Rachel’s Recommendations
Recommended Reads:
A Book that Will Make You Laugh, Cry, Rage and Everything In Between
Kill ‘Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul, by James McBride, is probably the best narrative nonfiction book I’ve read all year. I have to start by saying that I’m a huge fan of James McBride and have almost read everything he’s written. This...
2 Essay Collections that Will Open Your Mind
I read a wide variety of books, if you haven't quite picked that up yet. Today I want to tell you about two essay collections I really, really enjoyed. The first was Jhumpa Lahiri’s In Other Words, which is a collection of essays that form the story of Lahiri’s...
4 Frightening MG Books that Will Keep You Up At Night
Lately I’ve been obsessed with the author Mary Downing Hahn. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth mentioning again---when I find an author I love, I will read everything she (or he) writes. It’s part of my reader’s manifesto. This is the case with Mary Downing Hahn. I...
Writing resources
On Story
- Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting, by Robert McKee
I know this is a screenwriting book, but it’s probably the most comprehensive book on storytelling. A great resource! Dense reading, but full of great information. - The Hero With a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell
Another dense read, but Joseph Campbell is one of my favorite commentators on story and story structure. Every writer should read this one at least once. - The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell
This was actually a series of interviews Campbell did. It’s better to listen to the audio version or watch the DVD. He’s so passionate about story, and that’s contagious!
On Writing (general)
- Wired for Story, by Lisa Cron
Great book on the science of the brain and how to craft well-told stories that will appeal to the storytelling side of the brain. I got this book years ago but still pull it out every now and then to refresh my memory. - Steering the Craft, by Ursula Le Guin
This one’s not so much a technique kind of book as it is a book reminding writers of their obligation to their readers. Some of her ideas are a bit old-fashioned, but most of them are still valuable today. - The Fire in Fiction, by Donald Maass
Another great one on creating books that appeal to readers. Again, I always read these kinds with a grain of salt–because my goals are a bit different, but we all want readers, so I think we can always find value in the suggestions offered, even if we don’t become hardcore users of them.