McKinsey's Annual Summer Reading Guide 2024

"In an era when phrases and language feel fraught with politics and subtext, Anne’s historical investigations and sheer delight in the evolution of words is an important reminder that communicating well with each other can—and should—be a pleasure!" -Manoush Zomorodi Cofounder, Stable Genius Productions; host, Ted Radio Hour by NPR

"This book is required reading for anyone seeking a basis of practical knowledge to understand AI and the coming changes in our world." -Reid Hoffman Cofounder, LinkedIn; partner, Greylock Partners

"Puchner doesn’t just tell but shows us why preserving cultural products matters, even when we don’t like them, by narrating 17 moments spanning 34 millennia and much of the globe when visionary people created, gathered, or interpreted cultural material to innovate in the present and hold on to hope for a human future." -Mariët Westermann CEO and director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, New York; former vice chancellor, New York University Abu Dhabi

"The best book I have ever read on grief—dare I say, better than Joan Didion?" -Kaitlin Christine Founder and CEO, Gabbi

"There’s no fountain of youth, but Dr. Attia’s practical book reinforces that choices we make when we’re young can prolong a healthy life. Read this for a proactive, strategic approach to longevity." -Ginni Rometty Cochair, OneTen; former chair and CEO, IBM

"This book is an invitation to radically rethink our exhausting approach to modern work... Burned out by the 24/7 grind of modern work, Newport provides alternative strategies for knowledge workers to do the best work of their lives by taking a slower approach to work that matters." -Liz Tenety Cofounder, Motherly; CEO, Founding Women

"While there are many books on investing and public markets, Pulak Prasad explains value investing using the most unique lens of Darwinian history that makes for an insightful yet fun read." -Aakrit Vaish Cofounder and CEO, Jio Haptik Technologies; Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum

"A CEO I admire recently gave me a copy of this book. We share an admiration of Bucky Fuller, who was an expansive thinker and prolific inventor. His ideas triggered a new way of thinking about how to responsively use planetary resources for the benefit of everyone." -Amy Webb Founder and CEO, Future Today Institute

"Having just begun a career in baseball, I’m very excited to dive into how Major League Baseball went from crisis to a golden age and how the events of the 1990s shaped the game and the business we see today." -M. Scott Havens President of business operations, New York Mets

"I enjoy reading big family novels spread across generations. This is a good example of it. Set in England across the past 80 years, Bournville is a story of several generations of a Birmingham family told through their connection with huge historical events, from VE [Victory in Europe] Day in 1945 and the late queen’s coronation to the death of Princess Diana and the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. I liked this novel as much as I liked Middle England, by the same author, which was one of my favorite novels back in 2019." -Dmitry Shishkin CEO, Ringier Media International