Visually, this book is stunning. The writing style is also very readable, and the stories themselves have a great amount of diversity. The author literally spoke to people all over the world, many of them people of color. Practically speaking, the book is more of a jumping off point, not a step by step blueprint. But dreaming has value, too. This is a great source of inspiration and was very soothing to read.

That being said, I did have two problems with the book. One is that many of the creatives profiled already started off from a point of privilege and stability, which will definitely be a sticking point for some readers. The "plan a trip" spread was a real WTF moment for me. The other was that I was leery of the profiles of white American or European creatives that began with them moving or traveling to less developed countries to pursue whatever endeavor and ended with them saying, "I'm hiring a poor person in this country with bad labor law practices!" as if their reasons were purely for their new employees' benefit without acknowledging that they were probably profiting off the situation as well.

In the end, the stories that spoke most deeply to me were the ones where creatives found solitude and self-sufficiency while trying different things to find out what worked for them, and not focusing on expansion or high profits.

Make a Living Living looks like just another coffee table vanity project book. A collection of beautifully styled Instagram images which can be admired for their own merits as well as the context each connects to.
But there is a lot more to this book than at first glance.
The millennial goal of being authentic/freelance/living where you want and doing what you want has become a cliché for a group of disenchanted young people who believe that they can do whatever they want, follow any interest they like and be paid for it.
The interviews and stories in this book clearly lay out the tough choices, hard work and sacrifices that have to be made in order to achieve that lifestyle.
Not everyone can learn the skills needed to achieve their goals but this book is certainly an inspiration to start trying.
Study. Emulate. Make it your own.

Thanks to social media, the freelancer/self-employed lifestyle has been glamorised and most 9-5ers yearning for the freedom that it provides. According to Nina Karnikowski, that's just one half of the story. In this short book, she shares her own self-employment journey alongside other creatives from all over the world.

This simply written and beautifully designed volume showcases creatives in diverse crafts and trades and how they are balancing working with their hands and building an online presence to market their merchandise across the globe. All the artistes seem to emphasize the importance of just starting with their interests and with what you have, exploration and discipline.

Making a Living Living is a great coffee table book that one can steadily read when in need of inspiration or a gift to a person seeking to pursue their passions.

A wonderfully uplifting read full of practical advice that will help you realise your dream life. Thank you 💞

I loved the format of this book, really easy to read, lovely images and a great book to pick up when you're in need of some inspiration to get you away from the 9-5 grind.

I thought the format of this book was excellent, and very inspiring. Not too heavy, and just enough information to get you thinking about your own dream working life. The photographs were very good and really lifted the book. I loved reading about other peoples creative and successful lives, and how they got to where they are. It is about living, and for me the pictures and the format of the book made all the difference.

I really enjoyed this book! It is made up of a collection of inspiring stories of individuals who made what they love their job. You will find a chocolatier, a potter, a freelance writer and photographer next to a knitter, a horticulturalist and many other creative heads in there. They each got four pages of photos and text about their path and their work. What I enjoyed most is the little box of advice from each of them as an overview as well as the exercise pages that are scattered throughout the book. They made me think and want to explore what exactly my passion is and how I can work for my goal. Will definitely come back to this and do the exercises or look for inspiration.

I would have liked there to be some more order, like sections for certain job areas like writing, painting etc with specific advice but the exercises can be applied to everyone as they are more of a foundation for creative people and you can gain inspiration from the individuals' stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A good read. I often think about the difference between working to live and living to work. I don't in life just want to work work work. This book delved into people who have got the balance right and there is some good advice to be had.

Well written and inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

An inspiring read a group of people who follow their dreams instead of the 9 to5 routine. Each individual shares their career change the bravery to change course the hard work to live their dream the joy they have in their daily routine Ives.From a woman who is now a very successful knitter a man who turned his life around echoing a very busy florist a successful photographer who know sells handmade sweaters,.So many great ideas suggestions I will be following many of these artisans on istaram bogs to see where there dreams take them .A beautifully laid out book lovely photographs.I will be gifting this to friends a very special read.#netgalley#make a living living