For many of us, the summer season represents (hopefully) a little bit of time for some hard-earned rest and recuperation. If you’re looking for some literary inspiration, read on for a quick guide to what’s turning pages at SSE this holiday season!
First up is our Graphic Designer, Vanessa, who’s reading the 2011 prize-winning novel The Song of Achilles, by American writer Madeline Miller. The fictional novel follows Patroclus’ relationship with Achilles, from their initial meeting to their Trojan War exploits.
A world (and centuries!) apart from Greek mythology, Marketing Specialist Todd is reading The Third Pillar: How Markets and the State Leave the Community Behind by economist and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan.
“I studied behavioural science and psychology and have always been interested in how community plays a part in business,” Todd says, “and how that drives consumer behaviour.”
Lynn, SSE’s Executive Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Engagement is also reading non-fiction; The Almanac of Naval Ravikant, a free curation of the entrepreneur and investor’s wisdom from X (Twitter), podcasts, and essays over the past decade.
Now, we are not sure what Senior Operations Officer Suzanne is trying to tell us, but she’s reading Surrounded by Idiots by Swedish behavioural expert and author, Thomas Erikson! “Surrounded by Idiots will help you understand and communicate with those around you,” says one review, “even people you currently think are beyond all comprehension.”
Australian rock legend Deborah Conway’s new memoir, Book of Life, is featuring on the summer reading list of our Director of Brand, Marketing, and Communications, Nicole, while our copywriter, Annie, is looking forward to getting stuck into the late actor Matthew Perry’s memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Terrible Big Thing.
CEO Dr Sarah Jones’ books of choice are two-fold, as featured in InnovationAus’ own summer reading recommendations: Supernatural Environments in Shakespeare’s England: Spaces of Demonism, Divinity, and Drama, by Kirsten Poole and Nature and Economic Society: A Classical-Keynesian Synthesis, by Tony Aspromourgos.
“Both books invite exploration of human interactions with space, place, and identity, and the environment and nature,” Sarah says.
Finally, Sunday Times and New York Times best seller The Creative Act: A Way of Being by music producer Rick Rubin is next up on our Business Partnerships Manager Stuart’s audiobook list. Being an artist, surmises Rubin, isn’t about any specific output; it’s about our relationship to the world.
“Creativity has a place in everyone’s life, and everyone can make that place larger.”
A lesson there for us all as we head into the new year. Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful festive season, and an inspiring and creative 2024.
