My Sunday Book Review this week is for Elizabeth Gilbert’s – Big Magic. In this book, Gilbert takes us into her world of creativity by sharing her journey through becoming a successful writer with all the ups and downs along the way, while inspiring us to continue going after our dreams in any creative field, despite the odds.
Blurb:
From the worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and City of Girls: the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of.
Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.
My 4 (1/2) Star Review:
Gilbert shares her inspirational anecdotes gained from her own life experience, which inspired her to push forward with her passion – writing.
Gilbert’s stories empower us to follow our own creative dreams and to look beyond the obstacles we encounter along the way as writers and artists. In this somewhat of a self-help book, although she states her intent of the book wasn’t to write as self-help, but more a book to share her own journey into the world of creativity and where her accrued experiences led her to becoming a successful writer.
The author empowers us into believing in our ourselves by encouraging us to go forward with our passions without expectations. This is a light read without instruction, but shared observations from Gilbert’s own writing life. She encourages us to write what we love to write about, not just for market, and shares how she overcame rejection, and how no book will appeal to everyone, and her interesting story about how her now famous book – Eat, Pray, Love got discovered. “Seduce the Big Magic and it will always come back to you – the same way a raven is captivated by a shiny, spinning thing.”
©DGKayewriter.com
DGKayewriter.com 
This sounds interesting, Debby. I am always fascinated by other people’s writing journeys.
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Me too Robbie. 🙂 x
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I love Elizabeth’s books. I have two of them. She seems to be writing in her head all the time and I’m amazed she could put everything down as fast as she could as if she dictates constantly as she walks or sits… She didn’t want to talk about her divorce but I think she did better without him.
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I agree Miriam! 🙂 x
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Hey Deb
Hi! I have missed our friendship. I mean of course I know it’s always there. Just the exchanges that used to be almost a daily thing. Anyway you aren’t going to believe this, but guess what???? I finished my book! Well, to the point of editing & re-editing the heck out of it on my own. But at least the bones are all there. Since you were my first supporter I was wondering If you’d be interested in reading it? If not it’s okay. I’d love to get your opinion on my book. I just
need your email. I think I have it. But want
to make sure it’s still the one you still use. If I send it any other way it won’t transfer in the right format (with numbered page breaks
etc.) But if you don’t have time I understand.
😘
My email is dianereedwriter@gmail.com
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Hi Di! Replied by email. ❤
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Inspirational books boost our spirits and are good reminders that “you are enough.” Thank you for sharing this fantastic review Deb.
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Very well put Balroop. And happy to share. 🙂 x
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A book that is probably even better when approaching a crossroads or questioning the path we are on. Thanks Debby.. ♥
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Excellent summation Sal. ❤ xx
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I haven’t read anything by Elizabeth Gilbert since her Eat, Pray, Love. Your review has made me curious. She says she writes not just for the market, yet I imagine publishers who know the magic of her name as a writer keep pushing her to publish more books. Ka-ching!
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Oh yes. And Eat Pray Love was what brought her fame, never expecting much to come of that book as she says it was more as a memoir of her journey.
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I’ve never read any of Gilbert’s books, Debby. I do enjoy books about writing, although much depends on how interested I am in the writer’s work and how much you click with the person. Her attitude sounds very refreshing in a world where we keep reading about writing as a business (which is great if you’re that way inclined but does not work for everybody). Thanks for the recommendation and have a good week.
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Thanks Olga. I agree with you. It helps if we’re interested in the author’s writing and then the book becomes more relatable. Have a greet week! ❤
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Hi Debby – certainly her books resonate … and at some stage I might read it – but good to know about and to read a bit more about her life. Thanks for the review … cheers Hilary
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Wonderful! Thanks Hilary. 🙂 xx
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Sounds interesting. Thanks Debby for bringing this one to my attention.
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My pleasure Stevie 🙂 x
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I loved Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I listened to the audiobook. I’m pretty sure Elizabeth read it. It was very inspiring.
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That’s wonderful Norah. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 x
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Hi Debby,
I loved Big Magic so much I’ve bought several copies to give as gifts. To this day, I sit in the writing chair and ask the inspiration gods to pay me a visit. They often do! 🙂
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Oh fabulous Luna! I’m so not surprised you loved this book. ❤
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I loved Eat, Pray, Love so I’m sure I would enjoy this one. I enjoyed her Ted Talk as well. A great review. Thanks!
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Thanks Darlene. I too enjoyed Eat Pray Love. This book though, is more like writing in reflections than an actual story. But nonetheless, a great read. 🙂
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Oh, this sounds so good! thanks for sharing your review, Deb and reminding me to get this one. I’m in need of some new reading inspiration.
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Happy to enlighten you Lis. 🙂 x
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i read this book many years ago and wasn’t overly impressed, Yet, Elizabeth writes really well and I really enjoyed “Eat, Pray, Love”. But, I’m not a good one for “self-help” books or books like these, where I don’t seem to learn anything new. Or, maybe it all started with me not liking the title. Thanks for the review, Debby, and I’m glad you liked reading the book.
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Thanks for sharing your honest opinion Liesbet. I’m pretty sure I could have came up with a better title myself, lol. 🙂
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