We’re trusted to tell our client’s stories to their customers across the world. But like many other copywriters and marketeers – it all started with a love of reading. In celebration of World Book Night, the RED team share their favourite books and why they’d recommend it.
Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari
“Growing up I loved the Harry Potter series and any young adult sci-fi books I could get my hands on. However, as an adult I’ve leaned further towards non-fiction (Autobiography of a Geisha, First They Killed My Father), but these days I’m mostly found reading The Rabbits Nap or The Foxes Socks to my 2-year-old.
If I really thought about the last book that I couldn’t stop reading, it has to be Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. It delves into the history of humankind from stone age to twenty-first century. I love learning about history and human nature – this book is a real think-piece, but also easy to digest.”
Nicole
Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, Tom Felton
I would recommend the most recent book I read – Tom Felton’s autobiography, Beyond the Wand. I love a good autobiography and Tom (AKA Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) covered all aspects of his life including lots of behind-the-scenes insight from the Harry Potter films as well personal topics too.
As a fan of Harry Potter, I originally gravitated towards the book because it promised to reveal details about the HP filming process and Tom’s relationship with characters, but I found the book offered a lot more than that. I really became invested in Tom’s life and admired his honesty about the mental health struggles he faced following his Potter career. Overall, a really good read if you like autobiographies, Harry Potter or just want to follow the journey of a genuinely nice guy.
Becca
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
I love reading and have a huge list of books that I love from fictional novels such as The Old Man and The Sea By Ernest Hemmingway or A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, or non-fiction such as Muhammad Ali by Thomas Hauser or In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. One book that I return to more than any other is Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.
It’s a historical, funny yet tragic love story set in Cephallonia during the Second World War that totally engrossed me in its world. I love the Greek islands and I remember being sat around a pool In Crete reading this novel and deciding there and then that I had to visit Cephallonia the following year. I would go so far to say it is a masterpiece, the characters are so believable, the way the island is described makes you feel as if you are there, and the story is epic in its scale. A definite must-read!
Tony
Scar Tissue, Anthony Kiedis and Larry Sloman
I don’t normally have time to read books, except on holiday, and when I do it tends to be sports autobiographies. These seem to blend into one, so if I had to pick one of my favourite books it would also factor in where I was and who I was with…
On honeymoon (Singapore and Malaysia) I really enjoyed the autobiography of one of my heroes: Anthony Kiedis. Titled Scar Tissue, the Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer recounts his remarkable life story and the history of the band itself. It’s a tale of the underground music and drugs scene in LA, as well as the fame, fortune and friendship of a group of musical innovators.
Scar Tissue far transcends the typical rock biography, because Anthony Kiedis is anything but a typical rock star. It is instead a compelling story of dedication and debauchery, of intrigue and integrity, of recklessness and redemption. I loved it – and loved my honeymoon even more!
Paul
Be Useful, Arnold Schwarzenegger
I love reading, I grew up across the road from a library so that’s where it started, with Beatrix Potter. I love reading with my kids – we’ve recently read The Boy at the Back of the Class, and The Explorer, which were both brilliant.
When I’m reading by myself, it’s mainly non-fiction and autobiographies these days, like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful – it’s tough-talking motivation before you turn out the light, but I loved it! Another inspiring one is Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive, which is about his experiences dealing with depression and anxiety. It’s extremely insightful, and knowing people who experience both, it helped me see things from their perspective.
Kerrie