Welcome to the monthly reading list, where I share what I have been reading–books, blog articles, etc, but also anything else I found interesting that I think people on this blog will find interesting.
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Books / Audiobooks:
The Secret Of Secrets by Dan Brown The latest adventure featuring Robert Langdon, running frantically around a European city, has been released. I have read all the other Langdon novels and this one can proudly sit beside the others on the bookshelf. Everything you could want in a Langdon adventure is here–frantically running around a European city with a beautiful woman, a mysterious, murderous creature roaming in the dark corners, a story that sends you down rabbit holes Googling stuff, and, of course, puzzles.
River Of The Gods by Candice Millard Candice Millard is one of my favorite writers of historical non-fiction genre, so well-researched and written that it feels like a gripping fiction adventure novel. This one covers the story of two frenemies battling to be recognized as the true authority on the origin of the Nile, which was the question ~150 years ago. I can recommend all her other books too, my favorites are Destiny of the Republic and The River of Doubt.
Houston Attack by Randy Wayne White (Writing As Carl Ramm): Book 5 of 11 featuring James Hawker, a vigilante who prowls the country taking on hordes of baddies, guns ablazing, while being clandestinely backed by a billionaire seeking justice where the arm of the law can’t, or won’t, reach. This book has 1,000+ Amazon reviews and a 4 star rating. Every book in the series clocks in around 170-200 pages and I doubt it took White more than two or three weeks to write. A reminder that you don’t need to write the next Great American Novel to go full time in writing. Tons of these action / thriller / mystery / romance books have 1,000+ Amazon reviews. Maybe it’s time we give a try to writing a 200 page thriller as fast as we can and publish it to Kindle? Don’t get snooty. Lots to learn from these types of books.
I read a few copywriting books:
- The Copywriters Handbook, Fourth Edition by Robert Bly (very good). This needs to be added to your collection if you are in the blogging game.
- This Is Marketing by Seth Godin (meh). I expected more. After reading I couldn’t shake the feeling it’s a “do as I say, not as I do” type of situation. Like professional athletes or action movie stars extolling the virtues of hard work while neglecting to mention the steroids.
- Quantum Marketing by Raja Rajamannar (scary) Explores the exciting future of marketing! To me it sounds like 1984 meets Brave New World. Bottom line: marketers are planning to go as far as monitoring your heart rate and bowel movements to “serve” you more relevant ads.
- Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller (meh). I hope Donald Miller goes back to the thoughtful books he used to write instead of publishing books that are advertisements for his marketing company. Check out his old stuff, very good.
TV / Film:
Castle If you like mysteries and you like reading and writing you will like this show. Richard Castle is a famous crime novelist who teams up with Detective Kate Beckett to solve murders in New York City. Wife and I just finished Season 4. Pure fun.
We watched a few Christmas films too:
- White Christmas I had never watched this in my life before marrying my wife, for her its a yearly. At first, I scoffed at this 1950s classic. But as years wore on I’ve fallen for it’s charm: big, bright colors, 1950s optimism, song-and-dance numbers, and fast talking jokes.
- The Grinch This 2018 animated film by Illumination is my favorite Grinch film of the three. Yeah, I said it. And I hope Hollywood decides to explore this fascinating character further, I mean, they made about 142 Scrooge films, they could at least make a few more Grinch films.
- Miracle On 34th Street I turned on the old 1947 version while washing some dishes and was soon amazed as my young children gathered round and became engrossed in this black-and-white film. We later watched the 1994 version too.
Music:
Trans Siberian Orchestra Arena Christmas rockers are always on my playlist in December, and this December was no different. A Tampa band, I had tix to see them but I had a conflict and couldn’t go. Wife and daughter went instead. TSO shows are out-of-this-world and many people don’t realize they are one of the top grossing rock bands in the world, touring just about 2 months a year.
Alexa’s “Classic Christmas” Playlist Ask Alexa to play the “Classic Christmas” playlist. It slaps. All the old favorites are here. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”
As mentioned, I intend to make the “Reading List” a monthly article, I’m still navigating my way toward the best way to format it; it should be much more polished in the future! I promise!