Staying Cool During Summer with Good Books and Tunes

Summer allows for more time to relax and recharge, and hopefully that includes catching up on your summer reading list amid the heat! I hope you’ve found time to unplug, cool off, and fall into a great book while at the beach, on the lake, during your commute, or wherever your summer adventures have taken you.

This summer, I’ve rediscovered the joys of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ which showcases her humor and mastery in capturing human capacity for self-deception that should always be a reminder to distrust and challenge our initial perceptions. I’ve also been reading William Faulkner’s ‘A Fable,’ which explores the challenge of authority within a French regiment during World War I.

Summertime has also given me an opportunity to indulge my love of Bluegrass by listening to the duo Watchhouse, who bring a more laid-back folk approach to the genre.?I also continue to be stunned by the extraordinary voice and artistry of Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive.?

For a sample, please listen to her recording of “What I’m Doing Here” below. If this doesn’t send chills down your spine for sheer musicality, I don’t know what will.

What are my colleagues reading this summer?

Like many of you, I love a good book recommendation. So,?I checked in with some of our Verisk leaders to see what they're reading this summer and learn more about their reading style. Here's what some of them shared:

“When I haven’t been reading case precedents or draft legislation, I’ve been working on three different books this summer. I’m reading the second book of the fantastic ‘The Broken Earth’ sci-fi and fantasy trilogy by NK Jemison, a book series I discovered the last time I visited our Extreme Events Solutions team in Boston. I’m also working on the non-fiction historical account ‘American Midnight’ by Adam Hochschild and Beverly Cleary’s ‘Ramona Quimby, age 8,’ which I’m reading with my 8-year-old niece.” -Kathy Card Beckles

“This summer, I’m reading ‘Steve Jobs,’ Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography about the life of the Apple co-founder.” -Yang Chen

“The two books I’m reading this summer are ‘The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity’ by David Graeber and David Wengrow and ‘Sea of Tranquility’ by Emily St. John Mandel.” -Bill Churney

“I’ve spent my summer reading a pair of non-fiction, age-of-exploration books written by author David Grann. I first read ‘The Wager,’ and I enjoyed that book so much that I’m now reading ‘The Lost City of Z.’ -Nick Daffan

“I’m re-reading Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’ with my son who is entering high school. The book is considered life changing for many and as I’ve carried it with me, it’s the one book that folks in airports have stopped me to talk about. It’s a great reminder that following your dreams and appreciating the journey is how you live a full life. The last book I read on summer vacation was Ellen Marie Wiseman’s ‘The Life She Was Given,’ a story that struck a chord with me about what it means to be and feel different. It’s an easy and consuming read that touches on family secrets, resilience, and how life is both beautiful and sad. It left me with a broader appreciation for the choice I have and the supportive family and friends I’m blessed with.” -Melissa Hendricks

“The three books I’m reading this summer are ‘The Covenant of Water’ by Abraham Verghese, ‘Think Again’ by Adam Grant, and ‘Carrie Soto Is Back’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid.” -Sunita Holzer

“I like to read during my commute. A really good book will transport me into a different world and makes the trip faster.?I alternate between fiction and non-fiction.?I just finished ‘India After Gandhi,’ an excellent historical nonfiction book. For a lighter summer read, I’m reading ‘Moon Tiger’ by Penelope Lively. I can’t wait to see my colleagues’ recommendations!” -Elizabeth Mann

“This summer, I’m reading ‘The Splendid and the Vile’ by Erik Larson, ‘A Treatise of Efficacy: Between Western & Chinese Thinking’ by Francois Jullien, and ‘Finance for Executives Managing for Value Creation’ by Gabriel Hawawini and Claude Viallet.” -Maroun Mourad

“I’m working on two books, one each for personal and work, this summer. I’m reading ‘You Can Live a Black Belt Life’ by Phil Toogood, who is providing coaching services to our business unit. This book provides a great toolkit on how to manage self-improvement and professional development. I’m also reading English cricketer Sir Alastair Cook’s autobiography, and this one is personal is to me because he and I competed in youth cricket against each other. Very rarely do you compete against a hero, but what Alastair achieved both personally and for England is truly remarkable.” -Tim Rayner

“I like reading science fiction books to unwind and escape. I recently read a trilogy of books called ‘Wool,’ ‘Shift,’ and ‘Dust’ by Hugh Howey. The first book in the series is basis for the Apple TV+ series ‘Silo.’ I highly recommend both reading the trilogy and watching the Apple TV+ show after reading the first book. They did an excellent job bringing the first book to life on TV.” -Neil Spector