12 Jul

Posted at 03:25h in Reviews by

Exploring the Heart of Creation: A Review of The Writing Life by Annie Dillard As a devoted reader and hopeful writer, The Writing Life landed on my reading list quite serendipitously. I stumbled across it while seeking inspiration for my own fledgling attempts at crafting stories. Annie Dillard, a name that echoes in literary circles, piqued my interest with her Pulitzer Prize-winning works, and I was curious about her insights into the oft-mythologized journey of a writer. The moment I cracked open this slim yet profound tome, I was...

12 Jul

Posted at 02:08h in Reviews by

Title: A Love Letter to Books: Reflecting on Michiko Kakutani’s Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread As a lifelong book lover, I was immediately drawn to Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Reread by Michiko Kakutani. For years, her insightful critiques in The New York Times have shaped my own literary tastes and aspirations. I still remember flipping through her reviews like they were fresh pages of a new novel—each opinion a portal into different worlds. So, when I stumbled across this collection of essays that...

11 Jul

Posted at 09:21h in Reviews by

Unleashing Your Inner Poet: A Review of How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with Prompts As a lifelong lover of words and introspective musings, How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with Prompts by Callisto Publishing was a revelation that landed in my hands just when I needed it the most. I’ve always found comfort in the rhythm of poetry, but after some time away from my pen, I felt reluctant and uninspired. This guided journal feels like a warm invitation to step back into the poetic world,...

10 Jul

Posted at 20:02h in Reviews by

The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Our World – A Reflection on Jonathan Gottschall’s Provocative Insights As I settled down with The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Our World, Jonathan Gottschall’s latest exploration of the storytelling phenomenon, I felt a familiar thrill akin to revisiting an old friend. Having previously been mesmerized by his earlier work, The Storytelling Animal, I was eager to unravel how he would tackle a more ominous topic: the potential pitfalls of our relentless storytelling drive. Spoiler alert: this...

09 Jul

Posted at 03:55h in Reviews by

Finding Connections in “The Last Days of Roger Federer: And Other Endings” by Geoff Dyer When I stumbled upon Geoff Dyer’s The Last Days of Roger Federer: And Other Endings, I felt an uncanny pull—not just because of its tantalizing title, which instantly piqued my curious mind about the complexities of endings in life, but also due to Dyer’s reputation as a thoughtful, witty, and inevitably engaging writer. As a reader who often finds solace in the nostalgia of last experiences, I was eager to delve into Dyer’s musings...

09 Jul

Posted at 03:03h in Reviews by

Exploring the Labyrinth of Literary Process: A Review of Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors When I first stumbled upon Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors by Sarah Stodola, I felt a spark of excitement ripple through me. As someone who's navigated the unpredictable waters of writing, the opportunity to peer into the personal processes of literary giants felt like an unmissable invitation. How do the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Joan Didion tackle the blank page? What drives their creativity? It was a chance to explore...

08 Jul

Posted at 07:53h in Reviews by

Taking a Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism – A Journey Through Gornick's Lens When I first picked up Taking a Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism by Vivian Gornick, I was drawn in by the promise of deep reflection paired with sharp cultural criticism. Gornick is an author whose insights linger long after reading; her previous works have challenged me to see the world through a more nuanced feminist lens. This collection, rich with her reflections from decades of engagement with feminist thought, felt...

07 Jul

Posted at 14:55h in Reviews by

Unfolding Creativity Through Pages: A Review of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen There’s something undeniably magical about the act of writing by hand, isn't there? The scratch of ink against paper, the chance to pause and reflect—that tactile connection transports us to a space brimming with creativity and contemplation. That’s why I was drawn to The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen. This book promises not just a historical narrative but an exploration into how something so humble—a notebook—can...

06 Jul

Posted at 05:42h in Reviews by

Review: Mantel Pieces: Royal Bodies and Other Writing from the … As a longtime admirer of Hilary Mantel’s exquisitely crafted narratives, I found myself irresistibly drawn to Mantel Pieces: Royal Bodies and Other Writing from the …. This collection, rich with her reflections on historical figures and societal constructs, felt like a personal invitation to dive deeper into her world—one brimming with intellectual rigor, clever observations, and a touch of delicious mischief. Spanning nearly three decades from 1988 to 2017, Mantel’s essays offer a fascinating lens through which we...

06 Jul

Posted at 02:34h in Reviews by

Review: Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami As a lifelong admirer of Haruki Murakami’s mesmerizing narratives, I was drawn to Novelist as a Vocation like a moth to a flickering light. It promises not just to unravel the mystique behind this literary master’s art but also offers personal reflections that every aspiring writer or book lover can appreciate. Murakami, with his signature blend of introspection and whimsy, invites us into the intricate world of his creative process. In this collection of essays, Murakami reflects on the art of...