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MERU's 2024 Summer Reading List

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Our favorite reads this summer

Looking for your next great read? Whether you're headed to the beach, unplugging for the weekend, or enjoying some downtime at home, our team curated a fantastic list of books for you to dive into this summer.

The Sympathizer
by Viet Thanh Nguyen

A Pulitzer Prize winner, this compelling and critically acclaimed novel tells the story of a Vietnamese double agent during and after the Vietnam War. With a gripping narrative, complex characters, and insightful commentary, this is a must read (or watch in the recent limited series inspired by it).

Grant

 

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
by Bill Bryson

Hiking the AT has only become more popular in the 25 years since Bryson wrote this book, but the experience is largely the same, and Bryson's portrait of the experience is memorable. From the scenery to the weather to the fellow hikers, Bryson describes a quintessentially American experience that continues to resonate with people around the world.

Kyle

 

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
by Priya Parker

Gatherings play a huge role in our lives and influence the way we connect with others. Priya Parker draws from her global expertise as a facilitator and gives readers a book that is both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will change the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue, how you host and attend them.

Anna

 

A Course Called Ireland: A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee
by Tom Coyne

This travel memoir chronicles author Tom Coyne's journey across Ireland as he plays every seaside golf course in the country. Blending elements of a travelogue, sports narrative, and personal memoir, Coyne provides readers with an engaging and heartfelt exploration of golf, Ireland, and self-discovery.

Luke

 

 

Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way
by Richard Branson

The auto-biography of iconic entrepenuer and founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson. This interesting read takes an in-depth look at Branson's adventurous approach to life and business.

Samir

 

 

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War
by Erik Larson

From the author of The Splendid and the Vile (a prior MERU reading list recommendation), this novel brings to life the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War.

Jason

 

 

Am I Being Too Subtle? Straight Talk From a Business Rebel
by Sam Zell

From self-made billionaire, Sam Zell, "Am I Being Too Subtle?" (a reference to Zell's favorite way to underscore a point) takes readers on a ride across his business terrain, sharing with honesty and humor stories of the times he got it right, when he didn't, and most important, what he learned in the process.

Justine

 

A Gentleman in Moscow
by Amor Towles

A bestseller historical fiction about aristiocrat Count Alexander Rostov who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel.

Nick Conner

 

 

HBR at 100: The Most Influential and Innovative Articles from Harvard Business Review's First Century
by Harvard Business Review

A collection of the most influential articles from the Harvard Business Review at its 100th anniversary (in 2022).

Sharmeen

 

 

Management Lessons from Mayo Clinic: Inside One of the World's Most Admired Service Organizations
by Leonard L. Berry and Kent D. Seltman

Authors Leonard L. Berry and Kent D. Seltman offer a comprehensive analysis of the management principles and practices that have made the Mayo Clinic a leading healthcare institution. They explore valuable insights into how the Mayo Clinic has acheived excellence in patient care, employee satisfaction, and organizational efficiency.

Sean

 

Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500
by Peter H. Wilson

An extensive historical account that examines the military history of German-speaking peoples over five centuries. The book explores the complexities and nuances of German military history, including the political, social, and cultural dimensions that have influenced it.

Austin

 

 

The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy
by Christopher Leonard

An investigative book that delves into the policies and actions of the Federal Reserve, particularly focusing on the impact of its quantitative easing (QE) program. The book provides a critical analysis of how these monetary policies have shaped the U.S. economy and contributed to increasing economic inequality.

Curt