"A joyful exploration of play that helped reignite my own creative passions. Like having a long, healing lunch with your best friend."

"I think Karen Walrond might be a little bit of a good witch. It's the only thing that can explain how she always seems to write the exact right book I need at the exact right moment I need it! This book is a love letter to all of us amateurs who have our own 'abridged list of amateur pursuits' of 'things I tried and didn't try--but still might.' This book is for the dabblers, the fuzzy stargazers, and the intentional amateurs with a great many loves."

"Karen Walrond's In Defense of Dabbling is a welcome permission slip to feed our curiosity, to play with and explore whatever it is we're drawn to--not for our side hustle, not to become a professional, but for our humanity. Walrond is the perfect leader for what is sure to be a movement of celebrating all things amateur. Her humility, vulnerability, and earned confidence have motivated me to pick up my favorite long-dormant textile design app!"

"The wise and delightful Karen Walrond once again guides us straight to the hidden joys and unexpected truths of life. For all of us hoping to make the very best of our time on this earth, she's an essential voice."

"A life-expanding ode to the joy of being an amateur in a world that's bent on mastery, In Defense of Dabbling reminds us to say yes to moments, activities, and pursuits for no other reason than the feelings they give us. A powerful reset, bundled with an invitation to take yourself, and the world, a little more lightly."

"As someone who has always known that midlife isn't a crisis but a chrysalis, I deeply believe that aging is the same as growing--and that growing is all about continual learning and adventure. In Defense of Dabbling provides a blueprint for us to grow: Its 'Seven Attributes of Intentional Amateurism' provide guideposts along our way. This book reminds us of the power we all hold to make our lives bigger, brighter, and more expansive than ever."

"Karen Walrond's voice is unmistakably wise, humane, and joyous. What if our path out of the spiraling psychological crises of our time was as simple as picking up a hobby or two? It's a counterintuitively profound prescription: we need more love, more freedom, more curiosity in our lives. So let's choose it. Not to feed social media or hustle some extra income, but because it's what our soul most needs: room to roam."

"Karen Walrond brings us back to the simple joy of doing things just because we want to--no pressure to get it exactly right. She invites us to follow our curiosity, play a little more, and remember what it's like to explore for the fun of it."