READER’S by Alison Kuchta
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his month’s selections are meditations on self-discovery, creativity and productivity. These thoughtful reads are for those looking for an inspirational nudge.
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
And Then We Grew Up: On Creativity, Potential, and the Imperfect Art of Adulthood by Rachel Friedman
Dot Journaling: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together by Rachel Wilkerson Miller Rachel Wilkerson Miller, who enjoyed keeping a diary as a child, was pleased to discover dotjournaling later in her life. After much trial and error, she came up with ways to not only reconnect with this interest in journaling, but also organize all the facets of her life in one place. This concise guide was born out of her experiences and questions about the form. It explains dot journaling using engaging examples, clear language and beautiful images. Visual learners who keep a lot of to-do lists and are curious about the subject, or those who already keep journals, will benefit from the advice in this comprehensive and practical reference.
Keep Going by Austin Kleon is the latest book in his bestselling series on creativity. This book is full of unique observations, quotes and suggestions to help people move forward with their work. All the themes are accessible, and Kleon’s own amusing and memorable illustrations appear throughout the book. Readers who enjoyed his previous books Steal like an Artist and Show Your Work will appreciate this one too. However, it’s also great as a standalone resource for people looking to establish better routines.
Rachel Friedman had passion, talent and dreams of being a professional violist at the age of eight. While studying at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp, she had the time of her life and made friends with other like-minded children. Fastforward to a low point in Rachel’s life as an adult. She no longer plays music, she’d choked and given it up years earlier, and is wondering why. She also finds herself thinking about the friends she made at Interlochen, what happened to them? Were they living their childhood dreams? And if so, what were their secrets? How were they different from her? This book is for anyone who wants a realistic look at what it takes to have a career in the arts. It’s also for anyone seeking reconciliation with their own childhood plans and artistic muses.way I see the characters. Mrs. March is an amazing leader. Try rereading a childhood favorite and notice the differences!
Alison Kuchta, a Collection Development Librarian at Kent District Library, likes memoirs and talking with people about their favorite reads. Creatively, she’s working on a fix for the blank wall in her living room that has been taunting her.
Get Published. Win Money. Entries accepted through November 30 at noon. writemichigan.org | For writers of all ages Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • September 2020
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