Whether you were cozied up with a page-turning thriller in your favorite leather chair (glass of wine on stand-by) or swiping through the Kindle pages of a romantic drama (while you try to reach the bottom of the popcorn bag), this summer was one for the books, literally. And now we’re diving into autumn with our best recommendations for what to add to your bookshelf.
At Points North, we like to start each weekly team meeting with an ice-breaker. Somewhere in between “What’s your most overused emoji?” and “What’s your favorite 90s trend?” was the prompt “Tell us about a book you read recently, and why you liked it.”
We each took a turn talking about new books and old classics, all for the love of literature and team bonding.
“Rest is Resistance” by Tricia Hersey
-Kendra, Project Manager
What this book is about – A beautiful read on how to remember to rest in order to soar further and heal. Tricia Hersey details the importance of rest for all bodies specifically the African-American culture and community. Hersey frames rest in her Nap Ministry as necessary for the soul.
Why I recommend this book – A very soulful read for those of us who are entering our soft life era and looking for experiences, music and reads that help us get there in our own time.
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini
– Naomi, Marketing Manager
What this book is about – Mariam, an illegitimate teenager from Herat, is forced to marry after a family tragedy. Laila, born a generation later, lives a relatively privileged life, but her life intersects with Mariam’s when a similar tragedy forces her to accept a marriage proposal from Mariam’s husband.
Why I recommend this book – I’ve read this book three times. It has drama, tragedy and hope for a better future. It also captures the disadvantage in some countries being born a woman, and being forced into a life you don’t want. Spoiler alert, the ending is happier than the beginning.
“Bad Vibes Only (and Other Things I Bring to the Table)” by Nora McInerny
– Laura, Graphic Designer
What this book is about – In essays that revisit her cringey past and anticipate her rapidly approaching, early middle-aged future, McInerny lays bare her own chaos, inviting us to drop the façade of perfection and embrace the truth: that we are all—at best—slightly unhinged.
Why I recommend this book – Nora keeps it real. She’s the friend that we all wish we had. She shamelessly speaks the truth in a relatable (and at times humorous) tone. While some of the topics are tough, they are things all we experience. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel seen.
“Foundryside” by Robert Jackson Bennett
– Elaine, Director of Client Success
What this book is about – In the city of Tevanne, where “scriving” — the systematization and mass production of sigils — has enabled the industrialization of magic, Sancia Grado is a thief hired to steal a powerful magical artifact… one which has a mind of its own.
Why I recommend this book – If you like fantasy (and I wouldn’t say I did until I read this book!), then you should definitely read the entire trilogy. Prepare yourself for ancient mysteries, very complex characters, and best of all – magic!
“Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto
– Jessica, CEO and Creative Director
What this book is about – One morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand is a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. She then embarks on a journey to find the murderer herself.
Why I recommend this book – It’s no secret that I read a ton of books, but often times they fall in the category of self-discovery, improvement, business, etc. Every so often, I have to put a pause on that and read something purely for enjoyment. This title caught my attention immediately, and the book cover too (we all know I like a good navy blue color). It radiated delight. Vera is definitely a relatable character. She had me laughing out loud on several pages. And while this book is centered around her trying to solve a murder, there is something beautiful that happens on these pages with this cast of multigenerational characters. The relationships and connections that form are heartwarming, charming, and oh so very human.
Time to click “add to cart” on BookShop.org for some of these great reads, or take an adventurous stroll to your local bookstore to pick one up in person. In Baltimore, we love Charm City Books and Greedy Reads. Do you know what pairs well with a cup of coffee and a chunky sweater? A good autumn read.
Naomi Oriol is a Customer Experience Specialist with over seven years in her profession. Her expertise include customer experience design, service recovery, quality and training, customer insights, self-service programs, leadership, and project management.
