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Hey everyone,
How's your reading going? September can be a bit of a log jam. Hope you're into something good and, if you're not, remember... quit more to read more. Ditch the brick and start something else. Thanks so much for all the recos you've been sending my way and for the love on the 3 Books podcast. (Even Chris Anderson blew some digital kisses.) Right now the most popular chapter is Chapter 3 with Seth Godin if you'd like a good place to start.
Neil
PS. I've been getting this question at speeches lately: Can spending money make me happier? On what? I made a video with my take.
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1. The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brainsby Robert H. Lustig. Do you feel a little bit out of control of what you’re doing these days? I’m starting to feel that way. Like I used to blame myself when I spun into an Internet rabbit hole or endless game of email whack-a-mole. I blamed myself for that! After all, I did it. But then I read the fantastic Irresistible by Adam Alter last year and suddenly became wise to the fish hooks tech companies were planting in my brain. So now I live largely in Airplane Mode, my phone is in black and white, and, most importantly, I didn’t use it at all (since my wife hid it from me at my request) for at least half the summer. Now I find myself writing articles every other month about cell phone addiction. So it’s no wonder I picked up Robert Lustig’s book to feed my growing wariness of our screen-surrounded world. And he did not disappoint! Lustig drops the hammer on corporate America with his campaign to unmask the neurobiological manipulation that’s going on here. Did the book swerve a bit too deep into science? Did it come back to a few big targets over and over? For sure. But his thesis is pretty sound. Think of it this way. If pleasure is “this feels good, I want more” and happiness is “this feels good, I don’t need more” then he shows why we’ve tilted too deeply into pleasure… and maps a decent way out.
2. Fifty Sneakers That Changed The Worldby Design Museum. Do you ever hear people say they zoned out watching junky TV last night? I sort of picture them oozing into the couch, drool dripping off their chin, as they stare into the screen for hours. Then they go to bed feeling a little bit less proud of themselves. Well, I want to bring back the phrase junky reading. You’re reading! But junky. But after you’re done flipping through a random book about fifty sneakers that changed the world you go to bed … and you don’t feel quite as bad about yourself.
3. Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beachesby John Hodgman. I used to write for the weekly campus comedy newspaper back at college. I remember I submitted a piece one week and the editor said “This is a hilarious article which I’ll never print.” I didn’t get it. And then he said. “You’re being funny without a point. All the sentences are funny but never add up to anything. You need to start with a thesis. Use the laughs to make the point.” And I sort of feel the same way about this incredibly hilarious but ultimately pointless book of comedy essays. I love comedy writing but more recently I’d recommend Calypso by David Sedaris (more funny, still thoughtful) or Both Flesh And Not by David Foster Wallace (more thoughtful, still funny) instead. (PS. Very excited to report that David Sedaris is a future guest on 3 Books!)
4. The World According to Mister Rogersby Fred Rogers. Leslie and I absolutely loved the Mister Rogers documentary. Have you seen it? Go see it! Here’s the trailer. But don’t do what I did and immediately go to the bookstore afterwards to buy this not-very-good book. I was thirsty for more Mister Rogers gems but the book is kinda sloppily put together, filled with clichés that feel straight off 70s-era bumper stickers, and just doesn’t have the heart and soul of his personality. The "why" behind Mister Rogers isn't here and so we end up with a fairly plain jane book of quotes.
5. This Book is a Planetariumby Kelli Anderson. Have you ever bought a kids book for yourself? And your kids have no interest in it at all because they’re too young or told old for it? That’s what happened here. I spent fifty bucks (wtf!) on this pop-up book that actually, physically turns into a speaker, perpetual calendar, and little mini-guitar that you can actually strum and play. The book is about the power of paper and a surreal and mind-blowing look at what you can do with a book. (Not recommended in audio!)
6. There, Thereby Tommy Orange. A searing contemporary portrait of how American Indians are living in the US today all told in a soap opera format with a dozen twisted storylines and backgrounds. I had a few qualms with the ending but loved it overall. It’s raw, angry, and powerful right below the skin. Perfect for book clubs or for those (like me) who really knew nothing about indigenous Americans beyond a few mostly inaccurate storylines through history books.
7. Katerinaby James Frey. I’m in a James Frey mood these days. I just recommended Bright Shiny Morninga month ago. I can’t get enough of his pulsing rat-a-tat-tat way of writing and feel like the quickness of his storytelling completely energizes and motivates me to write, too. If you liked A Million Little Piecesthis is almost the prequel. It’s in the novel category but follows what feel like all true storylines about his journey into writing, the beginnings of addiction, and a wild love story with an unforgettable finish.
8. It’s OK To Feel Things Deeplyby Carissa Potter. Stressed out? Try this one. A little hug to yourself or a friend.
