Recommended Reading and Viewing

Nov 15, 2022
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At the end of Francine Prose’s book is a section called “Books to Be Read Immediately.”

Although I liked the urgency, the title was also a little intimidating. So many books. So little time. However, human nature being what it is, a long list of things we “should do” almost never gets done.

If you want to be a better writer, my advice is to pick at least ONE title from this list and read or watch it within the next week.

Also, read one of my linked analyses scattered throughout this list.

Much love as always <3

-Todd B from Tennessee

  • Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams’ (read if you want to be funny)

  • Elements of Eloquence - Mark Forsyth (read if you want to master writing rhetoric) 

  • 1984 - George Orwell (read because it’s damn good & because of the lists) 

  • Sense of Style - Steven Pinker (read to understand the neurochemistry of reading and writing) 

  • Get to the Point - Joel Schwartzburg (read to… well, you can guess, right?) 

  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Amy Sherman Palladino (watch for the jokes but also the great speeches) 

  • The Opposite of Loneliness - Marina Keegan (read if you want to write with emotion)

  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman (read for the characterization… and to cry)

  • The Premonition - Michael Lewis (read for a great simplification of jargon) 

  • Father of The Bride - Nancy Myers (watch for the stunning introduction)

  • The Creative’s Life - Ligaya Mishan (read to be understood as a writer)

  • Hit Makers - Derek Thompson (read to understand what “going viral” really means)

  • Reading Like a Writer - Francine Prose (read for the poem at the end but don’t you dare skip to it)

  • How to Take Smart Notes - Sonke Ahrens (read to stop forgetting what you read).