Book cover of The Wave in the Mind: Talks and Essays on the Writer, the Reader, and the Imagination

Book description

Join Ursula K. Le Guin as she explores a broad array of subjects, ranging from Tolstoy, Twain, and Tolkien to women's shoes, beauty, and family life. With her customary wit, intelligence, and literary craftsmanship, she offers a diverse and highly engaging set of readings. The Wave in the Mind includes…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Wave in the Mind as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ursula K.Le Guin is perhaps best known as a novelist and science fiction writer. But her non-fiction is very much worth reading too. I love her values, her courage, her clarity, her persistence. Right to the end of her very long life (she died in 2018 at the age of 88), she was thinking about the art and craft of writing. I find myself deeply inspired and encouraged by Le Guin, and in particular, this book.

From Christian's list on for taking time to stop and listen.

If you love The Wave in the Mind...

Book cover of New Rock New Rules

New Rock New Rules by Richard Sparks,

The epic saga continues. Jarnland is in a frenzy of excitement. After the eccentric demise of Old King Wyllard, his co-Majesty, young Queen Esmeralda, announces a Royal Tournament to celebrate the return of our heroes from their perilous quest. The Main Event will be a duel between the legendary warrior…

Want books like The Wave in the Mind?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Wave in the Mind.

Browse books like The Wave in the Mind

Book cover of Pip Pip: A Sideways Look at Time
Book cover of Earth's Wild Music: Celebrating and Defending the Songs of the Natural World
Book cover of A Book of Luminous Things: An International Anthology of Poetry

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,395

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Wave in the Mind, you might also like...

Book cover of Mother of Trees

Mother of Trees by Steven J. Morris,

Mother of Trees is the first book in an epic fantasy series about a dying goddess, a broken world, and a young elf born without magic in a society ruled by it.

When the ancient being that anchors the world’s power begins to fail, the consequences ripple outward—through prophecy, politics,…

Book cover of The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman

The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman by Robin Gregory,

After his doting aunt dies, a special fourteen-year-old boy who has trouble fitting into a remote 1906 village goes against a powerful retired Army captain determined to eradicate his outcast kin.

5 book lists we think you will like!