Not Just for Kids: Summer 2012 Reading List

By Jessica Ciccone | @jblciccone

I can’t tell you how excited I am for summer to finally be here.  Since I was a young gal summer has been one of my favorite seasons.  Call me a nerd, but I was always excited to get the new school summer reading list each year.  Just because I am all grown up now does not mean I can’t have a summer reading list, right?  So here it goes.  Enjoy!

For Personal Development:

Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard – Chip and Dan Heath

If it’s written by the Heath brothers you can’t go wrong.  Recently, I heard Dan Heath speak at an event and I can’t say more positive things about him.  I walked away eager to take on the world and instigate change - I will start by reading the book. In Switch, the authors of Made to Stick talk about “finding the bright spots” in your personal and professional life.  Get ready to be positive!

For a Good Beach Read:

Summerland – Elin Hilderband

I am a sucker for all things New England, so when Nantucket resident Elin Hilderband puts out her latest novel set again in Nantucket, I can’t resist.  Her latest work follows students from Nantucket High School and details what happens after one tragic summer night.  Having read her novel Barefoot, you can expect a great range of emotions, so grab your towel and a tissue and head to the beach.

For Literary Buffs:

The Paris Wife - Paula McLain

Fans of all things Ernest Hemingway, and those who just like historical fiction, will love this book written from the viewpoint of Hadley Hemingway, Ernest’s first wife.  The book follows Hadley and Ernest during their brief courtship and through their countless adventures in Paris.  It is a unique and personal look at the early life of a revered and storied author. 

For Current Events:

Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob – Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill  

With Whitey’s trial delayed until March, you now have some time to beef up on your knowledge of the Southie mobster and his alleged deeds.  This book has been recommended to me by countless number of friends and family, many of them Southie residents like myself.  So you can’t go wrong.  Before you know it you will be spending your vacation days outside the federal courthouse.

For Guilty Pleasure:

Fifty Shades of Grey – E L James

Oh come on...you knew this was going to be on here.  You can’t think about summer reading without at least mentioning this phenomenon.  I have to fess up and say that I have read it –so here’s what to expect: lots and lots of things you can’t talk about with your kids and will make you blush (don’t read this on the bus – even if you try to hide it – we know!) What not to expect: any semblance of good writing or any regard to things like a thesaurus.  But you just have to...

For PR Pros:

The Associated Press Stylebook

This is on here for two reasons.  One, I could not end the blog with the previous title. What would you think of me?  Two, what better time to brush up on our writing skills than the summer? Bask in the glory of outsmarting your colleagues with your AP style wit.  I might give it a shot.