J. K. Rowling

In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, Very Good Lives offers J.K. Rowling's words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life, asking the profound and provocative questions: How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others? Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world-famous author addresses some of life's most important issues with acuity and emotional force. Sales of Very Good Lives will benefit Lumos, a charity organisation founded by J.K. Rowling, which works to transform the lives of disadvantaged children, and university-wide financial aid at Harvard University.

The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

Very Good Lives

J.K. Rowling, one of the world's most inspiring writers, shares her wisdom and advice. In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, VERY GOOD LIVES presents J.K. Rowling's words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life. How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others? Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world famous author addresses some of life's most important questions with acuity and emotional force. Sales of VERY GOOD LIVES will benefit both Lumos, a non-profit international organization founded by J.K. Rowling, which works to end the institutionalization of children around the world, and university-wide financial aid at Harvard University.

Ryan Mateyk

Advice like this is always nice to read especially as the future looms so uncertainly ahead. Stay true to yourself, kids!

Kritika Narula

Of course I finished the book in one sitting, but I cannot put into words how much longer the words have been lingering with me. 
The book is actually the commencement speech that Rowling gave and it has set some serious benchmark for a speech. 
It speaks to me on so many levels, and fills me with so much hope for everything. 
While she retains the humor in her speech, reading the words on paper has a different impact. She touched upon the beautiful themes of failure and imagination. 
If you're someone who wants to achieve something, be someone remarkable, you will have a lot of takeaways from her speech. 
I will quote some of her points, to make my own point clearer:
1. "Poverty... is not an ennobling experience"
As someone whose story quite literally represents the 'rags to riches' tale, she has described not what it seems or looks like, but actually what it feels like: in poverty , you are a lone ranger, the lack of resources make your life less charming for the world, and it is only in the journey of stepping out of poverty like a diamond from a coal mine that one can find some relief, not before, not after. Certainly not before, when poverty gnaws at your very existence. We romanticize the wrong things.

2. "Talent and intelligence never yet inoculated anyone against the caprice of the Fates"
It is rare to find people who have such an acute understanding and deep awareness of the fact that not everyone is born with a silver spoon. And I guess it only happens when one has been on both the ends herself. Her acute sense of understanding is largely due to the fact that she can say for herself too, that her standing in front of Harvard University's graduating class in no way means she has had it easy. Such a brilliant thing to say to put everyone's fears at peace and hopes ignited.

3. "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default."
This is one life lesson at least the millennial generation wouldn't forget. 

She also expounds on her experiences at Amnesty International and how they played a part in her future actions. 

4. " I think the wilfully unimaginative see more monsters. They are often more afraid."
I am personally a strong advocate of the importance of keeping possibilities alive, always knowing that there are teeming opportunities and that there are pursuits galore if you never stop learning and exploring. And so the complacent people, the ones who see only the reality and nothing else, live lives not worth remembering. Leaving legacies is indeed a noble pursuit.

Wise, witty, wonderful, moving, inspirational, sincere: I cannot find the right adjective for the text, and I know I will keep coming back to it, on the rainiest and sunniest of days!

Isadora Cal

My love and admiration for this woman is endless. I think everyone should read/listen to this speech at least once a year so no one will forget what really matters in life - and how failure is a needed part of life, just like imagination.

Izza

4.5 stars | "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default."

Ofelia

<
The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more than any qualification I ever earned.>>

Ley Stanton

I saved this for a day when I need uplifting. Today was that day.
This is the first time I have her commencement speech but I highly doubt its the last. Her words really do inspire something in you, a desire to be greater. Its something I desperately needed, to be reminded that failure is not the worst thing can happen to me. At least then I have a place to build up from. 
I see myself turning to this speech whenever I need to be reminded of that fact, my copy shall surely be worn by the time I graduate from college.

Jaclyn

"We do not need magic to transform our world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already."  

Touching. Empowering. Inspirational. Beautiful words of wisdom from the author who started it all!

Reyna Wren

Gorgeous artwork that helped to create beautiful graphic designs, combined with a wonderful speech! :)

Stefanie Sugia

Inspiring ! And I absolutely love the layout of the book :)

Georgia Carr

I feel especially attached to this book as it is my first ever American bookstore purchase (from the Yale bookstore no less). I also bought it the day after visiting Harvard. How fitting ((:

It helps that it's also an amazing book to own with some very inspiring words inside. Highly recommended.

Kate Gravelle

In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, Very Good Lives offers J.K. Rowling's words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life, asking the profound and provocative questions: How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others? Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world-famous author addresses some of life's most important issues with acuity and emotional force.

Emir Andrés Ibañez

“You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.”

APLAUSOS DE PIE, POR FAVOR.

Olivera Mitić

How do you rate something like this? I don't have a clue. 

In those 74 pages it managed to move me and tear me up and fill me with a sense of restlessness and anticipation of what is to come. It came to me in the right time and gave me exactly what I was hoping to get from it. 

Bravo, J. K. Rowling, you can do no wrong.

Paula Espinosa

So inspirational and uplifting with real and important truths many of us seem to forget or pass by. There are many lessons for us to learn and she talks all about that. She’s such a great person and I’m so grateful they put out this copy of her words in paper.

noha

“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” 

⚡️💛🙏🏼

Danielle H.

“It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people's lives simply by existing.” 

Normally, the idea of spending $16 on a book this tiny that I could just read in the store in about five minutes would sound absurd to me and I would not do it, but its J. K. Rowling so of course I made an exception. 

This was such a wonderful speech, and I expected as much from the queen herself. It really touched me and I can see myself reading this a hundred times over so I can justify the money spent on it. 

Being in my last year of college, I fear the road ahead. It is terrifying to think about the future, of what is going to happen once I graduate especially because as an English major, I have been asked repeatedly, "What can you do with that? Are you going to teach?" The answer to the second question is no; I do not want to teach but rather be involved in the publishing world. The skepticism thrown my way has been rather disheartening, and the pressure to do something productive with my life has been building up. 

I read this speech during a time when I was beginning to seriously question and doubt everything about my life. All the fears and anxieties built up inside me were getting to be too much for me to handle. But this speech changed everything. 

Now, being a huge fan of J. K. Rowling, it may seem a tad bias to say that this speech had such a major effect on me because nearly everyone I have ever met in the book community have said that J. K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series have changed their lives, made them fall in love with reading, etc. And I am not afraid to admit, I am one of those people who says that as well. But this is not about just being a fan of an author; contrary to belief, one is not required to love every single idea that a particular author pens down. Rowling writing this speech is not what makes it special or so inspiring, it is the message she gets across.

After reading this speech, I felt better about all the things that had been causing me sleepless nights and endless worry. It gave me motivation I have been until recently been lacking, and high hopes for my future. I would recommend this to anybody; not just those who are graduating or soon to be graduating college. Its message is meant for everybody.It is beautifully written and the book itself is beautiful as well.


“You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.”

Alyssa Jacunski

For a book so small, it sure took me a long time to get to this! 

This is a difficult review to write due to the fact that this was initially a commencement speech at Harvard. However, I do appreciate the lessons that Rowling is trying to get us to understand: that failure is absolutely okay, and doesn't mean your life is over.

Debbie

"We do not need magic to transform our world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already."

This is a very short, but inspiring read. I think anyone who is going through a tough time and need a little inspirations should read this. C'est un très bon livre.

Wren Hardwick

"I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored,and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

This little essay is simply inspiring, which is something that I feel people need in the day and age we all live in. It talks about following your dreams, even if you end up having to fight your demons in the process. 

It also talks about standing up for people who can't defend themselves. How we have to imagine other people's predicaments and how that can challenge them, and help them in any way that we possibly can. 

"What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality." Plutarch

I think every sing person needs to read this. I want to go conquer the world and fight a war against all the wrong doings and twisted minds.

But I am going to settle [for this moment] for telling you to read, digest, share, and do.

"As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters."

Erin 

This book/speech is incredibly inspirational to me. My senior quote is from this speech, and it spoke to me in a time of uncertainty when I was going to university. Jo never fails to live up to my heroic expectations.

Very Good Lives The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

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