Yeah, in addition to watching movies, I still read too.
And I’ve been reading a wide-range of shit, mother fucker! And, you know what, writing some crazy shit as well including my first book ‘Be The Dumbest Person In the Room and Other Life Lessons from a Mid-Level Creative Schlub.’
But hey … sometimes life gets in the way of the normal, 9-to-5, day-to-day stuff that I have to do. Which reminds me that, last year, I also forgot to highlight my favorite books in 2021. So, to remedy that for my 1-2 readers out there, I thought I’d share my top reads from this year and last year – including a book written by my good buddy and co-worker Josh Womack (see below).
Also, be sure to check out the bottom of this post for links to recommendations from year's past.👇🏻
Shameless 'Best Read' Plug of '22 Alert!
Bradley Eimer (that’s me!) takes you on a self-deprecating career journey through his adventures in the creative trade—from working as an animator in college and covering sports in Columbus to writing for various Northeast Ohio ad agencies and leading a creative team within a Fortune 500 in-house agency. Bradley has seen the good, bad, and ugly of the creative industry and learned some important lessons along the way—helpful tips that you can use right now when embarking on your own creative career. Currently 4.6 rating on Amazon with 9 glowing reviews (four of which I don’t know who wrote).
Other Best Reads of 2022
Stand-up comedy. Speechwriting. Pro wrestling? Somehow, these oddball life choices led Josh Womack to copywriting. In his debut book, he talks about these experiences and more. If you're a junior or mid-level copywriter out there still trying to find your way, congrats! So is the author of this book. Oh yeah, I also wrote the forward!
Great thought-provoking book about the future of humanity. Reminded me a little bit like Minority Report mixed with human enhancement. It's great Blake Crouch sci-fi mixed with science reality that you've come to love in his other books. The ending is the best part, rather the epilogue, with a wake-up call of sorts from Crouch's protagonist in the book (but perhaps coming from the author himself).
If you want to get a slice-of-life look into a family that is not like your own at all, then pick up this book. Jeanette takes us on her journey surrounded by her brothers and sisters and her rather peculiar mother and father, who are educated gypsies who bounce around the country with kids in tow getting into one predicament after the other. It's an interesting, quick read that's worthy of a view. Just a glimpse into another person's human condition that you would probably never ever see. Check it out. Going to watch the movie next (even though i've heard it's not that good)
You know what, I thought this fake 70's music band bio was going to be a little cheesy - but boy was I wrong. Told in the same vein as Motley Crue's 'The Dirt' as well as SNL'S 'Live From New York'. With hints of Cameron Crow's 'Almost Famous'- you follow the myriad of various colorful characters through the rise (and fall) of fictitious band The Six, which reluctantly takes on a singer/writer Daisy Jones to catapult them to the next level. Taking inspiration from Fleetwood Mac (which I've read in numerous online articles), Reid did her research on the inner workings of a song-writing and creating music, which adds to the overall musical tapestry of the novel. Just a fun, quick, fast, thought-provoking read that gives you a fly on the wall perspective of the dysfunctional beauty of a band destined for fame.
Whoa. Lots of stuff I did not know about the creation of the Air Force, about WW2, about Japanese customs and culture, about the battle for the two small islands in the pacifici Iwo Jima and ChiChi Jima, about the nuclear bomb, about (gulp) cannibalism, about war crimes, and about how both sides did some pretty nasty things during this gruesome, bloody battle. A must-read if you're a history buff.
Almost five stars. Pollock does it again blending fantastic dialogue, great storytelling and awkward human interactions into this psuedo-western-meets-industrial-revolution-early-1900's about three bank-robbing brothers who find themselves in the small town of Meade, Ohio; looking to make a break for the Canadian border. A little Cormac McCarthy, a tiny bit of Jacques Audiard's The Sisters Brothers, and dash of Peter Farrelly humor - make this an original book that you won't want to put down; despite how disgusting and degrading it gets.
Best Reads of 2021
If you're a budding fiction writer, you gotta check this book out by Palahniuk who gives tips, advice and shares some fiction writing tips (and entertaining bio stories) to get you started on that bestseller you're sure to write. This book is up there with Stephen King's 'On Writing' and Bradbury's 'Zen in the art of writing'. This book is so good, I'll probably read this a couple times.
Beautifully written, thought-provoking book that takes place in the distant future when AI's are part of our everyday fabric. Reminded me of the beginning of Steven Spielberg's "AI" a bit. But this is just a smaller story about an AI robot, a family, and the bonds they create along their odd AI journey. Another well-written book by Ishiguro. Well done! Highly recommended.
Great book. Highly recommended. If you pull just 1-2 thoughts or lessons from this book about the power of breathing through your nose, you'll start your way to a healthier life. Once in a while, you come across a book that knocks you on your butt, and teaches you a little something that you never knew that could, literally, transform your life and your health. This is one of those books for me. Get this book, take slow a deep breath (through your nose) for 5.5 seconds, then release 5.5 seconds later, and then continue.
What a fantastic science fiction book. Multiverses. Romance. True love. What if you took a different turn in life. Action. Adventure. Horror. This book has it all. Even the least passionate sci-fi fans will enjoy this book.
What a fun idea for a book. Mixing 'Ready Player One' and the movie 'Scavenger Hunt' with 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and ethical dilemmas and right and wrong; it's a fun teenage romp and a quick read - perfect for a film. Loved how the author weaved real-life elements merged within AI and Augmented Reality to create this truly fantastical world of love, life, murder, bullying and tragedy. Fun, must-read book if you like role-playing games, mixed with AI and Ready Player One games.
Other Top Reads From Year's Past:
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2020
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2019
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2018
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2017
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2016
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2015
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2014
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2013
- Eimer's top Reads of 2012
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2011
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2010
- Eimer's Top Reads of 2009
