite the need for better editing and writing skills.

"...The book has its lighter and sadder moments and is a real insight into how things don't always turn out how you would wish!..." Read more

"...It would have been much easier to stay in England. Insightful book." Read more

"...The memoir held my attention despite the need for better writing and editing skills...." Read more

"After having read the book I found it informative and actually captivating...." Read more

5 customers mention "Entertainment value"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, interesting, and funny.

"This is a very interesting book and not because the writing is great...." Read more

"...I have accomplished nothing else today except completing this very entertaining story!..." Read more

"After having read the book I found it informative and actually captivating...." Read more

"...Well written, sequential, detailed, and funny. Thank you for your memoir. Judi Hilton Maine, USA" Read more

3 customers mention "Image quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's quality. They say it provides a great picture of the pursuit of a dream for freedom, and an illustration of one's priorities. Readers also mention that the author has a wonderful style and way with prose that makes reading enjoyable.

"Butfield provides a great picture of the pursuit of a dream for freedom and independence in the context of today's complexities of mixed families..." Read more

"...Though I enjoyed the photos, I would have preferred they be larger since I have poor vision." Read more

"Sara Jane has a wonderful style and a way with prose that makes reading what she writes a grand pleasure!!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Lifestyle"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the outdoor life in Australia. They find it to be a great escape and an idyllic lifestyle.

"...Their move to Queensland was supposed to be a new, idyllic lifestyle and so it was - for a while - until tragedy struck again...." Read more

"...She's a nurse and he works in security, and they love the outdoor life in Australia...." Read more

"A Great Escape to Australia!..." Read more

16 customers mention "Story quality"11 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the story. Some find it amazing and descriptive, with an honest account of a trying time in her life. Others feel it's not interesting, with too much angst and amateur psychology.

"I really enjoyed this fascinating story about a family giving it all up to emigrate...." Read more

"If I had to sum up this amazing story in one word it would be optimism...." Read more

"...I think there is a great and original story here and I am sure she has enough material to revisit these times and try a different approach...." Read more

"...I found the writing repetitious and a bit boring...." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality. Some find it well-written, detailed, and funny. Others find it repetitive, boring, and wordy. They also mention that the story needs editing.

"This is a very interesting book and not because the writing is great...." Read more

"...Also very wordy, too wordy...." Read more

"...Sarah's story is well written; I only read memoirs and they have to grab me from the first few pages or I immediately delete them from my kindle..." Read more

"...Being brutally honest, this book was not well written...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2017
    I really enjoyed this fascinating story about a family giving it all up to emigrate. The book has its lighter and sadder moments and is a real insight into how things don't always turn out how you would wish! Sarah has been very candid with the family and pet dogs' emotions. The bottom line of this story is a lesson to all of us. No matter how willing you are to succeed, sometimes you just have to admit defeat and get on! A good read!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2015
    This is a very interesting book and not because the writing is great. It was interesting to me because I think there are a lot of missing pieces concerning the author's earlier life that might have gone a long way in helping me understand choices made before leaving for and during their time in Australia. And never did I believe the author's insistence that she feels her glass was half full. If anything, I think she was trying to convince herself that it wasn't completely empty.

    What seems to be left out is what makes the book fascinating from a psychological perspective.

    I am deliberately being mysterious only because I don't want to upset anyone too much. All I can say is it should be read it with a critical eye.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2014
    I wish I could say I loved this book but I am afraid I simply did not! I adore this genre but something was missing here right from the start. I think it relates to the author's writing style. Is it possible to write in a soporific manner? That is what has happened here. In my opinion the book just did not flow add to that a lot of editing mistakes and three stars is as high as I can go.
    I was quite bored by the end of the book with hearing just how much she missed her children. The latter chapters repeated this ad nauseam. Okay we get the point!
    I also think the derogatory remarks concerning the ex husband unkind and unnecessary after all he cannot defend himself and the courts did award him custody of their 4 month baby girl so surely he cannot be a monster. Also very wordy, too wordy.
    On the reverse side I found the description of the hospital in Alice Springs quite interesting, I would have enjoyed photographs and more detail though. So much could have been elaborated upon but was glossed over, such a shame.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016
    It's been awhile since I read this and thought I left a review. I love travel memoirs and I know this one was up there on the top. There wasn't any part of the book that was boring and made me want to hurry through. It took a lot of fortitute for this family to do what they did and I applauce them. It would have been much easier to stay in England. Insightful book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2015
    Butfield provides a great picture of the pursuit of a dream for freedom and independence in the context of today's complexities of mixed families and logistical challenges. Her description of the bureaucratic processes and family adjustments associated with an international move combined with the unique geography and cultures of Australia provide a vivid picture of the obstacles that one must be prepared to face. Her tales of the personal impact of natural disasters are sobering. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a family facing so much in such a short period of time.
    With a personal interest in microeconomics and individual/family decision-making, "Glass Half Full" is a great illustration of how one's priorities associated with career, health, income, possessions, and family drive specific decisions that have significant implications on one's quality of life. Throughout the book, I wanted to reach out and provide my own guidance for the family's next decision. It is clear that Butfield is a survivor and her writing career is off to a great start.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2014
    Unfortunately, I understand why there are only 8 reviews. Being brutally honest, this book was not well written. When I read Andi's review saying, "I was hooked from the first few pages", I was sold. Couldn't wait to dive right in. I was totally disappointed, but kept my hopes up. The first chapters will have to take a turn for the better. Disappointed again and again. Skimmed the next several chapters, still hoping for better. At this point I'm being hit hard with "Albeit" and "Whilst". I'm having to rewrite sentences just to make some sense of it. Where are the proof readers? Whilst, three times in one sentence.
    Sorry Sarah. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. Hopefully your move to France has been a much better experience.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2015
    I thought I would enjoy this book, sharing as I do the author's nursing background. However I was quite disappointed in both the writing and the account of her adventures in Australia. I found the writing repetitious and a bit boring. She wrote so many detailed accounts of the more mundane aspects of her new life, but left out whole chunks of what would have interested me.( and other readers too) I would have liked more stories of her patients in the hospital where she worked. She seemed to regard the Aboriginal people more as a threat and wrote very unsympathetically about them. She appeared to have little interest in history of the fascinating continent. Overall, I found it a tedious read. I did finish it but skimmed most of the last chapters. I understand this was s self published book. It could have used better editing.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2015
    If I had to sum up this amazing story in one word it would be optimism. Sarah Jane has had more than her fair share of knocks in her life and her move to Australia was supposed to be the beginning of a new, healthy life. Having spent a short time in Alice Springs myself, I admired their fortitude in making it their first home in Australia with its difficult climate and quirky way of life. Their move to Queensland was supposed to be a new, idyllic lifestyle and so it was - for a while - until tragedy struck again. Sarah Jane manages to put a positive spin on all the difficulties and tragedies they faced, but more than anything else her deep love for her big, wide-spread family shines through the pages of this book. I highly recommend this memoir.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • carole hayes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Glass Half Full: Our Australian Adventure
    Reviewed in France on December 7, 2016
    I absolutely loved this book. From the first page it captured my interest and I felt by the end of the book that I had been admitted into the lives of Sarah Jane, Nigel and their families like a friend. I have already bought the sequel : 2 Dogs and a Suitcase, and I can't wait to find out how their move to France continued.
  • Phyllis Rooney
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2015
    This book takes you on a journey of the trials and tribulations of moving to another country, in fact another continent. You feel the heartache and joys that this family goes through. Underneath it all is the undying love for family. I am looking forward to reading the next book because I really need to know the next chapters in their lives.
  • Rebecca H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Down but certainly not out!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2015
    Sarah Jane and her husband Nigel are a quite remarkable couple. After visiting Nigel's father in Tasmania they felt at home in Australia and believed that living there would give them a more fulfilling life. Overcoming personal setbacks at home they finally left Cornwall to live their dream. They arrived in the remote Alice Springs where Sarah Jane had a two year contract as a nurse. Nigel quickly found work and their daughter Jaime enrolled in school. Life was not always easy however and they had the ongoing anxiety of being separated from family back in the UK. Unfortunately for them the dream starts to go wrong and they suffer a great number of setbacks which they faced with incredible courage and fortitude. If anything it makes them a stronger family unit. Sarah Jane's love for her family is evident throughout and certainly influences the decisions that are made. In spite of a succession of disasters they retain their optimism that all will work out for the best. Unfortunately things go from bad to worse and they lose everything when Brisbane is flooded and their house is submerged. They are forced to become bankrupt and endure the ensuing consequences. After a gruelling drive to Tasmania the family pick up the pieces and make a success of their new life. However, after receiving compensation from the road rage incident they decide to relocate to rural France! This memoir is very honest and makes the reader feel as if you are travelling with her. It's certainly not all `doom and gloom' but it's a testament to their strength and determination. I can't wait to read about their new life in France. It's five stars from me.
  • Kate 'griz' Pill
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read and Enjoy!
    Reviewed in Australia on December 26, 2014
    This is a terrifically honest account of Sarah's (and family) move to Australia in order to achieve a better lifestyle. Sarah's honesty and "never say die" attitude to life has made this memoir one of my favorites. Despite the many challenges thrown her way, and oh my goodness, there were a LOT (!), Sarah's optimism and willingness to "give it a go" saw the family move from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, two moves in Queensland and, a final move to Tasmania. Through all of this, Sarah's love for her family shone through. As an Aussie, I enjoyed viewing this country through the honest, but not unfair, eyes of a newcomer. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to be taken on a journey across Oz complete with laughter, tears and warm fuzzy moments. Read and Enjoy!
  • martin h.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Glass half full describes this read
    Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2018
    I struggled with reading this book as much as I struggled with whether to leave a review, and a three star review at that, because I know how important good reviews are. I almost gave up reading it several times as it struggled to hold me. After all, the story of a family emigrating to another continent is hardly an original theme – I’ve done it myself. But I persevered to the end. On the plus side, I admired the author’s willingness to bare her heart and soul for all to see and her unflinching description of their many challenges which would make anyone despair. On the negative side, the writing is quite pedestrian in the school project style of ‘how I spent my summer holidays’. But the truly unforgivable issue is the number of typographical and grammatical errors that were littered throughout this book, which is the ultimate sin for any author and really annoyed me more and more as I progressed through the book. They indicate a sloppy and lazy approach to the finished book and are disrespectful to the reader. After all, a good copy editor is easy to find. If those had been fixed this mediocre review would never have emerged.

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