Trading the Pool for the River

My 2026 Summer Reading List

Last summer, I shared my summer reading list from my backyard pool.

This year is different.

Pete and I are moving, and while our new home won't have a pool, it does have access to the Connecticut River.

As we prepare to leave this backyard behind, I'm feeling grateful for all the memories our pool holds. It was the heart of countless family summers, and I'm excited that it will welcome another family and become part of their story.

What excites me even more is what we're moving toward.

The river asks something different of us. It doesn't need to be cleaned, opened, closed, or maintained. It flows with the seasons, whether we're there or not.

As we think about traveling more, spending time away, and embracing the freedom we've

been working toward for years, it feels like the right next chapter.

Believe

My word for 2026 is Believe.

We've been working toward this goal for a long time and needed to believe we'd get there.

Believe that change creates new possibilities.

Believe that investing in the next chapter is worthwhile.

Believe that we're never really finished learning about ourselves and the people around us.

These books have kept me company through this season. Some made me think differently, some made me laugh, and a few reminded me what matters most.

I hope one or two find their way onto your own summer reading list.

My Summer Reading List

The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur Brooks

Part memoir, part conversation, Brooks reflects on family, ambition, aging, and purpose with the wit you'd expect—and surprising honesty. It's thoughtful without taking itself too seriously, which made it the perfect companion during this season of transition.

It's also become my graduation gift of choice this year.

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

One of the most practical books I've read in years. Voss turns negotiation into something much more human than winning or losing. Whether you're leading a team, navigating conflict, or simply trying to ask better questions, there's something here you'll use immediately.

I regularly use these techniques with coaching clients, and they work.

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

This wasn't an easy read—but it was an important one.

Gawande explores how we think about aging, medicine, independence, and what it means to live well until the end of life.

One message that stayed with me:

"A good life isn't just about preserving what was—it also involves continuing to find purpose and connection as circumstances change."

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

A quiet, beautifully written novel about connection, memory, and the relationships that shape us. Told through letters, it's the kind of story that unfolds gently while leaving a lasting impression.

Perfect if you're looking for thoughtful fiction this summer.

Thank you to Nicole Cairns for recommending this one!

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

This was one of those unexpected gems. A story about friendship, purpose, community, and the extraordinary impact ordinary people can have on one another.

It's hopeful without being sentimental and reminded me that a meaningful life is often built through small, faithful acts.

I really want to be Theo when I grow up.

Currently Reading

House of Fidelity: The Rise of the Johnson Dynasty and the Company that Changed American Investing by Justin Baer

I'm currently reading this brand-new release because I couldn't resist.

Thank you to Steve MacLellan for letting me know it had just been published.

What's on Your Summer Reading List?

Whether you're reading by the pool, at the beach, on a porch, or beside a river, I hope one of these books finds its way into your summer.

I'd love to hear what's in your beach bag this year.

Leave a comment below or send me a note—I'm always looking for my next great read.

Happy reading!