It’s August already, and summer is still in full swing – and the heat is in full force. Like, walking on asphalt should be considered a public health hazard kind of heat. Nevertheless, the Marketwake team has found ways of cooling off this summer, most of which involve finding a shaded lawn chair at a poolside, lounging on a sandy beach, or diving into crystal clear lagoons. Having visited destinations such as Hilton Head Beach, Rosemary Beach, Las Vegas, Saint Lucia, Portugal, The Bahamas, and Hawaii this summer, the Marketwake team has had plenty of time to knock a few books off their reading lists and has a few recommendations to share.
We’ve got page-turning, tear-jerking, smile-cracking, wisdom-imparting reads that are captivating the Marketwake team this summer. So pull out your GoodReads, notes app, a pen and paper, however, you add to your reading list, and get ready to add a few more.
Reader:
Dana Sullivan, Content Strategist
Why are they reading it?
According to Dana, The Swimmers is, “A short novel about what occurs after a group of recreational swimmers sees a crack appear at the bottom of their local pool. As a former competitive swimmer, the cover art caught my eye at the store-excited to read this one!”
Reader(s):
Megan Bush, Executive Assistant
Anna Kate Newall, Account Manager
Brooke Beach, CEO
Why are they reading it?
For all the audiobook-loving folks out there, this one’s for you. Greenlights is Matthew McConaughey’s autobiography audiobook…read aloud by Matthew McConaughey himself. Need we say more? In all seriousness, this book is an interesting look into the decades of life lessons, journal reflections, and experiences that shaped McConaughey, a collection that he calls, “a love letter to life.”
Reader(s):
Brooke Beach, CEO
Bin Cochran, Director of Marketing
Megan Bush, Executive Assistant
Why are they reading it?
This book comes highly recommended particularly by our Marketwake leadership team. According to Bin, this book is for, “Anyone going through obstacles…so everyone.” This book, which details a formula for turning life obstacles into opportunities, is a great reminder that it’s the hard things in life that make us both better professionals and better people.
Reader:
Ross Harrison, Technical SEO Associate
Bin Cochran, Director of Marketing
Why are they reading it?
Dune is the sci-fi classic that inspired an entire generation; the “OG sci-fi series.” The riveting story that inspired the birth of Star Wars is at the top of a few of our sci-fi-loving SEO whizzes’ must-read (again) lists this summer.
Reader:
Nimay Ndolo, Developer
Why are they reading it?
I’ll Eat When I’m Dead falls under one of Nimay’s favorite literature genres: “bitch lit.” The satirical and suspenseful story of a woman found dead in her office building, mistakenly presumed to be from her dieting habits, is “viciously funny,” and a, “sharp and satirical take on the politics of women’s bodies and women’s work.”
Reader:
Emily Ockerman, Associate Copywriter
Why are they reading it?
The Devil in the White City is the true tale of the serial killer that plagued the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. It parallels the construction of the World’s Fair with the rise of one of America’s first known serial killers, H.H. Holmes. A disastrous tale of genius enrobed in a healthy layer of chaos, this read teaches you a bit about American history in a style that makes learning feel effortless.
Reader:
Brooke Beach, CEO
Why are they reading it?
Brooke highly recommends West with Giraffes as a special summer read, especially for animal lovers. Inspired by real events, the novel weaves fiction and history together to present a story that explores what it means to be, “changed by the grace of animals.”
Reader:
Megan Bush, Executive Assistant
Why are they reading it?
Megan has been telling everyone in the office to read this collection of narratives that therapist Catherine Gildiner recalls from five of her most heroic patients. Good Morning Monster dives into the emotional recovery journeys of these patients to tell an almost novelistic story of healing, forgiveness, and perseverance.
Reader:
Dana Sullivan, Content Strategist
Why are they reading it?
According to Dana, “This is ‘a science-fiction parable about love and sex, wealth and debt, abuse and power.’ It’s supposedly a commentary on capitalism, so I imagine this has 1984/Ayn Rand vibes, but we shall see. It’s definitely one for science fiction fans!”
Reader:
Emily Ockerman, Associate Copywriter
Why are they reading it?
Our resident classics-loving reader, Emily recommends this particular translation of Les Mis for its beautiful use of language. “It’s for language nerds,” Emily says. “For people who love point-blank beautiful prose, it’s delicious. I cannot speak more highly of what the translator has done to convey Victor Hugo’s original French intentions in English instead.”
Reader:
Anna Kate Newall, Account Manager
Why do they recommend this book?
Anna Kate’s summer book taste involves relaxing books she can enjoy while sitting at the pool or beach. She highly recommends The Homewreckers as a breezy beach read that has just enough suspense to where she couldn’t put it down.
Reader:
Dana Sullivan, Content Strategist
Why are they reading it?
Dana says, “Grant is an organizational psychologist with modern (and slightly subversive?) views on work. Big fan of his podcast, Work/Life, too. Read this if you want an eye-opening perspective on how you think, your convictions, and how to stay curious.”
Reader:
Brooke Beach, CEO
Why are they reading it?
Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku’s best-selling memoir about finding gratitude and joy in even the darkest of places is on Brooke’s list as proof of the power of reframing one’s mindset. Jaku’s powerful and heartbreaking story is a tribute to the countless lives lost during the Holocaust and a testament to his vow to smile every day of his life.
Reader:
Brooke Beach, CEO
Why are they reading it?
Brooke has been captivated by The Picture of Dorian Gray recently after discovering that not a lot of people have read the novel, despite it being a classic and eerie piece of Gothic horror literature. The hedonistic story of a young man who essentially sells his soul for the price of eternal beauty has entranced audiences for over a century and, like Brooke mentioned, is certainly worth giving a shot now.
And there you have it!
From existential thrillers and classic sci-fi tales, to “bitch lit,” feel-good romance novels, professional development guides, and everything in between, the Marketwake team has put together a summer to-read list about as unique as they are themselves. Hopefully, this list has struck some inspiration for the next book to add to your “to-read” stack, whether you prefer ripping through suspenseful page-turners in the comfort of the AC, listening to motivational audiobooks on the go, or catching up on romance novels to the sound of crashing waves.
