Top 5 Commute Reads of 2016

Fun ATP fam fact: we’re all big readers. Not so surprising fact: we do a lot of our reading during our commutes.

While none of this is exactly unique to our office, we did find that the latter half of 2016 was filled with water cooler chat about great commute reads. So I thought I’d share some of my favorites, plus other staff picks to just round it out. We hope you find something great for your commute in 2017.

1. Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success by Shane Snow

Christy and I read this book as part of our mini marketing book club and I raced through it. If you’ve ever wondered how Skrillex came to be or how Elon Musk built a rocket for pennies compared to NASA, this is the book for you. While it does fall into the marketing category, I pulled a lot of tips out for my business development colleagues. Highly recommended regardless of your job title.

2. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

If you never thought you’d find yourself crying in a bar over a book, then you certainly haven’t read Kalanithi’s autobiography of living and dying with cancer, as both a doctor and then a patient. Fair warning, if you’re reading this one on public transportation, be prepared for a few stares. And don’t forget your tissues.

3. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Classic transportation read from the great Agatha Christie. I forgot how wonderful and obnoxiously smart Poirot is, but the excessive attention to detail of the book makes it a great page burner (if you like that sort of thing). The real debate in our office was whether or not we agreed with Poirot’s assessment of the murder—morally right, wrong, or fair?

4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

This book was passed around the team and I still don’t know if I’m glad I read it or not. It was heart-wrenching and hopeless and I read the entire 241-page book in 12 hours. I couldn’t put it down because I couldn’t stop thinking about the boy. I gave it a three star rating, but only because I honestly couldn’t process my feels.

5. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

Obviously, another marketing book club read, but a good one—even for someone who writes all the time. Writing is tough, even for people who write every day. Ann fills the book with a lot of great tips to easily become a great writer.

Other Staff Picks

Elizabeth recommends:

• 1913: In Search of the World Before the Great War by Charles Emmerson
• In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
• In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

Jonathan recommends:

• The Martian by Andy Weir
• The Revenant by Michael Punke
• Cautiously suggests The Road by Cormac McCarthy (see above)

Christy recommends:

• The Dip by Seth Godin
• Happy City by Charles Montgomery
• Smart Cuts by Shane Snow

Marie recommends:

• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
• Black Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin

Lorene recommends: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Ready for More

Check out our annual round up of commute reads and beef up your reading list.

Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com