It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during November and December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.
A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is Debbie Szumylo based in Minnesota. Debbie is a Senior Manager of Customer and Employee Experience at Elite, leveraging 20 years of expertise in the industry. With nearly a decade at Elite, she enhances customer and employee satisfaction through a customer-facing online community, surveys, and journey mapping. Her key achievements include boosting client retention, launching an internal recognition program, and managing online communities. Additionally, Debbie plays a pivotal role in developing internal training programs, shaping the employee experience, and leading the development of Elite's Values.
QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: The book I'm currently reading, which I chose for our book club, is The Island of Sea Women written by Lisa See. I tend to select books that explore times, circumstances, and events that I have little information about.
I read to:
* Expand my knowledge base: I actively seek out new historical periods, cultural contexts, or significant events that I might not have encountered otherwise.
* Continue developing empathy and understanding: Stepping into the shoes of characters living through unfamiliar situations helps me foster a deeper appreciation for diverse human experiences.
* Spark engaging discussions: When everyone in the book club is learning something new together, it often leads to more vibrant and insightful conversations.
* Challenge my own preconceptions: Encountering narratives from unfamiliar backgrounds encourages me to question my own assumptions and biases.
In essence, my book choices reflect a curiosity-driven approach to reading, where my primary goal isn't just entertainment - but also intellectual growth and a richer understanding of the world.
SHARE THIS: My book choices reflect a curiosity-driven approach to reading, where my primary goal isn't just entertainment - but also intellectual growth and a richer understanding of the world. ~Debbie Szumylo #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: I used to, but I've learned my lesson. I've realized the tale inside the book is rarely ever truly indicative of what's on the cover. Now, I always flip open the book, read the dust jacket, and often do further research to determine whether it's a book I truly want to read. It's a much more reliable way to find a gem than just judging a book by its cover. I've found this approach helps me discover stories that genuinely resonate with my interests rather than just catching my eye for a moment.
QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because of its title? If yes, what was the book, and what drew you to the title?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: Honestly, it's rare for me to choose a book solely because of its title anymore. While a good title might catch my eye for a split second, my decision almost always comes down to the synopsis on the dust jacket. I need to know if the themes align with what I'm really looking for. That title? It's just the briefest of hello waves, and by itself, it's not enough to convince me to commit. My significant 'To Be Read' (TBR) list is my true North Star, a carefully curated collection of books I've already vetted. So, I'm rarely ever scrambling for something unknown, unless I've devoured the book or two I usually travel with faster than anticipated.
SHARE THIS: A book's title is just the briefest of hello waves, and by itself, it's not enough to convince me to commit. ~Debbie Szumylo #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: Have you ever finished reading a book, been disappointed by the ending, and thought you could have written a better ending? If yes, what was the book, and how would you have ended it?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: I loved The Lincoln Highway, it started out as a captivating journey, full of vivid characters and the promise of new beginnings. But honestly, the ending just fell flat – it was a huge letdown after 500+ pages of my investment.
My main issue? The story felt like it took a sharp, unbelievable turn. Characters I'd grown to know and understand suddenly acted in ways that made no sense. Emmett, who seemed like such a good guy, basically leaving Duchess to drown in that leaky boat? It felt less like a desperate accident and more like a cruel, calculated move. And Duchess himself – a messed-up kid with a rough past – deserved a shot at redemption, not such a bleak end. It felt like the author just wanted to tie up loose ends quickly, even if it meant sacrificing character consistency.
The whole climax felt way more violent than it needed to be, and it didn't fit the rest of the book's tone at all. It was jarring. Plus, some of the character choices just defied logic. Why would Emmett take the money and disappear, making himself look even guiltier, after going back for Duchess? And Billy, the stickler for rules, suddenly being okay with all that chaos? It just didn't add up. Ultimately, what started as a hopeful, reflective tale about finding your way felt like it was abruptly cut short, robbing us of the satisfying resolutions I'd been hoping for.
How would I write the ending differently? For me, a truly satisfying ending to The Lincoln Highway would have given Duchess a shot at redemption instead of that bleak, ambiguous death. I wanted to see him face the music or even have a moment of genuine atonement, not just be discarded like he was.
I also would have kept Emmett and Billy true to their characters. Emmett's actions with that boat just felt cold and totally out of sync with the good guy I thought he was. And Billy, the one who stuck so rigidly to the rules, suddenly going along with chaotic plans simply didn't make sense. Their choices at the end should have reflected the people I knew them to be throughout the rest of the book.
Finally, the climax needed to fit the rest of the story's tone. The sudden, excessive violence felt jarring and honestly, unearned. A better ending would have built tension through emotional stakes, offering resolutions that felt like a natural, logical culmination of the characters' journeys, and hopefully, preserved the sense of hope the story began with.
QUESTION: Is there a social media account, a national book publisher, or book club you follow for reading recommendations?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: You bet! I've got my system down. My trusty Goodreads account is the command center for my reading life. Back in the good old days, I set myself the epic task of devouring every single book from Oprah's legendary book club – a mission I proudly undertook! I also keep an eye on Reese Witherspoon's picks because she often hits the mark. But honestly, nothing beats the insight from my go-to friends who are also voracious readers; their recommendations are usually spot on. And I'm totally guilty of diving headfirst into any 'top ten' list I spot on social media. Plus, I lurk (in the best way possible!) in some fantastic Facebook Groups focusing on great fiction, particularly historical fiction, where the wisdom is fantastic.
QUESTION: What book should everyone read, and why?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: That's like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. I can't pick just one.
In our current environment, I believe everyone should seek out and read books currently facing bans. Many of these, like To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, The Color Purple, and The Catcher in the Rye, were staples of my own high school literature class, and I've revisited them since.
Reading these challenged titles is crucial because they offer:
* Diverse perspectives: They provide access to viewpoints and experiences often suppressed elsewhere.
* Understanding of social and political issues: They delve into complex topics such as race, sexuality, religion, and censorship, giving us insights into societal dynamics.
* Encouragement of critical thinking: Engaging with controversial material pushes us to form our own opinions and analyze critically.
* Promotion of intellectual freedom: By reading these books, we actively support the right to read freely and stand against censorship.
SHARE THIS: By reading books that are currently facing bans, we actively support the right to read freely and stand against censorship. ~Debbie Szumylo #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
My gratitude to Debbie for sharing her insights and for being a part of my fall back to reading series. Until next week, happy reading!
Image Credit: Cambridge Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring.
Read Debbie's previous appearance here on my blog:
SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Debbie Szumylo (May 2025)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/05/spring-leadership-series-2025-featuring_084191886.html
Connect with Debbie at this link:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dszumylo
