Books & Life Inspiration.
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I love to read. Always have.
Everything I read becomes a part of me.
Love to be inspired. To learn new things. To have my point of view expanded and enlightened and challenged. I find that reading helps my mind make connections. Reminds me of certain things. Makes others more clear.
One of my favorite things is exchanging reading lists with other like-minded souls. Here are a few lists of favorites from then and now.
Currently reading (I pick up which ever one sounds good when I get into bed):
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert (really enjoying and savoring this one)
The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron (love, love this book)
Create Every Day Journal compiled by Kobi Yamada (this is a blank book with page after page of the best life quotes and tons of room for your own reflections, writings, etc. Any of the books from this site are totally worth it.)
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp (letting this one sink in - totally interesting)
Drawing From Life: The Journal As Art by Jennifer New
Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach (have not started this one yet)
All time favorites (The first two were read in high school. The images and the stories have live in my mind. The other two are more recent reads. They both consumed me.):
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
"I don't want life to imitate art. I want life to be art." Carrie Fisher
I am definitely not the first person to advocate creating art from our lives. Or going with the flow. Over the last couple years my own personal philosophy has developed and grown and continues to evolve. As I conduct workshops, as I read, as I create my own art and experience my own life (and my own personal challenges), I adjust and refine my voice. The things I say over and over at workshops: it is ok, embrace impefection, go with the flow, tell your story have become a part of my own message, my own personal philosophy on art and life.
There have been many artists over time who have written about letting go of our drive for perfection. About identifying our authentic selves through our art. And about making art a part of our lifestyle and celebrating all the little everyday things. I love these kinds of books: ones that echo and bring to the surface the little bits and pieces that live in my heart. That is why I read. Some of the books listed here are directly related to scrapbooking, others to art journaling, or to writing, or to life in gneral and other forms of art.
Some of the ones I have enjoyed and have made an impact on my heart include:
Anything by Sabrina Ward Harrison
The Big Picture by Stacy Julian (Love her. Love her philosophy that scrapbooking is a lifestyle. And I love how she organizes her albums.)
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron (A classic.)
Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods & Karen Dinino (These gals are right on with their philosophy.)
12 Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin
Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach (I have not read the companion book yet but have it on my list for the future)
Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory
Living Out Loud by Keri Smith (Totally uplifting.)
A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
52 Projects by Jeffrey Yamaguchi (Just totally cool.)
Clean & Simple Scrapbooking, The Sequel by Cathy Zielske (I got a sneak peek at this one and it is amazing - I love her words, her philosophy, her design. And I love that it is not just about the layouts, it is about the concepts and the philosophy she shares. I just love her.)
I am sure there are more. And there will be more to come.
And hey, if you saw my Letters From Mom book in the newest Creating Keepsakes and want to see the inside, I will be posting photos once I get the album back. Not sure exactly why the insides were not included in the column - the inside is the heart of that album.
And here is a working link to Bad Dog Inn.
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74 comments
Ali,
O.K., I definitely want a little building like The Bad Dog Inn as a Girl's Only - Artist Retreat! Thanks for the link - what a great place!
Michelle
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I went to India for my honeymoon (for 6 weeks!!) and I've been meaning to pick up that book. The NY Times Book Review says she's very "personable" as a writer. Thanks for reminding me to buy it--and I love your Leo Buscaglia quote.
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Isn't "Eat Pray Love" a beautiful book? The emotion and honesty and spirituality is amazing.
A couple of other favorites - Memoirs of a Geisha, and The Last Promise. Both are beautifully told!
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I went and bought 2 of those Journals - Create and Explore. They look fantastic!
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Thanks Ali for taking my suggestion (I think!) and sharing your favorite inspiring books with us. We have alot in common as I find some of the books you listed on my blog as well. Thanks in general for being so creative and sharing your thoughts and ideas with the world. As a new "life Artist" I am always looking for inspiration. I find alot of it on your blog. Thanks.
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Your stack of books looks a lot like mine. You have picked some great ones. Taking a page from you, literally, I am re-packing my briefcase for tomorrow's travel with Eat, Pray, Love! Thanks for the insight. Keep posting what you're reading, please.
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Love the family photo on the banner. I love to read too. Thanks for sharing your list. As a child I loved a book called Beautiful Joe about a dog that had a pretty a tough life. Since I commute 45 min one way, books on tape (from my local library) have brought me authors that I would not have try without this format.
I read Stacy's book cover to cover and highlighted techniques and formats. After all- who is going to learn from it, if it isn't me.
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I was all consumed by The Time Traveler's Wife also. I think I will read it again now. It was just so wonderful.
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WOW Ali, Love the new banner. I just got my new CK for April and wanted to say LOVE studio A. Love the LO's and the family photo on there too!Especially loved the "Old McDonald" LO.. being a mother of a three year old and a special ed teacher, it really cracked me up! Loving your words and your work. You are so inspiring to me. Thank you everyday!
Suzannah :o)
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I just spent the last half hour tracking some of these finds down at the library. I've requested 5 of them online from other libraries in my area - and the ones my library had in - I'll keep a list in my datebook with the call numbers attached for quick reference.
Best of all, I didn't spend a dime!
I love, love, love to read - and I love getting suggestions from like-minded people.
Super!
Thanks!
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I just had to say,
Nice lamp.
I have the same ones!
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im curious...do you print pictures right out from photoshop element? or transfer it to other software or website to make better colors and different sizes on photos from printer? thanks!!!!! you always rock me everytime i read your blog! keep up good work!!! love u!!!! \,,/,
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I love to read as well. Always have. Even before I could read for myself. Thank you for all of the suggestions. Some I have read, some I should reread and some I will go to the library to check out. Love your new banner. Great picture of your family. Thanks for keeping up your blog and keeping us thinking!!!!!
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Hi Ali,
First time I am actually commenting on your blog although I read just about every day. Your perspective is amazing and I enjoy the thoughts and photos you share with us here.
One recommendation on the reading list (as I've read and liked many of the same fiction reads as you):
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Also, just read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (don't remember the author but it was on your blog a few days/week ago) - it was excellent - I couldn't put it down.
Keep creating and keep sharing!
Amanda
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I love the lists thanks for sharing! I can't wait to start experiencing them :)
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Ali thanks for the list..I will have to check into some of them! thanks
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Love your list Ali! You inspired me to list some of my inspiration for this month on my blog. Off to get one your awesome t-shirts! Also, I'm really looking forward to your new font CD. Thanks for the continued inspiration!
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Check out Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. I read that yesterday and it was great...BTW you read my mind about your book in CK...I was wondering why they didn't put the inside pages in there too especially when the snippet referred to the inside pages...can't wait to see it!
Jessi
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Thanks for the reading list, Ali! I sometimes find myself drawing a blank when I want to do my scrapbooking, and sometimes, I just need the extra inpiration to get creative.
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The Elizabeth Gilbert book is next on my list. Read a funny travel article by her in the latest Travel + Leisure--she has a great sense of humor, so I can't wait to read her travel memoir.
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