Books for the Brain

There’s so much info coming at us, especially in email and Blackberry size bytes. In the land we now live in, brevity is king and the prose of Faulkner is far, far away in the dusty bins of past summers. Or is it? Will anything digital ever truly replace the way it feels to hold a book with the ocean in front of you and the invasive smell of coconut suntan lotion lounging inside your nose?

Over the years, many clients and colleagues have asked for my recommendations on books – particularly on marketing, branding and writing. Here are some of my favorites. Some are obvious choices, and some may take you in a different direction. Perhaps to that place where discovery waits. Enjoy.

Marketing, Branding, Writing (and a little bit of life) Book Recommendations:

	Six Thinking Hats By Edward de Bono I love the simplicity of this book. It’s one I’ve read many times. It’s great for any one who has to do a lot of brainstorming and who needs some help to rein in “the Black Hat” thinker and to pull out “The Blue Hat” thinker in us all.

	Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind By Al Ries, Jack Trout I know there have been many extrapolations of this book, but I still prefer the original. The core idea of positioning is as relevant today, as it was when this was written. Markets change. Consumers change. The need to breakthrough with an authentic message that matters never goes away. Got positioning?

	The Tipping Point By Malcolm Gladwell I think Tipping Point is one of the best marketing books written in the last decade. Gladwell’s writing is accessible and authentic, and unlike so many business books, he’s not just trying to prove how smart he is. Instead, he’s letting us in on some of the Mojo of marketing today.

	Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking By Malcolm Gladwell I like this book because there are not simple, pat answers. Instead, it’s really an exploratory about thinking with a lot of questions and intriguing examples that really stay with you. Gladwell also draws on academic research that probably wouldn’t get to us without a book like Blink. I also liked the way Gladwell explains the “art of thin slicing.” That alone is worth the read.

	No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies By Naomi Klein As branding and advertising become an increasingly invasive part of every aspect of our lives, there will be more backlash. The marketers who understand this will succeed in straddling a very thin line. Klein is an important writer as we ask questions about the boundaries between commerce and individuality.

	Fast Food Nation By Eric Schlosser This is a book that strikes so many chords about our global culture and the imperialism of fast food. A burger is not just a burger. It’s a powerful part of the economy that affects much more than our waistline. Read this, and you’ll probably want to make your own fries.

	Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life By Anne Lamott This is one of my all-time favorite books about writing. It’s beautifully crafted with the hand and heart of one of our finest writers. For anyone who loves the craft of writing and who has struggled with “the shitty first draft,” (and who hasn’t?) this book is destined to be dog-eared and passed on to friends.

	Writing Down the Bones By Natalie Goldberg Warning: this is a touchy-feely book about writing. If that gets under your skin, this book is not for you. I like the way she focuses on the importance of writing, getting pen to paper and not censoring yourself before you begin, and as any writer of any genre can tell you, often that IS the most difficult part.

	Writers on Writing: Collected Essays from The New York Times By John Darnton This book is for people who get inspired by other writers talking about writing. It has all shades of philosophy and emotion. For me, this is the perfect book for a cozy arm chair and a rainy day.

	The Rise of the Creative Class By Richard Florida For anyone who tries to stay on top of trends and understand shifts in our culture, this book is a must read. Florida explores “the creative class” – referred to by some as “knowledge workers” – and the implications of this emerging class in our world.

	A Natural History of the Senses By Diane Ackerman This book is a love affair with the senses. You can talk about the experience economy all you want, but unless you can taste it, touch it, smell it, hear it and see it…does it really exist?

	Difficult Conversations By Stone, Patton, Heen Is there anyone out there who doesn’t need this book? If you get that pit in your stomach when preparing for tough talks, this one is for you.

	Composing a Life By Mary Catherine Bateson The daughter of Margaret Mead does her Mama proud with this book. If you’re having one of those work-life balance conversations with yourself and going a little loony, this book is better than Prozac.

	The Artist’s Way By Julia Cameron If every one got in touch with their inner artist, maybe there’d be less talk about missiles and more talk about missives. So, get out your dusty notebook and start penning some…

	Pattern Recognition By William Gibson A woman allergic to brands. This won me over instantly. Gibson’s crisp futuristic prose is like walking into an overly air-conditioned Tribeca lounge and staying there for a week.

	Cheetah Negotiations By Michelle LaBrosse If you don’t know Michelle LaBrosse, you will. This dynamic CEO of Cheetah Learning is an expert on the art of getting things done. LaBrosse and co-author Linda Lansky break down negotiations in an accessible way that makes you want to get out there and negotiate your next life!

	The Art of the Long View: Planning for the future in an uncertain world By Peter Schwartz This is one of the best books that I’ve read on future planning and scenarios. I used to think this was strictly the domain of university professors and Ph.D.s. After reading this, I believe it is the domain of every one. What’s your future look like?

	Doghouse Roses: Stories By Steve Earle Steve Earle is one of the best songwriters of our time, and no we’re not related, and I’m not one of his former wives, either. This is his first book of short stories and its voice doesn’t disappoint. It has the tracks of his old heroin addiction, as well as the tale of a Nashville country music prodigy. It follows similar themes of his songwriting with the same truthful soul.