You only live once, unless you like to read

You only live once, unless you like to read
                        

I’m happy reading is making a resurgence. It’s great to see friends are posting online what they are reading and even their reading goals for the year. The most common goal seems to be 25 books in 2025.

Even though I prefer a paper book I can hold in my hands, there is so much opportunity to read that wasn’t there before. I like to look at what’s available at the online library.

In high school I read every magazine in the library every month, no matter the topic, from Reader’s Digest to Popular Science. At the online library, I like to get a one-week magazine pass that includes about 50 magazines you can read for free on your tablet. It doesn’t get any better than that.

You have access to music albums online too. A year or so ago, I heard about a new album that was being released. I went to the online library, and there it was available to check out and listen to for a week. And don’t forget movies.

I like to listen to audio books while doing dishes or folding laundry. It’s a good way to break the monotony and be more productive.

My favorite types of books to read are nonfiction. I really like to read biographies or autobiographies of people whose lives are nothing like mine. You only live once, unless you like to read. Then you can immerse yourself in someone else’s life and see the world through their eyes.

To that end, I’ve read many books including the autobiography of astronaut and Sen. John Glenn. Wow, his life was nothing like mine. You have to read that one if you haven’t. And I even read an autobiography by Ralph “Sonny” Barger, the author of “Hell’s Angel: The life and times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.” There’s a totally different life viewpoint for you.

Most of the time, I am doing more writing than reading, so I am happy to have finished one book already in 2025. That book is “Driving Marilyn: The Life and Times of Legendary Hollywood Agent Norman Brokaw,” which was written by his son Joel Brokaw.

Norman Brokaw started in the mailroom at 16 years old in July 1943 and worked his way up to chairman of the William Morris Agency. He was so influential he was awarded an Emmy. The book offers a glimpse of a bygone era.

I was drawn to the book because of Norman Brokaw’s connections to Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. That is a life much different than mine. Rural Ohio is not the spot for celebrity watching, but the book is about a whole lot more than celebrities.

The book covers Norman Brokaw’s fascinating ancestors, childhood tragedies and an adult personal life that was not without challenges, which Joel Brokaw does not gloss over.

Norman Brokaw’s work affected all of us. He was in on the ground level of television and shaped its development. He convinced stars of other mediums to make the switch to television.

In the late 1980s through the 1990s, I loved watching the television show “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee,” a talk show hosted by Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford. If not for Norman Brokaw convincing Philbin to make the move back to the East Coast, we all would have missed out.

It was fun to read about Brokaw’s connection to another favorite star, Marlo Thomas and her father Danny Thomas. I still watch episodes of Marlo Thomas’ “That Girl” show on the oldies channel.

I was amazed so many of my favorite stars had Brokaw as their agent including Barbara Stanwyck, Clint Eastwood, Donna Summer, Tony Orlando and more. I learned successful careers don’t just happen. Brokaw’s encouraging and caring style, never speaking ill of anyone, and intuitively knowing what was best for his clients led to his success and that of his clients.

There’s so much more to be said for the book, but you’ll want to read and discover it for yourself.

While there’s still plenty of time in 2025, plan to live another life by adding a nonfiction book to your list. Happy reading.


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