Jill Badonsky, author of The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence has released a new and wonderful work called The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder. This book is a fabulous resource for creative living and a perfect present for Valentine’s Day. Badonsky offers a potpourri of advice, aphorisms and insights organized in a calendar format. As she notes, “All the months and days are in order, for your convenience.” She provides whimsical tidbits designed to inspire your creativity including a “Toast of the Day” and a “Daily Soul Vitamin.” Each page includes a “Journal Juju” section that would make Leonardo Da Vinci smile. And, smiles will abound as you read. Each day also features a “Dose of Mirth” and they are very well chosen. Examples include quotes from Woody Allen, “I am 2 with Nature,” and Stephen Wright, “Sponges grow in the ocean…I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn’t happen.” Best of all, Badonsky’s humor and wisdom shine through every page. She crafted the exquisite illustrations by hand and her approach is summed up by her response to an interviewer who asked her:

“I love the fact that you can open this book on any given day of the year and begin! Each day is a session in creativity unto itself. How do you envision people using this book?

Badonsky replies:

“I envision that they will open the book on any given day and have a session in creativity unto itself.”

I also recommend that you sign up for her Muse-Flash Newsletter.