Books by Leona

Leona Françoise Caanen, born in the Netherlands, grew up internationally, spending 14 years abroad in Italy, France, the Caribbean, and Germany. This international upbringing brought with it a strong desire and enthusiasm to travel the world and planted a seed of curiosity about people, places, and things from any and everywhere. All the magic and life experiences that have come across her path along the way, Leona looks to share with the world through her writing.

'Being Human: Create Life By Your Own Design' is Leona's most recent book (September 2022), published 15 months after her debut novel, 'On My Way: 800 Kilometres to Destination Self' (May 2021).

Being Human

Create Life By Your Own Design

September 2022

Life is an adventure. A long and winding road along which we learn who we are and grow into who we’d like to be. Sometimes the road, accompanied by formative challenges and opportunities, makes us feel as if we’re alone in our struggles, as though everyone else “has it together” except you. In these 24 interviews-turned-stories, you’ll find that you’re not alone in navigating life, nor in trying to shape it into something that feels like your own.

This book is an international journey of what it means to create life by your own design. Let yourself be inspired, surprised, and moved as you embark on this adventure – yet most of all, let yourself wander into what it will look like when you choose to create your life by your design.

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On My Way

800 Kilometres to Destination Self

May 2021

Meeting yourself anew can be daunting, but doing so while hiking 800 kilometres across Northern Spain can be life-changing. Aged 19, Leona grabbed her backpack and headed to St. Jean Pied-de-Port, in southern France, and commenced her 35-day trek. The road filled itself with beautiful nature and small towns, blisters and bruises, meaningful conversations with travellers from all over the world, and the endless opportunity of meeting oneself over and over again. Each moment of laughter, joy, doubt, frustration and perseverance leading not just to the grand arrival in Santiago de Compostela, but also to the revelation that you are the creator of your own life.

Dive in and experience the Camino through the eyes of Leona. From making the decision to travel, to spending nights in rooms with strangers, to returning to life’s daily rhythm. The Camino is not just about enjoying a fantastic travel experience, but about discovering your own path in life.

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