'Big Magic' by Elizabeth Gilbert: A Love Song to The Creative Life

In 'Big Magic', Elizabeth Gilbert's ode to the 'life creative'; there is a lot of spooky stuff going on.
I'm not just talking about Hogworts' style magic (although bless her cotton socks, Gilbert does); rather I am referring to her uncanny ability to nail every single insecurity and phobia held dear by us creative types and then:

 Tear. Them. Apart.

By chapter three, I had book marked eight separate cliche destroying paragraphs designed to free the creative spirit.

Turns out, I (and I'm guessing I'm not alone here) have been beavering away creating a razor wire topped wall between myself and my love of creative expression.
Bricking in fear, doubt, struggle, expectation and perfectionism (which is after all just fear dressed in a gold buttoned coat) until my wall was strong and rigid and such a God Damn waste of time.

If ever there was an example of the Power of Words to remove obstacles and blast away barriers,'Big Magic' is it. Even better, Gilbert manages all this without preaching. Not for her a sandwich board warning of a 'creative apocalypse' or mega phone on the street corner hectoring us to repent of our sins against our god given talent.

So what's inside?

Within the pages of 'Big Magic', Gilbert launches an all out attack on ‘attachment’ in all its sneaky and evil forms; encouraging all creative types to

‘Please try and relax!’

She has no time for attachment to the struggle, noting of the professional creative community;

‘'You would think these people had been sentenced to their vocations by an evil dictator, rather than having chosen their work with a free will and an open heart’

Complaining she says, scares away creative inspiration; making it ‘take it’s business elsewhere’.

'Big Magic' is not all about the what not to do!

Within its pages is a multitude of wisdom aiming to free our creative souls from our self imposed bondage.

My favorite advice?

Treat your creativity like a treasured lover. Delight in it, make commitments to it, dress up for it.

Own it.

Gilbert's book is a balm for all writers and artists, crafty types and chefs, landscape gardeners and Bullock decorators (you'll have to read the book to figure that one out ;).

Whatever form your creative spark takes (and she assures us we were all born to make and create), isn't it a relief to hear that we can approach it with love, unshackle ourselves from doubt and perfectionism and just get on with the job we were born to do?

For me, 'Big Magic' is worth each an every one of five out of five stars.

For all those who are in need of a joy filled guide to conducting a hot and steamy love affair with creativity, then 'Big Magic' is the potion for you!

As always, may your books be long and your reading time (like life) be unlimited:)

xoxox LMK

Buy it, Read it!

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'Brave Enough' By Cheryl Strayed: Prepare to be Delighted!

For a self described 'over thinker' it is strange that I had never given any real thought to the power of quotes, other than to tout the ones I love and to blindly believe in their inbuilt power to inspire and uplift.

But the 'how’ behind their emotional clout, I had no real concept. I had never wondered why certain phrases move the collective consciousness with all the efficiency and consistency of a law of nature (like gravity, but more uplifting;).

Why ‘I had a dream’ and ‘We will never give up’ and ‘'Be the change…’ all have the power to resonate across the world and stay inspiring, the soul strengthening impact of their message never diminishing.

In the forward to Cheryl Strayed’s new book, 'Brave Enough: A Mini Instruction Manual for the Soul'; she discusses this ‘why’and her insights into the ongoing power of quotes caused me to have what is called in the ‘self help’ world, an ‘Ah ha!’ moment.

As Strayed puts it;

“Their (quotes) existence is proof that others have questioned, grappled with, and come to know the same truths we question and grapple with too.”

Quotes then, are nothing less wonderful than empathy and understanding, solidified into words that are inked in gold onto the pages of humanity. Little snippets of truth that can be shared across all boundaries of faith and space and time.

'Quotes' - Little Miss Kindle

What's Inside?

In her enchanting little book, Strayed has selected those quotes that continue to guide her and move her.
Most are her own;

‘'I considered my options.

There was only one, I knew.

There was always only one.

To keep walking.”

Some attributed to others;

“If your nerve deny You-;

Go above your nerve”

Emily Dickinson

Some are hard truths and some gentle, all will speak to her readers at the time when they are needed, to offer motivation, solace, inspiration or just a kick in the pants.

I  loved this charismatic book, wrapped like a chocolate in its pale pink cover. Reading it was a 'stop and start' process; with frequent pauses necessary to absorb those lines that caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up.
'Brave Enough' is a must have for any library that seeks to inspire as well as entertain; as all the best libraries do!
For similar reviews, check out my Better Life Reads, it's a theme I love to revisit:)
Happy (and uplifting) reading!

xoxo LMK

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Little Miss Kindle's 'Authors of Excellence' : The (Temporary) Definitive list.

I have read a lot of books in my time; in fact if my Kindle library is anything to go by (using mathematical tools such as extrapolation, estimation and exaggeration) I have read, well, a bloody lot.
If I have reviewed a book in Little Miss Kindle, I liked it, enjoyed the read, considered it time well spent.
If I didn't like a book, well I simply put it aside and moved on, not being in the business of crushing hard working authors with any stinging words or pithy criticisms.

I reckon though, that some authors deserve more, they deserve to be lifted above the ranks of the mere good, or even the great. Some Authors have reached a level of excellence surpassing their creative peers.

Authors whose stories leap so far off the page that their readers are standing within their worlds, surrounded by the plot, living with the characters. Feeling the fear, the cold, the love, the happiness.
Laughing out loud, grieving, experiencing.

In honour of these few brilliants, I have decided to compile a list of those Authors who I consider a cut above, Of course this list will change and hopefully grow as my reading takes me in new directions and new discoveries are made.

Now for some logistics; due to the sheer scope of the job at hand I have split the list into genres, and being me, I have decided to start with a fun one; (unnecessary drum roll please!) 'Epic Fantasy Fiction'.

There is definitely more to come as I ponder the difference between good and great, entertaining and excellent; but for the moment, please hold your applause until the end as I unveil,

The Little Miss Kindle 'Authors of Excellence' List: 

In the category of Epic Fantasy Fiction:

Game of Throne = EPIC

Maybe not the original, but certainly close to being the best; the amazing, if not frustrating George R.R. Martin. As per my earlier post (An Open Letter to George R. R. Martin), Winter is coming! But who am I to quibble, his epic novels are certainly worthy of the title 'Most Excellent'.

If not the original, then the original was no good, of course I refer to Tolkien; Cher before Cher, Madonna before Madge. He of the the one name (initials don't count) and the heartrendingly beautiful 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, as well as many other wonderful fantasy novels and accompanying guides. Props to you Mr Tolkien.

A new (to me anyway) kid on the block, Mark Lawrence has snatched the 'epic fantasy' baton and run with it. I love his books, so vicious yet deep, gory and funny. Bottom line, beyond entertaining, moving into the territory of the life absorbing (books that rob you of days and nights of productive life).

A wonderful 'Book Circle' recommendation, thanks to my good and well read friend Megan.

Then there is the inspiring and thoughtful J K Rowling, whose fantasy works are so good as to almost be cliche. In my opinion, the Harry Potter series was written like an earthquake. Starting small and light and increasing in intensity with each new book; until the finale where readers were shaken and broken before being released into peace and relief and joy.

Now I know what you are thinking, I have missed a LOT of excellent authors. It is true I have, however never fear as:

a) I have split my authors into more categories than the Oscars.... after all, we are not here to read War and Peace (in one sitting anyway)!

b) I want to hear your thoughts. Who have I missed? Who don't I know about? Guide my reading, I will be eternally grateful.

Stay tuned for more 'Definitive and Temporary' Lists.

;) Little Miss Kindle

Millionaire: No. 2 in a LMK series; 'Books and Money'.

You have to admit, 'Millionaire', is quite a catchy title for a book on Real Estate investment; as is the promise that it contains '170 Incredible Investment Insights guaranteed to boost your property profits'.

Strange thing is, while not all of the 170 insights are marvelously inspirational or original, enough of them are to make this book well worth the cover price.

Authors, Steve McKnight and Stu Silver have a rare combination of credibility (as actual successful investors) and the genuine desire to share their knowledge. The book is not just a 300 page advertisement for a seminar you have to attend before you get the gold standard advice, there is gold in every chapter!

The structure of the book is also a refreshing change from dull (if not informative) finance guides. McKnight and Silver have basically transcribed a conversation they had on stage at a seminar (I knew there had to be a seminar in there somewhere!) where they swapped stories, shared insights and had the odd jovial disagreement.

The real factor in the book's success is the intent behind its creation. McKnight and Silver aimed to create a series of questions and answers that they would like to share with an audience of people who they loved and respected. Moreover, shared under the assumption that this would be the last chance they had to impart their hard won wisdom.

This intent shines through and had me sharing (unwelcome I might add) property investment gems with my husband at regular intervals (for the record, I think I just about have him hooked.....).

 If you like the idea of getting massive amounts of information and inspiration in the one spot  then 'Millionaire'  is a no brainer; just don't blame me if you start scanning real estate web sites for flippers, rentals and 'urgent sales'.

Millionaire is available for sale through Amazon.com through the following link;

'Millionaire'

Fixing your financial attitude! No. 1 in a 'LMK' series: 'Books and Money'.

It may be true that money can't buy love or happiness, but 'lack of' money can sure be a bummer.

Given that in my 'real life' I work in the finance industry, I decided I should have a good look at books about money.

I wanted to answer a few questions for myself, with the most prominent one being;

Can reading a book really improve your financial situation?

I really hope that the answer is yes! Otherwise I feel my faith in the power of books will be somewhat shaken..... and we don't want that!

In an attempt to approach this topic logically, I am starting out with books that deal with money and the mind. By my way of thinking, if your brain is not on board, no book about budgeting will be of any help at all!

While researching money and the mind I came across hundreds of books dealing with 'the law of attraction', you know, books with titles like 'Powerful affirmations to call money into your life' and 'Automatic Wealth; The attraction factor' (by the way one of those titles is real and one I made up....).

Now, I know that everyone from your next door neighbour to Oprah ('The Secret' anyone?) is a fan of these books, but me, not so much. They smack too much of a 'get rich with no effort' approach and while I really wish 'the law' were true, I think the reality is not quite so sweet and simple.

So here is a little list of books that do require you to work on your mindset, without promising instant money!

Two Great books on 'Money and the Mind'......

'Think and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill; This book is a classic for a reason! Some of the examples may be dated but the advice is not :)

'The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom' By Suze Orman; While some of this may sound a little hockey, Suze cuts to the chase in terms of how our thoughts and well being impact on our financial freedom. This guide also contains great practical financial advice as well. Well worth the effort.

and one more for fun!

Now, for those of you who want to give 'The Law of Attraction' a try here is one for you :)

'Happy Money' By Laina Buenostar; For only 99 cents from Amazon, even I am going to give this one a go.... and I'll happily eat my words if it works. Of course I'll be eating them from the spa bath in a seven star resort somewhere....


Happy Reading!