I previously really loved Febos� Girlhood, a collection of personal essays exploring femininity and how it is taught socially. Body Work is similarly I previously really loved Febos� Girlhood, a collection of personal essays exploring femininity and how it is taught socially. Body Work is similarly excellent, veering between similar personal essays to Girlhood and more pedagogical sections on how to write memoir and the benefits of it as a form. ...more
As someone who’s had fallow, “stuck� periods in my own writing, this was very relatable. Would be a useful re-read the next time I’m feeling stuck.
An interesting time capsule that made me wish I was trying to write in Robert Caro’s heyday, though none of the practical advice feels very useful anyAn interesting time capsule that made me wish I was trying to write in Robert Caro’s heyday, though none of the practical advice feels very useful anymore. ...more
Both very practical and easy to read. The author is known for having a comic sensibility and writing style, and that made this an easy read. She also Both very practical and easy to read. The author is known for having a comic sensibility and writing style, and that made this an easy read. She also interviewed a lot of prominent writers who shared their own experiences, which was very helpful. ...more
I tend to come to books helping people think through their writing with a skeptical lens, but this was honestly very, very helpful, especially in thinI tend to come to books helping people think through their writing with a skeptical lens, but this was honestly very, very helpful, especially in thinking through how to write memoir....more
I’ve never read any of Quindlen’s books, so maybe that colored my reception of this one--instead, I picked it up among other books about writing, all I’ve never read any of Quindlen’s books, so maybe that colored my reception of this one--instead, I picked it up among other books about writing, all of which were more insightful to me. This felt like a superficial collection of obvious examples of the importance of writing, more a series of tropes than anything that would provide insight into the writing process.
If the intent is to get people journaling and writing who might not otherwise, and it helps some folks do that, more power to them. But this book was not for me....more
Books on writing are a tricky thing to get right--the best ones not only provide solid advice and insight into the writing process, but get you exciteBooks on writing are a tricky thing to get right--the best ones not only provide solid advice and insight into the writing process, but get you excited about writing. This is one of those books....more
A lovely exploration of one author’s relationship with Vonnegut’s work, as well as a collection of writing tips. I think the first part is more effectA lovely exploration of one author’s relationship with Vonnegut’s work, as well as a collection of writing tips. I think the first part is more effective than the second....more
For anyone who is a true King fan, this is a great read, even if you are not an aspiring writer. While there are a few sections that are specific writFor anyone who is a true King fan, this is a great read, even if you are not an aspiring writer. While there are a few sections that are specific writing advice, most of this is memoir, and provides great insight into King’s life, especially his early life before he had success and was struggling to fit writing into his work schedule as a teacher while also having small kids at home. It also provides poignant and important insights into his history with alcoholism and substance abuse, as well as the accident that almost killed him and derailed his writing for a time around the turn of the millennium....more
It feels odd to read this before reading any of Caro’s other books, the ones that made him famous, but ironically this made me just more excited to reIt feels odd to read this before reading any of Caro’s other books, the ones that made him famous, but ironically this made me just more excited to read those. I loved how he talked about the human side of research-I think I want to use this in any methodology classes I teach in the future....more
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