Don’t Miss Out! paNASH’s Top 5 Picks for Summer Reading

Many of my clients love to read as much as I do. And nearly every summer, I provide a reading list of books I’ve read the previous year. While I can’t list all the books I’ve read in the past 12 months, I will share with you the ones that can best assist you in your career. Hopefully, you’ll have some extra time this summer to read at least one of them.

Also, please check out my latest book, Purposeful Branding: Discovering How Your Gifts Can Help You Get Unstuck in Your Career and Best Serve Others, available on Amazon.com July 16th, just in time for Prime Day!

Summer reading suggestions

1. For aspiring entrepreneurs who want to turn their passions into a business

Wildpreneurs: A Practical Guide to Pursuing Your Passion as a Business, by Tamara Jacobi

Tamara is the founder of a successful eco-adventure lodge, located in the natural paradise of the Mexican Pacific coastline. Drawing from her own experiences, she offers practical advice, inspirational stories, and actionable steps to help you navigate the challenges and rewards of building a passion-driven enterprise.

Tamara’s book emphasizes creating a fulfilling, adventurous, and sustainable business that aligns with your personal values and goals.

2. For those in the latter half of their career

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, by Arthur C. Brooks

Many of my clients are in the later stages of their career. They’re trying to figure out how they are relevant in today’s work force and how they can finish strong. Arthur shows how you can find renewed fulfillment and purpose as you age.

Drawing on research from psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience, he provides a roadmap for transitioning from the ambition-driven first half of life to a more meaningful and contented second half.

Arthur’s book offers practical insights and strategies for cultivating happiness, maintaining connections, and embracing the strengths that come with aging.

3. For readers who want to be better leaders

The Five-Week Leadership Challenge: 35 Action Steps to Become the Leader You Were Meant to Be, by Patrick Leddin

Patrick is a personal friend of mine and someone I’ve studied under for leadership training. His book is a practical guide designed to help you enhance your leadership skills through a structured five-week program.

Each week focuses on a specific leadership theme, providing actionable steps and reflective exercises that encourage personal growth and effective leadership development. By following these steps, you can learn the habits and mindset needed to become an impactful leader in your personal and professional life.

Also, Patrick will be releasing another leadership book next year, co-written with world-renowned author, James Patterson.

4. A career book specifically for those with ADHD

Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes, and Maybe YOU, by Dr. Douglas Brackmann and Randy Kelley

I’ve had several clients and friends with ADHD tell me just how helpful this book was for them. And this is coming from people who tell me they usually hate to read. But this book held their attention and then some!

Combining insights from psychology, neuroscience, and personal anecdotes, the authors explore how innate qualities such as risk-taking, resilience, and intense focus can be harnessed and developed.

The book offers practical advice on channeling these traits to achieve personal and professional success, while also managing the challenges that come with them.

5. Reading for fun

Summer of course is a time for fun. Just a few weeks ago, I decided it would be fun to go back and re-read one of my favorite childhood books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume.

You’re never too old, or too serious about your career, to read some old childhood favorites. In fact, they might actually renew some old ideas you had about what you wanted to be when you grew up, which could lead to your next career change!