WHAT I'M READING V. 14

I realized while typing up this post that three of the books that I've read recently are about writing and all of them are non-fiction. While reading these books about writing, by writers, I affirmed that: 1) I really enjoy reading about a person's creative process, 2) I especially enjoy learning about how different writers write, and 3) I absolutely want to carve out more time to write.


This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett

I loved being able to read her account of what it was like for her writing her first novel. She expertly walks the line between sharing her personal experience and dispensing advice, and I could have listened to her talk about her life forever. One of my favorite lines was this one, because it is my current writing philosophy: "Until then, I'll keep writing things down- both the things I make up and the things that have happened. It is the way I've learned to see my life."  

On Writing by Stephen King

This had been on my to-read list for a while because of its rave reviews, but I didn't get around to it until I got it on audiobook. And then initially I had a hard time getting into it, because it took time to get used to his voice and reading. But once I did, and once he started talking about the technicalities of writing, it got so good. It was like taking a class on writing from a seasoned and disciplined writer and I learned so much from this that I'll probably listen to it again.

Side by Side by Edward T. Welch

This is a really simple and straightforward book about the nature of our relationships in light of our relationship with God. I really appreciated how practical it was, because this is a topic that is relatable to everyone and also incredibly necessary to maintaining and pursuing healthy relationships. It's a very easy and fast read, and I think everyone (especially in the church) should read it.

The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

I know Mary Karr because I read her memoir, "Lit", a while back and I was incredibly impressed. I think I had picked it up at an airport bookstore for a really long layover and I got completely lost in it, which is really the best thing you could hope for when you pick up a book for such purpose. She has been a professor for 30 years, and you can tell. Not to be cheeky, but if Stephen's King book was a (very helpful) guide to a college level writing course, Karr's book is a graduate level guide on the nuances of writing a memoir. It is chock full of wise counsel about the approach to writing, and it's another one I hope to reread.