Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht: DKNY PR Girl's Career Advice Book MakesUs All Shine

There is something incredibly empowering about reading a book by someone you admire. If it's good, it has the power to inspire you to chase your dreams. Not only do you walk away from a book like that with confidence, but you also feel as if the book spoke to you and fed you the exact information and encouragement you needed at that time in your life.

That's a lot to ask for in two hundred and fifty (give or take) pages but that's exactly what I got from Aliza Licht's much-anticipated book, Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill it in Your Career. Rock Social Media. If you are at all familiar with Twitter, Social Media rock stars and/or fashion you most definitely know Ms. Licht better by her Twitter handle DKNY PR Girl. Who better to write a career advice book than the woman who practically made social media a thing for fashion and spearheaded the social media revolution?



This book is divided into four sections: How to get the job of your dreams, How to have a killer career, How to utilize social media effectively and Everything you need to know about personal branding. Each of these sections has tools, helpful advice and some of Aliza's own personal stories that illustrate each point. There is a lot of information and all of it is useful to anyone in any field and in any stage of their career. Though if this book happens to get into the hands of a college-aged reader, it would certainly put them well ahead of the crowd when it comes to interning and ultimately snagging their first out-of-school job. Also worth noting is that this book is the ultimate affirmation for those looking to change careers, as Aliza notably went from Pre Med to PR. She encourages young people to follow their natural paths and gravitate to what they love doing and a career will bloom out of that.

Aliza hits on a lot of important points such as how to cultivate a reputation that precedes you, how to network even when it's uncomfortable, and the importance of being confident (but never cocky). Many good take-aways, so read with a pen handy for note taking.

Licht, Twitter maven extraordinaire, comes across strongly as the ideal mentor, the perfect mix of personable/approachable/savvy/passionate while still maintaining the aura of superiority that comes from being an innovative leader. You can't help but want to grab a cup of coffee with her and pick her brain for a little while. Her knowledge is indispensable and well worth the price of this book.

Blogger note: I received this book from the publisher as a review copy, however I was in no way compensated for my opinion in the above review.

Ongoingness: The End of a Diary is a Must Read for Anyone Who Has Ever Kept a Diary

We keep diaries for many reasons, but at the core is the central theme of wanting to remember and the wish to leave something behind. I'm fascinated with other people's journals of late, and that is what drew me to Ongoingness: The End of a Diary by Sarah Manguso. It's a small, meditative book of blurbs that resonated with me and I would venture to guess anyone else who has ever kept a journal.

Manguso's book is written snapshots, snippets of her memories about diary-keeping over her life. She states that her goal of diary-keeping was to "end each day with a record of everything that had ever happened". It's a concise little gem of a book that constantly hits home the idea that we are not infinite, and that eventually "in a hundred and fifty years no one alive will have ever known me. Being forgotten like that, entering that great anf ongoing blank, seems more like death than death". Which of course is why the idea of diary-keeping seems so appealing. Being able to chronicle our lives so that we leave a written (or electronic) legacy behind long after we are gone. There is some comfort in believing that something we created will outlive us.

But as we grow, despite not wanting to let go of memories, or more precisely not wanting to miss an opportunity to perfectly capture all the fleeting moments that make up a life, we start to live our lives more fully. To be more ever-present. Instead of recording our memories in our diary, we imprint them into ourselves. And though that means we have to let go, at least a little, of our desire to be immortal through our diaries, it also encourages a bit more living and certainly a lot more to reflect upon.

This book was small but packed a big punch. Pick it up if you've ever kept a diary. It will speak to you.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

In the Age of Social Media, Do you REALLY Know What You Like?

The concept of liking things has become practically synonymous with social media. Whether you are liking a friend's status on Facebook, retweeting a celebrity's hilarious tweet on Twitter or showing some love for a brand's newly uploaded photo on Instagram, liking is a quick way to support or show approval for someone else. But what about the deep down concept of enjoyment? Do we really have a firm grip on what we as individuals truly like in the age of digital liking bombardment?

Go Ahead and Like it

Go Ahead and Like It by Jacqueline Suskin is a little gem of a book that encourages the reader to delve into what makes them tick. Step away from technology for a little while and just focus on your surroundings. Think about your favorite memories. Recall simple pleasures that leave a 500-watt smile on your face. Tune into your likes. Then start making a list. That's all there is to it!

What I like most about this book is that it's very thought-provoking. It made me realize how infrequently I take a honest look at what moves me and brings me joy. This book would make a great gift for anyone who could benefit from a little quiet reflection. And honestly, that is pretty much all of us these days.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.