End of Summer Countdown Timer
Did you know that the official last day of summer is September 22? For most of us, of course, the last day of summer is whatever day the schools say it is. But for the purposes of this list, let’s pretend you have until September 22 catch up on some reading!
A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload
by Cal Newport
“Newport provides a compelling analysis of the role of email in our professional lives and gives lots of food for thought for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their inbox.”
Do the work! An Antiracist Activity Book
by W. Kamau Bell & Kate Schatz
“Thought provoking, educational and gives you concrete activities to undertake in your journey.”
Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability
by Summer Michaud-Skog
“We are increasingly seeing the benefits of nature on healing from ACEs. This book is a collection of essays designed to help encourage people of all sizes and abilities to spend time in nature with focus on helping marginalized groups access the benefits of nature.”
Fighting Words
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
“This middle school fiction novel follows the lives of two sisters in foster care due to abuse, told from the perspective of the 10-year-old protagonist. The book breaks a lot of regulatory rules so please remember it is fiction, but it does get quite a few things right about trauma.”
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
“From the jacket sleeve, First, Break All the Rules presents vital performance and career lessons for managers at every level – and best of all, shows you how to apply them to your own situation.”
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
by Oliver Burkeman
“This is a fun, practical, and poignant exploration on the concept and practice of time management. Burkeman offers an original take on the topics of productivity and work-life balance. I found it very thought-provoking and enjoyable.”
Healing Back Pain
by John Sarno, M.D.
“Healing Back Pain provides a very different perspective on pain. I think it could be interesting to others who are interested in mind-body connection and physical embodiment of mental anguish.”
No One Ever Asked
by Katie Ganshert
“This fiction novel addresses many real trauma issues that foster and adoptive families face, including the challenges that can come with transracial adoption. It was also fun to see references to Dr. Purvis and TBRI in this fiction work.”
Piece of Cake
by Cupcake Brown
“Piece of Cake is a highly compelling account of foster experience from the child/youth perspective, followed by a riveting journey of recovery. It was gutting and uplifting at turns. It is also nice to have the voice of a person of color in the “quit lit” scene.”
Shout
by Laurie Halse Anderson
“Shout is a memoir in verse about surviving sexual assault and advocating for others. The author originally wrote a novel called Speak about a teen who suffered sexual assault. This memoir is a follow-up where she talks about her personal experience and visiting schools to raise awareness about this important topic.”
Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body
by Rebekah Taussig
“Too often in our discussions about diversity, we leave disability out of the conversation. With humor and honesty, Sitting Pretty examines ableism in our society, which includes lack of representation, inclusivity, and accessibility, and also reveals the ways well-meaning non-disabled folks disregard and undermine the experiences, desires, and abilities of disabled people. A lesson in disability studies and intersectionality, this book is also a story with a message of empowerment and body positivity at its center. I highly recommend for anyone working with someone with a visible or invisible disability. Best read of the year.”
When Stars are Scattered
by Omar Mohamed & Victoria Jamieson
“This graphic novel tells the true-story of two brothers raised in refugee camp in Kenya and how they created a sense of family. It is beautifully written and illustrated and the ending will warm your heart.”