David Perell

Host of How I Write

3 books recommended · 9 episodes

Recommends

Books they recommend that someone else wrote.

“So yeah, at the beginning of that answer, you were really talking about failures of perception. And there's a book called drawing on the right side of the brain. And one of the early exercises in the book is that you paint a portrait of somebody, but you flip it upside down.”

Why: It teaches you to put down what is actually there and not what you think you are seeing by removing preconceived judgments.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
Host on How I WriteR.F. Kuang: Meet The Writer Who Sold Millions of Books Before 30 | How I Write

“So this is from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. And I know that you read that and it influenced you. And so I was, you know, looking through it.”

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Host on How I WriteAndrew Hunter Murray: How to Write Fiction Incredibly Well | How I Write

“I think of The Great Gatsby. With the book, The Great Gatsby, it's like Fitzgerald and I, even though it was 100 years ago, we did this together.”

Why: He feels the book possesses him and allows for a partnership with the author.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Host on How I WriteYann Martel: Life of Pi Author Reveals His Writing Process | How I Write

Author Interviews & Plugs

Their own books, or books they discussed with the author. Not counted as recommendations.

“Taylor Talonson is on the show, who's one of the world's top comedians with multiple Netflix specials and also a book called Actually, Nevermind.”

Actually, Nevermind by Taylor Tomlinson
Host on How I WriteTaylor Tomlinson: How to Make Your Writing More Funny | How I Write

“He's labored and labored, and now he's out with a new book called Sublime. He wrote it after having a stroke and basically being paralyzed with the right side of his body. And I'm telling you, this book is his magnum opus.”

Why: It is described as a magnum opus and a deep departure into the transcendent and supernatural.

The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
Host on How I WriteRobert Greene: The Unwritten Laws of Great Writing | How I Write

“Matt Haig sold more than 10 million copies of his book, The Midnight Library. And I just checked on Amazon.”

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Host on How I WriteMatt Haig: How to Write a Book Millions of People Read | How I Write

“I have the book Help, Thanks, Wow here. And we're talking about observation, opening your eyes. And it's like a prompt.”

Why: It helps restore a sense of wow and observation.

Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott
Host on How I WriteAnne Lamott Teaches Unforgettable Writing | How I Write

“This is a novel of revenge. The Terminalist explores what could happen when an apex predator, a warrior at the top of his game, is thrown into a situation from which there is no return.”

Why: David Perell highlights the compelling premise of an apex predator warrior pushed to a point of no return.

The Terminal List by Jack Carr
Host on How I WriteJack Carr: Bestselling Author Shares His Entire Writing Process | How I Write

Passing References

Named without an opinion attached.

“there's a book the technological society by jacques alul i remember buying that the mass market paperback…”

The Technological Society by Jacques Ellul
Host on How I WriteDavid Shelley: How to Get Your Book Published | How I Write

“I remember when I was a kid, there was a series. You definitely know it. The Series of Unfortunate Events.”

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Host on How I WriteDavid Shelley: How to Get Your Book Published | How I Write

Recommends

Books they recommend that someone else wrote.

“So yeah, at the beginning of that answer, you were really talking about failures of perception. And there's a book called drawing on the right side of the brain. And one of the early exercises in the book is that you paint a portrait of somebody, but you flip it upside down.”

Why: It teaches you to put down what is actually there and not what you think you are seeing by removing preconceived judgments.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
Host on How I WriteR.F. Kuang: Meet The Writer Who Sold Millions of Books Before 30 | How I Write

“So this is from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. And I know that you read that and it influenced you. And so I was, you know, looking through it.”

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Host on How I WriteAndrew Hunter Murray: How to Write Fiction Incredibly Well | How I Write

“I think of The Great Gatsby. With the book, The Great Gatsby, it's like Fitzgerald and I, even though it was 100 years ago, we did this together.”

Why: He feels the book possesses him and allows for a partnership with the author.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Host on How I WriteYann Martel: Life of Pi Author Reveals His Writing Process | How I Write

Author Interviews & Plugs

Their own books, or books they discussed with the author. Not counted as recommendations.

“Taylor Talonson is on the show, who's one of the world's top comedians with multiple Netflix specials and also a book called Actually, Nevermind.”

Actually, Nevermind by Taylor Tomlinson
Host on How I WriteTaylor Tomlinson: How to Make Your Writing More Funny | How I Write

“He's labored and labored, and now he's out with a new book called Sublime. He wrote it after having a stroke and basically being paralyzed with the right side of his body. And I'm telling you, this book is his magnum opus.”

Why: It is described as a magnum opus and a deep departure into the transcendent and supernatural.

The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
Host on How I WriteRobert Greene: The Unwritten Laws of Great Writing | How I Write

“Matt Haig sold more than 10 million copies of his book, The Midnight Library. And I just checked on Amazon.”

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Host on How I WriteMatt Haig: How to Write a Book Millions of People Read | How I Write

“I have the book Help, Thanks, Wow here. And we're talking about observation, opening your eyes. And it's like a prompt.”

Why: It helps restore a sense of wow and observation.

Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott
Host on How I WriteAnne Lamott Teaches Unforgettable Writing | How I Write

“This is a novel of revenge. The Terminalist explores what could happen when an apex predator, a warrior at the top of his game, is thrown into a situation from which there is no return.”

Why: David Perell highlights the compelling premise of an apex predator warrior pushed to a point of no return.

The Terminal List by Jack Carr
Host on How I WriteJack Carr: Bestselling Author Shares His Entire Writing Process | How I Write

Passing References

Named without an opinion attached.

“there's a book the technological society by jacques alul i remember buying that the mass market paperback…”

The Technological Society by Jacques Ellul
Host on How I WriteDavid Shelley: How to Get Your Book Published | How I Write

“I remember when I was a kid, there was a series. You definitely know it. The Series of Unfortunate Events.”

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Host on How I WriteDavid Shelley: How to Get Your Book Published | How I Write