Amy’s Summer Reading (& Listening) List
A little about Amy.
Amy is a speed reader (yes, that was actually a competition she entered as a kid). These days, finding time to sit with a good book takes more intention than it used to, but she makes it happen. Her sweet spot is historical fiction or a great beach read, books that people are sometimes surprised to find in her hands.
One of the highlights of her year: reading Where the Red Fern Grows out loud with her boys. It’s her all-time favorite. She read it aloud to every class she taught during her five years teaching elementary school, and she still cries every time. Every. Time.
For Your TBR Shelf:
- Yesteryear: Historical fiction at its best. Exactly the kind of book Amy gravitates toward when she wants to get lost.
- The Correspondent: Cover to cover, fast. The kind of book you pick up telling yourself you’ll read one chapter and look up three hours later.
- Famesick — Lena Dunham: A little unexpected for a summer list, but that’s kind of the point. Amy loves a book that surprises people.
- Spectacular Things — Beck Dorey-Stein: Sisters, sacrifice, and women’s soccer across three generations. The kind of story that pulls you in through the characters long before you realize how invested you are.
- Sunny Side Up – Katie Sturino: Does exactly what it promises. Great for a long afternoon.
- Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid, Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again. A woman joins NASA’s space program in the 1980s and everything about it is compelling. One of the biggest books of the summer for a reason.
- Troubles in Paradise – Elin Hilderbrand: A reliable summer series. Sometimes you just want to go back somewhere familiar.
- Pedagogy of the Oppressed — Paulo Freire: Yes, this is on the summer list. Amy’s a speed reader. She has room for one that makes her think harder.
And For Your Ears:
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler — If you’re not already listening, start here. Warm, funny, and genuinely good company.
- We Can Do Hard Things — Glennon Doyle’s podcast. For the drives, the long walks, and the moments you need a reminder that you’re not alone in the hard stuff.
What’s on your list?
We’re always looking for a great recommendation. And if you’ve read something that changed how you think about leadership, culture, or the work, we really want to know. Send us a note on LinkedIn!
