Hoping you and your family had had a Happy 4th of July. I am excited to share the 2022 Summer Reading List. I started writing my annual summer reading list in 2016. I do this each year for you, the readers of Nurse Advocate. I also do it for me, so when I needed a good book, I can pull up the latest Summer Reading List and find a good book to read, to learn, to escape or just go to sleep when I am restless.
This year’s blog is made up of suggested books from family, colleagues from case management and patient advocacy, friends, and followers from social media. I hope you read it, share it, and save it for when you are looking for a good read read! Enjoy!
To kick off the list, are suggestions from Bill and Mary Reidy. Mary and I have been friends since we were 5 years old. We lived next door to each other till 5th grade till we both moved. Despite the distance we kept in touch till today! Mary and Bill came down to celebrate the 4th of July with me and Corky. We had a great weekend and I managed to get a few suggestions from them as we sat on the beach and enjoyed each other’s company. Mary’s suggestions are Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah, she also suggested the Red Mountain Rising Series by Boo Walker. Her husband Bill suggested I am Pilgrim by Terry Hays and The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer.
My brother Joe suggested The Book of Longings: by Sue Monk Kidd – The setting is the early days of the New Testament. It’s a work of historical fiction that imagines the life of Ana, the wife of Jesus. The novel humanizes Jesus and details the challenges of life during this difficult time in history. It’s well-written and an easy read.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss. The Kingkiller Chronicle is a best-selling fantasy trilogy. Many loyal fans are eagerly awaiting American author Patrick Rothfuss to finish the 3rd book of the trilogy. At this time, there two books available:
- Book 1 – The Name of the Wind (2007)
- Book 2 – The Wise Man’s Fear (2011)
The series is told in a “story-within-a-story” format. It’s about the life of a man named Kvothe (pronounced similar to “quothe), who is a famous magician and musician. Kvothe has left his life of adventure and is biding his time as an innkeeper when he tells the story of his life to “Chonicler” over a three-day period. Each book is part of his life story told during a single day (i.e. Book 1 is the story of Kvothe’s life that he narrates to Chronicler during the first day, and Book 2 continues his life during 2nd day). The books are long, but there are many adventures, and the writing style keeps you interested throughout. I found the books hard to put down. My only complaint is I wish the print was bigger – my eyes strained reading the small print in the paperbacks.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco – Set in the year 1327, the story follows Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, a former inquisitor, who is investigating a series of bizarre murders in an Italian abbey. He’s a medieval Sherlock Holmes. It also tells of the religious conflicts and infighting during that troubling time. It was the basis for a 1986 movie starring Sean Connery, as well a more recent mini-series of the same name.
My sister-in-law, Tricia Douville, an avid reader, and a yearly contributor to my summer reading list suggested The Guest List by Lucy Foley.
Janine Kelbach AKA, The Savvy Nurse: suggestions are American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins and The People We Keep by Allison Larkin and one of her all-time favorites, The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner
Lizbeth Uzcategui from Hanger Prosthetics shared her top four picks for 2022: Start with Why By Simon Sinek, What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey, Think Like a Monk – Jay Shetty and The Upper Hand By Chris Ruden.
Friends from Athena Forum weighed in with their recommendations:
Barbara Leach shared the following books: State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penney. Remember: the science of memory and the art of forgetting by Dr. Lisa Genova, Harlem Shuffle by Colson White head. The Judges List by John Grisham. Currently Barbara said she is listening to Sparring Partners by John Grisham
Rebecca Kushins recommended a few of her favorites from this past year: The Mosaic Mind by Regina Goulding and Richard Schwartz, Why Did I Do That? by Dorie Cameron, Furiously Happy by Jennifer Lawson, How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King
Michelle Knaub recommended: Blindsighted by Karen Slaughter, Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry, The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye, Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy, In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner, King of Lies by John Hart, Swan Song by Robert McCammon, Void Moon by Michael Connelly and last but not least, House of Smoke by J.R. Freedman
Patient Advocate Colleagues recommended the following:
Beth Droppert warned; not sure these are light reading, but my favorite books recently are: In Love by Amy Bloom, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuon and The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles.
Robin Shapiro suggestions are: In Love by Amy Bloom about a couple who are navigated assisted suicide in the face of Dementia, White Houses by Amy Bloom, an, historic fiction about Eleanor Roosevelt as experienced and told by her friend and lover Lorena Hickok, Normal People by Sally Rooney is a gripping and visceral story about two people through the lens of issues all people grapple with: love, power, class, life choices and The Grieving Brain by Mary Francis O’Connor The Grieving Brain is a probing exploration into the science of grief and grieving.
Heidi Kummer, MD; shared “given many of the recent events, I have actually revisited 2 older books, which still rank high among my favorites” Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is a book about the late Paul Farmer and the beginnings of the global NGO, Partners in Health. In the fiction genre she suggests, the beautifully written Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. You probably know them and may have featured them before. But just in case, they are both wonderful books and certainly pertinent for patient and health care advocates.
Teri Dreher shared: I liked Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen because it was a magical and surprising love story about an old man in a nursing home’s recollections of his youth as a circus veterinarian. It was a great read!
Case Management Colleagues:
Sarah Timm, President and CEO of Parthenon Management Group, LLC, the Management Company leading CMSA into the next generation. Suggested a Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abram.
Kelley Norris, also from Parthenon Management said: I love to read! Sometimes I love it too much and get sucked into a reading vortex that I emerge from sleep-deprived but giddy from the rush of a good book. For some light summer reading, I recommend the All-Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, which apparently has been made into a British TV show with the same title as the first book in the series, A Discovery of Witches.
I also listen to a lot of audiobooks with my almost 12-year-old. We recently listened to the young adult, WW2 historical fiction novel The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and its sequel The War I Finally Won. We loved them both and were sad when they were over. For a funny, intriguing, and masterfully narrated series for the entire family, you must listen to The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood and read by the incomparable Katherine Kellgren. My daughter kept asking if that was really the same person doing all the different voices!
As for non-fiction, I am always listening to or reading something in my never-ending quest for understanding myself and others. I am currently enjoying Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown. I’m a huge fan of Dr. Brown and her entire repertoire. This book is different in that it aims to give us the emotional language and terminology that we need to best navigate life. It’s extremely insightful with lots of “aha moments”—my favorite type of moment. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have!
Colleen Morely, the newly installed President of CMSA suggested Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Robert’s, for pure escapism!
Tara Adams Board Member of the All Florida Case Management Network suggested: The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. This book is an inspiring book about seizing the opportunities given to you. The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont. This is an interesting nonfiction book about the days Agatha Christie was missing
Viki Solomon: said I read a lot of poetry and books about meditation and mindfulness, but these topics are very heavy. She shared that her and her husband Mark read together and learn together. Here are some of their suggestions: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer. Also, Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker. Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems
Stefani Daniels: suggested the following: Herve LeTellier – The Anomaly. Is it science fiction? Is it philosophy? Is it a fanciful thriller? Read it and find out! If anyone follows Elizabeth Strout’s Lucy Barton, try Oh William. Thoroughly enjoyable reading. Two new authors discovered this year: Stacy Willingham’s A Flicker in the Dark held my interest from first page to last. I also discovered S. A. Cosby, Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears. My nonfiction bestie this year was David McCullough’s John Adams…though anything David McCullough writes is classic.
Mollie Kallin, the owner of MKCM took time out of her busy day to suggest; The Secret – Law of Attraction by Katherine Hurst
Mary Beth Newman and avid reader and long time contributor to my Summer Reading list shared her best reads from the past year:
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is a remarkable piece of literary fiction that takes place in three places centuries apart: ancient Constantinople in the 1400’s, modern day Idaho, and a spaceship in the distant future. Sounds crazy and it is hard to get into at first but stick with it and I promise it will amaze you as to how these three seemingly disparate stories come together. The writing is outstanding!
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby VanPelt is a beautiful story of woman dealing with loss and grief and her amazing relationship with an octopus (!) who helps her on the journey to healing. This is author’s debut novel, and will be looking forward to more from her!
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry is an unusual modern Gothic novel story that takes place in modern day Salem, Massachusetts that delves into multigenerational family secrets as told by the unreliable narrator main character. A well-written mystery page-turner with fascinating imagery and strong female characters.
The Snow Child by Eown Ivey, tells the story of a struggling homesteader couple in Alaska during the 1920s and how their longing for a child is answered in a most unusual way. A unique novel that is grounded in magical/fantasy realism.
The Saints of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart is an interesting historical fiction that focuses on characters barely surviving the Great Depression by working in the turpentine industry of the South during the Great Depression. Main character Rae Lynn is strong, full of grit, and experiences some deplorable situations. Learned a lot about a unique piece of American industry I never knew about!
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell. This is a mystery novel of sorts that tells the story of a young woman Iris who learns she is the only family member for an aunt (Esme Lennox) who is being released from a psychiatric institution after sixty years. The two characters’ stories are told from their points of view using alternating timeframes.
Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon is a fantasy-based coming-of-age novel set in small town USA in the 1960s. The author captures the essence of childhood and its joys, fears, and struggles. The story is told with great imagination and the descriptive writing completely draws you into the magical world of the story’s narrator.
Janice Williams co-owner, Matrix Home Care and Treasurer of All Florida Case Management Network. She suggested: Your Brain Is Always Listening by Daniel G. Amen and Red Shoe Living by Lonnie Mayne
Deanna Gillingham from the Case Management Institute said her top pick for those who love fiction books would be The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. It has twists and turns that you never see coming! Her Nonfiction picks are currently focused on leadership, and I highly recommend Win the Heart: How to Create a Culture of Full Engagement by Mark Miller and Tribal leadership by Dave Logan, John King & Halee Fischer-Wright
My neighbor, Candy Crowley shared the following books she and her book club read so far this year! They include:
A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger
Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
A Gentleman from Moscow by Amor Towles
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
Kathy Pauza a long time friend has been in a book club for a few years. Here are some suggestions: Z – A novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler…excellent. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a doozy of a guy. I will investigate his four best novels in the future including the Great Gatsby. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave – good beach reading! The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. It was riveting. I suggest you get an overview of this book and NOT read my review as it will give the whole plot away…like reading the last chapter first. Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict. Winston Churchill’s wife. Excellent…the woman behind the man historical fiction. I have added my notes.
Wow, what a variety of books to choose from. I hope you find the 2022 Sumer Reading list helpful as you search for ‘that book’ you are looking for.
Let me know what you are reading, and I will add your picks to the 2022 list!
Have a good week! Enjoy!
I am pleased to note that I have read some of these and will pass this list on to friends 😁
Thanks,
Many good suggestions!
Maureen