By Published On: October 9, 2012

It’s time to get out the books. We asked our folks at d.trio for some recommendations of books they’ve been reading lately. Seems we’re a bit of a suspicious, lie-detecting, psychologically disturbing, espionage-focused group that also enjoys our creative side.

Maureen:

The book I’m currently reading is Jack 1939 by Francine Mathews. In 1939, then 22-year-old, John F. Kennedy traveled through pre-war Europe gathering research for his Harvard senior thesis. Ms. Mathews, a former intelligence analyst for the CIA, has woven an espionage tale around his actual travels. She mixes fact and fiction and presents JFK as an American spy hired by President Roosevelt to check up on the Nazis. It’s left to the reader to decipher fact from fiction, rumor from speculation. It makes for an interesting combination of history and storytelling.

Jordan:

Book currently reading: Spy the Lie provides advice from ex-CIA interrogators on how to spot lies and deception. Though I have no affiliation with the clandestine industry, it’s been an interesting study in how people react to the truth and how to can encourage people to be more forthcoming. If you do read it, you have to promise to only use the skills for good.

Book I recommend: Hey Whipple Squeeze. This is a classic book on advertising and what elements make up a great ad. I found that some of the materials were pretty intuitive, but overall, it provides some solid, no-nonsense advice on how to create an effective advertisement. Written from the view of Luke Sullivan, a copywriter, it gives a distinct perspective on how to communicate through advertising.

Megan:
The book I’m reading now is The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns. It’s a about understanding the value of being a creative services agency, creating differentiation and having a conversation about business goals and needs, instead of selling in a traditional manner through a formal pitch or presentation.

One of my favorite business books is Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. This book is near and dear to my heart because I believe developing a good gut instinct is important in business, and this book focuses on the split second instincts that tell us something is wrong or right, but we’re not sure why. It’s anecdotal which keeps it interesting, with real world situations where not trusting that instinct caused issues.

Fred:

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
History proves the most salient principles are often the simplest. This is illustrated in spades in The New York Times bestseller, Steal Like an Artist. Essentially, this is a handbook on discovering and unlocking the creative side within all of us. A simple, ten-step narrative on how to get out of your own way, this book is bursting with thoughtful quotes and pragmatic advice on building a more creative life. A very quick and engaging read.

Tina:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl is a fictional, murder-mystery full of thrilling twists and turns. On Nick and Amy’s fifth anniversary, Amy is missing. What happened is the premise of the book – with the story flipping from past to present and back, as told by the husband and the wife. Each chapter swaps perspectives, shining light on their not-so-perfect marriage and begins to unravel who they really are…and what happened to Amy.

The slow reveal of the characters kept me interested and wanting more. The story jumps inside the minds of the characters and their confusing marriage – a wife that is missing and a husband that doesn’t tell the truth. As soon as I thought I had it all figured out, the story shifts, again and again. What happened to Amy is a simple question and the answer is much more complex.

If you like murder/mystery and thriller books, I’d recommend this one.

What are you reading? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook.

About the Author: cat-tonic

cat-tonic
Born of curiosity and enthusiasm, we’re a scrappy group of smart, passionate marketers who work hard and play hard. We show up every day and fight for our clients who are making the world a better place. We listen with curiosity, explore deeply, ask hard questions, and sometimes put forth ideas that might make you squirm. Because we believe the status quo is good for growing mold but not much else. The way we see it, change is the way forward and the magic happens when curiosity, math, science, instinct, and talent intersect.
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