The Editor, Having and Being Had, Slow Productivity, The Work of Art
Here’s Part 2 (of 4 maybe?) of a roundup of nonfiction I’ve read lately. Some of these I’ve read with an eye toward my own writing (style, subject, etc.), some were just for fun.
The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America (Sara B. Franklin) — Historically I haven’t read much biography; this was a fab one to break that spell. The late Jones should be credited with introducing America to The Diary of Anne Frank and her side-by-side editorial work with Anne Tyler and John Updike, although as expected [!], her work and influence were clouded by a male-dominated industry. It’s a chronological/straightforward life story, but I especially lapped up sections that described her actual, day-to-day work.
Having and Being Had (Eula Biss) — Slyly impactful essays about capitalism, work, and labor (both unpaid and paid) disguised as little snippets. Some could almost read as journal entries when Biss pulls the curtain back on her own life…which is frequent since this is her desire to understand capitalism and her role in it. I’ve been so drawn to more esoteric forms of essay — less traditionally structured, more flowing (think Elisa Gabbert) — and this was incredibly inspiring to me as I continue to write.
Slow Productivity (Cal Newport) — I don’t read them often, but I do enjoy books that congeal explained-for-the-masses social science with tips/hacks. In this case, I’m not so interested in the latter (and Newport’s writing generally appeals, I think, to those more interested in the theoretical instead of “self help”) but I adored the opening of this book, which illustrated the necessity of thinking (or feeling!) one’s way through problem-solving instead of just pulling out the “just do it” mantra.
The Work of Art: How Something Comes From Nothing (Adam Moss) — Omg, this book is gorgeous! Between Moss’ insightful interviews with 48 “creatives” ranging from cartoonist Roz Chast to director Sofia Coppola to NPR darling Ira Glass to writer George Saunders (andonandonandon…get the picture?) as well as photos of their own creative detritus (notes, scribbles, etc.), this one’s a total must for anyone “creative.”
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