Ah, it’s summer. The last couple days here, it’s been feeling like summer in Florida. But summertime nonetheless and time to enjoy long days and all we love about the season in San Diego.
Many of you are taking well-earned vacations or just spending some days lounging around at the beach. There’s nothing like that downtime for diving into a book. But what to read?
Sure, we could go look up a list somewhere, but we have so many good ideas in-house, why not start here? I hit up my group of general managers and a few employees from around our departments for some reading recommendations they could share with all of us. Links are added for the titles we have in the County Library.
David Estrella, Community Services Group
One of my favorite reads is “The Grapes of Wrath.” John Steinbeck captures the struggle of so many people during a challenging time in American history. This book is still relevant today because so many people in our country continue to struggle to come out ahead. Also, “East of Eden” has a beautiful discussion about California and rain and how we perceive our state.
Jody Bumhoffer, Registrar of Voters
A book I would recommend for a good summer read is “The Lost Key” by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Coulter. This is a nonstop FBI thriller that introduces believable and easy-to-relate-to characters, while showing the different processes the FBI agents follow to solve a crime. The plot moves easily through the pages and it makes you feel as if you are in the scenes as the story unfolds. It’s a page turner.
Sarah Aghassi, Land Use and Environment Group
One of the books that has left an impression on me over the years is "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a series of stories that provides a thought-provoking perspective on what makes individuals successful and how the environment, circumstances and opportunities in which we "grow" are just as important as intelligence and determination in achieving success. Two aspects of the book that I reflect on frequently are first, the responsibility we have as a society to create the environment, circumstances and opportunities for more individuals to become successful; and second, how critical good communication and teamwork are to achieving success.
Michele Clock, Public Safety Group
I highly recommend the book, “The Fire Outside My Window: A Survivor Tells The True Story Of California's Epic Cedar Fire.” Written by an East County resident who awoke in the middle of the night to find the Cedar Fire racing toward her home, Sandra Millers Younger’s gripping first-hand account describes what it was like to just barely get out in time (including driving through flames). What sets this book apart is how well written it is, and also her meticulous research of the incident from all angles, including from the point of view of the first fire officials to arrive on scene. A fascinating narrative. It will motivate you to make sure you’re ready, too (readysandiego.org)!
Sarah Panfil, Clerk of the Board
I recently read "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" by Erik Larson. I found this historical nonfiction book to be full of information, intrigue and interesting characters just like other Erik Larson books I have read. It is a story of the ship with various perspectives of those involved in the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI in 1915.
Tracy Sandoval, Finance and General Government Group
I can't find the time for a whole book these days. If I have a few minutes, I squeeze in People magazine. A little light escape is just what I need to relax.
Vinnie Freeman, Parks and Recreation
I’m a big fan of sports stories and recommend The Echoing Green: The Untold Story of Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca and the Shot Heard Around the World by Joshua Prager.
It’s the story of the 1951 New York Giants “miraculous” comeback season and dramatic playoff win over the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was a feel-good story except for one thing: the Giants were able to hide a telescope in the center field clubhouse and steal the catcher’s signals, then tapped into the ballpark’s electrical system to relay the signals to the dugout through a buzzer system. The book is about a classic pennant race, two men whose lives were changed forever and the intrigue of previously undiscovered gamesmanship that puts the story in a whole new light.
Nick Macchione, Health and Human Services Agency
I just finished reading a few great books. Here are two of them:
1. "Simpler: The Future of Government" by Cass Sunstein. Great book highlighting the importance of "potent simplicity" in the work we do in government. Using the concepts of “choice architecture” and “nudges,” Sunstein states "Nudges are often the height of simplicity.” (aka Make it Easy!)
BTW: Sunstein also co-authored the book on "Nudge." Another great read.
2. "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" by Atul Gawande. Offers a fresh perspective on the emerging role of medicine from sick care to helping people live well all the way to the end of life. Great complement to our work with Live Well San Diego.
Giang Nguyen, Health and Human Services Agency
“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. This is a classic! I consider it sort of a bedtime story for adults – super easy read. Barnes & Noble describes it as “a whimsical story with a fairy tale feel” and it shows one portrayal of “the secret of what is important in life.” It’s something that would be great to read with your children. My parents gave me the book on my sixteenth birthday, and I loved it!
Ron Lane, Public Safety Group
I would recommend, “George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.” More of a pamphlet than a book, these rules provide great advice from the father of our country. While some of the rules don’t translate well (I hope) to the 21st century, like rule #13 “Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others,” most of the rules, such as rule #6, ”Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace” provide good advice, and the world would be a better place if more people abided by them.
Helen here again. Certainly some variety in those suggestions. As for me, my reading list this summer is the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett. Nothing on work! I just finished the first, “Fall of Giants” and am about to start the second, “Winter of the World.” The third is due out in September “Edge of Eternity.” It’s historical fiction starting with World War I running through the Cold War.
Summer is often a time to explore, and I love how we don’t have to go any farther than a good chair to let reading take our minds new places. That makes our lives richer, and fresh perspectives are some of the best souvenirs we can bring back to work. Whether you’re reading, taking a road trip, barbecuing with friends and family, or otherwise enjoying the season, I hope you all have a wonderful summer.
