Born in Windsor, Ontario, local author Barbara Godin fostered an interest in writing when she began keeping journals in her youth. While her life started in the city, by the age of ten, she had moved to Kingsville to live with her grandparents, the Barless’s, on the 2nd Concession.
She remembers her grandparents as loving and caring. They happily took in their grandchildren (her sister had lived with them for years) even at their advanced age. They provided a stable home for the two girls and in Kingsville Barbara made many friends and built wonderful memories.
Barbara’s grandparents read the local newspapers but she has no recollection of them reading books. Her sister, however, had shelves of books and was a voracious reader.
Barbara’s appreciation for reading didn’t come until after she married. When it did, she read everything she could, spending hours at the local library, her preference being memoirs, autobiographies and true crime novels.
In her words, reading saved her. It taught her many things that her earlier deprived life did not. She went on to receive her B.A. from Athabasca University, Edmonton, Alberta.
In 2003, she launched an advice column for a Canadian publication after successfully responding to an ad. After having penned over 500 “Dear Barb” columns for The Voice Magazine, Barbara took the next step in her writing career when she published the first of four books.
Dear Barb: Answers to Your Everyday Questions, published in 2020, assembled some of the best of those columns, doling out common sense advice for dealing with the many issues of daily life.
Her next book, Glimpses in Time: A Collection of Memoirs and More was published the following year. In this book, Barb shares 25 memorable and relatable moments of her life, touching on the pain of loss and the joy of overcoming difficulties.
Later in 2021, Barbara published her second collection of advice in Dear Barb 2: Advice for Daily Life, a book with a goal of positively improving relationships with others. This instalment of Barbara’s advice touches on family, dating, parenting, and etiquette, among other topics.
Barbara’s latest book Can I Come HOME Now? is a memoir of her life. It is a story about surviving horrific abuse and neglect, and becoming the person you want to be despite the obstacles.
Barbara now resides in Chatham, Ontario with her husband and their ginger cat, rightly named Prince Harry.
Barbara’s books are available at:
- Storytellers Bookstore, 1473 Ottawa Street, Windsor
- Chapters Canada
- Amazon by clicking on titles below:
Barbara’s books can also be ordered through your local bookstores and libraries.
To learn more about Barbara and her books, visit barbgodin.com She can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Comments can be emailed to Barbara at barbgodin53@gmail.com
Photos provided by Barbara Godin
Barb’s story could have had so many different endings, and no one could blame her it it did. I’m so happy that Barb can share her story without bitterness or animosity! The book, Can I Come Home Now, held me focused until the end. Brought so many feels. Barb, you brave, honest and so caring. You’ll help more people than you will ever know.
I have had the pleasure of reading her latest memoir ” Can I Come Home Now” and I’m happy that this book has been getting such positive attention. The author deserves this and so much more. She has become such an inspiration to many! Continued success!
I have read all of Barbs books and I must say enjoyed each one ….the favorite is Can I Come Home Now…an inspiring book that shows how a person can rise above horrific abuse. Her hope I am sure is that this book will reach even one person to change their life … Keep writing Barb..you have a talent <3