At the recent Interfolio Summit, book lovers convened for a fun and informal gathering where we discussed what books we’re currently reading. And inevitably, the conversation expanded to include our favorite adaptations, requests for recommendations in new-to-us genres, and sidebars with spoiler-rich conversations.
Attending a conference can be overwhelming, both in the amount of information and amount of networking, so my colleague Kara Szamborski and I decided to add a low-stakes opportunity to connect with fellow readers.
Building Connections Over Books
Sixteen Interfolio clients and staff gathered to geek out on books. To continue the conversations, we have compiled a list of recommendations for you to enjoy. You can view all the books on Storygraph and easily add them to your own TBR (to-be-read) list.
Recommendations
Non-fiction
Global leader and diversity expert Sonia Aranza, our keynote speaker, recommended two books, Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality by Anthony de Mello and When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön, which complemented her theme of centering oneself amongst the chaos of change.
During our book club gathering, attendees also mentioned navigating change on their campus and what resources they were finding useful. Two classics that came up were Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.
And for those interested in history, might we recommend Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasure by Don and Petie Kladstrup for your next book gathering? Think of the pairing options!
Fiction
The recommendations were coming fast and furiously, so here are a few that were mentioned.
Interested to dip your toe into fantasy? The lush environment of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab or Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus might be good starting points.
If you love reading the latest buzzy read, we recommend the thriller First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is also a good choice, with the new Apple+ tv adaptation now out.
To feel all the feels, Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor was strongly recommended. And a perennial favorite, pick up Midnight Library by Matt Haig; but be forewarned, it will make you eternally wonder about all of the sliding door moments of your life.
Our genre-bending group also wanted to try out comic books and graphic novels. The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie is great for music and mythology fans, and The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson is an un-put-downable young adult mystery inspired by Agatha Christie’s works.
Full List
- Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality by Anthony de Mello
- When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön
- Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasure by Don and Petie Kladstrup
- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
- Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
- First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
- Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
- The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
Time to Dive In
Have additional books to add to the list or follow-up questions for recommendations? Please feel free to reach out on LinkedIn!
Author Bio
Christine is a tech marketing leader with twenty years of experience growing revenue for B2B and B2C brands within EdTech, education, and the nonprofit sector. As VP of Product Marketing at Interfolio, she creates content and product marketing strategies that drive revenue and accelerate conversion throughout the funnel. She partners closely with sales and product leadership on GTM planning and execution, and she frequently collaborates with executive leaders at client universities to amplify their stories of innovation. Outside of work, Christine can often be found reading literary fiction, seeking out the newest bakery, or planning her next travel adventure. Connect on LinkedIn.