Hi! My name is Jonathan. Welcome back to Abington Public Library for APL Book Bites, a new program here at the APL where we review some of our favorite books and more.

Sometimes it is interesting to get inside the mind of one of your favorite authors; that’s why, today, I have brought with me On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by the master of horror and suspense himself, Stephen King. The memoir/instruction guide is divided into 3 sections tackling the story of King himself as a writer, the purpose and use of writing, and an extended toolbox of tricks and writing techniques. A fourth section titled “On Living: a Postscript” closes the book with a reflection on moving forward after the 1999 car accident that nearly killed the horror writer and how writing played a role in his recovery. King writes from the unique pedigree of someone who has changed the modern world of media on the page and the silverscreen, but it never feels like a lecture or a manifesto. King details his life with disarming wit and genuine sincerity and explains some of the most complicated ideas of writing in understandable terms learned from years of experience and professionalism. On Writing is simultaneously one of the best memoirs and one of the best examinations of the writing craft I have personally read and I will leave you with some wise words from the man himself.

“You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons of all are the ones you teach yourself.”

This has been APL Book Bites, brought to you by the Abington Public Library. Thanks for spending a moment with us and we’ll see you next time! Bye!