I am asked quite often what I would recommend someone read if they want to become a better writer.

As I pointed out in another blog post, I recommend you read anything and everything you can find.

In naming these authors, I am making no observations or suggestions related to their politics or world view. I look at their writing skill, not the topic or point of view. I encourage you to attempt to do the same thing.

Here are some authors and publications I pay attention to because I know they improve my writing.

Walter Isaacson, who wrote the recent biography of Elon Musk, which joins his biographies that include Steve Jobs, Leonardo DaVinci, Benjamin Frankin, Albert Einstein, and a great book, The Innovators. His ability to find and present details in fascinating ways is worth the cost of reading these long books.

Jason Gay, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, who finds great ways to embed popular culture in new ways into humorous articles about sports and life. His ability to find new ways to present his obligatory Super Bowl story and his Thanksgiving piece each year about the family tough football game are among my favorites.

Maureen Dowd, a New York Times columnist who artfully and beautifully communicates important information about politics so you want to keep reading, even when it's a boring or well-publicized topic.

Frank Bruni, another New York Times columnist (can you tell I read the paper each day?) whose gift for putting words together in powerful ways transcends common sense.

George Saunders, a satirical novelist whose short stories and novellas, while fiction, are so tightly written and so carefully crafted that situations that seem impossible become plausible. I learned about him in a fiction writing class and exposure to him alone made the price of the course a bargain. He is the author of Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the Man Booker Prize, and the story collections Pastoralia and Tenth of December. He is the National Magazine Award winner for fiction four times! My favorite Saunders' short story is by far "Civil War Land in Bad Decline," which in a collection by the same name that is arguably one of the best pieces written in the last 20 years. It's that good.

The New Yorker, this weekly publication looks at so many fascinating aspects of life. While its articles tend to be long (admittedly too long too often), their ability to dig deep into the simple and complex things going on in life is something to marvel at. I have learned about so many cool things from this publication, from sewers in New York to the origins of some of our most important political and social events. Don't be afraid to dig into old issues because most of its pieces are timeless. As another inducement, I can assure you that a New Yorker article formed the basis for at least one movie you have watched on Netflix or at the theater.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare, yes, that guy. Hated because of how he is taught in school, the Bard is one of the best, if not the best, writer to walk on this planet. (My father is looking down from heaven with a smile on his face. I was late to the Shakespeare party. Sorry, Dad. Glad you saved me a seat.) His ability to tell stories through iambic pentameter (having flashbacks to 10th grade yet?) serves as a masterclass in how to mold poetry into writing. Want an easier option, grab one of the movies (I like the Romeo and Juliet version that came out in the early 2000s with Claire Danes) or go to a theatrical performance of one of his works. It's not like they aren't everywhere.

National Public Radio, especially This American Life, Fresh Air and its news programming, digs deep into topics that most of us don't consider (hence the name All Things Considered for one of its programs) and brings them to life with its staff's constant commitment to the best use of spoken word. Nowhere will you get a better lesson on how to string words together in engaging ways than to listen to any piece on NPR.

I'd love to hear what you like to read. Maybe I'll add it to the list. Tell me more at [email protected]