What We Read in Summer 2022

Written By Swash Labs

Happy fall, y’all. Summer is over, and so is the Swash Summer Reading Challenge. Check out our reads and recs!

 
 

Josh Berthume, President/CEO, read:

The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Josh on The Parable of the Sower:

“This book was my first experience with Octavia E. Butler and it knocked me flat on my ass. The narrative distance is basically zero and the writing absolutely pulses with energy. I got thoroughly lost in this one. It is somehow grim as hell — and prescient in ways that make me a bit uncomfortable — but also hopeful and beautiful. If you've never read this author, do yourself a favor and start here.”

Jessica Zerbe, Creative Group Head, read:

The Hollow by Agatha Christie

Jess on The Hollow:

“I enjoyed everything about this book.

The Hollow is one in a series involving her fictional Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. A doctor is murdered at the home of friends in the English countryside and Poirot intends to find out whodunnit. Hijinks ensue.

I didn't know how it was going to end, and it did so beautifully.”

Andi Harman, Art Director, read:

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Andi on Crying in H Mart:

“A beautiful memoir that feels deeply personal and delicate, yet rooted and relatable. Korean food nostalgia intertwined with a slow journey through a monumental loss of a loved one.”

Stephanie Delk, Director of Media & Planning, read:

Stephanie on Big Friendship:

“This book is by a pair of ‘long distance besties’ that covers how they met, the struggles they faced living close and apart, and the things they did to resolve emotional distance and grow as friends. They use the term Big Friendship to encompass those in our lives that hold strong relationships with us, while not actually related. I found out about this book by listening to Sow and Friedman's podcast Call Your Girlfriend (inactive) which I highly recommend even though they have retired from making new episodes.”

Nico Tracewell, Media Planner, read:

Nico on Bloody Rose:

“Instantly one of my favorite books of all time. It reads like it's the novelization of a homebrew Dungeons and Dragons campaign. The world-building is fantastic, and the character development feels organic as the main character learns more about the others (and herself) throughout their adventures. It's the second book in a series, but I read this one first. It follows a different group of characters from those in the first book (Kings of the Wyld), so it's easy to follow without having read the previous book. I highly recommend this to anyone who's a fan of fantasy, comedy, or 80s music, and especially if you like all three.”

Kennedy Johnson, Media Strategist, read:

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Kennedy on It Ends With Us:

“Written very plainly, but the story was a nice reminder that we have to be the ones to break our generational curses.”

Faith Morrison, Copywriter, read:

Faith on Theft by Finding:

“David Sedaris books are always a good time. This book consists of excerpts from his diaries, and it’s full of amusing anecdotes.”

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