It’s always there, staring you in the face – that flashing red-light on the right-hand corner of your smartphone. Flash, blink, flash-flash. Who’s there? An interview request from a reporter? A client crisis that needs immediate attention? A meeting planner reminder for your third conference call that afternoon? Fair to say, it’s time for that second cup of coffee.
Ranked the second most stressful job by CareerCast – behind airline pilots – yikes! – public relations professionals are programmed to permanently stay tuned in to the news, manage multiple accounts across various industries, stay engaged with the media and exceed client expectations. Oftentimes, we know the news before it makes headlines, and it’s our job to ensure it all – brand, client and subject matter – is positioned correctly.
Amidst all of the activity, PR folks still find ways to unplug and decompress. To find out what inspires my fellow CPRers to continue to do the fabulous work they do, I slathered on the SPF and reached into several beach bags. From books that stimulate to playlists that motivate, here’s what I found:
In paperback Cindy is exploring NYC’s hidden gems in “Invisible Frontier,” Emily O. is laughing her butt-off in “Lies that Chelsea Told Me,” Mamie loves a good murder mystery in “The Girl Who Played with Fire”, Chris gets a history lesson in “The Glorious Cause,” and I’m playing castaway in “The Island.”
On a Kindle, Nook and iPad, Emily R. is reading Kathryn Stockett’s bestseller “The Help”, Anne is furiously flipping through e-pages of “The Snowman” and Mike M. explores religion in “God Is Not Great.”
On Pandora and iPod, CPRers are rocking out to everything from indie rock to bluegrass, here are some favorites:
- Mumford and Sons
- The Avett Brothers
- Johnny Flynn
- Centro-Matic
- Lucinda Williams
- Villain Family
- M83
- She & Him
Your turn, we want to know what makes you turn cartwheels on the beach! Tell us what books you’re reading and what tunes are blaring from your playlists.