Hello everyone, hope you are enjoying your weekend. I’ve got a little issue that I need some help with. And, no not ankle advice. Turned out she is walking around just fine today, a little sore. But unfortunately, I can’t play anymore KISS songs for a while.
But here is where I need some help. I am an avid reader. I have my set of favorite authors, as I am sure you all do. But I am fresh out of books to read. I usually pick up a few from the NYT bestseller list to try out new authors, but I am just a sucker for my usual rat pack of writers. Please don’t judge my tastes - some are guilty pleasures. Some are just to sit back and escape into another reality, and some are for the pure craft of writing. They include but are not limited to:
- Pat Conroy
- Tom Wolfe
- Nelson DeMille
- Lee Child – The Jack Reacher Series is Incredible
- Stephen King
- Carl Hiaasen
- Tom Clancy
The ankle girl likes Twilight and all the Vampire type books, but not my thing.
How does this all relate to advertising? Well many of these authors have had books made into movies, and we know how the movie industry has marketing down to a science. Product placement, which can be incredibly clever, is a whole different topic I will write about one of these days.
As most of us agree, rarely does a movie do justice to the book. If you are a reader, and you have that creative mind, conjuring up the action, images, settings, dialogue exchanges - all in your own little brain adds a dimension that a movie just steals away. A great movie does give you that 90 minutes of pure guilty escape to nowhere-land.
The marketing of books hasn’t changed much over the years. It is an incredibly competitive and cutthroat business, much like all the entertainment arts. As an aside, I am going to give you some insight into the entertainment engine with a friend who will be guest blogging with me in the near future. Look for that, it will be interesting. Especially if you are considering a career change to that field! But I am rambling, as I often do.
So anyway, as you can see, my short list of authors is just that – short. And I agree, not a lot of diversity. I have made an effort over the years to read my way through most of the classics like The Catcher in the Rye, Jane Eyre (had to), Portrait of Dorian Grey, Republic by Plato, 1984, Catch-22, Brave New World, A Clockwork Orange and of course Atlas Shrugged
and The Fountainhead – just to name a few. Also loved both The Stand and Swansong. My book library is modestly extensive, and I usually am reading two at a time.So my friends, some help. I can tell you I don’t like the James Patterson and John Grisham – bang a book-a-month out type writers. That is why Tom Wolfe is up there with my favorites, always conducting diligent research and writing epic type novels.
So what should I read next? What would you recommend to me? I like humor, some action if not overdone, dark humor, drama, nothing romance, and really interesting characters.
So in the spirit of Beatles week, I need a little help from my friends.
Thank you in advance!
There is a site out there if you type in a book it kicks back one like it by I forget the name of it. Maybe look for something like that. I don't find the what other people bought on Amazon very helpful. Good luck, or just watch more TV
ReplyDeleteMost of the sites like stupid says just give you other books from the same author, at least that is what I found. Try A Heartbreaking Work of A Staggering Genius ad guy. You might like that one!
ReplyDeleteCome on. Just one book rec? Please? Do I have no friends? Is that so obvious?
ReplyDeleteI love Jane Eyre!
ReplyDeleteBook recommendations, huh? Here are several that I enjoyed:
ReplyDelete(1) The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell;
(2) Hey Whipple Squeeze This – Luke Sullivan;
(3) His Dark Materials trilogy (Hollywood’s rendition of “The Golden Compass” was horrible) – Philip Pullman;
(4) The Three Musketeers – Alexander Dumas (yes, really. Amazing writing and an engaging adventure story);
(5) Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown;
(6) All books by Dashiell Hammett (The Thin Man, Maltese Falcon, The Glass Key, to name a few);
(7) For your fiancé – Dracula – Bram Stoker (it is reaaaaaaaly good)
On my bookshelf – next two to be read:
(1) The Endurance – Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition
(2) Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 – Marcus Luttrell (I am told an AMAZING book)
Currently reading:
(1) The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience; &
(2) How to Succeed in Advertising When all you Have is Talent: Today’s Top Creatives Show you How – Laurence Misky
Here’s my two cents – join a book club. I joined one 6 months ago and have read several books that I would not have picked-up in a million years. I mean, you don’t know what you don’t know (you know?).
When reviewing my recommendations -keep in mind that Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite books. And to think you “had to” read it. I mean com’on last chapter, first sentence, “Reader, I married him.” Simple, direct but profound when you consider all that they had gone through in the preceding chapters, anyway . . . good luck on your quest.
Ok, makerry, I may have to reread Jane Eyre.
ReplyDeleteLoved The Tipping Point.
Also loved The Shipping News, but movie was...blah.
Da Vinci Code was a great book but Tom Hanks (or is that Hacks?) just made me hate movies all over again, so I couldn't even go back and read a word of that book.
The Endurance - I will take that one up. Love everything about Antarctica. Not owned by anyone. Only a few thousand people even go there each year. Thanks.
And do look into the fake diary of steve jobs, great blog! That is if you like sarcasm.
I also believe a follower of this blog swears by The Notebook.