Wow, I can safely say this book CHANGED MY LIFE.
I read it in under 24 hours, and that was only due to the necessity of sleep.
I had heard a lot about this book, and not often do I read non fiction books, so I thought I would give it a try.
‘Big magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert is a book all about being creative, and living ‘beyond fear.’ Now, if I am going to be honest, I didn’t think I ‘needed’ this book, and I wasn’t reading it because I was feeling uninspired or didn’t really know what to do with my life, I was just reading it.
But, every single thing this author wrote in this book changed the way I looked at creativity. It was funny, clever and exceptionally wise.
The book is split up into sections:
Courage
Enchantment
Permission
Persistence
Trust
Divinity
All sections were about different aspects of being creative, and really, different aspects about life, which included many anecdotes, other peoples quotes (which were all incredibly interesting) and introduced me to so many writers, actors, musicians who I had no idea about before.
I think Creativity is just something that happens, without anyone really thinking about it. But in this book, it is covered with some many authentic ideas and I look at creativity in a completely different way. It also contains some particularly controversial ideas, which I really like. As I said, I have never really read non-fiction books, because I just didn’t think they would keep me hooked enough and I wasn’t sure what topic I would read about.
I literally COULD NOT put this book down.
I was loving how every page had new ideas and information, I actually found myself re-reading numerous pages because I didn’t want to forget what was written. I actually understand why some people call their books ‘their bible’ because this is mine. I really urge you to give it a try because
There are so many ideas that you will have never even thought about (ideas and how they come about are a huge part of the book…have you ever thought about that?)
If you're reading this, I’m guessing you're into creativity, so even if you think ‘it's not for me’ (which to be honest, I thought it wasn’t) I will be utterly surprised if you don’t take something out of this book
A lot of the key ideas included making sure to always carry on doing things in life (especially when you fail at doing something) for yourself. To not let fear make your decisions for you (although acknowledge its there) and recognise that creativity is important, but it also is not at all.
I think one of my favourite lessons in the book was that you shouldn’t care what people think about you, because its actually none of your business.
I also absolutely loved her explanation of ideas as ‘energy’ going from person to person, and if you don’t act on it, the idea will find itself to a better owner.
Anyway, I don’t want to explain any of these ideas because you deserve to read them in the actual book.
Even though I thought I didn’t need inspiring, it inspired me
Even though I thought I wasn’t in need of help, it helped me
Even though I thought I was already creative, it makes me want to do anything and everything in life that comes to me.
I think this is one of the most amazing things I have ever read! I am desperate to find out more books like it (although I can’t imagine there will be anything like this) and I really urge you to read it, because it is so different from anything else and it is so intelligent, funny, eye opening and all in all: a fabulous read!
I really think this book should be read by all ages – no matter if your 12 or 100.