The WHC Team Brings Its Best Summer Reads

Days were getting longer and hotter, so we knew summer would soon be arriving here on Boston’s South Shore. ‘Good Summer Reads’ time was almost here.

As we began compiling the reading list, everybody had an opinion. “Why not let everyone bring their best?” we asked. So that’s what we did. As a result, you’re more likely to find a good book or two to take with you on vacation … or staycation. Happy reading!

Bill’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Co-founder and President

The Art of Selling Your Business by John Warrillow. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) I’m always reading up on this topic. This book perfectly reflects our firm’s philosophy: that a well-prepared exit doesn’t happen by accident – it’s built with foresight, discipline, and the right team. Whether you’re a few years away from selling or just now starting to think about succession, it can serve as your strategic guide if you’re a business owner looking to exit on your own terms while maximizing value.

Warrillow is the founder of The Value Builder System™. Here, he outlines the emotional and financial complexities of selling a company – and how to navigate those complexities with confidence. He emphasizes the importance of timing, positioning and understanding what buyers truly value. The book shares real-life stories of successful exits. It also offers some practical tools to help owners avoid common missteps and help negotiate their exit from a position of strength.

Miracles and Wonder by Elaine Pagels. This thought-provoking book was recommended by a client and was a bit of a departure for me, but I’m glad I read it. It invites readers to see miracles not as supernatural anomalies but as deeply human responses to mystery, suffering and hope. Pagels uses her characteristic clarity and empathy to help us reflect on why wonder still matters in a skeptical world.

She explores how stories of the miraculous have shaped spiritual imagination across religions and time. Drawing on early Christian texts, ancient mythology and her own scholarly work, Pagels explores why humans are drawn to the inexplicable – and how miracles offer meaning in times of uncertainty, grief or awe. Rather than focusing on whether miracles ‘really happened,’ she asks what these stories reveal about the people who told them and the longings of the human heart.

Becoming Trader Joe by Joe Coulombe. Being a big fan of Trader Joe’s, I was interested to see what made the founder of Trader Joe's so successful. The key to his success was a commitment to paying employees well and fostering a motivated and knowledgeable workforce that contributed to a distinctive shopping experience. Coulombe also emphasized transparent pricing, avoiding gimmicks such as sales or loyalty programs and focusing instead on delivering consistent value.

This book is a compelling memoir that details how he transformed a modest chain of convenience stores into a beloved grocery brand renowned for its unique products and loyal customer base. Coulombe's strategy centered on serving ‘overeducated and underpaid’ consumers by offering high-quality, affordable items, often under Trader Joe's own label. My favorite item is the Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers. A perfect palate cleanser!

Paula’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Co-founder and Principal

Built to Sell by John Warrillow. This book is especially engaging and illuminating for entrepreneurs seeking to add value to their businesses before exiting. As a bonus, it provided me with additional tools to help our clients prepare for a crucial phase of life: exiting a business.

The story is told as a parable about an owner looking to exit his business – one that depends on him to do absolutely everything – which is a recipe for a non-profitable sale. In it, business owner Alex turns to his entrepreneurial mentor to define the crucial criteria needed to make his business saleable: teachable, valuable, and repeatable.

Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy by Matthew Kelly. I can identify with Kelly’s line, “I was living my life like a Ferrari with no brakes.” And I’m ready to invite more joy into my life. However, my present pace is hardly a formula for inviting in more spaciousness, leisure, the time to think or be – or joy. Like so many others, the speed and ‘busyness’ of my life stand in direct opposition to what I claim matters most.

We have more options than ever before to spend our resources: time and money. With 24/7 access to just about everything – either at our fingertips, on our smartphones, or delivered by Amazon at warp speed – life feels overwhelming. In this book, Kelly tells us how to unravel that overwhelm.

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Mel seems to be everywhere these days: writing, speaking, podcasting! She lived here in Massachusetts for years. I’ve known of her for a long time, and, in fact, I often practice her 5-4-3-2-1 method. She made her name by speaking about motivation, confidence, and mindset.

I’m excited to dive into her new book for greater insight into balancing the many relationships in my life – family, business, faith, and community – with grace while not losing myself. Another question I have? How do I discover and pursue what means the most to me so that I can show up in this world as the best version of myself? It’s a tall order, I know. But I think Mel can help! 

Cody's Picks | WH Cornerstone Financial Planner

Without Restraint by Robert and Ryan Delena. As a parent of a child with developmental needs, I constantly reflect on how I can be a more thoughtful parent. This book gave me much food for thought. I discovered it through my love of skiing, which I share with its lead character. (The ski slopes gave him the space ‘without restraint’ to explore, manage, and overcome the behavioral challenge of his emotional difficulties.) Today, he’s a professional ski mountaineer, guiding and traversing the most challenging terrain.

The book documents the journey of raising a child with developmental needs -- and the need, at times, to push back against conventional treatments. (In some cases, parents actually do know best.) It’s a joint father-son memoir in which the father has the strength to pull back the curtain and acknowledge the mistakes the parents made along the way.

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll. As an enthusiast of endurance sports and the act of pushing the mind beyond its limits, this book has been spectacular thus far. I enjoy exploring the life journeys of others and how they harness the power of their minds to overcome life’s obstacles and revamp their mental health. Roll’s book is a personal account of overcoming bad health and fitness habits and reaching the pinnacle of endurance sports in record time.

Table for Two by Amor Towles. Towles, made famous by A Gentleman in Moscow, is my favorite fictional author. This latest book is actually six short stories, which can be a nice change-up from typical fiction novels. Each story will take you through a unique setting and rich character development, making for a perfect read on a nice summer night.

Nolan's Picks | WH Cornerstone Associate Financial Planner

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. This classic has been on people’s bookshelves for decades and was reissued in 2022 for its 25th anniversary. Yet little updating has been called for because the fundamental lessons of money haven’t changed. As a recent college graduate, I found that this financial literacy book challenges traditional thinking about money, work, and wealth.

Through the lens of two father figures with opposing mindsets, Kiyosaki explores how our habits, education, and attitudes shape our financial futures. Reading it sparked meaningful reflection within me about ownership, decision-making, and what it really means to have financial freedom.

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. As a history buff – and especially after the popularity of the box office hit Oppenheimer – I was left wanting a deeper dive into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

This biography explores the story of the brilliant, conflicted, and complex physicist who led the Manhattan Project. In this work, Oppenheimer’s name becomes synonymous with the moral dilemmas surrounding scientific and technological advancement. His story compelled me to think more deeply about responsibility, innovation and the unintended consequences of our actions.

Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss. As an avid sports fan, I was intrigued by the legacy of Jim Thorpe – a man who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. However, I was unaware of his life story until I read this biography.

Maraniss skillfully weaves together themes of identity, perseverance and injustice, showing that Thorpe’s story is as much about struggle and resilience as it is about athletic greatness. It made me reflect on how society defines success – and whose stories get told. Too often, those in power shape the narrative, ensuring their version is remembered while others fade from history.

Dawn’s Picks | WH Cornerstone Director of Client Experience

The Medicine Woman of Galveston by Amanda Skenandore. If there’s one book I want to read this summer, this is it. The Medicine Woman of Galveston is a powerful and engaging story about a woman finding her place and purpose in 1800s Texas. It follows a healer who goes against the grain, using her knowledge and instincts to help people in a world that doesn’t always value her.

The book brings Galveston’s past to life with vivid details, showing the grit, beauty, and tension of that time. You’d want to read it if you’re into strong, independent women, a bit of historical drama, and stories that highlight the strength and wisdom that often get overlooked.

The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins. I have never read any of Mel Robbins’ books, but this one was recommended to me, so I think I will give it a try. (Besides, it’s the second Mel Robbins book on this list!) I am told that this simple, direct, and practical book is a perfect starting point for someone new to Mel Robbins.

The core idea is that you can change your behavior and overcome hesitation by counting down from five (5-4-3-2-1) and then taking action immediately. It’s all about breaking the habit of overthinking and building confidence through small, courageous moves. If you’re looking to get unstuck, beat procrastination, or build momentum in your personal or professional life, this book offers a no-nonsense approach that’s easy to apply right away.

Honeysuckle Season by Mary Ellen Taylor. I have just started reading this book, so I’m leaning on summaries to describe it. The Richmond-born author writes under this name and another, and together they have published 38 novels. This novel intertwines themes of family secrets, personal loss, and the journey toward healing.

The story follows Libby McKenzie, a wedding photographer who is grappling with the recent death of her adoptive father, a failed marriage, and multiple miscarriages. When she's hired to photograph a wedding at the historic Woodmont estate in Virginia, Libby becomes intrigued by the overgrown greenhouse shrouded in honeysuckle vines. As she delves deeper into the estate's restoration, she uncovers a letter that unravels long-buried family secrets, connecting her to the estate in unexpected ways. You might find this book appealing if you enjoy emotionally driven stories that explore complex family dynamics and the resilience of women across generations.

We didn’t focus on financial planning books this year, just letting one or two good ones slip in. With discord, volatility, and uncertainty as our everyday backdrop, we thought it was a good time to offer a little escapism – and some tools to help bring out our better selves.

Is there anything on your reading list you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Meanwhile, here’s to a great summer from the team at WHC!