Your Summer Book Stack: Curated By Maggie

If one more bro tells me to read The 10X Rule, I will throw my e-reader in the lake.

Look, summer is not the time for hustle manifestos or LinkedIn thought leader nonsense. It’s the time to give your brain something satisfying—whether that’s a juicy romance, a tightly wound thriller, or a brilliant non-fiction book that doesn’t make you feel like you’re broken for not wanting to scale to seven figures by next Tuesday.

So today, I’m sharing my Summer Book Stack—a mix of what I’ve read, what I’m loving, and what’s in my towering TBR pile. If you’re looking for real recs from someone who doesn’t think your beach read needs to “move the needle,” you’re in the right place.

Today we’re talking books. Because one of the best parts of solo business life? You get to choose what actually fills your brain—and I highly recommend it’s not just LinkedIn hot takes or another “how to scale to 7 figures” bro-manifesto.

I’ve curated a mix of fiction and non-fiction picks for your summer stack, plus a few that are on my TBR, aka my “To Be Read but might take all year” list.

Let’s kick it off with some fiction.

My Fiction Picks

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner 

Think: estranged sisters, pop music nostalgia, and emotional family drama that’s juicy without being cheesy. I devoured this one in two sittings.

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune 

If you want sunshine, second chances, and that classic summer love energy, this one delivers. Bonus: You don’t need to believe in “summer magic” to enjoy it.

The Josie Quinn Series by Lisa Reagan

There are 20+ books in this crime thriller series, and I’m deeply invested in it at this point. Josie Quinn is a police investigator with a past, and she tackles a wide range of cases from missing persons to serial murders. Honestly, I’m a little worried about how much crime there is in this town in Pennsylvania. 

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang 

Darkly satirical and full of commentary on fame and identity. Julie finds her estranged influencer twin sister dead and takes over her identity. We follow Julie as she navigates the highs and lows of social media fame, and sinister secrets.

Fiction: My Summer To Be Read List

Here’s what’s sitting in my stack, just waiting for me to make some time:

• Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria – You know I love a romance with depth.
• How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin – A teacher joins a MLM called Petunia Lemon, and only to find that the parent of one of her students is investigating them.
• When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa – Breakups, sass, and second acts. Can’t wait. I’m a Mia Sosa fan so excited for this one.
• Love is a War Song by Danica Neva – I loved her previous book According to Ember, and I’m excited to read this one.
• Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza – A trad wife murder mystery, what’s not to like???
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I read everything TJR writes and I’m looking forward to this one, which is set in the 1980s space shuttle program.
• All Twerk, No Play by Bailey Seaborn – Excited for my buddy Meg’s second romance novel (Bailey is her pen name) about a high-achieving lawyer whose perfectly planned life implodes, so she sets out on a path of reinvention, meeting Cruz who won’t play by her rules.

And yes all of these are heavy on the romance as that’s my preferred genre right now, and it’s summer.

Non-Fiction Picks

Let’s shift gears. These are the books that don’t lecture or condescend. They inform, challenge, and maybe even change how you see your work—or the world.

Toxic Positivity by Whitney Goodman

If you’ve ever felt gaslit by a motivational quote, this one’s for you. It’s a takedown of good vibes-only culture with real tools to deal with actual feelings. I recommend this book constantly with good reason. 

Hoodwinked by Mara Einstein

A deep dive into how we’ve been manipulated by the marketing machine, especially in wellness and self-help. Spoiler: It’s not just Goop.

You Are a Strategist by Sara Lobkovich

This one is a must if you’ve ever questioned your ability to be “strategic.” It’s smart, grounded, and doesn’t make you feel like you need an MBA to make a good decision. I’m only partway through, and I will be recommending it!

Non-Fiction Summer TBR

Here’s what I’ve got next in my non-fiction queue:

• Little Bosses Everywhere by Bridget Read –This book is an investigation into the world of multilevel marketing (MLM) and its profound impact on American society. Read unveils how MLMs, often disguised as entrepreneurial opportunities, have exploited individuals’ aspirations and reshaped cultural and political landscapes.
• Empire of AI by Karen Hao – Let’s just say I’m bracing myself to be equal parts fascinated and horrified at this book which looks at the rise of OpenAI and the implications of AI development. Reviews of the book keep talking about the level of “through research” involved, so I’m sure I’ll have more to say about this. 

And of course you know I had to recommend my book, Staying Solo and invite you to the Staying Solo Summer Book Club—a no-pressure, zero-cringe way to read Staying Solo, reflect on what truly matters in your business, and take small, meaningful steps toward building a business that feels damn good to run.

No guilt if you skip a chapter. Just you, the book, and just enough structure to spark action without killing your summer vibe.

Starting June 16th, you’ll receive one email per week for six weeks, each with a quick takeaway, a couple of reflection questions, and one bite-sized, very doable action.

Plus, we’ll wrap it up with a live book club gathering in July—a space to reflect, ask questions, and figure out your next right step.

And yes, there’s exclusive Staying Solo swag, because what’s a book club without a little surprise-and-delight? Join us at bsfreebusiness.com/club.

Close the Laptop, Open a Book

So whether you’re hitting the beach, sitting on your back porch, or just ignoring your inbox, these books are here to keep you company this summer.

I’ll link everything up in the show notes, and I’d love to hear what’s on your summer reading list. DM me on Instagram or Threads @bsfreebusiness or shoot me a reply to this week’s email, and let’s swap book recs.

And remember—just because you run a business doesn’t mean you have to be reading about business all the damn time. Let your brain breathe.

*Please note this post contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you buy any of these books. (Which I can then use to buy more books….)