Are you a reader? Do you pore over the New York Times Best Seller list when it's released or stalk your favorite author on Twitter to glean more information about their upcoming book? Maybe when you were a kid you read books under the covers with a flashlight ... long after your parents said goodnight. Whether you're a book reader or more of a reader of Facebook status updates and the daily news I want to recommend a few books to close out summer. They're all books that we at UpDesk have on our desks in our bookcase or on our Kindle.
Here are five summer reads we hope to spot on your standing desk.
Non-fiction: Seth Godin's The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?
If you don't know who Seth Godin is go on down to your nearest library or bookstore and grab a few of his books. Or should I say treasure troves of knowledge. Not only is Seth a fantastic author (of 17 books) he's also an entrepreneur marketing guru and a huge advocate of making something happen. If you need some motivation pick up one of his books. I just read The Icarus Deception and in it Seth takes a look at the end of the industrial economy. Needless to say it's worth the read.
Fiction: Chad Harbach's The Art of Fielding
This book was named Amazon's Best Book of 2011 for a reason. The premise of the story follows talented shortstop Henry Skrimshander as he plays college baseball. It's a story that you'll think about for weeks--both for its top-notch writing and the curveball (pun intended) that throws the main character off his course and affects the lives of others in major and lasting ways.
Young Adult: Lois Lowry's The Giver
Don't just take our word for it that this is a must-read. Take the fact that they are making a highly-anticipated movie out of it. Although some fans of the book are thrilled and others are devastated that their beloved characters will be put into real-life form you can't deny that Lowry's book is a must-read. Easy enough for kids but intricate enough for adults with its utopian/dystopian juxtaposing this book won the 1994 Newbery Medal and has sold more than 10 million copies. That's a good enough reason for you to have it within arm's reach on your desk.
Classic: John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
As classics often are Of Mice and Men is weighty and thought-provoking and will keep you up at night--whether you're reading it or just thinking about it. Published in 1937 and written by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck it tells the story of two displaced migrant workers moving around during the Great Depression.
Comedy: David Sedaris's Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris -- need I say more? If you are having a gloomy day and need a pick-me-up grab one of his books and read a chapter while at your standing desk (helping your body and your soul). You'll laugh until you cry ... and then some. If you use an UpWrite be sure to write down a few of your favorite parts--that way you just need to look at your desk on a frustrating day to initiate a chuckle.
Tell us what books you have sitting on your stand up desk or if you're a night reader on your bedside table. We'd love to know! Oh and while you're reading you could listen to our ultimate summer soundtrack.
