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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
This was such a lovely little book!
I went to a event where both Riddell and Gaimon where discussing the publishing behind this book and came away so inspired! I have it on my work desk now to give me little boosts through out my day!
I went to a event where both Riddell and Gaimon where discussing the publishing behind this book and came away so inspired! I have it on my work desk now to give me little boosts through out my day!
Delightful collection of writings. I listened to the audio book and loved it!
Thank you, Gaiman, for this. This is among those few prized books which I think should be available everywhere for everyone to read all the time. Reminded me of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic with an even MORE optimistic and dazzlingly enthusiastic tone.
WHAT I LIKED
1) inspirational. This was just the kick in the pants I needed to refocus myself. I’ve been in a slump (exemplified by the sudden slew of books I’ve gone through. It’s been a bit of an escapist addiction, which according to Gaiman, isn’t a bad thing! My GPA might beg to differ.) Anyway, I’m glad this helped me remember who I am and what I’m working towards.
2) ENFPism (enthusiasm). My god I have never read something that SPARKLES with enthusiasm like this book does. I’m in awe. I feel like I’ve been doused in glitter, and lemme tell ya folks, *it’s bloody fantastic.* I’m positively uplifted! Rejuvenated! Somebody tell the spas: this book is the new skincare routine! People will line up for miles to get a dose of Gaiman’s anti-aging joie de vivre words.
3) IMPORTANT MESSAGES. ART IS IMPORTANT! SELF EXPRESSION IS IMPORTANT!! IMAGINATION IS IMPORTANT! READING IS IMPORTANT!! READING *FOR FUN* IS IMPORTANT!!!! LIVING LIFE LIKE AN ADVENTURE IS (you guessed it) IMPORTANT!! Replace all the “important”s with “should be encouraged” and that’s the whole book in a nutshell.
4) the value of imagination. I know this is in the last point but I can’t stress this enough. I’ve never seen educators really *encourage* imagination. Not since the dawn of The Terrible Curriculum Adjustments in which teachers have little to no freedom over the topics they present. It’s a stifling environment that produces stifled kids. Parents often discourage imagination too. And that’s the WORST fate. Imagination wasn’t often encouraged in my house; hard facts and statistics were much preferred. It’s taken years of circling back to my childhood (à la Le Petit Prince) for me to realize just how vital imagination is for an entertaining and LIVABLE life. I’m really glad there’s a book of the same opinion.
5) the pitfalls of higher education. Gaiman’s friends saying they feel lost after higher education put them into debt and into a career they don’t want vs. Gaiman who didn’t go to college experiencing freedom and joy. That about sums it up. This review is turning into more of an education rant than expected.
6) A real creative spirit. Gaiman is creativity incarnate. He’s the epitome of free-spirited discipline. He’s driven but somehow still in touch with his creative life force. He’s everything I want to be. I don’t know why I took me so long to recognize that. I love his enthusiastic nature and his thoughts on learning and education. Yes, OF COURSE, we should encourage young people to read. YES, it’s fantastic if they want to read fiction or unconventional books. Yes, absolutely they can visit the library and explore. And yes, it is so important that these things are encouraged. This is everything I have been saying for years but made better by its compaction and presentation by a renowned writer. Yes. Just yes. Bless you, Gaiman.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: A self-reflection
1) I’m kicking myself. A lot of my reviews this year have closed with a section titled “what I didn’t like,” this review included (obviously). Since I started this tradition I’ve been hesitant to continue it for fear of sounding too negative or damaging the author’s credibility or, in the extremely unlikely scenario that the author actually reads my review, I’ve feared hurting their feelings and their drive to create. I’ve justified this section by telling myself it’s a catalogue of reminders of things I won’t include in my *own* writing or that it’s a sign to the author to change something. But honestly. Each writer’s writing is their own and it’s not my job to berate their approach, is it? They shouldn’t be discounted because of my personal opinion of their work. Henceforth, this section will still (probably) be titled “WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE” only now the emphasis will be on what I LEARNED to pay proper respects to the creativity and courage of all the authors who have put their work out into the world. I will still share my opinions, but they will be softened with due respect. This book made me realize that I need to be more considerate in this regard. I will do better. This made me remember the importance of encouraging creativity and the damage that harsh criticism can cause. It’s easy to forget that authors are people too.
WHAT I LIKED
1) inspirational. This was just the kick in the pants I needed to refocus myself. I’ve been in a slump (exemplified by the sudden slew of books I’ve gone through. It’s been a bit of an escapist addiction, which according to Gaiman, isn’t a bad thing! My GPA might beg to differ.) Anyway, I’m glad this helped me remember who I am and what I’m working towards.
2) ENFPism (enthusiasm). My god I have never read something that SPARKLES with enthusiasm like this book does. I’m in awe. I feel like I’ve been doused in glitter, and lemme tell ya folks, *it’s bloody fantastic.* I’m positively uplifted! Rejuvenated! Somebody tell the spas: this book is the new skincare routine! People will line up for miles to get a dose of Gaiman’s anti-aging joie de vivre words.
3) IMPORTANT MESSAGES. ART IS IMPORTANT! SELF EXPRESSION IS IMPORTANT!! IMAGINATION IS IMPORTANT! READING IS IMPORTANT!! READING *FOR FUN* IS IMPORTANT!!!! LIVING LIFE LIKE AN ADVENTURE IS (you guessed it) IMPORTANT!! Replace all the “important”s with “should be encouraged” and that’s the whole book in a nutshell.
4) the value of imagination. I know this is in the last point but I can’t stress this enough. I’ve never seen educators really *encourage* imagination. Not since the dawn of The Terrible Curriculum Adjustments in which teachers have little to no freedom over the topics they present. It’s a stifling environment that produces stifled kids. Parents often discourage imagination too. And that’s the WORST fate. Imagination wasn’t often encouraged in my house; hard facts and statistics were much preferred. It’s taken years of circling back to my childhood (à la Le Petit Prince) for me to realize just how vital imagination is for an entertaining and LIVABLE life. I’m really glad there’s a book of the same opinion.
5) the pitfalls of higher education. Gaiman’s friends saying they feel lost after higher education put them into debt and into a career they don’t want vs. Gaiman who didn’t go to college experiencing freedom and joy. That about sums it up. This review is turning into more of an education rant than expected.
6) A real creative spirit. Gaiman is creativity incarnate. He’s the epitome of free-spirited discipline. He’s driven but somehow still in touch with his creative life force. He’s everything I want to be. I don’t know why I took me so long to recognize that. I love his enthusiastic nature and his thoughts on learning and education. Yes, OF COURSE, we should encourage young people to read. YES, it’s fantastic if they want to read fiction or unconventional books. Yes, absolutely they can visit the library and explore. And yes, it is so important that these things are encouraged. This is everything I have been saying for years but made better by its compaction and presentation by a renowned writer. Yes. Just yes. Bless you, Gaiman.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: A self-reflection
1) I’m kicking myself. A lot of my reviews this year have closed with a section titled “what I didn’t like,” this review included (obviously). Since I started this tradition I’ve been hesitant to continue it for fear of sounding too negative or damaging the author’s credibility or, in the extremely unlikely scenario that the author actually reads my review, I’ve feared hurting their feelings and their drive to create. I’ve justified this section by telling myself it’s a catalogue of reminders of things I won’t include in my *own* writing or that it’s a sign to the author to change something. But honestly. Each writer’s writing is their own and it’s not my job to berate their approach, is it? They shouldn’t be discounted because of my personal opinion of their work. Henceforth, this section will still (probably) be titled “WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE” only now the emphasis will be on what I LEARNED to pay proper respects to the creativity and courage of all the authors who have put their work out into the world. I will still share my opinions, but they will be softened with due respect. This book made me realize that I need to be more considerate in this regard. I will do better. This made me remember the importance of encouraging creativity and the damage that harsh criticism can cause. It’s easy to forget that authors are people too.
I found this book by chance and decided to get it. It’s simple and feels like a cozy blanket on a rainy night. It’s mostly illustrated but accompanying the illustrations are words by the author and what he thinks of creating, imagination and wonder. 4 stars because it’s um, too short.
I got this book because I am on a HUGE "buy all the Neil Gaiman things" kick lately and because I love buying books about being a creative that are written by other creatives. I really don't care what brand of creative it's written by either, because ultimately the creativity and the ways to get there tend to boil down to the same general concepts. This book was so good and hit everything I needed it to as a reminder of why I struggle in my creativity and why I need to continue even when I struggle. I will definitely keep it close by and reread it regularly when I get stuck. I will also be getting several more copies to send out to fellow creatives that I think need a copy of their own...
Had no idea Neil Gaiman's voice sounded like that. But it makes so much sense.
Loved every page. A tribute to art, creation, writing, reading and libraries. Basically all my favourite things.
inspiring
fast-paced
Absolutely beautiful. A love letter to art, libraries and the creative mind.
This small, quick-read was very encouraging and inspiring, full of strongly stated truths and engaging illustrations. Neil Gaiman reminds us that in order to dream and create and do the impossible, we cannot know it is impossible. He radiates a child-like spirit in his words but doesn't withhold the hard truths about what it means to create in a world that encourages people to grow up. I highly recommend this book for any creatives, but especially for writers. My biggest takeaway: keep the child inside of you alive and healthy at all costs.