heykatiemae's review
inspiring
4.0
I didn't fully finish this book, but I really enjoyed it. I'm writing this several years later, and some elements of this book have stuck with me and I still think about.
kellkie's review
4.0
A few of the many things I needed to hear from this book: make space for fear, because fear simply is not going to pack up and move away. Make things because you love what you do, because you can't NOT make things, because whatever happens at the end of that thing-making doesn't matter half as much as the journey of the making. Just keep creating, keep questioning, keep following those threads of curiosity. And then start all over again.
So long as you are constantly, joyfully creating ever forward, you can't really go wrong.
So long as you are constantly, joyfully creating ever forward, you can't really go wrong.
hilaryistired's review
1.0
DNF @ 50%
In theory, this book seemed really cool. Who doesn't want to include more creativity in their lives?
But this book just seemed to talk itself in circles about being creative, without actually going anywhere. It felt like the author just did a stream of conscience on writing and creativity. If you are already engaged in creative pursuits of any sort, this book probably won't do much for you, because it's just going to tell you to get back to those activities, but don't necessarily make them your life.
All in all, this one didn't work for me. It just seemed to be trying to turn creative pursuits into something more complicated than they actually are. If you have been struggling to include more creative in your life, however, this one might work for you.
In theory, this book seemed really cool. Who doesn't want to include more creativity in their lives?
But this book just seemed to talk itself in circles about being creative, without actually going anywhere. It felt like the author just did a stream of conscience on writing and creativity. If you are already engaged in creative pursuits of any sort, this book probably won't do much for you, because it's just going to tell you to get back to those activities, but don't necessarily make them your life.
All in all, this one didn't work for me. It just seemed to be trying to turn creative pursuits into something more complicated than they actually are. If you have been struggling to include more creative in your life, however, this one might work for you.
shooklovesbooks's review
4.0
One of the better books I've read in the self help genre because Elizabeth Gilbert is a talented story teller and has a really lovely way with words. Anyone looking to explore a new more out of the box way of living would enjoy this book. Lot of good takeaways.
ebonyxscape's review
4.0
Elizabeth has a lot of interesting ideas, philosophies, and anecdotes in regards to finding the Big Magic, or living a creative life without fear. She reminds us to pursue creative endeavors while they're hot before they disappear and to keep up our discipline to pursue them when passion doesn't last. Some of her notions might draw a hard line of readers agreeing with her ideas or finding alternative methods. Either way, she has a lot of great experience and encouragement to share to help readers who want to make an effort to live a creative life.
kaiabolland's review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Nothing earth-shattering, but a solid pep talk that inspired me to pick up painting again. It can be difficult to relate to a best selling author’s personal experience, so I wish she had included more stories from others and data from experts.