Summer Reads for the Soul: Books to Help You Live with Intention

Summer invites a different pace - a chance to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what really matters. Whether you're traveling, taking a staycation, or simply enjoying quieter mornings with a cup of coffee, the right book can spark insight, perspective, and meaningful change.

As a neuroscience-trained coach and mindfulness facilitator, I work with individuals and leaders who are looking to live and lead with more intention. The books I’m sharing here aren’t just personal development reads - they’re companions for the journey of intentional living. Many of these titles have been incorporated into the work I do with clients and into my own life. I read all of them and chose them for you.

There’s a deliberate flow to the order of this list. We begin with inner awareness and presence, then explore time, priorities, uncertainty, alignment, desire, purpose, mindset, and habits. Each book builds on the one before it, gradually moving from reflective to practical, from the inner world to how we show up in our daily lives.

I hope you find something here that speaks to exactly where you are, or where you’re ready to go next.

Here it goes:

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

This is the kind of book that finds you when you're ready. I’ve tried to read it a few times before I was finally ready to get into it.  Part spiritual guide, part invitation to observe the self with compassion, it explores how we can free ourselves from the constant chatter of the mind and reconnect with who we truly are. Singer writes, “To attain true inner freedom, you must be able to objectively watch your problems instead of being lost in them.”  With every chapter, the book nudges us to step back from reactivity and move toward presence, awareness, and emotional clarity. A grounding read for anyone seeking more intention in how they live and lead.  Inner freedom is the keyword in this book, a word I wrote an essay about when I was in grade 6!

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Included in my list of top 10 intentional leadership books for a reason, this one offers a refreshing take on time, not as something to manage, but as something to experience more fully. Burkeman reminds us that life is finite (roughly 4,000 weeks long) and that the relentless pursuit of productivity often pulls us away from what really matters. Instead of trying to “get everything done,” he encourages us to embrace uncertainty, focus on what’s meaningful, and be truly present in the moments we do have. It’s the kind of book that brings perspective to how you make choices.

Things That Matter by Joshua Becker

If Four Thousand Weeks makes you rethink how you spend your time, Things That Matter invites you to reconsider what you’re spending it on. Becker helps readers uncover the subtle distractions - fear, happiness, leisure (8 in total) - that quietly pull us away from what matters most. His writing is clear, inspiring, and practical. With the reminder that “You can do something now to live the life you want to live,” this book is a call to start living with intention.  I read it years ago, before starting on the coaching and mindfulness journey, and funny enough, I received a copy as a gift some time later.  I was certainly meant to read it!

Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chödrön

Written by beloved Buddhist teacher and bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart, this book distills Pema Chödrön’s wisdom into short, accessible reflections that are perfect for daily reading.  Read one short chapter (there are 108) each morning to inspire you.  With warmth and clarity, she invites us to lean into discomfort rather than resist it, guiding us to find steadiness. Comfortable with Uncertainty is a gentle reminder that it is not about how to avoid uncertainty, but much rather how we relate to discomfort. A great introduction for anyone cultivating mindfulness, presence, and compassion.

The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith

This book is a wake-up call for anyone who’s checked the boxes of success but still feels like something’s missing. Marshall Goldsmith - one of the world’s top leadership thinkers and coaches  - shifts the focus from achievement to alignment. He reminds us that it’s not about chasing goals for the sake of it, but about living intentionally, in a way that reflects who we really are. The Earned Life is full of insights and questions that help you pause, reflect, and ask: Am I living in a way that feels truly earned - not just by what I’ve done, but by how I’ve shown up?  I am a huge Marshall Goldsmith fan and often use his feedforward approach with teams.

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte

This book is an invitation to stop striving for goals just because they sound good, and start tuning into what actually feels good. Danielle LaPorte encourages us to begin with how we want to feel—and let that guide the way we live, work, and make decisions. One line that stays with me: “You’re not chasing the goal itself—you’re chasing the feelings that you hope attaining those goals will give you.” I come back to this again and again with the simple question: What would I like? A refreshing, heart-centered read that helps you go deep into what you desire.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

This book explores the Japanese concept of ikigai—your reason for being or your life’s purpose. It’s the sweet spot where four element meet: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. I use this often in my programs to help people uncover their purpose.  The book blends research with real-life stories from the people of Okinawa, one of the world’s longest-living communities (one of the Blue Zones). It’s a reminder that purpose doesn’t have to be big - it just has to feel true.

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

The Big Leap explores the subtle ways we hold ourselves back - even when things are going well. Gay Hendricks introduces the idea of the “Upper Limit Problem,” the hidden fear that surfaces when we begin to feel real success, joy, or ease. At the heart of it is a powerful call to step fully into your Zone of Genius—a concept I wrote about in a previous blog post. One idea that has stayed with me: if I argue for my limitations, I get to keep them. The Big Leap is an invitation to recognize those limits, release them, and expand into a more authentic and fulfilling way of living.

The Greatness Mindset by Lewis Howes

Written by the host of the popular School of Greatness podcast, this action-oriented book challenges you to let go of old stories and step into a more expansive version of who you are. Howes blends personal experience with powerful mindset tools to help readers move beyond fear, self-doubt, and limitation.  Most of the work I do is around identity / self-image shifts and this quote is one I often reference:  “You’ll never rise any higher than the way you see yourself.” 

You, Happier by Daniel G. Amen

This book wraps up the list with something we all crave: practical, research-backed ways to feel better consistently. Psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen shares clear, actionable strategies for improving happiness by supporting brain function, reducing stress, and making choices that align with your unique brain type. What sets this book apart is how tangible it is - this isn’t just about mindset, it’s about habits, routines, and small shifts that make a real difference. A strong, science-informed guide to living with more intention, clarity, and joy.

I follow his work closely, and he has a line I love and often return to. Every morning, he says "Today is going to be a great day". A very effective way to tell your brain what to pay attention to!

And that is all!

Each of these books offers something unique, but together, they form a kind of roadmap: one that begins with stillness and self-awareness, moves through desires and purpose, and ends with tangible steps toward joy and wellbeing.

Intentional living isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about paying attention, asking better questions, and making choices that align with your values and your life's vision. I hope one (or many) of these books offers the spark you need this summer.

Happy reading / listening! Send me a note if you've already read one of these books and tell me what you took away. And please share the list with others in your life.