This article first appeared in CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter, a weekly guide for high net worth investors and consumers, curated by Robert Frank. Subscribe to receive future editions directly in your inbox.
The wealthy, often consumed by work, seldom have time to indulge in reading, except perhaps during a few weeks in August. This is why J.P. Morgan Private Bank annually releases its summer reading list in May, which often serves as a billionaires’ book club.
This year, the bank celebrates the 25th anniversary of the list, now known as the J.P. Morgan Summer Reading List. The 10 books are meticulously selected to cater to the interests and concerns of J.P. Morgan’s affluent clients. The list this year includes books on effective communication, artificial intelligence, Formula One, whiskey, hidden vacation spots, and the art collection of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.
To create the list, J.P. Morgan surveys its over 35,000 global client advisors and employees about the topics most discussed and thought about by clients. This year, advisors recommended over 700 book titles, which were then narrowed down based on relevance and appeal.
“Our clients range from business owners and entrepreneurs to philanthropists and art collectors,” said Darin Oduyoye, chief communications officer of J.P. Morgan Asset and Wealth Management, who has been leading the list since its inception. “We have books that align with each of these groups.”
Clients are presented with an elegant J.P. Morgan-branded box containing one or two books from the list, handpicked by their client advisor. The box also includes a handwritten note and a commemorative bookmark.
The list assists advisors in connecting with clients during the quieter summer months. It also aids in client events, as authors from the list often agree to do exclusive dinners or speaking engagements for J.P. Morgan clients.
Being on the list is a boon for authors too, as J.P. Morgan purchases thousands of books for distribution and clients often recommend the books to others.
“The list is eagerly anticipated by both our clients and colleagues, as well as our communities,” Oduyoye said.
This year’s 25th-anniversary edition features a special “Anniversary Spotlight” on Water.org, a charity founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, and their book “The Worth of Water.”
Here is J.P. Morgan’s 25th Annual Summer Reading List, along with summaries of the books, provided by the bank:
“Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection” by Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg shares the latest research on effective communication, revealing how we can enhance our communication skills and build stronger connections. Drawing from various examples, Duhigg demonstrates how we can deliver impactful messages by understanding and leveraging the three layers of every conversation: practical, emotional, and social. Duhigg’s insights show us that we all have the potential to be supercommunicators.
“The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt presents urgent facts and calls for immediate action to address the global epidemic of teen mental illness. Haidt identifies the widespread use of smartphones and numerous other factors as contributors to the “great rewiring of childhood.” He argues that these technologies have had a profoundly negative impact on children’s social and neurological development and explores potential solutions to reverse the significant increase in sleep deprivation, fragmented attention, loneliness, addiction, and social comparison. Importantly, Haidt calls for collective action and outlines steps that we all must take to end this epidemic.
“Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” published by Phaidon
“Giants” celebrates 100 works from the world-class art collection of musical and cultural icons Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean), featuring nearly 40 multigenerational Black American, African, and African diasporic artists. The Dean Collection, curated by the Brooklyn Museum for its first-ever major exhibition, includes works by legendary and emerging artists such as Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Odili Donald Odita, and Kennedy Yanko. “Giants” also includes exclusive conversations between Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, and curator Kimberli Gant, in addition to interviews with 10 renowned artists featured.
“Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing)” by Salman Khan
Salman Khan, the visionary behind the nonprofit Khan Academy, explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize learning in both education and the workplace. Khan demonstrates how AI will not replace human interaction, but instead enhance it with tools that foster creativity and problem-solving. He shows how AI can adapt to each student’s individual pace while identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Khan offers practical implications for administrators, counselors, and hiring managers, as well as thoughtful insights on how we all can use AI in an increasingly digital world.
“Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest” by Fawn Weaver
Entrepreneur Fawn Weaver uncovers the untold story of one of America’s most iconic whiskey brands in “Love & Whiskey.” Based in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the book follows Weaver’s journey to discover the life of Nearest Green, a 19th-century African American distiller who played a crucial role in developing Jack Daniel’s whiskey. By delving into history to reveal the truth about Green’s contributions to the spirits industry and his friendship with Daniels, Weaver uncovers a story that connects generations. Inspired by her findings, Weaver goes on to establish Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to honor and celebrate Green’s legacy for future generations.
“The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World’s Fastest-Growing Sport” by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg
In “The Formula,” Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg of The Wall Street Journal recount the captivating story of Formula 1’s daring reinvention leading to its breakthrough in America. With elements of fast cars, engineering geniuses, driver rivalries, and glamorous settings, “The Formula” details how F1’s “sudden” arrival in the United States was actually decades in the making. With unrestricted access to F1’s most legendary teams and icons from Ferrari to Mercedes, Robinson and Clegg offer readers an exciting inside look at the drivers, corporations, cars, and risks that have shaped the world’s fastest-growing sport.
“Secret Stays: Pioneering Hosts of the New Chic” by Melinda Stevens, Issy von Simson, and Tabitha Joyce
“Secret Stays,” curated by Melinda Stevens, Issy von Simson, and Tabitha Joyce, introduces 22 hidden gems that reflect the dynamic evolution of modern travel. Highlighting captivating properties and their owners—from a secluded Croatian monastery to a Japanese machiya townhome—this coffee table book from Assouline, the luxury brand on culture, reveals unique experiences that stem from a revived belief in authentic, bespoke hospitality. Through stunning photographs and compelling narratives, “Secret Stays” offers a fresh perspective on the diverse and continually evolving face of travel today.
“Finding Fortunato: How a Peruvian Adventure Inspired the Sweet Success of a Family Chocolate Business” by Adam Pearson
In “Finding Fortunato,” Adam Pearson takes readers on a journey into the northern Peruvian jungle, telling the inspirational story of an entrepreneurial family who discovered the legendary Nacional white cacao bean, which was thought to be extinct. Recognizing that their success depended on disrupting a traditional, unethical supply chain to directly trade with local Peruvian farmers, the family established Fortunato Chocolate, a company described as “the Rolex of chocolate.”
“Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing” by Laura Mae Martin
Laura Mae Martin, an executive productivity advisor relied upon by thousands of Google employees, provides easy-to-follow steps in “Uptime” to boost productivity, prevent burnout, and achieve a better work-life balance. Whether you’re dealing with a flood of emails, an overloaded calendar, or a challenging meeting to lead, Martin’s strategic approach offers concrete steps to help you manage time efficiently, focus on priorities, and maintain effective systems and routines.
“The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles” by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso
“The Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles,” a delightful and heartwarming picture book by Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and his childhood best friend Greta Caruso, celebrates the unique and fun-filled role aunts and uncles play in children’s lives. The book humorously explores the adventures that being an aunt or uncle can bring—from flexible bedtimes to activities with a “healthy dose of danger”—and paints a loving portrait of these special relationships.
Anniversary Spotlight: “The Worth of Water: Our Story of Chasing Solutions to the World’s Greatest Challenge” by Gary White and Matt Damon
In honor of the 225th anniversary of JPMorgan Chase’s earliest predecessor, the Manhattan Company (originally a water works company), we are proud to spotlight “The Worth of Water” by Gary White and Matt Damon. These two unlikely allies, with a shared mission to end the global water crisis, take readers on a journey to empower communities and families with tools to address their portable water shortages. White and Damon outline their trial-and-error approach to finding a feasible solution, demonstrating that the water crisis is solvable through collective action.
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