IAIABC Staff Summer Reading List

Summer is upon us, and with that often comes extra pool, beach, or road trip time for reading. In a special July 2021 "Accidentally" podcast, the IAIABC Staff share some of their favorite reads with you. What's on your summer reading list? 

Transcript

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Jennifer Wolf: Hello! This is Jennifer Wolf Executive Director of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions – also known as the IAIABC. 

You are listening to the IAIABC’s podcast, Accidentally. Since 2015, Accidentally has been exploring policy, practice, and trends within the occupational health, safety, and workers’ compensation communities. I am hopeful Accidentally gives you a broader view of our industry and that these episodes spark conversation and debate among listeners. You can listen or download our podcasts each month at iaiabc.org/podcast or find us on your favorite podcast network! 

Road trips, pool time, and summer vacation can often mean a little more time for reading. In that spirit, the IAIABC staff collected some of their recent reads to share. So pack your bags – and a new book – to adventure, dream, and learn. 

I was worried by A Children's Bible. A dark summer vacation tale, the book explores what happens to a group of young adults and their parents during a catastrophic weather event on the East coast. The children confront hunger, violence, and loss as it becomes clear the weather has not just caused physical damage but has broken down the bonds of traditional society. 

If you seek to understand, I recommend Caste: The Origins of our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson. An eye-opening read, the book explores the caste social constructs of India, Nazi Germany, and the United States. It is a constant reminder that so much of history is found in the untold stories. Hearing from forgotten voices is both challenging but necessary to more fully understand our history and positively shape our future. Wilkerson’s call for radical empathy is a path for a kinder, more just society. 

Jessica Faust: I was on edge of my seat while reading The Guest List by Lucy Foley. A wedding celebration turns deadly in this murder mystery. Aspiring for perfection, a magazine publisher and handsome actor are getting married on a private island off the coast of Ireland. With little cell service and a few drinks, the wedding party's secrets are about to be revealed. Fans of Agatha Christie will enjoy this mystery filled with twists and turns you won't expect.

I was uplifted by The Switch by Beth O'Leary.  A grandmother and granddaughter swap lives in this charming, romantic book. Leena Cotton is told to take a sabbatical from work after a bad presentation, which leads her to visit her grandmother, Eileen. Eileen is looking for love in her 70's, but there aren't many choices in a small town. Throughout this book you'll see both women learn, grow, and find love, even if it's not where they expected it to be found. 

Keri Lore: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. I tend to like historical fiction and novels with multiple narrators. Rill Foss's story is set in the late 1930s. Rill and her siblings are stolen from their parents and their adventurous life on a shantyboat in Memphis, TN and taken to a Tennessee Children's Home Society orphanage. The Tennessee Children's Home Society was an organization involved in the kidnapping of children and illegal adoptions in the 1930s and 40s. Can Rill protect herself and keep her family together? Avery Stafford is a successful young woman living in the present day who returns home to help with a family health crisis only to unravel her family's history. How do Avery and Rill's stories intersect? This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat while you learn about a devastating piece of history.

The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton. I am currently reading The Hideaway, another story with dual narrators. Sara Jenkin's comfortable life in New Orleans is turned upside down when her grandmother and only family member passes away. Sara returns to her childhood home, her grandmother Mags' bed and breakfast, in Sweet Bay, Alabama. In her will, Mags turns over ownership of the Hideaway to Sara and charges her with renovating the house. A colorful cast of senior citizens also has made the Hideaway home, and they help Sara discover the real life of her grandmother. Mag's life story is also told through the first person narration of Mags herself. I am buried in this book to learn about Mags and see how untangling the story changes Sara.

Amaya Diaz: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: I couldn't put down Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and finished it in less than a day. It follows the story of Kya, known as the "Marsh Girl", and her life growing up in a shack out in the marshes of North Carolina. Abandoned by everyone except her abusive father, Kya's isolated life is filled with ups and downs. The story takes an expected turn when Kya becomes the prime suspect of the murder of the local hotshot. The story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you enter Kya's world and her ability to survive.

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio: In this eye-opening "creative non-fiction", Ecuadorian immigrant Karla Cornejo Villavicencio shares insight into life as an undocumented immigrant in America. Cornejo focuses on the experiences of undocumented/DACA individuals, pulling from her personal life and the interviews with women, men, and children across the children. Showing the pain, memories, and joy of undocumented immigrants, Cornejo creates a sense of humanity we could all use a little more of. A tough book to read, but one that gave me a new perspective and sense of compassion.

Gregg Lutz: Pati's Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking. Pati Jinich takes us on a visually rich tour of Mexican cuisine pulling from the influences of her childhood in Mexico City. Pati left her career as a Policy Analyst in Washington D.C. to follow her dream of becoming a Chef and Mexican food enthusiast. The recipes in this book are unexpected and amazing. Pati provides interesting insight to the origin of each of the ingredients along with the various regions of Mexican cuisine and their influences. Her recipe for shredded pork has been a game changer for me. Throughout the book, I felt like I was on a personal culinary tour of Mexico with Pati.

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. This cookbook, which was published last October, provided the hug that I needed during the dark and lonely days of the pandemic. Ina Garten is like an old, cherished friend. Over the years, I have acquired many of her cookbooks and have never been disappointed. Ina conveys pure culinary magic in this book which makes you feel like everything is going to be alright. The recipe for Emily’s English Roasted Potatoes has become one of my all time favorites. Whether you are looking for an amazing grilled cheese sandwich or comfort in boneless short ribs braised in red wine, this book will provide you with a warm hug and comfort food that you can enjoy with your loved ones.

Heather Lore: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. What happens in the in-between - between life and death? Nora feels completely alone, unaccomplished, and regrets much about how she has lived her life. She has reached the point where she doesn't want to live anymore and attempts suicide but doesn't go straight to the afterlife. She ends up in her "Midnight Library," a place where she can experience all the different lives she could have lived if she'd made different decisions and faced her regrets. The Midnight Library is an introspective dive into the many twists and turns our lives take and how the smallest of choices lead us down different paths. 

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I love space-related books and movies, and this was no exception. Andy Weir weaves science, math, and unique characters into a thrilling story about a lifeform that is quickly leaching energy from our sun and threatening life on Earth. It was thrilling, emotional, and thoughtful, and I could not put it down. It was exciting until the last minute and Weir's attention to detail is incredible. If you read and enjoyed The Martian, this is just as good.

Brianna Schumann: As the epitome of an introvert, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain helped me realize what many may consider weaknesses of introverts are actually their strengths. Written by an introvert, the book explains how and why introverts function the way they do and how this affects their daily lives when surrounded by extroverts in American society. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert or somewhere in between, this book provides great insight to the inner machinations of the introvert mind. 

Did you know eels can dream? Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into Human Consciousness by Sy Montgomery not only explores the absolute majesty of octopus' lives, but the incredible natural wonders of the ocean world and how it relates to human consciousness. While I haven't quite finished it, I have been in awe of the first-hand insights shared by the author. This read has me rethinking how I've previously viewed ocean life and challenges some previous thought patterns of mine.

Follow this book up with the Netflix documentary – My Octopus Teacher. A beautiful story of unexpected friendship and the healing power of nature.   

Look for these books at your favorite independent book seller or local library. We would love to hear from you – share what you are reading at jwolf@iaiabc.org. Talk with you soon. Cheers, Accidentally.