It has been an extraordinary week of reading, writing and the contemplation of books. I have been reading several books this week including two on this list.
While completely unbook-related, I cannot help but say, “Looky here at my probable new Travel. Write. Live. . There are still some tweaks coming over the next few days, but will likely have this new look up soon.
And now for the books…
30. The Art of Dramat!c Wr!t!ng by Lajos Egri
One of two books on this list of fifty given to me by friends over lunch who told me, “You need this book.” Both friends were correct. This book belongs on every writers shelf and carefully explains the importance of character and premise and opens the doors to ideas that were previously unexplored. I have written many pages attempting to do what Egri suggests.
29. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins
I admit this is not Robbin’s best work, but when I read this one many years ago he tore down rules about writing that made me want to take risks. Robbins walked a line between being dirty and not, important and ridiculous, and fun in spite of everything. However, if there were one book on this list that I could see being disliked by many, this would be it.
28. The Little Soul and the Sun by Neale Donald Walsch
Yes, it’s that Conversations with God guy doing a children’s book. The book is a little syrupy and sappy, and I do not necessarily believe in the book’s conclusion, but Little Soul always hits me in a way that makes me believe in the big picture and gets me thinking beyond the surface — a perfect reminder of how simple it is to write with a deeper message at its core.
27. The Power of Place by Harm De Blij
From children’s book to hardcore globalization and geography. De Blij is super smart and delves into a world of clarity about subjects I want to know more about: economics, religion, health and society. In many ways, some of the reasoning in this books is why I want to travel and promote cultural exchange. It is a way to create an understanding about a smaller world while maintaining all of its unique corners. While the Power of Place is accessible , I still wish I was a little smarter while reading it.
26. The Golden Bough by Sir James Frasier
A definite classic. I first read this and was fascinated by the amount of different ways humanity has found to worship. Later, I read this same book as an insightful guide to how religion comes to be. Personally, I never become used to the idea that we are all so similar physically but we have such an endless variety of ways to create meaning in each others lives.
Next up, the top 25!
50-46 45-41 40-36 35-31 30-26 25-21 20-16 15-11 10-6 5-1
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