Poorna Bell

London

Editor and Writer at Freelance

Award-winning journalist & author, public speaker, powerlifter, mental health advocate. Lit agent @rowan_lawton Management: Siren Talent Ambassador @thecalmzone

Articles

The Writer: Poorna Bell, author and journalist

1 week ago | annieridout.substack.com | Annie Ridout |Poorna Bell

I first came across Poorna Bell some years ago at an event in east London. She was part of a panel talk, speaking candidly about the subject of her debut book - Chase the Rainbow - which retraces the life she shared with her late husband, Rob. I’ve followed her ever since and I wanted to ask Poorna more about her life, as a writer, as she publishes her latest novel, This is Fine (Penguin, 2025) about a child-free woman who steps in to help her wayward teenage niece. Here’s our interview.
On top of the world: going solo in Nepal

4 weeks ago | observer.co.uk | Poorna Bell

Eight years ago, a series of decisions that included quitting my job and leaving England for several months, led me to undertake a solo 11-day hike to the Annapurna base camp in Nepal. There was no phone reception and I lived out of a backpack. “Out of all of the things you could do, why did you choose that?” a friend asked, mystified.
Midlife friendships are a minefield

Mar 30, 2025 | thetimes.com | Poorna Bell
What's got my attention this week #90

Mar 21, 2025 | theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com | Poorna Bell |Sarah Knight

The Shift With Sam Baker is a reader-supported publication. To receive two new posts every week and support my work making the podcast, why not become a paid subscriber. SCROLLING• ”I don’t want anyone else to read my diaries, but I can’t burn them.” Love this piece by one of my favourite memoirists, Dani Shapiro. (Gift link)• The uncomfortable truth in THAT White Lotus pool scene. • What do we buy into when we buy a home? • rages eloquently on wasting women’s time.
What's got my attention this week #88

Mar 7, 2025 | theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com | Poorna Bell |Elif Shafak |E. Jean Carroll |Rosie Spinks

This is the monthly free Friday links and recs round-up from The Shift. If you’d like to receive posts like this every week, plus my weekly post, access the bookclub, archive and chat and more, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. SCROLLING• I knew I wouldn’t be the only one who noticed the way the best actress Oscar race was turned into an instant face-off. “Demi lost to Mikey!” screamed one headline.
What's got my attention this week #86

Feb 21, 2025 | theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com | Poorna Bell

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is back. I’ve already pre-ordered Dream Count and it’s pretty rare I can say that. SCROLLING• My piece of the week:has done a better job on its Women of the Year than it did on Person of the Year… honorees includes• The woman who finally has• I can’t think of anything worse than
He decidido no mirar mi WhatsApp en vacaciones, ¿lo respetarán mis amigos y familiares?

Dec 28, 2024 | eldiario.es | Poorna Bell

Mi edad interna ronda los 28 años, pero cuando añoro cosas que la tecnología ha vuelto obsoletas me siento profundamente de 43. Una de esas cosas es irme de vacaciones sin estar en contacto constante, como ocurría cuando el precio de enviar un mensaje de texto era parecido al de tomarse una copa de vino, antes de la llegada del WhatsApp. A lo largo de este año me he dado cuenta de lo mucho que el flujo incesante de información me dificulta la desconexión.
My holidays were blighted by moany voicenotes, so I imposed a Whatsapp ban – with mixed results | Poorna Bell

Dec 26, 2024 | theguardian.com | Poorna Bell

Though my internal age is set to about 28, the time when I feel profoundly 43 is when I get nostalgic for things rendered obsolete by technology. One of those things was being able to go on holiday without being continually contacted, because the price of sending a text message was the same as a glass of wine. WhatsApp has obliterated that. Over the past year, I’ve noticed how much harder it has been to switch off as a result of the incessant flow of information.
I didn't expect my mid-life crisis age to be 44

Nov 20, 2024 | poornabell.substack.com | Poorna Bell

My pals, everyone is welcome here! If however you’d like to upgrade to a paid subscription, you’ll be able to access four posts a month as opposed to one, and you’d have my gratitude at being able to fund this lil newsletter. And my addiction to cheese. Outside of the viral Notes posts about the ages people have achieved things by, I only have to look at my own life for proof that age milestones are arbitrary guff.
What I won’t accept from friendships now I’m in my 40s

Nov 7, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Poorna Bell

Years ago, I realised how important it was to diversify the age brackets within my friendship groups. Not just because my life doesn’t really look like the life of mates my age – I don’t have kids, I’m not married and I have no desire to move to the suburbs or the countryside – but because it’s hard to evolve when you’re in your own echo chamber. Friends who are younger than me often challenge my existing world view, and friends who are older than me provide perspective and wisdom.