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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated On Writing in Books
May 14, 2017
Short memoir follwed by a how to write fiction section.
Great book. I read it in a couple of days and it was exactly what I was looking for. I am not a Stephen King fan as I am not keen on the fantasy/ horror genre, but this book is non fiction. The first part of the book is a short memoir of writer's growth and early experiences, I found this part both funny and insightful and not at all what I expected from Stephen King. The 'On Writing' part was excellent. The author's hints and tips are subjective yet honest which is refreshing. Not all writers work the same and King is clear that this is only advice and may not be suitable for everyone. Bad habits and grammatical no-no's were probably the most helpful pieces of advice for myself, his huge dislike for the 'adverb' is something I may find myself becoming accustomed to in my own work revision. For non writers, do not dismiss this book, it is a little jewel that gives the reader a close and personal account of the authors honestly and quirks. I really loved it.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated A House With Holes in Books
Feb 23, 2021
This book was such a unique read. I personally highly value Denise Broadwater’s insight on how to come alongside each other during stressful times like moving or renovating a house. This book is listed as a memoir and a marital advice book, and it is both of those things; yet so much more. Denise is very honest about what she and her husband went through while renovating their home. Some moments you can really see yourself in the same situations she was in. There was laughter, sadness and frustration while remodeling their home and Denise vividly shows those emotions and how they worked through them. A very good read for couples just starting out or those who have been married for longer periods. I think even single people wanting to work out how to better communicate with the people around them would benefit from this book. This was my first time reading a memoir and it was a truly good first experience.
I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars for the valuable advice and examples that Denise Broadwater shared that I hope to apply to my own marriage. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better learn how to work through stress and come out the better for it.
I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars for the valuable advice and examples that Denise Broadwater shared that I hope to apply to my own marriage. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better learn how to work through stress and come out the better for it.
Steph Freeman (26 KP) rated American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot in Books
Jan 5, 2018
Another Late Night Memoir
This book was just what I needed to help get me through the pre-holiday slump at work. Craig Ferguson's narration of the audio book felt like sharing a cuppa with a neighbor or an old friend as they shared their life story in an all night conversation. I fell in love with his comedy through the Late Late Show, and have enjoyed following his career ever since. As an entrepreneur it's encouraging to know success isn't perfect, or even planned.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Reasons to Stay Alive in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Wonderfully honest and refreshing
Very rarely do we see such an honest glimpse of depression, a hideous and insidious condition that affects a large part of the population. However, Matt Haig's self-help book crosses over into the memoir genre, in which he speaks about his journey through the depths of his anxiety.
It is brutal at times, especially when he speaks about contemplating suicide, but it is ultimately hopeful. Although not everything will resonate with everyone, the main factors are similar across the board, and it allows you to gain insight into other's experiences of the illness. A surprisingly good read.
It is brutal at times, especially when he speaks about contemplating suicide, but it is ultimately hopeful. Although not everything will resonate with everyone, the main factors are similar across the board, and it allows you to gain insight into other's experiences of the illness. A surprisingly good read.
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated The Princess Diarist in Books
Jun 5, 2018
For a memoir, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. While I’m not a huge fan of memoirs, and a particular fan of Carrie Fisher, I am a fan of Star Wars and strong female role models.
I’d never read any of Fisher’s work before this and was delighted with her sense of humor.
She really does just focus on her life leading up to landing the role of Princess Leia and on the time during and just after filming. She does touch a bit on how the role has continued to impact her life experiences towards the end.
I’d never read any of Fisher’s work before this and was delighted with her sense of humor.
She really does just focus on her life leading up to landing the role of Princess Leia and on the time during and just after filming. She does touch a bit on how the role has continued to impact her life experiences towards the end.
Duff McKagan recommended Dancing with Myself in Books (curated)
Stevie Nicks recommended Out of Africa in Books (curated)
Erica Jong recommended Memories of a Catholic Girlhood in Books (curated)
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Green Mile in Books
Jun 4, 2019
Atmosphere (1 more)
Characters
A disturbing but beautiful book
I'd seen the film a long time ago so no surprises with the plot but wow was I surprised at how well written and captivating this book was.
Written as the memoir of former Prison Guard Paul Edgecombe we get a look into the life of Block E of the Cold Mountain Penitentiary which Paul is the head guard of in the 1930s. In what we would call death row today they call it the “Green Mile” due to the colour of the floor. We get a snapshot of the period on the block around the time of convicted child killer John Coffey coming onto the “Mile.”
Each part of the book has a bit from the present from as Paul is writing this memoir and these served as lovely little bridge to the next part of his story.
I've read quite a bit of King and enjoy a lot of his work with his well crafted stories, but I've never fallen head over heels for his writing....until now.
Very emotionally engaging King really pulls off a great atmosphere, characters and despite a supernatural element, a story that easily carries you along. Not often I cry reading a book but this one got me.
Written as the memoir of former Prison Guard Paul Edgecombe we get a look into the life of Block E of the Cold Mountain Penitentiary which Paul is the head guard of in the 1930s. In what we would call death row today they call it the “Green Mile” due to the colour of the floor. We get a snapshot of the period on the block around the time of convicted child killer John Coffey coming onto the “Mile.”
Each part of the book has a bit from the present from as Paul is writing this memoir and these served as lovely little bridge to the next part of his story.
I've read quite a bit of King and enjoy a lot of his work with his well crafted stories, but I've never fallen head over heels for his writing....until now.
Very emotionally engaging King really pulls off a great atmosphere, characters and despite a supernatural element, a story that easily carries you along. Not often I cry reading a book but this one got me.
Kaz (232 KP) rated The Diving-bell and the Butterfly in Books
May 15, 2019
Being only 139 pages, this book may be short, but the impact it had, was enormous. This is an extraordinary memoir of a man who had a stroke and was left unable to move or talk. He dictated this novel to someone, using eye movements to indicate letters on an alphabetic board.
Whilst this book doesn't have a linear story as such, this is a beautifully written novel about the writer's day to day experiences in the hospital he is being treated in and, in the most mundane or saddest moments, there is humour and insight. This is a very interesting and poetic novel.
My Rating ****
Whilst this book doesn't have a linear story as such, this is a beautifully written novel about the writer's day to day experiences in the hospital he is being treated in and, in the most mundane or saddest moments, there is humour and insight. This is a very interesting and poetic novel.
My Rating ****