Longer nights and clear skies await this summer, and no trip to the beach is complete without a compelling summer read. OWC’s bookworms have assembled their picks, a mix of nonfiction and fictional page-turners, for our agency’s annual summer reading list.
Let us know what you’re reading this summer.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg (Nonfiction)
Recommended by Tiffany Rodriguez
Growing up, there was always that one house where everyone wanted to be. Now, it’s that coworker you turn to for advice or the client you connect with over Zoom. These people make interactions feel easy and inviting, but what sets them apart? As a mother raising two daughters and a professional working primarily remotely, I aspire to be that person, that inviting presence. To understand effective communication better, I recently read Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg. The book’s relatable examples illustrate how effective communication can transform relationships and foster collaboration. Duhigg’s strategies are versatile and easy to apply whether in a corporate setting or a casual conversation. This book is an indispensable resource for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills.
Boudica by Vanessa Collingridge (Nonfiction)
Recommended by Tracy Williams
I was looking for a summer book about women in history, but actually Boudica found me. She was a redhead who went to war against the Roman occupiers/invaders of Britain in 60 AD, and killed 60,000 of them, burned Londinium to the ground, and now has a commemorative statue in modern London. Thank you, Margaret Thatcher. As a business model, I much prefer a public relations campaign to all-out war, although she had her reasons (brutally beaten by Romans, daughters violated, people enslaved). Boudica! It still has a nice ring to it, although so little is known of her that the book is mostly Iron Age metallurgy and speculation, and we’ll never know her full story because Tacitus and Cassius Dio weren’t interested in women, even as warriors. What did I learn? Boudica is more well-known today and has been a beacon for women leaders since Elizabeth I, to the suffragettes, Margaret Thatcher and inspires redheads and women warriors and leaders around the world.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (Nonfiction)
Recommended by Phyllis Wade
My admiration for investigative reporting began when, at a young age, I witnessed the incredible investigative work done by The Washington Post‘s Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, which led to the resignation of a President. I was intrigued by this book when I heard that Martin Scorsese was coming out with a new movie based on a book by investigative reporter David Grann about the murders in the 1920s of Osage Native Americans. The book explores the tragic events known as the Osage Murders, where wealthy Osage Native Americans were systematically targeted for their oil-rich land. The murders took place in Osage County, Oklahoma, during the early 20th century when the Osage people had become extraordinarily wealthy due to oil deposits discovered beneath their land. The book not only educates readers about a dark chapter in American history but also serves as a reminder of the resilience of the Osage people and the importance of justice. The systemic issues it reveals are still relevant today, making it a crucial read for understanding historical and contemporary issues of racism and corruption.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell (Fiction)
Recommended by Samantha Short
True crime podcasts and documentaries have captivated Gen Z and Millennials, becoming valuable sources for uncovering some of the darkest stories. This surge in popularity is influencing literature, as seen in Lisa Jewell’s latest fiction thriller, None of This Is True. This New York Times Bestseller is set against the backdrop of a Netflix documentary featuring a podcaster, Alix, and her story of encountering her “Birthday Twin,” Josie. Josie seeks Alix out to form a friendship when she realizes they have the same birthday and suggests she become the subject of Alix’s new podcast series. Alix is drawn in by the promise of her birthday twin’s dark past. The narrative weaves together two perspectives: the documentary about Alix’s wild ride to uncover Josie’s twisted family secrets and the events that unfolded during Alix and Josie’s podcast recordings. None of This Is True reflects the unsettling events these formats bring to light and provokes readers to question what they can or can’t believe. If you’re looking for a captivating read with twists and turns, None of This Is True will keep you guessing from start to finish.
The Thief Book Series by Megan Whalen Turner (Fiction)
Recommended by Wes Robinson
When my kids were young, I read books to them before they went to sleep to instill a love of reading. We read everything from children’s picture books to classic literature, such as Treasure Island. Now, as my kids are older, they are reading to us! My son was so excited about The Thief book series that he read aloud the entire five-book series to us this year. Megan Whalen Turner did an amazing job of telling the exciting and humorous journey of a thief’s unlikely rise to become king. It was an enjoyable read as well as a thought-provoking illustration for business, demonstrating that you must always think three steps ahead, challenge the norms and develop creative solutions to problems. It also is a master class in leadership skills, such as winning over opposition, managing conflict and not taking yourself too seriously.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino (Fiction)
Recommended by Paulo Acuna
Beautyland, billed by The New York Times as one of the best books of 2024, is a fantasy that follows the story of Adina, born to a single mother in Philadelphia. Her secret? She comes from a faraway planet, sent by extraterrestrials to report back on the quirks, challenges and idiosyncrasies of life on Earth. Adina goes through life, faces the growing pains of adolescence and discovers her power while communicating with her alien ancestors – through a fax machine. I dove into the science fiction genre, a departure from my usual readings, and ended up gaining a deeper understanding of the universal human experience, the highs and lows, and the ability to embrace uniqueness in an era where we so often feel like an outsider even within our own realm. A different lens can bring about fear, but often drives clarity and reveals humanity’s common threads.
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