Since I had the good fortune to take writing classes with the author, the book was a fun mix of deja vu ( "oh, I've been here before, this was good" ) aSince I had the good fortune to take writing classes with the author, the book was a fun mix of deja vu ( "oh, I've been here before, this was good" ) and vuja de ( "this is entirely new to me... But still good" ). Practical tips said very well, and a great tone mixing empathy with honesty. The book is up front about mistakes you should avoid, why they're dangerous, and how tough it is to make it in publishing. However, the book keeps affirming that if readers have made mistakes, there is room to regrow, and the work is never wasted....more
Looking back at most of the writing books I read in college, I've noticed 1 thing: almost all of them spent too much time over-explaining what the autLooking back at most of the writing books I read in college, I've noticed 1 thing: almost all of them spent too much time over-explaining what the author saw in a text. This made it hard to see whether x or y technique was really a tool anyone could use to make their writing better, or just the author's clever insights about classic literature. This book kept its chapters succinct and made each point clearly. I found each point useful and immediately applicable. All things considered, that probably makes it the best book on writing (with the possible exception of Elements of Style) that I have read since my freshman year of college 7 years ago....more
Fascinating collection of talks with Clapton at an unusual point in his career. In 1974, Clapton had been out of the public eye for 3 years, mostly feFascinating collection of talks with Clapton at an unusual point in his career. In 1974, Clapton had been out of the public eye for 3 years, mostly feeding his heroin addiction and bemoaning the fact a woman he loved had rejected him. The interviews cover the tail end of Claptons seclusion as he got off heroin, followed by his return to touring in 1975. A fascinating, entertaining look at an exceptional musician's life....more
Peterson gives an eclectic batch of thoughts in this book - thoughts on community, thoughts on art made well, thought on particular kinds of books andPeterson gives an eclectic batch of thoughts in this book - thoughts on community, thoughts on art made well, thought on particular kinds of books and music that have moved him, and all manner of topics in between. Alternatively funny, profound and always interesting, this book is well worth reading multiple times over....more
A truly hilarious collection of cover blurbs, lines or dialogue from various speculative fiction books and movies. Gaiman and Newman collect from a wiA truly hilarious collection of cover blurbs, lines or dialogue from various speculative fiction books and movies. Gaiman and Newman collect from a wide variety of sources, from books written by famous authors like Arthur C. Clarke to lesser-known pulp fiction authors and obscure monster films.
It's a real shame Arrow Books went out of business, making this book so hard to find....more
Mulhall uses the Alien film series (the four original films) as the basis for his discussion about filmmaking, with connected essays about later filmsMulhall uses the Alien film series (the four original films) as the basis for his discussion about filmmaking, with connected essays about later films that the four directors (Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) made after their work in the franchise. So readers don't just get a look at how the Alien series evolved, but also how the individual films connect to films like Blade Runner, Terminator 2, and Se7en. This is an interesting book in that shows how film critics and film buffs may diverge. Most film critics dismissed Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection, but Mulhall finds plenty to enjoy in each one. In fact, Mulhall is now the third professional philosopher I've read who enjoyed Alien 3 (Richard Kearney analyzes it in Strangers, Gods and Monsters, and Gerard Loughlin talks about in Alien Sex: The Body and Desire in Cinema and Theology). This may indicate that film critics' priorities make them miss what makes certain kinds of films good, or perhaps just means that film can say fascinating things even when they aren't good films overall. Mulhall gives some great insights which not only inform how viewers will watch the Alien franchise, but also impact how they analyze and assess film in general. Occasionally, Mulhall gives insights which don't seem to clearly connect to the moments he's describing in the films, which may mean he's over-analyzing or just using technical language which makes it hard to see his line or reasoning. All told, a fascinating entry to the Thinking in Action series....more
I came into this book unsure, since my only past experience was L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time (which didn't bowl me over when I was young). Her thoughts oI came into this book unsure, since my only past experience was L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time (which didn't bowl me over when I was young). Her thoughts on art and writing were a breath of fresh air when I desperately needed it....more
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