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As the summer sun beckons and the days grow longer, many companies embrace “Summer Fridays”. Summer Fridays are a workplace perk that allows employees to leave early or take the day off on Fridays during the summer months. This usually kicks in on Memorial Day and runs until Labor Day, and aims to enhance work-life balance, boost morale, and increase productivity. 

Employees are loving this seasonal perk! Summer Fridays promote greater well-being, reduce burnout, and help teams return to work refreshed and more engaged. Research shows that when companies implement flexible summer policies, they often see improved employee satisfaction and retention. Giving people more time to enjoy the season with family or to unplug in the sunshine has become a simple yet powerful way to support healthier, happier workplaces.

In the spirit of making the most of these relaxed summer hours, we’ve curated a selection of the top books for summer that employees can enjoy during their early departures. These reads are perfect for personal and professional development, offering insights and inspiration that align with the leisurely pace of summer.

Memoirs/ Biographies to Read by the Pool

Sun, shade, and a story that sticks with you. These inspiring memoirs and autobiographies offer more than just compelling narratives. They share honest lessons in leadership, resilience, and growth. Whether it’s a CEO’s behind-the-scenes journey or a creative’s path to success, these books deliver real-life insights your employees will love. Perfect to give a little inspiration with their SPF. 

• The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future by Keach Hagey
• A biography of Sam Altman, exploring his role in the AI revolution and his vision for the future of technology.
• Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates
• An inspiring, candid look into Gates’ early years and the origins of Microsoft, perfect for a reflective summer afternoon.
• The Tell: A Memoir by Amy Griffin
• A behind-the-scenes look at a powerhouse sports agent breaking barriers that’s full of grit and heart.
• Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen
• A heartfelt memoir of identity, resilience, and family from a daughter of refugees.
• Matriarch by Tina Knowles
• Tina Knowles shares her journey of motherhood, business, and legacy in this empowering memoir. 

Big Ideas for Bright Days

Summer’s slower pace is the perfect time to zoom out and think big. These bold, forward-thinking business books challenge norms, spark curiosity, and invite fresh perspectives on how we work, lead, and innovate. These reads are made for poolside epiphanies and long walks with big thoughts. They’re energizing, accessible, and just the thing to stir up some mid-year momentum.  

• The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource by Chris Hayes
• A sharp exploration of the modern attention economy and how reclaiming focus could reshape society.
• Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD
• A groundbreaking guide to extending not just lifespan but healthspan, perfect for readers reflecting on long-term wellbeing.
• The Creative Entrepreneur: A Guide to Building a Successful Creative Business from Industry Titans by Carolyn Dailey
• Incredible insights from top creative leaders on turning ideas into thriving businesses.
• Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman
• LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman offers a hopeful and thoughtful roadmap for navigating the future of AI.
• Abundance by Ezra Klein
• This bestseller offers a powerful case for shifting from a mindset of scarcity to one of possibility. This is an energizing read for reimagining the future while recharging in the present.

Leadership Lessons for Long Weekends

Leadership isn’t built overnight, but long weekends help. These books explore what it means to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose in today’s evolving workplace. From motivating teams to managing change, they offer practical wisdom wrapped in stories and strategies that are easy to digest outside the office.

• The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance by Zach Mercurio
• This book provides leaders with practical tools to foster a workplace culture where every team member feels valued and significant.
• The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods
• A smart take on using AI for better, faster decision-making, ideal for forward-thinking leaders.
• Camp: Life, Leadership, and Why You Never Stop Paddling by Michael D. Eisner
• A creative take on lessons on leadership and teamwork told through the lens of summer camp!
• Who Believed in You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World by David McCormick and Dina Powell McCormick
• A moving exploration of mentorship as a leadership superpower, great for inspiring purpose-driven leadership in your organization.
• The Psychology of Leadership: Timeless Principles to Perfect Your Leadership of Individuals and Teams by Sébastien Page
• Backed by timeless principles and insights, this book helps leaders better understand the people they work with.

Mindfulness Under the Sun

No better time to recharge than when the sun’s out! These thoughtful titles help employees slow down, breathe deep, and refocus on what matters. These books bring balance and well-being into the workplace, without ever feeling like homework. They’re just right for readers looking to turn a quiet summer moment into a meaningful reset.

• The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins
• Motivational speaker Mel Robbins introduces a life-changing perspective on releasing control, setting boundaries, and finding peace by letting people be who they are.
• The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life by Sahil Bloom
• A transformative guide that redefines wealth beyond money, helping readers build a life rich in time, relationships, health, and purpose.
• Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big by Will Packer
• A powerful blend of memoir and motivation that encourages readers to own their worth, dream big, and channel healthy confidence.
• How to Love Better: The Path to Deeper Connection Through Growth, Kindness, and Compassion by Yung Pueblo
• A thoughtful exploration of emotional growth, connection, and compassion, with practical tools for building stronger, more meaningful relationships.
• Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life by Shigehiro Oishi PhD
• A groundbreaking look at how curiosity, exploration, and lived experience contribute to a deeper, more fulfilling life.

Team Reads for the Summer Slack

When the inbox is slow and calendars open up, it’s the perfect season to connect as a team. These engaging, thought-provoking titles are ideal for corporate book clubs and group discussions, offering just the right mix of insight and debate. Whether you’re fostering better collaboration, empathy, or understanding within your organization, these books help teams bond, reflect, and return stronger. 

• Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
• A gripping exploration of how power, ambition, and disconnection in the workplace can erode purpose and culture.
• Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter by Juliet Schor
• Sociologist Juliet Schor makes a compelling case for the four-day workweek, highlighting its benefits for employee well-being and productivity.
• The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football by Bill Belichick
• Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick shares his philosophy on leadership, discipline, and decision-making through stories from a lifetime of building winning teams.
• Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
• A thoughtful manifesto on shifting away from hustle culture and embracing intentional work that’s sustainable, focused, and fulfilling.
• We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle
• A bold, honest collection of conversations answering life’s biggest questions around courage, connection, and doing what matters most.

Career Boosters for Beach Days

Who says professional development can’t be fun in the sun? These skill-building books are packed with helpful, actionable insights on everything from communication and productivity to goal-setting and mindset. Designed to help employees grow their careers without the burnout, and best paired with sunglasses, iced coffee, and a desire to level up.

• Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
• A compelling dive into the science of meaningful conversations, with tools to help you connect better at work and beyond.
• The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More by Jefferson Fisher
• A practical guide to mastering calm, productive dialogue, even in tough moments, by one of the internet’s favorite communication coaches.
• Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It by Jenny Wood
• Former Google executive Jenny Wood encourages readers to embrace traits like authenticity and self-advocacy to achieve career success.
• The Plan: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra J. Adachi
• A refreshing, guilt-free approach to time management that helps you focus on what matters most without burning out.
• Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading by Chris Anderson
• A hopeful and energizing call to action from the head of TED, showing how generosity can transform workplaces and spark positive change.

Whether your company offers Summer Fridays or not, these reads make thoughtful gifts for employees all year long. At BookPal, we’re thrilled to offer our team Summer Fridays, giving them more time to recharge, connect with family and friends, and, of course, dive into a great book. If any of these titles caught your eye, our account managers would love to help you put together the perfect summer reading bundle for your team. Let’s make this summer a real page-turner for your organization!