With summer in full swing, it’s time to start crossing some of those books off of your summer reading list. If you’ve been searching for your next good book, look no further than our selection of summer reading recommendations, compiled by your WH Cornerstone team. Happy reading!
Bill’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Co-founder and President
Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson. If you know Peterson, you know he’s a lightning rod on social media. But if you pay attention to what he’s saying, you may see him as I do: as possibly Canada’s greatest export. This book deals with what happens when our efforts to control chaos go too far, and we start to inhibit life’s magic by being too orderly. As Peterson says, “we need to keep one foot within order while stretching the other tentatively into the beyond.”
The Daily Stoic: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday. Something triggered my interest in “stoicism,” and I’m curious to know if and how it has changed since it was the philosophy of Rome’s greatest emperor, playwright and former slave-turned-power-broker: Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus. Known as the “philosophy of doers,” stoicism – and how it can enrich your life – is made accessible to every reader through Ryan Holiday’s book.
The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing by Mark Kurlansky. Here’s how Kurlansky sums up the challenge: “All other types of fishing try to facilitate the catching of fish; fly fishing is about making it as difficult as possible. But once you have caught a fish with an artificial fly, all other types of fishing may seem like cheating.” Why is this book on my list? Because there’s nothing better than being in the middle of nowhere, exposed to the elements, working on perfecting the art of fly fishing … and not cheating.
Dawn’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Director of Client Experience
The Illuminati: Secrets of a New World Order – Conspiracy Theories Book by Phil Coleman. Coleman begins the strenuous process of separating fact from fiction when it comes to the all-secret Illuminati. A fascinating and oftentimes eerie book to read.
Paula’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Co-founder and Principal
Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II by Vicki Croke. I’ve been fascinated by elephants ever since my Dad took us annually to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I look forward to discovering the role these creatures played in WWII, as well as the powerful connection that was created to transform Billy Williams’ life to be filled with deep trust and gratitude.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. I’m a student of personal development and McConaughey shares his journey in a real, raw and authentic way. Journaling has been a key part of his life and he shares his thoughts and learnings over the years. He is entertaining and not afraid to live his own authentic life, which is refreshing as so many are choosing to live a “Facebook photo” perfect life.
Life Lessons in Success: Wisdom to Win the Game of Life by Paula Harris and 35 success trainers. In full disclosure, I am a co-author of this book and I just love it. Each personal story connects with the reader in different ways and helps each of us discover a new idea, or insight to our own personal success.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I used my “Covid time” to work on uncovering limiting beliefs. The Artist’s Way takes you on a spiritual journey of self discovery. This book, and its exercises, will help me go deeper in getting to know my true self.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. One of our widowed clients shared that this book provided tremendous support after the loss of her spouse. As we support widows along their journey, I’m excited to read it to make me a better advisor and human being.
Joe’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Intern
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell. I’ve been a longtime fan of Gladwell, and this book has to be one of his bests. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in the blink of an eye-that actually aren’t as simple as they seem. For example, how can certain marriage counselors predict (successfully) if a marriage is going to fail within minutes of meeting the couple?
