Recommended reading lists, especially in summer, come to us from everywhere these days. Schools, magazines, book clubs and parenting groups all have ideas, so we thought we’d join the conversation. Here’s a first-ever recommended reading list compiled from staff suggestions. Enjoy in the summer – or anytime.
If you’ve read something on the list, leave us a comment with your thoughts. And if you have suggestions to add to our recommended reading, please share!
“Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men” by Lundy Bancroft
from Cynthia Gamel, Project DVORA Advocate
“We often recommend this book to our clients as a good way to better understand the power and control of domestic violence/abuse.” – Cynthia
“The Highly Sensitive Person” by Elaine N. Aron
from Jessica Rubinstein, Clinical Therapist
“Great for people or parents of children that get overwhelmed in the world, whether by beautiful music or their own feelings.” – Jessica
“When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chödrön
from Genia Sanon, Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Manager
A collection of talks from Pema Chödrön, a beloved contemporary American spiritual author among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. – Amazon
“Mountains beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder
from Rabbi Will Berkovitz, Chief Executive Officer
“In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. This magnificent account takes us from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and Russia as Farmer changes minds and practices through his dedication to the philosophy that ‘the only real nation is humanity.’” – Amazon
“Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older” by Wendy Lustbader
from Marjorie Schnyder, Director of Family Life Education
“This book examines, through first-person stories as well as the author’s own observations, how a lifetime of lessons learned can yield one of the most personally and emotionally fruitful periods of life.” – Amazon
“The Prophet” by Kahill Gibran
from Jennifer Cummings, Receptionist
“Published in 1923, “The Prophet” is a collection of poetic essays that are philosophical, spiritual, and, above all, inspirational.” – Amazon
“Loving Kindness” by Chofetz Chaim
from Jane Deer-Hileman, Director of Volunteer Services
“For most people, ‘Just be a nice person,’ seems like an easily attainable goal. In his most famous work, the Chofetz Chaim distinguishes the gap between simply doing an act of kindness and true love of acts of loving kindness.” – Amazon
“Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande
From Ellen Hendin, Retired Endless Opportunities Coordinator
“I just think it is a book everyone might want to read. It is accessible and profound, approaching end of life issues humanely.” – Ellen
By Deb Frockt
Deb Frockt is Director of Marketing & Communications. She enjoys baking, beaching and learning about golf, both kinds of football, fashion and pop music from her husband and sons.
