Mitch Albom is a favorite of mine, but I will begin with my general affinity for journalists turned authors. This was discovered accidentally in several instances when I learned about the author only after reading the book. May be just coincidence among these authors, but it is the writing style that grabs my interest before even becoming absorbed in the book. Admittedly, I have not read more than one piece of work by most of these writers, but I feel like the trend is strong enough to stand by. Whether it is the style with which these authors write, the topics they choose to explore or my now conscious interest dictating my inclination toward journalists turned authors, I plan to begin seeking out books by such authors.
My most recent reads of this sort were for a non-journalism class. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge wrote The Right Nation, and Hanna Rosin wrote God’s Harvard. Both books are political, and all authors are also jourmalists. While Micklethwait and Wooldridge maintain a nearly completely objective standpoint and Rosin lets her opinions seep into her writing, research and interviewing techniques are very evident in both books. I enjoyed identifying this and the credibility and purpose it lent to both pieces of literature. Also, Christopher Hitchens is a writer for Vanity Fair among other sources to which I believe he usually contributes columns, as well as the author of God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. My progress in reading this keeps getting interrupted but I continue to go back to it. His experience as a journalist shows through in the book’s arguments and evidence. All three of the afore mentioned books make points I agree with and others I don’t, but I enjoy reading all of them because of how they are presented and all the information that comes with them. I credit this to a journalistic background.
Finally, also a journalist and author, Mitch Albom is a long-time favorite of mine. I first took an interest in Tuesdays with Morrie because I’m interested in anything my dad suggests. Then, my interest grew when I took the liberty to learn why he wrote this book, as well as his others. I find Albom’s choice of story intriguing and sometimes inspiring. His style of writing is different than the other journalist turned authors I mentioned and enjoyable for different reasons. His books are easy to read multiple times and provoke thought with each read. The combination of his story choice and writing style is something I respect and will continue coming back to as he continues to put out books. Not to mention, his journalistic ethical slip up created further intrigue about who Mitch Albom is, and I think some of that comes out in his stories.
Jessica, you have certainly read a great deal of fine writing. That's a huge help as you pursue your own writing. And, indeed, Mitch has an absorbing style who brings the reader in touch with his thoughts. Nice thoughts.
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