Laugh More Stories from an Unexpected Life

by Travis, Debbie

• ISBN13: 9781039009332
• ISBN10: 1039009336
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781039009349
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2024-10-22
• Publisher: Random House Canada
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Summary

Lifestyle pioneer and bestselling author Debbie Travis is back with a book of ridiculously funny, touching and true stories drawn from her own life and dedicated to everyone in desperate need of a good laugh.

A decade ago, Debbie Travis gave up her hectic life as the producer and star of several hit TV shows to move to a 13th-century crumbling farmhouse and vast olive orchard in Tuscany, which she and her husband then turned into the boutique hotel and wellness retreat. That was a big change in direction—and Debbie’s shared the best of what she learned on that journey in two bestselling books full of humane, heartfelt and sensible advice on pursuing your true passion (Design Your Next Chapter) and making room for happiness, health and connection (Joy: Life Lessons from a Tuscan Villa).

Now, in Laugh More, Debbie digs down to what really keeps her going, especially when the going gets tough: her talent for telling a good story and sharing a good laugh. Organizing them around the passing of the seasons at the Villa Reniella, Debbie gathers up a brilliant mix of stories from her daily life and from her past—growing up headstrong in a struggling family in northern England (her mum perfected dog-food shepherd’s pie), travelling the world as a model (not so glamorous), becoming one of the first home renovation TV stars (by the seat of her overalls) and encountering the famous and the delightful (especially her wicked and wonderful grandmother, Joyce). Snortingly funny, poignant, inspirational and full of the human foibles Debbie loves so much, Laugh More is a warm and cozy book to curl up with, and even better to read aloud. And since memories are so often ignited by great eating, Debbie has added a bonus: fifteen of her favourite, seasonal recipes.

Author Biography

DEBBIE TRAVIS is an international television host and producer, a bestselling author, a sought-after public speaker, and the designer of the Debbie Travis Home Collection. Her shows, Debbie Travis’s Painted House, Debbie Travis’s Facelift, From the Ground Up, All for One and La Dolce Debbie, have been seen in Canada, the United States and 80 other countries. She has authored 11 previous books (eight on decorating) and currently co-hosts a podcast, Trust Me, I’m a Decorator, with television personality and designer Tommy Smythe, drawing guests such as Rachael Ray and Marilyn Denis. After stepping back from TV producing, Debbie renovated a 13th-century farmhouse on a 100-acre farm in Tuscany, turning it into a luxury boutique hotel where she offers wellness retreats and classic car rallies.

LISA BRANCATISANO was born in Melbourne, Australia. She moved to Italy in 1993, where she met a local street artist who taught her how to paint with watercolours. Now an illustrator and painting teacher, she works for magazines and fashion houses, as well as taking on private commissions. Laugh More is the first time she’s illustrated a book. She lives in Florence with her husband, Emiliano, their two sons, Matteo and Thomas, and a border collie named Nami. Go to thistuscanlife.com to see more of her work.