The Digital Radish Book Club: December’s top picks
We’re coming up to the end of an amazing year, and as it’s nearly Christmas it feels like a good time to take stock of the things we’re grateful for.
It’s been an incredible 12 months at Radish HQ, where our clients and fellow Radishes have taken us to new heights and inspired us to create unforgettable work – culminating in with seven gongs at the B2B Marketing Awards, including Gold for Best Use of Creative.
Staying on top of our game and being as imaginative as possible takes hard work – and plenty of reading! That’s why for this month’s edition we asked a few Radishes to look back on the books on their shelf that have really got their creative juices flowing this year.
We hope these help spark some great ideas of your own. If you love what we’ve suggested, or have any of your own to share, let us know on hello@digitalradish.co.uk
- Check out November’s top book club picks on the positive case for AI
What’s it about?
Famous for being the svengali producer behind classics like Run DMC and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,”, Rick Rubin is a bona fide musical legend. “The Creative Act” draws from his decades of studio expertise to impart wisdom to artists and creative folks like us about how to harness good ideas and get the best out of fellow creatives.
How does the author sum it up?
“I didn’t want it to tell any stories about any experiences I had. I wanted it to be more of a philosophical meditation on creativity. And I was hoping for a book that you could pick up anywhere, open to any page, and get information that would be helpful. I was hoping that it would be open-ended and poetic enough that if you were to read it several times, every time you read it, you would get something new.” – Rick Rubin
Why we love it
“I was drawn to “The Creative Act” because it’s a beautiful object. And Rick Rubin’s such an intriguing character anyway. The advice is often pretty straightforward, but when you’re in a rut or you’re getting in your own way creatively, that simplicity is really helpful – complexity usually ends up being like kryptonite to good ideas.” – Ray Philp
What we learned
One of the values that underlies Rubin’s approach to life is to feel your way through things, letting intuition take over. And, right enough, we’ve found that when we’re trying something new, a plan is only useful if it’s working – and being prepared to drop one quickly if a better idea comes along is critical to that “eureka” moment that we all thrive on.
What’s it about?
Human beings are hardwired to understand the world through stories. That’s the central concept that drives Will Storr’s book about stories and how to improve your ability to tell them. Though he focuses on the structure of novels, he also draws from films, TV shows and video games to outline universal ideas that explain why we find narrative so compelling.
How does the author sum it up?
“The stories we consume can be incredibly powerful in shaping who we are and who we want to be. How do I become amazing? How do I become the person that I want to be? Stories, particularly true ones, become magnetic because we all want to know the answer.” – Will Storr
Why we love it
“There’s so much out there about storytelling – three acts, five acts, the hero story, the seven plots – and they’re interesting enough. But they don’t add a great deal to the origins of that. This book looks at the fundamentals of storytelling and puts some rigour behind explaining it. There are chapters about things like creating a world and the flawed self, and he breaks it all down with real depth.” – Brian McKay
What we learned
From the “threat of unexpected change” to our need to make a ripple in the world, “The Science Of Storytelling” breaks down the nuts and bolts of storytelling. Equipped with insights about our need, say, to be the hero of our own stories, it’s incredibly relevant to B2B marketers. There’s a “Science Of Storytelling” book for businesses in the works, too, which is exciting.
What’s it about?
A story about two childhood friends who embark on creating a mega-successful video game, “Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow” is a novel that takes place over decades. It’s a story about a lifelong professional and personal partnership, wrapped up in a messy tangle of personal ambition, living a creative life and what happens when the dream turns sour.
How does the author sum it up?
“I believe in the possibility for real human connections in virtual spaces. I also believe that the virtual version of yourself might very well be the best and truest version of yourself…We don’t have to necessarily be the worst versions of ourselves behind the mask of an avatar, though it often seems as if we are.” – Gabrielle Zevin
Why we love it
“As a fan of neither romance nor video games, I was shocked and appalled to find myself smitten with this romance novel about video games. It’s a really moving story that I could identify with on a lot of levels, and it’s a great insight into how creative partnerships can flourish – and burn out.” – Jack Toop
What we learned
Video games offer an intriguing window into where the future is headed. As the author points out, concepts like the metaverse are already being tested in Roblox. But more importantly, the characters at the heart of “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” are utterly relatable as imaginative entrepreneurs trying to make the world (both IRL and virtual) a little better.
Share your favourites with us
Do you have any podcasts, videos, blogs or even documentaries that you’d recommend to the Radishes? We’d love to hear from you – email us at hello@digitalradish.co.uk