Summer Shift by Lynn Kiele Bonasia

Ms. Bonasia holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MA from Florida International University.

Booklist reviewed Bonasia’s Summer Shift, saying “she has a gift for vivid and inventive descriptions and a clear affection for and understanding of her characters, who come across as flesh-and-blood individuals as opposed to typical small-town eccentrics.” The magazine reviewer also points out that the author does, however, try to juggle a few too many subplots. Both statements ring true to me.

You’ll cheer the main character, Mary, on as she deals with past guilt, a new (but old) boyfriend, an aunt with Alzheimer’s, and a wait-staff at the local and popular restaurant she runs in Cape Cod. The writing is charming and friendly, just like many of the characters. The book is light enough, and certainly appropriately set, for a summer read, but will give you plenty to think about as well. Check it out.

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People who work in the nonprofit sector often comment about how emotionally charged the workplace can be. This should come as no surprise to any of us. The nonprofit sector should draw highly passionate people; in fact, not much impact has ever been made by passionate-less folks. It follows, then, that emotions in the office can sometimes be highly charged. The author writes, “The neuroscience of emotion is an exiting new field and the conversations I had with people confirmed first-hand what the cutting-edge researchers are discovering. . . Nobody likes working with angry people. And all of us are looking for ways to reduce on-the-job anxiety.”

The author interviews over 200 working Americans as well as experts in the field and comes up with tools to help each of us be our “authentic emotional selves” while building “emotional resiliency.” Check it out.