NOT F*ING AROUND

A large dose of creative inspiration served up in an irreverent self-help package.

When he’s not writing books, Leisawitz composes and produces music, makes films, and teaches at Pacific Lutheran University, among other things. In a debut that’s full of cheeky attitude, he encourages creative types “to rev up, keep it on the road, and step on the gas.” The underlying messages—find your passion, do what you love, visualize a successful outcome, learn from failure, take risks, pursue your dreams, and, above all, have fun—are fairly typical of self-improvement books. The difference here is the author’s delightful delivery: Leisawitz writes with clarity and honesty, employing contemporary cadence and hip phraseology. He peppers his prose with insights and quirky humor: “As you may have noticed, humans are delicate creatures with oversized brains that tend to get themselves into trouble.” In addition, the book offers an intriguing mix of philosophy (“The Universe will guide you towards your highest good”) and psychology (“The one who puts the most time and effort into sabotaging our lives is ourselves”). The author effortlessly strings these one-liners throughout the text, creating a reading experience that’s a bit startling at times but always exhilarating. The book’s design is equally engaging; the type is unusually large, headlines emphasize key points and frequently break up pages, and cartoon illustrations enhance and effectively augment the text. In the end, the process promulgated by Leisawitz celebrates untethered creativity and freedom of spirit in the broadest sense: “Although it may not seem like it at times,” he writes, “every moment that you’re alive on this planet is a big deal. It’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to learn, to grow, to do stuff.” The author’s reverence for the creative process is evident throughout, and he writes with a passion that’s nothing if not infectious.

Funky, fun, and occasionally naughty, with a meaningful message about embracing creativity and living life to the fullest.