the editor talks with you

How do you read a book? Do you start at the beginning and, if it holds your interest, read through to the end?

That’s the way most of us do it.

Let me share with you how I do it because you may want to try it yourself.

First, I want to know the back story on the authors. I google their names and read about them. Most fiction is semi-autobiographical. Writers write about what they know from their own experiences.

Because I’m an editor, people give me their books. I won’t read all of them. But I want to give them a chance.

If what I’m going to read is biography, history or a how-to book, I want to know why the writers wrote the book and what they want me to get out of it.

If they make a convincing argument, I will commit to the few hours it will take.

I also mark up books, underlining good quotes and ideas. In the back of the book I make an index of passages I underlined so I can find them later. This is important to me if I am to review the book because I want to recommend it to you.

Guy Kawasaki’s new book is one I recommend, especially if you’re a Millennial or have a child who is. You will get a lot from it, too. This is the kind of book young people need to read because Guy tells his story and the lessons he learned. They don’t have to repeat his mistakes, like turning down the presidency of Yahoo.com

I’ve known Guy since he wrote an article for me for an international magazine 35 years ago. By the time I finished Guy’s “Wise Guy: Lessons from a Life,” I had an index of more than 25 ideas and quotes in the back of the book. Here are a few:

1. Be inspired to write. Guy tipped me off on “If You Want to Write” by Brenda Ueland. I immediately went online and ordered her book. Guy was right. It is an inspiring book.

2. Be inspired by others. Guy tells how one client inspired him to set specific financial goals. Are your goals specific and reachable – with deadlines?

3. A sense of smell. Do you make good choices and tell the truth even when it embarrasses you or hurts? A sense of smell about right and wrong earns others’ respect and protects your own self esteem.

4. 11 attitudes of entrepreneurs. Guy’s list includes “We believe anything is possible,” “we forgive and forget failures,” “we hate bureaucracy” and “we believe we can change the world.”

5. The power of stories. It’s not just the facts or what you claim. Stories are more compelling, understandable and credible. Use them to influence others.

6. Evangelism is for more than religion. It advances causes and spurs consumers.

7. Writing wisdom. Guy offers 10 tips. The best are “read good writers,” “have something important to share” and “embrace editing and rewriting.”

This is a book you and your Millennials