100 Books Every Journalist Must Read (and a quote)

http://johnkrolldigital.com/2014/07/100-best-journalism-books/

“The difference between good sportswriting and its overwrought counterpart lies in its practitioners’ ability to hit the equivalent of the literary curve ball—that is, tell a story simply and eloquently, and with no overarching swings at morality or hero worship.”

Michael Anft, Baltimore City Paper

 

What if you swing and strikeout but reach on a passed ball?

 

I've read 27 of them. I figure there are about 10-15 on here that most of us have read. I used to read just about every collection of columns I could get my hands on, so that helped me tremendously.

My only issue with the list was the number of textbook-type stuff on there.

 

That's a strong list ... I especially liked the Chicago-oriented books like "Boss," "Working" and the collection of Ben Hecht columns.

Even though they're fiction, I might add a Steinbeck book to this list, such as Grapes of Wrath or Cannery Row. Very descriptive "reporting" on the lives of Californians in the Great Depression.

 

I've read some, but certainly not all, of these. I've decided I'll be picking up "Prisoner Without a Name" very soon.

 

My number's 34 . . . read 33 of 'em, and wrote one ("1001 Nights In Chicago"). And I'm a reading fool.

 

Anyone get shot?

 

I'm going to go ahead and set the over/under on the number of books Riptide has read on the list at 1.

 

This is great. My very own stalker.