A Book Review Short Version If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda is a terrific addition to your writer’s bookshelf. Although the book focuses on scientific communication, it holds valuable lessons for all nonfiction writers about effective communication. Oh, and it’s fun to read as well. Long Version […]
Book Reviews and Recommendations
One of the greatest gifts someone can give you is a reference to a good book.
I read a large number of books - many as research for the books I write, others just because I love to read them. My topic areas include business and marketing, writing, and cognitive science.
These are links to the book review posts. Visit the Resources pages to find suggested readings for either writing or marketing.
Running Down a Dream by Tim Grahl [Review]
Short Version In this generous and courageous book, Tim Grahl demonstrates why being creative is much more than simply corralling good ideas and how to prevent the corrosive effects of fear and resistance. Long Version In case you’re not familiar with him, Tim Grahl is book marketing expert. I’ve followed him for some time, having […]
Subscribed: The Subscription Economy Has Been Waiting for This Book
The Review: Short Version Finally – a comprehensive guide to the Subscription Economy, told from a viewpoint at the center of this tectonic shift. Long Version When I wrote the first edition of Subscription Marketing (published January 2015), I tried to get my head around the scope of the changes happening to businesses as they […]
Boredom and Creativity: A Review of Bored and Brilliant
The Short Version If you’re a writer, you probably realize that your best ideas pop up during unstructured time, when your mind wanders. In Bored and Brilliant, Manoush Zomorodi offers a seven-day challenge to detach yourself from your devices, so that you can experience boredom and its companion, creativity. Read the book and take the […]
A Fresh Take on Networking: Friend of a Friend
Short Version Friend of a Friend by David Burkus is a fresh, research-driven book that will change the way you approach business networking for the better. Grounded in network theory, the book bypasses traditional “how to network” advice with discussions of hidden networks, super connectors, silos, and structural gaps. It offers practical guidance on becoming […]
How We Talk: Another Book for Writers
The Short Version How We Talk by N.J. Enfield, offers fascinating insight into human conversation across many languages. It’s valuable for authors who write dialogue and anyone who wants more insight into real-time communication. This is yet another in a series of reviews of Books for Writers – books that are not, ostensibly, about writing, […]