If you’re looking for life-changing books you can read this summer, I’ve got 5 books that changed how I think and act. If you ask me, these are some of the best personal development books and are must-read books for entrepreneurs, professionals, college students, moms—anyone who is looking for a good book to read for personal growth.
For someone who didn’t like school all that much as a kid, I love learning. I’m always trying to stretch myself professionally through continuing education. But reading is something I’m constantly doing.
My goal this year is to read 36 books and I’m honestly a little behind. I should get back on track this summer as we have vacation and do some traveling. For the record, when I say reading, I mean audio books. There’s only one physical book I’m reading, and it’s taking me forever. With my commute time alone, I’ve got almost an hour every day for “reading.”
Life-changing books I Highly Recommend
Here, in no particular order, are 5 life-changing books I’ve read, most of them multiple times. These books have changed how I think and how I see the world. They’ve made me question my assumptions (you know what they say about assuming…), and grow as an entrepreneur, as a leader, and as human being.
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Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday
Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle
Trust Me, I’m Lying is a fascinating read that literally had me questioning EVERYTHING after reading it. I don’t think it was ever a best-seller. It’s designed to be counterculture—an exposé on how easily we are being manipulated through online media.
This book changed the way I perceive things I read online. It has made me skeptical, but in a good way, of everything I see and read. Honestly, I think we need more of that healthy skepticism in 2026. The book was published in 2012 and much of the focus is on blogs but as I told the students in my advertising class, substitute “blog’ for “social media” and it all holds up.
Another reason why this book changed my life, is because it introduced me to Holiday and his writings about Stoicism. I had no idea how much I would love ancient philosophy. I’ve read several of his other books and if this was a top 10 list, Holiday would make a second (maybe third) appearance.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
I read Start with Why every few years and it never disappoints. In the book, Sinek argues that the most inspiring leaders and organizations don’t lead with what they do or how they do it. They start with why, and that sense of purpose is what earns lasting loyalty from both customers and teams.
This was the first time that I really started thinking about the reasons behind my actions. It’s easy to get in autopilot mode and just do what we think we’re supposed to do. I certainly felt that way in my early career.
In a world where what you do and how you do it has become the standard—in the boardroom and in conversations at social gatherings—understanding your why will set you above the rest. It will give you a powerful advantage over everyone else and set you up for success.
Turn the Ship Around! by L. David Marquet
Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle
This is a book you’ve probably never heard of because it’s not by a big-name author, but don’t let that stop you. This book changed my leadership style completely.
Turn the Ship Around tells the story of a Navy submarine commander who dismantles the traditional “leader tells, followers obey” model. He replaces it with a leader-leader framework that pushes decision-making authority down the chain with remarkable results for performance and morale.
This book was a lifesaver for me when I came into a leadership role where my team was used to a micromanager—someone who wanted to make all the decisions for them. We used the lessons in this book to empower the team to make more of the day-to-day decisions. The difference in the team culture was night and day.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle
The Alchemist is a beautiful allegory about a young shepherd’s journey across the desert in search of his “Personal Legend.” Originally written in Portuguese, this is a timeless story about listening to your heart, following your personal calling, and trusting that the universe has a way of conspiring in favor of those who pursue their dreams.
Like most of the books on this list, I’ve read The Alchemist more than once and it inspires me every time. It’s a reminder that following your passion and pursuing your goals is not easy. It will make you stretch and grow in ways you can never expect.
But when you take that leap of faith, you will learn so much about yourself and the world through your journey that it will forever change you. And that journey is just a valuable as the goal itself.
The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle
This is another book I’ve read several times and learn something every single time. I made my team read it and even forced my wife and kids to listen to it with me on a road trip.
In The Gap and the Gain, Sullivan and Hardy make the case that measuring your progress backward—against where you started rather than forward against an ideal you haven’t reached yet—is the key to sustained motivation, gratitude, and a genuinely fulfilling life. It’s a completely new approach to measuring success that has a powerful impact.
This book will challenge everything you think about goals and success, and honestly, that’s what you need. It’s a reframe that will remind you how much you’ve already accomplished and put you in the proper mindset to be successful.
Summer Reading Challenge
You don’t have to read all five of these books right away, but I would challenge you to read at least one of them this summer. Yes, I know these aren’t your classic summer read. It’s so much more fun to take a murder mystery or romance novel with you to the beach, but if you’re anything like me, these books will change your life. Your next chapter starts with the next page you turn.