The 12 must-have summer books, according to Adam Grant

At the Next Big Idea Club, we seek to find groundbreaking new non-fiction books. Our curators – Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain and Daniel Pink – generally work with our editorial team to identify titles that we think everyone should read.

But of course, each of our curators still has books that individually they are most passionate about. So today we wanted to share Wharton psychologist Adam Grant’s 12 summer picks. Enjoy!

How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

By David McRaney

Immerse yourself in the latest research from psychologists and neuroscientists, how minds change explores the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink and the effects of deep prospecting. It’s an eye-opening journey among cult members, conspiracy theorists, political activists, and more. See on Amazon

Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

By Bo Seo

A two-time world champion debater and former Harvard debate team coach shares the inspiring story of his life in competitive debate and reveals the timeless secrets of effective communication and persuasion. See on Amazon

The future: why anxiety is good for you (even if you feel bad)

By Tracy Dennis-Tiwary

By challenging our long-held assumptions about anxiety, this book provides a concrete framework for reclaiming it for what it always was – a gift rather than a curse, and a source of inner strength, joy and of ingenuity. See on Amazon

Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing Your Mind

By Andy Dunn

In this memoir about mental illness and entrepreneurship, the co-founder of menswear startup Bonobos opens up about battling the bipolar disorder that nearly cost him everything. He challenges us all to take part in deepening the conversation around creativity, performance and clutter. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Andy Dunn, in the Next Big Idea app

Disrupting the game: from the Bronx to the top of Nintendo

By Reggie Fils-Aimé

Learn from Nintendo’s former President of Americas how to identify the life choices that will make you truly happy, overcome the negative perceptions of those who underestimate you, and master the resilience needed to achieve your professional dreams. See on Amazon

Building: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worthwhile

By Tony Fadell

Written for anyone looking to grow at work – from fresh graduates navigating their first job to CEOs deciding whether or not to sell their business –To build is packed with personal stories, practical advice and fascinating insights from the man who led the teams that created the iPod, iPhone and Nest Learning Thermostat. See on Amazon

Don’t Trust Your Gut: Use Data to Get What You Really Want in Life

By Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

An Economist and Former Google Data Scientist Explains How Hard Facts and Figures Consistently Contradict Our Instincts and Show Self-Help That Actually Works, Whether It’s the Best Time in Life to Start a Business or Happiness Actually makes us skip a friend’s birthday party for a night of Netflix on the couch. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, in the Next Big Idea app

The digital mindset: what it really takes to thrive in the age of data, algorithms and AI

By Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley

The digital revolution is here, changing the way work is done, the way industries are structured, and the way people from all walks of life work, behave, and interact with each other. To thrive in a data-driven, algorithm-driven world, we must learn to see, think and act differently. We need to develop a digital mindset. See on Amazon

The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats and Our Response Will Change the World

By Ian Bremmer

A renowned political scientist draws lessons from the global challenges of the past 100 years, including the pandemic, to show how we can respond to three major crises unfolding over the next decade. In fact, we can use them to create global prosperity and opportunity. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Ian Bremmer, in the Next Big Idea app

A New Way of Thinking: Your Guide to Superior Management Effectiveness

By Roger Martin

A renowned CEO advisor covers the full breadth of the management landscape – illuminating the true nature of competition, explaining how business success revolves around customers, revealing how strategy and execution are really the same thing, And much more. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Roger Martin, in the Next Big Idea app

Finding Me: A Memoir

By Viola Davis

“To find me is a deep reflection, a promise and a kind of love letter to oneself. I hope my story inspires you to illuminate your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world tagged you. See on Amazon

The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office of Two Best Friends Who Were There

By Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

Sharing everything from how it was at the start as the show struggled to gain traction, to walking its first red carpet, office best friends is full of the same warm, friendly tone that Jenna and Angela brought to their office ladies podcast. See on Amazon

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