Comments (43)

Big Magic

Creative Living Beyond Fear
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Nov 13, 2023mlenhart rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this! The author is funny and relatable. It was helpful to find ways to look for inspiration and how to lean into your creativity.
Oct 17, 2022missywarner rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
If you are in a slump, read this book. It was good, a little preachy, but good.
Jul 19, 2021susan080 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
If your thinking about becoming anything, take the wisdom in this book to heart. It wont float well with the disillusioned lot, but if I wanted to be inspired and "go for it" I would read and listen to this one to get my mo-jo going.
May 31, 2021ausnos rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Preachy and irritatingly written, Gilbert's so-called "encouragements" did nothing for me.
Jan 15, 2021lw_10 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Super encouraging book for creative types to just . . . create! Would be a great one to reread whenever you're tempted to give up your art.
Mar 20, 2020WCL_Kiirstin rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A light fun read with some meat. Gilbert can be a bit divisive but I like her writing and her ideas generally; I found some parts of this a bit twee and a bit too cheerleader-y, but her enthusiasm and curiosity on the subject of creativity…
Dec 06, 2019bette108 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A quick reading book looking at various side of the creative endeavour. What I think is most useful is that Gilbert dispels both the fears and the myths about creativity with downright good advice, plain speaking and some prickly…
Sep 09, 2019
quigley
Apr 28, 2019diannehildebrand rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Very readable book. Gilbert writes casually as though she's talking to you, and with good humour. My favourite part is where she says you should write for yourself, not to help anybody, because you can always tell when someone's trying to…
Apr 12, 2019gloriashaw rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Encouraging and some advice I will take. I do have trouble with good enough is good enough. But I do have unfinished projects.
Mar 25, 2019lvatnsdal rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book has some interesting stories and some alternative ways of looking at the ideas of inspiration and creativity. It was an entertaining read and I came away with some different ways of considering things.
Jun 30, 2018RogerDeBlanck rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Elizabeth Gilbert delivers another delightful and enlightening book with Big Magic. Displaying her signature use of candor and honesty, she investigates the forces that govern how creativity and inspiration work. She offers sage and…
May 22, 2018elizali rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I was incredibly skeptical of this book. I thought it would be all fluff and no substance. I thought it would be overly general and all in all a waste of time. I was wrong! Blissfully wrong! This book is amazing and exactly what I needed.…
May 04, 2018
Big Magic is a great book if you’re looking for inspiration to bring more creativity in your life. Broken into four parts - Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence - this isn’t a “how to get rich as an artist” book, but it’s a “how…
Mar 13, 2018Merikes rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
It´s a very simple book but great. Elizabeth Gilbert is like your encouraging friend.
Mar 05, 2018Margush rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I feel sorry for Elizabeth - clearly that "incident" with Ann Patchett who didn't answer her question about a new novel's plot to confirm a bit later that her new book's plot was magically identical to that of Liz's idea bothers her. And…
Dec 27, 2017Rozyluv rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was like having a much needed pep talk with a close friend.
Aug 04, 2017
As an aspiring writer, this book helped me let go of the fear of what those would think about my work and to live a life doing creative work that means something to me. There were many nuggets of gold in this book that can help all those…
Jun 30, 2017LouWSytsma rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
What a wonderful way look at not only creative endeavours but life itself.
May 01, 2017rdcowan rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I've been struggling with blocked ideas and doubts for years. This book is just what I needed. No preaching is involved (yeah!), her writing gives me a boost in my confidence. Highly recommended.
Mar 23, 2017bjyork11 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A must read for anyone who thrives on creativity. This book was a huge affirmation and gave me the permission I needed to live my most creative life.
Mar 13, 2017
This book changed something in me. It took the pressure off and gave me the space and forgiveness I needed to jump back into art. I now paint nearly every day which I haven't been able to do so easily in years. I would recommend it to…
Mar 07, 2017JCLHelenH rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
If you create, especially if you write, stop what you're doing right now and find a copy of Big Magic. She busts through all the excuses you've ever used to avoid putting pen to paper.
Jan 29, 2017LeaLibrary rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Greatly enjoyed this read. So many stories to support the overall goal of living a creative life. Encouraging words to make it work, for yourself. And not without some awesome laughs along the way.
Oct 24, 2016mguthrie01 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gilbert's Big Magic is fun and, more importantly, inspirational. This is a book I want to reread every time I feel my creativity waning.