52 Projects: Random Acts of Everyday Creativity

by Jeffrey Yamaguchi

A collection of fifty-two weekly projects is designed to reveal how the author's personal creative and artistic journey transformed his life and provides inspiration for the reader's own artistic odyssey through such endeavors as painting, writing, drawing, carving, singing, dancing, cooking, and performing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Art, Self Help, Creative, Writing, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

At the age of 26, Jeffrey Yamaguchi quit his job, threw himself a retirement party, and believed that he could make a living publishing zines. It didn’t work out, but he continues to dream the dream. Jeffrey’s books include 52 Projects, Working for the Man, Anya Chases Down the End, and Body of Water. His stories, poems, photography, and short films have been published in many literary journals, including Okay Donkey, Kissing Dynamite, Back Patio Press, X-R-A-Y Literary Magazine, Honey & Lime, Spork Press, Vamp Cat Magazine, Nightingale & Sparrow, Black Bough Poetry, and the Atticus Review.

Reviews

[adaynasmile · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways, and received the copy for free. The review, however, is based on my own unbiased opinion.

I was highly disappointed in this book. I had high hopes. Even the intro where he talked about creativity and the drive that it gives him...I could relate to that. I could see myself in his night time obsessions with whatever he was creating, and the issues of keeping notebooks filled with ideas. I understood the notes that he shared with a friend during classes that were boring in high school. But that was about it. I did appreciate the encouragement to be creative, but I was not impressed with the suggestions.

First, I expected creative projects. You know, like ideas on what to paint or how to creatively put together a scrapbook of memories in a way that you have never seen before. I did not expect to be told to send a beer to a friend and tell them to drink it at a specific time, and then read a story about how he used to do that with his friends.

I thought that there would be ideas of how to bring more creativity into the day to day. Things like photographing the same spot every day for 30 days was along the lines I was expecting. But then what? There was nothing really to it. Just to do it and a cute story about someone who had done it for years and accidently photographed someone's dead spouse (while alive of course) in the process. That wasn't really creative. A cute story and idea, sure. But what am I supposed to do with 30 photos of the same spot? Where was the creative use for all of my hundreds of photos?

There were encouragements of things like switching out photos in the frames and to take the photos. Those were good, but not really creative. And the idea of sending a friend a take-out menu, cash, and chopsticks was kind of fun. But what about ideas of how to creatively package it? That's more of a random act of kindness. Many of the ideas I would put in that category. Or in the category of memory keeping. But they really weren't creative.

If you are looking for photos, you will be disappointed, because this book has no illustrations or photos. Nothing to share how your creativity can be used in memory keeping or spreading kindness to others, or sharing friendship.

I did appreciate many of the little stories behind the ideas. But a lot of them are more about reliving some glory days of drinking and partying than anything. I think if it was written as a book to keep memories alive, share kindness with others, and inspire the world with simple projects, than perhaps it would be more honest. But I did not find that it sparked any creativity within me (as a creative person naturally) and I did not find that there were ANY projects within it that I feel I would really want to implement.

In all I am disappointed with what I thought to be a fun book with ideas to keep my creativity alive from day to day, with projects and simple things that can be done to spark that creativity.

[Syntaxx · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first 46 pages of this book are baloney and can be skipped entirely: I’m already here, I don’t need to be sold on the premise of your book; it felt very much like preaching to the choir and a reflection of insecurities regarding the material that was to follow. I feel this book would’ve been more impactful. I had it just stuck to being the 52 ideas. This feels like a book that could’ve been a Tumblr. Most of the suggestions are pretty lackluster and a few seem down right unethical (x: record a conversation with your friend without their consent to send them later as a time capsule.) wtf? I would be so upset if a friend did that to me! I do not recommend this book to anyone and I would like the time back that I wasted reading it.

[Mycala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, and the fact that the author gets it that creativity comes in many forms, including creating goodies in the kitchen! I sometimes beat myself up that I'm not achieving bigger goals creatively and this book reminded me that as long as I'm creating, it could be just a small project that lasts an hour. It doesn't have to be some colossal thing. I sometimes make it more difficult than it has to be. (The down side to a Type A personality I guess...) At any rate, I love all the ideas in here and the jumping off points and it was really inspiring. I will definitely come back to this one, so it goes in the permanent library.

[Amy Brown (amylikestoreadalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just picked up this little gem from the library...loving it! I think I may need to buy it! The projects are interesting, it's not so much as a creativity challenge, but an idea to spark a project! One I just looked at was: Make your house into an art gallery (invite some friends). blow up your photos, buy some original art, make some art, whatever! I started to get all kinds of ideas when I read that...check this one out for sure. Haven't been to the website yet, but he has a few tied to this book.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like being creative? Do you have a bunch of unfinished projects laying around, collecting dust? Do you have a project in mind, but just don't know how to begin? If so, this is the right book to get you moving. Besides listing 52 different fun projects to get you motivated, the author talks about his own love of being creative. Best of all, he assures us that it's okay to mess up - it's all part of the process.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the book as he talked about having creativity in your life, giving up TV to have time to create, etc. But the projects left much to be desired. OK, a couple projects were interesting but most of them - ah,no. One project suggested that you find letters friends had written to you, make copies and then send the letters back to your friend.

[Giselle Scotdeerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure that going somewhere for the first time, taking your photo there and then NEVER GOING BACK THERE AGAIN is my idea of creative. Oh, wait, I *am* sure --- it's NOT. If there's a reason for this, I missed it. Sounds stupid, not creative, to me. You lost me there and I never came back. Oh, wait, I guess this is one place I really won't be revisiting.

[Crystan M.]

A quick read about creativity and how it can benefit your life and be shared with others. As the title implies, the author does describe 52 creative projects. These projects are not there for you to follow down the line but more of an inspiration to consider different ways to be creative. It was an interesting read and made me want to find a project of my own.

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for one of my book clubs and did 1 of the projects. It does have some great project ideas, some being self discovery-ish while others are quite narcisstic, but a lot of them are a bit cheezy. My husband and I got a lot of good laughs reading some of the project ideas aloud.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I support being creative and productive, but most of these projects felt like homework instead of fun.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL ideas ranging from short & easy to somewhat complicated, but all worth considering.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how long this has been sitting on my shelf, unread (like so many other books). But it probably would have been a better fit for that younger Me who bought it, the one who did things like Nanowrimo. Today's Me is a mom, and besides (it dawned on me as I was reading) already has lots of ideas for projects and doesn't really need to read other people's project ideas. I had started this book at the beginning of the new year, thinking I might do one of his projects (or a similar spin-off kind of project) per week, but the projects didn't end up appealing to me. I also felt like there were too many somewhat-repetitive preliminary chapters. But some of the stuff at the end was good: Project 52, the encouragement to write things down & take pics, a few of the resources (the ones that aren't gone by now, anyway). 3.5.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This maybe appeals more to single people fresh out of college looking for something more... I found some ideas ok but overall not necessarily creativity - - and definitely not for where I am in life as an older solo parent of two... it's been on my list to read for years but it was not very inspiring for me in my current state.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this from Goodreads Giveaways.

I feel like this was a good concept but not what I was expecting. It might work better for someone else, but I guess I was hoping for like art projects or writing projects.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short & had some good ideas but it was oddly focused on drinking.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

My assignment for book club was to read this book and pick a project to do. I have to report on my project at book club. I have it narrowed down to 2 projects:

No. 1: Get copies of letters you and a friend wrote to each other; make copies of the letters and mail them to your friend. I would like to do this project - I just don't even know where to begin looking for the letters I would like to use.

No. 40: Put together a collection of pictures from every home/place you have ever lived. Obviously, some of these will be easy to find and some will be more difficult - I'll probably have to go digging in my parent's boxes of old pictures.

It was not really a book you "read", but it did have some fun ideas and should make the boring winter ahead a little more exciting while I work on my project(s).

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at 2nd & Charles because when I flipped through there were a few ideas that intrigued me (go to www.52projects.com and you can see all the ideas that are in the book). It is more than just the projects listed though...there are a few fun projects listed near the page numbers (page 80 - plan a picnic for the first day it reaches 80 deg), and there are some essays on projects - what they can do for you. The best idea was to not let them fall away -- finish your projects. Even a failure can lead to something. So, I am taking that to heart...My goal for the rest of this year (and likely next year as well) is to just get some of my current projects completed. Good luck to me.

[Sarah Key · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Project #39: Go some place, alone. Once you are there, take a picture of yourself using the self-timer. Immediately after taking the picture, leave, and never go back to that place again. Ever." - Strangely enough, this seems like a pretty liberating idea to me. Just as shaving off all of my hair seems like it would be liberating as well. Eh, this alternative sounds less dangerous. We'll go with that. (I cannot be trusted with sharp objects.)

If you want to read the 52 projects without having to buy the book, go here: http://52projects.com/the-original-52...

Fun to look through.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this slim little book about making and doing - and why we make and do. He takes the idea of projects far beyond the usual craftiness, encouraging the reader to try new things, make memories, and give back while fueling your own creativity and engagement with yourself, your loved ones, and the world. I would like to give this book as a Christmas present to all of my loved ones - or at least those that are inclined toward self-reflection.

[Jan Polep · Rating 4 out of 5]

OOOOOh...what a choice this would be for "One Book, One Community". Participants could report back on projects and/or choose one to do as a community. Okay, some of these projects are a little too wild but many are just what I needed to push me over the edge into actively spicing up my life, my libraries, and the lives of my friends and family. So, beware. No spoiler alerts..want you to discover the projects for yourself. I'm buying my own copy of this one.

[Emily Von pfahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It had lots of great ideas to inspire creativity without making you feel like you had to do them exactly as written, or that you need tons of equipment or really advanced skills. I just wish he had spent less time writing about why projects are important. Preaching to the choir!

[Rebecca V.Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational selection of projects, it seems there is something for everyone. I have completed and enjoyed many of these projects, and from them I have thought up my own projects to complete too. I loved it and often re-read it to get more ideas for future projects.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

I really, really like the concept of this book. Right up my alley, even if not all the projects Yamaguchi suggests are ones I care to tackle. Many of them are, though, and I am definitely inspired to make this approach to creativity a more formal part of my routine : )

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration! Not just for crafters or artists, but anyone who is interested in exploring their inner world, journaling their lives, viewing the world in a new way. Awesome book!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read: November 12, 2010. I bought a copy to read it again! This time around, I have seen Ikiru and read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way (many times). My ideas flowed and I have a hefty list of project ideas written down in my Commonplace Book - another project. Whoop!

[Jennifer Vandenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book to get your creative juices flowing. His ideas are simply jumping-off ideas. You will find yourself coming up with something unique. Whenever I feel blah I look through this book and my mind starts churning again.

[Keshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for igniting creativity and an alternative to other common forms of entertainment (i.e. television). I just wish that more random acts included. Admittedly, I refer to this book often for ideas on creative things to do.

[Miss Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total fun. Started as a on-line share ideas sort of thing and morphed into this book. Some fun and some strange ways to explore your creative and wacky side. Might be a good book to look through to find fun mini-projects for your class.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Jeff wrote this book. It's a good starting point if your creative juices need a little stir.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premise = very good, still processing the ideas behind it, how to apply.

Examples = ridiculous. Really, mailing alcohol? Illegal, not particularly creative.