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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
There were amazing insights in this book, but also some ideas that didn't resonate with me. That's okay, I'm sure if I wrote a book about my theories of creativity, Elizabeth Gilbert wouldn't love all of them either. In any case, I'm glad I read it and appreciate many of this book's ideas.
The take-away message is inspiring, but Gilbert could say it in a ten page essay. In fact, I skimmed the second half of the book as it was repetitive. Sadly,this reads like a personal journal and I expect better writing from Gilbert. It was as if an editor didn't even bother to go through the pages--the wording was so simplistic at times I couldn't believe I was reading a highly published author. For example, she uses "fuck" a couple of times and, in my opinion, she's using it in order to show she can use it, rather than because it fits the content.
So, yes, read the first half of this book and give your own creativity new meaning. Then, return it to the library and write your own book.
So, yes, read the first half of this book and give your own creativity new meaning. Then, return it to the library and write your own book.
Definitely one of greatest books I've ever read. I believe I'll come back to it, at least for reference, on more than one occasion.
I was afraid it will be too self-help-y, but nooo... It is more than that. It has elements of self-help, but it has an amazing story-telling parts from great Elizabeth Gilbert, it has great anegdots from her life so it is also autobiographical in a way. A perfect package for anyone who is creative living. And we all really are. No matter how we express our creativity. It doesn't have to be painting or writing, it could be dancing, acting, or maybe cooking, gardening, or even sky-diving. It is all our creative outlet.
It plays with concept of success and failure, talks about worth, about careers, about persistence, diligent work and passion...
This book won't change life of anyone who isn't ready for a change, but it will definitely spark something in you if you are interested in it.
I was afraid it will be too self-help-y, but nooo... It is more than that. It has elements of self-help, but it has an amazing story-telling parts from great Elizabeth Gilbert, it has great anegdots from her life so it is also autobiographical in a way. A perfect package for anyone who is creative living. And we all really are. No matter how we express our creativity. It doesn't have to be painting or writing, it could be dancing, acting, or maybe cooking, gardening, or even sky-diving. It is all our creative outlet.
It plays with concept of success and failure, talks about worth, about careers, about persistence, diligent work and passion...
This book won't change life of anyone who isn't ready for a change, but it will definitely spark something in you if you are interested in it.
I would’ve given the book 3.5 stars if I could. I enjoyed the book, which offers a way to think and feel and engage with creativity that I had not previously considered. I definitely highlighted aspects and am thinking about how to incorporate many of its lessons for my classes and for myself. I feel affirmed that I am a maker and that it is okay to fail.
Read for Popsugar: A book with career advice (mine being a creative career)
I feel like I might have read this before, but I never put it on Goodreads? It was good to read it again, if that was the case. Lots of good little nuggets and ideas: working from curiosity, being a trickster rather than a martyr, just doing SOMETHING. I think she's managed to verbalize some things that are on the more mystical side.
I feel like I might have read this before, but I never put it on Goodreads? It was good to read it again, if that was the case. Lots of good little nuggets and ideas: working from curiosity, being a trickster rather than a martyr, just doing SOMETHING. I think she's managed to verbalize some things that are on the more mystical side.
Wow!
I loved this more than I thought I would! Liz talks of creativity in a way that shows that we make it too hard on ourselves. She slays the struggling artist archetype and reminds us that creativity living should be FUN! We should be enchanted by it. We should grab the idea that comes to us, and just sit with it, regardless of the outcome. We should give ourselves permission to be creative. We should leave being taken seriously and fear at the door. We should remember that we have a genius, rather than trying to be a genius.
Liz takes so much pressure off of the creative process and restores FUN! (I also learned that she is besties with my other favorite author, Ann Patchett, and they share a wonderful Big Magic moment.)
“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.”
I loved this more than I thought I would! Liz talks of creativity in a way that shows that we make it too hard on ourselves. She slays the struggling artist archetype and reminds us that creativity living should be FUN! We should be enchanted by it. We should grab the idea that comes to us, and just sit with it, regardless of the outcome. We should give ourselves permission to be creative. We should leave being taken seriously and fear at the door. We should remember that we have a genius, rather than trying to be a genius.
Liz takes so much pressure off of the creative process and restores FUN! (I also learned that she is besties with my other favorite author, Ann Patchett, and they share a wonderful Big Magic moment.)
“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.”
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I feel like I could take on the world after finishing this!
So... I want to start by confessing that I don't love Ms. Gilbert's writing in general... And by her writing I basically just mean this book and how much I could get through of Eat, Pray, Love before I gave up. That being said, I was happily surprised by a few moments of perfect aphorisms and glad I read this.
This is probably an important book for some people. I didn't agree with everything she mentioned, but it was overall more of a nice reminder for me. If you want to hear about how you are a creative person and possibly be inspired to cultivate your creativity, read this book. If you want to start cultivating that life and doing the work, then go read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron... Big magic takes far less effort. It's a quick, simple book that probably would have seemed revolutionary to me were it not for Cameron's impact on my creative life.
Honestly this is more of a 3.5 star personally but I think more people should read it so 4 it is... But you won't see me feeling like I have to get dolled up to court creativity...
This is probably an important book for some people. I didn't agree with everything she mentioned, but it was overall more of a nice reminder for me. If you want to hear about how you are a creative person and possibly be inspired to cultivate your creativity, read this book. If you want to start cultivating that life and doing the work, then go read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron... Big magic takes far less effort. It's a quick, simple book that probably would have seemed revolutionary to me were it not for Cameron's impact on my creative life.
Honestly this is more of a 3.5 star personally but I think more people should read it so 4 it is... But you won't see me feeling like I have to get dolled up to court creativity...
I’m really really glad I finished it! A really great book.