I loved Big Magic. It was on a list in one of the Novelry lessons, which is why I read it! Someone once said, thinking themselves clever, "xx big % of people who buy self help books are people who bought self help books xx small number of weeks ago." (This is true of any genre. XX big % of people who bought fantasy books are people who bought a fantasy book xx small number of weeks ago. Maybe people who read self help books enjoy reading self help books.) What I love about them, especially memoir-y self help books, are that it's like having a long conversation with a friend about deep things, just like we used to when we were adolescents. It's hard to find buddies as an adult who will just blather on with you about writing or marriage or happiness beyond just venting, where you actually not just less alone, but better at the end. Big Magic was kind of like that for me.
That's good to know! I'm heading to the lake today and hoping to open it up. This week has been a LOT of editing and thinking and getting ready for the next five weeks of work (before the kids break up!)
I hadn't heard of her before but will look and see if I can find it on Libby. I am currently knee deep and in the mud with Carol Off's book "At a Loss for Words". Not finding it easy but definitely thought provoking.
Ooooh, interesting title. I haven't seen that one. Elizabeth Gilbert is on here and also wrote Eat, Pray, Love which I think has superb structure for memoir.
I'm still reading through Braiding Sweetgrass - like you I'm reading in bursts with other books on the side (which is new for me - until recently I've been a 'one book at a time' reader. I am loving it, but find I have to take small bites that require a lot of thought, so I will keep on going with it for now. However, I do have a copy of Big Magic that has sat on my shelf, mostly unread, for years, so I'm looking forward to giving it some attention. Yes, I'll be joining you. Slowly.
Yes, thank you for saying that. I particularly found with Braiding Sweetgrass that I read in small sections. I thought, read more, left it, came back to it. It's the month for the unread copies of Big Magic--it seems I'm not alone! I'm so glad to read this one with you.
So glad to have discovered your Substack & novels (can’t wait to read) through Amanda Hinton in the essay today on her site. I love book
Clubs & Big Magic and Liz Gilbert so count me in. And I just received Braiding Sweetgrass as a gift from my daughter so look forward to catching up on that thread.
So lovely to have you here. I look forward to hearing what you think about Braiding Sweetgrass. It's a powerful way to look at the world we walk on. And Big Magic has been on my shelf for a LONG time! I'm feeling very ready to pick it up and start reading with you xoxoxox
I will be joining this book club! I have it on my e-reader, but it felt a little daunting to approach it alone. That voice inside - “there’s no magic in being creative, you are or you aren’t”, and “do you think this will make you a better writer, just another book?” So, now I’ve made a promise to myself to read with you and see where it takes me. Thank you for choosing this one.
Oh yay! I wonder if I was a little daunted too. I think the idea of reading it makes me feel like I should be able to retain ALL of it. Let's read it together!
I loved Big Magic. It was on a list in one of the Novelry lessons, which is why I read it! Someone once said, thinking themselves clever, "xx big % of people who buy self help books are people who bought self help books xx small number of weeks ago." (This is true of any genre. XX big % of people who bought fantasy books are people who bought a fantasy book xx small number of weeks ago. Maybe people who read self help books enjoy reading self help books.) What I love about them, especially memoir-y self help books, are that it's like having a long conversation with a friend about deep things, just like we used to when we were adolescents. It's hard to find buddies as an adult who will just blather on with you about writing or marriage or happiness beyond just venting, where you actually not just less alone, but better at the end. Big Magic was kind of like that for me.
Thank you SO much for affirming this is exactly the choice I need for now. I bet I'll be quoting it at you over at The Novelry ;-)))
Haha....Maybe a better description would be straight up honesty. So far, it is enjoyable!
That's good to know! I'm heading to the lake today and hoping to open it up. This week has been a LOT of editing and thinking and getting ready for the next five weeks of work (before the kids break up!)
I have started reading Big Magic. An unexpected reading experience. Picked it up at the library.
The word 'unexpected' has me VERY curious!!!! I haven't opened the first page yet...
I’m in! I read it last month and will enjoy a slow dive back in. I’m excited to hear your thoughts !
Oh yay! I'm interested in what you thought of it. You're ahead of us!
I hadn't heard of her before but will look and see if I can find it on Libby. I am currently knee deep and in the mud with Carol Off's book "At a Loss for Words". Not finding it easy but definitely thought provoking.
Ooooh, interesting title. I haven't seen that one. Elizabeth Gilbert is on here and also wrote Eat, Pray, Love which I think has superb structure for memoir.
I'm still reading through Braiding Sweetgrass - like you I'm reading in bursts with other books on the side (which is new for me - until recently I've been a 'one book at a time' reader. I am loving it, but find I have to take small bites that require a lot of thought, so I will keep on going with it for now. However, I do have a copy of Big Magic that has sat on my shelf, mostly unread, for years, so I'm looking forward to giving it some attention. Yes, I'll be joining you. Slowly.
Yes, thank you for saying that. I particularly found with Braiding Sweetgrass that I read in small sections. I thought, read more, left it, came back to it. It's the month for the unread copies of Big Magic--it seems I'm not alone! I'm so glad to read this one with you.
I've had this book beside my bed for months -- I'm in!
Let's do it! It's moving from beside the bed TBR to being read!!!!
Let’s do it. I also bought The Creative Act by Rick Rubin to read in tandem!
So glad to have discovered your Substack & novels (can’t wait to read) through Amanda Hinton in the essay today on her site. I love book
Clubs & Big Magic and Liz Gilbert so count me in. And I just received Braiding Sweetgrass as a gift from my daughter so look forward to catching up on that thread.
So lovely to have you here. I look forward to hearing what you think about Braiding Sweetgrass. It's a powerful way to look at the world we walk on. And Big Magic has been on my shelf for a LONG time! I'm feeling very ready to pick it up and start reading with you xoxoxox
I will be joining this book club! I have it on my e-reader, but it felt a little daunting to approach it alone. That voice inside - “there’s no magic in being creative, you are or you aren’t”, and “do you think this will make you a better writer, just another book?” So, now I’ve made a promise to myself to read with you and see where it takes me. Thank you for choosing this one.
Oh yay! I wonder if I was a little daunted too. I think the idea of reading it makes me feel like I should be able to retain ALL of it. Let's read it together!
Yes, both "Eat, pray, love" and "Braiding Sweetgrass" are great books!
I loved Braiding Sweetgrass recently. Exactly what I wanted to be reading as the world deals with rising challenges. x