I’ve Never Been Here Before {my book}
In June 2022, our family of 7 embarked on a yearlong adventure to 20+ countries, all on a tight budget with only carry-on backpacks. We experienced the countless ways curiosity leads to beautiful discoveries. It was a dream decades in the making and one that continues to impact our day to day lives at home.
While traveling, I kept a journal of our daily discoveries and experiences. Upon return home, I gave myself 6 months to write a book for my future grandkids, hoping they would see the world as we saw it. The first draft I wrote for them later became something to share with others.
“I’ve Never Been Here Before” is about how bougainvillea sways in the wind from Morocco to Vietnam, how Albanian bus drivers look out for everyone, and how basketball is like a religion in the Philippines. It’s about how people see the beauty in others, share meals with strangers, and aren’t scared to open their homes and hearts. It is stories of vibrant markets, sticky tables, and questionable decisions on our part. I want to give a glimpse of the world beyond the headlines – a world that overflows with beauty seen in the faces that dot the globe. It is a celebration of cultures, communities, and curiosity. And it is a story of how my family was changed by the people we met. My heart is to make the unfamiliar (the world at large) a little less unknown and scary – to dispel common fears and celebrate the good that diversity brings to our communities.
Library Requests
I am a lifelong library user and it is important to me that my book would be accessible to those that prefer checking out books. Most libraries have an option to request a title. I would be so honored if you’d place a request at your local library. The typical information you would need is:
Title: I’ve Never Been Here Before
Author: Ashley Campbell
ISBN: 978-0736991056
Publisher: Ten Peaks Press
