Stay Sharp Over Holiday Break: What To Read, Watch, and Listen To

As the holiday season descends upon us in full force, we hope you’ve scheduled in some well-deserved rest and relaxation time. Yes, quality time with friends and family is important, but quality time with the couch? That’s essential to recharging for the New Year!

If you find yourself with some downtime over break, check out our ultimate reading list. We’ve compiled a collection of thrilling podcasts, thought-provoking videos, and page-turning books to keep your mind sharp during this holiday season.

1. TED Talks for Binge-Watching

This playlist of 10 beautiful and riveting TED Talks will transport you to another world. Expert storytellers dive into a range of diverse topics — how music became medicine for a schizophrenic musician, the line between a “psychopath” and a sane person, and a lyrical peek into a “Museum of Four in the Morning” references. It’s the perfect playlist to watch with family over the holidays — just grab some popcorn, and enjoy!

2. Amazon’s Best Books of 2015

It’s the most wonderful time of the year if you love great books! The editors at Amazon recently posted The Best Books of 2015. You can explore featured books by category, overall customer favorites, and even by celebrity picks. Wondering what ranked #1 Book of the Year? It’s Lauren Groff’s Fates and Furies, an ingenious novel about a marriage from two different points of view.

3. Serial, Season Two

If the success of Serial’s first season wasn’t enough to convince you to listen, season two is just as captivating on its own. This season explores the story of Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who walked off his post in Afghanistan in 2009. Bowe was captured and held prisoner by the Taliban for five years but once rescued, his integrity was questioned. Many Americans turned on Bowe, and some soliders from his unit called him a deserter and a traitor. Now, we finally get to hear his side of the story, revealed week-by-week in this suspenseful podcast.

4. Netflix’s Original Content

Original content has garnered nothing but praise from critics and fans alike, so if you haven’t jumped on the Netflix & Chill bandwagon, you’re missing out! Oldies but goodies include Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. For more recent releases, check out Master of None, Narcos, and Sense 8. But you’ve been warned — you may reach the point of no return.

5. eBooks for Full-Stack Marketing If you’re looking for reading material that’s more work-related, take a peek at the top 10 free marketing eBooks of 2015, courtesy of Unbounce. These marketing eBooks touch on a bit of everything, from content marketing, to A/B testing, to SEO. They’re also easily downloadable and perfect for traveling.

6. The Brandfolder Blog We’ve also got some great content to help you be a better marketer in the new year. Check our helpful list of 99 Essential Marketing Tools to Be Thankful For.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to reading over the holiday break? We want to know! Leave a comment or tweet us @Brandfolder.