My Summer Reading Stack: Books That Hit Different
Summer reading for me isn't about beach reads (though some of these definitely qualify). It's about finding stories that make me think, laugh, cry, or see the world a little differently. This summer's stack was particularly good at reminding me why I love getting lost in other people's words.
The Heavy Hitters
The Names by Florence Knapp - This one stayed with me long after I closed it. There's something about how names carry weight, history, and expectation that resonated deeply with someone who's spent years figuring out how to take up space authentically.
The Change by Kristen Miller - A book about women finding their power later in life? Yes, please. Miller captures something important about how we're allowed to evolve and become who we're meant to be, regardless of timeline.
Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood - Grace is having the worst day of her life, and somehow it becomes the most honest, raw, and ultimately hopeful story about what it means to fall apart and put yourself back together. Sometimes the breakdown is the breakthrough.
The Heart Healers
Heartwood by Amity Gage - Family, secrets, and the complicated ways we love each other. This one reminded me that our roots don't have to define our growth, but understanding them helps us flourish.
Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez - Jimenez knows how to write characters who feel real, flawed, and worthy of love exactly as they are. Her stories always remind me that vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the price of admission to authentic connection.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune - Sometimes you need a book that believes in second chances and the possibility that the best parts of your story are still being written.
The Unexpected Gems
Big Dumb Eye by Nate Bargatze - I didn't expect a comedian's book to hit me in the feelings, but here we are. Bargatze's humor comes from a place of genuine observation about being human, which is exactly the kind of authenticity I'm here for.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - This one was atmospheric and haunting in all the best ways. Sometimes you need a story that reminds you that life is both beautiful and brutal, often simultaneously.
The Ones That Made Me Think
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz - A thriller about a writer who steals a story, only to discover the real plot twist. As someone building a platform around authentic storytelling, this one made me think about ownership, truth, and the stories we tell ourselves about our own lives.
Look for Me There by Luke Russert - Russert's journey of self-discovery after loss reminded me that sometimes we have to lose ourselves completely before we can find who we really are. His honesty about grief and growth was exactly what I needed.
The Reality Checks
I'm 99% Sure by Caroline Wanga - Wanga's blend of humor and hard truths about leadership, identity, and showing up authentically in professional spaces felt like a conversation with a friend who tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry - Henry writes about messy, complicated women who don't have it all figured out, and somehow that becomes the most hopeful thing of all.
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue - A reminder that we're all just trying to figure it out, and sometimes the most radical thing you can do is admit you don't have all the answers.
What Reading Teaches About Leadership
Here's what struck me about this summer's collection: the best stories aren't about people who have it all figured out. They're about people who are brave enough to keep showing up, even when the path isn't clear. They're about women who take up space unapologetically, who evolve without apology, who love themselves through the mess.
Every book reminded me that authenticity isn't about perfection—it's about being honest enough to let people see your real story, including the parts that aren't Instagram-ready.
As leaders, as women, as humans trying to live full-size lives, we need stories that reflect our complexity back to us. We need to see characters who struggle with the same questions we do: How do I stay true to myself in systems that weren't designed for me? How do I lead when I'm still figuring it out? How do I take up space without apologizing for it?
The Bottom Line
Reading isn't just entertainment for me—it's research. Every story teaches me something about the human experience, about resilience, about what it means to show up authentically in a world that often asks us to make ourselves smaller.
This summer's stack reminded me that the best leaders are often the ones who are still learning, still growing, still brave enough to admit they don't have all the answers. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply keep turning the pages, both in books and in your own story.
What are you reading that's making you think differently about leadership, authenticity, or taking up space? Drop your recommendations in the comments—I'm always looking for my next great read.
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