Of Books and Beaches: Summer Reading 2017

Around this time every year, I like to put together a list of recommended “beach reading” from some of my “book worm” friends and colleagues. Check out their recommendations below and if you’re looking for even more, take a look at the lists from past years like these and these. May your vacation be full of rest and a few good reads this summer.

The Whistler
By John Grisham
Recommended by Patrick Cimerola, SVP Human Resources, Choice Hotels International

The Whistler is a classic thriller about a corrupt judge, a previously disbarred lawyer, and a judicial misconduct investigator who is stuck in the middle. The lawyer claims the judge was involved in the construction of a large casino on Native American land, financed by the mafia – and that he’s making some major cash as a result. But who should the investigator trust? 

A Man Called Ove
By Fredrik Backman
Recommended by Joe Foss, Executive Representative, Geppi Family Enterprises

I am recommending the novel A Man Called Ove. It is written by Fredrik Backman, a Swedish columnist. It was first published in 2013. It’s a story of the curmudgeon who lives next door to a new family who moves into Ove’s neighborhood. It’s a fun and humorous read, but points out some wonderful human traits. While I’m Scandinavian and it had some personal appeal, I would recommend to all.

Option B
By Sheryl Sandberg
Recommended by Anna-Maria Palmer, Chief Human Resources Officer, GBMC Healthcare System

I am recommending Option B by Sheryl Sandberg. The book stems from Sheryl’s husband unexpectedly dying while they were on a Mexican vacation, leaving her with three young children. Sheryl and her husband had the world by the tail, like so many of us. They were hard workers, dedicated parents and health freaks – doing everything they needed to do to provide for their family, responsibly. Sadly, this book is about “Option B” because sometimes bad things happen that require us to develop resilience and a “new path” in life. This was the case for Sheryl Sandberg. The book is a must read not because the reader needs to feel empathy or even fathom the idea of suddenly losing a spouse. Instead, the book creates a life’s “pause.” It is a blend of a reminder to practice gratefulness and an awareness to provide support to others when their “Option A” unexpectedly vanishes. It’s an easy read and too wordy in places, but a great non-denominational insight into facing adversity. Like it or not, we all face adversity and death in our lives. “Option B” is a coping resource to keep in our mental toolbox.

 In the Woods
By Tana French
Recommended by Fred Strader, retired President & CEO, Textron Systems

In The Woods is the first book in the Dublin Murder Squad series. Two detectives investigate the murder of a 12-year-old girl in a suburb of Dublin. The case bears similarities to the disappearance of two kids years before in which one of the detectives had also disappeared, but re-emerged all bloody and with no memory of the incident. Tana French’s imagery and her weaving of a psychological story make for exceptional summer reading. Dublin makes for an interesting backdrop, and anything but romantic travelogue. French has written six books so far in the series, all of them winners, but you have to start here.