AP Summer Reading List
There are certain questions that come up over and over again in our community. What are you building? What are you investing in? What are you excited about right now? And, surprisingly often, what are you reading? With summer underway, we asked the All Places team to share the books currently occupying their beach bags.
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Averi’s Beach Bag
Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë. I love a good classic; it really makes me slow down and digest the contents a bit more than a modern book. Plus, WH was all the rage with the newest movie, which I have not seen!
The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune. This is such a beachy, warm, and truly feel-good book, with all of the colorful vibes! I loved the unique characters and imagery.
Erica’s Beach Bag
Meditations for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman. This book immediately resonated with me. Burkeman explores how to live a meaningful life without trying to optimize every minute of it, a topic that feels increasingly relevant in a world that constantly tells us to do more.
The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson. After reading Caste, I've been wanting to pick up another Isabel Wilkerson book. Caste challenged many of the ways I think about history and society, and so far, this book does the same.
Jessie’s Beach Bag
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, by William B. Irvine. I literally picked this book up from the Philosophy section at The Grove Barnes & Noble upon the recommendation of my friend, Sara Rogier Pantone, the founder of Vitruvi. Do not confuse me with a philosophy major—this was a first for me. But the way Sara was talking about Stoicism (which is definitely not what I thought it was), had me intrigued.
This Book Made Me Think of You, by Libby Page. During a recent conversation with my friend (and All Places client), Lyndsey Harper, founder of Rosy (yes, most of my friends are entrepreneurs), she suggested I pick this one up. From my first sitting, it was clear that this book was going to cozy me up like a warm blanket and a cuppa. Yes, it's about books, but it's also about joy, grief, and rebirth.
Famesick, by Lena Dunham. This is on my to-read list. I was one of the many people who both loved and hated Girls. But listening to her interview recently on The Interview by The New York Times made me want to pick this up. Whether I will have the same reaction to it that I had to the show remains to be seen.
Keith’s Beach Bag
Frank, by Barney Frank. An autobiography by the politician and LGBT rights activist who was also the first congressman to voluntarily come out while in office. He co-wrote the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill after the great recession and just died recently in May of 2026. I picked this up late last month after Frank’s death because I was eager to learn more about him after I read his NY Times obituary. So far, I’m really impressed with Frank’s foresight and acumen as a politician.
Villa Coco, by Andrew Sean Greer. A coming-of-age novel set in Tuscany and written by the same author who won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his comedic novel “Less”. I read Less last summer and found it to be the perfect summer/beach read, so am hopeful that this will be a noteworthy summer companion.
Walk Through Fire, by Sheila Johnson. Another autobiography, this time by the co-founder of BET, current CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, and America’s first Black female billionaire. I love a good business story, and Salamander happens to own Hotel Bennett - the nicest new hotel in my hometown, Charleston, SC. I’m excited to learn more about Sheila’s story.
Kylie’s Beach Bag
Atomic Habits, by James Clear. I chose this book because I wanted practical strategies for building better habits and better routines. The advice is easy to implement, and I found several tips that helped me stay more organized and productive.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I wanted a fun summer read with strong female characters and an engaging story. I love a good mix of glamour, drama, and personal growth. So far, it has been really hard to put down.
The Let Them Theory, by Mel Robbins. This is a counselor recommended book. I am big on bettering myself and focusing my energy on what I can control. I have heard great things about this book, and I am looking forward to the advice and mindset shift that can be applied.
Molly’s Beach Bag
The Fine Art of Lying, by Alexandra Andrews. I absolutely loved this book about a young New York City mother who gets tangled up in the dark side of the art world. This has the rare combination of a fun, twisty plot with really excellent and thoughtful writing.
Why I Am Not an Atheist, by Christopher Beha. I'm currently reading this beautiful memoir about the author's path to rediscovering his faith after becoming an atheist, told through the lens of his personal experiences and struggles.
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Other Things We Cannot Live Without This Summer
Averi: Counter Culture Coffee (specifically the Big Trouble and Fast Forward whole-bean blends). I am a coffee junkie and tend to make my own espresso at home! Freshly ground whole beans give a much better flavor, and this brand is accessible (found in my local grocery store), tasty, and sustainable. This over ice on a hot afternoon is a great pick-me-up!
Jessie: The Jane on Jeans Substack. On the rare occasions I diverge from my usual routine of business and venture podcasts, I go straight to my guilty pleasures: fashion and Hollywood. This newsletter by Jane Herman, founder of The Only Jane, nicely soothes my craving for fun, playful, but informative content about the things I wear most (jeans, tees, and button-downs).
Keith: Returning Home. An Aperol spritz, picking blue crabs with my family after a day on the water or at the beach, long, languid evenings that get better as the heat retreats. Looking forward to picking back up with my annual trip home to Charleston this year.
Kylie: Farmer Markets. My family and I love visiting our local farmer markets during summer. It's a great way for us to get outside, connect with our community, and enjoy fresh, seasonal produce. Winter in Wyoming is often too long, so we make the most out of Summer Months.
