Did you catch the blog Laura wrote recently about our time in Transylvania? If not, check it out! One thing our long flights and car rides afforded us was the time to catch up on our reading list.
You may not know that while we share a passion for medication and healthcare worker safety, Laura and I also share a library account. Actually, I share mine with her. She’s a master of developing healthcare software, but she can’t seem to set up her Libby account online.
As we wrap up the summer and your kids finish their summer reading, we’re sharing our favorite books and listens of the summer. The temperatures continue to scream “summer,” so we hope this list provides you with some options to entertain you indoors.
FROM LAURA PAXTON, FOUNDER AND CEO
📚 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Frozen River is historical fiction based on the diary of a midwife in Massachusetts in the 1600’s-1700’s. It is interesting to read the plight of women and the day-to-day challenges of living. Women had no rights unless their husbands granted them to them within the home. This woman was very unusual because she was married with a family and actually had the ability to earn income, though not enough to survive without a husband.
The main character is based on the real-life diary of midwife Martha Ballard, whose grandniece was Clara Barton, a pioneering battlefield nurse in the Civil War and founder of the American Red Cross.
📚Carrie Soto Is Back, Malibu Rising and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I love any book by Taylor Jenkins Reid - this summer I read Atmosphere about a female astronaut based in the 70’s and 80’s.
I try to read ANY of her books because they are so immersive and entertaining! The best summer reading in my opinion!
Caroline introduced me to this author which also makes her special to me. ☺️
📚 Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Caroline also recommended this perfect summer read to me. It was an easy read that you immediately get sucked into and can’t put down. See Caroline’s review below too.
FROM JOHN PAXTON, CFO
📚🌜 Goodnight Moon By Margaret Wise Brown
I spent lots of sweet time this summer with our grandson, and Goodnight Moon happens to be one of his favorite books. Enough said.
💻 🌊 Endless research on my next travel experience
As a former travel agent, I still enjoy planning our trips, whether for work or play. You’ll have to wait to find out where I spent this summer making plans to visit.
FROM CAROLINE MCBREEN, COO
📚 Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I love anything TJR writes, but I read this one in a day. It’s the perfect mix of complex relationships and the suspense of space travel. If you liked the emotional wreckage of Evelyn Hugo but also want to feel like you're about to launch into orbit, this one nails it.
📚 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
This one was long, but I also couldn’t put it down. It told the story of three different women in different centuries, but all struggled with what freedom and power meant to them. Good if you’re wanting an introspection on the meaning of life and independence, but don’t expect a beach read that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy.
📚 Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
I’m sounding like a broken record, but I also finished this one in one day! I immediately told Laura to read it, so maybe it will make her list too. This one is messy, hilarious, empowering, and everything you want in a book (plus it’s the shortest book on my list). Everyone I’ve recommended this too has loved it as well. It’s the best use of point of view in a book I think I’ve ever read (you’ll know what I mean once you read it, no spoilers).
📄 Joint Commission’s take on high-alert and hazardous meds
Not everything I read this summer was a 400-page emotional spiral. This spicy little FAQ from The Joint Commission reminded me that no, simply printing a list off the internet does not meet the standard for med safety compliance and had the wheels in my head turning on Look Alike Sound Alike non-drug examples (bEAr vs. bEEr anyone?). Short, authoritative, and packed with drama if you read it in your Joint Commission survey voice. Five stars.
🎧Every Single Album from The Ringer
This is a must listen for anyone who loves pop girlies. I love this podcast because one of the hosts (Nathan Hubbard) is the former CEO of Ticketmaster, so he provides some music industry insider tidbits on what’s going on in the current events of pop music. The other host is Nora Princiotti who actually just wrote a book on popstars. They cover current events in pop music, album reviews of new releases, and sprinkle a little bit of Taylor Swift into just about every episode. I recommend starting with the deep dive episodes into Taylor Swift’s discography.
FROM SHERLENE CHRISTEN, LEAD CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST
📚 The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan Phillip Sendker
Tells the story of a husband/father that left his wife and daughter and his daughter’s mission to discover the past of a father she thought she knew. Love can do unimaginable things.
📚 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This story is a mystery that starts out slow, but the shocking end was well worth the wait.
📚 Relaxed – Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing by Megan Fate Marshman
The author uses her own experiences to explain how worry isn’t something we were meant to do and how to reject our tendency to let it grab hold of us.
📚 Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio
This is a lesson on how to recognize those who don’t want what’s best for you, and it’s okay to keep them at a distance.
🎧 Office Ladies Podcast featuring Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Each episode of “The Office”, broken down by “Pam” & “Angela” from behind the scenes. Sometimes they even have other cast members pop in to tell their version of the happenings.
🎧 Lisa Harper’s Back Porch Theology Podcast featuring Lisa Harper and guests Conversations about life and reflecting on the goodness of a God that loves us the most in the darkest times, because that’s when we are searching for light.
FROM PATRICK TURNER, CTO
Tech, AI, Elon drama… it’s like a boardroom and a meme page had a baby. Keeps me sharp for client calls where everyone suddenly thinks they’re an AI strategist.
Marketing insights with the vibe of a craft beer meetup. I learn something and feel cooler than I actually am. Win-win.
Smart stories from abroad that remind me there’s a world beyond the Apple ecosystem. Occasionally inspires a travel plan or an existential crisis.
Marques talks about gadgets I’ve already bought. It’s not FOMO, it’s affirmation. Also helps justify my HomeKit obsession.
I like knowing how to not get murdered. It’s also oddly great for zone-out cleaning time. Yes, I’m judging my own multitasking.
Let us know if you read or listen to any of our faves from the summer. Maybe next in our Safety First family of content should be a book club? 🤔