Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change by Maggie Smith
Nonfiction
2020
Finished on August 16, 2025
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
For fans of Anne Lamott and Cleo Wade, a collection of quotes and essays on facing life’s challenges with creativity, courage, and resilience.
When Maggie Smith, the award-winning author of the viral poem “Good Bones,” started writing daily Twitter posts in the wake of her divorce, they unexpectedly caught fire. In this deeply moving book of quotes and essays, Maggie writes about new beginnings as opportunities for transformation. Like kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with gold, Keep Moving celebrates the beauty and strength on the other side of loss. This is a book for anyone who has gone through a difficult time and is wondering: What comes next?
Last winter I was introduced to Maggie Smith's writing when I encountered her outstanding memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful. I was so captivated with her writing that I immediately ordered a copy of Keep Moving, Smith's earlier book of essays and quotations. Rather than read it cover-to-cover in a few days, I decided to devote several months to the book, reading two or three pages at a time. It's a wonderful book for anyone dealing with loss, whether that be due to divorce or the death of a loved one.
Ha! I immediately assumed it was a memoir by the actress Maggie Smith. I was wrong. I could have used some of this Maggie's wise words in the last month or so.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I would love to read a memoir by Dame Smith! I think this book would be comforting after a loss. Maybe see if you can borrow a copy from the library?
DeleteI thought this was the world-famous actress. Didn't know there's another Maggie Smith in the world.
ReplyDeleteWhat beach is that with the purple flowers? Absolutely gorgeous.
Jinjer, Maggie Smith (the poet, not the actress) wrote a marvelous memoir that I devoured. This book is pretty good, but I recommend starting with You Could Make This Place Beautiful.
DeleteMy header photo is from our neighborhood bluff path in Depoe Bay, Oregon. It's actually quite high above the rocky shoreline. We don't have access to a sandy beach from this location, but the views are spectacular, especially with pelicans flying past (look carefully at the photo and you'll spot them) and whales cruising by.
I'm curious about what kinds of things she writes in this. I listened to her memoir. Is it a lot like that? I will see if the library has it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, it's not really like her memoir, although there are some spots where she writes a few paragraphs about her life. It's mostly one-page inspirational quotes. Take a look on Amazon. Underneath the cover art is a spot to click "Read Sample." You can see a lot of what is inside the book.
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