Ever wonder where the concept of summer reading comes from? The New York Times Book Review published its first special issue of “books suitable for summer reading” in 1897. Summer was once a slow season for book sales, but that all changed when innovations in book production, which made books cheaper, collided with a growing middle class taking summer vacations.
LISC surveyed our Lending team to learn about their favorite reads this summer. Check out their suggestions below (most of which have nothing to do with lending!) and, if you missed it, take a look at last year's list, too.
Wishing you happy reading as the summer draws to a close!
From Here
by Luma Mufleh
The author grew up in Jordan – From Here is a memoir of her journey seeking asylum in the U.S. I am familiar with Mufleh from her role as founder of Fugees Family Schools, a network of schools that primarily educates refugee students in the U.S. and that won a LISC Spark Opportunity Grant. I also saw Mufleh speak at the National Charter School Conference.
One other to mention: The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams. This is a great read for people who are looking to better understand the benefits of spending time outdoors.
- Crystal Langdon, Director, Charter School Finance Lending
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
by Gabrielle Zevin
I didn’t think I was going to love this novel—video games are typically not my thing—but I couldn’t put it down. It follows two childhood friends and explores the power of platonic friendship, the joy and possibility of getting lost in other worlds, and how our interior world is sometimes the hardest to bear.
It also reminded me how important it is to make room for play in my life, and for friends who do the same!
- Alyssa Alfonso, Program Officer
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
The biggest debut novel of 2022, Lessons in Chemistry spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list, with an Apple TV+ show on its way this fall.
All I can say is “power to women!” The novel is about women learning to live on their own terms and combines science, cooking and humor. This is a must-read for women working to overturn the status quo!
- Barbara Hoeltz, Director, Asset Management
Part of Your World
by Abby Jimenez
I just finished a very enjoyable “beach read,” Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez. It is a rom-com that still makes room to explore big themes, from challenging familial expectations to setting boundaries with past partners.
I have also been obsessed with the podcast Smartless with actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett.
- Vanessa Aguirre, Small Business Underwriter & Program Officer
Atomic Habits
by James Clear
I started my summer with Atomic Habits by James Clear. It was a great opportunity to reflect on my goals and priorities at the start of the year and to audit whether my personal habits and systems were in service to those goals. The author also provided several practical tips for successfully implementing good habits.
- Sybil St. Hilaire, Deputy Director, Marketing and Programs, Charter School Financing
Debt: The First 5,000 Years
by David Graeber
This is a fascinating dive into the concept of debt and how it shaped many of the socio-economic, religious, and political structures/beliefs we hold today. I’ve found it quite eye-opening so far and it has given me a new appreciation and historical context for the work we do as a lender.
- Chris Tan, Portfolio Analytics and Operations Officer
Poverty, By America
by Matt Desmond
As someone who reads too many documents for work, I recently committed to reading longer form nonfiction to get a bigger picture perspective on factors affecting the CDFI industry. Poverty, By America does just that. Sociologist Matt Desmond shares example after example of how the U.S. directs more resources to those with more to begin with, leaving the poorest with the least.
Other industry reads on my shelf this year are Slouching Towards Utopia by J. Bradford DeLong and How the World Became Rich by Mark Koyama and Jared Rubin.
- Connie Max, Executive Vice President for Lending