Prosek’s Summer Reading
Vu Chung, Amanda Lake, Kristina Ferrari Baldridge, Ciara Bartholomew, Hillary Yaffe, Emily Roy, Dmitriy Ioselevich
With summer officially in full gear, Prosek employees share their favorite summer reading recommendations.
All the Light We Cannot See
By Anthony Doerr
This Pulitzer Prize winner is historical fiction set during World War II. It tells the back and forth story of the rise of the Nazis in Europe from two children’s perspectives – a German orphan boy and a blind French girl. The short chapters hold the reader's attention as they follow both captivating stories with continual intrigue in this powerful and beautiful read. – Hillary Yaffe
Euphoria
By Lily King
The book is inspired by life events of famous anthropologist Margaret Mead – it’s a fascinating story of three gifted anthropologists in the 1930’s, capturing their studies of different cultures in New Guinea and their fateful love triangle throughout it all. I was attracted to the intellectual stimulation the book provided by forcing you to draw conclusions about each of the different societies mentioned in the book and juxtapose them against the current society we live in. Also, you can’t beat a good love story when it comes to finding the perfect beach read J - Ciara Brinkmann
Savage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest for Primitive Art
By Carl Hoffman
The book is a nonfictional account of the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller (of THE Rockefellers) in Papua New Guinea in the 60s. At the time, headhunting was still alive and strong (though not for those without heads) and rumors swirled, but were never confirmed, that Michael fell victim to the unsavory tradition. The author followed his last known steps and tracked down the truth. A delicious read! – Kristina Baldridge
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
By Jennifer 8. Lee
Curious to know who invented the fortune cookie? I won’t spoil it for you (hint: it’s not the Chinese…or is it?) Whether you love or loathe Chinese food, this book serves up a delicious dish of history that will change the way you view the Chinese food industry in America. Written by former New York Times journalist Jennifer 8. Lee (yes, her middle name is the number 8 and she explains why in the book), The Fortune Cookie Chronicles answers some burning questions including: Who is General Tso; who invented chop suey; why Jewish people love Chinese food; and even which continent has the best Chinese food. Happy reading! – Vu Chung
The Giver
By Lois Lowry (1993)
The Giver was one of my favorite books growing up because it made me think about how our society functions (or is supposed to function). And, at a breezy 200 pages, it's short enough to get through in just a week or two. Given today's chaotic political climate (Brexit, Trump, ISIS, etc.), rereading The Giver is a good reminder that promises of a utopia aren't everything they seem to be. – Dmitriy Ioselevich
The Power of Habit
By Charles Duhigg
This book might be four years old – and I might have missed the boat when it first came out – but it’s an awesome read. Fascinating exploration of how personal and business habits shape individuals and organizations. Duhigg’s examples range from how Tony Dungy forever changed the NFL to how Alcoa CEO Paul O’Neill completely transformed the company by focusing solely on worker safety. Whether you’re trying to give up a McDonald’s habit or shift the way you approach your 9-5, this is a terrific read! Five stars. – Amanda Lake
The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
By Ruth Wariner
This book is a memoir of a woman who escaped the polygamist colony in Mexico she had been raised in. Heartbreaking, but amazing to see how we can endure the worst and still come out human. – Kristina Baldridge 