I picked up Creative Lettering because I’ve constantly been trying to get better about my handwriting and I am definitely interested in lettering. It’s one of the things that I’ve wanted to get better at and not have spent the time on for a few years now.
Sketching was like this for me until I finally sat and took it seriously. I know I have to do the same thing for lettering.
The artists in this book are a great start. There is such a wide variety and range that it’s great to look through and explore and see what style might be interesting to me and what I might want to explore more and/or use as a starting point.
If you’re interested in lettering, I highly recommend this.
I can’t remember where I read about A Field Guide to Now but I am so glad I did. This sweet book is absolutely magnificent.
The author’s serene tone, wise words, and beautiful art are magnificently combined to create a book worth reading. I thought it was an especially wonderful fit since my word for this year is present. This book is a lot about the present moment.
It’s tender, honest, and really beautiful.
I highly recommend it.
I read A Kiss Before You Go because of Andrea Scher’s blog, too.
I have been a big fan of Danny Gregory and have several of his other books. He even contributed to creative therapy years ago. This one, however, was completely book. It was personal. It is about his grieving after the tragic accident and death of his wife.
It was absolutely magnificent. I highly recommend it.
Really beautiful and sweet and what a tribute to his wife and their marriage.
I read True Refuge the minute it came out.
I’ve talked about Tara Brach on my blog many many times. Ever since I discovered her a few years ago, I’ve been listening to her talks at least once a week (and often times, several times a week.) so when I read she was publishing a new book, I knew I was going to read it as soon as it came out.
And I did.
There’s just something about Tara’s style and her way of combining personal stories, little jokes and insightful comments with deep thoughts that really speaks to me. I feel like I can listen to her and read her words again and again without ever getting sick of it. (And I learn more and more each time.)
Of course this one is recommended.
I read Daring Greatly because I love and adore Brené Brown. I have watched her talks, read all her other books, I even had the privilege to bring her to Google as a speaker. As far as I am concerned, the information and the way she delivers it is exactly what I care about, want to have more in my life and want to focus on. She’s amazing.
And this book was no less so. Since i’ve watched and read everything she’s been a part of, one would assume this book would be moot or repetitive.
Not for me.
I think her messages are things that we need to be reminded of again and again. At least I do.
Definitely recommended.
I read about The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness from Andrea Scher’s blog. She mentioned she loved it and it was an impromptu buy for me.
Which is pretty rare.
But something about this book clearly spoke to me.
The funny thing is, once it arrived, I read the first two pages and then stopped. For weeks. I didn’t pick it up again. I wasn’t sure what it was about, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. Blah blah. When I finally picked it up, I read the whole thing in one sitting.
It was that good.
If you’re into wonderful (true) stories that are interesting and inspiring, this is your book. It’s not for everyone but for those who like it, they will love it.
I read The House of the Spirits also because it was picked for book club.
I had never read Allende before so I figured it was the perfect occasion. This was said to be like Marquez, which I love.
Alas this wasn’t as goos as Marquez, in my opinion. The characters were less likeable and the overall story and tone wasn’t as well-done. But I still liked reading it and am glad I did. Since I have never read anything else by her, I can’t be sure if it’s her best or if her other books are anything like this one.
In the end, the book club decided to pick something else so I made my way through this thick book for nothing. Well, not for nothing, of course. Now I’ve read an Allende.
I read Code Name Verity was another book club pick (different book club) and another book I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. It takes place during World War II and involves graphic and painful scenes that involve young women. And it’s historical fiction. Even though this book was on all the lists for one of the best books in 2012, since I swore off reading depressing stuff, I never even considered picking it up.
But alas, it was meant to be.
When it got picked for book club, I knew I was going to read it. This, too, was hard to get through. Especially the beginning which is quite historical with its descriptions about planes. Overall, there was too much graphic violence and sadness for me. The book has some wonderful moments and messages about truth and friendship.
But not enough to make up for the horrors.
I read Palace Walk because it was chosen for book club.
It wasn’t the kind of book I would have chosen on my own. It’s historical (and political) in nature. It’s about Egypt. And it takes place in 1910 to 20s. Not a location, type, or era I generally choose. But that’s the whole reason I go to book club so I decided to read it anyway. (and this author won the Pulitzer.)
And it was tough.
It took me forever to get into it and be interested enough to keep picking it up. Especially since none of the characters made me want to find out more about them. Some of them were downright loathsome. Lacking in integrity. It wasn’t fun.
But I chugged along and kept reading anyway. And I finished it. There were parts I liked but, overall, it wasn’t my favorite and I don’t see myself wanting to read the others in the trilogy.
I read The War Against the Rull because I promised Jake I would. Like years ago. And then finally we decided we would both read it at the same time.
This is a science fiction story. I don’t usually read science fiction but I will read if I think it’s good. I have read many of Phillip K Dick’s short stories and loved them all. This particular book was hard at the beginning but I really really enjoyed it and I am very glad I read it.
I am extra glad that it was a book that both Jake and I got to enjoy a book together and we talked about it for a while. It’s rare that we read the same book so that was an extra benefit.
I read Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore just cause it looked fun and had been on my list for a while.
As it turned out it was a lovely geeky novel. It got a little contrived by the end and if you’re not into Silicon Valley, you might find it really truly ridiculous. There was a lot of Google in the book and most of it was unabashedly untrue. Way over the top. Ridiculous.
But I still enjoyed reading it. It was fun, light, sweet. And not one I’ll remember for a long time.
Your mileage might vary.
I read The Shadow of the Wind for book club and I am so so so glad I did.
It’s a book I would have never picked up on my own and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading it. It reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s 100 Years of Solitude. I read it just as voraciously I read that one. This book also has a mystery in it which just adds to the layered storytelling.
I have never heard of this author before but now I know that I want to read at least one more book by him. And I also am happy to see I can get satisfaction and joy from a non-young-adult novel. And that they can be meaningful and delicious without being full of horrifying tragedies. (I mean there are very sad parts but none feel contrived to me.)
Highly recommended.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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