7 BOOKS YOU SIMPLY MUST READ THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Every marketer secretly dreams of being an author, even if they never confess to it. To stoke your literary fire, we recommend 7 books to add to your reading list during the holiday season. (Or you can put the books in the bottom of a Christmas stocking and pretend that the recommendation comes from you.) We will keep your secret.
Measure Yourself Against the Earth, Mark Kingwell
“Mark is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto and is also regular columnist with the Globe & Mail, Harper’s The Guardian and Wall Street Journal etc. His writing style is accessible and full of poignant cultural insights that are not only relevant but downright hilarious. This book is both a serious and fun read. His opening essay’The Asshole Effect and the Honeymoon of Stupidity’ is especially prescient given the advent of Trump. Equally, ‘The Barbed Gift of Leisure’ is an truly poignant reflection on the need for all of us slow down, turn off and occasionally do nothing. I love this quote: ‘Work hones skills, challenges cognition, and, at its best serves noble ends. It also makes the experience of genuine idling, in contrast to frenzied leisure-time, even more valuable. Here, with only our own ends and desires to contemplate — what shall we do with this free time? — we come face-to-face with life’s ultimate question. To ask what is worth doing when nobody is telling us what to do, to wonder about how to spend our time is to ask why we are here in the first place. Like so many of the standard philosophical questions, these one’s butt up, however playfully, against the threshold of mortality.’ Enjoy! ”
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, Jared M. Diamond
“Not sure why but I’m a big fan of historical literature. I’ve not quite finished it yet as I often spend more time reading Dr Seuss. Nevertheless. I’m thoroughly enjoying this book which observes how the Europeans influenced so much of the world, but at significant human cost. As we observe modern times, from the turmoil in the middle east to the rise of right wing politics it shows maybe we’ve been there before a few times.”
Thank You for Being Late, Thomas L. Friedman
“I love Thomas L. Friedman. This book is “an optimist’s guide to thriving in the age of accelerations”, tackling the problem of a world that is getting better and better, worse and worse, faster and faster. In his latest book, he explores how technology is accelerating the life of people and the ecosystems they participate in.”
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help, Amanda Palmer
“This book is an extension of Amanda Palmer’s TED talk on the same subject — the Art of Asking. As someone who has never been comfortable asking for help for anything, this book opened me up to the idea of being more vulnerable and present. Not only have I become better at asking the people closest to me for help, but also being more open to the kindness of strangers. As an artist, Amanda Palmer has relied heavily on the kindness of strangers to help fund her art, and also to put her up, feed her and show her the world through her travels. At the root of it, the beauty of this book shows how we all want to feel connected to one another, and sometimes ‘asking’ can be that first step to feeling more connected to the people and world around you.”
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, Mitch Albom
“If you’re looking for a change-of-pace book, this one did it for me. This piece of literary fiction allows you to let your mind wonder to delightful and unusual places between reading sessions. And if you’re into music, like I am, it’s also a great way to rediscover real musicians and their work. It’s fiction but the references to songs and artists are real.”
“Music is the narrator of the story. Music shows us how any given talent can change people’s lives. Most importantly, how our choices regarding our talent, can change our destiny at every step of our lives. Feeling blessed that I’m surrounded by talented people it gave me a new, very human perspective on people with strong talent.”
“In true Mitch Albom fashion (Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet In Heaven) it’s almost a sappy fable but don’t let this stop you from reading it all. It’s worth it.”
The Tao of Bill Murray: Real-Life Stories of Joy, Enlightenment, and Party Crashing, Gavin Edwards
“This book is like the Holy Bible but for atheists… Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, etc. For anybody who values joy, enlightenment and party-crashing this is a must read. It is also a timely read as its publication date is coincidentally synched with the Cubs lifting the billy goat curse. Wishing you a Very Murray Christmas!”
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life, William Finnigan
“This is a fantastic book. It’s incredibly well-written, I didn’t realize so much could be said about surfing. But more than that, it’s about the prose, the words and the world in which this coming of age story unfolds. Incredibly immersive.”
Got any suggestions you’d like to add to the list ? Let us know in the comments!
