3 Books I Finished on Holiday
My algorithm has (happily) not recovered.
A week before the Vancouver International Publishing Conference, we snuck away for 8 days to celebrate my Dad’s 80th … and his new knee.
I could journal a long while about how this trip was the opposite of generational trauma and how the mini-moments of holding hands with my dad and my 5-year-old in the warm, shallow waves will be remembered by my cells for decades.
But, that’s not the list of memories we need to go through today.
Here are the books I finished on that grand, relaxing holiday (and broke my own algorithm-fed news cycle that hasn’t returned since).
Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune
Read on: Kindle
Canadian romance author making waves internationally?
Check check check check.
Was this my favourite Carley book? Neh.
But, I loved my first introduction to Carley with This Summer Will Be Different. Our Perfect Storm was a little, “WOULD YOU JUST KISS ALREADY?!” for my preference, but the last quarter was redeeming.
My favourite part of the book was how Carley had the West Coast (best coast) flexing main character energy the whole way through.
I read it on Kindle, but if I were to get it as a hardcover, the Canadian artist Elizabeth Lennie’s cover design would look wonderful on a shelf.
Disability is Human: The Vital Power of Accessibility in Everyday Life - Dr. Stephanie Cawthon.
Read on: Audible
TSPA published this book, and I’ve seen it in all its drafts.
I have it on Kindle, own it in paperback, gifted it, then re-bought it, but I really wanted to listen to it as an Audiobook - because Stephanie narrates it.
A lil’ publishing bts on this book: We spent a lot of time considering how Stephanie could tackle and talk about this topic, workshopping what demographic would yield the maximum impact of a book like this.
Academics? Policy Makers? Thought-leaders? Health Care Professionals?
We decided the audience would be someone like me. People who know they fumble or overlook accessibility needs, inadvertently make comments, but - to quote another Dr. - Maya Angelo - people who will do better when they know better, but don’t know what they don’t know.
The audience needed to be people with reach - be it in range or connection. Managers, executives, teachers in classrooms, business owners with 1,000 employees, business owners with 5 employees
The most important part of this decided demo was: deliver information in a way that preaches or scolds your readers.
I remember suggesting to Stephanie - write like we’re out for coffee, meet me at eye level and help me understand what I’m missing.
That is where the impact lies.
Shame rarely creates lasting positive change.
Goodness did Dr. Stephanie deliver. She nailed it — and even in her own narration - there wasn’t a hint of bawking or mocking people’s missteps or insensitivities.
However, what I didn’t anticipate was how hard I judged and scolded myself as I learned along.
(I’ve now scratched “The blind leading the blind” from the list of my ironically insensitive phrases.)
I will send Stephanie an “I know better, so I will do better” apology note, next. But being honest and public about my missteps is the right step to being a more inclusive leader.
Stephanie, I’m sorry.
So — if more thoughtful, inclusive leadership is on your bingo card this year, this book needs to be at the top of the reading list.
It’s 5-ish hours of listening time, and within the first few chapters, you’ll be a better leader than you were before you hit play.
The Paradise Problem - Christina Lauren
Read on: Kindle
I was on the beach, so — I wasn’t about to leave. In book or in reality.
Do I like some steam? Sure do.
Do I want it written like a friend did a free proofread on their lunch break with smut everywhere? No.
So, I did what many hot-blooded vacationers do: go kindle, judge covers, look at reviews, download a sample, and buy 20 minutes later.
I don’t need to write you a synopsis (you can do that for yourself, here) but this is a summer read I will confidently share with my friends privately and publicly.
Well written. Cute and clever. Steamy but not skanky. VERY VERY well done.
(*A note from a publisher to an author: This book was published in 2014 and I picked it up two years later. This is one of a gazillion examples of how books find readers at different times.
So, just when you think everyone you know has read your book, I’ll bet money that there are readers who are still ready to be very excited about picking up your book when the timing is right for them.)
Here’s to many warm stories ahead,
M
Now accepting new summer reads! (Please and thank you!)