CWC Summer Reading

Photo by Krisztina Papp. Source: Pexels

Summer is upon us, and along with the festivities of the silly season, the summer days lend themselves wonderfully to some solitary reading time. Whether on the beach or in the bush, for improving the mind or just plain unashamed escapism, I love getting stuck into a book. It’s not something I get to do very often in my day-to-day. So when I get some time off during a holiday period, the lure of a good book and a well-worn couch is simply too hard to resist.

I remember that time in my 20’s where I read Alex Garland’s The Beach, on the beach in Thailand, reliving the story it in-situ like all the other tourists. Then there was that year I read all of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in one uninterrupted sitting, bleary-eyed but determined to get closure from a decade-long literary journey.

This summer, I’m working my way through A.S Byatt’s The Children’s Book. Set in Victorian England through to WW1, a famous children’s author writes a story for each of her children. I’ve been promised a tale of family secrets, betrayal, lies, and treachery and so far it does not disappoint.

I’m always out for new titles to try from friends and family who have given their seal of approval before it gets into my hands. So when it came time to put together this post, I called out to some people (including the trusty CWC board) to send through their favourite reads.

So, in no definitive order and with no particular genre in mind, here are 12 recommendations and why you should read them, without giving away too much. And if they don’t make your summer reading schedule this time, you now have one book to read a month for the upcoming year.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking - Susan Cain

Susan Cain delves into the power and value of the introvert in a world that seems to worship the extrovert. But this is not just a beneficial read for introverts to learn that their approach has merit. It’s also an important book for extroverts to pick up to better understanding of the introverts in their lives.

Unpolished Gem – Alice Pung

Alice Pung’s memoir takes the reader through her childhood and adolescence growing up in working-class Footscray. She describes three generations of women - herself, her mother and grandmother - navigating through their worlds from war-torn Cambodia to suburban Melbourne . It is witty, vivid, nuanced and shows a girl’s experience of moving between cultures and identities in contemporary Australia.

How to be Both – Ali Smith

How to be both has an interesting way of telling the story of two very different lives that exist in completely different times, but the book subtly shows how we are all intertwined as humans. Ali Smith paints people in their purest form with their purest thoughts, which makes it a book that can really ground the reader.

This is Marketing – Seth Godin

This is the quintessential marketing book of the decade. Seth Godin speaks about the value of making connections with customers that last over a lifetime. It’s about the long term success over the short term buzz that people will quickly forget about. A solid read if you want to refresh your marketing approach or don’t have much experience with marketing.

Uprooted - Naomi Novik

Uprooted is a delightful read. It’s a high fantasy tale with roots in Polish folklore. Naomi Novik crafts an intricate world and her prose carries strong characters such as the heroine Agnieszka. It was one of the most highly lauded and award winning fantasy novels of 2016. Best thing is that it’s a stand-alone book, which can be quite rare in the fantasy genre.

The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion

As a professor of genetics, the protagonist Don lives an orderly predictable life in an academic setting. The Rosie Project explores the romantic and comedic errors of a man with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome as he looks for a wife. It’s funny, empathetic and beautifully written.

Crazy Rich Asians – Kevin Kwan

The book is always better than the movie, they say. So if you’ve seen the film and liked the bling, extravagance and crazy rich relatives, check out Kevin Kwan’s original words. And if you like this book, you might as well stay for the sequels. It’s a witty trilogy full of drama and couture, and it’s a whole lot of escapist fun.  

Women of Letters: Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Michaela McGuire & Marieke Hardy

This is a part of the Women of Letters series of book that is curated by Michaela McGuire & Marieke Hardy. It champions the lost art of letter-writing and showcases the humour, sentiment and wisdom of these notable Australians. This is a great non-fiction option to dip in and out of when you have a bit of free time. 

Stardust – Neil Gaiman

Another book that’s been adapted to film, Stardust is Neil Gaiman’s much loved fairy tale about a young man who seeks to capture a fallen star. A wonderful book that is not too long, it is sweet, funny and a cheeky departure from reality.

Born to Run - Christopher McDougall

If you want an uplifting story that will make you want to hit the running trails after an overindulgent Christmas, then this is for you. Christopher McDougall’s tale begins with him looking for answers to his running injury woes, which leads him on an incredible quest to discover a hidden Mexican tribe who run 100’s of kilometres, often barefoot. McDougall makes a great case for the simple pleasures of running.

Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens

Set in 1969 on the North Carolina coast, Where the crawdad’s sing is a story of a woman, Kya Clark, who defies her circumstances to create her own success. It’s a coming of age story intertwined with a bit of crime. A movie adaptation is currently in the pipeline, set to be produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Levy Neustadter.

Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth – Phillip Pullman

This is the second book of the The Book of Dust trilogy by Phillip Pullman. It is part of the His Dark Materials universe, now a HBO show currently on Foxtel. The His Dark Materials universe has always walked the line of young adult/adult fiction with a rich tapestry of fantasy, character building and deep philosophical themes. This new book explores the world and perspective of the protagonist Lyra (Belacqua) Silvertongue as an adult in college who witnesses a murder. A great read for fans of the broader series.

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So there you go, hopefully some of these provide your summer with some solitary indulgence.

Happy holidays to you all, and see you on the other side!

Want to write a book? 7 questions to ask before putting your passion into print

At some point, many creatives ponder the same question: is it time to turn my business or passion project into a book? Whether you’re hoping to grow your brand, yearn to share your knowledge with the world, or simply dream of seeing your name in print, writing and publishing a nonfiction book is a goal shared by many of us. Here are a few reasons to take the publishing plunge:

• To share your knowledge and ideas

• To build your business, brand, or platform

• To help others by shedding light on a larger issue

• As a creative outlet

• As a portfolio to share your work

• To reach a larger audience and connect with like-minded people

• To establish yourself as an authority in a given area

• As a path toward licensing partnerships, speaking engagements, and more

• As a “giveaway” or incentive for clients, customers, or students

I have worked in publishing for nearly two decades, first in New York and now in Sydney, and have helped hundreds of authors create publishable books. I have also met many aspiring authors who wasted time and effort on murky book concepts that led to rejection and frustration. What are the magic elements to a publishable book proposal? Why are some proposals snapped up by agents and publishers, and others left in the rejection pile?

There are many layers to book publishing. Large trade publishers, which are often accessible only through literary agents, focus on commercial projects and authors with track records and ‘platforms.’ Smaller presses are open to newer authors and niche topics. There is also academic and educational publishing, not to mention self-publishing. Finally, there is the new world of ‘partnership publishers,’ which provide editorial, design, printing, distribution, and publicity services for a fee.

Whichever type of publishing you pursue (unless you are self-publishing a book strictly for friends and family, or a monograph), it’s worthwhile stepping back and asking yourself a few questions before diving in. Note: these are for nonfiction books only.

1. What is your book about?

Can you describe your book in one sentence? Be sure to include the genre, main idea, audience, and what makes it special. Avoid generalities in favor of specifics that make us want to learn more.

• Too general: A book about collage

• Better: A beginner’s guide to upcycling discarded materials into stunning, multi-layered collage by an award-winning collage artist and instructor

• Too general: A memoir about my ex-husband

• Better: A harrowing memoir of how I discovered my ex-husband’s shattering secret - and why I kept it for twenty-five years

• Too general: A book about leadership for women

• Better: A soccer-mum-turned-CEO’s laugh-out-loud manifesto for rejecting the ‘mummy track’ and leaning in without sacrificing your sanity

 2. Is it a good book idea—or just a good idea?

Is your topic meaty enough for an entire book, or could you do it justice in a blog post or magazine article? When you share the idea with others, are they intrigued? Are there many layers to explore? Does it telescope out to a larger issue?

Most adult books have, at a minimum, 60,000 - 80,000 words (excluding heavily illustrated books and gift books). Is there that much to say about your topic?

 3. Are you a credible author?

What makes you an authority on your topic? Do you teach courses? Have practical work experience? Have you won awards? Perhaps you write about the topic for a popular blog, newspaper, or magazine, or have a relevant social media platform.

If your only connection is personal interest, it’s time to gain external credibility. Pitch an article on your topic to a small local blog and then use that post to pitch larger publications. Teach a class in a local community organisation and/or apply for speaking opportunities. For a publisher to take you seriously, you’ll need more than just raves from family and friends.

 4. Is it doable?

Will you need to travel? Conduct hundreds of interviews? Pay for permission to include famous artworks? Think about the logistics of researching and writing your book and make sure you can handle them with your schedule and financial situation. These days, it’s rare to find a publisher that will pay for expenses and most advances are small and paid in installments over time.

5. What is already in the market?

Go to the bookstore or hop online and find out what other books are already out there on your topic. For each, write down the title, author, page count, price, and publisher. Note how the scope and tone differs from yours. If you’re doing research online, look for reviews to see how each book was received. Does your book offer a fresh approach and/or fill a gap? Bookstore owners have limited shelf-space, so think about it from their point of view: what does your book offer that justifies taking the spot of another book already on their shelves?

Many authors think it’s a selling point to say that theirs is the ‘first’ book on a given topic or that there’s ‘nothing else out there,’ but if you’re hoping to attract an agent or publisher, this may work against you. Trade publishers tend to prefer books that tap into reliably popular (though not glutted) categories.

6. Who is your target reader?

Who are you writing for? If you are solving a problem, whose problem is it? If you’re sharing a story, who will be interested? Is your market women who own small businesses? Dog owners? Mums searching for healthy, kid-friendly recipes? Readers who loved Fight Like a Girl? Are there enough of these people to create a healthy market for your book?

7. What is your book’s extra-special ‘something’?

While your book should have a tight, concise concept, it should also tap into a larger idea, goal, or emotional need. For example, does it offer insight on a current trend or world event? Does it offer hope during troubled times? Inspiration? Tools for making a dream come true? Will it help your reader feel part of something larger, or give her something to share at the next office meeting or school pickup? Hone in on your book’s particular magic ingredient.

If you’ve answered all of the above and still feel good about your project, great! The next step is to write a proposal to pitch literary agents and publishers. Or if not, it may be time to rethink your idea or explore another angle. Either way, you’ll have made your process that much more efficient as you unearth the best book within you.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Julie Mazur Tribe is an editor and publishing consultant who loves working with authors, books, and creative ideas. She can be found at BrooklynBookStudio.com or on Instagram at @brooklynbookstudio.

Image from Pexels.com.