The combination of getting a library card, having more free time, and writing a defined reading list enabled me to surprisingly finish all 15 books on my summer reading list, including a few others. So, I’ve created another reading list to keep me accountable through the fall.
But first, how did I read so much this summer?! Library due dates give me a challenge to finish every book in at least 3 weeks, but I prioritize reading at least 30 minutes a day, either before bed or on my lunch break. I also alternate between fiction and nonfiction to keep it interesting.
If you need extra motivation, maybe set a pizza date like we used to in elementary school. Does Pizza Hut still sponsor BOOK IT?
Other than enjoying lots of books with new insights, my goal is to try not to read so many dystopian novels right before or after political/history books. My cynicism has been at an all-time high this summer. Sorry, Twitter friends.
- White Trash: The 400 Year Untold History of Class in America // Nancy Isenburg
While daunting size, ~100 pages are actually notes. With recent events, it offers necessary perspective to something that is often pushed under the rug. - On the Shortness of Life // Seneca
This was a gift in a recent book swap, and it’s a super short, philosophical read. A fan fave for busy bees trying to maximize their time. - The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence // Gavin de Becker
I forgot who recommended this, but I’m eager to read about violence and how to potentially prevent it. The number of cat calls I get in the city is unsettling. - In a Dark, Dark Wood // Ruth Ware
A friend recommended this quick suspense novel, and I’m excited for some spookiness in my life. Should I read around Halloween? - The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future // Kevin Kelly
On our office bookshelf, I’m excited to read more about the future of tech. In our daily lives, it’s easy to forget how rapidly our world is changing. - Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to Self-Love + Miracles // Gabrielle Bernstein
Not gonna lie — this title makes me cringe but I’m trying to be open here!! - Sisters // Lily Tuck
I’m trying to read more light-hearted fiction. This book is about marriage, infidelity, and obsession. Perspective, guys. - Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap + Others Don’t // Jim Collins
Another office resource, I love reading about what makes a successful startup, mainly because it’s all speculation and could honestly be BS. - Tales of Two Americas: Stories of Inequality in a Divided Nation // John Freeman
Self-explanatory. - Flappers + Philosophers // F. Scott Fitzgerald
Again, trying to keep it light-hearted… sometimes. Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors of all-time, and I haven’t yet read this collection of short stories. - Industries of the Future // Alec Ross
Have you detected a pattern yet? - The Gilded Age // Mark Twain
Will Mark Twain ever not be relevant? Did everyone else study Mark Twain and Abe Lincoln as much as I did? - The Book of Joan // Lidia Yuknavitch
I need at least one dystopian thriller!!! - Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy // Sheryl Sandberg
I get knocked down, but I get up again…
What did I miss? Let me know what you’re reading!
++ Mary K
