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court_of_stars's reviews
598 reviews
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
4.0
I purchased Stephen King's "On Writing" in 2000. At the time, I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was not prepared to commit to the process. I felt as though if I read this particular book, shit would get real and life as I knew it would need to change and focus on my craft. Fast forward eighteen years...
King's memoir on the craft of writing was worth the wait. The first half of the book I could take or leave. It was interesting learning about King's childhood, his writing jobs, rejection letters, and his addictions, but the meat I was looking for was about his writing process.
I am fascinated by a writers sacred spaces and rituals. King goes in to describe everything regarding writing and I found the latter half of the book irresistible to put down. If you're interested in writing and want to learn about the writing process of one of the best, I would highly recommend this book.
Please note that just because some practices work perfectly for King, it doesn't mean they will work perfectly for you. Find your ideal time to write and your space. Set your goals reasonable (plus a little) and then start writing.
Happy Reading!
King's memoir on the craft of writing was worth the wait. The first half of the book I could take or leave. It was interesting learning about King's childhood, his writing jobs, rejection letters, and his addictions, but the meat I was looking for was about his writing process.
I am fascinated by a writers sacred spaces and rituals. King goes in to describe everything regarding writing and I found the latter half of the book irresistible to put down. If you're interested in writing and want to learn about the writing process of one of the best, I would highly recommend this book.
Please note that just because some practices work perfectly for King, it doesn't mean they will work perfectly for you. Find your ideal time to write and your space. Set your goals reasonable (plus a little) and then start writing.
Happy Reading!
Rising Strong by Brené Brown
5.0
Be prepared for an epic roller coaster of emotions with Brene Brown's "Rising Strong." I tackled this book one painstaking chapter at a time. After each chapter, I listened to the Big Strong Yes podcast by story expert, and NYT best selling author Lani Diane Rich and Dr. Kelly Jones from Chipperish Media.
This books awakens your honesty and focuses on how to get back up after falling on your face. It's not about getting up as fast as you possible can in hopes of no one seeing the fall, but about taking a moment to breath after the fall and figure out why the fall happened, and work through truth to pick yourself up again.
The only way I can recommend this book is simply but listening to the podcast as well.
Happy Reading!
Kristin
This books awakens your honesty and focuses on how to get back up after falling on your face. It's not about getting up as fast as you possible can in hopes of no one seeing the fall, but about taking a moment to breath after the fall and figure out why the fall happened, and work through truth to pick yourself up again.
The only way I can recommend this book is simply but listening to the podcast as well.
Happy Reading!
Kristin
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling
5.0
I picked up "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne for my birthday in September of 2016. Since the HP series had ended I've always desired more from Rowling's Wizarding World, but was hesitant that anything could be as good as the original series. That it why it sat unopened on my bookshelf for a year and a half.
Two nights ago, I decided to tackle this book. My first thirty minutes of reading was a little slow. I was getting used to reading the book in play format, and my skepticism sat on my shoulder like a little devil.
My initial critique was that they were making their children sound exactly like the original cast of characters, and although I agree that to some degree habits are learned from their parents, I was hoping for something more.... more originality.
By act two, I was completely sold and could not stop reading. I kept telling myself "one more scene and then I'll go to bed"...
Overall, the story was lovely and up to my expectation. My only wish is that the play would tour America, because I would love to see it performed live.
Character that moved me the most: Snape
Character that surprised me the most: Draco Malfoy
Believable marriages: none (but it didn't really matter)
Guess the twist an act or two before the reveal?: Yes.
It's still Harry Potter. It's still J.K. Rowling. It's still a yes in my book.
Happy Reading!
Two nights ago, I decided to tackle this book. My first thirty minutes of reading was a little slow. I was getting used to reading the book in play format, and my skepticism sat on my shoulder like a little devil.
My initial critique was that they were making their children sound exactly like the original cast of characters, and although I agree that to some degree habits are learned from their parents, I was hoping for something more.... more originality.
By act two, I was completely sold and could not stop reading. I kept telling myself "one more scene and then I'll go to bed"...
Overall, the story was lovely and up to my expectation. My only wish is that the play would tour America, because I would love to see it performed live.
Character that moved me the most: Snape
Character that surprised me the most: Draco Malfoy
Believable marriages: none (but it didn't really matter)
Guess the twist an act or two before the reveal?: Yes.
It's still Harry Potter. It's still J.K. Rowling. It's still a yes in my book.
Happy Reading!
Wildwood by Colin Meloy
3.0
"Wildwood" is the first book by Colin Meloy, the singer/songwriter from the Decemberists. This novel is based on a Magical Portland, Oregon. This novel starts out when Prue's (aged 12) younger brother Mac (1 year old) is kidnapped by a murder of crows and taken from his Radio Flyer wagon in Portland (St. Johns area) to the Impassable Forest.
This journey follows both Prue in her search to save her brother, and one of her schoolmate's Curtis, who happens to be too curious for his own good. The action is a little slower paced than I would like considering it was a whopping 541 pages long.
Meloy's writing is well thought out; however, throughout the novel he excessively uses adverbs when they are not needed. On more than one occasion I found myself skimming the text to bypass some of the unnecessary words.
That being said, overall, it was worth the experience of reading. Will I read the sequel? Probably not. I think one journey into the Impassible Forest is more than enough for me. I do think this would be a great story for someone between the ages of 12 and 18.
This journey follows both Prue in her search to save her brother, and one of her schoolmate's Curtis, who happens to be too curious for his own good. The action is a little slower paced than I would like considering it was a whopping 541 pages long.
Meloy's writing is well thought out; however, throughout the novel he excessively uses adverbs when they are not needed. On more than one occasion I found myself skimming the text to bypass some of the unnecessary words.
That being said, overall, it was worth the experience of reading. Will I read the sequel? Probably not. I think one journey into the Impassible Forest is more than enough for me. I do think this would be a great story for someone between the ages of 12 and 18.
You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
5.0
It is not very often I come across a book where it is decidedly so that the author is talking about me directly; however, Felicia Day did just that. On more than one occasion I had to verbally tell her to get out of my head! I respect her open nerdyness... I only wish I allowed my nerd to come out much sooner in my life. I think I would have been happier and I would gave gone after a different set of dreams.
To say this was an easy read does not really do this book justice. Felicia writes (and thinks) like I do so the flow of her writing was so "me" that I flew through the book in less than two days. This has happened with only one other "celebrity persona" Lauren Graham.
Day works through her life from early childhood until present day (at least through a couple of years ago). She takes us on an honest journey of reality. We watch her chase her dreams and fail. We watch her chase her dreams and succeed. We get to view her life and see that she in fact is human too. We are all flawed, and that's okay. Embrace being weird.
Going into this book, I didn't actually now a lot about Felicia Day. I had seen her arc on Supernatural as Charlie, and thought she was quirky and fun. I know she said she was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer; however, I cannot recall her character for the life of me (and that's pretty sad since I watch Buffy/Angel almost every year). I had never seen Eureka (no cable), and I had never heard of The Guild (I wasn't kidding when I told you I tried to deny my inner nerd!)
If you've ever felt "not quite normal" this is the book for you! Her memoir has encouraged and motivated me to chase the dreams that make me happy. Throw perfectionism out the window and live (and love) life.
If I could give six stars I would.
Happy Reading!
To say this was an easy read does not really do this book justice. Felicia writes (and thinks) like I do so the flow of her writing was so "me" that I flew through the book in less than two days. This has happened with only one other "celebrity persona" Lauren Graham.
Day works through her life from early childhood until present day (at least through a couple of years ago). She takes us on an honest journey of reality. We watch her chase her dreams and fail. We watch her chase her dreams and succeed. We get to view her life and see that she in fact is human too. We are all flawed, and that's okay. Embrace being weird.
Going into this book, I didn't actually now a lot about Felicia Day. I had seen her arc on Supernatural as Charlie, and thought she was quirky and fun. I know she said she was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer; however, I cannot recall her character for the life of me (and that's pretty sad since I watch Buffy/Angel almost every year). I had never seen Eureka (no cable), and I had never heard of The Guild (I wasn't kidding when I told you I tried to deny my inner nerd!)
If you've ever felt "not quite normal" this is the book for you! Her memoir has encouraged and motivated me to chase the dreams that make me happy. Throw perfectionism out the window and live (and love) life.
If I could give six stars I would.
Happy Reading!
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr.
4.0
I have owned "The Elements of Style" for as long as I can remember. This was a book that is a MUST HAVE for all potential writers. So I bought it, but never read it. (I swear they never said anything about reading it!) I sat down and over the past two days poured through this quick reference book regarding writing.
Surprising to me, I knew most of the material (I just did not know the fancy lingo). My favorite part (and thankfully the bulk of the book) was the 'Misused words and expressions' section. Some I do naturally correct (yay me), others I have learned over the years and can recognize, and then there were many that as I read them I cringed a little because I knew I was doing it wrong.
Although the data is accurate in the book, a lot of the language used in the bulk of the talking paragraphs is quite aged and could use an update.
I will keep this book and use it as a reference while I write for the future. I believe this book should be required reading for any high school English or writing class. If you're beyond your school years, but enjoy writing, this is still worth picking up (and reading). You're never too old to learn new tricks.
Happy Reading!
Surprising to me, I knew most of the material (I just did not know the fancy lingo). My favorite part (and thankfully the bulk of the book) was the 'Misused words and expressions' section. Some I do naturally correct (yay me), others I have learned over the years and can recognize, and then there were many that as I read them I cringed a little because I knew I was doing it wrong.
Although the data is accurate in the book, a lot of the language used in the bulk of the talking paragraphs is quite aged and could use an update.
I will keep this book and use it as a reference while I write for the future. I believe this book should be required reading for any high school English or writing class. If you're beyond your school years, but enjoy writing, this is still worth picking up (and reading). You're never too old to learn new tricks.
Happy Reading!
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
4.0
I am working through the Big Strong Yes podcast by Lani Diane Rich and Dr. Kelly Jones. We had just finished reading "Rising Strong" by Brene Brown and that took me the better part of eight months to finish. I was expecting the same emotional struggle for Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic" but I was very wrong.
I devoured "Big Magic" in less than 24 hours. Gilbert's words spoke directly to my creative soul and allowed me to open my eyes, my heart, my existence, to creative living in a positive, healing, and curious way.
"Big Magic" opened my eyes to a healthier relationship with my creativity. I had always been under the impression that to be creative, one must be tortured all of the time (and it was torturous!). Gilbert gives ideas of living the right creative life and living your creativity for the right reasons.
I was moved by this book from beginning to end. Even now, even as the final page has been read, I can feel the magic flowing throughout the universe.
A must read for anyone that has been called to the creative life (writing, art, science, math, ANYTHING!)
Happy Reading!
I devoured "Big Magic" in less than 24 hours. Gilbert's words spoke directly to my creative soul and allowed me to open my eyes, my heart, my existence, to creative living in a positive, healing, and curious way.
"Big Magic" opened my eyes to a healthier relationship with my creativity. I had always been under the impression that to be creative, one must be tortured all of the time (and it was torturous!). Gilbert gives ideas of living the right creative life and living your creativity for the right reasons.
I was moved by this book from beginning to end. Even now, even as the final page has been read, I can feel the magic flowing throughout the universe.
A must read for anyone that has been called to the creative life (writing, art, science, math, ANYTHING!)
Happy Reading!
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (And Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham
4.0
Lorelai Gilmore will probably forever be my most beloved fictional character. Sparks flew and magic was created when Amy Sherman-Palladino and Lauren Graham collided nearly 20 years ago.
Lauren Graham writes (and talks) the way I think, which made traversing her book "Talking As Fast As I Can" an easy and joyful (and tearful) ride. I greatly enjoyed learning about Graham's unique childhood and the journey she took into the acting world.
I found her diet and beauty advice to be spot on and completely muddled in the perfect way. Graham's walk through of the first seven seasons and her diary from filming at the end of the book had me crying, and then laughing, and then crying again (in the best of ways, of course).
If you're a fan of Lauren Graham, just a fan of the show Gilmore Girls (or both), this book is well worth the read.
I smell snow.
Happy Reading!
Lauren Graham writes (and talks) the way I think, which made traversing her book "Talking As Fast As I Can" an easy and joyful (and tearful) ride. I greatly enjoyed learning about Graham's unique childhood and the journey she took into the acting world.
I found her diet and beauty advice to be spot on and completely muddled in the perfect way. Graham's walk through of the first seven seasons and her diary from filming at the end of the book had me crying, and then laughing, and then crying again (in the best of ways, of course).
If you're a fan of Lauren Graham, just a fan of the show Gilmore Girls (or both), this book is well worth the read.
I smell snow.
Happy Reading!
A Night Without Armor by Jewel
2.0
I used to love Jewel's music. She had a soft and poetic way of taking words and transforming them into these musical and lyrical wonders. When I picked up "A Night Without Armor" from my local thrift shop, I had a feeling it was going to be wonderful. I loved her music, I love poetry, what could go wrong?
Losing yourself in honey-thick gravity for one thing. (Night Fall, p 61). There were poems that I read three.... four.... five times and were still leaving me going "wtf did she just say." The artwork displayed in the book was less than mediocre. Good heavens, even that is being generous.
The only thing that kept this rating out of a 1 (can you do less than one?) was for the last six pages of the 140 page book of poetry. "The Tangled Roots of Willows," "Goodness," and "God Exists Quietly" were earthy, and deeper than describing her boobs as a couple of shiny moons.
This book will head back into the donation pile for me.
Happy Reading (just maybe not this book)!
Losing yourself in honey-thick gravity for one thing. (Night Fall, p 61). There were poems that I read three.... four.... five times and were still leaving me going "wtf did she just say." The artwork displayed in the book was less than mediocre. Good heavens, even that is being generous.
The only thing that kept this rating out of a 1 (can you do less than one?) was for the last six pages of the 140 page book of poetry. "The Tangled Roots of Willows," "Goodness," and "God Exists Quietly" were earthy, and deeper than describing her boobs as a couple of shiny moons.
This book will head back into the donation pile for me.
Happy Reading (just maybe not this book)!
Carrie by Stephen King
3.0
Stephen King's first published novel, "Carrie" is my first encounter with the famous horror author in a fictional landscape. My entire life I have been warned against reading any of King's work if I didn't like horror. I avoided it like the plague. Until two days ago.
How did thirty years of fear build up turn out? Underwhelming.
I dragged myself through the book doing my best to keep the time jumps between actual story and the future books written about the Carrie incident in proper order. On more than one occasion I had to back track through prior pages to figure out who was talking.
When I read a story, a novel, I'm looking to escape my world for the entire duration, and "Carrie" fell short for me. When I read a novel, I want it to be difficult to put it down instead of it being difficult to pick up.
Overall, the story wasn't bad. My biggest wish was that if I could somehow forget that King was supposed to be a horror fiction writer, because I didn't find this scary at all. I was disturbed, angry, and flat out sickened by Carrie's mother. I have a soft spot for bullying stories and found that part uncomfortably relatable.
Yes, I scored this a 3, but I didn't hate it at all. It was a solid book. Obviously Stephen King is doing something right. I will give another of his books a try in the future. It's also completely okay if I end up not thinking King's work is my cup of tea.
For everyone else, Happy Reading!
How did thirty years of fear build up turn out? Underwhelming.
I dragged myself through the book doing my best to keep the time jumps between actual story and the future books written about the Carrie incident in proper order. On more than one occasion I had to back track through prior pages to figure out who was talking.
When I read a story, a novel, I'm looking to escape my world for the entire duration, and "Carrie" fell short for me. When I read a novel, I want it to be difficult to put it down instead of it being difficult to pick up.
Overall, the story wasn't bad. My biggest wish was that if I could somehow forget that King was supposed to be a horror fiction writer, because I didn't find this scary at all. I was disturbed, angry, and flat out sickened by Carrie's mother. I have a soft spot for bullying stories and found that part uncomfortably relatable.
Yes, I scored this a 3, but I didn't hate it at all. It was a solid book. Obviously Stephen King is doing something right. I will give another of his books a try in the future. It's also completely okay if I end up not thinking King's work is my cup of tea.
For everyone else, Happy Reading!