Longer days, warmer weather, and a calendar that somehow still refuses to slow down—it must be summer. Whether you’re listening to audiobooks in your car between assignments or finally taking that well-earned vacation, this year’s reading list is packed with books that will challenge your thinking, spark new ideas, and maybe even make you look at your business a little differently. From mindset and leadership to market insight, these picks are here to keep your brain engaged all summer long. So grab your sunglasses and your highlighter. It’s time to build your 2026 summer reading list.
The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life
Author: Sahil Bloom
Amazon Rating: 4.6 stars
Released: February 4, 2025
The 5 Types of Wealth challenges the idea that financial success alone defines a wealthy life. Drawing on years of research and interviews, Sahil Bloom introduces five key forms of wealth—time, social, mental, physical, and financial—and explains how true fulfillment comes from balancing all five. Through practical advice, personal stories, and actionable strategies, this book encourages us to rethink our priorities, build stronger relationships, protect our health, and create a life centered on purpose rather than just productivity or income.
The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI
Author: Jeff Burningham
Amazon Rating: 4.7 stars
Released: September 8, 2025
This revolutionary book explores what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Blending personal storytelling with philosophical reflection, Jeff Burningham examines the rapid rise of AI and explains that humanity’s greatest challenge is not building smarter machines, but becoming wiser, more compassionate people. The book tackles questions about consciousness, relationships, purpose, and institutional reform, ultimately encouraging us to prioritize purpose, connection, and self-awareness as we navigate an uncertain technological future.
Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System—and Themselves
Author: Andrew Ross Sorkin
Amazon Rating: 4.6 stars
Released: September 7, 2010
Too Big to Fail provides a gripping behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 financial crisis and the high-stakes decisions that nearly reshaped the global economy. Drawing on extensive access to Wall Street executives and government officials, this book chronicles the collapse of major financial institutions and the frantic efforts to prevent a complete economic meltdown. Blending financial reporting with fast-paced storytelling, Sorkin reveals how fear, ambition, ego, and political pressures influenced the actions of the leaders tasked with steering the world through one of the most devastating economic crises in recent history.
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
Author: Adam Grant
Amazon Rating: 4.6 stars
Released: February 2, 2021
In Think Again, Adam Grant argues that cultivating a mindset of intellectual humility and open-mindedness can set you up for professional success and personal fulfillment. Combining research, storytelling, and real-world examples, Grant argues that true intelligence is not just about knowledge, but about the willingness to question what we think we know and remain open to new ideas. The book encourages us to embrace curiosity and challenge our own perspectives, which can lead to better decision-making, stronger relationships, and personal and professional growth.
*You can find our full review of this book in the 2026 Appraisal Buzz Magazine.
The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More
Author: Jefferson Fisher
Amazon Rating: 4.8 stars
Released: March 18, 2025
From difficult personal conversations to high-pressure professional situations, The Next Conversation is a practical guide to improving communication in everyday life. Drawing on his experience as a trial lawyer and communication educator, Fisher introduces a simple framework focused on speaking with control, confidence, and connection. Filled with actionable advice and real-world examples, the book teaches us how to navigate conflict, set boundaries, communicate more intentionally, and build stronger relationships by changing the way we approach conversations.
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your business skills, better understand the forces shaping the economy, or simply communicate more effectively, this year’s list offers something for everyone. The best appraisers never stop learning, and sometimes the most valuable professional development doesn’t come from a classroom. . . it comes from a great book.
Thinking of adding any of these to your TBR (to-be-read) shelf? Let us know in the comments. Happy reading (and don’t forget to pack a bookmark next to your tape measure this summer)!
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Written by : Aaliyah Terrell
Aaliyah is a young professional and self-published author with a love for that space where art and business meet. As Storyboard’s marketing manager, she gets to have her hands in a wide range of creative endeavors. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, writing, and reading books on anything and everything.