cover image It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond

It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond

Julia Cameron, with Emma Lively. Penguin/Tarcher, $17 trade paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-399-17421-6

With her usual enthusiastic, motivational tone, Cameron (The Artist’s Way) encourages individuals who are closing major chapters of their lives and moving into retirement to embrace the adventures that these years bring. With helpful sections on topics such as reinvigorating a sense of wonder, adventure, and purpose, Cameron offers a 12-week course, providing four basic tools for each week. She recommends writing three pages of longhand every morning in a private journal, letting the mind wander. Cameron also suggests making an “artist date” once a week, attending an event alone and exploring what delights your inner artist. As part of this course, she also recommends working on a memoir—a weekly process that allows readers to revisit different periods in their lives—as well as a twice-weekly solo walk to open space in the mind. During each week, Cameron provides questions and reflections that help guide the process. While Cameron’s repetitious and simplistic method may put some people off, her sincere spiritual cheerleading will likely motivate many individuals to find the creative sparks to light up the next phase of their lives. (Apr.)