Good Reads: Swash Summer Reading 2019
Fall is upon us, which means the Swash Summer Reading Challenge is officially over. Just like the summer reading at your local library, the Swash Summer Reading Challenge encourages us to dig into our TBR piles, share some book recs, and get some prizes to boot. Check out what was gracing our nightstands this summer, from graphic novels to celebrity memoirs to good ol’ fashion fiction.
Josh Berthume, President/CEO, read:
The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Animal Man by Grant Morrison
Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman
Eternals by Neil Gaiman
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman
The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey
Damn Fine Story by Chuck Wendig
On Writing by Stephen King
Thrawn: Alliances and Thrawn: Treason by Timothy Zahn
The Omnibus, Vol 1, by Garth Ennis
Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Nail Gaiman
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States (A Speculative Novel) by Jeffrey Lewis, PhD
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
Josh on Wanderers:
“A huge book in scale and scope, reminding me of The Stand for a number of reasons. A really capable nu-apocalyptic work, with interesting ideas about AI and quantum computing baked into a societal mirror. Really good, very satisfying. Wendig's best work so far.”
Charlie Hunter, Media Analyst, read:
Vinyl Junkies: Adventures in Record Collecting by Brett Milano
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Occupy: Reflections on Class War, Rebellion and Solidarity by Noam Chomsky
Beastie Boys Book, by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas Stanley and William Danko
Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat by Jackson Galaxy
Serenity Series by Joss Whedon (Those Left Behind, Better Days, The Shepherd’s Tale, Leaves on the Wind, No Power in the ‘Verse)
Arrow Volume 1 by Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg
Charlie on A Visit from the Goon Squad:
“This story is about Bennie and Sasha, a former punk musician turned record executive and his kleptomaniac assistant. But it's also not about them. Each chapter introduces a new character at some point in time and it's up to the reader to understand where they fit into who's life, and more importantly, why it matters. Goon Squad is a story about the struggle to find your place and be happy in the world, even as it's falling apart around you. One of the better pieces of fiction I've read in a long time and it's definitely piqued my interest in this author.”
Stephanie Delk, Director of Media & Planning, read:
Your Spacious Self: Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are by Stephanie Bennet Vogt
Lost: A Novel by Gregory Maguire
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
Stephanie on A Man Called Ove:
“Beautiful book, excellent characters, full of charm. I am still thinking about this book. It was recommended by a friend and I am glad I read it.”
Diana Fonner, Director of Agency Operations, read:
Diana on Eddie Izzard’s Believe Me:
“My brother gifted me a copy of Eddie Izzard’s Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens for Christmas last year and it was my traveling summer read. I loved this memoir. In addition to being a fan of his, it made me seek out my own childhood memories and made me think about how close I was with my brother during our childhood, although thankfully not for the same reasons. I really appreciated the way you felt you might have just been in a friendly conversation with Eddie Izzard about some of his life rather than just reliving every comedy special or favorite joke of his. Would recommend.”
Joan Wells, Account Services Director, read:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
Joan on We Were the Lucky Ones:
“Based on the experiences of the grandfather of the author and his immediate family — the incredible journeys and horrific experiences they each faced as Polish Jews trying to survive during World War II. It's an amazing story and almost impossible to fathom that the outcomes are all true.”
Andi Harman, Art Director, read:
Wolf in the White Van by John Darnielle
Andi on Wolf in the White Van:
“This is the debut novel from the Mountain Goats singer, John Darnielle. It had been on my shelf for a couple of years and I grabbed it the last week of summer because it's easier for me to chew through fiction quickly. If you've listened to the Mountain Goats, you know to expect beautifully vivid storytelling from Darnielle. The story centers around a man named Sean with a disfigurement who, through his hospitalization and social isolation, developed a mail-based role playing a game with a small cult fanbase. Without spoiling anything, some players of the game take it too far and Sean must face the repercussions — which in turn forces him to confront other problems caused by his long-term loneliness. It's dark and written in a voice enjoyable to any sci-fi or RPG fan. Ties fictional dystopian helplessness with the societal plight of living with a disfigurement or physical disability.”
Faith Morrison, Copywriter, read:
Black Swans by Eve Babitz
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Circe by Madeline Miller
Dominicana by Angie Cruz
Faith on My Year of Rest and Relaxation:
“This seems to be a "love it or hate it" kind of book. I loved it. The narrator is a very privileged young woman who decides to attempt to "sleep" for a year via pills from a questionable psychologist. But don’t worry, the plot is so much more than just a girl sleeping. It's a great exploration of how we approach life and its difficulty and unpredictability.”
