Speak Masterfully Summer Reading List: 2026

Greetings, fellow word-nerds! Guess what? Summer is here. And if you're like me, you're hoping to take your foot off the gas for a little bit and enjoy.I'm looking forward to Shakespeare in the Park, iced coffee walks, and petting every dog I'm given access to. But I'll be honest...too much downtime makes me antsy. It always has. Even as a kid, by July I was starting to miss the rigor of being in school. Which is why I've always loved a Summer Reading List.

What could be better than a curated list of books to engage the brain when the summer days start to feel a little too lazy?

It's with that idea in mind that I've put together the 2026 Speak Masterfully Summer Reading List. Here are 5 titles that I recommend, which will keep your storytelling muscles strong (and will easily fit in your personal item carry-on).

Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit

Brené Brown

Brené Brown is the queen of connecting story and research, and then synthesizing her findings into actionable frameworks. This is a must-read for anyone in a leadership position, which, spoiler alert, is all of us. 

Favorite Moment: Brené Brown debunking the idea of “executive presence.” I won’t spoil it here, but I was giddy to hear her take on this subject.

<<Grab Your Copy Here>>

Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence

Lisa Cron

No joke, I’ve re-read this book almost yearly. It is such an excellent primer on the science of story. While the intended audience is aspiring writers, the lessons in storytelling can be applied to any field. If you want to improve your best man toast, your investor pitch, or your TedTalk, this is your resource. 

Favorite Moment: Lisa Cron breaking down the story math behind Die Hard. You’ll never watch this movie the same way after. (And no, I will not be weighing in on whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie.) 

<<Grab Your Copy Here>>

Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind

Annalee Newitz

I stumbled upon this one while browsing in my local bookshop, and the title immediately grabbed me. As someone who frequently praises the power of story, this book is a sober reminder that with great power comes great responsibility. In Stories are Weapons, journalist Analee Newitz explores the dark legacy of weaponized storytelling throughout American history.

Favorite Moment: While “favorite” feels like the wrong word, I will say one of the most striking moments in the book for me was the story about how a PR campaign to sell bananas eventually led to a coup that toppled a democratically elected government. Want to learn how those dominoes are connected? Wander into your local bookstore to find out. 

<<Grab Your Copy Here>>

Reachout

Molly Beck 

This recommendation goes out to any networkers among you. If you’re looking to up your game when it comes to building and nurturing your professional network, this one’s for you. Reachout is an easy breezy read that you can make it through in a single weekend and will give you practical frameworks on how to reach out more frequently, and more effectively. 

Favorite Moment: Reading examples of real world emails and DMs that actually got the desired response.

<<Grab Your Copy Here>>

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte 

That’s right, our final entry is possible from your very own Junior Year Summer reading list. This is not a book about public speaking, business communication, storytelling mechanics, or even leadership development.

It’s just a straight-up classic gothic novel that absolutely slaps. 

Here’s why it’s included on this list: This is a novel that’s super-enjoyable while also being a slightly challenging read.

It’s not Ulysses, but it’s not The DaVinci Code either. 

Because, just like in the Julys of my youth, I’m currently finding myself craving a little bit of a challenge. 

Our attention spans are getting shorter, and increasingly, so is the content we choose to engage with. Personally, I worry that if we don’t actively seek out language that challenges us a little, our worlds are going to begin to shrink. 

In the words of philosopher Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein, “The limits of my language means the limits of my world.” 

I highly encourage you to expand your world this summer by enjoying this spooky classic. 

Favorite Moment: The Wedding Veil Moment. (IYKYK)

<<Grab Your Copy Here>>

If any of the above sound like the beach read you've been seeking, I highly encourage you to check out your local library or neighborhood bookstore! Or feel free to use those handy links above. They aren't affiliate links, just good ol' fashioned hyperlinks to online indie bookstore options. Happy reading!