Exploratory Writing by Alison Jones

 

I have read a lot of books about writing, but this one is something different. I really enjoyed it.

Part one is basically an introduction to exploratory writing: the science behind it and how to do it. It was a bit long for my liking and I found myself keen to get to part two. 

That was when the book really came into its own. In part two there are loads of writing exercises that are original and valuable, using techniques that I have never come across before. They really help you to get down to the core of what you are trying to say and would be ideal if you are brainstorming ideas for a book or trying to write your way out of a problem.

Don’t let the fact that this book is written for business put you off. There is plenty here for all kinds of writer, no matter how and what you write.

I would recommend this book for any writer who wants techniques to help them free up their writing and help them to plumb their hidden depths.

With thanks to Netgalley and Practical Inspiration Publishing for this advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Power Up Your Creativity by Rachael Taylor

 

I have done several online courses with Rachael Taylor so was very excited to receive an advance review copy of her new book.

As expected, the book was full of bright colours and bold, funky patterns in Rachael’s trademark style. The book was written well but, perhaps because I’ve done so many of Rachael’s courses, there was nothing new here for me with regards to creativity. However, that is my personal opinion and, despite that, I would definitely say this book is worth reading if you want a boost to your creativity.

Although I enjoyed the book, there was one thing about it that I didn’t enjoy, and I suspect it is the fault of the publishers rather than Rachael herself. Rachael is English, a ‘proud Liverpudlian’, yet the text was written in US English, with references to power outlets, freshly baked cookies and words like ‘color’ and ‘favorite’. These ‘Americanisms’ are glaringly out of place in a book written by an Englishwoman and I found them irritating and off-putting to my reading experience. 

Perhaps the ARC that I received was an American edition, but if that is the case, it implies that Americans cannot read British English, which is absurd. I’m sure British editions of American books are not updated to reflect our language. I know they’re not.

So I dropped a star from my rating because Americanising an English writer’s words is completely unacceptable.

If you can overlook this, I found the book to be open, authentic and vulnerable and certainly worth a read.

With thanks to Netgalley and Quarry Books for an advance review copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Untamed Witch by Lidia Pradas

This is a very comprehensive book that is written for more advanced witches. It contains facts and knowledge that I have not read before in other similar books. The writing style is clear and to-the-point and any superfluous words have been removed making it a tight, straightforward read.

The point of the book is to practice witchcraft in your own way. So although it contains correspondences and general witchcraft information such as moon phases, ritual tools, the eight Sabbats and other established elements of the craft, the author is clear about the importance of developing your own craft in relation to where and how you live, rather than relying on prescriptions set out in books.

I was really enjoying the book, then I reached this:

“Another cycle that has been traditionally linked to magick forces, for good and bad, is menstruation. Historically it has been seen as something powerful, but it has also been used to deem menstruating people, particularly women, as ‘unclean’”

So historically, menstruating women were unclean, but mentruating men were ok. What?? This is one of the most ridiculous sentences I have ever read. Can anyone seriously claim that men menstruate? 

After reading this I began to question the wisdom and reliability of this author and found it hard to take anything else she wrote seriously, not because I think she truly believes that men menstruate, but because the inclusion of that sentence made her lose all credibility with me. It was a similar experience to when an obvious anachronism pulls you abruptly out of an historical novel and makes you distrust the rest of that author’s research. I’m surprised this got past the editors, to be honest.

Due to the fact that this completely spoiled the book for me I am taking two stars off my rating. It would have been three but for the fact that up to that point I was enjoying the book and was impressed with it.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐