20 Books Influencers Think You Should Put on Your Summer Reading List

As the weather heats up and the days get longer, there‘s no better time to relax with a great book. But with so many titles to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide what to read next. That‘s where book recommendations from people you admire can come in handy.

We‘ve compiled a list of 20 top books that influential figures like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Reese Witherspoon, Malcolm Gladwell, and more think you should put on your summer reading list. These leaders are not only at the top of their respective fields, but also well-known for their love of reading and sharing great book recommendations.

Oprah‘s Book Club, for instance, has nearly 2 million Instagram followers eagerly awaiting her next pick. On average, her endorsement catapults titles to the top of the bestseller lists, with some books seeing sales rise over 1,000% after being selected. Meanwhile, Microsoft founder Bill Gates reads about 50 books per year and regularly reviews his favorites on his popular blog, GatesNotes.

Research shows that 81% of people trust book recommendations from family and friends, but influencer suggestions can be just as impactful. A survey by The Insider found that nearly a third of respondents have bought a book because a celebrity recommended it.

So if you‘re looking for a great read this summer but feeling stuck, why not turn to some of the world‘s most successful and admired figures for inspiration? From gripping novels to thought-provoking non-fiction, heart-wrenching memoirs to motivating business books, we‘ve rounded up their top recommendations to help you find your next page-turner.

Fiction Favorites

These fiction picks come highly recommended by bestselling authors, celebrities, and literature experts:

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
   Recommended by: John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars
   John says: "My favorite book of 2022 by a wide margin. An inventive, big-hearted novel about art, collaboration, love, and video games. I laughed, I cried, I marveled at the author‘s intelligence and empathy. Just read it!"

2. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
   Recommended by: Oprah Winfrey via Oprah‘s Book Club
   Oprah says: "This is one of the best books I‘ve read in a long time. An epic novel about love, loss, and the indomitable human spirit, with one of the most compelling protagonists I‘ve ever encountered. Kingsolver‘s storytelling is masterful."

3. Horse by Geraldine Brooks
   Recommended by: Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
   Andrew says: "I galloped through this novel, completely enraptured by the world Geraldine Brooks conjures. A fascinating, multi-layered story about an extraordinary horse and the people whose lives he changed, it‘s her best yet."

4. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
   Recommended by: Maggie Stiefvater, bestselling author
   Maggie says: "I was so excited for this book that I pre-ordered it twice without realizing it, and I have zero regrets. Mandel‘s skills shine as she interweaves storylines across time and space, creating a stunning tapestry that reveals itself piece by intricate piece."

5. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
   Recommended by: Bill Gates
   Bill says: "I loved Towles‘s previous novels, so I had high expectations for this one. It did not disappoint! An entertaining, erudite road trip novel full of memorable characters and 1950s nostalgia. One of my favorite books of the past few years."

Non-Fiction Must-Reads

Expand your knowledge with these non-fiction books recommended by thought leaders:

6. Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
   Recommended by: Oprah Winfrey via Oprah‘s Book Club
   Oprah says: "Dr. Brené Brown takes us on a journey through 87 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and honesty, Brené gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances."

7. The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
   Recommended by: Bill Gates
   Bill says: "This book is a gripping account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and enhance our kids. An important and accessible book about one of the coolest scientific breakthroughs of the last decade."

8. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
   Recommended by: Roxane Gay, author and social commentator
   Roxane says: "I read Crying in H Mart in a single sitting, enthralled by Michelle Zauner‘s ability to capture her mother‘s spirit even as she described an excruciating illness and death. Gorgeous and incisive, this memoir will stay with you long after you finish reading."

9. How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith
   Recommended by: Ibram X. Kendi, bestselling author and historian
   Ibram says: "How the Word Is Passed frees history, frees humanity to reckon honestly with the legacy of slavery. Through poetic and supple prose, Clint Smith makes plain, the heavy truths many of us struggle, or refuse, to acknowledge about the depth and breadth of the roots of racism."

10. The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
    Recommended by: Bill Gates
    Bill says: "This is classic Gladwell: a fresh look at events from World War II combined with a thought-provoking examination of what it means to try to reduce human suffering through technology. I couldn‘t put it down."

Business & Leadership Inspiration

Take your career to the next level with these picks from business leaders and innovators:

11. Think Again by Adam Grant
    Recommended by: Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group
    Richard says: "In a fast-paced world, questioning our own views and opening our minds to others‘ is essential for growth and innovation. Think Again offers brilliant insights on how to do just that."

12. High Conflict by Amanda Ripley
    Recommended by: Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author
    Malcolm says: "A brilliant, paradigm-shattering book. If you want to understand the madness of our current moment, this is the place to start. I cannot recommend it highly enough."

13. The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger
    Recommended by: Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey
    Bill says: "Iger does a terrific job explaining what it‘s really like to be the CEO of a large company. This book is full of smart business insights, but it‘s also just a really great read."

14. The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith
    Recommended by: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo
    Indra says: "Marshall Goldsmith is one of the world‘s leading executive coaches. The Earned Life is a thought-provoking book that will inspire you to be your best self and live life to the fullest. A must-read."

15. What You Do Is Who You Are by Ben Horowitz
    Recommended by: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
    Mark says: "Ben‘s book is a great look at what it takes to build a strong culture and how culture drives an organization‘s actions and outcomes. The examples ranging from prison gangs to samurai will really make you think."

Self-Improvement Standouts

Become your best self with these personal growth books recommended by influencers:

16. Atomic Habits by James Clear
    Recommended by: Brené Brown, researcher and author
    Brené says: "James Clear has spent years honing the art and studying the science of habits. Atomic Habits is a supremely practical and useful book on how small changes can lead to remarkable results."

17. *The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck** by Mark Manson
    Recommended by: Will Smith, actor
    Will says: "Mark‘s ability to dig deep and offer amazing, yet counter-intuitive, insight into the challenges of life makes this book a must-read. It changed my life."

18. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
    Recommended by: Reese Witherspoon via Reese‘s Book Club
    Reese says: "I‘ve been in this business for 25 years, and that‘s some of the best advice I‘ve ever heard. A wild ride through Matthew‘s life, full of wisdom and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction."

19. The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins
    Recommended by: Mel Robbins, motivational speaker and author
    Mel says: "The High 5 Habit is a simple yet profound tool that changes your attitude, your mindset, and your behavior. Give yourself a high five in the mirror and watch how your life changes. I do it every morning – it has transformed my confidence and my life."

20. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
    Recommended by: Reese Witherspoon via Reese‘s Book Club
    Reese says: "Untamed will liberate women—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It is a breathtaking wake-up call and an invitation to reclaim your true, untamed self."

Dive Into a Great Book This Summer

There you have it – 20 top books recommended by some of the most admired and influential figures of our time. From scientists to celebrities, business leaders to bestselling authors, these diverse picks offer something for every reader looking to learn, grow, and be inspired this summer.

Reading has the incredible power to reduce stress, increase empathy, strengthen relationships, and even help us live longer. A Yale study found that people who read books for 30 minutes a day lived nearly 2 years longer than non-readers. And there‘s no better time than summer to develop a regular reading habit and reap the many rewards.

As award-winning author Gretchen Rubin said: "Reading is an essential part of my work, it‘s an important aspect of my social life, and most importantly, it‘s my favorite thing to do. I‘m not happy if I‘m not in the middle of a book."

So take a cue from these top influencers and pick up one (or a few) of their recommended reads for your summer book list. Join the conversation by posting your thoughts and progress on social media with the hashtag #SummerReading2024. And be sure to check out online book communities like Goodreads, Bookstagram, and celebrity book clubs for more great suggestions all season long.

Happy reading!