Why We're Reading Big Magic

And a confession....

Welcome to our May/June read. For these months, we’re diving into Big Magic by

Elizabeth Gilbert

.

Why this book?

One of you told me this book changed your life.

Confession time (whispered, red-cheeked): I can’t remember who it was.

Let me explain. Months ago, when I began this Life-Changing Book Club, I had one intention. To read books that you told me were life changing (how they changed your life is your secret to share or keep.)

So many of you shared books with me—in comments, DMs, emails—I wrote a list. It was messy and lovely and glorious. And it is stored in more than one place (I can thank my ADHD for that). Here, on my Remarkable, in an email to myself, on notepaper. Urgh.

Big Magic is a book I’ve wanted to read for ever. It sits on my shelf waiting, like a promise.

And these two months felt like a great time for the creative spark inside—the sun is shining, the world is chaos, a quiet moment with flowers or a few words feels, well, essential. Anyone else?

Here’s what we know about the author:

I’ve longtime admired Elizabeth Gilbert’s work. Her book Eat, Pray, Love is one I recommend often to writers over at The Novelry to help them see how beautiful structure can help beautiful writing sing.

This is what she shares about herself on her lovely, warm Substack:

Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of ten books of fiction and nonfiction — most famously her 2006 memoir EAT PRAY LOVE, which chronicled the year she spent traveling the world after a shattering divorce, and BIG MAGIC: Creative Living Beyond Fear, which encourages people to lead braver, more authentic lives, and to recapture our inherent creativity. Her first TED talk, “Your Elusive Creative Genius,” was delivered in 2009 and remains among the most popular talks in TED’s history, with 22 million views.

She is the founder of both Letters From Love (which you’re reading!) and the Onward Book Club, a space created to promote and celebrate the work of Black female authors with live conversations on Instagram.

She is a lifelong traveler and spiritual seeker. More than anything else, she just wants everyone to have a nice time.

A Creative Life:

Every day when I’m coaching writers, my focus is helping them ignite their creativity. Yes, some go on to publish, but the reason they do is because they find their way to the page. Over and over.

Big Magic feels like it could be a balm—advice for me that I can share through my coaching and through my own creative life. But let’s see….

Where to get it:

You can buy the book here or at your local bookstore!

In Saskatoon, where I live, we have the wonderful Turning the Tide and McNally Robinson to choose from. But here’s a list of independent bookstores all over the US and Canada for you.

Or look for it in your library, instead.

Take your time! I read in bursts, with several other books along side. You?

What to Expect in the Life-Changing Book Club

• ~ Day 20: I’ll check in with reflections and a few insights.

• ~ Day 45 - 60: We’ll open a discussion thread for everyone to share thoughts on themes, characters, tensions and takeaways.
  

Let me know in the comments below: Will you be joining this book club?

Also, I sent out reflections on our last book Braiding Sweetgrass, which you might enjoy if you missed it.

If you’re new here, my name is Alice Kuipers and I’m a writer, mother and dog & cat-owner transplanted twenty years ago to the Canadian prairies from England. I’ve published fourteen books in 36 countries and my writing has been described as: “For storytellers and story lovers,” by Kirkus Reviews; ‘Gorgeous, heart-ripping, important,” by VOYA; and “Intense and wonderful” by Bif Naked. Join me for coffee breaks, book conversations, and to share my writing life together.

Xoxo