Dear Substack Friends,

Three months from today, on March 3, 2026, I’ll be releasing my book Belonging to the World.

This book grew out of many different “journeys”: an inward journey of healing; a physical journey that took me to every country on earth; and a journey of learning about our world—its contours and landscapes, its astonishing range of cultures and languages, and, above all, its people.

What I’ve discovered most is that the world becomes smaller when we let our guard down and truly connect. Through these moments of connection, across continents and oceans, I’ve found a deep sense of belonging to our shared world.

The writing journey began almost exactly three years ago, after I returned from a powerful trip to Afghanistan—one year after the Taliban takeover.

At the time, I was a year into what I call Project 193, my quest to visit all 193 UN member countries. With so many extraordinary trips to places I never imagined I’d see, Yemen, Bangladesh, Syria, Iran, Chad, I knew the book had to capture these adventures. But I also knew I didn’t want to write just a travelogue; there are so many writers far better than me at doing that. The deeper story, the thread of loss, transformation, and profound gratitude for my late wife Jackie’s presence in my life, is what compelled me to write.

When I shared the idea with a friend, she said, “It sounds like an Eat Pray Love kind of book.” Then serendipity stepped in: I was fortunate to receive an endorsement quote from Julia Roberts, the star of the film.

I may not be headed for the New York Times Best Seller list anytime soon, but as a new writer, I’m grateful for the early reviews:

“Poignant, moving, and filled with striking details about the globe’s out-of-the-way places. Belonging to the World is an uplifting celebration of life and travel.”
— IndieReader (4.8/5 stars)

“A uniquely compelling memoir that blends vulnerable emotional truth with captivating memories from across the world—difficult to put down.”
— SPR Reviews (★★★★½)

“Belonging to the World lays bare the underlying, and often overlooked, ties that bind us to each other, regardless of our origins, and transforms seemingly dead ends into brilliant moments of meaning and purpose.”
— Booklife (A)

The writing is now complete, and I’ve entered the most challenging part of the journey: sharing and getting the word out about Belonging to the World. This marketing stuff is a bit out of my comfort zone.

But, I can hear my publisher, Girl Friday Books, in my ear: “Put in as much thought-time marketing your book as you have in writing it.” For a first-time author, early reviews, especially on Amazon, can make a real difference in helping a book find its readers.

So I have a simple offer for my Substack community (if you live in the U.S.)

I would be happy to send you, free of charge, an advance copy of Belonging to the World before the end of the year. If you enjoy the book, it would mean a lot if, during March 2026, you might consider:

• leaving a review on Amazon

• perhaps purchasing an additional copy for a friend, and/or

• recommending the book to others who might appreciate it.

There is absolutely no pressure—I know this is a busy time of year, and I’m already grateful that you read my work here. If you’re interested, just send me an email at barryh822@aol.com with your name and physical address, and I’ll do my best to get a copy to you.

Happy Holiday Season,

Barry