24 Jul

Posted at 04:58h in Reviews by

Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life (10th Anniversary Edition) – A Personal Reflection When I first stumbled upon Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life by Dani Shapiro, I was drawn not just by the title, but by the promise of finding solace within its pages. As an aspiring writer, I often feel like I’m on a creative rollercoaster—ups of inspiration and downs of self-doubt. Shapiro, with her rich voice and insightful reflections, generously opens her own ride to us, inviting us...

23 Jul

Posted at 10:56h in Reviews by

Unpacking the Heart of Verse: A Review of Poetry 101 As a lifelong lover of literature, I’ve always been drawn to poetry, that elusive blend of emotion and rhythm capable of capturing the most profound truths in mere lines. So when I stumbled upon Poetry 101: From Shakespeare and Rupi Kaur to Iambic Pentameter and Blank Verse, Everything You Need to Know about Poetry by the talented Thomas Dalzell, I felt a spark of excitement. Could this book really be the key to unlocking my own poetic potential? Dalzell's...

22 Jul

Posted at 13:22h in Reviews by

A Life of One's Own: Nine Women Writers Begin Again by Joanna Biggs – A Heartfelt Journey of Reinvention When I first picked up A Life of One’s Own: Nine Women Writers Begin Again by Joanna Biggs, I did so with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. As someone who often finds solace in literature, the idea of exploring the lives of women writers who faced adversity resonated deeply with me. I was at a crossroads, much like Biggs, and eager to find guidance in their stories. Little did...

22 Jul

Posted at 03:21h in Reviews by

Title: The Untold Stories: Reflections on Lives of the Wives: Five Literary Marriages There are books that draw you in by the cover or the blurb, and then there are books that resonate with you on a deeply personal level—Lives of the Wives: Five Literary Marriages by Carmela Ciuraru falls squarely into the latter category. When I stumbled across its title, I couldn’t help but feel an irresistible pull. I mean, who wouldn’t find a dive into the often overlooked narratives behind famous literary figures’ marriages intriguing?...

21 Jul

Posted at 04:41h in Reviews by

A Journey Through Words: A Review of Things I Don't Want to Know: On Writing by Deborah Levy As a lifelong reader and aspiring writer, I often find myself enchanted by the craft of storytelling. When I stumbled upon Deborah Levy's Things I Don't Want to Know, it felt like a serendipitous hug from a kindred spirit. Levy, a two-time Booker Prize finalist, invites readers into her world with a warmth and wit that is both disarming and invigorating. This book, responding to George Orwell's essay "Why I Write,"...

20 Jul

Posted at 01:17h in Reviews by

Discovering the Whimsical World of Jane Austen: A Review of The Novel Life of Jane Austen: A Graphic Biography As a lifelong admirer of Jane Austen’s wit and keen social commentary, the moment I laid eyes on The Novel Life of Jane Austen: A Graphic Biography by Janine Barchas, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg, my heart—and, admittedly, my inner book nerd—leaped with joy. Combining Austen’s sharp observations about 18th-century society with stunning graphic illustrations, this book felt like an invitation into Austen’s world, both personal and literary. I couldn’t wait...

19 Jul

Posted at 16:26h in Reviews by

Unlocking Imagination: A Review of On Writing and Worldbuilding – Volume I As a fervent reader and aspiring writer, few things spark my curiosity like the intricate blend of advice and storytelling in On Writing and Worldbuilding – Volume I by Timothy Hickson. The title alone alludes to a treasure trove of insights into the writer's craft, and as someone who's constantly seeking guidance on how to build vibrant, believable worlds, I was eager to dive in. From the outset, Hickson's conversational yet deeply insightful tone pulled me in. The...

19 Jul

Posted at 07:25h in Reviews by

Embracing the Whispers of Fate: A Review of About Grace by Anthony Doerr When I first stumbled upon Anthony Doerr’s About Grace, I was drawn in not just by the promising premise but also by the author’s reputation following his acclaimed works like All the Light We Cannot See. Notably, this novel marks his debut, and one cannot help but wonder how the seeds of brilliance in one’s later works often take root in their earliest endeavors. It was that curiosity, coupled with the prospect of diving into a...

18 Jul

Posted at 13:20h in Reviews by

Review of More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI by John Warner As a lifelong lover of writing, the title More Than Words immediately piqued my interest. In today's world where generative AI has become an integral part of our learning and working environments, the prospect of revisiting the fundamentals of human expression seemed not just timely, but necessary. John Warner, a seasoned writing teacher, captures this urgency beautifully, compelling us to reconsider the essence of writing itself. Warner posits that writing is much...

17 Jul

Posted at 13:00h in Reviews by

Navigating the Abyss of Information: A Review of The Crisis of Narration by Han Byung-Chul I stumbled upon The Crisis of Narration during a particularly reflective time in my life, navigating a world inundated with information yet yearning for deeper understanding. Han Byung-Chul's name came up frequently among my philosophically inclined friends, who spoke of his ability to dissect the currents of our modern existence. Little did I know that this brief yet profound read would challenge my perceptions not only about narration but also about my place within...