BLOG

A Consultant’s Guide to Summer Reading 2022

Summer is here, let the reading begin. 

Summer is in full swing, and everyone is excited to bathe in the summer sun, relax in the heat with a refreshing drink and, of course, finally read the book(s) that have been collecting dust on the shelf. Every year, we ask Propheteers to create a book guide of their favorite reads for their clients, peers and those who are consulting curious! So, if you’re not on #BookTok or are unsure which tales are worth your time, take a dive into our compilation. You may find your next favorite here. 

Our Consultant-Curated Summer Reading List:

The romance book that goes beyond the cliché

“Olga Dies Dreaming”

by Xóchitl González

This tells the tale of a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her social ambitions, absent mother and Puerto Rican roots, all in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, “Olga Dies Dreaming” is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife and the very notion of the American dream–all while asking what it really means to weather a storm. 

The mystery book you will not be able to put down

“Piranesi”

by Susanna Clarke

Piranesi’s house is no ordinary building. It has infinite rooms, endless corridors and walls lined with thousands of statues. There is only one other person in the house – a man called The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help with research into a great and secret knowledge. But as Piranesi explores, evidence emerges of another person, and a terrible truth begins to unravel, revealing a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known. 

The fantasy book that will enchant you

“The Midnight Library”

by Matt Haig

This novel tells the story of a library between life and death. It is a library with boundless shelves and books that provides another chance to live a different life. In Matt Haig’s enchanting novel, “The Midnight Library”, Nora Seed is confronted with the possibility of changing her life for a new one. As she travels through the Midnight Library to find solutions, she must decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place. 

The coming-of-age novel that will evoke your own self-discovery

“The Girl with the Louding Voice”

by Abi Daré

Based in a rural Nigerian village, “The Girl with the Louding Voice” is an unforgettable, story of a teenage girl who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice”. This moving novel is a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams. 

The sci-fi short story collection that takes you to a dystopian world

“Bloodchild and Other Stories”

by Octavia E. Butler

Like all of Octavia Butler’s best writing, these works are parables of the contemporary world. In her short stories, Butler proves constant in her vigil–an unblinking pessimist hoping to be proven wrong, and one of contemporary literature’s strongest voices.

The poetry collection that will tug your heartstrings

“Love and Other Poems”

by Alex Dimitrov

Author Dimitrov believes that of humankind’s greatest achievements, the best invention is love. As he navigates darkness, fear, loneliness and guilt, Dimitrov doesn’t resist joy even in despair. This poetry collection depicts who we are as people and how we view even the terrible and fraught through the eyes of a curious individual. 

The memoir that has gripped our hearts

“Crying in H Mart”

by Michelle Zauner

This unflinching, powerful memoir tells the life story of Michelle Zauner. Growing up Korean American, losing her mother and forging her own identity hasn’t made Zauner’s journey an easy one. Zauner’s experiences radiantly shine through her vivacious and honest writing. Rich with intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely and complete with family photos, “Crying in H Mart” is a book to cherish, share, and reread. 

The science book that Prophet’s healthcare practice couldn’t stop talking about

“The Premonition: A Pandemic Story”

by Michael Lewis

This nonfiction thriller depicts the difficulties medical leaders faced in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Michael Lewis is not shy about calling these people heroes for following the data instead of directives. The characters you will meet within these pages are as fascinating as they are unexpected.  

The true-crime book of the century

“Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty”

by Patrick Radden Keefe

Sackler name adorns the walls of many storied institutions: Harvard, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oxford, the Louvre. Though the family is one of the richest in the world, the source of the family fortune was vague. That is until it emerged that the Sacklers were responsible for making and marketing OxyContin, a blockbuster painkiller that was a catalyst for the opioid crisis. “Empire of Pain” details the Sackler family’s heinous crimes in this well-documented and compelling nonfiction book. 

The Pride book that not only tells you but shows you its history

“Queer X Design: 50 Years of Signs, Symbols, Banners, Logos, and Graphic Art of LGBTQ”

by Andy Campbell

Featured in Prophet’s Pride Month DEI Dialogues, this book is the first-ever illustrated history of the iconic designs, symbols and graphic art representing more than five decades of LGBTQ pride and activism, ranging from the years before the Stonewall uprising to the new millennium. Queer X Design celebrates the inventive and subversive designs that have powered the resilient and ever-evolving LGBTQ movement. 

The marketing book that bewitched our consultants

“Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life”

by Rory Sutherland

How does magic happen? This revolutionary book by Ogilvy advertising legend Rory Sutherland decodes human behavior based on 30 years of fieldwork inside the largest human behavior experiment in history. Rich with deep psychological insight and entertaining storytelling, this book will enchant you with more marketing knowledge than you have known.

The essay-turned-book about how humanity has shaped today’s world

“Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency”

by John Green

The Anthropocene is the current geological age, in which human activity has profoundly shaped the planet and its biodiversity. Adapted from his ground-breaking, critically acclaimed podcast, John Green’s symphony of essays review different facets of the human-centered planet– from the QWERTY keyboard and Halley’s Comet to Penguins of Madagascar– on a five-star scale. Green’s gift for storytelling shines throughout this artfully curated collection about the shared human experience.


FINAL THOUGHTS

With so many compelling stories and narratives out there, it can be hard to determine which content to consume. Luckily, our Prophet consultants have good taste and love sharing their favorites. From fiction to nonfiction, we have you covered for the season. Which books would you add to this list this year?

If you haven’t already, check out our past guides from the previous years here.

Your network connection is offline.

caret-downcloseexternal-iconfacebook-logohamburgerinstagramlinkedinpauseplaythreads-icontwitterwechat-qrcodesina-weibowechatxing