Skip to main content
Currently Reading
Office novels explored the strange reality of our working lives. Now they make us nostalgic for our cubicles.
Stuart Miller, The Washington Post
Feb. 25, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
Office novels have evolved alongside workplace culture.Little, Brown; Jonathan Cape; Simon and Schuster I miss boring meetings, John Kenney said. The author of two workplace novels - Truth in Advertising and Talk to Me - and Love Poems for the Office, Kenney doesn t miss being bored. I miss being in a room with other people.
Zoom meetings are functional, Kenney said, but lack spontaneity and stymie meandering conversations. What makes work interesting is the serendipitous spark that could come when you re chatting and the other person said something and then you get an idea, he said. Serendipity is hard to capture on Zoom.
aphelps@newsandsentinel.com
Right now is a perfect time to visit a local bookstore or go online and express order some books for everyone on your list.
For the person who works in the office is a perfect poetry book!
The author of several humorous poetry books follows up his “Love Poems for Anxious People” (which came out right in the midst of COVID when literally everyone was anxious) with this volume, “Love Poems for the Office” by John Kenney.
While office life isn’t like it used to be by any means, these humorous poems will make you laugh and long for those days. Whether it’s someone who won’t take a hint and leave or someone who cooked fish in the microwave, these are all relatable and funny poems. The final poem, about the author’s mother, again brings a tear to eye and after all that funny. I will look forward to whatever Kenney comes up with next.
As many area residents plan to celebrate Christmas at home this year, local bookstore owners are touting the benefits of giving a good book for any age.
âI love books,â said Kara Fogle, owner of Booâs Books, a childrenâs bookstore at Fort Valley Nursery, 1175 S. Hisey Ave., Woodstock.
âA book is pretty versatile entertainment,â she said. â[Itâs] something that you can revisit over and over again. ⦠Itâs something that you can do anywhere, anytime.â
Whether youâre buying for a longtime book-lover or a new reader, she suggested people consider âexpanding horizonsâ through quality literature, illustrations, photography, education and an unforgettable story.