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A review by amber_lea84
Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day
Did not finish book.
DNF p. 162
I don't normally review books I didn't finish because in the case of most books I feel it's unfair to rate a work you didn't stick with until the end, but since this is a self-help book I feel there's no way it's going to turn into a dramatically different book in the next 90 pages.
I really really like Felicia Day, which is why I picked up this book without bothering to read the subtitle. Turns out, it's a self-help/workbook for people who want to be more creative but feel stuck because of their crippling anxiety. The main problem with this book is that it isn't for me. Felicia is her usual funny charming self, but unfortunately, reading a book that wasn't meant for me is starting to slowly drive me insane.
I feel like a bit of a jerk giving it three stars because if I'd read this when I was 19, maybe I'd give it five stars? There was definitely a time I could have used a lot of this advice, but that was YEARS ago. I don't know. I think there are two problems. 1) This book just assumes if you're having trouble creating, it's probably because of the nightmare hellscape that is your brain and 2) there's no sense of what you're trying to create, and I don't think this workbook is good for ALL creative endeavors. There's definitely a sense of "releasing your inner goofball" which is perfect if you want to write children's books or something.
I think it's basically a guide on how to become creative like Felicia Day. Which is great because if that's what you're looking for here it is! Written by the only person who could write it. She's clearly written the book she wished she'd had when she was younger. And there's nothing wrong with that! But it's kind of trying to be two books at once. One about creativity and one about mental health which makes it kind of a niche within a niche. But it's not written as a memoir where she takes you on her journey through finding her creativity, except it kind of is? I don't know. I'm at a loss to describe exactly what my issue is because it actually is pretty good.
I kinda wish there was a choose your own adventure format to this book so it could meet you where you're at. Got writers block but not riddled with anxiety and self doubt? Turn to page 50 (and get eaten by spiders!) Came here for a story about Felicia's life? Turn to page 20. Want to do an uplifting exercise? Page 77. Need therapy but you picked up this book instead? Page 2.
I don't normally review books I didn't finish because in the case of most books I feel it's unfair to rate a work you didn't stick with until the end, but since this is a self-help book I feel there's no way it's going to turn into a dramatically different book in the next 90 pages.
I really really like Felicia Day, which is why I picked up this book without bothering to read the subtitle. Turns out, it's a self-help/workbook for people who want to be more creative but feel stuck because of their crippling anxiety. The main problem with this book is that it isn't for me. Felicia is her usual funny charming self, but unfortunately, reading a book that wasn't meant for me is starting to slowly drive me insane.
I feel like a bit of a jerk giving it three stars because if I'd read this when I was 19, maybe I'd give it five stars? There was definitely a time I could have used a lot of this advice, but that was YEARS ago. I don't know. I think there are two problems. 1) This book just assumes if you're having trouble creating, it's probably because of the nightmare hellscape that is your brain and 2) there's no sense of what you're trying to create, and I don't think this workbook is good for ALL creative endeavors. There's definitely a sense of "releasing your inner goofball" which is perfect if you want to write children's books or something.
I think it's basically a guide on how to become creative like Felicia Day. Which is great because if that's what you're looking for here it is! Written by the only person who could write it. She's clearly written the book she wished she'd had when she was younger. And there's nothing wrong with that! But it's kind of trying to be two books at once. One about creativity and one about mental health which makes it kind of a niche within a niche. But it's not written as a memoir where she takes you on her journey through finding her creativity, except it kind of is? I don't know. I'm at a loss to describe exactly what my issue is because it actually is pretty good.
I kinda wish there was a choose your own adventure format to this book so it could meet you where you're at. Got writers block but not riddled with anxiety and self doubt? Turn to page 50 (and get eaten by spiders!) Came here for a story about Felicia's life? Turn to page 20. Want to do an uplifting exercise? Page 77. Need therapy but you picked up this book instead? Page 2.