Sleepless

Sleepless by Annabel Abbs is a profound exploration of the often overlooked potential of the night. Set against the backdrop of personal grief and loss, Annabel's journey begins in the winter of 2020. After a series of bereavements, she finds herself struggling with sleepless nights while remaining busy during the day. It is in this sleeplessness that Annabel encounters her Night Self—a hidden part of her that thrives in the darkness, bringing creativity, curiosity, vulnerability, enchantment, and courage to the forefront.

Sleepless nights transform into a time of discovery and liberation as Annabel finds that many women throughout history have also flourished in the quiet hours of the night. From Laura Cereta, a radical fifteenth-century philosopher, and the subversive artist Louise Bourgeois, to the literary icon Virginia Woolf and the indefatigable activist Peace Pilgrim, these women have all drawn strength, inspiration, and sanctuary from the darkness.

Delving into cutting-edge scientific research, Annabel learns that the night can make us more imaginative, open-minded, and reflective. This revelation propels her on a quest to fully embrace her Night Self. Sleepless captures her remarkable adventures, from midnight hikes and starlit swims to her explorations in wildly different environments, ranging from Singapore, the brightest city on Earth, to the dark edges of the Arctic Circle. Ultimately, her journey leads her towards that elusive state of restful sleep.

Annabel's moving and insightful narrative invites readers to reconsider their relationship with sleep and to embrace the unseen opportunities that the night offers. Through her revelatory voyage, Sleepless encourages us to feel less anxious about our sleep patterns and to cherish the transformative power of the night.

‘Sleepless has changed how I feel about sleep... I was captivated’ The Times, Book of the Week

‘This book will inspire you to get up, light a candle, and experience your own Night Self’ Financial Times

Sleepless invites us to explore the night as a space of endless possibilities—a time where creativity blooms, fears are faced, and the soul finds solace.