Book Club :: Elizabeth Gilbert's, Big Magic Part Four - Persistence

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cover photo of big magic by elizabeth gilbert

cover photo of big magic by elizabeth gilbert

Today we are getting into Big Magic's fourth part, Persistence, and I'm really excited to hear your thoughts. What do you think about showing up for your craft? How do you tell it you're here to stay?

I think it can be really scary to be strong and to have passions and to go against the grain. Almost like mediocrity is the new normal, so is it even okay to want more? Where did wanting more almost make you less than or gossiped about? I think society likes us when we are stressed and anxious but has no idea how to handle us when we are brave and daring? How can you be more brave and daring?

What do you want to talk about?? Hop down to the comments and give it a whirl -- no thought too big, small, unwanted (within reason), or otherwise!

If you've missed any prior Book Club get-togethers, head over to Book Club and catch up! Still haven't grabbed the book? It's not too late. Promise! Buy it here.

For March 4th let's read Part V. Xx.

*affiliate links were used in this post :: thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.

P.S. Did you know you get The Great Vibes New Year Guide when you sign up for The Newsletter? Subscribe right now >>>>>

P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

Book Club :: Mindy Kaling's, Why Not Me? Part One - For the Ladies

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Welcome to The Great Vibes Guide's first Book Club!

It makes me (Emily, here!) extremely happy to have a virtual space where we can stay up to date on new books, documentaries, short stories, poignant articles, and other literary and media finds to keep us filled with Great Vibes and less, well, boring. Isn't it always more interesting to have someone bring up a fascinating article they recently read rather than the image they scrolled across in Facebook? I think so. Let's get started, shall we?

By now we're about 65 pages into Mindy Kaling's Why Not Me? and I don't know about you, but I'm loving it. (side note:: still haven't grabbed the book but want to join the fun? Buy it here. seriously. do it.) I appreciate her honest and open voice, her unapologetic nature, and her ability to call out social norms that have gotten the best of us all at one point or another. It's fun to relax and be a part of a conversation; she comes across like the best friend sitting at the other end of the couch sipping wine and bitching about her day at work or the drama of the moment. It's not stressful or monotonous but companionable and fun.

Reading this book is easy, but she calls attention to a lot of important issues I thought we could touch on today. Use the questions provided as jumping off points or share something you found interesting and worth chatting about. Whether you've read the whole section or just the first couple pages, I want you to chime in, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

For next time :: The Next Section for December 4th

Question Time

First of All, Pace::

+ Was this too much to read in such a short time? Shall we keep the pace the same or slow it down for next time?

Hello Again::

+ Did you read Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)?

+ What did you think of her couldn't-care-less approach to others' opinions of her? I'm a big fan of the phrase 'give less f***s' to keep my expectations in check and make sure that I'm rocking my authenticity at 100%.

How to Look Spectacular: A Starlet's Confession::

+ Do you think it's productive to draw attention to the media's obsession of the perfect appearance, or do you think it only fuels the fire?

+ What are some ways media could change for the better in regards to modeling men and women?

Some Thoughts on Weddings::

+ Do you like weddings? Are you the person who had/has the details all ready and waiting for the groom or bride?

+ I really appreciate her spotlight on the best "best friend" days (p.26). Do you feel similarly to friends you still call best friends but who might not be as present in everyday life as they once were?

Mindy Kaling, Sorority Girl::

+ What are your thoughts on her experience with Sigma Delt and being "deemed" something?

+ She ends her relationship with Sigma Delt via email. Ever ended/had someone end a relationship or organization via technology?

(Minor) Fame Has Changed Me::

+ On page 48, Kaling writes, "I wish I had always acted like I was a little bit famous". Based on the things she can and cannot do now that she is famous, what do you think she meant?

+ Should we all act a little bit famous?

+ How might you change if you were famous?

Things to Bring to My Dinner Party::

+ I find this chapter hilarious, because I'm always envisioning elaborate and beautiful dinner parties for when I'm older and have more money. What was your favorite item listed? I loved, "an enormous vintage diamond engagement ring you are giving me because you are going to announce at dinner that I am yours".

+ What non-food item would you have guests bring?

Player::

+ She talks a little about words like "BFF" and "girl crush" on page 59. Did you ever do something similarly over a phrase you later used or still use shamelessly?

+ Ever had a there-one-moment-gone-the-next friend or lover? Gossip to your hearts content.

Any other thoughts?

That's all of the questions I have to spark conversation for now... Hop down to the comments and give it a whirl -- no thought too big, small, unwanted (within reason), or otherwise!

Still haven't grabbed the book but after reading the great questions about to be talked about want to join in the fun? Buy it here.

+ I'm curious. What do you think about a book club? Have you ever done one in the past? If you start it, do you think you'll finish it?

*affiliate links were used in this post :: thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.

P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

Book Club :: Mindy Kaling's, Why Not Me?

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book-club-edits.jpg

Update:: Part One |

Hey all, it's Emily here! I've been thinking about doing a virtual book club for a long while, and after receiving a particularly good read for my birthday, I thought we'd give it a go! I want to read slowly - none of this read-the-whole-book-in-a-week club where you never have enough time, nor do you actually want to read it that fast, and it ends up being a hopeless discussion that bores everyone to tears. Heck no! I think the best part is how I plan to loosely define 'book' -- books, articles, documentaries, movies, the sky's the limit on what we can check out and discuss! 

To kick it all off, I thought we could start with Mindy Kaling's newest novel, Why Not Me?

Something lighthearted to celebrate my birthday and keep the stress levels low. I read her first book a year or so ago, and it was fabulous. I laughed, I teared up, and I learned some valuable advice from a sassy woman who knows her place in the world and is determined to go after it all. If that isn't Great Vibes, I don't know what is. Snag the book on the right, and we'll kick off the book club by reading the section titled "For the Ladies". It's a fast read and we'll meet back here next Friday (the 13th) & chat about it over virtual coffee and cake. Can't wait! Xx.

 

+ I'm curious. What do you think about a book club? Have you ever done one in the past? If you start it, do you think you'll finish it?

*affiliate links were used in this post :: thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.

P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?