05 Sep

Posted at 11:54h in Reviews by

Finding Healing Through Words: A Review of The Story You Need to Tell by Sandra Marinella I was drawn to Sandra Marinella’s The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss for a deeply personal reason: like Marinella, I’ve experienced the power of storytelling in navigating life’s toughest challenges. As I flipped through the pages, with its inviting cover promising a transformative journey, little did I know how profoundly it would resonate with my own experiences. Marinella, a seasoned teacher and compassionate guide, draws upon...

31 Aug

Posted at 17:04h in Reviews by

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather - A Review When I first picked up "Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli" by Mark Seal, I felt an electric thrill coursing through me. As someone who counts The Godfather among my top five favorite films of all time, the notion of diving deep into its creation was irresistible. With each page, I found my love for the film reconfirmed, while also uncovering layers I had never considered. From the very outset, Seal...

16 Aug

Posted at 15:48h in Reviews by

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words As a language lover and a lifelong observer of how we communicate, I was instantly captivated by John McWhorter’s Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words. McWhorter, known for his keen linguistic insights and sharp wit, has always intrigued me with his ability to make complex topics relatable and fun. This new exploration of pronouns not only promises to delve into their historical evolution but also into their social implications—something I knew I couldn’t miss. From the...

13 Aug

Posted at 03:55h in Reviews by

Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M. Weiland – A Reflection When I first stumbled upon Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M. Weiland, I felt an exhilarating mix of curiosity and hope; after all, the intricate dance of storytelling has long fascinated me, yet I’ve often struggled to find an anchor amid the creative chaos. Weiland's previous work, Outlining Your Novel, had already set the bar high, and this book promised the hidden treasure of structure that many...

07 Aug

Posted at 03:17h in Reviews by

Book Review: Story Genius by Lisa Cron I have to confess: the moment I stumbled upon Story Genius by Lisa Cron, I felt an electric buzz of excitement. As someone who's dabbled in writing and experienced the crippling realization of a narrative that goes nowhere, Cron's promise of using "brain science" to craft stories that resonate deeply was irresistibly attractive. I’ve always believed that writing should be both an art and a science, and this book opened a door to deeper understanding—one that I never knew was there. Story Genius...

05 Aug

Posted at 15:11h in Reviews by

Reflecting on Creativity: A Review of Writer's Notebook: A Guided Journal to Plan Your Story As a lifelong lover of storytelling, I was immediately drawn to Writer's Notebook: A Guided Journal to Plan Your Story, crafted by Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing. The thought of having a dedicated space to collect, organize, and cultivate my narrative ideas was not only inviting but tantalizing. I’ve dabbled in writing for years, yet I always found myself stuck in the nebulous void of 'what ifs'. This notebook promised a structured yet flexible approach...

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...

06 Jul

Posted at 20:40h in Reviews by

Book Review: The Structure of Story: How to Write Great Stories by Focusing on What Really Matters As a passionate reader and aspiring writer, I’ve always been on the lookout for the ultimate guide to storytelling. When I stumbled upon The Structure of Story by Ross Hartmann, I felt an immediate spark of curiosity. The book promises not just to outline the rules of storytelling but to delve into the tools that great writers employ to craft engaging narratives. Intrigued by this approach, I dove in, and let me...