Wednesday Review: Books that Could Change Your Life (the artist’s list)
The New Year slipped in as we were all snoozing away in snowy Chicago. After a day with all 12 little cousins, the grown-ups were happy to climb in bed long before the big ball dropped!
I’ve no resolutions this year. (I think moving overseas is challenge enough for ‘aught eight!)Please loves, if you make some resolutions, limit it to three and make sure at least one is truly doable. I beg you, be kind to yourselves.
In lieu of resolve, here are three amazing books that just might change your life without even trying. Each one was life changing for me, and I’m pretty darn sure they will help some of you out there as well. This week’s theme is Artist Unleashed. The next four Wednesdays in January will include themes around: Feeling Better, Budding Feminist, Religious Awakening, and Survival Parenting.
Of course, you’re always welcome to list your favorite texts in the comments. We love, Love, LOVE good reads. And as always, any purchase you make by clicking on a title below helps support this site.
Happy New Year to you…may you be much inspired.
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My Name Is Asher Lev
Chaim Potok
Raised in a Hasidic family, young Asher finds that his passion for painting does not jive with the stringent the life of an orthodox Jew. Yet his creative passion refuses to ebb, and he must find away to fuse art and faith.
My Name Is Asher LevThe Chosen are Potok’s finest works. Today’s Flavor: Achingly beautiful.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
I’ve quoted from this book before, but I think it merits another mention. I’ve read a lot of books about writing, but this is the one that helped me make a leap from “dabbling”, to “seriously working.” If this is the year for you to go pro, The War of ArtToday’s Flavor: Short bursts of inspiration.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
Anne is my priestess and this one of my holy books. All the writing advice in here is golden. Whether she’s writing about the radio station in your head that tells you your no good (“K-FUCK”) , or prompting you to get through your “shitty first draft” Anne’s wisdom comes across loud and clear, without being preachy or cloying. Just click and get it, will ya? Today’s Flavor: A gentle kick in the ass.
Next week’s list: books for Feeling Better.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 6:37 am
Looking forward to the January themes. And Priestess Lamott is fabulous beyond belief – I love, love, love this book. Shitty first drafts are a great and wonderful thing.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Thanks. I put two of these books in my my amazon cart and saved them to buy later when I get some more amazon money.
You give great book reviews.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Great recommendations! Potok and Lamott are two of my favourite writers of all time! I don’t know how many copies of their books I’ve given away over the years. I’ll have to try out the Pressfield book – thanks!
January 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
amen to no long lists of resolves. Mine is only one not stressing and no worrying. If I can’t achieve it then I need to be locked up cause I will be insane. :)
January 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Fascinating list of themes! Can’t wait!
January 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I totally love the War of Art and Bird-by-Bird–both books changed my life and I have read them to tatters. I also totally believe in doable New Year’s Resolutions, although this year it didn’t even occur to me to have resolutions–I was just so astonished by the journey this year has been and how we somehow began the year in Chicago and ended it in Kona, and how we never could have anticipated this adventure.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Very interesting. Sounds like I should have a look at them.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Anne is my priestess as well. I recently was led to Traveling Mercies and it was such wonderful sustenance for my soul. I am looking forward to having the funds to adopt more of her powerfully stunning writings.