Last Man Standing: Burgess Meredith, the world's most avid reader, gets his wish to read as much as he'd like in the "Twilight Zone" episode titled "Time Enough at Last."
In Today’s Read, we’re launching a semi-regular feature called “What Are You Reading?” We’re hoping you’ll start sending us submissions about your recent reads (books, blogs, digimags), but in the meantime, let’s kick things off with a look at what some of us here at Jobson are reading.



 

 

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Marge Axelrad, SVP/Editorial Director, Vision Monday is reading “Thank You For Being Late, An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations” by Thomas L. Friedman

One of the books I’m currently reading is “Thank You For Being Late, An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations” by Thomas L. Friedman. I’ve always had a writer’s crush on Friedman, an amazingly astute observer and analyzer who knows how to crystallize a trend and share fascinating insights. He’s a Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The World Is Flat,” a columnist for The New York Times and a truly witty commentator on world events and more.

Friedman calls this book “a field guide to the 21st century,” and he identifies the dizzying rate of change that we’re all coping with due to “tectonic movements” like digital technology, environmental change and shifting economics. These are Big Subjects, but I find it comforting to know that he’s just as overwhelmed as the rest of us, and that, sometimes, we all just need to take time to observe, focus, unplug…and breathe ;-)


 
James Spina, Senior VP, Editor-in-Chief, 20/20 Magazine is reading Mojo Music Magazine and The Rodder’s Journal.
 Month by month I thrive and survive on two very different PRINT magazines. The demands of my gig at 20/20 are such that no input from social media brings enough of a fresh and energizing kick. I monitor Facebook and Instagram but none of it cleans my creative palette. And that same snooze effect comes into play with any of the “fashion” magazines… been there, no fun that. BUT…from a perspective of my passions and my devotion to popular culture the sparks from Mojo Music Magazine and The Rodder’s Journal sizzle my senses.

Mojo is the clearest and best balanced fusion of rock music history—past, present and future. I started this scribe life wanting to be a gonzo music writer and Mojo satiates that scenario. In stories and reviews and news it puts me in the world I adore. And… the reverenced position of The Rodder’s Journal as it cultivates a once-again growing respect for the art of Hot Rods and Custom Cars teaches me minute-by-minute that a subject approached with respect and awe and a little bit of boyhood innocence makes for a road well traveled and lushly nurtured.



 Tom Lamond, President of Frames Data is reading “Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future,” by Martin Ford
It’s Interesting to consider the downsides of disruptive, revolutionary technologies. We’re familiar with the benefits of automation and AI. Productivity gains over the last several decades have allowed machines and software to take over repeatable, predictable tasks from people, who are then freed up to perform more engaging work. Ford argues that machine intelligence and robotics will eventually be (already are?) capable of performing jobs that we assume require human intellect and creativity—with no ‘replacement’ jobs in sight. It’s a chilling thought, and a worthwhile topic for anyone interested in the future of our economy and society.

Gillian Mulhere, Marketing Manager for Jobson’s Retail Optical Group is reading The Everygirl, a blog. 
The Everygirl is a must-read blog run by women, for women, and geared toward the twenty-something crowd. Everygirl has a heavy social media following with lots of fresh visuals and in-depth articles offering practical and actionable life advice. One of my favorite parts is the Career Profiles, which details the professional paths of real-life women categorized by their city and profession. Another great section is the Everygirl Finance Feature, which includes tips on budgeting and investing as a young adult. I always come away from this blog feeling inspired and informed. Visit theeverygirl.com to find out what Everygirl means to you. 


Mary Kane, Executive Editor for Vision Monday is reading Food52 A New Way to Dinner: A Playbook of Recipes and Strategies for the Week Ahead.
The never-ending search to the question “What’s for Dinner” has been answered by food writers Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, both co-founders of the website Food52.com. Their secret sauce? Cooking ahead (on the weekends) planning menus and mixing and matching their weekly dinners using leftovers. The cookbook features more than 100 recipes as well as tips on shopping lists and cooking time lines. The recipes are simple and easy to follow. If you’re looking for something new and different at mealtimes, this book will give you kitchen confidence. Think slow-cooked pork tacos or red wine beef stew with parsnips and carrots. It makes for a very savory read. Check out Food52.com for new recipes, a cooking hotline and kitchen gadgets.