5 Things I Like – Issue # 3

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I feel like this week’s TIL theme could be called “The Writer.” Somehow I collected things that are about the craft of writing, artistic tools, and everything in between.

 

 

 

 

1. Book: “Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin

 

This recommendation is for the budding writers. There are few writers I admire, Ursula K. Le Guin holds a special place in my mantel of writers I love. When I discovered the “A Wizard of Earthsea” series, I fell in love with her imagination and coming from the Harry Potter series it was something that I was more than happy to have discovered. (Of course, if J.K. Rowling eventually writes a book about writing, I’m sure I would recommend that too).

“Steering the Craft” opens up how Le Guin thinks, how she sees her work, how she advises would-be writers how to broaden their horizons and their writing toolkits.

The exercises are helpful and workshop-tested based on Le Guin’s own lectures. I also enjoyed reading Le Guin’s commentary on other works of literature and her opinions about the art of writing. Her wisdom is always enlightening and straight to the point. 

I recommend this book for any readers who have hopes in writing fiction, non-fiction, and just to enjoy Le Guin’s point-of-view on writing. I know that most people who are into writing may have also read the amazing book “On Writing” by Stephen King — this book like Le Guin’s is part author’s memoir and part instructional is also cut from the same mission as Le Guin’s book.

For those of us who enjoy reading about the craft of writing from well-respected authors, Le Guin’s book is a treasure trove! 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Notebook: Leuchtturm 1917 Notebooks

I love Leuchtturm notebooks, it has replaced my Moleskine notebooks as my go-to notebooks. My favorites are the dotted versions. I use them for work and my personal life. They are not cheap notebooks (but they are high-quality notebooks). I have found them as cheap as $12 at my favorite independent bookstore McNally Jackson in Soho, NYC so if you are ever in Manhattan definitely stop by to pick up these notebooks there (and perhaps buy a book or two while you’re at it)!

The features I love about this notebook are: pages have pagination and indexing (perfect for Bullet Journaling), we also get two bookmark strings instead of one, vinyl hardcover, pockets with labels stickers, clean 249 pages beautiful pages.

Highly recommended if you want a beautiful, sleek notebook that will last a very long time!   

 

 

 

3. Pen: Muji Aluminum Fountain Pen

If one has to splurge for a beautiful pen — don’t bother paying hundreds of dollars for one! I simply adore the Muji Aluminum Fountain pen. The intricately decorated and well-designed nibs and refillable ink cartridge makes this pen something one would want to gift for themselves or even for your favorite friend or loved one.

I love writing cards and notes in addition to journaling. I would recommend considering using a fountain pen to anyone who loves to write. This fountain pen can be had in any Muji stores, however, if one is not close to you try ordering them via Amazon!

 

 

 

4. Pretty fun: Funko POP! Marvel: Dancing Groot Bobble Action Figure

 

For those in need of a little cheering up at our work desk on Mondays or at home, this is also great for the “The Guardians of the Galaxy” fan. Funko POP!’s Dancing Groot is just too adorable for words.

 

 

 

 

5. Download: PhotoScan (Google Photos)

Have some old photos lying around? Get this freebie app made by Google to scan all of them using your smartphone. This app is available via iOS and Android and best of all, it’s free! I totally love the algorithm that gets rid of the glare often apparent from taking a photo of a photo using a smartphone. It intelligently stitches parts of the photo together to circumvent this problem. It also has some pretty nifty edit and photo enhancements tools!

 

 

Hope you enjoy this TIL! Let me know if you have any recommendations.