Compiled by Nicole Tomassi, Marketing and Conference Manager
In what has become an enjoyable tradition here at Westchester, I’ve asked my colleagues to tell about a book that they’re looking forward to reading during the (supposedly) more relaxing days of summer. Whether it’s a title that’s practically hot off the press or one that’s been waiting patiently for its turn in the reader’s hand, I’m pleased to once again present you with a wide array of stories true and fictional to choose from. Click on the book cover images to find out more information about these titles, and locate an independent bookstore near you that has it for sale. Happy Summer Reading!
The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy, by Martha Nussbaum
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Why I can’t wait to read this book: Martha Nussbaum uses close readings of ancient Greek texts to investigate how luck and context determine whether someone or some action is good or ethical and examines whether such virtues are dependent on favorable factors outside of a person’s control (e.g. is goodness circumstantial–also known as the problem of “moral luck”).
Selected by: Steve Barichko, Production Editor
The Book of Life: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy #3), by Deborah Harkness
Publisher: Penguin Books
Why I can’t wait to read this book: I’ve read the first book in the series, A Discovery of Witches, and watched the live action TV show. I’m currently reading the second book and I’m as in love with it as the first one. Both books grabbed my attention right away and I couldn’t put them down. I can’t wait to read the last one to see, with everything that Diana and Matthew have been through if they prevail. Good mix of historical knowledge, suspense, supernatural elements and romance all in one!
Selected by: Kenia Gonzalez, Customer Service Representative
Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals, by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
Publisher: Wiley
Why I can’t wait to read this book: As the head of sales for Westchester, I have to present a lot of data to different departments for resource planning, financial forecasts, and more. Additionally, over the past five years, Westchester’s presence in the policy group space has grown geometrically as we edit, design, and typeset hundreds of white papers, books, and journals every year, including many that have complex infographics and 4-color charts. My initial flip through Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s title, reflecting what she learned during her time at Google and other large companies, shows it to be a great guide to understanding visual data, as well as a primer on how to better make your point using data visualization. With luck, by the end of the summer, forecast and resource planning meetings I lead will result in less snores and more questions about why I used so much color ink from the scanner/printer next to our journals department.
Selected by: Tyler M. Carey, Chief Revenue Officer
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, by Hank Green
Publisher: Dutton
Why I can’t wait to read this book: I discovered Hank Green when he started NerdCon: Stories a few years ago—a convention in Minneapolis that celebrated all things story. I’ve followed his vlog and various projects ever since. Picking up his debut novel was a no-brainer. Can’t wait to read!
Selected by: Meg Overman, Senior Editor, K-12 Publishing Services 
Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers, by Leonard Koeen
Publisher: Imperfect Publishing
Why I can’t wait to read this book: The Japanese aesthetic theory of wabi-sabi holds that there is profound beauty in imperfection—in objects with cracks or chips or signs of wear or repair. Of course, there’s more to it than that, and Leonard Koren distills the subject and offers guidance for artists and designers. I’ve been interested in the subject for years and finally want to finish this classic.
Selected by: Tom V. Hartmann, Business Development Manager 
The Night Tiger, by Yangsze Choo
Publisher: Flatiron Books (a Westchester client publisher)
Why I can’t wait to read this book: This has been sitting on my shelf since it came out in February, and I can’t wait to finally dive into it. I was initially skeptical, but the magical element pulled me in out of pure curiosity. In The Night Tiger, two characters trying to find their place in society are brought together because of a severed finger while men in their district inexplicably turn into tigers.
I love that this sounds complicated yet whimsical—sounds like the perfect summer read to me! 
Selected by: Christina Kinsella, Production Editor
Lost Dayton, by Andrew Walsh
Publisher: The History Press
Why I can’t wait to read this book: True confession: I’ve started the first chapter or two of this book already and am hooked. Walsh is a local historian and professor who does an excellent job painting the landscape of forgotten neighborhoods. His prose is informational, yet breezy and engaging. His work helps shed light on how the city became what it is now and what it’s left behind.
Selected by: Kevin J. Gray, Managing Director, K-12 Publishing Services
Montauk, by Nicola Harrison
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (a Westchester client publisher)
Why I can’t wait to read this book: I’m looking forward to reading this debut novel about a woman who spends the summer of 1938 at the famous Montauk Manor – a real and still operational resort – rubbing elbows with other high-society wives, while their husbands are conducting business in New York City, a hundred miles to the west and a world away. I grew up on “The Island” and though this story is set 80 years in the past, I’m curious to see what details the British born and bred author tucks into the story that are authentic to Long Island in general, and the East End in particular. 
Selected by: Nicole Tomassi, Marketing & Conference Manager
These recent articles also offer up several good summer reading recommendations:
Publishers Weekly – Best Books – Summer Reads 2019
The New York Times Summer Books Preview
The Washington Post – The 20 Books to Read This Summer
And of course, you can also check out our list from last year!
The post What We Want to Read at Westchester – Summer 2019 appeared first on Westchester Publishing Services.