Summer Reading List: Our Top Picks
The page-turners that captivated our faculty and staff.
If reading more was at the top of your summer bucket list but you struggle to pick a book, we’ve got you covered. Whether you plan to soak up the last days of summer beachside or can’t wait to curl up on your couch, choosing a captivating book to accompany you on those final summer days can be a challenging task. To help you make this decision, we asked our faculty and staff to share their favorite summer reads, and we have gathered quite an impressive list. From a novel about the power of human connection to a gripping story about the scary implications of facial recognition technology, we’ve got something for everyone. Get ready to discover new authors, unlock fresh ideas, and let your imagination run wild with any (or all!) of these titles.
The Old Drift by Namwali Serpel
"I just finished "The Old Drift" by Namwali Serpell, which starts with the arrival of the first Brits to Victoria Falls and ends in the near future Zambia when we have computers in our fingers. Kind of dark but brilliant poetic magical realism."
- Melissa Aberle-Grasse, Senior Lecturer, Language Institute
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
"An extremely engaging story built around protagonist Emira, a twenty-something African-American nanny who cares for a white couple’s daughter, Briar. The opening scene sets the tone and direction of the story: Emira has been asked by her employers Peter and Alix to take Briar to the market around the corner from their house because they are in the middle of a fight. While at the market, someone calls the police to report Briar as a kidnapped child. While completely fictional, the story draws upon and compels the reader to consider the backdrop of the national dialogue on race, wokeness, and allyship in the United States. The author deftly balances the gravity of the issues and the enchantment of the complexity of the characters’ lives. As the story unfolds with twists and turns, the reader is challenged to question judgments, refute assumptions, and redefine what is."
- R. Katherine Samford, Associate Director of Academics, Language Institute
Community Board by Tara Conklin
"A heartwarming read with fantastic, quirky humor that captures the complexities and specialness of connections with friends and neighbors. It's a delightful and fun summer read!"
- Kelly Dineen, Academic Advisor, Professional Education
The Women by Kristin Hannah
"This book tells the story of a young woman who became a nurse during the Vietnam War. It’s a tale of the realities of war, both during the conflict and in the return home. Although fiction, this is a thought-provoking read about a changing world, women’s roles, war, patriotism, and relationships. One quote from the book that I thought was interesting was,'You've got heart. Skill I can teach.' It reminded me of the mission of the Division of Lifetime Learning."
- Amy Corn, Professor of the Practice and Financial Services Academic Program Director, Professional Education
Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods collection by Rick Riordan
"I have to confess I have not read many books for the past few months due to my workload and other commitments. However, I’m reading "Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods" following a suggestion from my 10-year-old daughter, and I am enjoying it."
- Baabak Ashuri, Professor, School of Building Construction and Civil & Environmental Engineering and Academic Director, Professional Master's in Occupational Safety and Heath
Mind Games by Nora Roberts
"This novel is a mesmerizing blend of supernatural thriller and family drama that kept me spellbound from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of rural Kentucky, Roberts weaves a tale of psychic abilities, long-simmering vengeance, and unbreakable family bonds with her signature storytelling prowess. The richly drawn characters, particularly the indomitable Grammie, feel like old friends, making this not just a gripping page-turner but also a deeply personal journey that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter."
- Renita Folds, Director, The Georgia Tech Research Institute Professional Education
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
"A gripping, psychological thrill unlike any I've read before. One that I didn't know I'd enjoy as much as I did. I did not see where any of it was going, and if you think you know what's happening, you don't! I recommend it because it's not overly graphic, and it's fun trying to figure out what is actually happening here."
-Courtney Miller, Accountant III, Professional Education
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
"This is the story of how Elizabeth Holmes duped investors by stretching “fake it til you make it” beyond the legal limit. She’s now serving time for securities fraud."
- Paul Todd, Manufacturing Instructor and Senior Extension Professional, Enterprise Innovation Institute
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
"A great read on strategies for effective leadership, including playing to employees' strengths, the appropriate size of teams, how to maximize engagement, and more."
- Aaron Stebner, Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Academic Director, Professional Master's in Manufacturing Leadership
Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning by Katie Anderson
A book that showcases the value of leading with intention and direction. Katie Anderson highlights the three actions leaders should prioritize to create a people-centered organization: set the direction, provide support, and develop yourself.
"I heard the author speak at a conference. The best tagline is, 'The only secret about Toyota is their attitude towards learning.'”
- Paul Todd, Manufacturing Instructor and Senior Extension Professional, Enterprise Innovation Institute
Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson
"As I'm reading "Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning," I feel like our world has been turned upside down. It's a foray into how faculty (and students) can write prompts for GenAI."
- Michael Garn, Learning Design Lecturer, Professional Education
“Your Face Belongs to Us” by Kashmir Hill
"If you are new to big data and ethics, this is one scary, compelling read, as it delves into the history of facial recognition technology. The birth of ClearView AI is an example of a “race to the bottom” when it comes to what could be considered unethical applications of big data and artificial intelligence. The book also reveals who the key parties and investors in ClearView are, and while I won’t give it away, you might not be surprised by the revelation! This story drives home Georgia Tech’s and GTPE’s mission to advance technology and ensure that what we and our students accomplish is centered on improving the human condition."
- Peter Graening, Academic Program Director, Professional Education
Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
"In this book, the author discusses the scale of the AI revolution and how it is similar to the internet on steroids. AI is not just a technological transformation; it can potentially transform society and humankind. It explores the potential for the beneficial aspects to facilitate growth in societal prosperity."
- Sarv Kohli, Project Management Instructor, Professional Education
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Digital Producer: Kat Bell
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