The Big Read

As a challenge to myself I am reading more non-fiction than fiction. It is easier to pick up a book by David Baldacci or James Patterson than it is William Zinsser or David Cordingly. Patterson and Baldacci provide what I refer to as "mind candy" - quick easy to read fluff that fills the brain for a bit and is gone. William Zinsser and David Cordingly make you say "who?".

Here are the titles and back page descriptions of the three books I am reading simultaneously and why I chose to read each one:

• On Writing Well by William Zinsser
  
  "On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity, and its warmth of style.
  
  It is a book for anybody who wants to learn how to write, whether about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts, or about yourself. Its principles and insights have made it a cherished resource for several generations of writers and students."

Lately I've been doing a bunch of writing and editing at work. The work I'm editing is by someone who doesn't know I'm editing it, but I do it anyway. His writing tends to be a bit wordy and fluffy. After reading a blog post by Donald Miller titled Read These Seven Books, and You'll be a Better Writer I decided to pick up this book based on the description he wrote and reviews I read online. I guess it's a classic - who knew? I didn't. So far I am about a quarter of the way through the book and have found it to be a great help both in the editing I'm doing and my writing for work; since I don't really edit what I write here because most of it is from the hip it may not spare you from some of my bad writing habits. Zinsser's passion for writing, words and structure is contagious.

• Under The Black Flag by David Cordingly
  
  "This rollicking account of the golden age of piracy is packed with vivid history and high seas adventure. David Cordingly, an acclaimed expert of pirates, reveals the spellbinding truth behind the legends of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Sir Francis Drake, the fierce female brigands Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and others who rode and robbed upon the world's most dangerous waters. Here, in thrilling detail, are the weapons they used, the ships they sailed, and the ways they fought - and were defeated. Under the Black Flag also charts the paths of fictional pirates such as Captain Hook and Long John Silver. The definitive resource on the subject, this book is as captivating as it is supremely entertaining."

This book is the result of a trip to Costco for coffee. Some people can't resist grazing the free samples when the go to Costco, well I can't resist the book section. First, the cover caught my eye, the cool black cover with the menacing skull. Then, the fact that it was about pirates - aargh! "I must read this!" I thought. So I bought it.



• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
  
  "In this powerful, straight-from-the-hip examination of the internal obstacles to success, bestselling author Steven Pressfield shows readers how to identify, defeat, and unlock the inner barriers to creativity. The War of Art is an inspirational, funny, well-aimed kick in the pants guaranteed to galvanize every would-be artist, visionary, or entrepreneur."
  
  I know I have a creative side. I also know I have a lazy side when it comes to my creative side. AND... I often don't like to share my creative side because I also have a sensitive side that fears criticism from others about my creative side. This book also was picked due to its presence on Donald Millers list. I thought this book might live up to its promise to give me a "well-aimed kick in the pants" and get me to move on some of the ideas I have floating in my thick, rather large (size 7 5/8") head.




• A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Webb Young
  
  "Since its publication in 1965, A Technique for Producing Ideas has helped thousands of advertising copywriters smash through internal barriers to unleash their creativity. Professionals from poets and painters to scientists and engineers have also used the techniques in this concise, powerful book to generate exciting ideas on demand, at any time, on any subject. Now let James Webb Young's unique insights help you look inside yourself to find that big, elusive idea--and once and for all lift the veil of mystery from the creative process."
  
  This book was recommended in another book I listened to on audio CD The Art of Woo by G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa. It is a tiny little book that I eating a little bite at a time. I do a good portion of the marketing at work which requires an exercise in creativity and ideas. I hope this book gives me the little spark to generate these ideas more completely.

My hope is that these books add to the value of my life and not just fill some space in it. Not that fiction is bad, it's just a full menu of fiction is a bit much. It's like going to a restaurant that just has dessert on the menu - you can't survive on just peanut butter pie, although there are nights when I'm willing to try.

This is the year of change and my reading habits are part of that change. Running and reading. The two R's of 2010.