These are JPMorgan's 11 must-read books for the summer, from AI to Formula 1

A woman reading a book on the beach
Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images
  • JPMorgan just published its 25th annual summer reading list.
  • The bank suggests 11 titles it believes capture a world experiencing "radical shifts."
  • AI, Formula 1, and Matt Damon all feature on JPMorgan's recommendations.
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JPMorgan's annual reading list might be the closest thing the US has to a billionaire's book club.

For a quarter of a century its private banking division has offered up its summer must-reads, based on recommendations from client advisors around the world.

JPMorgan Asset and Wealth Management's chief communications officer Darin Oduyoye touted the bank's picks as an attempt to capture a world experiencing "radical shifts." It may come as little surprise that the AI revolution is the main theme of one title on its list.

Other picks focus on Gen Z anxiety and Formula 1, while Matt Damon, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Google's productivity czar Laura Mae Martin are among the authors featured.

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Check out the 11 books JPMorgan says you should be reading this summer.

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1. "Supercommunicators" by Charles Duhigg

Supercommunicators
Penguin

Charles Duhigg's "Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection" is a deep dive into the latest research about how to have better conversations.

The former New York Times reporter zeroes in on a wide range of examples — including divided jury rooms and CIA agents tapping up foreign sources.  

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2. "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt

The Anxious Generation
Penguin

Jonathan Haidt's latest book tackles what the social psychologist calls "the great rewiring of childhood," referring to the massive impact smartphones are having on the lives of younger people.

He argues that parents and governments need to act now to address rising sleep deprivation, loneliness, and addiction among children.

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3. "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys"

Art from dean collection
Phaedon Press

"Giants" showcases selections from Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys' Dean Collection, which coincides with an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. It celebrates the work of nearly 40 groundbreaking Black artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat and Gordon Parks.

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4. "Brave New Words" by Salman Khan

brave new words
Penguin

Earlier this month, Bill Gates took to social media to recommend "Brave New Words," by Salman Khan, the founder and CEO of the Khan Academy nonprofit.

The book argues that advances in AI will transform education and offers a guide for teachers, parents, and students on navigating a fast-changing world.

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5. "Love & Whiskey" by Fawn Weaver

love and whiskey
Melcher Media

Fawn Weaver, who became the first African-American woman to head a major spirits brand when she founded Uncle Nearest in 2017, reflects on her journey to uncover the life of Nearest Green, who played a pivotal role in the development of Jack Daniel's.

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6. "The Formula" by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg

The Formula
HarperCollins

Formula 1 is one of the fastest-growing sports in the US, thanks to the huge popularity of Netflix's "Drive to Survive" and new races in Miami and Las Vegas.

Clegg and Robinson, who also coauthored one of the definitive books about the rise of Premier League soccer, team up again to give readers an inside look at the history and future of F1.

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7. "Secret Stays" by Melinda Stevens, Issy von Simson, and Tabitha Joyce

secret stays
Assouline

This coffee-table book published by Assouline introduces readers to 22 little-known travel spots, ranging from a secluded Croatian monastery to a Japanese townhouse.

JPMorgan describes the title as "a fresh look at the diverse and ever-evolving face of travel today."

8. "Finding Fortunato" by Adam Pearson

Finding Fortunato
Penguin Random House

Adam Pearson's "Finding Fortunato" charts the history of the entrepreneurial Peruvian family that found the Nacional white cacao bean — setting the stage for it to start making what's become known as "the Rolex of chocolate."

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9. "Uptime" by Laura Mae Martin

Uptime
HarperCollins

Google's productivity advisor Laura Mae Martin, who's worked for Alphabet for more than a decade, shares easy-to-follow steps to boost your output and avoid burnout in her new book.

10. "The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles" by Jake Gyllenhaal, Greta Caruso and Dan Santat

secret society
Feiwel & Friends

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, his childhood best friend Greta Caruso, and illustrator Dan Santat teamed up to write this ode to uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews.

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11. "The Worth of Water" by Gary White and Matt Damon

worth of water
Penguin Random House

To mark its 225th anniversary, JPMorgan highlighted this book, reflecting its earliest predecessor's origins as a waterworks company.

Garry White and Matt Damon outline a trial-and-error approach to solving the water crisis, emphasizing the role that collective action could play.

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