6 books to read this summer

There’s nothing like spending a warm summer weekend reading a good book. Many of us are planning a digital detox over the coming months—a combination of increasingly stressful algorithms and screen time that went through the roof during the pandemic means that we’re craving time away from our phones and laptops. What’s better than sinking your teeth into a juicy novel, or tackling that business book you’ve been dying to crack open? We chatted to our community to find out what’s on their must-read list. From fiction to nonfiction, there’s something for everyone, so read on to find out what needs to be on your TBR pile this summer.

1. The Psychology of Money, by Morgan Housel

This fast-paced book is almost as gripping as a novel—and is a must for anyone who wants to better handle their money this summer. It’s written in a very engaging way, with over 20 micro chapters, so it’s easy to pick up whenever you’ve got a few moments to spare. It’s not all (slightly dull) practical information: the book tells the stories of the wealthiest people in the world, and looks at the cultural context behind how we spend and save money.

2. The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig

“This was one of my favourite books that I have read this year,” says graphic designer Sinead Taylor. “It’s a book that’s easy to connect with and even makes you rethink what you think you want for your own life. It manages to make you feel thankful for where you are now and that the ‘perfect’ life really is a fairytale. I recommend The Midnight Library to everyone!”.

3. Careering, by Daisy Buchanan

“I devoured (pun intended) Daisy’s debut fiction novel, Insatiable, and am currently devouring her second, Careering” says Ellie Kime, founder of The Enthusiast. “Daisy is just so skilled at putting to words the myriad experience of being a woman who dares to want what the world tells her is too much. This book is particularly relevant, as it follows two women and their toxic relationships with their dream job. I was lucky enough to interview Daisy Buchanan for Issue 2 of my magazine Voracious, where we talked for over an hour (on my bathroom floor – over the phone, obvs) about everything, and she’s just as wonderful as her novels suggest!”.

4. Four Thousand Weeks, by Oliver Burkeman

“This book turned my world on its head (in a good way),” says Ellie. “The premise is that four thousand weeks is the average lifespan of an adult – so we need to accept that time isn’t unlimited, and only then can we start to actually make the most of the time we’ve got.” It’s harsh but true! Forget standard business books: this one is making waves for a great reason. “It’s the time management book the world has been crying out for, the first one where I’ve read it and thought “yep, that’s it” (and probably the last one, because I won’t need another one.)” says Ellie. “Plus I promise it’s uplifting, despite having a title related to death!”.

5. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, by Dr Julie Smith

This book is so much more than an Instagrammable cover. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? is written by a clinic psychologist who’s on a mission to equip her audience with the skills we need to get through life’s roller coasters. Presented in bite-sized chunks that won’t overwhelm you when you’re reading on the beach, this book has been a smash-hit, and for good reason. “It gives you a better understanding of your own emotions, and tons of useful tools for when you’re in a personal crisis,” says learning facilitator Renate Matroos. “It’s a must-read!”.

6. Manifest, by Roxie Nafousi

Roxie Nafousi’s cute orange book walks us through the steps we need to change our lives, whether there’s one area you want to work on, or you need a total overhaul. One of the best takeaways? The reminder that our lives are essentially the culmination of the choices that we make, so if we want to be, do or have something different in 6 months’ time, we’ll need to make the corresponding choices today.

PS: If you’ve got a busy summer planned or don’t have the concentration for a long book, we always recommend Courier magazine, whose articles help us work better and live smarter. You might just spot a contribution from one or two of our members!